Patents by Inventor Stephen T. Hodapp

Stephen T. Hodapp 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: 20240106448
    Abstract: A system may include a sampling capacitor and a switch network. The switch network may include one or more first sampling switches electrically coupled to the sampling capacitor and configured to be activated during a first phase of a sampling cycle of the system and one or more second sampling switches electrically coupled to the sampling capacitor and configured to be activated during a second phase of the sampling cycle, wherein the switch network is configured to reset the sampling capacitor to a data-independent and/or signal-independent charge during a reset phase of the sampling cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Arashk NOROUZPOURSHIRAZI, Ramin ZANBAGHI, Stephen T. HODAPP, Christophe J. AMADI, Ravi K. KUMMARAGUNTLA, Dhrubajyoti DUTTA
  • Publication number: 20240056095
    Abstract: A system may include a switched-capacitor analog front end comprising a plurality of switches for sampling an analog physical quantity and a bootstrap generation network electrically coupled to the plurality of switches and configured to generate a bootstrap sampling clock for controlling the plurality of switches and generate a floating supply voltage for the bootstrap sampling clock based on the analog physical quantity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Arashk NOROUZPOURSHIRAZI, Stephen T. HODAPP, Ravi K. KUMMARAGUNTLA, Paul WILSON, Axel THOMSEN
  • Publication number: 20240053387
    Abstract: A system may include a passive floating attenuator configured to receive an analog physical quantity and attenuate the analog physical quantity to a floating attenuated signal defined by voltage nodes other than the voltage nodes of the analog physical quantity, an anti-aliasing filter configured to filter the floating attenuated signal to generate a filtered attenuated signal, and a switched-capacitor sampling circuit comprising a plurality of switches configured to sample the filtered attenuated signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Arashk NOROUZPOURSHIRAZI, Stephen T. HODAPP, Ravi K. KUMMARAGUNTLA, Axel THOMSEN
  • Patent number: 10571484
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an apparatus for measuring acceleration may include a spring-mounted mass, a positional encoder configured to measure a position of the spring-mounted mass and output one or more signals indicative of a sine and a cosine of the position, a driver to set and maintain an oscillation of the spring-mounted mass, and a decoder configured to process the one or more signals to calculate an acceleration of the spring-mounted mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Melanson, Anindya Bhattacharya, Roderick D. Holley, Ruoxin Jiang, Stephen T. Hodapp, John C. Tucker
  • Patent number: 10117020
    Abstract: A system may include control circuitry for detecting a plosive event associated with a microphone transducer and in response to the plosive event, causing restoration of acoustic sense operation of the microphone transducer and a processing circuit associated with the microphone transducer. A system for configuring a filter having at least two frequency response configurations to achieve an effective frequency response configuration intermediate to the at least two frequency response configurations may include control circuitry for rapidly switching between the at least two frequency response configurations such that a weighted average frequency response of the filter corresponds to the effective frequency response configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaimin Mehta, James Thomas Deas, Stephen T. Hodapp, Brian Parker Chesney
  • Patent number: 9743182
    Abstract: A system may include control circuitry for detecting a plosive event associated with a microphone transducer and in response to the plosive event, causing restoration of acoustic sense operation of the microphone transducer and a processing circuit associated with the microphone transducer. A system for configuring a filter having at least two frequency response configurations to achieve an effective frequency response configuration intermediate to the at least two frequency response configurations may include control circuitry for rapidly switching between the at least two frequency response configurations such that a weighted average frequency response of the filter corresponds to the effective frequency response configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaimin Mehta, Stephen T. Hodapp
  • Publication number: 20170180853
    Abstract: A system may include control circuitry for detecting a plosive event associated with a microphone transducer and in response to the plosive event, causing restoration of acoustic sense operation of the microphone transducer and a processing circuit associated with the microphone transducer. A system for configuring a filter having at least two frequency response configurations to achieve an effective frequency response configuration intermediate to the at least two frequency response configurations may include control circuitry for rapidly switching between the at least two frequency response configurations such that a weighted average frequency response of the filter corresponds to the effective frequency response configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Jaimin MEHTA, James Thomas DEAS, Stephen T. HODAPP, Brian Parker CHESNEY
