Having Discrete Active Device (e.g., Transistor, Triode, Etc.) Patents (Class 327/118)
  • Patent number: 7719326
    Abstract: The dual-modulus prescaler circuit (1) is devised to operate at a very high frequency. This circuit includes an assembly formed of two dynamic D-type flip flops (12, 13), and two NAND logic gates (15, 16) arranged in negative feedback between the two flip flops. The two flip flops are clocked by an input clock signal (CK) to supply a divided output signal (OUT) whose frequency matches the input clock frequency divided by 2 or by 3 as a function of a division mode selection signal (divb) applied to the input of the first NAND logic gate (15). One non-inverted output of the second flip flop is connected to one input of the first flip flop (12). The first dynamic flip flop includes three active branches and supplies a single inverted output signal. A third flip flop (14) with three active branches receives an inverted mode selection signal (div) at input in order to supply the mode selection signal to the inverted output thereof, clocked by the non-inverted output signal of the second flip flop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd.
    Inventors: Arnaud Casagrande, Carlos Velasquez, Jean-Luc Arend
  • Patent number: 7719327
    Abstract: A frequency divider has an inverting unit and a plurality of switch inverters in series. Each switch inverter comprises two inphase switches and is controlled by a clock. The two inphase switches of each switch inverter are respectively supplied by a first voltage and a second voltage, while any two switch inverters in series are respectively controlled by two inverted clocks. The two inphase switches are selectively turned on and off synchronously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Mediatek Inc.
    Inventor: Ming-Da Tsai
  • Patent number: 7705686
    Abstract: An injection-locked frequency divider includes a ring oscillator, a signal injection circuit, a first adjustable load circuit and a second adjustable load circuit. The ring oscillator generates an oscillation signal according to a differential signal outputted by the signal injection circuit. According to an adjustable voltage, the first and second adjustable load circuits can respectively change equivalent impedances of the first adjustable load circuit and the second adjustable load circuit so that a free-running frequency of the oscillation signal of the ring oscillator is adjusted and an injection-locked frequency range of the injection-locked frequency divider is expanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Sheng-Lyang Jang, Yun-Hsueh Chuang, Shao-Hwa Lee
  • Patent number: 7683681
    Abstract: An injection-locked frequency divider is provided. The injection-locked frequency divider includes an active inductor unit, a source injection unit, a first transistor and a second transistor. The injection-locked frequency divider generates a frequency-divided signal having a half frequency of the signal source. A locking frequency range of the injection-locked frequency divider is determined by a quality factor of a resonant cavity. A quality factor of the active inductor unit is lower than a conventional spiral inductor because the active inductor unit is composed of active elements. In the injection-locked frequency divider, the active inductor unit is used to instead of the conventional spiral inductor, so that the chip area can be reduced and the locking frequency range of the injection-locked frequency divider can be increased. Further, an induction value of the active inductor unit can be altered to change the locking frequency range of the injection-locked frequency divider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Sheng-Lyang Jang, Cheng-Chen Liu, Jui-Cheng Han
  • Patent number: 7683682
    Abstract: A frequency divider for a wireless communication system is provided. A frequency divider includes a body bias voltage generator and a divider. The body bias voltage generator generates a body bias voltage including a PMOS body bias voltage and an NMOS body bias voltage whose voltage levels are controlled according to an input signal. The divider includes a plurality of flip-flops whose operation points are determined according to the body bias voltage, and generates an output signal by dividing a frequency of the input signal by N. Each of the flip-flops may include a PMOS logic and an NMOS logic. The PMOS logic may include a plurality of PMOS transistors whose operation points are determined according to the PMOS body bias voltage. The NMOS logic may be connected electrically to the PMOS logic and include a plurality of NMOS transistors whose operation points are determined according to the NMOS body bias voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Korea Electronics Technology Institute
    Inventors: Kwang Ho Won, Yeon Kug Moon, Hyun Chol Shin, Seung Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 7671640
    Abstract: A direct injection-locked frequency divider circuit with inductive-coupling feedback architecture is proposed, which is designed for integration to a high-frequency circuit system with a high operating frequency such as 24 GHz (gigahertz), for providing a frequency-dividing function. The proposed frequency divider circuit comprises an injection-locked oscillator (ILO) circuit module and a pair of buffer-stage circuits, wherein the ILO circuit module further includes a signal-injection circuit, a cross-coupled switching circuit, and a variable-capacitance tuning circuit. The proposed circuit architecture is characterized by the circuit arrangement of a direct-injection architecture and an inductive-coupling feedback architecture by coupling the inductive elements of the buffer-stage circuits to the inductive elements of the variable-capacitance tuning circuit in the ILO circuit module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Wei-Yang Lee, Jean-Fu Kiang
  • Publication number: 20090284288
