Having Stored Waveform Data (e.g., In Rom, Etc.) Patents (Class 327/106)
  • Patent number: 7382202
    Abstract: An apparatus provides a local oscillator signal based on a selected channel of an RF input signal. For example, the apparatus can set a frequency of the local oscillator signal based on the selected channel. Digital circuitry can be used to generate the local oscillator signal. For instance, the digital circuitry can provide a digital representation of the local oscillator signal. A DAC can convert the digital representation to an analog signal. Other circuitry can provide first and second quadrature components of the local oscillator signal, based on the analog signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Jaffe, Donald McMullin, Ramon Gomez
  • Patent number: 7345619
    Abstract: A radar system having a transmit signal path and a receive signal path and an event generator which is responsive to command signals provided by a digital signal processor (DSP) is described. The DSP generates command signals and provides the command signals to the event generator. In response to the command signals, the event generator generates event signals in the radar system. The event signals include but are not limited to ramp control signals provided to a controllable signal source which provide RF signals to the transmit path of the radar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Valeo Raytheon Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis Hunt
  • Patent number: 7242225
    Abstract: A frequency synthesizer according to the direct digital synthesis method is provided. The frequency synthesizer includes a phase accumulator for the cyclical incrementation of a phase signal by a phase increment M present at the input of the phase accumulator, a memory unit with a table of sine-function values stored in its memory cells for the determination of sine-function values corresponding to phase values of the phase signal, a digital-to-analog converter for the conversion of time-discrete sine-function values into a quasi-analog sinusoidal time function and an anti-aliasing low-pass filter for smoothing the quasi-analog sinusoidal time function. The frequency synthesizer additionally contains an adder, which is connected between the memory unit and the digital-to-analog converter and which superimposes a non-periodic signal over the time-discrete sine-function values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Günther Klage
  • Patent number: 7224884
    Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus and a design method therefor are provided, and more particularly, a design method for a video signal processing integrated circuit (IC), in which to solve the shortage of pin ports caused by designing a video signal processor in a single IC, a vertical synchronization signal is output and a quasi synchronization signal is input through a single pin port, and an IC and a video signal processing apparatus thereby are provided. According to the design method, by designing a vertical synchronization dividing circuit inside an IC without increasing the number of pins in a video signal processing IC, the present invention can reduce the number of components, material costs, and save the PCB space. In addition, by integrating the vertical synchronization dividing circuit inside an IC, the component difference of a discrete device can be reduced, which enhances IC performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chul-min Kim
  • Patent number: 7202709
    Abstract: A waveform output device includes a data reception unit which receives at least a part of a waveform pattern generation program transmitted from an external device connected to the data reception unit through a data line, the waveform pattern generation program being able to generate output data information and output time information, a tentative storage device which tentatively stores the waveform pattern generation program received from the data reception unit, a data processing unit which processes the waveform pattern generation program in the tentative storage device to generate the output data information and the output time information, and an output waveform generation unit which outputs waveform data to drive an electronic device based on the output data information and the output time information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Mitsunobu Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7193449
    Abstract: A multi-phase signal generating apparatus is provided for readily generating multiple phase signals. The multi-phase signal generating apparatus comprises a signal data storage which stores a plurality of data segments for determining a predetermined period of one signal. A data segment selector circuit selects segments for constituting the phase signals from a plurality of data segments stored in the signal data storage for determining the predetermined period of a signal in each of a plurality of segment intervals which make up a phase signal cycle for generating a phase signal. Each phase signal generator circuit forms each phase signal using a plurality of selected segments for each phase signal during a plurality of segment intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Leader Electronics Corp.
