Having Digital Device (e.g., Logic Gate, Flip-flop, Etc.) Patents (Class 327/107)
  • Patent number: 11955061
    Abstract: Provided is a pixel driving circuit configured to provide a signal to a to-be-driven element. The pixel driving circuit includes: a current control sub-circuit, configured to transmit a current signal; a time length control sub-circuit, configured to transmit a time signal; and an output sub-circuit, electrically connected with the time length control sub-circuit and the current control sub-circuit, respectively; where the time length control sub-circuit is further configured to control the output sub-circuit to be turned on or off based on the time signal; the output sub-circuit is configured to, when turned on, control a current applied to the to-be-driven element based on the current signal, where duration of two adjacent turn-ons of the output sub-circuit is same and duration of two adjacent turn-offs of the output sub-circuit is same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignees: Beijing BOE Display Technology Co., Ltd., BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ning Cong, Xiaochuan Chen, Minghua Xuan, Can Zhang, Ming Yang, Lijun Yuan, Angran Zhang
  • Patent number: 11949420
    Abstract: A clock spread spectrum circuit, an electronic equipment, and a clock spread spectrum method are disclosed. The clock spread spectrum circuit includes a control circuit, a signal generation circuit, and a duty cycle adjustment circuit. The duty cycle adjustment circuit is configured to generate a target voltage having a duty cycle that is equal to a target duty cycle, the control circuit is configured to generate a frequency control word according to a modulation parameter, and the frequency control word changes discretely with time; and the signal generation circuit is configured to receive the target voltage and the frequency control word and generate and output a spread spectrum output signal that is spectrum-spread according to the target voltage and the frequency control word, and the spread spectrum output signal corresponds to the frequency control word and a duty cycle of the spread spectrum output signal is the target duty cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignees: BEIJING BOE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD., BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiangye Wei, Liming Xiu, Yuhai Ma
  • Patent number: 11870443
    Abstract: A system comprises time-tracking circuitry and phase parameter generation circuitry. The time-tracking circuitry is operable to generate a time-tracking value corresponding to time elapsed since a reference time. The phase parameter generation circuitry operable to: receive the time-tracking value; receive a control signal that conveys a frequency parameter corresponding to a desired frequency of an oscillating signal; and generate a plurality of phase parameters used for generation of an oscillating signal, wherein the generation of the plurality of phase parameters is based on the time-tracking value and the frequency parameter such that the oscillating signal maintains phase continuity across changes in the frequency parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Inventors: Yonatan Cohen, Nissim Ofek, Itamar Sivan
  • Patent number: 11817863
    Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a fractional-N sub-sampling phase locked loop using a phase rotator includes a frequency locked loop which is locked at a fractional-N frequency using a delta-signal modulator and a sub-sampling phase locked loop which locks a phase to a fractional multiple using a phase rotator, and the phase rotator applies a fractional multiple to a phase of a signal output from the oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: CHUNG ANG UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Donghyun Baek, Gwang Sub Kim
  • Patent number: 11680799
    Abstract: A vibratory gyroscope system having a mechanical resonator (proof mass) and drive circuitry for maintaining oscillation in two axes at a small frequency split. Angular rate input is shifted to the frequency split and modulates both the frequency (FM) and the amplitude (AM) of the oscillations. Unlike other gyroscope modulation techniques which derive rate information from only the FM information and are subject to aliasing for rate signals with bandwidth exceeding the modulation frequency, the innovation uses both the FM and AM information. By exploiting their orthogonality, the image frequencies from the modulation cancel, thus removing the bandwidth limitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Bernhard Boser, Burak Eminoglu
  • Patent number: 11658667
    Abstract: A division factor generator of a feedback divider block in a fractional-N phase locked loop (PLL). The division factor generator is enabled to operate with larger values of division factors without increased complexity of an internal modulator core implemented, for example, as a delta-sigma modulator (DSM) having a signal transfer function (STF), wherein the STF always generates only an integer value as an output in response to an integer value received as input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Shaoxing Yuanfang Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Raja Prabhu J, Sandeep Sasi, Harshavardhan Reddy
  • Patent number: 11656848
    Abstract: A first multiplier multiplies a first input with a first coefficient and a first adder sums an output of the first multiplier and a second input to generate a first output. A second multiplier multiplies a third input with a second coefficient, a third multiplier multiplies a fourth input with a third coefficient, and a second adder sums outputs of the second and third multipliers to generate a second output. The second and third inputs are derived from the first output and the first and fourth inputs are derived from the second output. The first and second outputs generate digital values for first and second digital sinusoids, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics International N.V.