    Abstract: A high-speed low-power latch includes three sets of transistors. A first set of transistors selects a tracking mode or a holding mode for the latch based on a clock signal having non-rail-to-rail or rail-to-rail voltage swing. A second set of transistors captures a data value based on an input signal and provides an output signal during the tracking mode. A third set of transistors stores the data value and provides the output signal during the holding mode. The input and output signals have rail-to-rail voltage swing. In another aspect, a signal generator includes at least one latch and a control circuit. The latch(es) receive a clock signal and generate an output signal. The control circuit senses a duty cycle of a feedback signal derived from the output signal and generates a control signal to adjust operation of the latch(es) to obtain 50% duty cycle for the feedback signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Kun Zhang, Harish Muthali
  • Publication number: 20090261868
    Abstract: The invention includes a harmonic suppression circuit, an injection-locked frequency divider circuit (ILFD) and associated methods. The harmonic suppression circuit comprises a source voltage, two suppression modules, two input terminals, two smoothed output terminals and a ground. The ILFD comprises a ground, an input transistor, an input terminal, two divider legs, two output terminals and a source voltage. The associated method to improve harmonic suppression comprises acts of synthesizing differential-phase signals and simultaneously suppressing second harmonics of in-phase signals. The method to extent an ILFD's locking range comprises acts of decreasing quality factor while keeping resonance frequency constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Shey-Shi Lu, Hsien-Ku Chen
  • Patent number: 7605667
    Abstract: A frequency synthesizer. The frequency synthesizer comprises a harmonic locked phase/frequency detector, a low pass filter, a voltage controlled oscillator, and a frequency divider. The harmonic locked phase/frequency detector receives a reference signal and a divided signal. The low pass filter is coupled to the harmonic locked phase/frequency detector. The voltage controlled oscillator is coupled to the low pass filter and provides an output signal. The frequency divider is coupled between the voltage controlled oscillator and the harmonic locked phase/frequency detector. Frequency of the divided signal is a harmonic frequency of the reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignees: Mediatek Inc., National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Shen-Iuan Liu, Chih-Hung Lee
  • Publication number: 20090251177
    Abstract: An injection-locked frequency divider for dividing a frequency of an injection signal and obtaining a frequency divided signal is provided. The injection-locked frequency divider includes a signal injection unit and an oscillator. The signal injection unit includes a first input terminal and a second input terminal for receiving the injection signal. The received injection signal exhibits a phase difference of 180° between the first input terminal and the second input terminal. The oscillator includes an inductor unit and a variable capacitance unit. The injection-locked frequency divider is featured with a wide injection locking range, and can be realized with a low operation voltage, and therefore can be conveniently used in different kinds of hybrid ICs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Sheng-Lyang Jang, Cheng-Chen Liu
  • Publication number: 20090230999
    Abstract: There is provided a true single phase logic clock divider that is configured to selectively divide a clock signal by increments of two, three, four, or six. Because the true single phase logic clock divider is based on true single phase logic instead of static logic, the true single phase logic clock divider is able to reliably divide clock signals that could not reliably be divided by clock dividers based on static logic gates. The true single phase logic clock divider is capable of reliably operating at frequencies of greater than or equal to two gigahertz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Feng Lin
  • Patent number: 7573305
    Abstract: A high speed divider circuit is disclosed. The circuit contains a plurality of latches and buffers. The maximum input clock frequency of the divider circuit is increased over that implemented with only latches connected in a ring by feed forwarding the output of an early switching latch to the output of a later switching latch through buffers. The feed forward signal aids the later switching latch to complete the next state transition. By choosing the appropriate ratio of the buffer tail current to the latch tail current, the divider circuit can be made into a dynamic divider circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Albert E. Cosand, Susan Morton
  • Patent number: 7557621
    Abstract: A divider is provided. The divider includes a first flip-flop, a flip-flop array, a first NOT gate, a second NOT gate, and a circuit. The first flip-flop can be triggered by a frequency signal. The first NOT gate is coupled between a positive output terminal of the last second flip-flop and the first flip-flop. The second NOT gate is coupled between the positive output terminal of the last second flip-flop and the circuit. The first NOT gate and the second NOT gate are controlled by the mode control signal for enabling. If N is an odd number, the circuit includes a wire, and if N is an even number, the circuit includes a third NOT gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Ting-Sheng Chao, Wei-Bin Yang, Yu-Lung Lo
  • Patent number: 7554369
