Patents by Inventor Padraig L. FITZGERALD
Padraig L. FITZGERALD 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: 10461151Abstract: An integrated circuit may include a semiconductor die having a trench formed in a surface of the semiconductor die. One or more circuit components may be formed on the surface of the semiconductor die. The trench can extend into the semiconductor die next to at least one circuit component. The trench may surround the circuit component partially or wholly. The trench may be filled with a material having a lower bulk modulus than the semiconductor die in which the trench is formed.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2016Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Analog Devices GlobalInventors: Patrick F. M. Poucher, Padraig L. Fitzgerald, John Jude O'Donnell, Oliver J. Kierse, Denis M. O'Connor
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Patent number: 10429456Abstract: A magnetic device may include a magnetic structure, a device structure, and an associated circuit. The magnetic structure may include a patterned layer of material having a predetermined magnetic property. The patterned layer may be configured to, e.g., provide a magnetic field, sense a magnetic field, channel or concentrate magnetic flux, shield a component from a magnetic field, or provide magnetically actuated motion, etc. The device structure may be another structure of the device that is physically connected to or arranged relative to the magnetic structure to, e.g., structurally support, enable operation of, or otherwise incorporate the magnetic structure into the magnetic device, etc. The associated circuit may be electrically connected to the magnetic structure to receive, provide, condition or process of signals of the magnetic device.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2018Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: Analog Devices GlobalInventors: Alan J. O'Donnell, Robert Guyol, Maria Jose Martinez, Jan Kubik, Padraig L. Fitzgerald, Javier Calpe Maravilla, Michael P. Lynch, Eoin E. English
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Publication number: 20190178953Abstract: A magnetic device may include a magnetic structure, a device structure, and an associated circuit. The magnetic structure may include a patterned layer of material having a predetermined magnetic property. The patterned layer may be configured to, e.g., provide a magnetic field, sense a magnetic field, channel or concentrate magnetic flux, shield a component from a magnetic field, or provide magnetically actuated motion, etc. The device structure may be another structure of the device that is physically connected to or arranged relative to the magnetic structure to, e.g., structurally support, enable operation of, or otherwise incorporate the magnetic structure into the magnetic device, etc. The associated circuit may be electrically connected to the magnetic structure to receive, provide, condition or process of signals of the magnetic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2018Publication date: June 13, 2019Inventors: Alan J. O'Donnell, Robert Guyol, Maria Jose Martinez, Jan Kubik, Padraig L. Fitzgerald, Javier Calpe Maravilla, Michael P. Lynch, Eoin E. English
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Patent number: 10145906Abstract: A magnetic device may include a magnetic structure, a device structure, and an associated circuit. The magnetic structure may include a patterned layer of material having a predetermined magnetic property. The patterned layer may be configured to, e.g., provide a magnetic field, sense a magnetic field, channel or concentrate magnetic flux, shield a component from a magnetic field, or provide magnetically actuated motion, etc. The device structure may be another structure of the device that is physically connected to or arranged relative to the magnetic structure to, e.g., structurally support, enable operation of, or otherwise incorporate the magnetic structure into the magnetic device, etc. The associated circuit may be electrically connected to the magnetic structure to receive, provide, condition or process of signals of the magnetic device.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2015Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Analog Devices GlobalInventors: Alan J. O'Donnell, Robert Guyol, Maria Jose Martinez, Jan Kubik, Padraig L. Fitzgerald, Javier Calpe Maravilla, Michael P. Lynch, Eoin E. English
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Patent number: 10033179Abstract: A method of and apparatus for protecting a MEMS switch is provided. The method and apparatus improve the integrity of MEMS switches by reducing their vulnerability to current flow through them during switching of the MEMS switch between on and off or vice versa. The protection circuit provides for a parallel path, known as a shunt, around the MEMS component. However, components within the shunt circuit can themselves be removed from the shunt when they are not required. This improves the electrical performance of the shunt when the switch is supposed to be in an off state.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2015Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: Analog Devices Global Unlimited CompanyInventors: Padraig L. Fitzgerald, Eric James Carty
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Patent number: 9911563Abstract: A MEMS switch device including: a substrate layer; an insulating layer formed over the substrate layer; and a MEMS switch module having a plurality of contacts formed on the surface of the insulating layer, wherein the insulating layer includes a number of conductive pathways formed within the insulating layer, the conductive pathways being configured to interconnect selected contacts of the MEMS switch module.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2013Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: ANALOG DEVICES GLOBALInventors: John G Macnamara, Padraig L. Fitzgerald, Raymond C Goggin, Bernard P Stenson
