Signal Level Or Switching Threshold Stabilization Patents (Class 326/31)
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Electric device including branched signal lines, and electric device including printed circuit board
Patent number: 12229061Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic device which includes a plurality of memory devices, a memory controller, a first signal line that makes electrical connection between the memory controller and a first branch point, a second signal line that makes electrical connection between the first branch point and a second branch point, a third signal line that makes electrical connection between the first branch point and a third branch point, a fourth signal line that electrically connects the second branch point and the first memory device, a fifth signal line that electrically connects the second branch point and the second memory device, a sixth signal line that electrically connects the third branch point and the third memory device, and a stub that includes a first end electrically connected with at least one of the plurality of signal lines, and a second end being left open-circuit.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2022Date of Patent: February 18, 2025Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kwangsoo Park, Jae-Sang Yun, Su-Jin Kim, Jiwoon Park -
Patent number: 12081331Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for operating memory cell(s) using adapting the current on a channel are described. A current on a channel may be adapted during a transition period between signaling a first logic value over the channel and signaling a second (e.g. subsequent) logic value over the channel. Adapting the current may include increasing or decreasing the current on the channel during the transition period. The degree of adaptation may be based on a difference between the first logic value and the subsequent logic value. In some cases, a logic circuit may be configured to determine a difference between the first and subsequent logic value. The logic circuit may be further configured to communicate the difference to an adaptive driver. And the adaptive driver may adapt a current of the channel based on the communicated difference.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2019Date of Patent: September 3, 2024Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Martin Brox, Peter Mayer, Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl
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Patent number: 11949539Abstract: A first sequence of data bits is shifted into storage elements of a signal receiver during a first sequence of bit-time intervals, and a memory access command indicates that a second sequence of data bits is to be received within the signal receiver during a second sequence of bit-time intervals. Contents of the shift-register storage elements are conditionally overwritten with a predetermined set of seed bits, depending on whether one or more bit-time intervals will transpire between the first and second sequences of bit-time intervals. Equalization signals generated based, at least in part, on contents of the shift-register storage elements are used to adjust respective signal levels representative of one or more bits of the second sequence of data bits.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2021Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Giovannini, Abhijit Abhyankar
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Patent number: 11742856Abstract: A digital buffer device with self-calibration includes a first buffer circuit, detection circuit, and calibration circuit. The first buffer circuit has a buffer input terminal for receiving an input signal and a buffer output terminal as output of the digital buffer device. The detection circuit includes at least one second buffer circuit for receiving at least one reference signal and generating at least one detection signal to indicate circuit characteristic variations of the at least one second buffer circuit. The at least one second buffer circuit is of a same type of buffer as the first buffer circuit. The calibration circuit has a calibration input terminal for receiving the input signal, and a calibration output terminal coupled to the buffer output terminal. The calibration circuit is for calibrating the first buffer circuit to generate an output signal according to the input signal and the at least one detection signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2021Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: ELITE SEMICONDUCTOR MICROELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY INC.Inventor: Shu-Han Nien
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Patent number: 11736835Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes M pixel units to and a correction unit. The pixel unit includes a main amplifier, a capacitive element, a first switch, a second switch, a photodiode, a feedback capacitive element, and an initialization switch. The correction unit includes a null amplifier, a capacitive element, a first switch, and a second switch. An effective offset voltage of the main amplifier is small.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2021Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.Inventors: Makoto Kobayashi, Chihiro Suzuki, Sho Morita, Hiroo Yamamoto
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Patent number: 11601151Abstract: An integrated circuit that includes a feedback loop to adapt receiver parameters. The feedback loop includes a receiver to sample a signal and produce a sampled signal sequence. The feedback loop also includes a first pattern counter to detect and count occurrences of a first pattern in the sampled signal sequence, and a second pattern counter to detect and count occurrences of a second pattern in the sampled signal sequence. Control circuitry coupled to the receiver adapts a parameter value of the receiver to minimize a difference between a first ratio and a second ratio. The first ratio is a target ratio. The second ratio is between a first counted number of occurrences of the first pattern in the sampled signal sequence and a second counted number of occurrences of the second pattern in the sample signal sequence.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2020Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Nanyan Wang, Marcus Van Ierssel
