Patents by Inventor Martin Groepl

Martin Groepl has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9231755
    Abstract: On the basis of single-ended signals based on logic levels, and of differential, in particular common-mode-based, signals, a circuit arrangement and a corresponding method are proposed, in which a full duplex data transmission is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: SILICON LINE GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Blon, Florian Jansen, Martin Groepl
  • Patent number: 9107261
    Abstract: In order to further develop a circuit arrangement or circuit, in particular driver circuit, and a method for controlling at least one light-emitting component, in particular at least one electro-optical transducer, for example at least one light-emitting diode (LED) or electroluminescent diode or at least one laser, such as at least one semiconductor laser, by switching at least one switching element at least between a first switching position and a second switching position, at least one further circuit component is switched to active or switched on in the second switching position, so that current drain and output resistance are as low as possible, so that the highest possible frequency or switching speed as well as the highest possible output voltage for the light-emitting component can be achieved, it is proposed that the light-emitting component is controlled by varying its operating voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Silicon Line GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Groepl
  • Publication number: 20150162992
    Abstract: In order to be able to receive any digital optical signals in the bandwidth range from zero bits per second to the high Gbits/second range with as little circuit complexity as possible and to be able to process said signals with the least possible energy requirement for reprocessing, the invention proposes a circuit arrangement as well as a method for receiving digital optical signals by means of at least one light-receiving component connected upstream of at least one signal input port, particularly by means of at least one photodiode, wherein the unipolar current signal coming from the light-receiving component through the signal input port is transformed into a bipolar current signal by means of a compensation current provided by at least one current source, the value of said current being defined by means of at least one digital register.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: SILICON LINE GMBH
    Inventors: Martin GROEPL, Holger FRITSCHE, Holger HOELTKE
  • Publication number: 20150049820
    Abstract: In order to further develop a circuit arrangement provided for coding and/or decoding a data stream, in particular of up to 24-bit-wide R[ed]G[reen]B[lue] video signals, and a corresponding method in such way that an efficient DC-balanced coding and/or decoding is possible, in particular with the lowest possible overheads, at least one coder with five 5b/6b coder blocks arranged in parallel to each other and with a 2b/2b coder block arranged in parallel to the 5b/6b coder blocks, and/or at least one decoder with five 6b/5b decoder blocks arranged in parallel to each other and with a 2b/2b decoder block arranged in parallel to the 6b/5b decoder blocks are proposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: SILICON LINE GMBH
    Inventors: Martin GROEPL, Thomas SUTTORP, Florian JANSEN
  • Publication number: 20150043691
    Abstract: On the basis of single-ended signals based on logic levels, and of differential, in particular common-mode-based, signals, a circuit arrangement and a corresponding method are proposed, in which a full duplex data transmission is possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: SILICON LINE GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas BLON, Florian JANSEN, Martin GROEPL
  • Publication number: 20150023378
    Abstract: Circuit arrangement or circuit, in particular driver circuit, and a method for controlling at least one light-emitting component, such as an electro-optical transducer, a light-emitting diode (LED), an electroluminescent diode, a laser, or a semiconductor laser, by switching a switching element between a first switching position and a second switching position, and the voltage supply is effected by a supply element, such as a voltage source or a current source supported by a decoupling capacitor on the output side, so that current drain and output resistance are as low as possible, so that the highest possible frequency or switching speed as well as the highest possible output voltage for the light-emitting component can be achieved, the light-emitting component is controlled by varying its operating voltage, in particular by switching between the switching positions, and the first and second switching positions are of low impedance for the operating frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Martin GROEPL, Holger HOELTKE
  • Patent number: 8855154
    Abstract: Circuit arrangement or circuit, in particular driver circuit, and a method for controlling at least one light-emitting component, such as an electro-optical transducer, a light-emitting diode (LED), an electroluminescent diode, a laser, or a semiconductor laser, by switching a switching element between a first switching position and a second switching position, and the voltage supply is effected by a supply element, such as a voltage source or a current source supported by a decoupling capacitor on the output side, so that current drain and output resistance are as low as possible, so that the highest possible frequency or switching speed as well as the highest possible output voltage for the light-emitting component can be achieved, the light-emitting component is controlled by varying its operating voltage, in particular by switching between the switching positions, and the first and second switching positions are of low impedance for the operating frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: SILICON LINE GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Groepl, Holger Hoeltke
  • Patent number: 8824898
