Patents by Inventor Thomas H. HOFF
Thomas H. HOFF 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).
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Patent number: 11906993Abstract: A feedforward correction block for use in a multi-level output system may include circuitry configured to determine an occurrence of a mode transition between operating modes of the multi-level output system, capture a loop filter output of a signal path of the multi-level output system occurring before and after the occurrence of the mode transition, and based on the transition and a change in the loop filter output responsive to the transition, determine a transition-specific compensation function to apply to a feedforward input signal of the signal path that is combined with the loop filter output.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Cirrus Logic Inc.Inventors: John L. Melanson, Thomas H. Hoff
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Publication number: 20230381814Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for driving a transducer with switching drivers. A driver circuit has first and second switching drivers for driving the transducer in a bridge-tied-load configuration, each of the switching drivers having a respective output stage for controllably switching the respective driver output node between high and low switching voltages with a controlled duty cycle. Each of switching drivers is operable in a plurality of different driver modes, wherein the switching voltages are different in said different driver modes. A controller controls the driver mode of operation and the duty cycle of the switching drivers based on the input signal. The controller is configured to control the duty cycles of the first and second switching drivers within defined minimum and maximum limits of duty cycles; and to transition between driver modes of operation when the duty cycle of one of the switching drivers reaches a duty cycle limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2023Publication date: November 30, 2023Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.Inventors: Axel THOMSEN, Eric J. KING, Anthony S. DOY, Thomas H. HOFF, John L. MELANSON
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Publication number: 20230344388Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for power limiting for amplifiers. An amplifier is configured to receive an input supply voltage and to draw, in use, an amplifier input current resulting in an amplifier input power. A power limiter is configured to monitor an indication of the amplifier input power, determine a first signal limit based on said indication of the amplifier input power and a pre-set limit and apply regulation to the input signal to provide a regulated input signal for input to the amplifier that does not exceed the first signal limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2023Publication date: October 26, 2023Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.Inventors: Kemal S. DEMIRCI, Tian ZHAO, Jeffrey A. MAY, Theodore M. BURK, Thomas H. HOFF, Edward M. VEESER
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Patent number: 11791816Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for driving a transducer with switching drivers. A switching driver has first and second supply node for receiving supply voltages and includes an output bridge stage, a capacitor and a network of switches. The network of switches is operable in different switch states to provide different switching voltages to the output bridge stage. A controller is configured to control the switch state of the network of switches and a duty cycle of output switches of the output bridge stage based on an input signal to generate an output signal for driving the transducer.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2022Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Cirrus Logic Inc.Inventors: Axel Thomsen, Eric J. King, Anthony S. Doy, Thomas H. Hoff, John L. Melanson
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Patent number: 11777495Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for driving a transducer with switching drivers where the switching driver has an output bridge stage for switching an output node between switching voltages and a modulator for controlling the duty cycle of the output bridge stage based on an input signal. The switching driver also includes a voltage controller for providing the switching voltages which is operable to provide different switching voltages in different driver modes. A controller is provided to control the driver mode of operation and the duty cycle of the switching driver based on the input signal, and the controller is configured to transition from a present driver mode to a new driver mode by controlling the voltage controller to provide the switching voltages for the new mode and controlling the modulator to vary the duty cycle of the output bridge stage. The change in duty cycle is controlled such that there is no substantial discontinuity in switching ripple due to the mode transition.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2022Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Cirrus Logic Inc.Inventors: John L. Melanson, Eric J. King, Thomas H. Hoff, Axel Thomsen
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Patent number: 11684950Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for driving a transducer with switching drivers. A driver circuit has first and second switching drivers for driving the transducer in a bridge-tied-load configuration, each of the switching drivers having a respective output stage for controllably switching the respective driver output node between high and low switching voltages with a controlled duty cycle. Each of switching drivers is operable in a plurality of different driver modes, wherein the switching voltages are different in said different driver modes. A controller controls the driver mode of operation and the duty cycle of the switching drivers based on the input signal. The controller is configured to control the duty cycles of the first and second switching drivers within defined minimum and maximum limits of duty cycles; and to transition between driver modes of operation when the duty cycle of one of the switching drivers reaches a duty cycle limit.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2021Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.Inventors: Axel Thomsen, Eric J. King, Anthony S. Doy, Thomas H. Hoff, John L. Melanson
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Publication number: 20230139467Abstract: A feedforward correction block for use in a multi-level output system may include circuitry configured to determine an occurrence of a mode transition between operating modes of the multi-level output system, capture a loop filter output of a signal path of the multi-level output system occurring before and after the occurrence of the mode transition, and based on the transition and a change in the loop filter output responsive to the transition, determine a transition-specific compensation function to apply to a feedforward input signal of the signal path that is combined with the loop filter output.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2022Publication date: May 4, 2023Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.Inventors: John L. MELANSON, Thomas H. HOFF