    Abstract: A digital programmable frequency divider is constructed of Rapid Single Flux Quantum (RSFQ) logic elements. The logic elements may include an RSFQ non-destructive readout cell (NDRO), RSFQ D flip-flop and an RSFQ T flip-flop. A digital word comprising N bits is used to control the amount of frequency division and the frequency divider selectively imparts a respective frequency division for any of 2N states that can be represented by the digital word. The RSFQ logic elements utilize Josephson junctions which operate in superconducting temperature domains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Hypres, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander F. Kirichenko
  • Patent number: 7545185
    Abstract: The present invention improves a frequency divider circuit so that the frequency divider further obtains a capability of operating an injection-locking frequency division without changing or adding any component; and, the frequency divider operates under low voltage and low power consumption yet in high frequency, where the present invention can be use in related fields of radio frequency and optoelectronic communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: National Central University
    Inventors: Yi-Jen Chan, Fan-Hsiu Huang, Dong-Ming Lin
  • Patent number: 7538590
    Abstract: There is provided a true single phase logic clock divider that is configured to divide a clock signal by increments of two, three, four, or six. Because the true single phase logic clock divider is based on true single phase logic instead of static logic, the true single phase logic clock divider is able to reliably divide clock signals that could not reliably be divided by clock dividers based on static logic gates. There is also provided a method comprising receiving an input signal with a frequency between 2.5 gigahertz and 4 gigahertz and producing an output signal with a frequency approximately one-third of the frequency of the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Feng Lin
  • Patent number: 7522008
    Abstract: An injection locked frequency divider includes a ring oscillator, a first injection unit and a second injection unit. The ring oscillator includes a first delay cell and a second delay cell each including differential input terminals and differential output terminals. The differential input terminals and the differential output terminals of the first delay cell are respectively coupled to the differential output terminals and the differential input terminals of the second delay cell. The first injection unit connected between the differential output terminals of the first delay cell receives and injects a first injection signal to the differential output terminals of the first delay cell. The second injection unit connected between the differential output terminals of the second delay cell receives and injects a second injection signal to the differential output terminals of the second delay cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: National Taiwan University of Science & Technology
    Inventors: Sheng-Lyang Jang, Chun-Chieh Chao, Yun-Hsueh Chang, Shao-Hwa Lee
  • Patent number: 7522007
    Abstract: An injection locked frequency divider includes a signal injection unit, a Hartley voltage controlled oscillator and a biasing unit. The signal injection unit and the biasing unit output an injection signal to the Hartley voltage controlled oscillator to bias the Hartley voltage controlled oscillator. The Hartley voltage controlled oscillator, which includes a first transistor, a second transistor and a LC tank, receives the injection signal and outputs a differential output signal through a first output terminal and a second output terminal. First terminals of the first and second transistors are respectively coupled to the first and second output terminals, and second terminals of the first and second transistors are coupled to a first node. The LC tank decides a resonant frequency of the Hartley voltage controlled oscillator and serves as a positive feedback circuit for the first and second transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: National Taiwan University of Science & Technology
    Inventors: Sheng-Lyang Jang, Yun-Hsueh Chuang, Shao-Hwa Lee
  • Patent number: 7514977
    Abstract: A clock signal generating circuit is provided. The clock signal generating circuit includes a clock signal generator for generating a first clock signal having a predetermined frequency; a frequency dividing circuit receiving the first clock signal, for providing a second clock signal with a frequency that is lower than the predetermined frequency of the first clock signal; and a frequency multiplier circuit receiving the second clock signal, for providing a system clock signal resuming the predetermined frequency to a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Hung Chen
  • Publication number: 20090027091
    Abstract: A first frequency dividing circuit and a second frequency dividing circuit are provided, and these circuits frequency-divide two-phase external clocks injected from an external part, to output four-phase clocks with phase guarantee. Each of the frequency dividing circuits includes a mixer, an adding circuit, and a phase circuit. The first frequency dividing circuit and the second frequency dividing circuit are coupled in loop shape via a first coupling circuit and a second coupling circuit. The first coupling circuit receives a first output signal of the first frequency dividing circuit to output a second external input signal to the second frequency dividing circuit, and the second coupling circuit receives a second output signal of the second frequency dividing circuit to output a first external input signal to the first frequency dividing circuit, and a clock frequency dividing circuit with a high loop gain and a wide lock range can be realized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Hisakatsu YAMAGUCHI, Kouichi KANDA, Junji OGAWA, Hirotaka TAMURA
  • Publication number: 20090002080