    Abstract: For providing circuit arrangement and method for transmitting signals from a data source to a data sink, the signals being TMDS encoded, the driver circuit is supplied by a connection interface, connected upstream, assigned to data source, with supply voltage, electrical TMDS encoded signals are electro-optically converted by an LED connected downstream of the driver circuit and coupled into an optical fiber as light supplied with TMDS encoded signals, the direct current portion supplied from TMDS transmitter to connection interface, to data source, is converted by driver circuit to a modulated signal current for controlling LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: SILICON LINE GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Groepl, Holger Hoeltke
  • Patent number: 8525435
    Abstract: In order to further develop a circuit arrangement and a method for controlling at least one light emitting component, to which a threshold current is applied, with the circuit arrangement being supplied with voltage by means of at least one supply element, and with the light emitting component being controlled by means of at least one switching element arranged between at least one current limiting element and the light emitting component using at least one switching controller, in such a way that the power efficiency is significantly increased in comparison to prior art, it is proposed that a maximum value of the current is provided by means of the current limiting element, and that the logical “1” of the data to be transmitted by means of the light emitting component is represented by periodic switching between the zero value of the current and the maximum value of the current supplied to the light emitting component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Silicon Line GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Groepl, Holger Hoeltke
  • Patent number: 8258813
    Abstract: In the case of a circuit arrangement which can be supplied by way of at least one voltage source, in particular a driver output stage, for driving at least one differential line which can be connected to at least one first output connection as well as to at least one second output connection for the purpose of, in particular digital, data transmission, wherein the circuit arrangement has at least two paths which are arranged in a mirror-image fashion relative to one another and which connect the voltage source to at least one reference potential, in particular earth potential or ground potential or zero potential, as well as in the case of a method for driving at least one differential line using at least one such circuit arrangement, an increased output impedance is avoided during the switching phase, and this ensures high signal quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Silicon Line GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Groepl, Holger Hoeltke
  • Patent number: 8194431
    Abstract: Programmable antifuse transistor, in particular n-channel MOS transistor, and a method for programming at least one such antifuse transistor, includes at least one gate with a gate terminal, source with a source terminal, drain with a drain terminal, and substrate with a substrate terminal, configured so that active circuits/circuit elements do not have to be located at a distance from the antifuse, minimizing area requirements, without additional process steps the level of the potential difference between source terminal and substrate terminal is less than about 0.5 volts, drain terminal and source terminal lie at different potentials. By adjusting drain-source voltage and/or the gate-source voltage a flow of charge carriers occurs between source and drain, causing semiconductor material between source and drain to be thermally heated and to locally melt, forming at least one permanently conducting channel between source and drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Silicon Line GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Groepl, Holger Hoeltke
  • Publication number: 20110268451
    Abstract: For providing circuit arrangement and method for transmitting signals from a data source to a data sink, the signals being TMDS encoded, the driver circuit is supplied by a connection interface, connected upstream, assigned to data source, with supply voltage, electrical TMDS encoded signals are electro-optically converted by an LED connected downstream of the driver circuit and coupled into an optical fiber as light supplied with TMDS encoded signals, the direct current portion supplied from TMDS transmitter to connection interface, to data source, is converted by driver circuit to a modulated signal current for controlling LED.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: SILICON LINE GmbH
    Inventors: MARTIN GROEPL, Holger Hoeltke
  • Publication number: 20110121742
    Abstract: In order to further develop a circuit arrangement and a method for controlling at least one light emitting component, to which a threshold current is applied, with the circuit arrangement being supplied with voltage by means of at least one supply element, and with the light emitting component being controlled by means of at least one switching element arranged between at least one current limiting element and the light emitting component using at least one switching controller, in such a way that the power efficiency is significantly increased in comparison to prior art, it is proposed that a maximum value of the current is provided by means of the current limiting element, and that the logical “1” of the data to be transmitted by means of the light emitting component is represented by periodic switching between the zero value of the current and the maximum value of the current supplied to the light emitting component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: Silicon Line GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Groepl, Holger Hoeltke
  • Publication number: 20110080765
    Abstract: Programmable antifuse transistor, in particular n-channel MOS transistor, and a method for programming at least one such antifuse transistor, includes at least one gate with a gate terminal, source with a source terminal, drain with a drain terminal, and substrate with a substrate terminal, configured so that active circuits/circuit elements do not have to be located at a distance from the antifuse, minimizing area requirements, without additional process steps the level of the potential difference between source terminal and substrate terminal is less than about 0.5 volts, drain terminal and source terminal lie at different potentials. By adjusting drain-source voltage and/or the gate-source voltage a flow of charge carriers occurs between source and drain, causing semiconductor material between source and drain to be thermally heated and to locally melt, forming at least one permanently conducting channel between source and drain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: SILICON LINE GMBH