  • Publication number: 20170180856
    Abstract: A system may include control circuitry for detecting a plosive event associated with a microphone transducer and in response to the plosive event, causing restoration of acoustic sense operation of the microphone transducer and a processing circuit associated with the microphone transducer. A system for configuring a filter having at least two frequency response configurations to achieve an effective frequency response configuration intermediate to the at least two frequency response configurations may include control circuitry for rapidly switching between the at least two frequency response configurations such that a weighted average frequency response of the filter corresponds to the effective frequency response configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Jaimin MEHTA, Stephen T. HODAPP
  • Patent number: 9407279
    Abstract: An apparatus may include a scrambler element configured to receive an input signal and generate a scrambled thermometer code-like signal having a plurality of bits based on the input signal and having a plurality of possible quantization values. The scrambler element may generate at least one equivalent code of the scrambled thermometer code-like signal for each possible quantization value. For each of one or more of the possible quantization values, the scrambler element may be configured to generate a plurality of possible equivalent codes of the scrambled thermometer code-like signal. Responsive to the input signal indicating a change in quantization value of the scrambled thermometer code-like signal, the scrambler element may change the scrambled thermometer code-like signal by transitioning the smallest possible number of the plurality of bits of the scrambled thermometer code-like signal to change quantization value of the scrambled thermometer code-like signal in accordance with the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Melanson, Jaimin Mehta, Stephen T. Hodapp
  • Patent number: 9379732
    Abstract: Requirements placed on the first integrator of a filter in a continuous-time delta-feedback modulator may be reduced by using circuitry to reduce the speed of a signal provided to the first integrator of the modulator. The reduction in speed applied to the signal received at the first integrator may then be compensated with circuitry elsewhere in the modulator, such that the net effect of the slow down and speed up of signals does not affect the output of the modulator. The sigma-delta modulator may be implemented in converters, such as an analog-to-digital converter (ADC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: CIRRUS LOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: John L. Melanson, Stephen T. Hodapp
  • Patent number: 9335429
    Abstract: A low power analog-to-digital converter configured to sense sensor signals may include a loop filter and a feedback digital-to-analog converter. The loop filter may have a loop filter input configured to receive an input current signal from a sensor and generate an output signal responsive to the input current signal. The feedback digital-to-analog converter may have a feedback output configured to generate a current-mode or charge-mode feedback output signal responsive to the output signal, the feedback output coupled to the loop filter input in order to combine the input current signal and the feedback output signal at the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Melanson, Rahul Singh, Prashanth Drakshapalli, Dale Brummel, Stephen T. Hodapp
  • Publication number: 20160072521
    Abstract: Requirements placed on the first integrator of a filter in a continuous-time delta-feedback modulator may be reduced by using circuitry to reduce the speed of a signal provided to the first integrator of the modulator. The reduction in speed applied to the signal received at the first integrator may then be compensated with circuitry elsewhere in the modulator, such that the net effect of the slow down and speed up of signals does not affect the output of the modulator. The sigma-delta modulator may be implemented in converters, such as an analog-to-digital converter (ADC).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: John L. Melanson, Stephen T. Hodapp
  • Patent number: 9263964
    Abstract: In accordance with systems and methods of the present disclosure, an apparatus for providing compatibility between a load having a reactive impedance and a secondary winding of an electronic transformer may include a power converter and a circuit. The power converter may be configured to transfer electrical energy from the secondary winding to the load. The circuit may be configured to charge an energy storage device coupled to the power converter following start-up of the electronic transformer in order to increase a voltage of the energy storage device to at least a voltage level sufficient for the electronic transformer to enter steady-state operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Philips International, B.V.
