Patents by Inventor Michael C. W. Coln
Michael C. W. Coln 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).
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Patent number: 11942960Abstract: An analog-to-digital (ADC) converter system and method of using the system that can be used in low power situations. The converter can periodically or recurrently turn off a reference standard in order to conserve power and instead using a stable supply source as a reference voltage. A precise conversion for signal from the analog to the digital domain while maintaining a low quiescent current.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2022Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.Inventors: George Pieter Reitsma, Karthik Pappu, Raymond Thomas Perry, Kalin v. Lazarov, James Raymond Catt, Michael C. W. Coln
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Publication number: 20230246652Abstract: An analog-to-digital (ADC) converter system and method of using the system that can be used in low power situations. The converter can periodically or recurrently turn off a reference standard in order to conserve power and instead using a stable supply source as a reference voltage. A precise conversion for signal from the analog to the digital domain while maintaining a low quiescent current.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2022Publication date: August 3, 2023Inventors: George Pieter Reitsma, Karthik Pappu, Raymond Thomas Perry, Kalin V. Lazarov, James Raymond Catt, Michael C.W. Coln
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Publication number: 20220126300Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a microfabricated thermal platform. The platform is formed over a substrate, which may for example be a silicon wafer, and which may form part of the platform. The substrate is coated in a thermally-insulating material, which may be an organic polymer such, as polyimide or SU8. The thermally-insulating material may have a predetermined thermal conductivity, which is dependent on thickness, geometry and processing. The surface of the thermally-insulating material may include an arrangement of thermal sites, with each site having a reaction plate (or thermal plate) over which chemical reactions may occur. A heating element may be positioned beneath each reaction plate. The thermal platform may have a plurality of such thermal sites arranged over the upper surface of the thermally-insulating material. However, it will be appreciated that in practice, there could be a single thermal site.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2020Publication date: April 28, 2022Inventors: Christophe Antoine, Helen Berney, Bernard Stenson, Ramji Sitaraman Lakshmana, William Allan Lane, Himanshu Jain, Christina B. McLoughlin, Shane Geary, Michael C.W. Coln, Donal McAuliffe
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Patent number: 11228310Abstract: Optically isolated micromachined (MEMS) switches and related methods are described. The optically isolated MEMS switches described herein may be used to provide isolation between electronic devices. For example, the optically isolated MEMS switches of the types described herein can enable the use of separate grounds between the receiving electronic device and the control circuitry. Isolation of high-voltage signals and high-voltage power supplies can be achieved by using an optical isolator and a MEMS switch, where the optical isolator controls the state of the MEMS switch. In some embodiments, utilizing optical isolators to provide high voltages, the need for electric high-voltage sources such as high-voltage power supplies and charge pumps may be removed, thus removing the cause of potential damage to the receiving electronic device. In one example, the optical isolator and the MEMS switch may be co-packaged on the same substrate.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2020Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: Analog Devices Global Unlimited CompanyInventors: Ying Zhao, Alan O'Donnell, Michael James Twohig, Olly J. Kierse, James Thomas Sheeran, Michael C. W. Coln, Paul W. Stevens, Bruce A. Hecht, Padraig Fitzgerald, Mark Schirmer
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Patent number: 10972063Abstract: Amplifier systems for measuring a wide range of current are provided herein. In certain embodiments, an amplifier system includes a controllable sensing circuit, a first amplifier including an output configured to drive a device under test (DUT) through the controllable sensing circuit, and a second amplifier including an input coupled to the controllable sensing circuit and operable to generate a measurement signal indicating an amount of measured current of the DUT. The amplifier system further includes a control circuit operable to control a configuration or mode of the controllable sensing circuit suitable for a particular type of DUT.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Analog Devices Global Unlimited CompanyInventors: Simon Nicholas Fiedler Basilico, Yoshinori Kusuda, Camille Louis Huin, Gary Carreau, Gustavo Castro, Sean Patrick Kowalik, Michael C. W. Coln, Scott Andrew Hunt