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Patent number: 11309936Abstract: A signal transmission device includes a transmission line. The transmission line is configured to receive a signal transmitted from a transmission device, and output the signal to a receiving device. The transmission line includes a signal suppression device. The signal suppression device is coupled to the receiving device, and is configured to suppress a reflection signal reflected from the receiving device. The signal suppression device includes a pull-up element and a compensation element. The pull-up element is configured to decrease an equivalent impedance from the signal suppression device to the receiving device. The compensation element is configured to compensate for the equivalent impedance from the signal suppression device to the receiving device. A first terminal of the pull-up element is coupled to a first terminal of the compensation element, and a second terminal of the compensation element is coupled to the receiving device.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2020Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignees: GLOBAL UNICHIP CORPORATION, TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Yu-Cheng Sun, Sheng-Fan Yang, Yuan-Hung Lin, Yung-Yang Liang
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Patent number: 11196595Abstract: A hybrid voltage mode (VM) and current mode (CM) four-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM-4) transmitter circuits (a.k.a. drivers) is calibrated using a configurable replica circuit and calibration control circuitry. The replica circuit includes an on-chip termination impedance to mimic a receiver's termination impedance. The amount of level enhancement provided by the current mode circuitry is calibrated by adjusting the current provided to the output node and sunk from the output node by the replica current mode circuitry while the replica voltage mode circuitry is driving an intermediate PAM-4 level. After the level enhancement has been set, the non-linearity between levels is calibrated by adjusting the amount of current provided to the output node by the replica current mode circuitry while the replica voltage mode circuitry is driving a maximum output voltage level.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2020Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Kamran Farzan, Aaron Ali
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Patent number: 11189345Abstract: An operation method for integrating logic calculations and data storage based on a crossbar array structure of resistive switching devices. The calculation and storage functions of the method are based on the same hardware architecture, and the data storage is completed while performing calculation, thereby realizing the fusion of calculation and storage. The method includes applying a pulse sequence to a specified word line or bit line by a controller, configuring basic units of resistive switching devices to form different serial-parallel structures, such that three basic logic operations, i.e. NAND, OR, and COPY, are implemented and mutually combined on this basis, thereby implementing 16 types of binary Boolean logic and full addition operations, and on this basis, a method for implementing a parallel logic and full addition operations is provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2018Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: INSTITUTE OF MICROELECTRONICS, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCESInventors: Qi Liu, Wei Wang, Sen Liu, Feng Zhang, Hangbing Lv, Shibing Long, Ming Liu
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Patent number: 11057021Abstract: A fixed latency configurable tap or fixed-tap digital filter may filter a signal in a fixed amount of time, regardless of the number of taps. The filter may include one or more of a clock, a plurality of registers in a shift register, an adder, an accumulator, and/or a scaler. In at least one embodiment, a running average may be maintained as samples are received such that the latency remains fixed with a constant number of clock cycles.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2019Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Srinivas Achanta
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Patent number: 11018904Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for equalizing a transmitter circuit for use in high-speed data links, such as in a serializer/deserializer (SerDes) scheme. One example transmitter circuit generally includes at least one driver stage, a first equalization circuit coupled to an output of the transmitter circuit, and a second equalization circuit coupled to an input of the at least one driver stage. One example method of transmitting data generally includes operating a transmit circuit comprising: at least one driver stage, a first equalization circuit coupled to an output of the transmitter circuit, and a second equalization circuit coupled to an input of the at least one driver stage; and selectively enabling at least one of the first equalization circuit or the second equalization circuit.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2019Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: QUALCOMM INCORPORATEDInventors: Prince Mathew, Ashwin Sethuram, Patrick Isakanian