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Publication number: 20230132872Abstract: Pulse width modulation (PWM) driver circuitry comprising: a loop filter configured to receive an analog input signal and to output a digital loop filter output signal based on the analog input signal and an analog feedback signal; and a PWM modulator configured to receive a digital signal based on the digital loop filter output signal and to output a PWM signal, wherein the PWM driver circuitry further comprises a feedback path coupled to an output of the PWM driver circuitry for the analog feedback signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2022Publication date: May 4, 2023Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.Inventors: John L. MELANSON, Eric J. KING, Thomas H. HOFF, Lingli ZHANG
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Patent number: 11594958Abstract: Driver circuitry for driving a load based on an input signal, comprising: at least one variable boost stage comprising: first and second input nodes configured to receive a first voltage and a second voltage respectively; first and second flying capacitor nodes for connection to a flying capacitor therebetween; a network of switching paths for selectively connecting the first and second input nodes with the first and second flying capacitor nodes; an output stage for selectively connecting a driver output node to each of the first and second flying capacitor nodes; and a controller operable in a first boost mode to: control the output stage to selectively connect the driver output node to the first flying capacitor node; control the network of switching paths to switch connection of the second flying capacitor node between the first and second input nodes at a controlled duty cycle; and in a first charge top-up cycle, control the network of switching paths to connect the first input node to the first flying cType: GrantFiled: November 30, 2021Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.Inventors: Eric J. King, Axel Thomsen, Anthony S. Doy, Thomas H. Hoff, John L. Melanson
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Publication number: 20220376618Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for driving a transducer. A transducer driver has a switch network is operable to selectively connect a driver output to any of a first set of at least three different switching voltages. which are, in use, maintained throughout a switching cycle of the driver apparatus. The switch network is also operable to selectively connect the driver output to flying capacitor driver. A controller is configured to control the switch network and flying capacitor driver to generate a drive signal at the driver output based on an input signal, wherein in one mode of operation the driver output is switched between two of the first set of switching voltages with a controlled duty cycle and in another mode of operation the driver output is connected to the flying capacitor driver which is switched between first and second states with a controlled duty cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2022Publication date: November 24, 2022Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.Inventors: Yongjie CHENG, Lingli ZHANG, John L. MELANSON, Thomas H. HOFF, Eric J. KING, Zhaohui HE
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Publication number: 20220368325Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for driving a transducer with switching drivers. A switching driver has first and second supply node for receiving supply voltages and includes an output bridge stage, a capacitor and a network of switches. The network of switches is operable in different switch states to provide different switching voltages to the output bridge stage. A controller is configured to control the switch state of the network of switches and a duty cycle of output switches of the output bridge stage based on an input signal to generate an output signal for driving the transducer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2022Publication date: November 17, 2022Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.Inventors: Axel THOMSEN, Eric J. KING, Thomas H. HOFF, John L. MELANSON, Angus BLACK, Ross C. MORGAN, Malcolm BLYTH
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Publication number: 20220286046Abstract: Driver circuitry for driving a load based on an input signal, comprising: at least one variable boost stage comprising: first and second input nodes configured to receive a first voltage and a second voltage respectively; first and second flying capacitor nodes for connection to a flying capacitor therebetween; a network of switching paths for selectively connecting the first and second input nodes with the first and second flying capacitor nodes; an output stage for selectively connecting a driver output node to each of the first and second flying capacitor nodes; and a controller operable in a first boost mode to: control the output stage to selectively connect the driver output node to the first flying capacitor node; control the network of switching paths to switch connection of the second flying capacitor node between the first and second input nodes at a controlled duty cycle; and in a first charge top-up cycle, control the network of switching paths to connect the first input node to the first flying cType: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2021Publication date: September 8, 2022Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.Inventors: Eric J. KING, Axel THOMSEN, Anthony S. DOY, Thomas H. HOFF, John L. MELANSON
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Publication number: 20220271748Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for driving a transducer with switching drivers where the switching driver has an output bridge stage for switching an output node between switching voltages and a modulator for controlling the duty cycle of the output bridge stage based on an input signal. The switching driver also includes a voltage controller for providing the switching voltages which is operable to provide different switching voltages in different driver modes. A controller is provided to control the driver mode of operation and the duty cycle of the switching driver based on the input signal, and the controller is configured to transition from a present driver mode to a new driver mode by controlling the voltage controller to provide the switching voltages for the new mode and controlling the modulator to vary the duty cycle of the output bridge stage. The change in duty cycle is controlled such that there is no substantial discontinuity in switching ripple due to the mode transition.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2022Publication date: August 25, 2022Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.Inventors: John L. MELANSON, Eric J. KING, Thomas H. HOFF, Axel THOMSEN