    Inventor: Kenichi Ishihara
  • Patent number: 7154346
    Abstract: An apparatus provides a local oscillator signal based on a selected channel of an RF input signal. For example, the apparatus can set a frequency of the local oscillator signal based on the selected channel. Digital circuitry can be used to generate the local oscillator signal. For instance, the digital circuitry can provide a digital representation of the local oscillator signal. A DAC can convert the digital representation to an analog signal. Other circuitry can provide first and second quadrature components of the local oscillator signal, based on the analog signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Jaffe, Donald McMullin, Ramon Gomez
  • Patent number: 7154431
    Abstract: A digital synthesizer includes a digital radio frequency memory (DRFM) for storing phase values and corresponding digital signals. The digital synthesizer includes a digital processing circuit receiving input from the DRFM, the circuit including tapped delay lines and a summer summing the output of the tapped delay lines. The digital synthesizer includes a signal modulator independently synthesizing within each tapped delay line a frequency modulated and gain scaled signal, wherein input to the tapped delay lines are phase values from the DRFM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Phillip E. Pace, Robert E. Surratt, Siew-Yam Yeo
  • Patent number: 7126862
    Abstract: A decoder for a memory device includes driving devices each applying a respective line voltage to a respective line of the memory device when turned on. The decoder also includes a control device coupled to the plurality of driving devices at a common node for generating a voltage that controls the driving devices to turn on or off. Also, a capacitor coupled to the common node increases the voltage at the common node from an initial boost voltage to a final boost voltage. Thus, a line of a memory device is driven to a boost voltage with minimized area and wiring complexity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventor: Takao Akaogi
  • Patent number: 7109808
    Abstract: A polyphase numerically controlled oscillator (PNCO) is defined to include a plurality of sub-numerically controller oscillators (SNCO's). Each SNCO is capable of receiving a clock signal at a first clock rate and an assigned phase offset signal. Each SNCO is configured to generate a digital waveform for the assigned phase offset signal. The PNCO also includes a plurality of frequency multipliers for generating a frequency multiplied representation of the digital waveform generated by each SNCO. The PNCO further includes a multiplexer configured to receive output from each of the frequency multipliers according to the first clock rate. The multiplexer is further configured to receive a select signal, wherein the select signal triggers the multiplexer at a second clock rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Pelt
  • Patent number: 7103622
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing unwanted harmonics in direct digital synthesizer (DDS) output. The method comprises the steps of providing a set of k phase-shifted clock signals, examining, in succession, each DDS accumulator state, and determining whether the DDS accumulator state has a defined transition-state. For each DDS accumulator state having a defined transition-state, an interpolation is performed based upon the value of the preceding DDS accumulator state, an element of the set of phase-shifted clock signals is selected based upon the interpolation, and the most significant bit (MSB) is repositioned using the selected element of the phase-shifted clock signals. The apparatus comprises means for providing a set of k phase-shifted clock signals, means for examining, in succession, each DDS accumulator state, and means for determining whether the DDS accumulator state has a defined transition-state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Hans Tucholski
  • Patent number: 7079143
    Abstract: A waveform drawing routine is disclosed that includes receiving an array of predecessor image data points, wherein the predecessor image data points form a predecessor line that has a predecessor high end point and a predecessor low end point, receiving an array of successor image data points, wherein the successor image data points form a successor line having a successor high end point and a successor low end point, comparing the successor line to the predecessor line, and maintaining any portions of the predecessor line on a display that intersect with the successor line. The method described above for drawing each line segment that forms the waveform is repeated until a complete waveform is drawn on the display that consists of the concatenation of these individual lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventor: Harry M. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 6985701
    Abstract: There is disclosed a frequency synthesizer having an HF synthesizer for generating a first reference frequency signal having a variable frequency in a high-frequency band as a unit synthesizer, an LF synthesizer for generating a second reference frequency signal in a low-frequency band as another unit synthesizer, and an arithmetic circuit including a mixer for receiving the first and second reference frequency signals, a divider for receiving the second reference frequency signal, a mixer for receiving the first reference frequency signal and an output signal from the divider, a divider for receiving an output signal from the mixer, a divider for receiving an output signal from the mixer and capable of switching a division ratio, and a switch for switching and outputting output signals from the dividers, wherein an output signal of the switch is outputted as a first local signal, and an output signal from the divider is outputted as a second local signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yoshida, Toshiyuki Umeda