    Inventors: Ankur Bal, Rupesh Singh
  • Patent number: 11563428
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a set of cascading clock cycles, the method comprising inputting a set of phase changes of a set of clocks into a set of input circuits; wherein the set of phase changes are either falling phase changes or rising phase changes; wherein two phase changes of the set of clocks are fed into each input circuit of the set of input circuits, determining for each input circuit of the set of input circuits a duty cycle, storing the duty cycle for each input circuit of the input circuits in a set of duty cycles, calculating skew between the set of clocks using the duty cycles, and adjusting a delay to lower the skew between the set of clocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Acacia Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramesh K. Singh, Tarun Gupta, Guojun Ren, Richard Castell
  • Patent number: 11495271
    Abstract: A receiver that receives a multi-level signal includes a compensation circuit, a sampling circuit, an output circuit and a mode selector. The compensation circuit generates a plurality of data signals and a plurality of reference voltages by compensating intersymbol interference on an input data signal. The sampling circuit generates a plurality of sample signals based on the plurality of data signals and the plurality of reference voltages. The output circuit generates output data based on the plurality of sample signals, and selects a current value of the output data based on a previous value of the output data. The mode selector generates a mode selection signal used to select one of first and second operation modes based on an operating environment. The compensation circuit and the sampling circuit are entirely enabled in the first operation mode, and the compensation circuit and the sampling circuit are partially enabled in the second operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Byungsuk Woo, Sucheol Lee, Changkyu Seol
  • Patent number: 11393522
    Abstract: A memory device includes a clock receiver configured to receive, from a memory controller, a write clock that is used to receive write data during a data write operation, a duty monitor configured to generate first monitoring information by monitoring a duty of the write clock, and a duty adjuster configured to adjust the duty of the write clock in response to a duty control signal and output an adjusted write clock. The memory device provides the first monitoring information to the memory controller, and receives the duty control signal, generated using the first monitoring information, from the memory controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dae-Sik Moon, Gil-Hoon Cha, Ki-Seok Oh, Chang-Kyo Lee, Yeon-Kyu Choi, Jung-Hwan Choi, Kyung-Soo Ha, Seok-Hun Hyun
  • Patent number: 11316523
    Abstract: A system may include a digitally-controlled oscillator configured to generate an output clock signal based on a control signal received at an input of the digitally-controlled oscillator and a control circuit configured to calculate an error signal between the output clock signal and an external reference clock signal, filter the error signal to generate a correction signal, generate the control signal based on the correction signal, and switch between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation without artifacts on the correction signal during switching between the first mode and the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Saurabh Singh, Jaimin Mehta, Sriram Balasubramanian, Anindya Bhattacharya
  • Patent number: 11287437
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a drive signal for driving a resolver sensor are provided. The method and apparatus implement a drive signal to be input to a resolver sensor. The method and apparatus perform counting in association with an incoming square wave signal and implement a drive signal after confirming that a specific point corresponding to a preset condition of the incoming square wave signal arrives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sung-Hoon Bang
  • Patent number: 11146280
    Abstract: A test and measurement instrument including a digital-to-analog converter having an output sample rate configured to receive a digital sample waveform and a reference clock and output an analog waveform at the sample rate, a waveform synthesizer configured to receive an input waveform having a baud rate and output a digital sample waveform having a baud rate less than the sample rate of the digital-to-analog converter, and a port configured to output the analog waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Martin, Patrick Satarzadeh, John J. Pickerd, Daniel G. Knierim
  • Patent number: 10972084
    Abstract: A circuit for transferring a n-bit phase value between circuits includes a system clock input, a n-bit phase value generator coupled to the system clock input generating a phase value output, and an edge output indicating the phase output value is valid, a latching clock delay circuit having an input coupled to the system clock input, an input coupled to the edge output, a variable phase delay circuit coupled to the phase value output, a delay adder having a first input coupled to the phase value output, a second input coupled to a delay offset signal, and an output coupled to the control input of the variable phase delay circuit, and a phase flip-flop having a data input coupled to the output of the variable phase delay circuit, a clock input coupled to a latching clock output of the variable output clock delay circuit and a Phase Out output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Microchip Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Williamson
  • Patent number: 10972109
