Patents by Inventor Tawei David Li

Tawei David Li 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: 8531222
    Abstract: A phase locked loop (PLL) circuit is provided with selectable feedback paths. In one example, a method of operating a device includes passing a clock signal provided by a PLL circuit of the device through an internal feedback path of the PLL circuit to provide a first input signal to the PLL circuit while at least one external circuit of an external feedback path of the device is disabled during a low power operation mode of the device. The method also includes detecting a lock between the first input signal and a reference signal during the low power operation mode. The lock indicates that the clock signal is operating at a frequency used during a normal operation mode of the device. The method also includes passing the clock signal through the external feedback path to provide a second input signal to the PLL circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Lattice Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Barry Britton, Richard Booth, Phillip L. Johnson, Yang Xu, Tawei David Li
  • Patent number: 8314634
    Abstract: Techniques are provided to reduce glitches at an output signal node when a device is switched to and from a low power operation mode. In one example, a method of operating a device includes providing power to operate a signal source of the device during a normal operation mode of the device. The method also includes passing an output signal from the signal source through a signal path to an output node during the normal operation mode. The method also includes receiving an operation mode signal to switch the device from the normal operation mode to a low power operation mode. The method also includes disabling the signal path to prevent glitches from appearing at the output node during the switch from the normal operation mode to the low power operation mode. The method also includes continuing providing power to the signal source until after the signal path is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Lattice Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Barry Britton, Richard Booth, Yang Xu, Tawei David Li