Initializing, Resetting, Or Protecting A Steady State Condition Patents (Class 327/198)
  • Publication number: 20110121877
    Abstract: The invention describes self-timed RS-trigger with the enhanced noise immunity. Declared effect is achieved due to that circuit containing storage unit (1), indication unit (2), paraphase data input (3, 4), paraphase data output (5, 6), and indication output (7), is modified by adding two inverters (8, 9) and preindication unit (10). Inverters increase output capability of the trigger's paraphase data output and provide an electric isolation of the outputs of the storage unit from an external environment that leads to increasing immunity of the data stored in the trigger to influence of noises at signal wires. The preindication unit provides the trigger's indicatability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: Institute of Informatics Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IPI RAN)
    Inventors: Igor Anatolievich Sokolov, Yury Afanasievich Stephchenkov, Yury Georgievich Dyachenko
  • Publication number: 20110121876
    Abstract: A state retention circuit is provided comprising a pulse generator which is configured in a non-retention mode of operation to be responsive to a clock signal to periodically assert a pulse, and a storage structure that comprises a storage element for storing state and an isolation structure for responding to the asserted pulse. In particular, the isolation structure is responsive to the asserted pulse to cause the storage element to update its stored state dependent on an input to the storage structure. Conversely, in the absence of the asserted pulse, the isolation structure isolates the storage element from the input. The pulse generator can be driven by a retention control signal to enter a retention mode of operation, during which it does not assert the pulse irrespective of changes in the clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: ARM LIMITED
    Inventor: Marlin Wayne Frederick, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110115538
    Abstract: A latched comparator circuit. The latched comparator circuit comprises a first and a second output terminal (20a, 20b) for outputting a first and a second output voltage, respectively, of the latched comparator circuit (1). Furthermore, the latched comparator circuit comprises a cross-coupled pair of transistors (30a, 30b) operatively connected between the first and the second output terminal (20a, 20b) for providing a positive feedback in the latched comparator circuit (1). In addition, the latched comparator circuit comprises a reset terminal (40) for receiving a reset signal and reset circuitry arranged to balance the first and the second output voltage during a first phase of the reset signal and allow a voltage difference to develop between the first and the second output voltage during a second phase of the reset signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: ZORAN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Christer JANSSON
  • Publication number: 20110102037
    Abstract: A reset circuit and a delay circuit are provided. The delay circuit includes a first resistor module, a second resistor module, a switch module and a capacitor module. First terminals of the first and the second resistor modules are coupled respectively to a first voltage and a second voltage. The switch module have a control terminal served as a input terminal of the delay circuit, a first terminal served as a output terminal of the delay circuit, a second terminal coupled to a second terminal of the first resistor module, and a third terminal coupled to a second terminal of the second resistor module. In the delay circuit, the first terminal selectively connected to the second terminal or the third terminal in accordance with the control terminal. The capacitor module couples between the first terminal of the switch module and the second voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: HIMAX TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Zen-Wen Cheng, Kai-Lan Chuang, Ching-Chung Lee
  • Patent number: 7936191
    Abstract: A start-up reset circuit includes a flip-flop and a clock signal generator. The clock signal generator generates a first clock signal and a second clock signal, wherein there is a phase difference between the first clock signal and the second clock signal. The flip-flop receives an operation voltage and has a setup time, and further includes an input terminal to receive the first clock signal, a clock input terminal to receive the second clock signal, and an output terminal to output a reset signal, wherein the setup time corresponds to the operation voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventor: Yun-Jan Hong
  • Patent number: 7924070
    Abstract: A power-on reset circuit, connected to an external direct current (DC) power source, to receive DC power signals and generate a reset signal, includes a delay circuit, a combination circuit and a shaping circuit. The delay circuit comprises a plurality of delay units, to delay the received DC power signals and output a plurality of delayed DC power signals. The combination circuit is connected to the delay circuit, to combine the delayed DC power signals into a combination signal, and output the combination signal. The shaping circuit is connected to and turns the combination circuit on and off according to the combination signal and outputs the reset signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Guang-Ze Li, Chun-Te Wu
