Patents by Inventor Mikko Waltari

Mikko Waltari 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).

  • Publication number: 20150022384
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for frequency multiplication jitter correction. The method accepts an analog reference signal having a first frequency, and using the analog reference signal, derives a system clock signal having a second frequency, greater than the first frequency. A PLL using a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) is one example of a frequency multiplier. The method samples the amplitude of the analog reference signal using the system clock signal and converts the sampled analog reference signal into a digitized reference signal. In response to comparing the digitized reference signal to an ideal digitized reference signal, the phase error correction for the system clock signal is derived. The phase error correction at a first instance of time can be applied to the digitized data signal, previously converted from an analog data signal sampled at a first instance of time with the system clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Mikko Waltari, Michael Kappes, William Huff
  • Publication number: 20150015313
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for frequency multiplication jitter correction. The method accepts an analog reference signal having a first frequency, and using the analog reference signal, derives a system clock signal having a second frequency, greater than the first frequency. A PLL using a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) is one example of a frequency multiplier. The method samples the amplitude of the analog reference signal using the system clock signal and converts the sampled analog reference signal into a digitized reference signal. In response to comparing the digitized reference signal to an ideal digitized reference signal, the phase error correction for the system clock signal is derived. The phase error correction at a first instance of time can be applied to the digitized data signal, previously converted from an analog data signal sampled at a first instance of time with the system clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Mikko Waltari, Michael Kappes, William Huff
  • Patent number: 8928513
    Abstract: A current steering digital-to-analog converter (DAC) switch driver circuit is provided. The circuit is composed of a conditioning module having a signal input to accept a binary logic digital signal, and signal outputs to supply differential driver signals V+ and V? with a low voltage level (Vlow) greater than the binary logic digital signal low voltage level. Typically, Vlow has a greater potential than ground (0V). A DAC current steering cell has a signal input to accept the differential driver signals and an output to supply a differential analog current responsive to the differential driver signals. The DAC current steering cell may be an NMOS DAC current steering cell. The conditioning module may be a CMOS switch driver, or composed of a level shifter followed by a CMOS switch driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: IQ-Analog Corporation
    Inventor: Mikko Waltari
  • Patent number: 8917125
    Abstract: A system and method are provided of performing background corrections for an interleaving analog-to-digital converter (ADC). An analog input signal s1(t) is accepted having a first frequency f1 and a bandwidth (BW). The method generates a clock at frequency fs, and creates 2 sample clocks with evenly spaced phases, each having a sample clock frequency of fs/2. The method also generates a first tone signal s2(t) having a predetermined second frequency f2 outside BW. The analog input signal and the first tone signal are combined, creating a combination signal, which is sampled using the sample clocks, creating 2 digital sample signals per clock period 1/fs. The 2 digital sample signals are interleaved, creating an interleaved signal. Corrections are applied that minimize errors in the interleaved signal, to obtain a corrected digital output. Errors are determined at an alias frequency f3, associated with the second frequency f2, to obtain correction information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: IQ-Analog Corporation
    Inventor: Mikko Waltari
  • Patent number: 8917124
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for frequency multiplication jitter correction. The method accepts an analog reference signal having a first frequency, and using the analog reference signal, derives a system clock signal having a second frequency, greater than the first frequency. A PLL using a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) is one example of a frequency multiplier. The method samples the amplitude of the analog reference signal using the system clock signal and converts the sampled analog reference signal into a digitized reference signal. In response to comparing the digitized reference signal to an ideal digitized reference signal, the phase error correction for the system clock signal is derived. The phase error correction at a first instance of time can be applied to the digitized data signal, previously converted from an analog data signal sampled at a first instance of time with the system clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: IQ-Analog Corporation
    Inventors: Mikko Waltari, Michael Kappes, William Huff
  • Patent number: 8878577