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Patent number: 9786609Abstract: A stress shield for a plastic integrated circuit package is disclosed. A shield plate is attached by an adhesive to a top surface of an integrated circuit die such that the shield plate covers less than all of the top surface and leaves bond pads exposed. A molding material is applied over the shield plate and the integrated circuit die. The shield plate shields the integrated circuit die from stresses imparted by the molding material.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2013Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: ANALOG DEVICES GLOBALInventors: Oliver J Kierse, Frank Poucher, Michael J Cusack, Padraig L Fitzgerald, Patrick Elebert
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Patent number: 9748048Abstract: Several features are disclosed that improve the operating performance of MEMS switches such that they exhibit improved in-service life and better control over switching on and off.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2014Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Analog Devices GlobalInventors: Padraig L. Fitzgerald, Jo-ey Wong, Raymond C. Goggin, Bernard P. Stenson, Paul Lambkin, Mark Schirmer
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Publication number: 20170178781Abstract: A magnetic device may include a magnetic structure, a device structure, and an associated circuit. The magnetic structure may include a patterned layer of material having a predetermined magnetic property. The patterned layer may be configured to, e.g., provide a magnetic field, sense a magnetic field, channel or concentrate magnetic flux, shield a component from a magnetic field, or provide magnetically actuated motion, etc. The device structure may be another structure of the device that is physically connected to or arranged relative to the magnetic structure to, e.g., structurally support, enable operation of, or otherwise incorporate the magnetic structure into the magnetic device, etc. The associated circuit may be electrically connected to the magnetic structure to receive, provide, condition or process of signals of the magnetic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2015Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: Alan J. O'DONNELL, Robert GUYOL, Maria Jose MARTINEZ, Jan KUBIK, Padraig L. Fitzgerald, Javier CALPE MARAVILLA, Michael P. LYNCH, Eoin E. ENGLISH
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Patent number: 9659717Abstract: A MEMS apparatus has a substrate, an input node, an output node, and a MEMS switch between the input node and the output node. The switch selectively connects the input node and the output node, which are electrically isolated when the switch is open. The apparatus also has an input doped region in the substrate and an output doped region in the substrate. The input doped region and output doped region are electrically isolated through the substrate—i.e., the resistance between them inhibits non-negligible current flows between the two doped regions. The input doped region forms an input capacitance with the input node, while the output doped region forms an output capacitance with the output node.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2014Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: Analog Devices GlobalInventors: Check F. Lee, Raymond C. Goggin, Padraig L. Fitzgerald
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Patent number: 9583294Abstract: A MEMS switch has a base formed from a substrate with a top surface and an insulator layer formed on at least a portion of the top surface. Bonding material secures a cap to the base to form an interior chamber. The cap effectively forms an exterior region of the base that is exterior to the interior chamber. The MEMS switch also has a movable member (in the interior chamber) having a member contact portion, an internal contact (also in the interior chamber), and an exterior contact at the exterior region of the base. The contact portion of the movable member is configured to alternatively contact the interior contact. A conductor at least partially within the insulator layer electrically connects the interior contact and the exterior contact. The conductor is spaced from and electrically isolated from the bonding material securing the cap to the base.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2014Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: Analog Devices GlobalInventors: Check F. Lee, Raymond C. Goggin, Padraig L. Fitzgerald, Bernard P. Stenson, Mark Schirmer, Jo-ey Wong
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Publication number: 20170025497Abstract: An integrated circuit may include a semiconductor die having a trench formed in a surface of the semiconductor die. One or more circuit components may be formed on the surface of the semiconductor die. The trench can extend into the semiconductor die next to at least one circuit component. The trench may surround the circuit component partially or wholly. The trench may be filled with a material having a lower bulk modulus than the semiconductor die in which the trench is formed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Patrick F.M. Poucher, Padraig L. Fitzgerald, John Jude O'Donnell, Oliver J. Kierse, Denis M. O'Connor