    Abstract: A sub-sampler phase locked loop (SSPLL) system having a frequency locking loop (FLL) and a phase locked loop (PLL) is disclosed. The FLL is configured to detect frequency variations between a phase locked loop (PLL) output signal and a reference frequency and automatically generate a pulsed correction signal upon the detected frequency variations and apply the pulsed correction signal to a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) control voltage. The PLL is configured to generate the PLL output signal based on the VCO control voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Somnath Kundu, Stefano Pellerano, Abhishek Agrawal
  • Patent number: 10886934
    Abstract: A time to digital converter includes a state transition section configured to start, based on a trigger signal, state transition in which an internal state transitions, a transition-state acquiring section configured to acquire, in synchronization with a reference signal, state information from the state transition section and hold the state information, and an arithmetic operation section configured to calculate, based on the state information, a time digital value corresponding to the number of times of transition of the internal state. The state transition section includes a tapped delay line to which a plurality of delay elements are coupled, a logic circuit, and a state machine. The state information is represented by count information output from the state machine and propagation information output from the tapped delay line. A hamming distance of the state information before and after the state transition is 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Inventor: Masayoshi Todorokihara
  • Patent number: 10782346
    Abstract: In described examples, a latch includes active feedback circuitry for latching input information. A comparison of logic states between input and output states at selected times can determine whether, for example, the latch has correctly retained latch data. The latch can optionally be included within a scan chain, provide asynchronous latch error notifications, and/or synchronous notifications indicating where in the scan chain a latch error occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jose Flores, Rama Venkatasubramanian
  • Patent number: 10720930
    Abstract: A communication technique for converging internet of everything (IoT) technology with a 5th generation (5G) communication system for supporting a higher data transfer rate beyond a 4G system is provided. The communication technique can be applied to intelligent services, based on 5G communication technology and IoT-related technology. In an embodiment, an electronic device includes a first processor configured to output a first signal for generating a first frequency signal, a second processor configured to output a second signal for generating a second frequency signal, a first radio frequency (RF) chip configured to output the first frequency signal, based on the first signal received from the first processor and a baseband signal, and a second RF chip configured to output the second frequency signal, based on the second signal received from the second processor and the first frequency signal outputted from the first RF chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youngchang Yoon, Kyuhwan An, Daehyun Kang, Juho Son, Sunggi Yang, Donghyun Lee, Yunsung Cho
  • Patent number: 10530252
    Abstract: A pulse-frequency control circuit includes: a selection circuit that receives, and selects from among, a plurality of reference clocks whose phases differ from one another and which have a same reference period; a setting register that stores information for identifying a setting period that is in increments of a first duration shorter than the reference period; and a control circuit that causes, based on the information stored in the setting register, the selection circuit to sequentially and repeatedly select, as a determined rising edge, a rising edge occurring at intervals of the setting period from among rising edges of the plurality of reference clocks, in which the selection circuit sequentially and repeatedly generates an output pulse whose rising edge coincides with the determined rising edge selected, to provide an output pulse sequence of the output pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Imamura, Takeaki Moto
  • Patent number: 10520546
    Abstract: An automatic power supply system is electrically coupled to a component to be tested. The automatic power supply system includes a power array and a controller. The power array includes a plurality of power channels, and provides power supplies through the plurality of power channels. The component to be tested is electrically coupled to a first power channel of the plurality of power channels and receives a power supply through the first power channel. The controller is electrically coupled to the power array, and calculates a power of the power supply received by the component to be tested. The controller adjusts a power specification of the power supply provided through the first power channel according to the power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignees: Inventec (Pudong) Technology Corp., Inventec Corporation
    Inventors: Yu-Lin Chang, Kai-Yang Tung, Mao-Ching Lin
  • Patent number: 10511314
    Abstract: A frequency generator is disclosed. The frequency generator is for generating an oscillator clock according to a reference clock, and the frequency generator is used in a frequency hopping system that switches a carrier frequency among a plurality of channels, and the carrier frequency further carries a modulation frequency for data transmission. The frequency generator includes: a frequency hopping and modulation control unit, arranged for generating a current channel according to a channel hopping sequence and a frequency command word (FCW) based on the reference clock, a digital-controlled oscillator (DCO), arranged for to generating the oscillator clock according to an oscillator tuning word (OTW) obtained according to the estimated DCO normalization value. An associated method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Chun Liao, Min-Shueh Yuan, Chao-Chieh Li, Robert Bogdan Staszewski