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Patent number: 10868536Abstract: A high-voltage level shifter circuit that is capable of level shifting a signal from a low-voltage rail to a high-voltage rail for effective gate driving of a top power switch, with a short propagation delay and a high common-mode transient immunity (CMTI). The high CMTI high-voltage level shifter circuit can include a differential input and isolation stage, a high dv/dt sensor and cancellation stage, at least one differential and common-mode gain stage, and an output buffer stage.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2019Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: Analog Devices International Unlimited CompanyInventors: Xugang Ke, Min Chen
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Patent number: 10841138Abstract: A hybrid voltage mode (VM) and current mode (CM) four-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM-4) transmitter circuits (a.k.a. drivers) is calibrated using a configurable replica circuit and calibration control circuitry. The replica circuit includes an on-chip termination impedance to mimic a receiver's termination impedance. The amount of level enhancement provided by the current mode circuitry is calibrated by adjusting the current provided to the output node and sunk from the output node by the replica current mode circuitry while the replica voltage mode circuitry is driving an intermediate PAM-4 level. After the level enhancement has been set, the non-linearity between levels is calibrated by adjusting the amount of current provided to the output node by the replica current mode circuitry while the replica voltage mode circuitry is driving a maximum output voltage level.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2019Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Kamran Farzan, Aaron Ali
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Patent number: 10835665Abstract: A manually openable clamping holder for releasably fixing a single-use medical device to a medical treatment apparatus has a sensor for detecting the position of the clamping jaws of the clamping holder. With the clamping holder, the correct equipping of a medical treatment apparatus with the appropriate single-use device can be monitored economically and with simple operation.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2011Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBHInventor: Nicolas Beisser
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Patent number: 10833672Abstract: A driving circuit for an N-channel or NPN-type high-side transistor includes: a level shift circuit configured to level-shift an input signal; and a buffer configured to drive the N-channel or NPN-type high-side transistor according to an output of the level shift circuit, wherein the level shift circuit includes: a differential conversion circuit of an open drain type configured to convert the input signal into a differential signal; a latch circuit configured to perform a state transition with a differential output of the differential conversion circuit as a trigger; and an assist circuit configured to inject an assist current into the latch circuit in synchronization with the input signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2019Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.Inventor: Hiroki Niikura
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Patent number: 10770161Abstract: A sense amplifier for reading a via Read-Only Memory (Via-ROM) is provided. The sense amplifier includes a read circuit, an adaptive keeper circuit and a leakage monitor circuit. The read circuit is connected to the via-ROM. The adaptive keeper circuit is connected to the read circuit. The leakage monitor circuit is connected to the adaptive keeper circuit for forming a current mirror, such that the adaptive keeper circuit compensates a read voltage of a memory cell whose via is opened when a bit-line leakage is happened.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2018Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.Inventors: Chia-Wei Wang, Shu-Lin Lai, Yi-Te Chiu
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Patent number: 10580463Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of power supply wiring in a semiconductor device. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device is disclosed that includes, an uppermost metal layer including a power supply enhancing wiring, power supply wiring coupled to the power supply enhancing wiring through a via between the uppermost metal layer and a metal layer underlying the uppermost metal layer, and at least one memory device component disposed in vertical alignment with the via between the uppermost metal layer and the metal layer underlying the uppermost metal layer.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2019Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Mamoru Nishizaki
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Patent number: 10502806Abstract: Devices and methods are provided where switches associated with a magnetic field sensor are used to provide error information. In particular, a device is provided that includes a magnetic field sensor, a plurality of switches associated with the magnetic field sensor, and a control circuit configured to control the plurality of switches and to provide at least one signal indicative of a fault based on operation of the switches.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2016Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Mario Motz, Wolfgang Scherr
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Patent number: 10505532Abstract: An output buffer and an operation method thereof are provided. The output buffer includes an input stage circuit, an output stage circuit, a rising control circuit, and a falling control circuit. The input stage circuit correspondingly generates a first gate control voltage and a second gate control voltage according to an input voltage of the output buffer. The output stage circuit correspondingly generates an output voltage of the output buffer according to the first gate control voltage and a second gate control voltage. When the output voltage is to be pulled up, the rising control circuit pulls down the first gate control voltage and the second gate control voltage during a first transient period. When the output voltage is to be pulled down, the falling control circuit pulls up the first gate control voltage and the second gate control voltage during a second transient period.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2019Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: HIMAX TECHNOLOGIES LIMITEDInventor: Chia-Chu Chien