    Inventors: Michael A. Kost, Wesley L. Mokry, Prashanth Drakshapalli, Stephen T. Hodapp, Firas Azrai
  • Publication number: 20160006448
    Abstract: An apparatus may include a scrambler element configured to receive an input signal and generate a scrambled thermometer code-like signal having a plurality of bits based on the input signal and having a plurality of possible quantization values. The scrambler element may generate at least one equivalent code of the scrambled thermometer code-like signal for each possible quantization value. For each of one or more of the possible quantization values, the scrambler element may be configured to generate a plurality of possible equivalent codes of the scrambled thermometer code-like signal. Responsive to the input signal indicating a change in quantization value of the scrambled thermometer code-like signal, the scrambler element may change the scrambled thermometer code-like signal by transitioning the smallest possible number of the plurality of bits of the scrambled thermometer code-like signal to change quantization value of the scrambled thermometer code-like signal in accordance with the input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: John L. Melanson, Jaimin Mehta, Stephen T. Hodapp
  • Publication number: 20150301077
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an apparatus for measuring acceleration may include a spring-mounted mass, a positional encoder configured to measure a position of the spring-mounted mass and output one or more signals indicative of a sine and a cosine of the position, a driver to set and maintain an oscillation of the spring-mounted mass, and a decoder configured to process the one or more signals to calculate an acceleration of the spring-mounted mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: John L. Melanson, Anindya Bhattacharya, Roderick D. Holley, Ruoxin Jiang, Stephen T. Hodapp, John C. Tucker
  • Publication number: 20150171889
    Abstract: A low power analog-to-digital converter configured to sense sensor signals may include a loop filter and a feedback digital-to-analog converter. The loop filter may have a loop filter input configured to receive an input current signal from a sensor and generate an output signal responsive to the input current signal. The feedback digital-to-analog converter may have a feedback output configured to generate a current-mode or charge-mode feedback output signal responsive to the output signal, the feedback output coupled to the loop filter input in order to combine the input current signal and the feedback output signal at the input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: John L. Melanson, Rahul Singh, Prashanth Drakshapalli, Dale Brummel, Stephen T. Hodapp
  • Patent number: 7994863
    Abstract: An electronic system generates at least one floating supply voltage, wherein during operation of the circuit the floating supply voltage tracks a common mode voltage of first and second differential input signals. By tracking the common mode voltage, in at least one embodiment, the floating supply voltage adjusts as the common mode voltage changes. Thus, the floating supply voltages can be based upon the peak-to-peak values of the first and second output signals without factoring in the common mode voltage. In at least one embodiment, the electronic system provides the floating supply voltages to an amplifier. The amplifier amplifies the first and second differential input signals and generates differential output signals. A differential sampling circuit samples the differential output signals to cancel the common mode voltage from the differential output signals. In at least one embodiment, an analog-to-digital converter converts the sampled differential output signals into a digital output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Edmund M. Schneider, Murari L. Kejariwal, Stephen T. Hodapp, John L. Melanson
  • Publication number: 20100164631
    Abstract: An electronic system generates at least one floating supply voltage, wherein during operation of the circuit the floating supply voltage tracks a common mode voltage of first and second differential input signals. By tracking the common mode voltage, in at least one embodiment, the floating supply voltage adjusts as the common mode voltage changes. Thus, the floating supply voltages can be based upon the peak-to-peak values of the first and second output signals without factoring in the common mode voltage. In at least one embodiment, the electronic system provides the floating supply voltages to an amplifier. The amplifier amplifies the first and second differential input signals and generates differential output signals. A differential sampling circuit samples the differential output signals to cancel the common mode voltage from the differential output signals. In at least one embodiment, an analog-to-digital converter converts the sampled differential output signals into a digital output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Edmund M. Schneider, Murari L. Kejariwal, Stephen T. Hodapp, John L. Melanson
  • Patent number: 6861968
    Abstract: A digital-to-analog converter (“DAC”) system utilizes notch filters and chopping modulation technology to remove l/f and other baseband noise from a baseband of a signal of interest. Chopping modulation and demodulation circuitry of the DAC operate at a chopping frequency and all harmonics equal to approximately one-half of a digital input signal sampling frequency. A notch filter attenuates signals having frequencies around the chopping frequency prior to chopping to reduce fold back of noise into the baseband due to parasitic modulation. Another notch filter attenuating signals having frequencies around twice the chopping frequency further reduces fold back of noise into the baseband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Melanson, Stephen T. Hodapp, Giri N. K. Rangan
  • Patent number: 6842486
    Abstract: A digital-to-analog converter (“DAC”) system utilizes chopping modulation technology to remove 1/f and other baseband noise from a baseband of a signal of interest. Chopping modulation and demodulation circuitry of the DAC operate at a chopping frequency equal to approximately one-half of a digital input signal sampling frequency. Chopping at one-half the sampling frequency allows fold back into the baseband of the input signal's frequency components and reduces fold back of noise, such as quantization noise, residing outside the baseband. In a further embodiment, a notch filter attenuates signals having frequencies around the chopping frequency prior to chopping to reduce fold back of noise into the baseband due to parasitic modulation. Coordination of chopping timing also reduces noises in the output of the DAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Marjorie R. Plisch, John L. Melanson, Stephen T. Hodapp, Giri N. K. Rangan