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Publication number: 20210067160Abstract: Optically isolated micromachined (MEMS) switches and related methods are described. The optically isolated MEMS switches described herein may be used to provide isolation between electronic devices. For example, the optically isolated MEMS switches of the types described herein can enable the use of separate grounds between the receiving electronic device and the control circuitry. Isolation of high-voltage signals and high-voltage power supplies can be achieved by using an optical isolator and a MEMS switch, where the optical isolator controls the state of the MEMS switch. In some embodiments, utilizing optical isolators to provide high voltages, the need for electric high-voltage sources such as high-voltage power supplies and charge pumps may be removed, thus removing the cause of potential damage to the receiving electronic device. In one example, the optical isolator and the MEMS switch may be co-packaged on the same substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2020Publication date: March 4, 2021Applicant: Analog Devices Global Unlimited CompanyInventors: Ying Zhao, Alan O'Donnell, Michael James Twohig, Olly J. Kierse, James Sheeran, Michael C.W. Coln, Paul W. Stevens, Bruce A. Hecht, Padraig Fitzgerald, Mark Schirmer
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Patent number: 10903843Abstract: A successive approximation register analog-to-digital converter (SAR ADC) circuit comprises N weighted bit capacitors, wherein N is a positive integer greater than one; a sampling circuit configured to sample an input voltage onto the N weighted bit capacitors; and logic circuitry. The logic circuitry is configured to enable sampling of the input voltage onto the N weighted bit capacitors in a high-resolution mode; enable sampling of the input voltage onto N?M of the weighted bit capacitors in a low-resolution mode and sampling a common mode voltage onto the most significant M weighted bit capacitors, wherein M is a positive integer greater than zero and less than N; and initiate successive bit trials using the weighted bit capacitors to convert the sampled input voltage to a digital value.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2020Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Analog Devices International Unlimited CompanyInventors: Sandeep Monangi, Michael C. W. Coln, Archana Patil
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Patent number: 10871382Abstract: Various examples are directed to configuring a configurable hardware module to perform a measurement of a physical quantity. A configuration manager may receive an indication of the physical quantity and performance factor data describing the measurement of the physical quantity. The configuration manager may generate a hardware configuration of the hardware based at least in part on the indication of the physical quantity and the performance factor data. The hardware configuration may comprise instruction data to configure the hardware module to execute a dynamic measurement of the physical quantity. The configuration manager may also generate configuration data describing the hardware configuration, wherein the configuration data comprises simulation data comprising input parameters for a simulation of the hardware configuration and hardware configuration data for configuring a hardware module to implement at least a portion of the hardware configuration.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2017Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: Analog Devices International Unlimited CompanyInventors: Colin G. Lyden, Claire Croke, Mack Roger Lund, Alan Clohessy, Meabh Shine, Rosemary B. Ryan, Aine M. Joyce, Aine McCarthy, Mary McCarthy, Thomas M. MacLeod, Jason Cockrell, Michael C. W. Coln, Gustavo Castro, Sean Kowalik, Colm P. Ronan, Michael Edward Bradley, Michael Mueck, Jonathan Ephraim David Hurwitz, Aileen Ritchie
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Patent number: 10848152Abstract: Optically isolated micromachined (MEMS) switches and related methods are described. The optically isolated MEMS switches described herein may be used to provide isolation between electronic devices. For example, the optically isolated MEMS switches of the types described herein can enable the use of separate grounds between the receiving electronic device and the control circuitry. Isolation of high-voltage signals and high-voltage power supplies can be achieved by using an optical isolator and a MEMS switch, where the optical isolator controls the state of the MEMS switch. In some embodiments, utilizing optical isolators to provide high voltages, the need for electric high-voltage sources such as high-voltage power supplies and charge pumps may be removed, thus removing the cause of potential damage to the receiving electronic device. In one example, the optical isolator and the MEMS switch may be co-packaged on the same substrate.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Analog Devices Global Unlimited CompanyInventors: Ying Zhao, Alan O'Donnell, Michael James Twohig, Olly J. Kierse, James Thomas Sheeran, Michael C. W. Coln, Paul W. Stevens, Bruce A. Hecht, Padraig Fitzgerald, Mark Schirmer