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Patent number: 10491436Abstract: A driver circuit includes a driver array configured to generate, at a first output, a multi-bit output signal including a first bit associated with a predetermined first-bit amplitude and a second bit associated with a predetermined second-bit amplitude. The driver array includes first-bit driver slices coupled in parallel between a first input of first data associated with the first bit and the first output, and second-bit driver slices coupled in parallel between a second input of second data associated with the second bit and the first output. A first ratio between a first number of enabled first-bit driver slices and a second number of enabled second-bit driver slices is different from a second ratio between the predetermined first-bit amplitude and the predetermined second-bit amplitude.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2018Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: XILINX, INC.Inventors: Siok Wei Lim, Kee Hian Tan
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Patent number: 10461738Abstract: A system is disclosed. The system includes a first stage configured to receive VIN and VREF, the first stage including an input transistor pair, wherein the input voltage is coupled to the input transistor pair, the input transistor pair is coupled to ground, and the input transistor pair includes at a common drain a high-gain node having a voltage VHGN. The system further include a second stage coupled to the high-gain node and configured to generate VOUT based on a difference between VIN and VREF, the second stage comprising a resistor and an inverter transistor pair, wherein the gates of the inverter transistor pair are coupled to the high-gain node of the first stage and the resistor couples the high-gain node of first stage to a common drain of the inverter transistor pair and is configured to provide and/or draw current to and/or from the high-gain node of first stage.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2018Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Burt Lee Price, Dhaval Shah
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Patent number: 10404265Abstract: An example apparatus includes a first transistor coupled between a supply node and a first node, a current mirror having a first side and a second side, and a second transistor coupled between the first node and the first side of the current mirror. The input buffer further includes a third transistor coupled between the first node and the second side of the current mirror, and a first capacitor coupled between a source and a drain of the second transistor.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2018Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: XILINX, INC.Inventors: Brendan Farley, Bruno Miguel Vaz, Darragh Walsh
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Patent number: 10378967Abstract: During operation of an IC component within a first range of temperatures, a first bias voltage is applied to a first substrate region disposed adjacent a first plurality of transistors to effect a first threshold voltage for the first plurality of transistors. During operation of the IC component within a second range of temperatures that is distinct from and lower than the first range of temperatures, a second bias voltage is applied to the first substrate region to effect a second threshold voltage for the first plurality of transistors that is at least as low as the first threshold voltage.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2017Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Thomas Vogelsang, Frederick A. Ware
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Patent number: 10320370Abstract: Methods and circuits for analyzing a signal and adjusting parameters of an equalizer for a signal. The signal is received at a receiver over a channel wherein the signal has a wave form. The signal is equalized at an equalizer using an adjustable parameter for the equalization. Data points from the signal are sampled between upper and lower limits of a threshold at an error sampler. A performance metric of the signal is computed based on a statistical density of the data points from the signal between the upper and lower limits of the threshold.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2012Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: MoSys, Inc.Inventors: Prashant Choudhary, Haidang Lin, Alvin Wang, Saman Behtash, Shaishav Desai
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Patent number: 10270444Abstract: According to examples, an apparatus may include a field effect transistor (FET), a driver to receive an input signal and to output a driver output signal, and a gate to receive the input signal. The apparatus may also include a delay element to receive the driver output signal and to output a delayed signal to the gate after a delay from receipt of the driver output signal, in which the gate is to output a gate output signal to the FET in response to receipt of the input signal and the delayed signal, and in which receipt of the gate output signal by the FET drives the FET to provide a boost to the driver output signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2018Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LPInventors: Edward James Luckett, Christopher Allan Poirier