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Patent number: 9466666Abstract: An integrated circuit may include a semiconductor die having a trench formed in a surface of the semiconductor die. One or more circuit components may be formed on the surface of the semiconductor die. The trench can extend into the semiconductor die next to at least one circuit component. The trench may surround the circuit component partially or wholly. The trench may be filled with a material having a lower bulk modulus than the semiconductor die in which the trench is formed.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2013Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: ANALOG DEVICES GLOBALInventors: Patrick F. M. Poucher, Padraig L. Fitzgerald, John Jude O'Donnell, Oliver J. Kierse, Denis M. O'Connor
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Publication number: 20160006241Abstract: A method of and apparatus for protecting a MEMS switch is provided. The method and apparatus improve the integrity of MEMS switches by reducing their vulnerability to current flow through them during switching of the MEMS switch between on and off or vice versa. The protection circuit provides for a parallel path, known as a shunt, around the MEMS component. However, components within the shunt circuit can themselves be removed from the shunt when they are not required. This improves the electrical performance of the shunt when the switch is supposed to be in an off state.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2015Publication date: January 7, 2016Inventors: Padraig L. Fitzgerald, Eric James Carty
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Publication number: 20150325393Abstract: A micromachined switch has a cavity with an atmosphere configured to reduce sparking between switch contacts during opening and closing operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2015Publication date: November 12, 2015Inventors: Bernard P. Stenson, Darren R. Lee, Padraig L. Fitzgerald, Michael Morrissey
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Publication number: 20150311021Abstract: A MEMS switch has a base formed from a substrate with a top surface and an insulator layer formed on at least a portion of the top surface. Bonding material secures a cap to the base to form an interior chamber. The cap effectively forms an exterior region of the base that is exterior to the interior chamber. The MEMS switch also has a movable member (in the interior chamber) having a member contact portion, an internal contact (also in the interior chamber), and an exterior contact at the exterior region of the base. The contact portion of the movable member is configured to alternatively contact the interior contact. A conductor at least partially within the insulator layer electrically connects the interior contact and the exterior contact. The conductor is spaced from and electrically isolated from the bonding material securing the cap to the base.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2014Publication date: October 29, 2015Inventors: Check F. Lee, Raymond C. Goggin, Padraig L. Fitzgerald, Bernard P. Stenson, Mark Schirmer, Jo-ey Wong
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Publication number: 20150311003Abstract: Several features are disclosed that improve the operating performance of MEMS switches such that they exhibit improved in-service life and better control over switching on and off.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2014Publication date: October 29, 2015Inventors: Padraig L. Fitzgerald, Jo-ey Wong, Raymond C. Goggin, Bernard P. Stenson, Paul Lambkin, Mark Schirmer
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Publication number: 20150235779Abstract: A MEMS apparatus has a substrate, an input node, an output node, and a MEMS switch between the input node and the output node. The switch selectively connects the input node and the output node, which are electrically isolated when the switch is open. The apparatus also has an input doped region in the substrate and an output doped region in the substrate. The input doped region and output doped region are electrically isolated through the substrate—i.e., the resistance between them inhibits non-negligible current flows between the two doped regions. The input doped region forms an input capacitance with the input node, while the output doped region forms an output capacitance with the output node.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2014Publication date: August 20, 2015Inventors: Check F. Lee, Raymond C. Goggin, Padraig L. Fitzgerald
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Publication number: 20150170911Abstract: A silicon substrate is provided that may facilitate the formation of RF components more cheaply by using a silicon layer formed by the Czochralski process, and having a carrier life time killing layer deposited on the silicon layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2013Publication date: June 18, 2015Applicant: ANALOG DEVICES TECHNOLOGYInventors: Paul Martin Lambkin, Padraig L. Fitzgerald, Bernard Patrick Stenson, Raymond C. Goggin, Seamus A. Lynch, William A. Lane
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Publication number: 20150123256Abstract: A stress shield for a plastic integrated circuit package is disclosed. A shield plate is attached by an adhesive to a top surface of an integrated circuit die such that the shield plate covers less than all of the top surface and leaves bond pads exposed. A molding material is applied over the shield plate and the integrated circuit die. The shield plate shields the integrated circuit die from stresses imparted by the molding material.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2013Publication date: May 7, 2015Applicant: Analog Devices TechnologyInventors: Oliver J Kierse, Frank Poucher, Michael J. Cusack, Padraig L. Fitzgerald, Patrick Elebert