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for frequency multiplication jitter correction. The method accepts an analog reference signal having a first frequency, and using the analog reference signal, derives a system clock signal having a second frequency, greater than the first frequency. A PLL using a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) is one example of a frequency multiplier. The method samples the amplitude of the analog reference signal using the system clock signal and converts the sampled analog reference signal into a digitized reference signal. In response to comparing the digitized reference signal to an ideal digitized reference signal, the phase error correction for the system clock signal is derived. The phase error correction at a first instance of time can be applied to the digitized data signal, previously converted from an analog data signal sampled at a first instance of time with the system clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: IQ-Analog Corporation
    Inventors: Mikko Waltari, Michael Kappes, William Huff
  • Publication number: 20140070859
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for frequency multiplication jitter correction. The method accepts an analog reference signal having a first frequency, and using the analog reference signal, derives a system clock signal having a second frequency, greater than the first frequency. A PLL using a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) is one example of a frequency multiplier. The method samples the amplitude of the analog reference signal using the system clock signal and converts the sampled analog reference signal into a digitized reference signal. In response to comparing the digitized reference signal to an ideal digitized reference signal, the phase error correction for the system clock signal is derived. The phase error correction at a first instance of time can be applied to the digitized data signal, previously converted from an analog data signal sampled at a first instance of time with the system clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: IQ-Analog Corporation
    Inventors: Mikko Waltari, Michael Kappes, William Huff
  • Patent number: 8654000
    Abstract: Processing a signal by receiving an analog input signal located outside of a first Nyquist zone that is between 0 and fs/2; passing the analog input signal through an M-channel time-interleaved analog-to-digital converter (TI-ADC) to generate a TI-ADC output signal; and estimating and correcting a timing skew error in the TI-ADC output signal. Alternatively, an electronic circuit that includes an input for an analog input signal, an M-channel time-interleaved analog-to-digital converter (TI-ADC) and a timing skew error estimating and correcting circuitry. The analog input signal is located outside of a first Nyquist zone that is between 0 and fs/2. The TI-ADC receives the analog input signal and generates a TI-ADC output signal. The timing skew error estimating and correcting circuitry estimates and corrects a timing skew error in the TI-ADC output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: IQ-Analog, Inc.
    Inventor: Mikko Waltari
  • Publication number: 20130069812
    Abstract: Processing a signal by receiving an analog input signal located outside of a first Nyquist zone that is between 0 and fs/2; passing the analog input signal through an M-channel time-interleaved analog-to-digital converter (TI-ADC) to generate a TI-ADC output signal; and estimating and correcting a timing skew error in the TI-ADC output signal. Alternatively, an electronic circuit that includes an input for an analog input signal, an M-channel time-interleaved analog-to-digital converter (TI-ADC) and a timing skew error estimating and correcting circuitry. The analog input signal is located outside of a first Nyquist zone that is between 0 and fs/2. The TI-ADC receives the analog input signal and generates a TI-ADC output signal. The timing skew error estimating and correcting circuitry estimates and corrects a timing skew error in the TI-ADC output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: IQ-ANALOG, INC.
    Inventor: Mikko Waltari
  • Patent number: 7737875
    Abstract: An input signal is compared to 2N?1 reference voltages to generate 2N?1 corresponding binary valued comparison signals, delaying at least one of the comparison signals by a variable delay and detecting a difference in arrival time between the delayed signal and another comparison signal. A time interpolation signal encoding a plurality of bins within a least significant bit quantization level is generated, based on the detected difference in arrival time. An M-bit output data is generated based on the comparison signals and the time interpolation signal. A non-uniformity of a code density of the M-bit output data is detected, and based on the detecting the delaying is varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Mikko Waltari, Costantino Pala
  • Patent number: 7557746
    Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter circuit comprises a first voltage comparator coupled to a first reference voltage and a signal voltage, the first voltage comparator having first negative and first positive outputs for outputting a comparison of the first reference voltage with the signal voltage; a second voltage comparator coupled to a second reference voltage and the signal voltage, the second reference voltage different than the first reference voltage, the second voltage comparator having second negative and second positive outputs for outputting a comparison of the second reference voltage with the signal voltage; and a first arrival time comparator coupled to the first positive output and the second negative output, the first arrival time comparator having a first arrival time comparator output for outputting a comparison of the first positive output with the second negative output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Mikko Waltari