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Patent number: 11368151Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for driving a transducer with switching drivers where the switching driver has an output bridge stage for switching an output node between switching voltages and a modulator for controlling the duty cycle of the output bridge stage based on an input signal. The switching driver also includes a voltage controller for providing the switching voltages which is operable to provide different switching voltages in different driver modes. A controller is provided to control the driver mode of operation and the duty cycle of the switching driver based on the input signal, and the controller is configured to transition from a present driver mode to a new driver mode by controlling the voltage controller to provide the switching voltages for the new mode and controlling the modulator to vary the duty cycle of the output bridge stage. The change in duty cycle is controlled such that there is no substantial discontinuity in switching ripple due to the mode transition.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2021Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.Inventors: John L. Melanson, Eric J. King, Thomas H. Hoff, Axel Thomsen
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Publication number: 20220158635Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for driving a transducer with switching drivers. A switching driver has first and second supply node for receiving supply voltages and includes an output bridge stage, a capacitor and a network of switches. The network of switches is operable in different switch states to provide different switching voltages to the output bridge stage. A controller is configured to control the switch state of the network of switches and a duty cycle of output switches of the output bridge stage based on an input signal to generate an output signal for driving the transducer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2022Publication date: May 19, 2022Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.Inventors: Axel THOMSEN, Eric J. KING, Anthony S. DOY, Thomas H. HOFF, John L. MELANSON
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Patent number: 11296598Abstract: Driver circuitry for driving a load based on an input signal, comprising: at least one variable boost stage comprising: first and second input nodes configured to receive a first voltage and a second voltage respectively; first and second flying capacitor nodes for connection to a flying capacitor therebetween; a network of switching paths for selectively connecting the first and second input nodes with the first and second flying capacitor nodes; an output stage for selectively connecting a driver output node to each of the first and second flying capacitor nodes; and a controller operable in a first boost mode to: control the output stage to selectively connect the driver output node to the first flying capacitor node; control the network of switching paths to switch connection of the second flying capacitor node between the first and second input nodes at a controlled duty cycle; and in a first charge top-up cycle, control the network of switching paths to connect the first input node to the first flying cType: GrantFiled: March 5, 2021Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.Inventors: Eric J. King, Axel Thomsen, Anthony S. Doy, Thomas H. Hoff, John L. Melanson
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Patent number: 11277129Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for driving a transducer with switching drivers. A switching driver has first and second supply node for receiving supply voltages and includes an output bridge stage, a capacitor and a network of switches. The network of switches is operable in different switch states to provide different switching voltages to the output bridge stage. A controller is configured to control the switch state of the network of switches and a duty cycle of output switches of the output bridge stage based on an input signal to generate an output signal for driving the transducer.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2021Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.Inventors: Axel Thomsen, Eric J. King, Anthony S. Doy, Thomas H. Hoff, John L. Melanson
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Publication number: 20220052686Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for driving a transducer with switching drivers. A switching driver has first and second supply node for receiving supply voltages and includes an output bridge stage, a capacitor and a network of switches. The network of switches is operable in different switch states to provide different switching voltages to the output bridge stage. A controller is configured to control the switch state of the network of switches and a duty cycle of output switches of the output bridge stage based on an input signal to generate an output signal for driving the transducer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2021Publication date: February 17, 2022Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.Inventors: Axel THOMSEN, Eric J. KING, Anthony S. DOY, Thomas H. HOFF, John L. MELANSON
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Publication number: 20220052687Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for driving a transducer with switching drivers where the switching driver has an output bridge stage for switching an output node between switching voltages and a modulator for controlling the duty cycle of the output bridge stage based on an input signal. The switching driver also includes a voltage controller for providing the switching voltages which is operable to provide different switching voltages in different driver modes. A controller is provided to control the driver mode of operation and the duty cycle of the switching driver based on the input signal, and the controller is configured to transition from a present driver mode to a new driver mode by controlling the voltage controller to provide the switching voltages for the new mode and controlling the modulator to vary the duty cycle of the output bridge stage. The change in duty cycle is controlled such that there is no substantial discontinuity in switching ripple due to the mode transition.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2021Publication date: February 17, 2022Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.Inventors: John L. MELANSON, Eric J. KING, Thomas H. HOFF, Axel THOMSEN
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Publication number: 20220048069Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for driving a transducer with switching drivers. A driver circuit has first and second switching drivers for driving the transducer in a bridge-tied-load configuration, each of the switching drivers having a respective output stage for controllably switching the respective driver output node between high and low switching voltages with a controlled duty cycle. Each of switching drivers is operable in a plurality of different driver modes, wherein the switching voltages are different in said different driver modes. A controller controls the driver mode of operation and the duty cycle of the switching drivers based on the input signal. The controller is configured to control the duty cycles of the first and second switching drivers within defined minimum and maximum limits of duty cycles; and to transition between driver modes of operation when the duty cycle of one of the switching drivers reaches a duty cycle limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2021Publication date: February 17, 2022Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.Inventors: Axel THOMSEN, Eric J. KING, Anthony S. DOY, Thomas H. HOFF, John L. MELANSON