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Patent number: 10809792Abstract: A signal acquisition or conditioning amplifier can be configured and controlled to use correlated doubling sampling (CDS) of a differential input signal, and a storage capacitor in a capacitive or other feedback network, a low power operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) capable of being powered down between CDS samplings, and which can be operated in a manner that provides good performance characteristics while still providing low or efficient power consumption. The amplifier and other signal processing circuitry can allow power to be scaled down, when less signal measurement throughput is needed, and to be scaled up, when more signal measurement throughput is needed. Such flexibility can help make the present approach useful for a wide range of signal acquisition and measurement applications. Precharging via buffer amplifiers can provide improved signal acquisition circuitry effective input impedance.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.Inventors: Michael C. W. Coln, Michael Mueck
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Patent number: 10756676Abstract: Amplifier systems for driving a wide range of loads are provided herein. In certain embodiments, an amplifier system includes a voltage output amplifier and a current output amplifier that are electrically coupled in parallel with one another between an input terminal and an output terminal. The amplifier system further includes a control circuit operable to control whether or not the voltage output amplifier and/or current output amplifier drive the output terminal.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2018Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Analog Devices Global Unlimited CompanyInventors: Yoshinori Kusuda, Simon Nicholas Fiedler Basilico, Sean Patrick Kowalik, Joseph Leandro Balais Peje, Michael C. W. Coln
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Publication number: 20200245915Abstract: A photometry device can include a first to emit light to a target in response to a first current through the first LED, a second LED to emit light to the target in response to a second current through the second LED, and an inductor, coupled to the first and second LEDs, to store energy associated with at least one of the first and second currents.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2020Publication date: August 6, 2020Inventors: John Jude O'Donnell, Colin G. Lyden, Michael C.W. Coln
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Publication number: 20200127610Abstract: Amplifier systems for driving a wide range of loads are provided herein. In certain embodiments, an amplifier system includes a voltage output amplifier and a current output amplifier that are electrically coupled in parallel with one another between an input terminal and an output terminal. The amplifier system further includes a control circuit operable to control whether or not the voltage output amplifier and/or current output amplifier drive the output terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2018Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: Yoshinori Kusuda, Simon Nicholas Fiedler Basilico, Sean Patrick Kowalik, Joseph Leandro Balais Peje, Michael C. W. Coln
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Publication number: 20200127624Abstract: Amplifier systems for measuring a wide range of current are provided herein. In certain embodiments, an amplifier system includes a controllable sensing circuit, a first amplifier including an output configured to drive a device under test (DUT) through the controllable sensing circuit, and a second amplifier including an input coupled to the controllable sensing circuit and operable to generate a measurement signal indicating an amount of measured current of the DUT. The amplifier system further includes a control circuit operable to control a configuration or mode of the controllable sensing circuit suitable for a particular type of DUT.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2018Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: Simon Nicholas Fiedler Basilico, Yoshinori Kusuda, Camille Louis Huin, Gary Carreau, Gustavo Castro, Sean Patrick Kowalik, Michael C. W. Coln, Scott Andrew Hunt
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Publication number: 20200057484Abstract: A signal acquisition or conditioning amplifier can be configured and controlled to use correlated doubling sampling (CDS) of a differential input signal, and a storage capacitor in a capacitive or other feedback network, a low power operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) capable of being powered down between CDS samplings, and which can be operated in a manner that provides good performance characteristics while still providing low or efficient power consumption. The amplifier and other signal processing circuitry can allow power to be scaled down, when less signal measurement throughput is needed, and to be scaled up, when more signal measurement throughput is needed. Such flexibility can help make the present approach useful for a wide range of signal acquisition and measurement applications. Precharging via buffer amplifiers can provide improved signal acquisition circuitry effective input impedance.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2018Publication date: February 20, 2020Inventors: Michael C.W. Coln, Michael Mueck