  • Patent number: 6947334
    Abstract: There is provided a synchronous memory device, in which a data input setup timing is calibrated. The synchronous memory device includes: a data input unit for calibrating a timing of data inputted in synchronization with a data strobe signal; and a first setup time control unit for detecting an input timing of an OCD control code data inputted to the data input unit in an OCD calibration mode, and for controlling a data output timing of the data input unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor, INC
    Inventor: Bo-Hyun Shin
  • Patent number: 6922089
    Abstract: The present invention provides an all-digital frequency synthesizer circuit using interpolation technique and Linear Feedback Shift Register (LFSR). This synthesizer adaptively outputs two sequences stored in a bank of memory, or shift register. Using the idea of interpolation, all synthesizable frequencies located between two predetermined threshold frequencies can be obtained, and resolution is determined by the order of LFSR thereby. A frequency synthesizing system is also included in the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Novatek Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventor: David Shiung
  • Patent number: 6890046
    Abstract: The present invention provides a technique that prevents a shift of a driving waveform due to accumulation of errors in a process of generating the driving waveform to drive driving elements on a print head. The technique of the present invention successively sums up a plurality of gradient data at a preset calculation period to give a result of summation and carries out digital-to-analog (D-A) conversion with regard to only specific upper columns in the result of summation in synchronism with the preset calculation period, so as to generate a driving waveform. Each gradient data represents a local gradient of the driving waveform and is stored in a memory. In the process of generating the driving waveform, the technique of the present invention corrects the result of summation to a preset value under a predetermined condition. One preferable embodiment clears specific lower bits in the result of summation in synchronism with a floor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takakazu Fukano, Noboru Tamura, Noboru Asauchi, Masahiko Yoshida, Yuichi Nishihara, Toshihiko Katayama
  • Patent number: 6876261
    Abstract: A phase lock for a synthesizer phase reference oscillator that is used in conjunction with a conventional DDS circuit to synthesize an RF output frequency includes a second DDS circuit that is added with a reference increment value as an input to provide a phase offset frequency. A frequency/phase comparator compares a frequency reference oscillator output with the phase offset frequency to generate a control signal for phase locking the phase reference oscillator to the frequency reference oscillator. To determine the correct value for the reference increment value, a switch is provided between the frequency/phase comparator and the phase reference oscillator and the control signal is input to an analog-to-digital converter. During a “turn on” procedure the resulting digitized control signal is observed by a control system as the reference increment value is adjusted until a slow ramp, positive or negative, in the control signal is observed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Linley F. Gumm
  • Patent number: 6862483
    Abstract: A device generating a pulse signal includes at least one first register which stores waveform data therein, a pulse signal generation unit which generates a pulse signal in accordance with the waveform data of the first register, a control unit which is connected to a bus, and is controlled by control signals supplied from the bus, and a signal line which is separate from and independent of the bus, and is connected to the control unit, wherein the control unit updates the waveform data of the first register in response to a signal that is externally supplied through the signal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Satoshi Matsui
  • Patent number: 6847235
    Abstract: An output driver includes a predriver circuit coupled to a complimentary MOS transistor pair. Third and fourth complimentary MOS transistors are coupled between a source-drain pair of the first and second MOS transistors, respectively and an output. The back gate of at least one of the third and fourth transistors is coupled to the output to provide a lower VT at the beginning of a transition without creating excessive undershoot or overshoot. A diode is coupled in parallel with the source-drain paths of the third and fourth transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Christopher M. Graves
  • Patent number: 6825729
    Abstract: A frequency synthesizer, especially for mobile radio base stations, transforms a digital input signal having a first frequency rapidly into a digital output signal having a second frequency. Similar to an N-fractional synthesizer, in the frequency synthesizer, the digital input signal is fed to a series connection having a phase detector, a filter and a voltage-controlled oscillator. The conventional N/N+1 divider provided in the feedback path, as in an N-fractional synthesizer, is replaced by some sort of digital synthesizer that is clocked or supplied with the digital output signal that is produced by the voltage-controlled oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Armin Splett
  • Patent number: 6822487