  • Patent number: 7924077
    Abstract: A signal processing apparatus includes: a latch circuit; a set pulse generation circuit; a reset pulse generation circuit; and a correction set signal forming circuit. The correction set signal forming circuit forms a correction set signal for applying a set instruction continuously during a time period from a time point of a front edge of the set pulse generated from the set pulse generation circuit or a time point delayed from the time point of the front edge to a time point at which the reset pulse is generated. The correction set signal forming circuit supplies the correction set signal to the set input terminal of the latch circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Suzuki, Akihiko Futami
  • Patent number: 7924063
    Abstract: An ECU has a main IC and at least one auxiliary IC, with at least the auxiliary IC driving one or more MOS FETs to control supplying of power to respective electrical loads, e.g., in a vehicle. A stepped-up voltage, higher than the circuit power source voltage, is generated within the main IC and supplied to each auxiliary IC, for driving gate electrodes of the MOS FETs. Electrical noise produced by operation of a voltage step-up circuit in the main IC is effectively suppressed by elements that are coupled only to a power source terminal of the main IC alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Itabashi, Mitsuhiro Kanayama
  • Publication number: 20110074481
    Abstract: A charge pump circuit includes a first power transistor selectively actuated by a first control signal to deliver relatively higher amounts of current to a capacitor and a second non-power transistor connected in parallel with the first power transistor and selectively actuated by a second control signal to deliver relatively lower amounts of current to the capacitor. The charge pump circuit includes a pumped voltage output that is sensed to generate a sensed voltage output. A comparison circuit compares the sensed voltage output to a threshold voltage. A logic circuit receives an output of the comparison circuit and enables the first power transistor and disables the second non-power transistor in a first mode of operation if the comparison is not satisfied. The logic circuit further disables the first power transistor and enables the second non-power transistor in a second mode of operation if the comparison is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS (SHENZHEN) R&D CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Hong Wu Lin
  • Patent number: 7915931
    Abstract: A power sequencing circuit includes a PNP transistor, a first, second and third resistor, and a logic enabled regulator. A voltage is coupled at a first node to the emitter of the transistor, the first resistor is coupled between the first node and the base of the transistor, the second resistor is coupled between the base and a grounded node, the third resistor is coupled between the grounded node and the collector of the transistor, and the logic enabled regulator has an enable pin coupled to and driven by the collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Jerry Fox, Paul D Young
  • Patent number: 7915930
    Abstract: A dual power-up signal generator includes a power-up signal generator which generates a first power-up signal by using a first voltage signal obtained by detecting a level of a power supply voltage, and generates a second power-up signal by using a second voltage signal obtained by detecting the level of the power supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Young Chul Sohn
  • Publication number: 20110068837
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a pad adapted to receive a signal from an internal or external driver, and an input buffer circuit including an input terminal coupled to the pad. The input buffer circuit includes a pass transistor having a control terminal, a first conduction terminal connected to the pad, and a second conduction terminal connected to a first voltage. The input buffer circuit also includes a latch having a terminal electrically coupled to the control terminal of the pass transistor. The input buffer circuit further includes circuitry coupled to the latch, the circuitry including a feedback transistor having a control terminal electrically coupled to the pad, a first conduction terminal electrically coupled to a second voltage, and a second conduction terminal coupled to the latch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: CHUN-HSIUNG HUNG, Kuen-Long Chang, Nai-Ping Kuo, Hsieh-Ming Chih
  • Publication number: 20110050308
