Patents by Inventor Shouli Yan

Shouli Yan 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: 9874887
    Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit with variable feedback is disclosed. In one embodiment, a voltage regulator includes an amplifier having a first input configured to receive a reference voltage and a second input configured to receive a feedback signal. The voltage regulator further includes first and second transistors each having respective gate terminals coupled to an output of the amplifier. A resistor network coupled to the second input of the amplifier and further coupled to the first and second transistors. The resistor network is configured to produce the feedback signal based on currents through the first and second transistors, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Shouli Yan, Alan Westwick
  • Patent number: 9742397
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first field effect transistor (FET) that has a body and is coupled in a circuit. The apparatus also includes a second FET that has a body and is coupled in the circuit. The circuit has an offset because of a mismatch. The apparatus further includes an offset correction circuit coupled to the body of the first FET and to the body of the second FET. The offset correction circuit provides a first offset correction signal to the body of the first FET and provides a second offset correction signal to the body of the second FET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Gang Yuan, Shouli Yan, Matthew Powell
  • Publication number: 20170155386
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first field effect transistor (FET) that has a body and is coupled in a circuit. The apparatus also includes a second FET that has a body and is coupled in the circuit. The circuit has an offset because of a mismatch. The apparatus further includes an offset correction circuit coupled to the body of the first FET and to the body of the second FET. The offset correction circuit provides a first offset correction signal to the body of the first FET and provides a second offset correction signal to the body of the second FET.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: Gang Yuan, Shouli Yan, Matthew Powell
  • Patent number: 9625925
    Abstract: A method includes using a pass device of a linear regulator to provide an output signal to an output of the linear regulator in response to a signal that is received at a control terminal of the pass device. The method includes using the linear regulator to regulate the signal received at the control terminal based at least in part on the output signal; and controlling a closed loop frequency response of the linear regulator to cause a direct current (DC) gain of the linear regulator to extend to a frequency near or at frequency of a zero that is associated with a decoupling capacitor that is coupled to the output of the linear regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Shouli Yan, Axel Thomsen, Praveen Kallam
  • Patent number: 9614528
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus may include an amplifier circuit including a first input to receive a signal, a second input to receive a feedback signal, and an output. The apparatus may further include a buffer circuit including an input coupled to the output of the amplifier and including an output coupled to an output node. The apparatus may also include a feedback circuit coupled between the output node and the second input of the amplifier circuit. The feedback circuit may include at least one non-linear resistor configured to define a feedback ratio that changes in response to a voltage at the output node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Mohamed Mostafa Elsayed, Shouli Yan
  • Patent number: 9576679
    Abstract: A circuit may include a first sample node configured to provide a low precision sample of an input signal, a second sample node configured to store a high precision sample of an input signal, and a first switch circuit coupled between an input and the first sample node. The circuit may further include a second switch circuit coupled between the first sample node and the second sample node and configured to limit leakage current that could discharge the second sample node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R Powell, Shouli Yan
  • Publication number: 20160164522
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus may include an amplifier circuit including a first input to receive a signal, a second input to receive a feedback signal, and an output. The apparatus may further include a buffer circuit including an input coupled to the output of the amplifier and including an output coupled to an output node. The apparatus may also include a feedback circuit coupled between the output node and the second input of the amplifier circuit. The feedback circuit may include at least one non-linear resistor configured to define a feedback ratio that changes in response to a voltage at the output node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Applicant: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Mohamed Mostafa Elsayed, Shouli Yan
  • Publication number: 20160147239
    Abstract: A method includes using a pass device of a linear regulator to provide an output signal to an output of the linear regulator in response to a signal that is received at a control terminal of the pass device. The method includes using the linear regulator to regulate the signal received at the control terminal based at least in part on the output signal; and controlling a closed loop frequency response of the linear regulator to cause a direct current (DC) gain of the linear regulator to extend to a frequency near or at frequency of a zero that is associated with a decoupling capacitor that is coupled to the output of the linear regulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Shouli Yan, Axel Thomsen, Praveen Kallam
  • Publication number: 20160104543
    Abstract: A circuit may include a first sample node configured to provide a low precision sample of an input signal, a second sample node configured to store a high precision sample of an input signal, and a first switch circuit coupled between an input and the first sample node. The circuit may further include a second switch circuit coupled between the first sample node and the second sample node and configured to limit leakage current that could discharge the second sample node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Applicant: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Powell, Shouli Yan
  • Patent number: 9041584
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a differential voltage signal at first and second inputs of a comparator and selectively providing the differential voltage signal to one of a first conversion path and a second conversion path of the comparator during a conversion phase to determine a digital value corresponding to the differential voltage signal. The first and second conversion paths including first and second pluralities of gain stages, respectively. The method further includes coupling the selected one of the first conversion path and the second conversion path to an output to provide the digital value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaodong Wang, Shouli Yan, Axel Thomsen
  • Patent number: 9041569
    Abstract: A successive approximation register (SAR) ADC includes an SAR comparator circuit including first and second inputs, a control input, and first and second outputs. The SAR comparator circuit further includes a plurality of capacitors coupled to the first and second inputs and includes a plurality of switches configured to couple the plurality of capacitors to one of a first voltage and a second voltage. The SAR ADC further includes a calibration circuit coupled to the first and second outputs and to the control input of the SAR comparator. The calibration circuit is configured to control the plurality of switches to selectively couple the plurality of capacitors to one of the first and second voltages to provide a calibration signal to the SAR comparator circuit. The calibration circuit is configured to calibrate the SAR comparator based on corresponding output signals at the first and second outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Yan Zhou, Clayton Daigle, Shouli Yan, Mohamed Elsayed