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Patent number: 10554181Abstract: An electronic circuit comprises a comparator circuit including an input circuit stage and an output circuit stage, and an input stage supply circuit coupled to a circuit supply rail and the input circuit stage. The input stage supply circuit includes a voltage generator circuit and a regulating circuit. The voltage generator circuit includes a replicate circuit of a portion of the input circuit stage to generate a voltage that is less than a voltage of the circuit supply rail and varies with the voltage of the circuit supply rail and device parameters of the replicate circuit. The regulating circuit generates a regulated input stage supply using the generated voltage.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2019Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: Analog Devices International Unlimited CompanyInventors: Debopam Banerjee, Maitrey Kamble, Sandeep Monangi, Michael C. W. Coln
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Patent number: 10528070Abstract: A low-noise, low-power reference voltage circuit can include an operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) with inputs coupled to a temperature-compensated voltage, such as can be provided by source-coupled first and second field-effect transistors (FETs) having different threshold voltages. A capacitive voltage divider can feed back a portion of a reference voltage output by the OTA to the inputs of the OTA to help establish or maintain the temperature-compensated voltage across the inputs of the OTA. A switching network can be used, such as initialize the capacitive voltage divider or other capacitive feedback circuit, such as during power-down cycles, or when resuming powered-on cycles. A switch can interrupt current to the OTA during the power-down cycles to save power. The cycled voltage reference circuit can provide a reference voltage to an ADC reservoir capacitor. Powering down can occur during analog input signal sampling, during successive approximation routine (SAR) conversion, or both.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2018Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: Analog Devices Global Unlimited CompanyInventors: Michael C. W. Coln, Michael Mueck, Quan Wan, Sandeep Monangi
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Publication number: 20190339730Abstract: A low-noise, low-power reference voltage circuit can include an operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) with inputs coupled to a temperature-compensated voltage, such as can be provided by source-coupled first and second field-effect transistors (FETs) having different threshold voltages. A capacitive voltage divider can teed back a portion of a reference voltage output by the OTA to the inputs of the OTA to help establish or maintain the temperature-compensated voltage across the inputs of the OTA. A switching network can be used, such as initialize the capacitive voltage divider or other capacitive feedback circuit, such as during power-down cycles, or when resuming powered-on cycles. A switch can interrupt current to the OTA during the power-down cycles to save power. The cycled voltage reference circuit can provide a reference voltage to an ADC reservoir capacitor. Powering down can occur during analog input signal sampling, during successive approximation routine (SAR) conversion, or both.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2018Publication date: November 7, 2019Inventors: Michael C.W. Coln, Michael Mueck, Quan Wan, Sandeep Monangi
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Patent number: 10454493Abstract: Many electronic circuits rely on the ratio of one component to other components being well defined. Current flow in component can warm the component causing its electrical properties to change, for example the resistance of a resistor may increase due to self-heating as a result of current flow. The present disclosure provides a way to reduce temperature variation between components so as to reduce electrical mismatch between them or the consequences of such mismatch. This is important as even a change of resistance of, for example, 20-50 ppm in a resistor can result in non-linearity exceeding the least significant bit value of a 16 bit digital to analog converter.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2016Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Analog Devices GlobalInventors: Dennis A. Dempsey, Michael C. W. Coln
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Publication number: 20190288686Abstract: Optically isolated micromachined (MEMS) switches and related methods are described. The optically isolated MEMS switches described herein may be used to provide isolation between electronic devices. For example, the optically isolated MEMS switches of the types described herein can enable the use of separate grounds between the receiving electronic device and the control circuitry. Isolation of high-voltage signals and high-voltage power supplies can be achieved by using an optical isolator and a MEMS switch, where the optical isolator controls the state of the MEMS switch. In some embodiments, utilizing optical isolators to provide high voltages, the need for electric high-voltage sources such as high-voltage power supplies and charge pumps may be removed, thus removing the cause of potential damage to the receiving electronic device. In one example, the optical isolator and the MEMS switch may be co-packaged on the same substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2018Publication date: September 19, 2019Applicant: Analog Devices Global Unlimited CompanyInventors: Ying Zhao, Alan O'Donnell, Michael James Twohig, Olly J. Kierse, James Thomas Sheeran, Michael C.W. Coln, Paul W. Stevens, Bruce A. Hecht, Padraig Fitzgerald Fitzgerald, Mark Schirmer