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a standby power reduction method and apparatus for switching power applications, the method comprising the steps of: performing a hysteresis comparison on a supply voltage to generate a selecting signal having a first state and a second state, wherein the hysteresis comparison has a high threshold voltage compared to the supply voltage when the selecting signal is at the first state, and the hysteresis comparison has a low threshold voltage compared to the supply voltage when the selecting signal is at the second state; and determining a UVLO_ON voltage according to the selecting signal, wherein the UVLO_ON voltage is equal to a first level when the selecting signal is at the first state, and the UVLO_ON voltage is equal to a second level when the selecting signal is at the second state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: Grenergy Opto, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun-Shiung Huang, Chern-Lin Chen, Chang-Ling Sha, Ko-Yen Lee
  • Patent number: 7893735
    Abstract: In a power-on detection circuit, a first connection node at which a first divided voltage is generated is connected to a second power supply line during activation of a power-down detection signal. Inactivation timing of the power-down detection signal is set earlier than an activation timing of a power-on detection signal. Therefore, the first transistor whose gate is connected to the first connection node is certainly turned off in the first half of a power-on period, which prevents the power-on detection signal from being activated during the power-on period. Further, a leak current flowing through the first transistor is reduced. In the second half of the power-on period, the power-on detection signal is certainly generated using the first divided voltage generated by the first dividing circuit. Thus, operating a reset circuit without malfunction and normally outputting a reset signal is possible disregarding behavior of a power supply voltage at power-on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Hideaki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7876127
    Abstract: An automatic hold time fixing circuit unit includes a first switch having first and second ends connected to data input and output ports. An input end of a memory element is connected to the second end of the first switch. A second switch includes a first end connected to an output end of the memory element and a second end connected to the data output port. A control circuit includes first and second output terminals and first and second input terminals. The first and second output terminals are connected to control ends of the first and second switches. The first and second input terminals allow input of two clocks to the control circuit for controlling connection or disconnection of the first and second switches. The data stored in the memory element can be utilized to fix a hold time of the data, so that correct data can be obtained at the data output port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences
    Inventors: Liang-An Zheng, Pu-Jen Cheng, Shinn-Horng Chen
  • Patent number: 7872511
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor memory device and a driving method for initializing an internal logic circuit within the semiconductor memory device under a stable state of a source voltage without an extra reset pin. The semiconductor memory device includes a power-up signal generating unit for generating a power-up signal; an internal reset signal generating unit for generating an internal reset signal in response to a pad signal inputted from an arbitrary external pin during a test mode; an internal logic initializing signal generating unit for generating an internal logic initializing signal based on the power-up signal and the internal reset signal; and an internal logic unit initialized in response to the internal logic initializing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Jin-Il Chung, Chang-Ho Do
  • Patent number: 7868668
    Abstract: A power-on detector and a method thereof are provided. The power-on detector includes four transistors, two resistors, and a comparator. The power-on detector can detect an input voltage and then determine whether the power is turned on or not. The power-on determination is substantially immune to temperature variation. The power-on detector is noise-free and stable in various temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Faraday Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Yung-Shin Kao, Nan-Chun Lien
  • Patent number: 7859319
    Abstract: A setup/hold time control circuit includes a reference signal output unit that sets any one of multiple ports as a reference port and buffers a signal input through the reference port to output as a reference signal. The setup/hold time control circuit also includes a plurality of comparative signal output units that set the remaining ports as comparative ports. The comparative signal output unit synchronizes signals that are input from the comparative ports with the reference signal and outputs the signals as internal signals. The setup/hold time control circuit improves high speed operation of a semiconductor memory device by improving upon the setup/hold time difference between multiple ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Joo Hwan Cho
  • Publication number: 20100321079
    Abstract: Certain embodiments provide an electronic circuit and a correction circuit. The electronic circuit includes a plurality of semiconductor elements. The correction circuit controls voltage of the semiconductor elements such that a difference between electric characteristics of the semiconductor elements autonomously decreases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hirotomo Ishii, Tetsuya Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7852129