  • Patent number: 10483982
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first circuit, a second circuit and a third circuit. The first circuit may be configured to generate a first code by counting a number of cycles of an input clock signal during a period. The period may be determined by an output clock signal and a second code. The second circuit may be configured to generate a third code by a delta-sigma modulation of the first code. The third circuit may be configured to generate the output clock signal in response to the third code. An accuracy of a frequency of the output clock signal may be determined by a current value of the second code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: INTEGRATED DEVICE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Hui Li, Teck-Chuan Ng, Stephen E. Aycock
  • Patent number: 10466289
    Abstract: An integrated circuit capable of on-chip jitter tolerance measurement includes a jitter generator circuit to produce a controlled amount of jitter that is injected into at least one clock signal, and a receive circuit to sample an input signal according to the at least one clock signal. The sampled data values output from the receiver are used to evaluate the integrated circuit's jitter tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Hae-Chang Lee, Jaeha Kim, Brian Leibowitz
  • Patent number: 10429882
    Abstract: A clock generator outputs a processor clock that serves as an operation reference for a processor for use in a content protection system. The clock generator includes a direct digital synthesis and a random number generator. The direct digital synthesizer includes a phase accumulator and outputs the processor clock. The phase accumulator accumulates a setup value in synchronization with a reference clock. The random number generator generates random numbers. The setup value changes based on the random numbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: MEGACHIPS TECHNOLOGY AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan Kobayashi, Sujan Thomas, Ramesh Dandapani, Johnny Garrett
  • Patent number: 10404263
    Abstract: A programmable digital-to-analog converter includes an analog circuit that converts a binary word into a value of analog voltage and a digital circuit that supplies the binary word starting from a maximum value decremented by a decrement value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS
    Inventors: Vincent Onde, Jean-Francois Link
  • Patent number: 10389338
    Abstract: A problem with conventional distortion pulse shift circuits is that the output timing of a pulse signal cannot be controlled unless a reset signal is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideyuki Nakamizo, Morishige Hieda, Hiroyuki Mizutani, Kenichi Tajima
  • Patent number: 10312064
    Abstract: A power supply system includes a digital-to-analogue converter (DAC) configured to generate an analogue signal and an amplifier path on which the analogue signal is amplified to generate a high-frequency power signal to be provided to a plasma chamber for supplying a plasma process with high-frequency power. The DAC is configured to be connected to an arc detection device that is configured to monitor the plasma chamber for arcs and be controlled by the arc detection device to modify the analogue signal in response to detecting an occurrence of an arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: TRUMPF Huettinger GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Andre Grede, Daniel Krausse, Anton Labanc, Christan Thome, Alberto Pena Vidal
  • Patent number: 10263625
    Abstract: A TDC circuit includes a plurality of delay elements connected in series. The TDC circuit includes a reference signal supply circuit that randomly selects one of the plurality of delay elements to supply a reference signal. The TDC circuit includes a plurality of latch circuits that latch a clock signal in response to outputs of the plurality of delay elements. The TDC circuit includes an output circuit that codes output signals output from the plurality of latch circuits and outputs a digital code indicating a relative time relationship of the clock signal with respect to the reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA ELECTRONIC DEVICES & STORAGE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi Tokairin
  • Patent number: 10241537
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an oscillator circuit, a counter circuit, and a control circuit. The oscillator circuit may receive an input clock signal and an inverse input clock signal, and, for a first time period, may generate an oscillator output signal with a frequency based on a duty cycle of the input clock signal. For a second time period, the oscillator circuit may generate the oscillator output signal with a frequency based on a duty cycle of the inverse input clock signal. The counter circuit may count oscillations of the oscillator output signal over the first time period and over the second time period. The control circuit may determine, based on the oscillations counted by the counter circuit during the first time period and the second time period, a duty cycle value indicative of the duty cycle of the input clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Huaimin Li, Fabien S Faure, Shy Hamami, Pradeep Trivedi, Yaron Cohen
  • Patent number: 10153777
