Patents by Inventor Stephen A. Bowling

Stephen A. Bowling 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: 20240413751
    Abstract: A device includes a switched power converter with an inductor, the power converter to produce a voltage output based on a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal, and produce a peak current feedback signal, the peak current feedback signal representative of a peak current through the inductor. The device includes a comparator to generate a PWM control input (PCI) signal based on whether the peak current feedback signal has reached a reference current. The device includes a PWM generation circuit to generate the PWM signal to control switching of the switched power converter based on the PCI signal. The device includes a synchronization circuit to delay a change in the PCI signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2024
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Applicant: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Yong Yuenyongsgool, Andreas Reiter, Stephen Bowling
  • Publication number: 20240275366
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a pulsed-width modulation (PWM) generator circuit to generate generally complementary PWM signals. The signals are to prevent two complementary switches that receive the complementary PWM signals from both being activated at a same time. The PWM signals are generally complementary with respect to their active portions. The apparatus includes an override circuit to override at least one of the complementary PWM signals to yield adjusted PWM signals. The adjusted PWM signals are to cause the two complementary switches to be activated at a same time when the adjusted PWM signals are received at the two complementary switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Applicant: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Yong Yuenyongsgool, Andreas Reiter, Stephen Bowling, Jason Sachs
  • Publication number: 20240204763
    Abstract: A system and method is provided including a first pulse width modulation (PWM) generator circuit including a first timer to generate a first cycle count, a first configuration register to define characteristics of a first electrical pulse to be generated, and a trigger cycle count specifying a timing of a first trigger signal, and a first load enable input to load a new configuration value into the first configuration register, a second PWM generator circuit including a second timer to generate a second cycle count, a second configuration register to define characteristics of a second electrical pulse to be generated, a second load enable input to load a new configuration value into the second configuration register, and a load enable selector to selectively drive the second load enable input based on the first trigger signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2023
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Applicant: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Yong Yuenyongsgool, Andreas Reiter, Stephen Bowling
  • Publication number: 20240088893
    Abstract: A device includes a PWM circuit to generate a complementary PWM signal comprised of a positive polarity PWM signal and a negative polarity PWM signal. The positive polarity signal may drive a high-side switch. A trigger multiplexer may take as input the negative polarity PWM signal and may force an output based on a predetermined condition, the predetermined condition including but not limited to the maximum on-time of a low-side switch. The output of the trigger multiplexer may drive a low-side switch. The high-side switch and the low-side switch may drive a load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Andreas Reiter, Yong Yuenyongsgool, Stephen Bowling, Tim Phoenix, Alex Dumais, Justin Oshea
  • Publication number: 20240022257
    Abstract: A device including an input to receive a clock signal, a ramp start program register, a ramp start active register, a ramp stop program register, a ramp stop active register, a ramp slope program register, a ramp slope active register, an update controller, the update controller to update, based on a programmable condition, respectively, the ramp start active register contents, the ramp stop active register contents and the ramp slope active register contents, and a ramp controller to generate a ramp signal, the ramp signal to begin at the value reflective of the ramp start active register contents, the ramp signal to change value at each cycle of the clock signal based on the value reflective of the ramp slope active register contents, and the ramp signal to stop at the value reflective of the ramp stop active register contents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Andreas Reiter, Yong Yuenyongsgool, Stephen Bowling, John Day, Alex Dumais, Justin Oshea
  • Publication number: 20240006982
    Abstract: An inductor-inductor-capacitor (LLC) power converter includes a current input interface to receive a current input indication. The current input indication includes a voltage to represent a current passing through of a primary side of the LLC power converter. The LLC power converter includes voltage input interface to receive a voltage input. The voltage input is to include a representative voltage to be provided from a secondary side of the LLC power converter. The LLC power converter includes a control circuit to generate pulsed-width modulation (PWM) control signals for the LLC power converter. The control circuit is to match an on-time period of a first leg and a second leg of the LLC power converter and based upon the current input indication and the voltage input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Applicant: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Alex Dumais, Andreas Reiter, Yong Yuenyongsgool, Stephen Bowling, Timothy Phoenix, Justin Oshea