    Abstract: The invention relates to a frequency divider operated digitally and capable of satisfying the Zigbee standard, and a phase locked loop system using the same. The frequency divider includes a plurality of latches in a ring structure with an output of a latter end latch is connected to an input of a former end latch. The frequency divider also includes an input end connected in common to clock ends of the latches, receiving a signal to be divided, and a plurality of output ends connected to the output ends of the latches, outputting divided signals of different phases. The phase locked loop system of the invention has a dividing means dividing an output frequency by 1/P and 1/P+0.5 using the frequency divider, thereby generating the Zigbee channel frequencies at a 5 MHz spacing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: MYEUNG SU KIM
  • Publication number: 20080303561
    Abstract: A frequency divider is disclosed herein. The frequency divider includes a first latch circuit and a second latch circuit coupled to the first latch circuit. Each of the first latch circuit and the second latch circuit includes a first level for generating a source current, a second level for receiving a pair of input signals and for generating a pair of output signals, and a third level for receiving the source current and a pair of clock signals. The second level is coupled between the first level and the third level. The first level includes a first transistor having a source terminal and a substrate both coupled to a source voltage. The third level includes a plurality of transistors controlled by the pair of clock signals. Each transistor in the third level has a source terminal and a substrate both coupled to ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Meng Chu, Seeteck Tan
  • Publication number: 20080303562
    Abstract: A divider is provided. The divider includes a first flip-flop, a flip-flop array, a first NOT gate, a second NOT gate, and a circuit. The first flip-flop can be triggered by a frequency signal. The first NOT gate is coupled between a positive output terminal of the last second flip-flop and the first flip-flop. The second NOT gate is coupled between the positive output terminal of the last second flip-flop and the circuit. The first NOT gate and the second NOT gate are controlled by the mode control signal for enabling. If N is an odd number, the circuit includes a wire, and if N is an even number, the circuit includes a third NOT gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Ting-Sheng Chao, Wei-Bin Yang, Yu-Lung Lo
  • Publication number: 20080278204
    Abstract: An injection-locked frequency divider is provided. The present invention includes an active inductor unit, a source injection unit, a first transistor and a second transistor. A first terminal of the active inductor unit is coupled to a first voltage. A first terminal of the source injection unit receives a signal source. A second terminal and a third terminal of the source injection unit are respectively coupled to a second terminal and a third terminal of the active inductor unit. A first terminal, a gate terminal and a second terminal of the first transistor are respectively coupled to the second terminal and the third terminal of the source injection unit and a second voltage. A first terminal, a gate terminal and a second terminal of the second transistor are respectively coupled to the third terminal and a second terminal of the source injection unit and the second voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Sheng-Lyang Jang, Cheng-Chen Liu, Jui-Cheng Han
  • Publication number: 20080265934
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes S PLLs (S is an integer satisfying S?2), and the (k?1)th PLL 12(k-1) (k is an integer satisfying 2?k?S) is connected to the kth PLL 12k in the test mode. In this manner, the examination of S PLLs can be performed in a single test, and thereby it can reduce the time needed to examine PLLs for the in semiconductor integrated circuit having a plurality of PLLs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: NEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hayato Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20080204089
    Abstract: A frequency dividing circuit has a master circuit and a slave circuit, and a load section in at least either one of the master and slave circuits is constructed to provide an impedance that decreases with increasing frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Nakasha
  • Publication number: 20080197894
    Abstract: An injection locked frequency divider includes a signal injection unit, a Hartley voltage controlled oscillator and a biasing unit. The signal injection unit and the biasing unit output an injection signal to the Hartley voltage controlled oscillator to bias the Hartley voltage controlled oscillator. The Hartley voltage controlled oscillator, which includes a first transistor, a second transistor and a LC tank, receives the injection signal and outputs a differential output signal through a first output terminal and a second output terminal. First terminals of the first and second transistors are respectively coupled to the first and second output terminals, and second terminals of the first and second transistors are coupled to a first node. The LC tank decides a resonant frequency of the Hartley voltage controlled oscillator and serves as a positive feedback circuit for the first and second transistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Sheng-Lyang Jang, Yun-Hsueh Chuang, Shao-Hwa Lee
  • Publication number: 20080191755
    Abstract: A frequency divider has an inverting unit and a plurality of switch inverters in series. Each switch inverter comprises two inphase switches and is controlled by a clock. The two inphase switches of each switch inverter are respectively supplied by a first voltage and a second voltage, while any two switch inverters in series are respectively controlled by two inverted clocks. The two inphase switches are selectively turned on and off synchronously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: MediaTek Inc.