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Patent number: 10218492Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may include a clock recovery circuit having a plurality of input latches configured to assume a first state when a first pulse is received in one or more of a plurality of input signals, combinational logic configured to provide a second pulse response to the first pulse, a delay circuit configured to produce a third pulse on a receive clock that is delayed with respect to the second pulse, a plurality of output flip-flops configured to capture the first state when triggered by the third pulse. The first state may identify which of the plurality of input signals received input pulses.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2017Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventor: Shoichiro Sengoku
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Patent number: 10014850Abstract: The present invention provides a driving stage circuit, including a driving switch circuit and a conduction resistance adjusting circuit. The driving switch circuit generates an output signal according to a switch control signal. The conduction resistance adjusting circuit clamps the switch control signal to a first clamping level according to a current flowing through the driving switch circuit when the current is higher than a first current threshold, such that the conduction resistance of the driving switch circuit is not smaller than a first resistance so that a short circuit current of the driving switch circuit is not larger than a short circuit current limit, wherein a lowest level of the conduction resistance of the driving switch circuit is smaller than a second resistance and the output voltage level does not exceeds a output voltage limit when the current is lower than the first current threshold.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2016Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: RICHTEK TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventor: Hsinlun Li
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Patent number: 9874457Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating lifestyle metrics with a wearable electronic device are disclosed herein. One disclosed system may include the wearable electronic device comprising a processor and a sensor system providing inputs to the processor. The sensor system may include a high power sensor and a low power sensor. The processor may operate in a high power mode in which both sensors are operational and a low power mode in which the high power sensor is not operational. In the high power mode, the processor may compute a lifestyle metric about a user for a first time period based on first data from the high power sensor. In the low power mode, the processor may compute the lifestyle metric for a second time period based on second data from the low power sensor and the first data and/or a derivative of the first data.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2014Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Han Yee Mimi Fung, Haithem Albadawi
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Patent number: 9800244Abstract: An inverter circuit includes a pull-up control circuit and a pull-up drive circuit. The pull-up control circuit generates a drive signal which is enabled during a first time period in response to an input signal and an output signal. The pull-up drive circuit drives the output signal to a power supply voltage in response to the input signal and the drive signal. The pull-up drive unit drives the output signal with a first drivability during the first time period and drives the output signal with a second drivability during a second time period.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2016Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: SK hynix Inc.Inventors: Jung Ho Lim, Jung Hwan Ji
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Patent number: 9621136Abstract: A data sampler circuit comprises a transconductance amplifier, a latch circuit, a current-to-voltage converter, and a negative resistance circuit. The transconductance amplifier has an input and an output. The latch circuit is coupled to the output of the transconductance amplifier. The current-to-voltage converter has an input coupled to the output of the transconductance amplifier, and an output for providing a feedback signal to the latch circuit. The negative resistance circuit is coupled to the output of the transconductance amplifier and provides equalization during both a sampling mode and a data latching mode. In one embodiment, the negative resistance circuit comprises a pair of cross-coupled transistors. A gain of the negative resistance circuit can be adjusted based on a pulse width of an input signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2015Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: NXP USA, INC.Inventor: Kevin Yi Cheng Chang
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Patent number: 9584222Abstract: A driving circuit for an optical modulator is disclosed. The driving circuit includes a differential amplifier and a DC-level equalizer. The differential amplifier amplifies a differential input signal consisting of a positive-phase signal and a negative-phase signal, and outputs a driving signal to the optical modulator. The DC-level equalizer superposes two bias levels to the positive-phase and negative-phase signals respectively, and adjusts the bias levels thereof to equalize respective peak or bottom levels of the positive-phase and negative-phase signals.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2015Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventor: Taizo Tatsumi