    Abstract: A method is provided for synthesizing an arbitrary waveform that approximates a specific waveform. The method includes specifying respective frequencies of component waveforms to be used to generate the arbitrary waveform, the frequencies being less than the maximum frequency needed to synthesize the specific waveform. The method further includes performing a least squares optimization of respective amplitudes and phases of the component waveforms across at least one predetermined time interval. The component waveforms having the amplitudes and phases optimized by the least squares optimization are then summed to produce the arbitrary waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Go Tejima, Norihide Yamada
  • Patent number: 6785345
    Abstract: A frequency dither technique is used for reducing spurs due to phase increment errors in a direct digital synthesizer output sinusoid. The spurs for a desired output frequency are calculated and, if the spurs fall within a phase locked loop bandwidth, a pair of phase increment values are used representing a pair of frequencies that average to the desired output frequency and the spurs of which fall outside the phase locked loop bandwidth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen F. Blazo
  • Patent number: 6781473
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating sinusoidal signals in quadrature. A numerically controlled oscillator includes a phase accumulator configured to generate a periodic multi-bit signal at a given frequency; a first memory configured to store an octant of a sinusoidal waveform; a second memory configured to store a complementary octant of the sinusoidal waveform; and a control circuit, responsive to at least a portion of the phase accumulator signal and coupled to the first and second memories, the control circuit configured to access the first and second memories in parallel and construct respective sine and cosine waves at the given frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: BroadLogic Network Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John S Chiu, Roger Stenerson, Sricharan Kasetti, WeiMin Zhang
  • Publication number: 20040095167
    Abstract: A waveform generator for generating a desired waveform is provided, including a noise kernel configured to store a plurality of samples from a predetermined waveform, the plurality of samples being assigned to a plurality of memory blocks; and an address arrangement configured to randomly select a selected one of the plurality of memory blocks; wherein the noise kernel is configured to communicate the plurality of samples assigned to the selected memory block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: Telebyte, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Schneider, Leo P. Moodenbaugh, Arthur B. Williams, John E. Meade
  • Patent number: 6731757
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for digitally generating a broadband signal comprising a plurality of CW or quadrature modulated signals having incrementally related frequencies wherein said plurality of signals are centered about a center RF frequency is disclosed. The invention provides for generating a first and second composite baseband signal each comprising a linear combination of N sinusoids, or N modulated signals each modulated in quadrature so as to achieve a desired instantaneous phasor value for each of the RF signals. The invention further provides for modulating in quadrature the first and second composite baseband signals on a local oscillator signal having a frequency equal to the center RF frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Broadband Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Ron D. Katznelson
  • Patent number: 6711518
    Abstract: A method is provided for aligning the center frequency of an infrared transmitter. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a voltage-controlled oscillator for driving the infrared transmitter, where the oscillator is adapted to receive a bias voltage from a microprocessor; (b) applying a bias voltage to the oscillator; (c) receiving an output signal from the infrared transmitter into an infrared receiver; (d) determining a frequency associated with the output signal; and (e) adjusting the bias voltage based on the frequency associated with the output signal, thereby aligning the center frequency of the infrared transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Roger Davis
  • Patent number: 6664819
    Abstract: A frequency synthesizer that improves a unique DDS characteristic, while maintaining a circuit scale (ROM size) of a direct digital synthesizer (DDS). A first digital signal generator generates a quantized frequency signal, and a second digital signal generator generates a frequency signal having a fine frequency resolution and many spurious signals as compared with the first digital signal generator. A filter performs band rejection on an output of the second digital signal generator, and a mixer mixes an output of the first digital signal generator with an output of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Takahiko Kishi
  • Patent number: 6650150
    Abstract: The numerically controlled oscillator (8) is mounted in particular in a radiofrequency signal receiver which further includes means (3) for receiving and shaping the radiofrequency signals, a correlation stage (4) and a clock signal generator. The oscillator receives at one input a clock signal with a first frequency (CLK) which clocks the oscillator operations, and a binary word of several bits (Nb) to provide at one output at least an output signal (Mb) with a frequency determined as a function of said binary word and the clock signal. The oscillator includes a first accumulation stage (12) for a first number of most-significant bits (Ob) of the binary word and a second accumulation stage (12) for a second number of least-significant bits (Pb) of said binary word. The first accumulation stage is clocked at the first clock frequency (CLK) to supply the determined frequency output signal (Mb), while the second stage is clocked at a second clock frequency (CLK/N) N times lower than the first clock frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Asulab S.A.