    Abstract: A power up signal generation circuit transits a power up signal at a predetermined target voltage level by providing a predetermined hysteresis characteristic to the target voltage level of a power supply voltage corresponding to the power up signal. The power up signal generation circuit includes a first voltage detection unit that detects a first target voltage level of a power supply voltage to output a detection signal. The circuit also includes a second voltage detection unit that detects a second target voltage level of the power supply voltage in response to a power up signal to output a control signal, wherein the second target voltage level is lower than the first target voltage level. A power up signal drive unit of the circuit activates the power up signal in response to the detection signal and drives the power up signal in response to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Chang-Ho Do
  • Patent number: 7847605
    Abstract: An integrated circuit that includes at least one tunneling device voltage detection circuit for generating a trigger flag signal. The tunneling device voltage detection circuit includes first and second voltage dividers receiving a supply voltage and having corresponding respective first and second internal node output voltages. The first and second voltage dividers are configured so the first output voltage is linear relative to the supply voltage and so that the second output voltage is nonlinear relative to the supply voltage. As the supply voltage ramps up, the profiles of the first and second output voltage cross at a particular voltage. An operational amplifier circuit senses when the first and second output voltages become equal and, in response thereto, outputs a trigger signal that indicates that the supply voltage has reached a certain level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wagdi W. Abadeer, Jeffrey S. Brown, Albert M. Chu, John A. Fifield
  • Patent number: 7847610
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes an internal circuit which is driven by a power supply voltage and is set in one of a first state and a second state in which an amount of current consumed by the internal circuit is greater than in the first state, and a wait control module. The wait control module detects that a state of the internal circuit has transitioned from the first state to the second state, and executes a wait control process of outputting an operation start instruction signal to the internal circuit after passing of a predetermined wait time from the detection of the transition of the state of the internal circuit from the first start to the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Nishida
  • Patent number: 7816956
    Abstract: A power-on reset circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an input control unit configured to generate a default input signal in response to a power-on reset signal and a clock, a counting unit configured to perform a counting operation in response to the default input signal to generate a count offset signal, and a power-on reset unit configured to perform a counting operation in response to the count offset signal to generate the power-on reset signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Dong-Soo Har, Yousaf Zafar
  • Patent number: 7816957
    Abstract: The invention mainly relates to a power on reset signal generating circuit and method thereof wherein said reset signal remains as a constant being independent of rising or descending power or repeated switching. The power on reset signal circuit can be implemented by a conventional RC power on reset circuit together with a coupled N-type transistor switch to charge or discharge the capacitor inside the conventional RC power on reset circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Holtek Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Yu-Ren Chen
  • Patent number: 7812649
    Abstract: The power on reset circuit includes: a comparator; a resistor string having a first end coupled to a first supply node of the comparator, a first tap point node coupled to a first input of the comparator, and a second end coupled to a second input of the comparator; and a diode connected transistor device coupled between the second end of the resistor string and a second supply node of the comparator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Raymond E. Barnett
  • Publication number: 20100225373
    Abstract: A delay circuit includes current sources, switches, a transistor switch, a charging unit and a comparator. Each of the switches is provided for receiving an enable signal to activate and convey one of the current sources. The transistor switch is activated for pulling down voltage of an operating node coupled to the switches. The charging unit provides an operating voltage for the operating node based on one of the current sources when the transistor switch is deactivated and one of the switches is activated to convey one of the current sources to the charging unit. The comparator is provided for comparing the operating voltage with a reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: HIMAX ANALOGIC, INC.
