Patents by Inventor Robert Allan Neidorff
Robert Allan Neidorff 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: 12191755Abstract: A dynamic scaling circuit includes: a damping control circuit; a sampling circuit; and a controller. The damping control circuit has a first input, a second input, a third input, an output, and a ground terminal. The sampling circuit has a first input, a second input, an output, and a ground terminal. The first input of the sampling circuit is coupled to the output of the damping control circuit. The controller has an input, a first output, a second output, and a third output. The first output of the controller is coupled to the second input of the damping control circuit. The second output of the controller is coupled to the third input of the damping control circuit. The third output of the controller is coupled to the second input of the sampling circuit.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2023Date of Patent: January 7, 2025Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventor: Robert Allan Neidorff
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Publication number: 20240369598Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a leadframe having a first level and a second level. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor die and a conductive alloy. The conductive alloy is between the semiconductor die and the first level of the lead frame. The conductive alloy is configured to be a current sense element. The semiconductor device further includes a first conductive post coupling the semiconductor die to the conductive alloy, a second conductive post coupling the semiconductor die to the conductive alloy, and a third conductive post coupling the semiconductor die to the second level of the lead frame. The second conductive post is configured to be a first sense terminal. The third conductive post is configured to be a second sense terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2024Publication date: November 7, 2024Inventors: Robert Allan Neidorff, Sreenivasan K. Koduri
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Publication number: 20240291469Abstract: A dynamic scaling circuit includes: a damping control circuit; a sampling circuit; and a controller. The damping control circuit has a first input, a second input, a third input, an output, and a ground terminal. The sampling circuit has a first input, a second input, an output, and a ground terminal. The first input of the sampling circuit is coupled to the output of the damping control circuit. The controller has an input, a first output, a second output, and a third output. The first output of the controller is coupled to the second input of the damping control circuit. The second output of the controller is coupled to the third input of the damping control circuit. The third output of the controller is coupled to the second input of the sampling circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2023Publication date: August 29, 2024Inventor: Robert Allan NEIDORFF
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Patent number: 12066459Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a leadframe having a first level and a second level. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor die and a conductive alloy. The conductive alloy is between the semiconductor die and the first level of the lead frame. The conductive alloy is configured to be a current sense element. The semiconductor device further includes a first conductive post coupling the semiconductor die to the conductive alloy, a second conductive post coupling the semiconductor die to the conductive alloy, and a third conductive post coupling the semiconductor die to the second level of the lead frame. The second conductive post is configured to be a first sense terminal. The third conductive post is configured to be a second sense terminal.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2021Date of Patent: August 20, 2024Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Robert Allan Neidorff, Sreenivasan K Koduri
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Publication number: 20240259011Abstract: In at least one example, an apparatus includes a logic circuit having a switch control output and first and second logic circuit inputs. A pulse generator has a generator output coupled to the first logic circuit input. An elevated temperature detector has a detector output and a temperature sensor. The detector output is coupled between the second logic circuit input and the temperature sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2024Publication date: August 1, 2024Inventors: Robert Allan NEIDORFF, Robert Kenneth OPPEN
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Publication number: 20240230748Abstract: A system for determining the leakage current of a field effect transistor over temperature includes a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) having first and second current terminals and a control terminal, wherein the first current terminal is coupled to a current measurement device. A switch is coupled to the control terminal and to a voltage source. The switch is configured to apply a voltage between a control terminal and a current terminal of the (MOSFET) responsive to a first signal, and apply approximately zero volts to the control terminal of the (MOSFET) responsive to a second signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2024Publication date: July 11, 2024Inventors: Robert Allan NEIDORFF, Henry Litzmann EDWARDS
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Patent number: 11984876Abstract: In at least one example, an apparatus includes a logic circuit having a switch control output and first and second logic circuit inputs. A pulse generator has a generator output coupled to the first logic circuit input. An elevated temperature detector has a detector output and a temperature sensor. The detector output is coupled between the second logic circuit input and the temperature sensor.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2022Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Robert Allan Neidorff, Robert Kenneth Oppen