    Inventors: Pierre-André Farine, Jean-Daniel Etienne, Ruud Riem-Vis, Elham Firouzi
  • Patent number: 6625765
    Abstract: A circuit comprising a phase detector/correction circuit, at least one column of memory cells, a control circuit and a sense amplifier. The control circuit may be configured to read a sequence from the memory cells in a predetermined order and present a first output signal. The sense amplifier may be configured to present a periodic signal in response to the first output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventor: Rengarajan S. Krishnan
  • Patent number: 6611156
    Abstract: A first waveform data storage portion stores sine wave data or cosine wave data in either of the angular sections on both sides of a zero-crossing point of a sine wave or a cosine wave, each of the angular sections being defined by 45 degrees of an angular which is defined as one of eight sections equally divided by an angle range 0-360 degrees on the basis of 0 degrees. A second waveform data storage portion stores sine wave data or cosine wave data in an angular section adjacent to the angular section in which the data stored in the first waveform data storage portion exist. An angular data generation portion outputs address data that are a counted value of pulses at every angular section of 45 degrees, and three-bit data are carried-up at every generation of the address data. The address data are used for reading waveform data from the first and the second waveform data storage portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Eiichiro Yuki
  • Patent number: 6597208
    Abstract: A direct digital frequency-synthesis device includes a modulo-M coherent accumulator that generates a first phase law from a frequency-control word. A table, addressed by a second phase law derived from the first phase law, generates a digital sinusoidal signal. A digital/analog converter converts the digital sinusoidal signal into an analog sinusoidal signal. A filter filters the analog sinusoidal signal. And, a divider divides the filtered signal. The divider has a lower order than M and has a synchronization input driven by a synchronization pulse for re-synchronizing the signal after division, the synchronization pulse being derived from the phase law. Such a device may find particular application to digital synthesizers for radar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Pascal Gabet, Jean-Luc De Gouy
  • Patent number: 6587516
    Abstract: A subscriber unit has a processor. The processor provides an output phase signal corresponding to a selected output digital frequency. A tuning register buffers the phase signal. A lookup table has two sets of predefined stored values pertaining to the amplitude of a signal for a single quadrant. The predefined stored values comprise coarse angle approximations and fine angle approximations. A sine and cosine generator receives the phase signal and generates sine and cosine waveforms utilizing amplitude values obtained from the lookup table. The phase signal includes phase data and specifies the quadrant and the algebraic sign of the phase data. The sine and cosine generator accessing the lookup table differently depending upon the quadrant and sine of the phase data, such that the lookup table provides an amplitude value from the sets of predefined stored values based on the phase data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: InterDigital Technology Corporation
    Inventors: David Norton Critchlow, Moshe Yehushua, Graham Martin Avis, Wade Lyle Heimbigner, Karle Joseph Johnson, George Alan Wiley
  • Patent number: 6564334
    Abstract: A memory mapped programmable output generator, capable of producing events such as creating complex waveforms, triggering analog to digital and digital to analog conversions, and generating processor interrupts is disclosed. These events are considered high speed since they are timed relative to a high-speed clock and require minimal processor over head. The event generator may be embodied as either a peripheral to a microcontroller or as a separate circuit. In its preferred embodiment, the output generator is a peripheral device on a microcontroller and uses a dedicated programmable, reloadable timer which is inaccessible to other blocks. Events are loaded in a serial format, where only one event is active at a given time. These events are sequenced through address pointers associated with each event. Once a given event is completed, the output generator loads the next event from a next address pointer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Zilog, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis G. Zattiero, David L. Durlin, Gyle D. Yearsley
  • Patent number: 6556051
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing both supports including synchronous dynamic random access memory module and the double data rate dynamic random access memory module is provided. A motherboard can support standard synchronous dynamic random access memory and dual data rate dynamic random access memory by using the disable and enable functions of the terminator. The invention reduces manufacturing production waste due to complex fabrication process of memory module. In addition, the trouble of upgrading the computer by consumer can be eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: VIA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chia-Hsing Yu, Nai-Shung Chang
  • Publication number: 20030030469
    Abstract: Circuits and methods for generating an accurate digital representation of a sinusoidal wave. Based on the desired output frequency, multiple samples are calculated from multiple cycles of a repeating waveform such as a sinusoidal wave. As samples are taken, they are stored in a memory location until a sufficient number of samples are accumulated. After the samples are accumulated, they are output in a specified order, which generates an accurate digital representation of a sinusoidal wave at the desired output frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Dan Q. Tu, Louis F. Coffin
  • Patent number: 6518802