    Inventor: Jyi-Hung TSENG
  • Patent number: 7788515
    Abstract: A system and method providing, via a single output electrode of an integrated circuit having internal circuitry, a status signal having time multiplexed states indicative of a power on reset condition for external circuitry following enablement of operations of portions of the internal circuitry, and further indicative of subsequent operation statuses of the internal circuitry portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Kern Wong, Madhavi Tagare
  • Patent number: 7786765
    Abstract: A low voltage shutdown circuit comprises an input node for receiving a voltage Vin to be monitored, first and second voltage-to-current (V to I) converters arranged to receive Vin at respective inputs and to convert Vin to currents I1 and I2 at respective outputs, and a current comparison circuit arranged to produce an output which is in a first state when I1<I2 and in a second state when I1>I2. The V to I converters have respective voltage-to-current transfer functions which intersect at a non-zero threshold voltage Vth, such that the current comparison circuit output toggles when Vin<Vth. This output can be used as needed to, for example, trigger the shut down of other circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan R. Carter, Yu-Lun Richard Lu
  • Patent number: 7786770
    Abstract: Circuits and methods for reducing power consumption in an Integrated Circuit (IC) are provided. In one embodiment, a circuit includes a POR system control circuit, a POR latch and a control block circuit. The POR system control circuit generates a pulse during power up which is sent to the POR latch to set the state of the POR latch to a first logic state. The state of the POR latch is used to enable POR circuits during power up. The control block generates an output to disable POR circuits in the IC based on the state of the POR latch. After power-up, the state of the POR latch is set to a second logic state in order to disable the POR circuits resulting in power savings in the IC by eliminating static POR circuit current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Gwen G. Liang, William Bradley Vest
  • Patent number: 7786769
    Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes an apparatus having on die circuitry coupled to at least one input port to receive a signal. A resistor is coupled to the on die circuitry and an off die power supply When a signal of sufficient amplitude is received by the on die circuitry the on die circuitry enables current to flow through the resister and reduces the voltage applied to the on die circuitry via the resister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Einat Surijan, Hemi Brann, Saba Rushdy
  • Patent number: 7782102
    Abstract: A power-on reset circuit connected to an external DC power source includes a delay circuit, a rectifying circuit, and a logic operation circuit. The delay circuit includes a first delay unit used for outputting a first delaying reference signal and a second delay unit used for outputting a second delaying reference signal. The rectifying circuit connected to the delay circuit includes a first rectifying unit and a second rectifying unit. The first rectifying unit is connected to the first delay circuit used for rectifying the first delaying reference signal to output a first rectified signal. The second rectifying unit is connected to the second delay circuit used for rectifying the second delaying reference signal to output a second rectified signal. The logic operation circuit is connected to the rectifying circuit used for outputting a reset signal according to the first rectified signal and the second rectified signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Te Wu
  • Patent number: 7777537
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include a method, apparatus and device for generating a power on reset (POR) signal in relation to the crossing point of two currents wherein at least one current is a quadratic function and the other is a logarithmic function, where each has a mathematical correlation to a function of the power supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Frederic Demolli, Thierry Soudé, Daniel Payrard, Michel Cuenca
  • Patent number: 7772894
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include a method, apparatus and device for generating a power on reset (POR) signal in relation to the crossing point of two currents wherein at least one current is a quadratic function and the other is an exponential function, where each has a mathematical correlation to a function of a predetermined power supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Frederic Demolli, Thierry Soude, Daniel Payrard, Michel Cuenca
  • Patent number: 7764085
    Abstract: A buffer circuit includes first and second transistors which are connected in series between first and second power supplies and which are controlled to be on/off based on values of signals at their control terminals are provided, in which a connection point between the two transistors is connected to an output terminal (OUT) and a control terminal of the first transistor is connected to an input terminal (IN), and a control circuit for performing on/off control over the second transistor based on an input signal from the input terminal (IN).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Takahashi, Hiroyuki Satake
  • Patent number: 7764098
    Abstract: A start up circuit of power converters is presented. It includes a first transistor, a resistive device, a second transistor, a third transistor and a diode. The first transistor is coupled to a voltage source. The third transistor is connected in serial with the first transistor to output a supply voltage to a control circuit of the power converter in response to the voltage source. The diode is connected from a transformer winding of the power converter to supply a further supply voltage to the control circuit of the power converter. The second transistor is coupled to control the first transistor and the third transistor in response to a control signal. The resistive device provides a bias voltage to turn on the first transistor and the third transistor when the second transistor is turned off. Once the second transistor is turned on, the third transistor is turned off and the first transistor is negative biased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: System General Corp.