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Patent number: 11940479Abstract: A system for determining the leakage current of a field effect transistor over temperature includes a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) having first and second current terminals and a control terminal, wherein the first current terminal is coupled to a current measurement device. A switch is coupled to the control terminal and to a voltage source. The switch is configured to apply a voltage between a control terminal and a current terminal of the (MOSFET) responsive to a first signal, and apply approximately zero volts to the control terminal of the (MOSFET) responsive to a second signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2021Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Robert Allan Neidorff, Henry Litzmann Edwards
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Publication number: 20230353137Abstract: In at least one example, an apparatus includes a logic circuit having a switch control output and first and second logic circuit inputs. A pulse generator has a generator output coupled to the first logic circuit input. An elevated temperature detector has a detector output and a temperature sensor. The detector output is coupled between the second logic circuit input and the temperature sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2022Publication date: November 2, 2023Inventors: Robert Allan NEIDORFF, Robert Kenneth OPPEN
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Patent number: 11677323Abstract: In at least some examples, an apparatus includes a logic circuit, first transistor, and second transistor. The logic circuit has a first logic circuit output, and a second logic circuit output. The first transistor has a first transistor gate, a first transistor source, and a first transistor drain, the first transistor gate coupled to the first logic circuit output, the first transistor drain adapted to couple to a voltage source, and the first transistor source coupled to a switching terminal. The second transistor has a second transistor gate, a second transistor source, and a second transistor drain, the second transistor gate coupled to the second logic circuit output, the second transistor drain adapted to couple to the voltage source, and the second transistor source coupled to the switching terminal, wherein a transistor width of the second transistor is larger than a transistor width of the first transistor.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2020Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Robert Allan Neidorff, Robert Kenneth Oppen
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Patent number: 11614368Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide an adaptive gate driver for switching devices are disclosed. An example apparatus includes an electrical switch to drive an electrical system; a condition characterizer to select a drive strength based on a first system parameter corresponding to the electrical system, the first system parameter including at least one of an input voltage corresponding to the electrical switch, an output current corresponding to the electrical switch, or a process variation of the electrical switch; and a driver to generate an output having a current corresponding to the selected drive strength.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2018Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Robert Allan Neidorff, Saurav Bandyopadhyay, Thomas Matthew LaBella
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Patent number: 11552565Abstract: A switch-mode power supply circuit includes a low-side switching transistor, a high-side switching transistor, a low-side current sensing circuit, and a gate driver circuit. The low-side current sensing circuit is coupled to the low-side switching transistor and is configured to sense a current flowing through the low-side switching transistor. The gate driver circuit is coupled to the low-side current sensing circuit and the high-side switching transistor. The gate driver circuit is configured to generate a signal having a first drive strength to switch the high-side switching transistor based on current flowing through the low-side switching transistor being less than a threshold current, and to generate a signal having a second drive strength to switch the high-side switching transistor based on current flowing through the low-side switching transistor being greater than the threshold current. The first drive strength is greater than the second drive strength.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2020Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Saurav Bandyopadhyay, Thomas Matthew LaBella, Huy Le Nhat Nguyen, Michael G. Amaro, Robert Allan Neidorff
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Publication number: 20220399067Abstract: In some examples, a circuit comprises a first polyfuse and a first diode having a first diode anode and a first diode cathode, where the first diode anode is coupled to the first polyfuse. The circuit comprises a second polyfuse coupled to the first polyfuse and a second diode having a second diode anode and a second diode cathode, where the second diode cathode is coupled to the second polyfuse. The circuit comprises a probe pad coupled to the first diode cathode and the second diode anode.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2021Publication date: December 15, 2022Inventor: Robert Allan NEIDORFF
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Patent number: 11521695Abstract: In some examples, a circuit comprises a first polyfuse and a first diode having a first diode anode and a first diode cathode, where the first diode anode is coupled to the first polyfuse. The circuit comprises a second polyfuse coupled to the first polyfuse and a second diode having a second diode anode and a second diode cathode, where the second diode cathode is coupled to the second polyfuse. The circuit comprises a probe pad coupled to the first diode cathode and the second diode anode.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2021Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventor: Robert Allan Neidorff