    Abstract: Disclosed examples include fractional frequency divider circuits, including a counter to provide phase shifted pulse output signals in response to counting of an adjustable integer number NK cycles of an input clock signal, an output circuit to provide an output clock signal having a first edge between first edges of the pulse output signals, as well as a delta-sigma modulator (DSM), clocked by the second pulse output signal to receive a first predetermined value and to provide a DSM output value, and a phase accumulator to receive a step input value representing a sum of the DSM output value and a second predetermined value. The phase accumulator provides a divisor input signal to the counter, and provides a phase adjustment value to the output circuit to control the position of the first edge of the output clock signal between the first edges of the pulse output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Reza Hoshyar, Wenting Zhou, Ali Kiaei, Baher Haroun, Ahmad Bahai
  • Patent number: 10122407
    Abstract: A system for radio scanning and signal generation including a direct digital synthesis (DDS) signal generator providing a signal within a first bandwidth; a frequency multiplier in signal communication with the DDS signal generator; the frequency multiplier adapted to convert the signal within the first bandwidth to a multiplied signal within a second bandwidth, wherein the second bandwidth encompasses a wider frequency range than the first bandwidth; a processor in communication with the DDS signal generator for programming the DDS signal generator to provide the signal within the first bandwidth; the processor further adapted to reprogram the DDS signal generator to alter the first bandwidth; a radio frequency (RF) port for transmitting the signal as a wideband signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Allen-Vanguard Corporation
    Inventors: Trevor Noel Yensen, Travis Patrick Corkery
  • Patent number: 10049708
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a division control circuit and a latch circuit. The division control circuit may be configured to divide an external clock to generate a first preliminary divided clock and a second preliminary divided clock. The division control circuit may be configured to output the first and second preliminary divided clocks or any one of the first and second preliminary divided clocks as first and second divided clocks. The latch circuit may be configured to latch an external control signal in response to the first and second divided clocks and configured to output latched signals as first and second latch control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Jae Il Kim
  • Patent number: 10027333
    Abstract: An embodiment circuit includes a first charge pump configured to generate a first current at a first node, and a second charge pump configured to generate a second current at a second node. The circuit further includes an isolation buffer coupled between the first node and the second node and an adder having a first input coupled to the second node. The circuit additionally includes an auxiliary charge pump configured to generate a third current at a second input of the adder, and an oscillator having an input coupled to an output of the adder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS INTERNATIONAL N.V.
    Inventors: Abhirup Lahiri, Nitin Gupta, Gagan Midha
  • Patent number: 10002749
    Abstract: An arc extinguishing method for extinguishing arcs in a plasma chamber of a plasma system, comprising providing a plasma operating power during a plasma operation to the plasma chamber for generating plasma in the plasma chamber and carrying out a plasma-processing process using the generated plasma, by generating an analog signal by a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and amplifying the generated analog signal on an amplifier path, monitoring, by an arc detection device, the plasma system for arcs, and in response to detecting an occurrence of an arc, controlling the DAC by the arc detection device such that the generated analog signal by the DAC is modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: TRUMPF Huettinger GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Andre Grede, Daniel Krausse, Anton Labanc, Christan Thome, Alberto Pena Vidal
  • Patent number: 9991006
    Abstract: A scan asynchronous memory element includes: an asynchronous memory element configured to receive an n-input; and a scan control logic circuit configured to generate an n-bit signal input and the n-input to the asynchronous memory element from a scan input. The scan control logic circuit outputs the signal input when a control signal supplied to the scan control logic circuit has a first bit pattern, the scan control logic circuit outputs the scan input when the control signal has a second bit pattern, and the scan control logic circuit outputs a bit pattern allowing the asynchronous memory element to hold a previous value when the control signal has a bit pattern other than the first and second bit patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: National University Corporation Nara Institute Of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Satoshi Ohtake, Hiroshi Iwata, Michiko Inoue
  • Patent number: 9954537
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, an apparatus may comprise a circuit configured to scale a phase control value from an external phase control resolution of an external clock frequency to an internal phase control resolution of an internal clock frequency to generate a target phase control value. The circuit may also determine a difference between a current phase control value and the target phase control value and determine a phase step value based on the difference. Further, the circuit may modify a current phase control value based on the phase step value and generate a phase controlled clock signal at the internal clock frequency using the modified phase control value. Additionally, the circuit may divide the phase controlled clock signal at the internal clock frequency to generate a phase controlled clock signal at the external clock frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Marcus Marrow, Kenneth John Evans, Jason Vincent Bellorado