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Patent number: 9559588Abstract: A power managing apparatus, a DC-DC control circuit, and a method for enabling a chip are disclosed. The power managing apparatus has an enable pin and the enable pin is used to couple a first level control circuit. The power managing apparatus includes a second level control circuit and a level detecting circuit. The second level control circuit is coupled to the enable pin. The level detecting circuit is coupled to the enable pin and used to detect a control signal on the enable pin. The control signal is transmitted from the first level control circuit. The control signal has at least three levels according to operations of the first level control circuit and the second level control circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2015Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: UPI SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Cheng-Ching Hsu, Yen-Hsun Wang
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Patent number: 9461624Abstract: In one example, a method includes, in response to a voltage level of an input signal satisfying an input voltage threshold, activating a first driver of a plurality of drivers configured to collectively generate an output signal. In this example, the method also include, in response to the voltage level of the input signal satisfying the input voltage threshold and a voltage level of the output signal satisfying an output voltage threshold, toggling activation of a second driver of the plurality of drivers, wherein the second driver is configured to switch more current when activated than the first driver, and wherein the first driver has a faster slew rate than the second driver.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2014Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Soujanya Ravula Lakshmi, Madesh Umashankar
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Patent number: 9412145Abstract: This system for processing digital data may include a set of slave processing units for the execution of elementary functions, an interconnection module, which is designed to communicate with a data transfer network and to transfer data between the processing units, on the one hand, and the data transfer network, on the other hand, and a controller controlling the interconnection module to control the data transfer.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2013Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (GRENOBLE 2) SASInventors: Xavier Cauchy, Anthony Philippe, Isabelle Faugeras, Didier Siron
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Patent number: 9379694Abstract: A pass-gate has a passageway between an input node and an output node. The pass-gate selectively opens or closes the passageway for a signal at the input node under control of a voltage. The pass-gate has a field-effect transistor with a gate electrode and a current channel. The current channel is arranged between the input node and the output node. The gate electrode receives the voltage. The pass-gate is configured so as to have the voltage at the control electrode substantially follow the signal at the input node when the passageway is open to the signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2011Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: NXP B.V.Inventor: Gerrit Willem den Besten
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Patent number: 9342126Abstract: Disclosed is a switching voltage regulator circuitry controlled to supply a voltage to at least a portion of an integrated circuit (IC). Information corresponding to a current load for a different power state of at least a portion of the IC is received. The switching voltage regulator circuitry is controlled to adjust the voltage to a different value based at least in part on the received information. Disclosed is a voltage received for a power state of at least a portion of an IC having first logic to perform one or more functions and second logic integrated with the first logic. Information corresponding to a current load for a different power state of at least a portion of the IC is sent from the second logic to voltage regulator control logic to adjust the voltage to a different value.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2014Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Son H. Lam, Joseph T. Dibene, II, Henry W. Koertzen, Steven D. Patzer
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Patent number: 9213667Abstract: Methods for detecting one or more signals at a PCI Express interface includes receiving, a signal by a receiver at the PCI Express interface. The methods further include identifying one or more data sampling points to set an amplitude threshold. Further, the method includes comparing an amplitude of the received signal with the amplitude threshold. The method also includes confirming that the received signal is a valid signal when the amplitude of the signal is at least one of greater than or equal to the amplitude threshold over a predefined period of time. The method also includes disabling a signal detector of the PCI Express interface to save power. The signal detector is configured to detect one or more low frequency signals; and testing whether the detected signal is correct.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2013Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Hayden C Cranford, Jr., Daniel M Dreps, William R Kelly
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Publication number: 20150145557Abstract: The present invention discloses a serial transmission driving method, wherein a serial transmission driving device (STD) is connected with a first terminal (FT) and a second terminal (ST) of an equivalent load capacitor through a first differential bus (FDB) and a second differential bus (SDB). FDB and SDB are respectively connected with a high-potential terminal (HPT) and a low-potential terminal (LPT) through a first equivalent resistor and a second equivalent resistor. STD receives a trigger signal (TS) appearing during the transition between a turn-on signal (Ton) and a turn-off signal (Toff), generates a first potential (FP) and a second potential (SP) greater than FP according to TS, and respectively applies FP and SP to SDB and FDB. FP and SP fast change the potential of FT to be greater than that of ST. HPT and LPT maintain potentials of FDB and SDB until Toff ends.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2014Publication date: May 28, 2015Applicant: Amazing Microelectronic Corp.Inventors: Tang-Kuei TSENG, Chih-Hao CHEN, Szu-Hsien WU, Ryan Hsin-Chin JIANG
