Patents by Inventor Shawn Searles

Shawn Searles 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: 20200026345
    Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit included in a computer system may generate a voltage level on a power supply signal using a source power supply signal and based initial values of one or more operation parameters derived from wafer-level test data. One or more operation characteristics of the voltage regulator circuit may be sampled, by a measurement circuit, at multiple time points to generated measurement data. A control circuit may adapt operation of the voltage regulator circuit based on the measurement data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Jay B. Fletcher, Karthik Manickam, Bo Yang, Vincent R. von Kaenel, Shawn Searles, Hubert Attah, Nir Dahan, Olivier Girard
  • Patent number: 10520970
    Abstract: A system that includes a regulator unit is disclosed. The regulator unit includes first and second phase units whose outputs are coupled to a common output node. Each of the phase units may be configured to source current to the output node in response to the assertion of a respective clock signal in order to generate a regulated supply voltage. Each phase unit includes a respective transconductance amplifier configured to generate a respective demand current dependent upon a reference voltage and the regulated supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jay B. Fletcher, Shawn Searles, Fabio Gozzini, Sanjay Pant
  • Patent number: 10491120
    Abstract: A system that includes a regulator unit is disclosed. The regulator unit includes first and second phase units whose outputs are coupled to through first and second coupled inductors, respectively, to a power supply node of a circuit block. The first phase unit may be configured to discharge, for a first period of time, the power supply node through the first inductor in response to determining a sense current is greater than a demand current. The operation of the second phase unit may follow that of the first phase unit after a second period of time has elapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjay Pant, Fabio Gozzini, Jay B. Fletcher, Shawn Searles
  • Patent number: 10431737
    Abstract: Co-fired integrated circuit devices and methods for fabricating and integrating such on a workpiece are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes forming a first passive device and a second passive device over a carrier substrate. The first passive device and the second passive device each include at least one material layer that includes a co-fired ceramic material. The carrier substrate is removed after performing a co-firing process to cause chemical changes in the co-fired ceramic material. The first passive device may include a conductive loop disposed between a first magnetic layer and a second magnetic layer. The first magnetic layer, the second magnetic layer, or both includes a co-fired ceramic magnetic material. The second passive device may include a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer separated by a dielectric layer. The first conductive layer, the second conductive layer, or both includes a co-fired ceramic conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., APPLE
    Inventors: Alexander Kalnitsky, Shawn Searles, David Cappabianca
  • Patent number: 10411012
    Abstract: A semiconductor device package is described that includes a power consuming device (such as an SOC device). The power consuming device may include one or more current consuming elements. A passive device may be coupled to the power consuming device. The passive device may include a plurality of passive elements formed on a semiconductor substrate. The passive elements may be arranged in an array of structures on the semiconductor substrate. The power consuming device and the passive device may be coupled using one or more terminals. The passive device and power consuming device coupling may be configured in such a way that the power consuming device determines functionally the way the passive device elements will be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jared L. Zerbe, Emerson S. Fang, Jun Zhai, Shawn Searles
  • Publication number: 20190221365
    Abstract: An inductor is disclosed, including a first wire, a non-conductive material, and a shell. The non-conductive material may cover the first wire, with a portion of each end of the first wire uncovered. The shell may include a top portion and a bottom portion and include at least one magnetized layer and at least one gap between the first portion and the second portion. The shell may also surround a portion of the non-conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: David P. Cappabianca, Joseph T. DiBene, II, Shawn Searles, Le Wang, Yizhang Yang, Sean Cian O'Mathuna, Santosh Kulkarni, Paul McCloskey, Zoran Pavlovic, William Lawton, Graeme Maxwell, Joseph O'Brien, Hugh Charles Smiddy
  • Publication number: 20190140539
    Abstract: A system that includes a regulator unit is disclosed. The regulator unit includes first and second phase units whose outputs are coupled to through first and second coupled inductors, respectively, to a power supply node of a circuit block. The first phase unit may be configured to discharge, for a first period of time, the power supply node through the first inductor in response to determining a sense current is greater than a demand current. The operation of the second phase unit may follow that of the first phase unit after a second period of time has elapsed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Sanjay Pant, Fabio Gozzini, Jay B. Fletcher, Shawn Searles