    Inventor: Ming-Da Tsai
  • Patent number: 7180973
    Abstract: A fast latch including: a NAND stage adapted to receive a clock signal and a data input signal; a clocked inverter stage, a first input of the clocked inverter stage coupled to the output of the NAND stage and a second input of the clocked inverter stage coupled to the clock signal; a first inverter stage, a first input of the first inverter stage coupled to an output of the clocked inverter and a second input of the first inverter stage coupled to a reset signal; and a second inverter stage, having an output, an input of the second inverter stage coupled to an output of the first inverter stage. The fast latch is suitable for use in frequency divider circuits also described. A homologue of frequency dividers using the fast latch, a unique 3/4 divider and a 2 divider not using the fast latch are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Austin, Ram Kelkar, Pradeep Thiagarajan
  • Patent number: 7110204
    Abstract: The present invention achieves technical advantages as an improved Parallel Damping scheme suitable for very-low-supply preamp operation. The improved Parallel Damping Scheme accurately generates a programmable Iw flowing through the write head while compensating for a leakage current path through a Parallel Damping resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Davy H. Choi
  • Patent number: 7091756
    Abstract: A frequency divider circuit is provided having an even number of amplifier stages connected in series with the output of the last amplifier stage connected to the input of the first amplifier stage; and modulating means responsive to an input signal to be frequency divided, for modulating the propagation delay through each of the amplifier stages about the period of the input signal to be divided, such that when propagation through the odd amplifier stages increases, the propagation through the even amplifier stages decreases. The frequency divider circuit can be used as a pre-scaler of a radio receiver circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Cambridge Silicon Radio Limited
    Inventors: James Digby Collier, Ian Michael Sabberton
  • Patent number: 7020450
    Abstract: An active inductor includes bipolar transistors T1, T2, T3 and TD (TD being arranged in diode), where T1's emitter is connected to an output port and to T2's collector. T2's base is connected to a first voltage line and between two connected capacitors. T2's emitter is connected to T3's collecter. An end of one capacitor is connected to T1's base and to a second voltage line. An end of the other capacitor is connected to T3's emitter and to a third voltage line. T1's collector is connected to a fourth voltage line and to TM's collecter, which is connected to TM's base. TM's emitter is electrically connected to T3's base. Preferably, the transistors T1–T3 and TD are Silicon based, and the active inductor is fabricated on a single substrate comprising Silicon. The active inductor is incorporated into adaptive oscillators and amplifiers and an improved transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Laurent Desclos
  • Patent number: 6992513
    Abstract: A frequency divider circuit for providing a divided clock signal having a frequency that is an odd integer factor less than the frequency of an incoming system clock signal. The frequency divider includes a clock generator circuit coupled to a delay circuit which operates in an active and a reset phase to provide a divided clock signal from the system clock signal. In the active phase, the clock generator circuit drives the divided clock signal to a first logic state until a reset signal is received. The delay circuit then generates the reset signal at a predetermined number of system clock edges after the divided clock signal is driven to the first logic state. In the reset phase, both the clock generator circuit and the delay circuit are reset in response to the reset signal such that the clock generator circuit immediately drives the divided clock signal to a second logic state, and the delay circuit disables the reset signal within the predetermined number of system clock edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Curtis R. Leifso, Samuel A. Tiller
  • Patent number: 6968029
    Abstract: A synchronous prescaler is provided that has an input line for receiving an input signal, which is synchronized to a low order dual modulus prescaler. The dual modulus prescaler generally divides responsive to a mode command line, but may have a dead-zone period where it may fail to respond to a generated mode command. The dual modulus prescaler also has an output line that is synchronized to an extender section. The extender section is used to further divide the input signal, and is synchronized to an adjustable counter section. A sync controller circuit receives an output from the counter section, as well as a timing signal from the extender, and generates the mode signal on the mode command line. In this arrangement, the sync controller generates the mode signal at a time when the low order dual modulus is in a condition to change divide modes, thereby avoiding providing the signal during the dead-zone period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Chang-Hyeon Lee, Akbar Ali
  • Patent number: 6954090
    Abstract: A low power charge pump is provided that has complementary transistors capable of isolating switching noise from the input switching transistors. The charge pump uses charged currents that are matched in both magnitude and time to reduce switching noise in the output of the charge pump. The charge pump is also designed for use in a phase lock loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Chang-Hyeon Lee, Akbar Ali
