Patents by Inventor Robert Swoboda

Robert Swoboda 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: 10667342
    Abstract: A configurable light source driver device includes circuitry that detects the presence of a resistor when connected to a terminal of the device and automatically configures the device to operate as a differential driver circuit with low EMI emission and a level of circuit stability that is selected on the basis of parasitic impedance conditions of the differential driver circuit. When the terminal is left unconnected, the configurable light source driver device automatically configures itself to operate as a single ended driver circuit with low power consumption and a different level of circuit stability that is selected on the basis of parasitic impedance conditions of the single ended driver circuit. Furthermore, the configurable light source driver device can include a pulse width adjustment circuit for modifying certain operating characteristics of each of the differential driver circuit and the single ended driver circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte. Limited
    Inventors: Milos Davidovic, Robert Swoboda
  • Patent number: 10340957
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer readable medium are provided for monitoring a signal source. The illustrative method includes receiving an analog signal from the signal source, converting the analog signal into a digital signal having a frequency that is representative of an amplitude of the analog signal, and monitoring at least one parameter of the analog signal by counting features of the digital signal or time-measuring a distance between the features of the digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte. Limited
    Inventors: Robert Swoboda, Santosh Dwivedi
  • Publication number: 20180123688
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer readable medium are provided for monitoring a signal source. The illustrative method includes receiving an analog signal from the signal source, converting the analog signal into a digital signal having a frequency that is representative of an amplitude of the analog signal, and monitoring at least one parameter of the analog signal by counting features of the digital signal or time-measuring a distance between the features of the digital signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Swoboda, Santosh Dwivedi
  • Publication number: 20160295649
    Abstract: A configurable light source driver device includes circuitry that detects the presence of a resistor when connected to a terminal of the device and automatically configures the device to operate as a differential driver circuit with low EMI emission and a level of circuit stability that is selected on the basis of parasitic impedance conditions of the differential driver circuit. When the terminal is left unconnected, the configurable light source driver device automatically configures itself to operate as a single ended driver circuit with low power consumption and a different level of circuit stability that is selected on the basis of parasitic impedance conditions of the single ended driver circuit. Furthermore, the configurable light source driver device can include a pulse width adjustment circuit for modifying certain operating characteristics of each of the differential driver circuit and the single ended driver circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Milos Davidovic, Robert Swoboda
  • Patent number: 9435701
    Abstract: An optical fiber strain sensor system and method are provided that use pixels of a three-dimension (3-D) pixel sensor to sense the respective light beams passing out of the ends of a reference fiber and a measurement fiber and for converting the respective light beams into respective electrical signals. Because 3-D camera pixels have photodiodes that are directly connected by switches to integrators within the same die, the need to use separate TIAs and phase detection circuitry in each receive channel is eliminated, which reduces system complexity and overall cost. In addition, omitting the separate TIAs and phase detection circuitry for each channel eliminates the phase uncertainty that can occur when using those components, and thus improves measurement precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Milos Davidovic, Dawid Z. Janse van Vuuren, Robert Swoboda
  • Patent number: 9438241
    Abstract: An Integrated Circuit, a system, and a method are provided. The disclosed Integrated Circuit may include a plurality of pads exposing internal components of the Integrated Circuit to external circuits, a digital interface connectable to the plurality of pads, an analog interface connectable to the plurality of pads, and sensing circuitry configured to detect whether a digital circuit or an analog circuit is externally connected to the plurality of pads and based on such detection selectively connect at least one of the digital interface and analog interface to the plurality of pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Milos Davidovic, Kurt Schweiger, Robert Swoboda
  • Patent number: 9431453
    Abstract: An opto-sensitive device, a pixel configured for use in an opto-sensitive device, and a method of operating an opto-sensitive device are disclosed. The opto-sensitive device illustratively includes a capacitor stacked on top of a photodetector, thereby improving the fill factor of the opto-sensitive device. Transparent properties of the capacitor for a wavelength of interest ensure that the incident light is completely or mostly absorbed only within the photodetector and not within the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Milos Davidovic, Wolfgang Gaberl, Robert Swoboda
  • Patent number: 9385667
    Abstract: A photodetector integrated circuit (IC) having an electromagnetic interference (EMI) sensor integrated therein is provided for sensing EMI at the photodetector. Integrating the EMI sensor into the photodetector IC ensures that the EMI sensor is in proximity to the photodetector so that any EMI that is sensed is actually EMI to which the photodetector is exposed. The sensed EMI may then be used for a number of reasons, such as to determine the root cause of damage to circuitry of the system, to determine the point in time at which an EMI event occurred, or to trigger a warning when a determination is made that an EMI limit has been reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas Lichtenegger, Martin Weigert, Robert Swoboda
  • Patent number: 9350458
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an optical device having a first and second group of the plurality of sensors is disclosed. The first and second group of the plurality of sensors may have a first and second center of gravity region respectively. The plurality of sensors may be arranged such that the first and second center of gravity region may be substantially overlapping so as disturbances created by a time varying field on the first and second group of the plurality of sensors may be substantially similar in magnitude. In another embodiment, a fiber optic transmission system having first and second groups of the plurality of sensors being arranged around a center of gravity region is disclosed. In yet another embodiment, an optical transceiver having first and second sets of the plurality of sensors arranged such that center of gravity of each group is formed at the center region is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert Swoboda
  • Patent number: 9325426
