Patents by Inventor Wen-Shen Chou

Wen-Shen Chou 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: 20120212208
    Abstract: A method includes generating a first current, wherein the first current flows through a first resistor and a first bipolar transistor. A first end of the first resistor is serially connected to an emitter-collector path of the first bipolar transistor, and a second end of the resistor is connected to an input of an operational amplifier. A second current is generated to flow through a second resistor that is connected to the input of the operational amplifier. An emitter of a second bipolar transistor is connected to a base of the first bipolar transistor, wherein a base and a collector of the second bipolar transistor are connected to VSS. The first and the second currents are added to generate a third current, which is mirrored to generate a fourth current proportional to the third current. The fourth current is conducted through a third resistor to generate an output reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chi-Ping Yao, Wen-Shen Chou
  • Patent number: 8232903
    Abstract: A current cell array includes a number of current cell groups arranged such that they extend in a first direction. Each of the current cell groups is identified by a first identifier that increases in a direction of a gradient across the current cell array. A number of current cells are included in each of the current cell groups. Each of the current cells is identified by a respective second identifier that increases in the direction of the gradient across the current cell array. The current cells are positioned in the current cell groups based on the first and second identifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ying-Chih Hsu, Wen-Shen Chou
  • Patent number: 8169256
    Abstract: A circuit includes an operational amplifier including a first input and a second input. A first resistor has a first end coupled to the first input. A first bipolar transistor includes a first emitter coupled to a second end of the first resistor, and a first base. A second bipolar transistor includes a second emitter coupled to the second input, and a second base. A third bipolar transistor includes a third emitter coupled to the first base, a first collector, and a third base connected to the first collector. A fourth bipolar transistor includes a fourth emitter coupled to the second base, a second collector, and a fourth base connected to the second collector. A second resistor is coupled to the first input, wherein the second resistor is parallel to the first resistor and the first bipolar transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Ping Yao, Wen-Shen Chou
  • Publication number: 20110279150
    Abstract: A driver utilizes selective biasing of the terminal of an operational amplifier to reduce offset in the operational amplifier output. Each operational amplifier input includes a differential input pair of transistors including a NMOS transistor and PMOS transistor. At low and high ends of the input voltage range these transistors are selectively and individually coupled to either a standard input or biased to be on so as to contribute offset for offset compensation. The transistors are biased in a conventional manner for input voltages between the low and high ends of the voltage range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yung-Chow PENG, Wen-Shen CHOU, Ching-Ho CHANG, Wan-Te CHEN
  • Publication number: 20110267213
    Abstract: A current cell array includes a number of current cell groups arranged such that they extend in a first direction. Each of the current cell groups is identified by a first identifier that increases in a direction of a gradient across the current cell array. A number of current cells are included in each of the current cell groups. Each of the current cells is identified by a respective second identifier that increases in the direction of the gradient across the current cell array. The current cells are positioned in the current cell groups based on the first and second identifiers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ying-Chih HSU, Wen-Shen Chou
  • Publication number: 20110241915
    Abstract: A system and method for converting a digital signal to an analog signal is provided. The present disclosure provides a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that can convert a large bit value digital signal to a corresponding analog signal. In accordance with an embodiment, a method comprises receiving portions of a digital signal by a plurality of sub-DACs; converting the portions of the digital signal to a corresponding analog signal by the plurality of sub-DACs; biasing one or more of the plurality of sub-DACs; and calibrating the portions of a digital signal by one or more calibration elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Jen Lai, Mei-Chen Chuang, Wen-Shen Chou
  • Patent number: 8013770
    Abstract: A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for converting a digital signal to an analog signal includes a first thermometer decoder and a second thermometer decoder. The first thermometer decoder is configured to decode most-significant bits (MSBs) of the digital signal to generate a first thermometer code. The second thermometer decoder is configured to decode middle bits of the digital signal to generate a second thermometer code. The DAC further includes a plurality of macro cells with each controlled by one bit of the first thermometer code. The plurality of macro cells is configured to provide a first analog signal according to the first thermometer code. The DAC further includes a macro cell configured to provide a second analog signal according to the second thermometer code. The macro cell is further configured to provide a third analog signal according to least-significant bits (LSBs) of the digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Robit Yang, Ying-Chi Hsu, You-Cheng Xiao, Wen-Shen Chou