  • Publication number: 20190013464
    Abstract: Co-fired integrated circuit devices and methods for fabricating and integrating such on a workpiece are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes forming a first passive device and a second passive device over a carrier substrate. The first passive device and the second passive device each include at least one material layer that includes a co-fired ceramic material. The carrier substrate is removed after performing a co-firing process to cause chemical changes in the co-fired ceramic material. The first passive device may include a conductive loop disposed between a first magnetic layer and a second magnetic layer. The first magnetic layer, the second magnetic layer, or both includes a co-fired ceramic magnetic material. The second passive device may include a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer separated by a dielectric layer. The first conductive layer, the second conductive layer, or both includes a co-fired ceramic conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Alexander Kalnitsky, Shawn Searles, David Cappabianca
  • Publication number: 20180366466
    Abstract: A semiconductor device package is described that includes a power consuming device (such as an SOC device). The power consuming device may include one or more current consuming elements. A passive device may be coupled to the power consuming device. The passive device may include a plurality of passive elements formed on a semiconductor substrate. The passive elements may be arranged in an array of structures on the semiconductor substrate. The power consuming device and the passive device may be coupled using one or more terminals. The passive device and power consuming device coupling may be configured in such a way that the power consuming device determines functionally the way the passive device elements will be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Jared L. Zerbe, Emerson S. Fang, Jun Zhai, Shawn Searles
  • Patent number: 10122275
    Abstract: A system that includes a regulator unit is disclosed. The regulator unit includes first and second phase units whose outputs are coupled to through first and second coupled inductors, respectively, to a power supply node of a circuit block. The first phase unit may be configured to discharge, for a first period of time, the power supply node through the first inductor in response to determining a sense current is greater than a demand current. The operation of the second phase unit may follow that of the first phase unit after a second period of time has elapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjay Pant, Fabio Gozzini, Jay B. Fletcher, Shawn Searles
  • Patent number: 10122269
    Abstract: A system that includes a regulator circuit is disclosed. The regulator circuit includes first and second phase units whose outputs are coupled to a power supply node of a circuit block, via respective coupled inductors. The first phase unit may initiate a charge cycle of the power supply node in response to assertion of a clock signal and generate a compensated current using currents measure through both inductors and the clock signal. In response to a determination that the compensated current is greater than a demand current generated using a voltage level of the power supply node and a reference voltage, the first phase unit may halt the charge cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Fabio Gozzini, Jay B. Fletcher, Shawn Searles, Sanjay Pant
  • Patent number: 10062838
    Abstract: A variety of integrated circuit devices and a method for their formation and integration are provided. The integrated circuit devices may include inductors, capacitors, and/or other passive devices. In an exemplary embodiment, a first substrate is received and a conductive material is applied to the first substrate such that a loop of the conductive material is formed on the first substrate. A magnetic material is applied to the first substrate and surrounds at least a portion of the loop. A thermal process is performed on the first substrate having the conductive material and the magnetic material applied thereupon. The conductive material is bonded to a second substrate, and thereafter, the conductive material and the magnetic material are separated from the first substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., APPLE
    Inventors: Alexander Kalnitsky, Shawn Searles, David Cappabianca
  • Patent number: 10056384
    Abstract: A semiconductor device package is described that includes a power consuming device (such as an SOC device). The power consuming device may include one or more current consuming elements. A passive device may be coupled to the power consuming device. The passive device may include a plurality of passive elements formed on a semiconductor substrate. The passive elements may be arranged in an array of structures on the semiconductor substrate. The power consuming device and the passive device may be coupled using one or more terminals. The passive device and power consuming device coupling may be configured in such a way that the power consuming device determines functionally the way the passive device elements will be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jared L. Zerbe, Emerson S. Fang, Jun Zhai, Shawn Searles
  • Patent number: 9935076
