Patents by Inventor Miguel E. Figueroa

Miguel E. Figueroa 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: 8102007
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for trimming a high-resolution digital-to-analog converter (DAC) utilizes floating-gate synapse transistors to trim the current sources in the DAC by providing a trimmable current source. Fowler-Nordheim electron tunneling and hot electron injection are the mechanisms used to vary the amount of charge on the floating gate. Since floating gate devices store charge essentially indefinitely, no continuous trimming mechanism is required, although one could be implemented if desired. By trimming the current sources with high accuracy, a DAC can be built with a much higher resolution and with smaller size than that provided by intrinsic device matching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Synopsys, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hyde, Miguel E. Figueroa, Todd E. Humes, Christopher J. Diorio, Terry D. Hass, Chad A. Lindhorst
  • Patent number: 6664909
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for trimming a high-resolution digital-to-analog converter (DAC) utilizes floating-gate synapse transistors to trim the current sources in the DAC by providing a trimmable current source. Fowler-Nordheim electron tunneling and hot electron injection are the mechanisms used to vary the amount of charge on the floating gate. Since floating gate devices store charge essentially indefinitely, no continuous trimming mechanism is required, although one could be implemented if desired. By trimming the current sources with high accuracy, a DAC can be built with a much higher resolution and with smaller size than that provided by intrinsic device matching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Impinj, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hyde, Miguel E. Figueroa, Todd E. Humes, Christopher J. Diorio, Terry D. Hass, Chad A. Lindhorst