Abstract: Electrical networks are formed to produce an approximation of at least one desired performance characteristic, based on the recognition that fabrication variations introduce slight differences in electronic sub-networks which were intended to be identical. These fabrication differences are turned to an advantage by providing a pool of sub-networks, and then selectively connecting particular combinations of these sub-networks to implement networks that approximate the desired performance characteristics. The sub-networks are of like kind (e.g., resistors) and have a like measure.

Abstract: Integrated circuits are provided with circuitry such as multiplexers that can be selectively configured to route different adjustable power supply voltages to different circuit blocks on the integrated circuits. The circuit blocks may contain memory elements that are powered by the power supply voltages and that provide corresponding static output control signals at magnitudes that are determined by the power supply voltages. The control signals from the memory elements may be applied to the gates of transistors in the circuit blocks. Logic on an integrated circuit may be powered at a given power supply voltage level. The memory elements may provide their output signals at overdrive voltage levels that are elevated with respect to the given power supply voltage level. Memory elements associated with circuit blocks that contain critical paths can be overdriven at voltages that are larger than memory elements associated with circuit blocks that contain noncritical paths.

Abstract: A circuit has an input configured to receive a periodic signal having a first value. First circuitry is provided to generate a pulse when said periodic signal has a rising edge and a pulse when said periodic signal has a falling edge. Second circuitry is configured to receive said pulses and responsive thereto to provide an output signal, said output signal having a same duty cycle as said input signal and having a second value.

Abstract: An output circuit which outputs an output signal based on an input signal from an output terminal and brings the output terminal into a high impedance state in response to an impedance control signal. The output circuit includes an output pMOS transistor connected at a source thereof to a first power supply. The output circuit includes an output nMOS transistor connected between a drain of the output pMOS transistor and ground. The output circuit includes an output terminal connected between the drain of the output pMOS transistor and a drain of the output nMOS transistor. The output circuit includes a first level shifter circuit which outputs a first gate control signal from a first gate control terminal to control on/off of the output pMOS transistor. The output circuit includes a second level shifter circuit which outputs a second gate control signal from a second gate control terminal to control on/off of the output nMOS transistor.

Abstract: A D-type flip-flop includes tristate inverter circuitry passing a processing signal through to storage circuitry 8 from where the processing signal passes via a transmission gate to slave storage circuitry. A transition detector is coupled to the input node of the storage circuitry and serves to generate an error signal if a transition is detected upon that input node during an error detecting period. Other forms of this technique may provide clock gating circuitry.

Abstract: A multipoint low-voltage differential signaling (mLVDS) receiver of a semiconductor device and a buffering circuit of a semiconductor device, includes: an even-number data buffering unit configured to: sample even-number data from input data, amplify and output the even-number data in a section in which a positive clock is activated, and latch the even-number data in a section in which the positive clock is inactivated, and an odd-number data buffering unit configured to: sample odd-number data from the input data, amplify and output the odd-number data in a section in which a negative clock is activated, and latch the odd-number data in a section in which the negative clock is inactivated.

Abstract: A decoder for sequentially enabling outputs in response to clock signal inputs is described including X number of logic stages corresponding to X number of outputs of the decoder. Each of the logic stages has a plurality of inputs, wherein each logic stage includes fewer than log2X inputs for receiving the clock signal inputs.

Abstract: A circuit comprises an inverter, a first transistor, a second transistor, and at least one switching circuit. The inverter has a first node and a second node. The first transistor has a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal. The second transistor has a fourth terminal, a fifth terminal, and a sixth terminal. The at least one switching circuit is configured to switch a connection of at least one of the first transistor and the second transistor to the inverter. The second terminal and the fifth terminal are coupled to the first node. The third terminal and the sixth terminal are coupled to the second node. The first transistor and the second transistor are configured to cause a plurality of time delays at the second node.