  • Publication number: 20090153388
    Abstract: An input signal is compared to 2N?1 reference voltages to generate 2N?1 corresponding binary valued comparison signals, delaying at least one of the comparison signals by a variable delay and detecting a difference in arrival time between the delayed signal and another comparison signal. A time interpolation signal encoding a plurality of bins within a least significant bit quantization level is generated, based on the detected difference in arrival time. An M-bit output data is generated based on the comparison signals and the time interpolation signal. A non-uniformity of a code density of the M-bit output data is detected, and based on the detecting the delaying is varied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Mikko WALTARI, Costantino Pala
  • Patent number: 7301379
    Abstract: A DLL comprises detection circuitry configured to detect a too_slow and a too_fast operating state and correction circuitry configured to correct operation of the DLL when a too_fast or too_slow state is detected. The correction circuitry can be configured to swallow a pulse of the input clock signal when a too_fast condition is detected. The correction circuitry can also be configured to force the DLL into a too_fast operation state, when a too_slow operation state is detected. The correction circuitry can then also be configured to swallow a pulse of the input clock signal once the DLL is in the too_fast operation state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Conexant Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Efram E. Burlingame, Mikko Waltari
  • Patent number: 7088275
    Abstract: An algorithmic analog-to-digital converter (ADC) includes a sample-and-hold circuit and an ADC processing unit operating in parallel and sharing a single operational amplifier. The ADC processing unit includes an MDAC with a switched capacitor topology and a sub-ADC. The ADC processing unit is clocked by an internal clock that is N times faster than the sample-and-hold clock. Each cycle is further sub-divided into two phases. During one phase the capacitors are coupled to a residue or sampled voltage provided by the MDAC, and during another phase the capacitor are coupled to a reference voltage determined by the switch control signals generated by the sub-ADC. A set of data bits is generated by the ADC processing unit during each ADC clock cycle. The N sets of data bits are added to generate the digital output stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Conexant Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Mikko Waltari
  • Patent number: 7068202
    Abstract: An algorithmic analog-to-digital converter (ADC) includes a sample-and-hold circuit and an ADC processing unit operating in parallel and sharing a single operational amplifier. The ADC processing unit includes an MDAC with a switched capacitor topology and a sub-ADC. The ADC processing unit is clocked by an internal clock that is N times faster than the sample-and-hold clock. Each cycle is further sub-divided into two phases. During one phase the capacitors are coupled to a residue or sampled voltage provided by the MDAC, and during another phase the capacitor are coupled to a reference voltage determined by the switch control signals generated by the sub-ADC. A set of data bits is generated by the ADC processing unit during each ADC clock cycle. The N sets of data bits are added to generate the digital output stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Conexant Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Mikko Waltari
  • Publication number: 20050140536
    Abstract: An algorithmic analog-to-digital converter (ADC) includes a sample-and-hold circuit and an ADC processing unit operating in parallel and sharing a single operational amplifier. The ADC processing unit includes an MDAC with a switched capacitor topology and a sub-ADC. The ADC processing unit is clocked by an internal clock that is N times faster than the sample-and-hold clock. Each cycle is further sub-divided into two phases. During one phase the capacitors are coupled to a residue or sampled voltage provided by the MDAC, and during another phase the capacitor are coupled to a reference voltage determined by the switch control signals generated by the sub-ADC. A set of data bits is generated by the ADC processing unit during each ADC clock cycle. The N sets of data bits are added to generate the digital output stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventor: Mikko Waltari
  • Publication number: 20050140537
    Abstract: An algorithmic analog-to-digital converter (ADC) includes a sample-and-hold circuit and an ADC processing unit operating in parallel and sharing a single operational amplifier. The ADC processing unit includes an MDAC with a switched capacitor topology and a sub-ADC. The ADC processing unit is clocked by an internal clock that is N times faster than the sample-and-hold clock. Each cycle is further sub-divided into two phases. During one phase the capacitors are coupled to a residue or sampled voltage provided by the MDAC, and during another phase the capacitor are coupled to a reference voltage determined by the switch control signals generated by the sub-ADC. A set of data bits is generated by the ADC processing unit during each ADC clock cycle. The N sets of data bits are added to generate the digital output stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventor: Mikko Waltari