    Inventors: MARTIN GROEPL, Holger Hoeltke
  • Publication number: 20100172384
    Abstract: In order to further develop a circuit arrangement or circuit, in particular driver circuit, and a method for controlling at least one light-emitting component, in particular at least one electro-optical transducer, for example at least one light-emitting diode (LED) or electroluminescent diode or at least one laser, such as at least one semiconductor laser, by switching at least one switching element at least between a first switching position and a second switching position, at least one further circuit component is switched to active or switched on in the second switching position, so that current drain and output resistance are as low as possible, so that the highest possible frequency or switching speed as well as the highest possible output voltage for the light-emitting component can be achieved, it is proposed that the light-emitting component is controlled by varying its operating voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventor: Martin Groepl
  • Publication number: 20100172385
    Abstract: Circuit arrangement or circuit, in particular driver circuit, and a method for controlling at least one light-emitting component, such as an electro-optical transducer, a light-emitting diode (LED), an electroluminescent diode, a laser, or a semiconductor laser, by switching a switching element between a first switching position and a second switching position, and the voltage supply is effected by a supply element, such as a voltage source or a current source supported by a decoupling capacitor on the output side, so that current drain and output resistance are as low as possible, so that the highest possible frequency or switching speed as well as the highest possible output voltage for the light-emitting component can be achieved, the light-emitting component is controlled by varying its operating voltage, in particular by switching between the switching positions, and the first and second switching positions are of low impedance for the operating frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: Martin Groepl, Holger Hoeltke
  • Publication number: 20100109794
    Abstract: In the case of a circuit arrangement which can be supplied by way of at least one voltage source, in particular a driver output stage, for driving at least one differential line which can be connected to at least one first output connection as well as to at least one second output connection for the purpose of, in particular digital, data transmission, wherein the circuit arrangement has at least two paths which are arranged in a mirror-image fashion relative to one another and which connect the voltage source to at least one reference potential, in particular earth potential or ground potential or zero potential, as well as in the case of a method for driving at least one differential line using at least one such circuit arrangement, an increased output impedance is avoided during the switching phase, and this ensures high signal quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Martin Groepl, Holger Hoeltke
  • Patent number: 7495485
    Abstract: The invention concerns a controllable current source or “charge pump” (12) in an integrated circuit, comprising two supply terminals (K1, K2) for the application of two supply potentials (V1, V2) as well as an output terminal (Kout) for the delivery of an output current, connected via a first controllable current path (T1) with the first supply terminal (K1), and via a second controllable current path (T2) with the second supply terminal (K2). In order to improve the current source (12) with regard to the quality of the output signal, it is provided according to the invention that the controllable current source (12) furthermore has a replica (T1?, T2?) of the current paths (T1, T2) in their non-controlled state, of which a replica output terminal (Kout?) is connected via a current mirror (T5 to T8) with the output terminal (Kout).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Germany AG
    Inventors: Christophe Holuigue, Martin Gröpl
  • Patent number: 7151828
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement for the analogue suppression of echoes, as in particular can be used in a hybrid-circuit for DSL-transmission systems, comprises a replica (8) for emulating the behaviour of the transmission line (17). In addition, a circuit (3, 4) for emulating the behaviour of the transmitter (13) is provided, which comprises at least one lowpass (3, 4). Furthermore, a replica (9, 10) for emulating the behaviour of bridge taps (14) can also be provided, which comprises at least one bandpass (9, 10). Additionally, a replica (19) for emulating the behaviour of the line driver (1) can also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Thomas Blon, Thomas Eichler, Martin Gröpl, Peter Laaser
  • Patent number: 6621337
    Abstract: The invention relates to an amplifier circuit having a circuit input for a circuit input signal (Vin) to be amplified and an amplification zone for amplifying the circuit input signal (Vin). The invention provides that the amplification zone comprises two amplifiers (OPV1, OPV2), each of which is countercoupled, and which the circuit input signal (Vin) is fed in parallel, and the amplifier outputs of which are or can be connected with a circuit output to provide a circuit output signal (Vout), wherein the amplification input zone of one of the two amplifiers (OPV1) is connected with the amplification input zone of the other of the two amplifiers (OPV2) by means of a further amplifier (A), in such manner that signal distortions at the two amplifier outputs (Vout1, Vout2) essentially cancel each other out. The amplifier circuit according to the invention thus provides for particularly power-efficient amplification of the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Xignal Technologies AG
    Inventor: Martin Gröpl