Abstract: A buffer for converting sinusoidal waves to square waves with reduced phase noise is described herein. The buffer shunts current from the outputs of a differential amplifier during sinusoidal state transition periods at the differential amplifier inputs to increase the finite slope of square wave transition periods of the output square wave. More particularly, a sinusoidal wave having alternating peaks and valleys connected by sinusoidal state transition periods is applied to differential inputs of a differential amplifier to generate a square wave at the differential outputs, where the output square wave comprises alternating high and low states connected by square wave state transition periods having a finite slope. The output square wave is shaped to increase the finite slope of the square wave transition periods by providing additional paths between the differential outputs and ground that shunt current from the differential amplifier during the sinusoidal state transition periods.

Abstract: A pseudo-differential input receiver is disclosed which is configured to support a wide-range of reference voltage Vref and a wide-range frequency interface with no parallel termination are described herein. The pseudo-differential receiver implementations described herein are very efficient in terms of area, power, and performance. A wide-frequency-range Vref-adjustable input receiver is described herein. The receiver can be configured with a Vref-monitoring PMOS helper FET or an enabled stacked PMOS helper FET to enable the receiver to work at Vref=0V like a conventional CMOS receiver. The receiver can also be configured with a Vref-monitoring NMOS helper FET to enable a Vref-based input receiver to work with programmability on bias currents & trip-point at Vref=(0.5˜0.7)Vdd, depending on the ratio of output driver's impedance and parallel on/off-die termination impedance.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed, such as those involving protection of a semiconductor junction of a semiconductor device. One such apparatus includes a bipolar transistor including an emitter, a base, and a collector; a first junction protection device including a first end electrically coupled to the emitter of the bipolar transistor, and a second end electrically coupled to a node; and a second junction protection device including a first end electrically coupled to a voltage reference, and a second electrically coupled to the emitter of the bipolar transistor. Each of the first and second junction protection devices may have a substantially higher leakage current than the leakage current of the base-emitter junction of the bipolar transistor when reverse biased.

Abstract: An integrated circuit 2 includes a receiver circuit 4 for receiving an input signal PAD and converting this to an output signal OUT. Conduction path circuitry 14 couples an input 10 to a first node 16. Buffer circuitry 18 is coupled between the first node 16 and an output 12 carrying the output signal Out. The conduction path circuitry comprises a first PMOS transistor 24 and a second PMOS transistor 26 connected between the input 10 and the first node 16. A first NMOS transistor 28 is connected between the input 10 and the first node 16. The gate of the second PMOS transistor 26 is coupled to the output 12 to directly receive the output signal and thereby achieve rapid cut off of the charging of the node 16 when the input voltage rises beyond a certain level which switches the buffer circuitry 18.

Abstract: An architecture for resonant clock distribution networks is proposed. The proposed architecture allows for the energy-efficient operation of the resonant clock distribution network in conventional mode, so that it meets target specifications for the clock waveform. Such an architecture is generally applicable to semiconductor devices with multiple clock frequencies, and high-performance and low-power clocking requirements such as microprocessors, ASICs, and SOCs. Moreover, it is applicable to at-speed testing and to binning of semiconductor devices according to achievable performance levels.

Abstract: A high efficiency driving circuit includes a first P-type metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor, a second P-type metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor, a first N-type metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor, a second N-type metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor, a current source, a third N-type metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor, a fourth N-type metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor, a fifth N-type metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor, a first resistor, and a second resistor. The first P-type metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor charges a third terminal of the first P-type metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor according to a first control signal, and the first N-type metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor discharges the third terminal of the first P-type metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor according to a second control signal.

Abstract: A gate driving circuit includes a control power; a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding; a first switching element; a second switching element; a rectifying element; and a capacitance element, wherein the first switching element is connected between the control power and one end of the primary winding, and the second switching element is connected to the other end of the primary winding, wherein one end of the capacitance element is connected to either one of the one end and the other end of the primary winding, and wherein, when one of the first switching element and the second switching element is turned on, the capacitance element is charged by the control power, and when the other of the first switching element and the second switching element is turned on, the capacitance element is discharged.