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Patent number: 9007090Abstract: A programming element including a first transistor, a second transistor, and a capacitor between a logic circuit using a semiconductor element and a power supply is provided. In the programming element, a node where a drain electrode of the first transistor, a gate electrode of the second transistor, and one of electrodes of the capacitor are electrically connected to each other is formed. A potential can be supplied to each of a source electrode of the first transistor and the other of the electrodes of the capacitor. The power supply and the logic circuit are electrically connected to each other through a source electrode and a drain electrode of the second transistor. A connection state between the power supply and the logic circuit is controlled in accordance with the state of the second transistor.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2013Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yasuhiko Takemura
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Patent number: 8970283Abstract: There is disclosed a switching arrangement comprising a switch with a plurality of individually controllable elementary switches connected in parallel between a first supply rail and a second supply rail. Each of the elementary switches can be in either one of a closed state and an open state independently of the others. A controller is adapted to dynamically control the closing or opening of the elementary switches, depending on the intensity of a current flowing through the switch. The number of elementary switches in the closed state is variable. The higher is the intensity of the current, the higher the number of elementary switches in the closed state. Thus, the impedance of the switch decreases when the current increases, and vice versa, and the voltage drop across the switch may be kept substantially constant.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2010Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: Michael Priel, Anton Rozen, Yaakov Seidenwar
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Patent number: 8947119Abstract: An impedance calibration circuit includes a first calibration voltage driver configured to operate in response to a first enable signal, compare a first calibration voltage signal with a first reference voltage signal, and drive the first calibration voltage signal, a first control code generator configured to operate in response to a second enable signal, compare the first calibration voltage signal with a first target voltage signal, and generate a first control code signal, and a first reference voltage generator configured to generate the first reference voltage signal in response to the first control code signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2012Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: SK hynix Inc.Inventor: Dong Wook Jang
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Publication number: 20150022235Abstract: The disclosed invention provides a semiconductor device capable of suitably controlling the level of an enable signal to resolve NBTI in a PMOS transistor. An input node receives an input signal alternating between high and low levels during normal operation and fixed to a high level during standby. A detection unit receives a signal through the input node and outputs an enable signal. The detection unit sets the enable signal to a low level upon detecting that the input node remains at a high level for a predetermined period. A signal transmission unit includes a P-channel MOS transistor and transmits a signal input to the input node according to control by the enable signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2014Publication date: January 22, 2015Inventors: Hideki UCHIKI, Satoru KISHIMOTO
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Patent number: 8890566Abstract: Described herein is a low-voltage circuit with an inductor tail and a common mode feedback loop for amplitude and current control. A first transistor pair can receive clock inputs, and a second transistor pair can receive data inputs and output the data to a logic gate. A tail inductor can be coupled to the first transistor pair to suppress high frequency common mode bounce induced by clock transitions in independent common emitter branches. A common mode feedback loop can be provided to maintain a constant average current. The common mode feedback loop and the tail inductor can together function in the same way as a tail current source at low frequencies and high frequencies respectively.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2012Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Semtech CorporationInventor: Daniel Kurcharski
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Patent number: 8884645Abstract: An internal voltage generation circuit of a semiconductor apparatus includes: an active driver configured to output an internal voltage to an output node; a standby driver configured to output the internal voltage to the output node; and a voltage stabilizer connected to the output node. The voltage stabilizer starts a voltage stabilization operation of supplying or receiving electric charges to or from the output node when an active enable signal is disabled, and stops the voltage stabilization operation in a predetermined time after to the active enable signal is enabled.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2013Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.Inventor: Jong Sam Kim
