Abstract: An eight-transistor (8T) Static Random-Access Memory (SRAM) cell has four latch transistors, and pairs of n-channel and p-channel pass transistors in parallel to only one pair of bit lines. During read, only the read word line and the n-channel pass transistors are activated, but during a write both the read word line and an extra write word line are activated to turn on all four pass transistors. The cell is powered by VDDM, one threshold above the normal VDD power supply of the read sense and write drivers and interfaces. The bit lines are precharged to VDD but pulled up to VDDM by a latch of cross-coupled p-channel transistors. Any p-channel transistors that connect to the bit lines are driven inactive by VDDM. The read margin is largely decoupled from the write margin by two additional p-channel pass transistors and one extra word line versus a standard 6T cell.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are disclosed for providing AC line power to lighting devices such as light emitting diodes (“LEDs”). A representative apparatus comprises: a plurality of LEDs coupled in series to form a plurality of segments of LEDs; first and second current regulators; a current sensor; and a controller to monitor a current level through a series LED current path, and to provide for first or second segments of LEDs to be in or out of the series LED current path at different current levels. A voltage regulator is also utilized to provide a voltage during a zero-crossing interval of the AC voltage. In a representative embodiment, first and second segments of LEDs are both in the series LED current path regulated at a lower current level compared to when only the first segment of LEDs is in the series LED current path.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are disclosed for providing AC line power to lighting devices such as light emitting diodes (“LEDs”). A representative apparatus comprises: a plurality of LEDs coupled in series to form a plurality of segments of LEDs; first and second current regulators; a current sensor; and a controller to monitor a current level through a series LED current path, and to provide for first or second segments of LEDs to be in or out of the series LED current path at different current levels. A voltage regulator is also utilized to provide a voltage during a zero-crossing interval of the AC voltage. In a representative embodiment, first and second segments of LEDs are both in the series LED current path regulated at a lower current level compared to when only the first segment of LEDs is in the series LED current path.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are disclosed for providing AC line power to lighting devices such as light emitting diodes (“LEDs”). A representative apparatus comprises: a plurality of LEDs coupled in series to form a plurality of segments of LEDs; first and second current regulators; a current sensor; and a controller to monitor a current level through a series LED current path, and to provide for first or second segments of LEDs to be in or out of the series LED current path at different current levels. A voltage regulator is also utilized to provide a voltage during a zero-crossing interval of the AC voltage. In a representative embodiment, first and second segments of LEDs are both in the series LED current path regulated at a lower current level compared to when only the first segment of LEDs is in the series LED current path.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are disclosed for providing AC line power to lighting devices such as light emitting diodes (“LEDs”). A representative apparatus comprises: a plurality of LEDs coupled in series to form a plurality of segments of LEDs; first and second current regulators; a current sensor; and a controller to monitor a current level through a series LED current path, and to provide for first or second segments of LEDs to be in or out of the series LED current path at different current levels. A voltage regulator is also utilized to provide a voltage during a zero-crossing interval of the AC voltage. In a representative embodiment, first and second segments of LEDs are both in the series LED current path regulated at a lower current level compared to when only the first segment of LEDs is in the series LED current path.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are disclosed for providing AC line power to lighting devices such as light emitting diodes (“LEDs”). A representative apparatus comprises: a plurality of LEDs coupled in series to form a plurality of segments of LEDs; first and second current regulators; a current sensor; and a controller to monitor a current level through a series LED current path, and to provide for first or second segments of LEDs to be in or out of the series LED current path at different current levels. A voltage regulator is also utilized to provide a voltage during a zero-crossing interval of the AC voltage. In a representative embodiment, first and second segments of LEDs are both in the series LED current path regulated at a lower current level compared to when only the first segment of LEDs is in the series LED current path.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are disclosed for providing AC line power to lighting devices such as light emitting diodes (“LEDs”). A representative apparatus comprises: a plurality of LEDs coupled in series to form a plurality of segments of LEDs; first and second current regulators; a current sensor; and a controller to monitor a current level through a series LED current path, and to provide for first or second segments of LEDs to be in or out of the series LED current path at different current levels. A voltage regulator is also utilized to provide a voltage during a zero-crossing interval of the AC voltage. In a representative embodiment, first and second segments of LEDs are both in the series LED current path regulated at a lower current level compared to when only the first segment of LEDs is in the series LED current path.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are disclosed for providing AC line power to lighting devices such as light emitting diodes (“LEDs”). A representative apparatus comprises: a plurality of LEDs coupled in series to form a plurality of segments of LEDs; first and second current regulators; a current sensor; and a controller to monitor a current level through a series LED current path, and to provide for first or second segments of LEDs to be in or out of the series LED current path at different current levels. A voltage regulator is also utilized to provide a voltage during a zero-crossing interval of the AC voltage. In a representative embodiment, first and second segments of LEDs are both in the series LED current path regulated at a lower current level compared to when only the first segment of LEDs is in the series LED current path.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are disclosed for providing AC line power to lighting devices such as light emitting diodes (“LEDs”). A representative apparatus comprises: a plurality of LEDs coupled in series to form a plurality of segments of LEDs; first and second current regulators; a current sensor; and a controller to monitor a current level through a series LED current path, and to provide for first or second segments of LEDs to be in or out of the series LED current path at different current levels. A voltage regulator is also utilized to provide a voltage during a zero-crossing interval of the AC voltage. In a representative embodiment, first and second segments of LEDs are both in the series LED current path regulated at a lower current level compared to when only the first segment of LEDs is in the series LED current path.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for providing AC line power to lighting devices such as light emitting diodes (“LEDs”). A representative apparatus comprises: a plurality of LEDs couplable to form a plurality of segments of LEDs; a current sensor; and a controller to monitor a current level through an overall series LED current path, and to provide for first or second segments of LEDs to be in or out of the overall series LED current path at different current levels. The controller is configured to, in a first light emitting diode configuration, cause first and second segments of LEDs to be parallel to one another and in the overall series LED current path. The controller is further configured to, in a second light emitting diode configuration, cause first and second segments of light emitting diodes to be coupled in series and in the overall series light emitting diode current path.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are disclosed for providing AC line power to lighting devices such as light emitting diodes (“LEDs”). A representative apparatus comprises: a plurality of LEDs coupled in series to form a plurality of segments of LEDs; first and second current regulators; a current sensor; and a controller to monitor a current level through a series LED current path, and to provide for first or second segments of LEDs to be in or out of the series LED current path at different current levels. A voltage regulator is also utilized to provide a voltage during a zero-crossing interval of the AC voltage. In a representative embodiment, first and second segments of LEDs are both in the series LED current path regulated at a lower current level compared to when only the first segment of LEDs is in the series LED current path.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for providing AC line power to lighting devices such as light emitting diodes (“LEDs”). A representative apparatus comprises: a plurality of LEDs couplable to form a plurality of segments of LEDs; a current sensor; and a controller to monitor a current level through an overall series LED current path, and to provide for first or second segments of LEDs to be in or out of the overall series LED current path at different current levels. The controller is configured to, in a first light emitting diode configuration, cause first and second segments of LEDs to be parallel to one another and in the overall series LED current path. The controller is further configured to, in a second light emitting diode configuration, cause first and second segments of light emitting diodes to be coupled in series and in the overall series light emitting diode current path.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are disclosed for providing AC line power to lighting devices such as light emitting diodes (“LEDs”). A representative apparatus comprises: a plurality of LEDs coupled in series to form a plurality of segments of LEDs; first and second current regulators; a current sensor; and a controller to monitor a current level through a series LED current path, and to provide for first or second segments of LEDs to be in or out of the series LED current path at different current levels. A voltage regulator is also utilized to provide a voltage during a zero-crossing interval of the AC voltage. In a representative embodiment, first and second segments of LEDs are both in the series LED current path regulated at a lower current level compared to when only the first segment of LEDs is in the series LED current path.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are disclosed for providing AC line power to lighting devices such as light emitting diodes (“LEDs”). A representative apparatus comprises: a plurality of LEDs coupled in series to form a plurality of segments of LEDs; first and second current regulators; a current sensor; and a controller to monitor a current level through a series LED current path, and to provide for first or second segments of LEDs to be in or out of the series LED current path at different current levels. A voltage regulator is also utilized to provide a voltage during a zero-crossing interval of the AC voltage. In a representative embodiment, first and second segments of LEDs are both in the series LED current path regulated at a lower current level compared to when only the first segment of LEDs is in the series LED current path.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are disclosed for providing AC line power to lighting devices such as light emitting diodes (“LEDs”). An exemplary apparatus comprises: a plurality of LEDs coupled in series to form a plurality of segments of LEDs; first and second current regulators; a current sensor; and a controller to monitor a current level through a series LED current path, and to provide for first or second segments of LEDs to be in or out of the series LED current path at different current levels. A voltage regulator is also utilized to provide a voltage during a zero-crossing interval of the AC voltage. In an exemplary embodiment, first and second segments of LEDs are both in the series LED current path regulated at a lower current level compared to when only the first segment of LEDs is in the series LED current path.