    Abstract: A burst-mode Rx is provided that has a wide dynamic range, low pulse-width distortion and low technological overhead. The Rx is capable of processing signals having levels that range from low noise levels up to high noise levels. In addition, the Rx is capable of quickly and simultaneously adapting the TIA gain and the bit decision threshold level, thereby eliminating the need to transmit and receive a training bit sequence prior to transmitting and receiving actual data. By simultaneously adapting the TIA gain and the bit decision threshold level on the first bit of actual data received in the Rx, the Rx is capable of being used with short packets and with packets of varying lengths transmitted from different types of transmitters located in the same network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert Swoboda
  • Patent number: 9148094
    Abstract: Offset measurement and cancellation circuitry is employed in a transimpedance amplifier (TIA) circuit for directly measuring the offset in the TIA input voltage and for canceling the offset from the TIA output voltage. Employing the offset measurement and cancellation circuitry eliminates the need to use large transistors in the input stage of the TIA in order to reduce or eliminate the offset, which can increase noise and reduce Rx sensitivity. The offset measurement and cancellation circuitry of the invention obviate the need of making a tradeoff between the amount of noise and the magnitude of the offset that will be tolerated. The offset measurement and cancellation circuitry also eliminate the need for additional overhead in the decision threshold in order to avoid false triggering of the decision circuitry of the optical receiver due to noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert Swoboda
  • Publication number: 20150211899
    Abstract: An optical fiber strain sensor system and method are provided that use pixels of a three-dimension (3-D) pixel sensor to sense the respective light beams passing out of the ends of a reference fiber and a measurement fiber and for converting the respective light beams into respective electrical signals. Because 3-D camera pixels have photodiodes that are directly connected by switches to integrators within the same die, the need to use separate TIAs and phase detection circuitry in each receive channel is eliminated, which reduces system complexity and overall cost. In addition, omitting the separate TIAs and phase detection circuitry for each channel eliminates the phase uncertainty that can occur when using those components, and thus improves measurement precision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Milos Davidovic, Dawid Z. Janse van Vuuren, Robert Swoboda
  • Publication number: 20150207571
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an optical device having a first and second group of the plurality of sensors is disclosed. The first and second group of the plurality of sensors may have a first and second center of gravity region respectively. The plurality of sensors may be arranged such that the first and second center of gravity region may be substantially overlapping so as disturbances created by a time varying field on the first and second group of the plurality of sensors may be substantially similar in magnitude. In another embodiment, a fiber optic transmission system having first and second groups of the plurality of sensors being arranged around a center of gravity region is disclosed. In yet another embodiment, an optical transceiver having first and second sets of the plurality of sensors arranged such that center of gravity of each group is formed at the center region is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Applicant: Avago Technologies General lP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert Swoboda
  • Publication number: 20150108326
    Abstract: An opto-sensitive device, a pixel configured for use in an opto-sensitive device, and a method of operating an opto-sensitive device are disclosed. The opto-sensitive device illustratively includes a capacitor stacked on top of a photodetector, thereby improving the fill factor of the opto-sensitive device. Transparent properties of the capacitor for a wavelength of interest ensure that the incident light is completely or mostly absorbed only within the photodetector and not within the capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Milos Davidovic, Wolfgang Gaberl, Robert Swoboda
  • Publication number: 20150016828
    Abstract: A burst-mode Rx is provided that has a wide dynamic range, low pulse-width distortion and low technological overhead. The Rx is capable of processing signals having levels that range from low noise levels up to high noise levels. In addition, the Rx is capable of quickly and simultaneously adapting the TIA gain and the bit decision threshold level, thereby eliminating the need to transmit and receive a training bit sequence prior to transmitting and receiving actual data. By simultaneously adapting the TIA gain and the bit decision threshold level on the first bit of actual data received in the Rx, the Rx is capable of being used with short packets and with packets of varying lengths transmitted from different types of transmitters located in the same network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd
    Inventor: Robert Swoboda
  • Publication number: 20140367556
    Abstract: A photodetector integrated circuit (IC) having an electromagnetic interference (EMI) sensor integrated therein is provided for sensing EMI at the photodetector. Integrating the EMI sensor into the photodetector IC ensures that the EMI sensor is in proximity to the photodetector so that any EMI that is sensed is actually EMI to which the photodetector is exposed. The sensed EMI may then be used for a number of reasons, such as to determine the root cause of damage to circuitry of the system, to determine the point in time at which an EMI event occurred, or to trigger a warning when a determination is made that an EMI limit has been reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas Lichtenegger, Martin Weigert, Robert Swoboda
  • Patent number: 6221870
    Abstract: The invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R1 to R6 are as defined in the description, and a process for preparing them. The compounds of formula I are useful as pharmaceuticals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Paul Pfaeffli, Peter Neumann, Robert Swoboda, Peter Stütz
  • Patent number: 6169116
    Abstract: Compounds of formula I wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined in the description, are useful as pharmaceuticals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventor: Robert Swoboda
  • Patent number: 5885988
    Abstract: The invention provides compounds of formula I ##STR1## wherein X, Y, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are as defined in the description, and a process for preparing them. The compounds of formula I are useful as pharmaceuticals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Peter Neumann, Paul Pfaeffli, Max Peter Seiler, Robert Swoboda
  • Patent number: 5538971
    Abstract: 6-hydroxy or 6-alkoxy-1,2,3,4,4a,5,10,10a-octahydro-benzo[g]quinoxalines bearing in position 4 an optionally substituted phenyl group may be used in the treatment of schizophrenia, drug abuse or self-injurious behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Sandoz Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter Gull, Rudolf Markstein, Robert Swoboda