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Patent number: 8887120Abstract: An on-chip timing slack monitor that measures timing slack at the end of a critical path includes a master-slave flip-flop having a tap on the Q output of the master and a logic module coupled to the flip-flop for producing a pulse whose width is a function of the slack. A pulse width shrinking delay line removes glitches on the flip-flop output and, in combination with a digital integrator and counter, also performs a time to digital conversion operation for determining a value for timing path slack. The determined value is used by a decision module for yield analysis. The monitor can discriminate a glitch from a slack pulse at the flip-flop output for any width of glitch up to one-half of a clock cycle.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2013Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: Chetan Verma, Amit Kumar Dey, Amit Roy, Vijay Tayal
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Patent number: 8861621Abstract: In a receiver circuit, a binary signal is generated based on a signal level of a received signal that has been received via a transmission line from a driver of a transmitter circuit. Then, a first stable state and a second stable state are detected based on a reference signal whose signal level changes in accordance with the received signal. In the first stable state, the received signal is stable at a first signal level. In the second stable state, the received signal is stable at a second signal level. When the first stable state is detected and the received signal is changed from the first signal level into the second signal level, the generated binary signal is retained at a signal level corresponding to the second signal level, until the second stable state is detected.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2013Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Hiroyuki Mori, Naoki Kamikawa, Masayoshi Satake, Tomohisa Kishigami, Tomoyuki Koike
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Patent number: 8856712Abstract: A flip-flop operating with standard threshold voltage MOS devices as compared with high threshold voltage MOS devices may have improved speed performance, but greater leakage current. Likewise, a flip-flop operating with high threshold voltage MOS devices may reduce the leakage current and have better power efficiency, but decreased speed and performance. An optimized flip-flop may include a combination of standard threshold voltage MOS devices and high threshold voltage MOS devices. The optimized flip-flop may have less leakage during stand-by mode as compared to a flip-flop with standard threshold voltage MOS devices. In addition, the optimized flip-flop may have better performance and speed as compared to a flip-flop with high threshold voltage MOS devices.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2012Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: SanDisk Technologies Inc.Inventors: Deepak Pancholi, Srikanth Bojja, Bhavin Odedara
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Patent number: 8823413Abstract: A device for sensing a binary signal includes a device configured to measure a signal level of the signal, a device configured to determine whether the measured signal level is “low” or “high”, a device configured to provide a variable input impedance, and a device configured to control the input impedance in response to the measured signal level. The variable input impedance may be provided by way of a transistor and a resistor, and by controlling the duty ratio of the transistor using pulse width modulation. Preferably, the input impedance is controlled to be low for low signal levels and to be high for high signal levels, which results in a more reliable sensing of binary signals. The device may be used for detecting the state of contact transducers suffering from parasitic resistances caused by moist and/or polluted environments. Further, a method of sensing a binary signal is provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2010Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: ABB Technology AGInventors: Hans Björklund, Krister Nyberg, Tommy Segerbäck
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Publication number: 20140091833Abstract: A driver circuit for a digital signal transmitting bus includes a main switch. The main switch is connected to the bus, is controllable by the digital signal to be transmitted, and has one on-switching state in which it has maximum electrical conductivity, one off-switching state in which it has minimum electrical conductivity and at least one intermediate switching state with an electrical conductivity between the minimum and maximum conductivity. The digital signal has a first logic state and a second logic state, the first logic state controls the main switch to be in the on-switching state and the second logic state controls the main switch to be in the off-switching state. The main switch is in the intermediate switching state during switching from the on-switching state to the off-switching state and/or vice versa.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2012Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: David Astrom, Daniel Mandler
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Publication number: 20140084958Abstract: Described herein is a low-voltage circuit with an inductor tail and a common mode feedback loop for amplitude and current control. A first transistor pair can receive clock inputs, and a second transistor pair can receive data inputs and output the data to a logic gate. A tail inductor can be coupled to the first transistor pair to suppress high frequency common mode bounce induced by clock transitions in independent common emitter branches. A common mode feedback loop can be provided to maintain a constant average current. The common mode feedback loop and the tail inductor can together function in the same way as a tail current source at low frequencies and high frequencies respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2012Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: SEMTECH CORPORATIONInventor: Daniel Kucharski