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Patent number: 11476760Abstract: In some examples, a system includes a voltage source terminal, a voltage reference terminal, a field effect transistor (FET), a current source, a comparator, and adjustment circuitry. The FET has a gate terminal and a non-gate terminal, the gate terminal coupled to the voltage source terminal. The current source is coupled to the non-gate terminal. The comparator has a comparator output and first and second comparator inputs, the first comparator input coupled to the non-gate terminal, and the second comparator input coupled to the voltage reference terminal. The adjustment circuitry has a circuitry input and a circuitry output, the circuitry input coupled to the comparator output, and the adjustment circuitry configured to adjust the circuitry output responsive to the circuitry input, in which the adjustment reduces a drive strength of the circuit.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2020Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Robert Allan Neidorff, Saurav Bandyopadhyay, Ramanathan Ramani
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Publication number: 20220209667Abstract: In at least some examples, an apparatus includes a logic circuit, first transistor, and second transistor. The logic circuit has a first logic circuit output, and a second logic circuit output. The first transistor has a first transistor gate, a first transistor source, and a first transistor drain, the first transistor gate coupled to the first logic circuit output, the first transistor drain adapted to couple to a voltage source, and the first transistor source coupled to a switching terminal. The second transistor has a second transistor gate, a second transistor source, and a second transistor drain, the second transistor gate coupled to the second logic circuit output, the second transistor drain adapted to couple to the voltage source, and the second transistor source coupled to the switching terminal, wherein a transistor width of the second transistor is larger than a transistor width of the first transistor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2020Publication date: June 30, 2022Inventors: Robert Allan NEIDORFF, Robert Kenneth OPPEN
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Publication number: 20220187337Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a leadframe having a first level and a second level. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor die and a conductive alloy. The conductive alloy is between the semiconductor die and the first level of the lead frame. The conductive alloy is configured to be a current sense element. The semiconductor device further includes a first conductive post coupling the semiconductor die to the conductive alloy, a second conductive post coupling the semiconductor die to the conductive alloy, and a third conductive post coupling the semiconductor die to the second level of the lead frame. The second conductive post is configured to be a first sense terminal. The third conductive post is configured to be a second sense terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2021Publication date: June 16, 2022Inventors: Robert Allan NEIDORFF, Sreenivasan K KODURI
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Patent number: 11296016Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods and apparatus to produce such semiconductor devices are disclosed. An integrated circuit package includes a lead frame including a die attach pad and a plurality of leads; a die including a MEMs region defined by a plurality of trenches, the die electrically connected to the plurality of leads; and a mold compound covering portions of the die, the mold compound defining a cavity between a surface of the die and a surface of the mold compound, wherein the mold compound defines a vent.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2017Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Robert Allan Neidorff, Benjamin Cook, Steven Alfred Kummerl, Barry Jon Male, Peter Smeys
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Publication number: 20220059439Abstract: A method includes performing a non-screen printing process that deposits solder on a lead frame or on conductive features of a semiconductor die or wafer, or on or in a conductive via of a laminate structure. The method further comprises engaging the semiconductor die to the lead frame, performing a thermal process that reflows the solder, performing a molding process that forms a package structure which encloses the semiconductor die and a portion of the lead frame, and separating a packaged electronic device from a remaining portion of the lead frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2020Publication date: February 24, 2022Applicant: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Robert Allan Neidorff, Benjamin Cook, Stefan Herzer
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Publication number: 20210325443Abstract: An example method provides a power MOSFET, a voltage source coupled to the power MOSFET, and a current measurement device coupled to a first non-control terminal of the power MOSFET. The voltage source, the current measurement device, and a second non-control terminal of the power MOSFET couple to ground. The method uses the voltage source to apply a voltage between a gate terminal and the second non-control terminal of the power MOSFET, the voltage greater than zero volts and less than a threshold voltage of the power MOSFET. The method also uses the current measurement device to measure a first current flowing through the first non-control terminal while applying the voltage. The method further uses the first current to predict a second current through the first non-control terminal for a voltage between the gate terminal and the second non-control terminal that is approximately zero.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2021Publication date: October 21, 2021Inventors: Robert Allan NEIDORFF, Henry Litzmann EDWARDS