  • Publication number: 20230393923
    Abstract: A fault event monitor and filter having a digital comparator receiving a digital input value, wherein the digital comparator generates a plurality of outputs based on programmable threshold input values, a first counter coupled to a first output of the plurality of outputs of the digital comparator, a second counter coupled to a second output of the plurality of outputs of the digital comparator, and an output controller with a first input coupled to an output of the first counter and with a second input coupled to an output of the second counter, wherein the output controller to generate a fault event signal based at least partially on signals received from the first and second counters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Andreas Reiter, Yong Yuenyongsgool, Stephen Bowling, Alex Dumais, Justin Oshea, Sankar Rangarajan
  • Patent number: 11824536
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an adjustment circuit configured to receive a pulsed-width modulation (PWM) input, generate an adjusted PWM signal based upon the PWM input, and determine that a first pulse of the PWM input is shorter than a runt signal limit. The adjustment circuit is further configured to, in the adjusted PWM signal, extend the first pulse of the PWM input based on the determination that the PWM input is shorter than the runt signal limit, and output the adjusted PWM signal to an electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Yong Yuenyongsgool, Stephen Bowling, Pedro Ovalle
  • Publication number: 20230342158
    Abstract: An article of manufacture includes a non-transitory machine-readable medium. The medium includes instructions. The instructions, when read and executed by a processor, cause the processor to identify a first input instruction in a code stream to be executed, determine that the first input instruction includes an atomic operation designation, and selectively block interrupts for a duration of execution of the first input instruction and a second input instruction. The second input instruction is to immediately follow the first input instruction in the code stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Applicant: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert Ellis, Stephen Bowling, Michael Catherwood
  • Patent number: 11621702
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an adjustment circuit configured to receive a pulsed-width modulation (PWM) input, generate an adjusted PWM signal based upon the PWM input, and determine that a first pulse of the PWM input is shorter than a runt signal limit. The adjustment circuit is further configured to, in the adjusted PWM signal, extend the first pulse of the PWM input based on the determination that the PWM input is shorter than the runt signal limit, and output the adjusted PWM signal to an electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Yong Yuenyongsgool, Stephen Bowling, Pedro Ovalle
  • Publication number: 20220302904
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an adjustment circuit configured to receive a pulsed-width modulation (PWM) input, generate an adjusted PWM signal based upon the PWM input, and determine that a first pulse of the PWM input is shorter than a runt signal limit. The adjustment circuit is further configured to, in the adjusted PWM signal, extend the first pulse of the PWM input based on the determination that the PWM input is shorter than the runt signal limit, and output the adjusted PWM signal to an electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Applicant: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Yong Yuenyongsgool, Stephen Bowling, Pedro Ovalle
  • Publication number: 20220187788
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a debugger circuit, debug pins, and a test controller circuit. The test controller circuit is configured to, in a programming mode, determine a subset of the debug pins used in programming the apparatus. The test controller circuit is further configured to save a designation of the subset of the debug pins. The test controller circuit is further configured to, in a test mode subsequent to the programming mode, use the designation to route the subset of the debug pins used in programming the apparatus to the debugger circuit for debug input and output with the server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Stephen Bowling, Manivannan Balu, Timothy Phoenix, Sankar Rangarajan
  • Patent number: 10936004
    Abstract: A temperature-compensating clock frequency monitor circuit may be provided to detect a clock pulse frequency in an electronic device that may cause erratic or dangerous operation of the device, as a function of an operating temperature of the device. The temperature-compensating clock frequency monitor circuit include a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature associated with an electronic device, a clock having an operating frequency, and a frequency monitoring system. The frequency monitoring system may be configured to determine the operating frequency of the clock, and based at least on (a) the operating frequency of the clock and (b) the measured temperature associated with the electronic device, generate a corrective action signal to initiate a corrective action associated with the electronic device or a related device. The temperature sensor, clock, and frequency monitoring system may, for example, be provided on a microcontroller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Bryan Kris, Igor Wojewoda, Stephen Bowling, Yong Yuenyongsgool