  • Patent number: 9853646
    Abstract: A system and method for system, method and apparatus for phase hits and microphonics cancellation. In addition to a first RF synthesizer source, a device also includes a second stable reference signal source that operates at a lower frequency as compared to the RF synthesizer source. The second stable reference signal source is selected with good phase noise characteristics and can be used to correct phase error events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Maxlinear Asia Singapore PTE LTD
    Inventors: Igal Yehuda Kushnir, Ido Mordechai Bettesh, Yaacov Sturkovich
  • Patent number: 9813048
    Abstract: An electronic comparison system includes input stages that successively provide bits of code words. One-shots connected to respective stages successively provide a first bit value until receiving a bit having a non-preferred value concurrently with an enable signal, and then provide a second, different bit value. An enable circuit provides the enable signal if at least one of the one-shots is providing the first bit value. A neural network system includes a crossbar with row and column electrodes and resistive memory elements at their intersections. A writing circuit stores weights in the elements. A signal source applies signals to the row electrodes. Comparators compare signals on the column electrodes to corresponding references using domain-wall neurons and store bit values in CMOS latches by comparison with a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Kaushik Roy, Mrigank Sharad
  • Patent number: 9787296
    Abstract: A delay circuit includes: a plurality of delay units that are serially coupled with each other in a form of loop and sequentially delay an input signal of the delay circuit; an input control unit that selects a delay unit to receive the input signal of the delay circuit among the plurality of the delay units; and an output control unit that controls an output signal of a predetermined delay unit among the plurality of the delay units to be outputted as an output signal of the delay circuit, when the output signal of the predetermined delay unit is enabled N times, where N is an integer equal to or greater than 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Sung-Eun Lee, Kyung-Hoon Kim, Myeong-Jae Park, Woo-Yeol Shin, Han-Kyu Chi, Yong-Ju Kim
  • Patent number: 9740175
    Abstract: A digital phase locked loop (DPLL) circuit includes a digital-to-time converter (DTC) configured to generate a delayed reference clock signal by delaying a reference clock signal according to a delay control signal and a time-to-digital converter (TDC) coupled to an output of the DTC. The TDC is configured to sample a value of a transition signal according to the delayed reference clock signal and to generate an output signal indicating a phase difference between the delayed clock signal and an input clock signal. A method of controlling a DPLL includes delaying a reference clock signal according to a delay control signal, sampling a value of a transition signal according to the delayed reference clock signal, generating an output signal indicating a phase difference between the delayed clock signal and an input clock signal, and generating a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) clock signal according to the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Marvell World Trade Ltd.
    Inventors: Olivier Burg, Haisong Wang, Xiang Gao
  • Patent number: 9722832
    Abstract: A frequency control circuit, adapted to be utilized in a phase locked loop circuit. The frequency control circuit includes a first frequency control block, a second frequency control block, a pump control unit and a charge pump unit. The first frequency control block generates a first control signal according to a frequency of an output signal from the phase locked loop circuit, in which the first control signal is configured to control the frequency of the output signal located within a predetermined frequency region. The second frequency control block generates a second control signal according to a frequency of an input signal and the frequency of the output signal, in which the second control signal is configured to control the frequency of the output signal located at a target frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: HIMAX TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Shih-Che Hung, Chun-Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 9705613
    Abstract: This document discusses apparatus and methods for compensating non-linearity of digital-to-time converters (DTCs). In an example, a wireless device can include a digital-to-time converter (DTC) configured to receive a phase data information from a baseband processor and to provide a first modulation signal for generating a wireless signal, a detector configure to receive the first modulation signal and provide an indication of nonlinearities of the DTC, and a pre-distortion module configured to provide pre-distortion information to the DTC using the indication of nonlinearities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Intel IP Corporation
    Inventors: Ashoke Ravi, Ofir Degani, Hasnain Lakdawala
  • Patent number: 9571927
    Abstract: This application relates to digital-to-analogue conversion with improved noise performance. Embodiments relate to digital-to-analogue conversion circuits (300) for converting a digital audio signal to an analogue audio signal having a digital-to-analogue converter (104) operable at a plurality of DAC clock rates. A first clock controller (301-1) controls the DAC clock rate based on an indication of the amplitude of the audio signal. The DAC clock rate (CK1) may be increased for low amplitude signal, where noise is important, to reduce the in-band thermal noise of the DAC. At higher amplitudes, when noise is less audible, the DAC clock rate may be reduced to avoid distortion. The amplitude of the audio signal may be monitored by a digital level detector (302) or in some cases by an analogue level detector (303).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventor: John Paul Lesso