  • Publication number: 20150061913
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a differential voltage signal at first and second inputs of a comparator and selectively providing the differential voltage signal to one of a first conversion path and a second conversion path of the comparator during a conversion phase to determine a digital value corresponding to the differential voltage signal. The first and second conversion paths including first and second pluralities of gain stages, respectively. The method further includes coupling the selected one of the first conversion path and the second conversion path to an output to provide the digital value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaodong Wang, Shouli Yan, Axel Thomsen
  • Patent number: 8952839
    Abstract: A circuit includes a comparator including a first input, a second input, and an output. The circuit further includes a plurality of capacitive sampling circuits configured to be selectively coupled to the first and second inputs. Each of the plurality of capacitive sampling circuits includes first and second capacitors, and includes first and second conversion switches configured to selectively couple the first and second capacitors to the first and second inputs, respectively. The first and second conversion switches of a selected one of the plurality of capacitive sampling circuits are closed to couple the selected one to the first and second inputs of the comparator during a conversion phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaodong Wang, Shouli Yan, Axel Thomsen, Jinwen Xiao
  • Publication number: 20150002321
    Abstract: A successive approximation register (SAR) ADC includes an SAR comparator circuit including first and second inputs, a control input, and first and second outputs. The SAR comparator circuit further includes a plurality of capacitors coupled to the first and second inputs and includes a plurality of switches configured to couple the plurality of capacitors to one of a first voltage and a second voltage. The SAR ADC further includes a calibration circuit coupled to the first and second outputs and to the control input of the SAR comparator. The calibration circuit is configured to control the plurality of switches to selectively couple the plurality of capacitors to one of the first and second voltages to provide a calibration signal to the SAR comparator circuit. The calibration circuit is configured to calibrate the SAR comparator based on corresponding output signals at the first and second outputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Yan Zhou, Clayton Daigle, Shouli Yan, Mohamed Elsayed
  • Patent number: 8922418
    Abstract: A voltage reference circuit includes a capacitor including a first terminal and including a second terminal coupled to a power supply node. The voltage reference circuit further includes an amplifier, a first transistor, and a switch. The amplifier includes a first input configured to receive a reference voltage input signal, a second input configured to receive a feedback signal, and an output. The first transistor includes a source coupled to the second input of the amplifier and to an output node, a gate coupled to the capacitor, and a drain. The first transistor is configured to provide a reference voltage at the source based on a charge provided to the gate by the capacitor. The switch includes a first terminal coupled to the output of the amplifier, and includes a second terminal coupled to the first terminal of the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Mohamed Elsayed, Xiaodong Wang, Shouli Yan
  • Publication number: 20140333465
    Abstract: A voltage reference circuit includes a capacitor including a first terminal and including a second terminal coupled to a power supply node. The voltage reference circuit further includes an amplifier, a first transistor, and a switch. The amplifier includes a first input configured to receive a reference voltage input signal, a second input configured to receive a feedback signal, and an output. The first transistor includes a source coupled to the second input of the amplifier and to an output node, a gate coupled to the capacitor, and a drain. The first transistor is configured to provide a reference voltage at the source based on a charge provided to the gate by the capacitor. The switch includes a first terminal coupled to the output of the amplifier, and includes a second terminal coupled to the first terminal of the capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Mohamed Elsayed, Xiaodong Wang, Shouli Yan
  • Publication number: 20140184435
    Abstract: A circuit includes a comparator including a first input, a second input, and an output. The circuit further includes a plurality of capacitive sampling circuits configured to be selectively coupled to the first and second inputs. Each of the plurality of capacitive sampling circuits includes first and second capacitors, and includes first and second conversion switches configured to selectively couple the first and second capacitors to the first and second inputs, respectively. The first and second conversion switches of a selected one of the plurality of capacitive sampling circuits are closed to couple the selected one to the first and second inputs of the comparator during a conversion phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventors: Xiaodong Wang, Shouli Yan, Axel Thomsen, Jinwen Xiao
  • Publication number: 20130221940
    Abstract: A technique includes using a pass device of a linear regulator to provide an output signal for the linear regulator in response to a signal that is received at a control terminal of the pass device. The control terminal is coupled to a node, and the node is associated with a bias current. The technique includes using a feedback path to communicate a feedback current with the node to regulate the output signal. The use of the feedback path includes regulating a magnitude of the feedback current to be within a range of magnitudes, which include a magnitude that exceeds a magnitude of the bias current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: Shouli Yan, Dazhi Wei, Alan L. Westwick
  • Publication number: 20130221937
    Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit with variable feedback is disclosed. In one embodiment, a voltage regulator includes an amplifier having a first input configured to receive a reference voltage and a second input configured to receive a feedback signal. The voltage regulator further includes first and second transistors each having respective gate terminals coupled to an output of the amplifier. A resistor network coupled to the second input of the amplifier and further coupled to the first and second transistors. The resistor network is configured to produce the feedback signal based on currents through the first and second transistors, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: Shouli Yan, Alan Westwick
  • Patent number: 8384573
    Abstract: A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) with a digital segment having a digital data input and an analog segment coupled to the digital segment and having an analog output to output an analog signal corresponding to the digital data. The analog segment includes one or more gain stages and a feedback structure to couple the analog output to the one or more gain stages to attenuate signal distortion at the analog output. A combined gain of the one or more gain stages determines a signal distortion attenuation characteristic of the analog segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures Holding 40 LLC
    Inventors: Xiaohong Li, Shouli Yan, Zhiheng Cao