  • Patent number: 10860408
    Abstract: A semiconductor die includes a feedback path coupled to the output pin, and an integrity monitor circuit (IMC). The output pin is communicatively coupled to the logic. The IMC is configured to receive a data value. The IMC is further configured to receive measured data value from the output pin routed through the feedback path, compare the data value and the measured data value, and, based on the comparison, determine whether an error has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Stephen Bowling, Igor Wojewoda, Manivannan Balu
  • Patent number: 10795783
    Abstract: A clock monitor includes a test clock input, as a reference clock input, another clock input, a measurement circuit, and control logic. The measurement circuit generates a measurement of a frequency or a duty cycle of the test clock input using the reference clock input, which is compared to a threshold. The control logic determines whether the measurement exceeded the threshold and, based on the measurement exceeding the threshold, cause generation of another measurement of a frequency or a duty cycle using the third clock input in combination with the first clock input or the reference clock input. The control logic may determine whether the other measurement exceeded a threshold and, based on such a determination, further determine that the test clock input or the reference clock input are faulty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Igor Wojewoda, Bryan Kris, Stephen Bowling, Yong Yuenyongsgool
  • Patent number: 10637494
    Abstract: A constant current source, a stable time base and a capacitor are used to self-check operation of an analog-to-digital convertor (ADC) by charging the capacitor for a pre-determined amount of time to produce a voltage thereon. This voltage will be proportional to the amount of time that the capacitor was charged. Multiple points on the ADC transfer function can be verified in this self-check procedure simply by varying the amount of time for charging of the capacitor. Relative accuracy among test points may then be easily obtained. Absolute accuracy may be obtained by using an accurate clock reference for the time base, a known current source and capacitor value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
    Inventors: James E. Bartling, Stephen Bowling
  • Patent number: 10515036
    Abstract: A memory management circuit includes a direct memory access (DMA) channel. The DMA channel includes logic configured to receive a buffer of data to be written using DMA. The DMA channel further includes logic to perform bit manipulation in real-time during a DMA write cycle of the first buffer of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Yong Yuenyongsgool, Stephen Bowling, Cobus van Eeden, Igor Wojewoda, Naveen Raj
  • Publication number: 20190340047
    Abstract: A semiconductor die includes a feedback path coupled to the output pin, and an integrity monitor circuit (IMC). The output pin is communicatively coupled to the logic. The IMC is configured to receive a data value. The IMC is further configured to receive measured data value from the output pin routed through the feedback path, compare the data value and the measured data value, and, based on the comparison, determine whether an error has occurred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Applicant: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Stephen Bowling, Igor Wojewoda, Manivannan Balu
  • Patent number: 10352998
    Abstract: In an embedded device with a plurality of processor cores, each core has a static random access memory (SRAM), a memory built-in self-test (MBIST) controller associated with the SRAM, an MBIST access port coupled with the MBIST controller, an MBIST finite state machine (FSM) coupled with the MBIST access port via a first multiplexer, and a JTAG interface coupled with the MBIST access ports of each processor core via the multiplexer of each processor core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Stephen Bowling, Igor Wojewoda, Dereck Fernandes, Manivannan Balu, Yong Yuenyongsgool, Timothy Phoenix, Steve Bradley
  • Publication number: 20190131993
    Abstract: A constant current source, a stable time base and a capacitor are used to self-check operation of an analog-to-digital convertor (ADC) by charging the capacitor for a pre-determined amount of time to produce a voltage thereon. This voltage will be proportional to the amount of time that the capacitor was charged. Multiple points on the ADC transfer function can be verified in this self-check procedure simply by varying the amount of time for charging of the capacitor. Relative accuracy among test points may then be easily obtained. Absolute accuracy may be obtained by using an accurate clock reference for the time base, a known current source and capacitor value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Applicant: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: James E. Bartling, Stephen Bowling