Abstract: A gate driver of a switching element Q1 includes transistors Q2 and Q3 that are totem-pole-connected to both ends of a DC power source Vcc1, transistors Q4 and Q5 that are totem-pole-connected to both ends of a DC power source Vcc2 and have emitters connected to the gate of the switching element Q1, and a transformer T1 having a primary winding and a secondary winding. The primary winding is connected to a collector of one of the transistors Q1 and Q2, and through a capacitor, emitters of the transistors Q1 and Q2. The second winding is connected to bases of the transistors Q4 and Q5 and the emitters of the transistors Q4 and Q5. A maximum duty cycle of a pulse signal is determined according to a primary winding voltage of the transformer and a forward base-emitter voltage of the transistors Q4 and Q5.

Abstract: Device for generating a signal of parametrizable frequency comprising a phase locked loop including a generator of a reference signal, a phase-frequency comparator comprising a first input for receiving the reference signal, an oscillator controlled on the basis of the result output by the phase-frequency comparator, a fractional divider coupled between an output of the oscillator and a second input of the phase-frequency comparator, and a selector selectively linking an input of the oscillator either with an input of the generator, or with the output of the oscillator as a function of the multiplication ratio of the fractional divider.

Abstract: A fractional spur compensation technique is implemented in a fractional-N PLL using multiple phase comparison frequencies Fpd, one of which is selected for any channel frequency Fch in a target frequency band to obtain a selected offset frequency Fos between the channel frequency Fch and its primary fractional spur throughout the target frequency band. Other features of an exemplary implementation of the fractional spur compensation technique include (a) maintaining the phase comparison frequency at less than a predetermined maximum value, (b) using a programmable reference frequency multiplier with selectable multiplication factors and/or a programmable reference frequency divider with selectable divide ratios to generate multiple phase comparison frequencies derived from a predetermined reference frequency Fref, and (c) using a programmable charge pump to select different charge pump currents for respective phase comparison frequencies to reduce loop gain variation.

Abstract: A charge pump circuit includes a charge generation circuit, a tracking circuit, a replica circuit, and a main charge pump. The main charge pump generates a charge current and a discharge current to a subsequent loop filter according to a UP signal and a DOWN signal. The replica circuit generates a first voltage in response to the current values of the first current source and the second current source of the main charge pump. The tracking circuit adjusts the current values of the first current source and the second current source of the main charge pump according to the first voltage and a second voltage, wherein the second voltage is in response to a voltage of an output node of the main charge pump.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments of a phase correction circuit are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the phase correction circuit may include a delay unit configured to delay a clock signal by a predetermined delay time and generate a delay clock signal, a delay line configured to delay a data strobe signal by a variable delay time in response to a delay control signal and generate a corrected data strobe signal, a phase detector configured to detect a phase difference between the delay clock signal and the corrected data strobe signal and generate a phase detection signal, and a shift register configured to generate the delay control signal in response to the phase detection signal.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: an internal clock signal generation unit configured to receive an external clock signal and to generate an internal clock signal in response to a control signal; and a monitoring unit configured to monitor environmental elements reflected in a circuit response to the control signal.

Abstract: A reconstruction circuit for the pixel clock in digital display units receiving analog display data uses a multi-phase reference clock and an all digital PLL for clock generation and synchronization to an external sync signal. A phase/frequency detector in the digital PLL uses a multi-phase reference clock to achieve a high resolution of the phase error. The digital PLL control algorithm can be implemented with a single loop and can achieved arbitrary large, externally controlled, phase difference between the generated pixel clock and the input sync signal.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a digital PLL (DPLL) is disclosed with a dynamically controllable filter for changing the effective DPLL bandwidth in response to one or more real-time performance parameters such as phase error.

Abstract: A circuit for correcting a duty-cycle comprises a duty-cycle adjuster for changing a duty-rate of an input clock signal according to a duty control signal; a duty-cycle detector for detecting a duty-rate of an output clock signal based on the input clock signal and the output clock signal from the duty-cycle adjuster; and an algorithm-based digital controller for performing an algorithm according to a duty-rate detection signal outputted from the duty-cycle detector to generate the duty control signal.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is directed to a circuit that includes an amplifier circuit disposed between an isolation link and a Schmitt trigger circuit to amplify a differential signal communicated over the isolation link and supply the amplified signal to the Schmitt trigger circuit. In turn, the Schmitt trigger circuit is coupled to the amplifier circuit to receive the differential signal and to supply a differential output signal corresponding to the differential signal communicated over the isolation link.

