Patents by Inventor Steve Hobrecht

Steve Hobrecht 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).

  • Apparatus and method for producing symmetric capture range in two-quadrant phase detector PLLs using nonsymmetric pulse waves
    Patent number: 5847582
    Abstract: A symmetric capture range is produced in a two-quadrant phase detector phase locked loop that utilizes nonsymmetric pulse waves. The phase detector is enabled only during VCO pulses. A latch stores the relative relationship between the leading edge of the input pulse and the center of the VCO pulse in the previous cycle. If the phase angle .theta. form the VCO pulse center to the leading edge of the input pulse is0 deg<.theta.<180 deg,then the phase detector incrementally decreases the VCO frequency at the next VCO pulse. If the phase angle .theta. is180 deg<.theta.<360 deg,then the phase detector incrementally increases the VCO frequency at the next VCO pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Victor P. Schrader, Steve Hobrecht
  • Temperature-compensated, precision frequency-to-voltage convertor
    Patent number: 5621341
    Abstract: A Frequency-to-Voltage Convertor (FVC) circuit is based on a precision one-shot that is compensated in a way such that matching of transistors in the circuit is unimportant. Therefore, temperature spacial gradients are rejected. The necessary saturation voltages for the FVC's npn devices are compensated by modulating the drive level of these devices with temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Victor P. Schrader, Steve Hobrecht
  • Temperature-compensated, precision frequency-to-voltage converter
    Patent number: 5514988
    Abstract: A Frequency-to-Voltage Converter (FVC) circuit is based on a precision one-shot that is compensated in a way such that matching of transistors in the circuit is unimportant. Therefore, temperature spacial gradients are rejected. The necessary saturation voltages for the FVC's npn devices are compensated by modulating the drive level of these devices with temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Victor P. Schrader, Steve Hobrecht