Abstract: Disclosed is a switching amplifier having an enhanced supply rejection. The switching amplifier comprises a digital modulator that provides a modulated signal. The switching amplifier further comprises a closed-loop analog driver that is coupled to the digital modulator. As disclosed, the closed-loop analog driver is configured to re-modulate a modulation signal that corresponds to the modulated signal. An output stage of the switching amplifier is driven by the re-modulated signal, thereby providing enhanced supply rejection. In one embodiment, the modulated signal is produced by a digital pulse-width modulator (PWM) circuit of a Class-D amplifier, and has a pulse rate substantially less than a clock rate of the digital PWM circuit. In one embodiment, the switching amplifier is implemented as an audio amplifier in a mobile communication device such as a cellular telephone.

Abstract: Disclosed is a closed-loop class-D amplifier circuit including a modulated reference signal generator that provides a modulated reference signal in a feed-forward path, where the reference signal is modulated corresponding to an input signal. The closed-loop class-D amplifier circuit further includes a comparator to generate a control signal based on a comparison of the modulated reference signal and a correction signal, which in turn is produced by filtering a combination of the input signal and a feedback signal. The closed-loop class-D amplifier circuit also includes a pulse generator to generate a pulse-width-modulated signal to drive an output stage of the closed-loop class-D amplifier based on the control signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high efficiency amplifier operable to substantially reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI). The high efficiency amplifier comprises an output stage to provide a high powered signal to a load. The high efficiency amplifier further comprises an overlap protection circuit to produce a timing non-overlap in a control signal for the output stage, and an edge control circuit to reduce a transient portion of the high powered signal to substantially reduce the EMI. The overlap protection circuit and the edge control circuit may be implemented with resistive source degeneration. Also disclosed is a related method. In one embodiment, the high efficiency amplifier and the related method may be incorporated into a cellular telephone or a mobile audio device.

Abstract: Disclosed is an amplifier circuit configured to amplify a pulse stream. The amplifier circuit comprises a switching block including a first switch operable to couple an output node of the switching block to a positive reference voltage, a second switch operable to couple the output node to a ground reference voltage and a third switch operable to couple the output node to a negative reference voltage. The amplifier circuit is configured to amplify the pulse stream into an amplified signal detectable at the output node such that the amplified signal has a common-mode voltage level substantially equal to zero volts. In one embodiment, the amplifier circuit is configured to amplify the pulse stream in accordance with a Class-D amplification scheme. In one embodiment, the output node can be directly connected to a load device without a DC blocking capacitor being interposed between the output node and the load device.

Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for detecting and identifying electronic accessories or peripherals utilizing a hardware audio CODEC are provided. In this regard, a hardware audio CODEC may be operable to compare one or more voltages on one or more biased pins of an accessory or peripheral port to one or more reference voltages and generate one or more digital representations of the one or more voltages on the biased one or more pins. An accessory or peripheral attached to the accessory or peripheral port may be identified based on the comparison and/or the generated one or more digital representations. The one or more bias voltages may be controlled based on a result of the comparison and/or the generated digital representations. The one or more bias voltages may be reduced after an attached accessory or peripheral has been identified.

Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for processing audio signals via separate input and output processing paths are provided. In this regard, a hardware audio CODEC comprising one or more audio inputs and one or more audio outputs and may be enabled to route, via one or more switching elements, audio signals from any of the inputs to any of the outputs. The CODEC may be enabled to simultaneously process a plurality of audio signals based on a configuration of the switching elements. Upstream from the switching elements, received audio signals may be processed independent of an output to which the may be communicated. Downstream from said switching elements audio signals may be processed independent of an input via which the signals were received.

Abstract: A disclosed embodiment is a programmable integrated circuit such as an audio processor or a base band processor for generating a low noise and programmable microphone bias voltage or current. The programmable integrated circuit generates a programmable reference input, where the reference input is programmably generated from at least one power source, such as a on-chip audio power supply, an on-chip power supply, or an off-chip power supply, for use by a regulator. The regulator in the programmable integrated circuit receives a bias input and the programmable reference input and generates a programmable output for biasing a microphone. The bias input for the regulator can be provided by an off-chip power supply or an on-chip power supply. The reference input provided to the regulator can be appropriately filtered to reduce noise. In one embodiment, the programmable reference input and the programmable output are programmed by first and second potentiometers, respectively.