Abstract: A device includes a flip flop and a control circuit. The flip flop includes a flip flop data input terminal and a flip flop clock input terminal. The control circuit includes a control circuit data input terminal and a control circuit clock input terminal. The control circuit is configured to route, in a Data Processing Mode of the device, an incoming data signal from the control circuit data input terminal to the flip flop data input terminal and an incoming clock signal from the control circuit clock input terminal to the flip flop clock input terminal and to apply, in a Data Retention Mode of the device, a first given fixed signal value to the flip flop data input terminal independent of a value of the incoming data signal and a second given fixed signal value to the flip flop clock input terminal independent of a value of the incoming clock signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a method is disclosed to generate a clock output signal with selected phase. The method includes selecting a phase delay for the clock output signal; charging a capacitor with a first weighted current during a first phase input clock, charging the capacitor with a second weighted current during a portion of a second phase input clock, and determining if a voltage across the capacitor is greater than or equal to a threshold voltage to generate a first edge of the clock output signal with the selected phase delay. The first weighted current may have a weighting of N out of M to charge the capacitor with a predetermined rate of change in voltage in response to the selected phase delay. The second weighted current may have a weighting of M out of M to charge the capacitor with a constant rate of change.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a voltage regulator having a plurality of switching devices, coupled in parallel, and configured to selectively provide a variable available drive current using a comparison of a regulated Dc output voltage to at least one reference voltage.

Abstract: A clock generation system for generating first and second clock signals at slightly different clock frequencies comprising a clock signal generator providing the first clock signal, frequency dividers dividing the clock frequencies by integers to produce auxiliary signals, a timer for measuring a first time lag between first signal edges of the auxiliary signals and a second time lag between second signal edges of the auxiliary signals, a comparator device for providing an error signal by comparing the difference between the measured time lags with a predetermined time value, and a voltage-controlled oscillator controlled in dependent on the error signal to generate the second clock signal.

Abstract: A signal swing trimming apparatus calibrates a swing level of an output signal generated from a transmitting device to a receiving device including: a comparing device coupled to the output signal for comparing the swing level of the output signal with a target swing level and generating a comparison output signal, and an adjusting device coupled to the comparing device and the transmitting device for controlling the transmitting device to adjust the swing level of the output signal according to the comparison output signal, wherein the signal swing trimming apparatus is configured to calibrate the swing level of the output signal during a hand-shake process between the transmitting device and the receiving device.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices, systems, and methods are disclosed to facilitate power management. A semiconductor device includes a first voltage island configured to operate within a first voltage range, where the first voltage range has a first midpoint. A second voltage island of the semiconductor device is configured to operate within a second voltage range, where the second voltage range has a second midpoint. The first voltage range is different than the second voltage range, and the first midpoint is substantially equal to the second midpoint.

Abstract: A high voltage control circuit of a semiconductor device includes an output node control circuit configured to set an initial potential of an output terminal or to discharge the potential of the output terminal, in response to an input signal and a high voltage supply circuit comprising an acceleration unit and a potential control unit coupled in series between the output terminal and a supply terminal for supplying a high voltage. The acceleration unit is operated in response to the potential of the output terminal, and the potential control unit is operated in response to the input signal.

Abstract: A circuit and method for debouncing an electrical signal are disclosed. A representative embodiment of the present invention may be set to remove (i.e., filter) noise or glitches in the low and high portions of an input signal, where the width of the noise or glitches while in the high or low state may be set using a programming interface. The filtering is done in a manner that results in a clean, debounced output signal having a low portion approximately equal to the low portion of the input signal, and a high portion approximately equal to the high portion of the input signal. Noise or glitches of less than programmable high or low glitch widths are filtered from the input signal and do not appear in the output signal.