  • Patent number: 9490828
    Abstract: A phase-locked loop (PLL) integrated circuit includes multiple digitally-controlled oscillators (DCOs), which are slaved to the same feedback loop filter. This PLL includes a frequency control circuit, which is configured to generate a control signal and is responsive to a first periodic reference signal (e.g., REFCLK). The plurality of DCOs include a corresponding plurality of independently-programmable fractional dividers, which are configured to generate a respective plurality of periodic PLL output signals of different frequency in response to a second periodic reference signal (e.g., SYSCLK). The plurality of DCOs include corresponding scaling circuits, which are each responsive to the control signal. The plurality of scaling circuits are configured to scale the control signal to different degrees to thereby make effective gains of the DCOs more nearly equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: INTEGRATED DEVICE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Song Gao
  • Patent number: 9491389
    Abstract: A digital focal plane array includes an all-digital readout integrated circuit in combination with a detector array. The readout circuit includes unit cell electronics, orthogonal transfer structures, and data handling structures. The unit cell electronics include an analog to digital converter. Orthogonal transfer structures enable the orthogonal transfer of data among the unit cells. Data handling structures may be configured to operate the digital focal plane array as a data encryptor/decipherer. Data encrypted and deciphered by the digital focal plane array need not be image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Michael Kelly, Brian Tyrrell, Curtis Colonero, Robert Berger, Kenneth Schultz, James Wey, Daniel Mooney, Lawrence Candell
  • Patent number: 9455666
    Abstract: A circuit includes at least two LC voltage controlled oscillators (LCVCOs). Each LCVCO includes a switch to selectively turn on or off the LCVCO. One selected LCVCO of the at least two LCVCOs is configured to provide a differential LCVCO output. A converter coupled to the at least two LCVCOs is configured to receive the differential LCVCO output and provide an output signal with a full voltage swing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Chang Lin, Chan-Hong Chern, Ming-Chieh Huang, Tien-Chun Yang
  • Patent number: 9429919
    Abstract: A delay line operates to propagate a plurality of delay stages comprising a first delay element and a second delay element. A generator coupled to the delay line is configured to provide the start edge to the plurality of delay stages of the delay line as a function of a digital control oscillator (DCO) counter value generated by a DCO counter. A DCO calculation component is configured to facilitate a determination of propagation counts of the delay line as a function of DCO periods of a DCO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Schimper
  • Patent number: 9432027
    Abstract: A frequency control system includes a power generating circuit and a frequency generating circuit. The power generating circuit includes an up transistor circuit, a down transistor circuit and a capacitor for generating a stable voltage. The frequency generating circuit includes a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), a current source/sink circuit, a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) and a digital controller. The DAC receives the stable voltage as a power, the current source/sink circuit receives an analog signal from the DAC, the VCO receives a control voltage from the current source/sink circuit, and the digital controller receives a frequency signal from the VCO and a reference signal, according to which a digital signal is generated and fed to the DAC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: EGALAX_EMPIA TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Po-Chuan Lin
  • Patent number: 9423441
    Abstract: An integrated circuit capable of on-chip jitter tolerance measurement includes a jitter generator circuit to produce a controlled amount of jitter that is injected into at least one clock signal, and a receive circuit to sample an input signal according to the at least one clock signal. The sampled data values output from the receiver are used to evaluate the integrated circuit's jitter tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Hae-Chang Lee, Jaeha Kim, Brian Leibowitz
  • Patent number: 9397667
    Abstract: A method of providing multiple clock frequencies for an integrated circuit having a plurality of modules. A reference clock signal (fin) is frequency division processed to generate sub-divider outputs of fin divided by a plurality of different (i) prime numbers and (ii) prime numbers raised to an integer power to collectively provide a plurality of prime number-based clock signals that each have a frequency divider factor (divider factor) in a predetermined divider range. For at least a portion of other divider factors, two or more of the sub-divider outputs are combined to generate additional clock signals that each provide an additional divider factor. A first module frequency selects at least a first selected clock signal from the prime number-based clock signals and additional clock signals, and a second module frequency selects at least a second selected clock signal from the prime number-based clock signals and additional clock signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: Árni Ingimundarson