Abstract: Methods and systems for minimizing distortions in an analog data signal include equalizing the analog data signal at a receive end. In an embodiment, the invention adapts equalization parameters to a signal path associated with the analog data signal. Adaptive control logic is implemented with analog and/or digital components. In an embodiment, the invention equalizes a discreet-time analog representation of an analog data signal. In an embodiment, the invention digitally controls equalization parameters. In an embodiment, a resultant equalized analog data signal is digitized. In an example implementation, an analog data signal is sampled, a quality of the samples is measured, and one or more equalization parameters are adjusted with digital controls as needed to minimize distortion of the samples. The equalized samples are then digitized. The present invention is suitable for lower rate analog data signals and multi-gigabit data rate analog signals.

Abstract: A noise reduction circuit for reducing the effects of low frequency noise such as wind noise in communications applications is described. In one embodiment, the noise reduction circuit features a high pass filter formed by exploiting the existing off-chip AC coupling capacitances in making the connection to the source of audio signals. The filter may be adaptive to environmental low frequency noise level through programming the shunt resistances. A low-noise wide dynamic range programmable gain amplifier is also described. Adaptive equalization of the audio signal is also described through the utilization of programmable front-end resistors and a back-end audio equalizer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for minimizing distortions in an analog data signal include equalizing the analog data signal at a receive end. In an embodiment, the invention adapts equalization parameters to a signal path associated with the analog data signal. Adaptive control logic is implemented with analog and/or digital components. In an embodiment, the invention equalizes a discreet-time analog representation of an analog data signal. In an embodiment, the invention digitally controls equalization parameters. In an embodiment, a resultant equalized analog data signal is digitized. In an example implementation, an analog data signal is sampled, a quality of the samples is measured, and one or more equalization parameters are adjusted with digital controls as needed to minimize distortion of the samples. The equalized samples are then digitized. The present invention is suitable for lower rate analog data signals and multi-gigabit data rate analog signals.

Abstract: An output stage protection system for protecting NMOS devices in an integrated circuit (IC) output stage during normal operations and power up/power down. In an embodiment, the output stage includes a pair of relatively low voltage NMOS devices coupled to a current source and IC core outputs. A first pair of relatively high voltage NMOS devices is coupled to the relatively low voltage pair and a biasing circuit. A second pair of relatively high voltage NMOS devices is coupled to a resistor, the first pair, and first and second output nodes, respectively. One or more diodes are coupled in series between the first and second output nodes and the resistor. In an embodiment, the output stage protection system protects NMOS devices in the output stage from electrostatic discharge (ESD). Input/output (I/O) pad ESD protection circuits are coupled to the I/O pads and include a clamp coupled to a local net.

Abstract: An output stage protection system for protecting NMOS devices in an integrated circuit (IC) output stage during normal operations and power up/power down. In an embodiment, the output stage includes a pair of relatively low voltage NMOS devices coupled to a current source and IC core outputs. A first pair of relatively high voltage NMOS devices is coupled to the relatively low voltage pair and a biasing circuit. A second pair of relatively high voltage NMOS devices is coupled to a resistor, the first pair, and first and second output nodes, respectively. One or more diodes are coupled in series between the first and second output nodes and the resistor. In an embodiment, the output stage protection system protects NMOS devices in the output stage from electrostatic discharge (ESD). Input/output (I/O) pad ESD protection circuits are coupled to the I/O pads and include a clamp coupled to a local net.

Abstract: An output stage protection system for protecting NMOS devices in an integrated circuit (IC) output stage during normal operations and power up/power down. In an embodiment, the output stage includes a pair of relatively low voltage NMOS devices coupled to a current source and IC core outputs. A first pair of relatively high voltage NMOS devices is coupled to the relatively low voltage pair and a biasing circuit. A second pair of relatively high voltage NMOS devices is coupled to a resistor, the first pair, and first and second output nodes, respectively. One or more diodes are coupled in series between the first and second output nodes and the resistor. In an embodiment, the output stage protection system protects NMOS devices in the output stage from electrostatic discharge (ESD). Input/output (I/O) pad ESD protection circuits are coupled to the I/O pads and include a clamp coupled to a local net.

Abstract: Systems and methods for pulse stretching architectures for phase alignment of multi-frequency clocks for high speed data acquisitions are disclosed. A high speed data acquisition system includes a transmitter and a receiver. The receiver includes a multi-frequency clock generator that generates a plurality of clock signals, a pattern check module that detects a test pattern received from the transmitter and outputs a stretch command signal, and a stretch pulse generator that receives the stretch command signal and provides a stretch pulse signal that aligns the phases of the plurality of clock signals generated by the multi-frequency clock generator. Methods for initializing and shifting multi-phase clock signals to optimize error performance of a high speed data acquisition system are also provided.