Abstract: A switch circuit is described, where a switch to be controlled is formed of two NMOS transistors having their source terminals connected together and their gate terminals connected together. Their drain terminals are the input and output terminals of the switch. A driver circuit controls a bootstrap circuit that is formed of a latching circuit and a capacitor. When the switch is in an off state, the driver circuit connects the capacitor to a charging voltage source for charging the capacitor to a bootstrap voltage, and applies a non-zero voltage across the latching circuit. When the driver circuit is controlled to turn on the switch, the driver circuit disconnects the capacitor from the charging voltage source, and the latching circuit becomes conductive and effectively connects the capacitor across the gate and source terminals of the switch to turn it on with the bootstrap voltage. The bootstrap voltage across the capacitor maintains the latching circuit in a latched conductive state.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, apparatus and methods for passing a signal in a power down state. An example switch device can include a first depletion-mode transistor configured to pass an analog signal between a first node and a second node in a first state and to isolate the first node from the second node in a second state, a control circuit coupled to a control node of the first depletion-mode transistor and configured to isolate the control node from a first supply input in the first state and to couple the control node to the first supply input in the second state, and a tracking circuit configured to couple the control node of the first depletion-mode transistor to the first node during the first state and to isolate the control node of the first depletion-mode transistor from the first node in the second state.

Abstract: Techniques for low-pass filtering with high quality factor (Q). In an exemplary embodiment, an input current is coupled to the drain of a first transistor. The drain and the gate of the first transistor are coupled together by a resistor R1, and the drain is coupled to a reference voltage by a first capacitor C1. The gate is coupled to a reference voltage by a second capacitor C2. The gate is further coupled to the gate of a second transistor, and an output current is coupled to the drain of the second transistor. In another exemplary embodiment, further passive elements may be coupled to generate an odd-order low-pass transfer characteristic. Multiple filters may be cascaded in series to synthesize a filter having arbitrary order.

Abstract: A digitally configurable transformer that performs switched transformer combining is disclosed. The flexible transformer includes switches that are dynamically configurable to efficiently combine RF power from power amplifier cores to achieve different power levels. The disclosed transformer is efficient at a broad range of power levels, leading to high power output efficiency. The transformer may be part of any power amplifier design that uses the transformer for power combining.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of amplifying a plurality of frequency bands includes amplifying a first frequency band and a second frequency band with a main amplifier, amplifying the first frequency band with a first peaking amplifier, amplifying the second frequency band with a second peaking amplifier, and simultaneously load modulating an output of the main amplifier with an output of the first peaking amplifier and with an output of the second peaking amplifier.

Abstract: Multiple-Input-Single-Output (MISO) amplification and associated VPA control algorithms are provided herein. According to embodiments of the present invention, MISO amplifiers driven by VPA control algorithms outperform conventional outphasing amplifiers, including cascades of separate branch amplifiers using conventional power combiner technologies. MISO amplifiers can be operated at enhanced efficiencies over the entire output power dynamic range by blending the control of the power source, source impedances, bias levels, outphasing, and branch amplitudes. These blending constituents are combined to provide an optimized transfer characteristic function.

Abstract: An integrated circuit comprising a Class-D amplifier for amplifying an input signal at an input terminal is disclosed. The Class-D amplifier is switchable between an operational mode, in which a comparator (4) is directly coupled to an output stage (5), and a test mode, in which the comparator (4) is coupled to the output stage (5) via a sampler (15) and the output stage (5) is coupled to the input terminal via a feedback network, whereby a digital representation of the input signal is available at an output of the sampler (15).

Abstract: A class-D amplifier circuit includes an amplifier that generates pulse-width modulated output signals according to input signals which have phases reverse to each other and are supplied to a first input end and a second input end, a first transistor interposed between a first input path extending from the first input end to the amplifier and a second input path extending from the second input end to the amplifier, and a voltage applying circuit that applies a control voltage corresponding to a predetermined value to a control terminal of the first transistor so that a current flowing between both ends of the first transistor increases in accordance with increase of levels of the input signals within a range in which the levels of the input signals are higher than the predetermined value.