  • Patent number: 7978110
    Abstract: A system for converting a digital signal to an analog signal is provided. The present invention provides a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that can convert a large bit value digital signal to a corresponding analog signal. The digital-to-analog converter includes a bias regeneration circuit, and three sub-DACs. The bias regeneration circuit provides biasing to the three sub-DACs allowing the DAC to be implemented with smaller circuit area. In addition, the three sub-DACs may be digitally calibrated during the conversion process to increase the linearity of the DAC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Jen Lai, Mei-Chen Chuang, Wen-Shen Chou
  • Publication number: 20110089916
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are related to LDO regulators. In an embodiment, an amplifier drives the gate of a master source follower and of at least one slave source follower to form an LDO regulator. In an alternative embodiment, a charge pump drives the master source follower to form the regulator. Additional slave source followers may be used in conjunction with the charge pump and the master source follower to improve the regulator performance. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Eric Soenen, Alan Roth, Justin Shi, Ying-Chih Hsu, Guang-Cheng Wang, Wen-Shen Chou
  • Patent number: 7852250
    Abstract: This invention discloses a digital to analog converter (DAC) for converting a digital signal with a predetermined number of bits to a corresponding analog signal, the DAC comprises a first current source element having a first control signal, the first control signal controlling the conduction current provided by the first current source element, and a second current source element having a second control signal, the second control signal controlling the conduction current provided by the second current source element, wherein the first and the second control signals have different voltages during operation of the DAC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mei-Chen Chuang, Wen-Shen Chou
  • Publication number: 20100283642
    Abstract: A system for converting a digital signal to an analog signal is provided. The present invention provides a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that can convert a large bit value digital signal to a corresponding analog signal. The digital-to-analog converter includes a bias regeneration circuit, and three sub-DACs. The bias regeneration circuit provides biasing to the three sub-DACs allowing the DAC to be implemented with smaller circuit area. In addition, the three sub-DACs may be digitally calibrated during the conversion process to increase the linearity of the DAC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Jen Lai, Mei-Chen Chuang, Wen-Shen Chou
  • Publication number: 20100207597
    Abstract: A circuit includes an operational amplifier including a first input and a second input. A first resistor has a first end coupled to the first input. A first bipolar transistor includes a first emitter coupled to a second end of the first resistor, and a first base. A second bipolar transistor includes a second emitter coupled to the second input, and a second base. A third bipolar transistor includes a third emitter coupled to the first base, a first collector, and a third base connected to the first collector. A fourth bipolar transistor includes a fourth emitter coupled to the second base, a second collector, and a fourth base connected to the second collector. A second resistor is coupled to the first input, wherein the second resistor is parallel to the first resistor and the first bipolar transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Chi-Ping Yao, Wen-Shen Chou
  • Publication number: 20100141497
    Abstract: A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for converting a digital signal to an analog signal includes a first thermometer decoder and a second thermometer decoder. The first thermometer decoder is configured to decode most-significant bits (MSBs) of the digital signal to generate a first thermometer code. The second thermometer decoder is configured to decode middle bits of the digital signal to generate a second thermometer code. The DAC further includes a plurality of macro cells with each controlled by one bit of the first thermometer code. The plurality of macro cells is configured to provide a first analog signal according to the first thermometer code. The DAC further includes a macro cell configured to provide a second analog signal according to the second thermometer code. The macro cell is further configured to provide a third analog signal according to least-significant bits (LSBs) of the digital signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Robit Yang, Ying-Chi Hsu, You-Cheng Xiao, Wen-Shen Chou
  • Publication number: 20090278723
    Abstract: This invention discloses a digital to analog converter (DAC) for converting a digital signal with a predetermined number of bits to a corresponding analog signal, the DAC comprises a first current source element having a first control signal, the first control signal controlling the conduction current provided by the first current source element, and a second current source element having a second control signal, the second control signal controlling the conduction current provided by the second current source element, wherein the first and the second control signals have different voltages during operation of the DAC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventors: Mei-Chen Chuang, Wen-Shen Chou