    Abstract: A numerically controlled oscillator that generates an accurate digital representation of a repeating waveform such as a sinusoidal wave. Based on the desired output frequency, multiple samples are calculated from multiple cycles of the repeating waveform. As samples are taken, they are stored in a memory location until a sufficient number of samples are accumulated. After the samples are accumulated, they are output in a specified order, which generates an accurate digital representation of a sinusoidal wave at the desired output frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Webtv Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Q. Tu, Louis F. Coffin, III
  • Patent number: 6483388
    Abstract: A direct digital frequency synthesizer and a hybrid frequency synthesizer combining the direct digital frequency synthesizer and a phase locked loop is provided. The direct digital frequency synthesizer includes a phase accumulator that is configured to generate a discrete phase signal. Spurious phase modulation in the discrete phase signal is reduced by a noise shaper, and the output of the noise shaper is then used to address a phase-to-amplitude translator. The phase-to-amplitude translator generates a discrete waveform which is converted to a continuous waveform by a digital to analog converter. The hybrid frequency synthesizer uses a mixer to combine a reference frequency generated by a reference source and a DDFS output signal generated by a direct digital frequency synthesizer. The output from the mixer is then coupled to the input of a phase locked loop which multiplies the mixer output to generate the frequency synthesizer output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventor: Nasserullah Khan
  • Patent number: 6459404
    Abstract: A technique is described for providing a pulsed radar exciter signal, in a radar exciter including a direct digital synthesizer (DDS). The DDS is reset pulse-to-pulse to provide a pulsed DDS signal having pulse-to-pulse phase discontinuities due to the resetting of the DDS. The phase of the pulsed DDS signal can be shifted pulse-to-pulse by a phase shift that is held constant over a pulse to correct the pulse-to-pulse phasing of the DDS signal. A discrete phase modulator can provide the phase shift. The phase of the pulsed DDS signal can be shifted pulse-to-pulse by an additional phase shift which is a linear phase sequence from pulse-to-pulse, or by an additional phase shift which is a quadratic phase sequence from pulse-to-pulse to produce a ranging waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Howard S. Nussbaum, William P. Posey
  • Patent number: 6449192
    Abstract: A programmable read-only memory supplied with power at a specified voltage has word-line drivers that drive the word lines of the memory-cell array to the same potential, regardless of whether the specified voltage has a first value or a second value. This effect is achieved by using different types of transistors to drive the word lines, depending on the specified voltage. As a result, the same memory-cell array, the same programming voltages, and the same wafer process can be used for memories operating at either of the two specified voltage values. Consequently, less time and effort are needed to design memories for different power-supply voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Otsuka
  • Patent number: 6429796
    Abstract: A method for generating a waveform at a particular frequency in which a segment RAM depth is determined based on the relationship between the frequency and a variable clock value, a RAM based memory system is provided with waveform information, and the waveform is sequentially generated from a combination of the waveform information in the RAM based memory system from a first memory site to a memory site dependent on the segment RAM depth. The generated waveform is filtered to obtain only the waveform at the desired frequency. The RAM based memory system is provided with the waveform information by dividing each desired waveform into segments depending on the clock value and storing each segment in a respective memory site. An analog to digital converter may be evaluated by directing the desired waveform to the analog to digital converter. The generated waveform is tuned in the filter to a center frequency if it is a sinewave or a tuned squarewave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Advanced Testing Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Buckley
  • Patent number: 6396314
    Abstract: For sweeping a frequency synthesizer, which is digitally tunable in frequency in small steps to have a predetermined frequency progression over time, a clock signal of an accumulator generating digital adjustment values for the frequencies is controlled via a control circuit that is programmed corresponding to a desired frequency progression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Alexander Roth
  • Patent number: 6373314
    Abstract: A clock generator for a multi-system comprising a TCXO (temperature compensated crystal oscillator) 1 controlled by an AFC (automatic frequency control) circuit 12 and a sub-system operative with a system clock supplied from the main system and including a PLL (phase locked loop) circuit having a phase comparator 5 and a VCO (voltage controlled oscillator) 3 is disclosed. The frequency division ratios of frequency dividers 2, 4 in the PLL circuit is compensated on the basis of the output of the AFC circuit 12 to absorb phase changes due to the AFC circuit 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Oda
  • Patent number: 6373294
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating a supply signal at a predetermined frequency comprises a digital synthesizer connected with an oscillator and a processor; and a temperature sensor connected with the processor. The oscillator provides a periodic excitation signal to the synthesizer, which responds by recurrently accumulating bits in quantum bit step amounts to a maximum bit capacity and returning to a starting bit count in a bit accumulating period. The synthesizer generates the supply signal based upon the bit accumulating period. The processor provides a control signal to the synthesizer to control the quantum bit step amount. The temperature sensor and the processor cooperatively employ a predetermined temperature parameter-correction factor relationship to adjust the control signal to set the quantum bit step amount to establish the bit accumulating period appropriately for the predetermined frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Inventor: Ronald Bentley
  • Patent number: 6366174