Abstract: A buffer or driver circuit drives a high-capacitance clock signal line inside an integrated circuit (IC). Power is reduced by limiting the voltage swing of the clock output. The clock voltage swing is limited to within a transistor threshold-voltage of power and ground by feeding the output voltage back to the gates of the driver transistors which drive the output clock signal line. Thus the output clock swings from Vtn to Vcc-.vertline.Vtp.vertline. rather than from ground to Vcc. The limited output swing reduces dynamic power which is more critical than static power in downstream logic receiving the clock for higher-speed clocks. Crowbar current from power to ground through the driver transistors is eliminated by turning off the active driver transistor before the complementary driver is turned on. The gates of the driver transistors are charged and discharged from the clock line capacitance rather than from power and ground.

Abstract: A static RAM memory is arranged into groups of four cells sharing a single active region with a contact to one of the bit lines. The shared active region forms the sources of four access transistors. The group of four cells requires only one pair of bit lines instead of the usual two pairs of bit lines. Thus a pair of bit lines occurs for every two cells rather than for every cell. This increases the bit-line pitch and facilitates design and layout of the sense amps. Since only one of the four cells can drive the bit lines at any time, four word lines are used instead of only two. Each cell has two word lines crossing over it, and the cells in a row alternately connect to one or the other word line. Since word-line drivers and decoders are simpler and easier to lay out than the sense amps, the tighter word-line pitch is acceptable. An unused metal line occurs for every two columns of cells. The bit lines are shielded from this unused metal line by power and ground lines.

Abstract: A preconditioning circuit for use with an output buffer. The invention includes circuitry for detecting the output level of the buffer and for increasing the output level of the buffer when the output thereof is below a predetermined level or decreasing the output level of the buffer when the output thereof is above a predetermined level.

Abstract: A capacitor-plate bias generator produces a voltage on the capacitor plate node which consists of a constant voltage plus the sense-level voltage. Consequently, the capacitor-plate node tracks any variations in the sense-level voltage. The constant voltage is 3V.sub.BG, or 3 times the bandgap voltage of silicon. The circuit includes a reference-voltage source which produces the sum of the sense-level voltage and V.sub.BG, and a feedback control circuit for enabling either a charge pump or a charge bleeder to regulate the capacitor-plate voltage at a level above the circuit supply voltage.