Abstract: A high-speed serial data transceiver includes multiple receivers and transmitters for receiving and transmitting multiple analog, serial data signals at multi-gigabit-per-second data rates. Each receiver includes a timing recovery system for tracking a phase and a frequency of the serial data signal associated with the receiver. The timing recovery system includes a phase interpolator responsive to phase control signals and a set of reference signals having different predetermined phases. The phase interpolator derives a sampling signal, having an interpolated phase, to sample the serial data signal. The timing recovery system in each receiver independently phase-aligns and frequency synchronizes the sampling signal to the serial data signal associated with the receiver. A receiver can include multiple paths for sampling a received, serial data signal in accordance with multiple time-staggered sampling signals, each having an interpolated phase.

Abstract: Systems and methods for pulse stretching architectures for phase alignment of multi-frequency clocks for high speed data acquisitions are disclosed. A high speed data acquisition system includes a transmitter and a receiver. The receiver includes a multi-frequency clock generator that generates a plurality of clock signals, a pattern check module that detects a test pattern received from the transmitter and outputs a stretch command signal, and a stretch pulse generator that receives the stretch command signal and provides a stretch pulse signal that aligns the phases of the plurality of clock signals generated by the multi-frequency clock generator. Methods for initializing and shifting multi-phase clock signals to optimize error performance of a high speed data acquisition system are also provided.

Abstract: A high-speed serial data transceiver includes multiple receivers and transmitters for receiving and transmitting multiple analog, serial data signals at multi-gigabit-per-second data rates. Each receiver includes a timing recovery system for tracking a phase and a frequency of the serial data signal associated with the receiver. The timing recovery system includes a phase interpolator responsive to phase control signals and a set of reference signals having different predetermined phases. The phase interpolator derives a sampling signal, having an interpolated phase, to sample the serial data signal. The timing recovery system in each receiver independently phase-aligns and frequency synchronizes the sampling signal to the serial data signal associated with the receiver. A receiver can include multiple paths for sampling a received, serial data signal in accordance with multiple time-staggered sampling signals, each having an interpolated phase.

Abstract: A multi-frequency clock stretching system is provided. The multi-frequency clock stretching system includes a stretch pulse generator that generates a stretch pulse signal and a multi-frequency clock generator that produces a set of different frequency clock signals in which the clock signal pulses of the set of different frequency clock signals can be stretched as a function of the stretch pulse signal. A data processing system is also provided that includes a data processing portion and a multi-frequency clock stretching system. When the data processing portion recognizes that a clock adjustment is needed, the data processing portion provides a control signal to the multi-frequency clock stretching system that stretches the pulses of clock signals serving as inputs to the data processing portion to better align the pulses and improve system performance.

Abstract: A high-speed serial data transceiver includes multiple receivers and transmitters for receiving and transmitting multiple analog, serial data signals at multi-gigabit-per-second data rates. Each receiver includes a timing recovery system for tracking a phase and a frequency of the serial data signal associated with the receiver. The timing recovery system includes a phase interpolator responsive to phase control signals and a set of reference signals having different predetermined phases. The phase interpolator derives a sampling signal, having an interpolated phase, to sample the serial data signal. The timing recovery system in each receiver independently phase-aligns and frequency synchronizes the sampling signal to the serial data signal associated with the receiver. A receiver can include multiple paths for sampling a received, serial data signal in accordance with multiple time-staggered sampling signals, each having an interpolated phase.

Abstract: A high-speed serial data transceiver includes multiple receivers and transmitters for receiving and transmitting multiple analog, serial data signals at multi-gigabit-per-second data rates. Each receiver includes a timing recovery system for tracking a phase and a frequency of the serial data signal associated with the receiver. The timing recovery system includes a phase interpolator responsive to phase control signals and a set of reference signals having different predetermined phases. The phase interpolator derives a sampling signal, having an interpolated phase, to sample the serial data signal. The timing recovery system in each receiver independently phase-aligns and frequency synchronizes the sampling signal to the serial data signal associated with the receiver. A receiver can include multiple paths for sampling a received, serial data signal in accordance with multiple time-staggered sampling signals, each having an interpolated phase.