    Abstract: An improved clock generation circuit is provided that operates with a single input clock frequency, and includes a Phase Locked Loop circuit (PLL) with a digital accumulator in the feedback loop, in which either the Most Significant Bit or the Carry Bit of the binary adder is used as the modulated feedback clock to the phase/frequency detector of the PLL. In one embodiment, a fixed add/phase amount is used to drive one of the inputs of the binary adder to generate a fixed output frequency. If it is desired to modulate the output frequency, then an Add Amount Modulator circuit can be provided that presents a varying numeric value to one of the inputs of the binary adder. The MSB or Carry Bit is communicated to an address look-up table, which then outputs an address to a memory circuit, which in turn presents a different add amount to the binary adder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Berry, James R. Booth, Keith B. Hardin, John P. Richey
  • Patent number: 6359476
    Abstract: A frequency correction circuit includes a temperature sensor (100) disposed to measure temperature and produce temperature signals representing sensed temperatures. A data supplier (110) stores information items, receives digital input signals representing and produces a digital output information signal representing an item selected in accordance with the digital input signal. A control circuit (120) receives the temperature signals and receives the digital output information signal. The control circuit (120) produces control signals based on the temperature signals. A clock circuit (150) is disposed to generate a reference frequency signal. A digital synthesizer (130) receives the reference frequency signal and the control signals. The digital synthesizer produces an output frequency signal as directed by the control signals received from the control circuit (120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: The Connor Winfield Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Hartman, David J. Kenny, Matthew J. Klueppel
  • Patent number: 6356124
    Abstract: A signal generator is disclosed. The signal generator includes a variable frequency selector that is configured to provide a variable frequency for generation of a variable frequency signal. The signal generator also includes a periodic signal generator. The periodic signal generator is used to generate a periodic signal. The periodic signal generator has an input receiving the variable frequency signal and an output providing the periodic signal. The periodic signal has a frequency approximately the same as the variable frequency selection. The periodic signal generator stores a table of values associated with a reference periodic signal, each stored value corresponding to a discrete time in the reference periodic signal. The periodic signal generator is configured to interpolate between the discrete points in the table of derivative values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Conexant Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Schoch
  • Patent number: 6356224
    Abstract: An arbitrary waveform generator (AWG) for producing an analog output current signal includes a random access memory (RAM), a programmable logic device (PLD), a programmable pattern generator, several digital-to analog converters (DACS) and a current multiplexer. The RAM store data sequences representing the analog waveform to be generated. The pattern generator read addresses the RAM causing it to sequentially read out its stored data sequence to the PLD. The PLD routes selected fields of each data sequence word to one or more of the DACs in response to timing signals provided by the pattern generator. Each DAC produces an output current of magnitude determined by its input waveform and range data. The pattern generator also signals the analog multiplexer to sum currents produced by one or more selected DACs to produce the AWG output waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Credence Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Dana Wohlfarth
  • Patent number: 6348785
    Abstract: An arbitrary waveform generator (AWG) generates an output signal that linearly ramps between discrete levels to approximate a smoothly varying waveform. The AWG includes a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) formed by a set of N ramp generators, with each ramp generator producing output currents that ramp at adjustable rates between discrete levels in response to a change in state of an input waveform data bit. The output currents of all N ramp generators of the DAC, which have separately weighted magnitude levels, are summed and converted to a proportional voltage to produce the AWG's output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Credence Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Dana Wohlfarth
  • Publication number: 20020008588
    Abstract: A direct digital frequency synthesizer and a hybrid frequency synthesizer combining the direct digital frequency synthesizer and a phase locked loop is provided. The direct digital frequency synthesizer includes a phase accumulator that is configured to generate a discrete phase signal. Spurious phase modulation in the discrete phase signal is reduced by a noise shaper, and the output of the noise shaper is then used to address a phase-to-amplitude translator. The phase-to-amplitude translator generates a discrete waveform which is converted to a continuous waveform by a digital to analog converter. The hybrid frequency synthesizer uses a mixer to combine a reference frequency generated by a reference source and a DDFS output signal generated by a direct digital frequency synthesizer. The output from the mixer is then coupled to the input of a phase locked loop which multiplies the mixer output to generate the frequency synthesizer output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventor: Nasserullah Khan
  • Patent number: 6323739
    Abstract: A frequency oscillator tuning process at the manufacturing stage is replaced with an adjustment of a resonant circuit in the frequency oscillator during an operation of the oscillator. The adjustment utilizes a crystal oscillator, a frequency oscillator such as a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), and a trimmer in a phase-locked loop configuration to determine a correction voltage required for an untrimmed VCO to operate at a nominally specified frequency by adjusting an input tuning voltage for a resonant circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph Andrews