Abstract: A differential amplifier layout includes a current mirror having a first transistor, a second transistor, and a third transistor. The current mirror receives a first power supply through the first transistor. The second transistor is part of a reference current branch and the third transistor is part of a mirror current branch. The first transistor comprises a first group of fingers disposed adjacent one side of the second transistor and a second group of fingers disposed adjacent one side of the third transistor.

Abstract: An input terminal is connected to a positive-phase terminal of a differential amplification circuit. A negative-phase terminal of the differential amplification circuit is connected to an emitter electrode of a transistor, and an output terminal thereof is connected to a base electrode of the transistor. An input side resistor is connected between a collector electrode of the transistor and the input terminal, and a secondary input side resistor is connected between the input terminal and a ground conductor. An output side resistor is connected between the emitter electrode of the transistor and the ground conductor. The collector electrode of the transistor is connected to a load terminal.

Abstract: There is provided a power amplifying apparatus with dual-current control mode, including: a transistor mirror circuit adjusting currents respectively flowing through a main path and a mirror path connected in parallel to a power source terminal; a resistor mirror circuit adjusting the respective currents of the main path and the mirror path; a current controlling unit controlling a control current flowing through the main path with a pre-set constant current; a voltage adjusting unit providing a bias adjustment signal that corresponds to a difference voltage between a first voltage of a first node on the main path to which a current is output from the resistor mirror circuit and a second voltage of a second node on the mirror path to which a current is output from the resistor mirror circuit; and a bias circuit unit adjusting a bias of a power amplifying unit.

Abstract: A regulator with decreased leakage and low loss for a power amplifier is described. Switching circuitry is used to connect the regulator input bias to a bias control voltage when the power amplifier is to be operated in an on condition or to a voltage generator when the power amplifier is to be operated in an off condition.

Abstract: For use in a wireless network, a tunable power amplifier circuit includes a power amplifier transistor and a plurality of laminate MEMS (microelectromechanical system) capacitors coupled to the power amplifier transistor. The laminate MEMS capacitors are arranged in a tunable matching network and configured to provide a matching impedance for the power amplifier transistor. In some embodiments, the laminate MEMS capacitors are arranged in a binary array.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a reference-less frequency detector that overcomes the “dead zone” problem of conventional circuits. In particular, the frequency detector is able to accurately resolve the polarity of the frequency difference between the VCO clock signal and the data signal, irrespective of the magnitude of the frequency difference and the presence of VCO clock jitter and/or ISI on the data signal.

Abstract: A representative integrated circuit comprises a clock signal generator that generates a clock signal, a code pattern generator that generates digital pattern data based on the clock signal, and multiple traversal local oscillator synthesizers that are coupled in a cascaded configuration. Each traversal local oscillator synthesizer includes a transversal digital-to-analog conversion (T-DAC) unit that includes a plurality of registers and a unary modulator (Umod) array. The T-DAC provides frequency selection ranges covering wide operational bands based on the digital pattern data and the clock signal.

Abstract: A VCO circuit includes: a control portion to which a first voltage is inputted and from which a second voltage corresponding to the first voltage is outputted; a current source portion to which the second voltage is inputted and from which a current corresponding to the second voltage is outputted; and an oscillator circuit to which the current is inputted and from which a signal with a frequency in accordance with the current is outputted. The control portion includes an adjusting circuit which changes the second voltage in conjunction with fluctuation of a power supply voltage. Accordingly, fluctuation of the frequency Fo of an output signal of the VCO circuit can be suppressed even when the power supply voltage of the VCO circuit fluctuates.

Abstract: Described herein is the method and apparatus for determining frequency of an oscillator coupled with one or more analog devices, and for determining within-die or across-die variations in an analog property associated with the one or more analog devices, the determining based on the oscillator frequency. The analog property includes output signal swing, bandwidth, offset, gain, and delay line linearity and range. The one or more analog devices include input-output (I/O) buffer, analog amplifier, and delay line. The method further comprises updating a simulation model file based on the determining of the within-die and/or across-die variations of the analog property.