  • Patent number: 6917231
    Abstract: In a pulse width modulation circuit, which generates an output whose pulse width is modulated by controlling a duty ratio of an oscillation circuit adapted to generate an oscillation at a frequency determined by a resistor and a capacitor to be electrically charged via the resistor, there is provided a resistance value varying means to vary a value of the resistor. The value of the resistor is varied by shorting the both ends of the resistor with a transistor, whereby the capacitor is charged in a reduced amount of time realizing a high-speed pulse width modulation circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryu Terada, Shunsuke Kamimura, Shinichi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6871059
    Abstract: A FET mixer uses a balun having a primary and secondary, with the primary coupled to an radio frequency signal input. The mixer also includes a pair of field effect transistors (FETs), wherein the gates are coupled to one another and to a local oscillator input. One of the source and the drain of the second of the two transistors is coupled at a node to one of the source and the drain of the other of the two transistors, and the node is coupled to ground. The other of the source and the drain of the first of the two transistors is coupled to one side of the secondary of the balun and the other of the source and the drain of the second of the two transistors is coupled to the other side of the secondary of the balun. An intermediate frequency signal output is coupled to a point in the circuit path between the first and second transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Piro, Kevin Cornman
  • Patent number: 6867656
    Abstract: A system for generating in-phase and quadrature phase signals is provided. The system includes a first and a second differential output, such as from a sinusoidal oscillator. A first injection-locked frequency divider, such as one that uses an LC oscillator in conjunction with cross-coupled transistors, receives the first differential output and generates a in-phase or in-phase output. A second injection-locked frequency divider receives the second differential output and generates a quadrature phase output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Seyed-Ali Hajimiri, Hui Wu
  • Patent number: 6759886
    Abstract: A clock generating circuit of a semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a plurality of stages of frequency-dividing circuits connected in series, of which a first stage receives a reference clock signal, each frequency-dividing circuit requiring no reset signal; and a plurality of buffers respectively transmitting a reference clock signal and output clock signals of the plurality of frequency-dividing circuits to an internal circuit of the semiconductor integrated circuit device. Therefore, a plurality of clock signals having different frequencies with aligned edges can be generated without the need for separately providing an external pin for inputting the reset signal or a circuit for generating the reset signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Jingo Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 6313673
    Abstract: A signal obtained through logical operation of an output signal from a K·T delay circuit delaying a supplied signal by K cycles of an input signal and a feedback signal of an M·T delay circuit delaying a supplied signal by M cycles of the input signal through a feedback part is supplied to the M·T delay circuit. Among signals generated by the M·T delay circuit, signals out of phase by K/2 cycles of the input signal is Ored or ANDed by a duty control circuit for controlling a duty ratio. Alternatively, cascaded latch circuits operating in synchronization with a clock signal have a final output coupled to a first stage input through an inverter. The final output provides a frequency-divided signal. The number of components is reduced, layout efficiency is improved and a frequency-divided signal having a duty ratio of 50% is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuya Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6229357
    Abstract: A frequency divider includes a pulse generator, a latch with differential outputs, and switches responsive to the state of the latch. The latch changes logical state in response to signal pulses produced by the pulse generator. The signal pulses are produced by the pulse generator in response to rising edges of an input signal applied to the pulse generator. A first output alignment circuit provides additional drive strength to a first of the differential outputs when it is transitioning high. A second output alignment circuit provides additional drive strength to a second of the differential outputs when it is transitioning high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Rajendran Nair, Siva G. Narendra
  • Patent number: 6133796
    Abstract: A programmable dividing circuit comprises a first plurality N of similar transistor stages connected in a divide-by-N sequence, wherein N is an odd integer, the transistor stages being configured so that when an output of the last stage is supplied to a first stage in the sequence, the dividing circuit operates as a divide-by-N circuit in which an output signal is generated which has one cycle for every N cycles of a clock signal applied to the transistor stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics Limited