    Abstract: Systems that include integrated circuit dies and voltage regulator units are disclosed. Such systems may include a voltage regulator module and an integrated circuit mounted in a common system package. The voltage regulator module may include a voltage regulator circuit and one or more passive devices mounted to a common substrate, and the integrated circuit may include a System-on-a-chip. The system package may include an interconnect region that includes wires fabricated on multiple conductive layers within the interconnect region. At least one power supply terminal of the integrated circuit may be coupled to an output of the voltage regulator module via a wire included in the interconnect region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Vidhya Ramachandran, Jun Zhai, Chonghua Zhong, Kunzhong Hu, Shawn Searles, Joseph T. DiBene, II, Mengzhi Pang
  • Publication number: 20180083534
    Abstract: A system that includes a regulator unit is disclosed. The regulator unit includes first and second phase units whose outputs are coupled to through first and second coupled inductors, respectively, to a power supply node of a circuit block. The first phase unit may be configured to discharge, for a first period of time, the power supply node through the first inductor in response to determining a sense current is greater than a demand current. The operation of the second phase unit may follow that of the first phase unit after a second period of time has elapsed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Sanjay Pant, Fabio Gozzini, Jay B. Fletcher, Shawn Searles
  • Publication number: 20180083532
    Abstract: A system that includes a regulator circuit is disclosed. The regulator circuit includes first and second phase units whose outputs are coupled to a power supply node of a circuit block, via respective coupled inductors. The first phase unit may initiate a charge cycle of the power supply node in response to assertion of a clock signal and generate a compensated current using currents measure through both inductors and the clock signal. In response to a determination that the compensated current is greater than a demand current generated using a voltage level of the power supply node and a reference voltage, the first phase unit may halt the charge cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Fabio Gozzini, Jay B. Fletcher, Shawn Searles, Sanjay Pant
  • Publication number: 20170317588
    Abstract: A system that includes multiple integrated circuits is disclosed. A first integrated circuit of the system includes a plurality of circuit blocks, and a first circuit block of the plurality of circuit blocks includes a first power terminal. A second integrated circuit of the system includes multiple voltage regulation circuits, a second power terminal coupled to an output of a given voltage regulation circuit, and a third power terminal coupled to an input of the given voltage regulation circuit. A substrate, included in the system, includes a plurality of conductive paths, each of which includes a plurality of wires fabricated on a plurality of conductive layers. The system further includes a power management unit that may be configured to generate a power supply voltage at a fourth power terminal that is coupled to the third power terminal via a first conductive path of the plurality of conductive paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Shawn Searles, Vidhya Ramachandran
  • Publication number: 20170141116
    Abstract: A semiconductor device package is described that includes a power consuming device (such as an SOC device). The power consuming device may include one or more current consuming elements. A passive device may be coupled to the power consuming device. The passive device may include a plurality of passive elements formed on a semiconductor substrate. The passive elements may be arranged in an array of structures on the semiconductor substrate. The power consuming device and the passive device may be coupled using one or more terminals. The passive device and power consuming device coupling may be configured in such a way that the power consuming device determines functionally the way the passive device elements will be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Jared L. Zerbe, Emerson S. Fang, Jun Zhai, Shawn Searles
  • Publication number: 20170090501
    Abstract: A system that includes a regulator unit is disclosed. The regulator unit includes first and second phase units whose outputs are coupled to a common output node. Each of the phase units may be configured to source current to the output node in response to the assertion of a respective clock signal in order to generate a regulated supply voltage. Each phase unit includes a respective transconductance amplifier configured to generate a respective demand current dependent upon a reference voltage and the regulated supply voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Jay B. Fletcher, Shawn Searles, Fabio Gozzini, Sanjay Pant
  • Patent number: 9595526
    Abstract: A semiconductor device package is described that includes a power consuming device (such as an SOC device). The power consuming device may include one or more current consuming elements. A passive device may be coupled to the power consuming device. The passive device may include a plurality of passive elements formed on a semiconductor substrate. The passive elements may be arranged in an array of structures on the semiconductor substrate. The power consuming device and the passive device may be coupled using one or more terminals. The passive device and power consuming device coupling may be configured in such a way that the power consuming device determines functionally the way the passive device elements will be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jared L. Zerbe, Emerson S. Fang, Jun Zhai, Shawn Searles