    Inventor: Trevor Monk
  • Patent number: 6130564
    Abstract: A frequency divider circuit operable at high frequencies for producing an output signal having a frequency value equal to substantially half the frequency value of a clock signal from which the circuit operates. The circuit includes a first transistor branch, an inventor and a second transistor branch. The first transistor branch is connected to an input of the inventor and the second transistor branch is connected to an output of the inventor. The first transistor branch receives a plurality of input signals including the clock signal, a compliment of the clock signal, and the circuit output signal and produces an input signal which is provided to the inventor. The second transistor branch receives a plurality of inputs including the compliment of the clock signal, the clock signal and the inventor output signal, and produces the circuit output signal. The circuit is configured such that the next inventor state is always available for conveyance to the output signal upon a change in the clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Hongmo Wang
  • Patent number: 5805000
    Abstract: A regulating circuit for a quartz crystal oscillator-based timepiece is capable of compensating for large deviations in oscillation frequency of the quartz crystal oscillator. A frequency divider sequentially divides the reference clock by one-half. A regulation data setting circuit sets logical regulation data used to compensate for deviations in the oscillation frequency of the oscillator from a desired value. A regulation circuit adjusts the frequency dividing ratio of the frequency dividing circuit based on the logical regulation data in accordance with a predetermined cycle and controls in such a manner that the frequency of a divided output signal of the frequency divider has a predetermined frequency. When the frequency of the divided output signal cannot coincide with the predetermined frequency using the set logical regulation data, the range of adjustment is shifted using data set in a switch during production of the timepiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuo Kato
  • Patent number: 5537068
    Abstract: An on-chip clock waveform generator for generating from an externally supplied clock (EFI) an on-chip (internal) clock with a 50% duty cycle having a clock rate of 1/2, 1, or 2 times that of EFI, is based on a tapped delay line with a tap-to-tap differential delay of approximately 1% of the external clock (EFI) period. The waveform generator detects the tap at which a full period of delay occurs between delay line input and the tap. By knowing the tap for a first full period delay the generator determines the taps at which the 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 period waveform states can be observed. The pulses corresponding to fractional periods, are used to generate standard pulse width streams that correspond to 1/4 period intervals. A programmed multiplexer/selector selects the proper sequence from these pulse streams to drive an RS flip-flop in order to produce the output 50% duty-cycle clock running at 1/2, 1, or 2 times the external (EFI) clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Katsushi Konno
  • Patent number: 5532633
    Abstract: A first basic clock supplied from outside is delayed by a first delay circuit to generate a second basic clock which is fed to a frequency divider to generate a group of multi-phase clocks, each of which has a clock width equal to an integer number multiple of the clock width of the second basic clock and has a phase delay sequentially by a value equal to an integer number multiple of the clock period of the second basic clock, wherein the (n-1)th multi-phase clock and a nth multi-phase clock neighboring to each other in the phase sequence, and the first basic clock, are fed to a delay generating circuit as inputs, which comprises a second delay circuit for delaying the (n-1)th clock in the phase sequence, and a circuit arrangement for generating an output clock phase having a delay time relative to the nth clock, being equal to an smaller value of one half clock width of the first basic clock minus a delay time of the first delay circuit and a delay time of the second delay circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: NEC Corporaton
    Inventor: Shuichi Kawai
  • Patent number: 5509040
    Abstract: A frequency divider includes a transmission gate having input and output terminals and a gate terminal to which a single-phase clock signal is applied to turn off and off the transmission gate; an element having an input terminal connected to the output terminal of the transmission gate for inversion, delay and amplification of a signal input to the input terminal of the element to produce an output signal and outputting the output signal to the input terminal of the transmission gate; and a frequency divider output terminal connected to the output terminal of the element and to the input terminal of the transmission gate for outputting a signal having a frequency equal to 1/n (n=integer) of the frequency of the clock signal. Since the frequency divider includes one transmission gate and one element, the delay time of the critical path required for inverting the produced frequency-divided signal is reduced so that accurate frequency division is performed with a high-speed clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaaki Shimada