    Inventors: Ta-Yung Yang, Chih-Feng Huang
  • Patent number: 7764099
    Abstract: DLL circuit operating more stably at reset. Voltage comparator circuit 21 outputs comparison result signal to hold circuit 22 at first level when power supply voltage VAA is not higher than reference voltage REF and at second level when power supply voltage VAA exceeds reference voltage REF. Hold circuit 22 outputs reset signal RST that it has received to DLL circuit 23 as it is when comparison result signal indicates first level and at second level, hold circuit 22 holds reset signal RST until comparison result signal becomes first level and then outputs it to DLL circuit 23.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventor: Kei Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 7750705
    Abstract: An interface of the present invention includes a first inverter circuit that inverts a logic level of an input signal given to an external input terminal and outputs the inverted logic level, a second inverter circuit that outputs a potential in which a logic level of an output signal of the first inverter circuit is inverted, that is, a potential higher or lower than a logic of an input signal applied to the first inverter circuit by the amount of a predetermined potential, and a feedback path that positive-feedbacks an output signal of the second inverter circuit to the external input terminal. The interface circuit of the invention positive-feedbacks a potential of the output signal of the second inverter circuit and shifts the potential of the external input terminal in a floating state to an H or L level potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Yamatake Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuya Ueno
  • Patent number: 7750684
    Abstract: A power-on detection circuit for detecting a minimum operational frequency includes: an oscillating circuit, which includes: a ring oscillator, for generating a first oscillating signal; and a high pass filter for filtering the first oscillating signal to generate a second oscillating signal. The power-on detection circuit also includes a rectification device, coupled to the high pass filter, for generating a logic signal once the second oscillating signal reaches a certain frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Ryan Andrew Jurasek, Bret Roberts Dale, Darin James Daudelin, Dave Eugene Chapmen
  • Patent number: 7746131
    Abstract: A reset signal filter includes a power voltage detector and a reset signal detector or includes only one reset signal detector. The power voltage detector includes a comparators and a basic logic gates (e.g. AND gate, OR gate, inverter, etc). The reset signal detector includes a comparator, N flip flops connected in series, an AND gate, an OR gate, a multiplexer and an output flip flop. The reset signal filter receives a first reset signal generated by a power voltage detector or a Schmitt trigger buffer and utilizes N flip flops to register the signal level of the first reset signal for N clock periods. Then the reset signal filter determines if the first rest signal is changed during N clock periods, and outputs a second reset signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: NOVATEK Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Cheng-Hsun Chan, Che-Li Lin
  • Patent number: 7743262
    Abstract: An integrated circuit including: non-volatile memory for containing secret information; and a detection unit for preventing at least one form of power supply attack on the secret information, the detection unit comprising: a first comparator having a first input connected to a first reference voltage and a second input connected to a power supply line, the first comparator being configured to output a first detection signal when a power supply voltage moves beyond a first predetermined limit determined by the first reference voltage; and an output to provide a signal to delete, overwrite, or otherwise render unreadable at least the secret information in the memory when the first detection signal is output by the first comparator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Simon Robert Walmsley
  • Publication number: 20100141320
    Abstract: A controller which has functions of remote control, multiple protection and PWM inside. The controller can shut down and latch the converter, when a failure happens (such as under voltage and over voltage of output, and over power protection). But, under-voltage and over-power protection will also happen when Vin is decreased by AC interruption or Vin source is removed. This invention is to provide a method to reset the latch protection by detecting Vin and Vo voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: RICHTEK TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tzu-Chen Lin, Pei-Lun Huang
  • Patent number: 7733155
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a low power voltage detection circuit includes a first voltage detection device that receives power from an input voltage and a second voltage detection device receives power from an output of the low power voltage detection circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Frantisek Sukup, Josef Halamik, Christophe Basso
  • Patent number: 7719333
    Abstract: A power control circuit includes a check unit that receives a reference clock and generates a check signal for cyclically activating a feedback loop of a DLL circuit, a phase detecting unit that detects a phase difference between the reference clock and a feedback clock, and generates a phase difference detection signal, and a signal combining unit that generates a power cutoff signal in response to a locking completion signal, the check signal, and the phase difference detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Won Joo Yun, Hyun Woo Lee, Dong Suk Shin
  • Publication number: 20100109732
    Abstract: A circuit, control method, and use of a circuit for a sleep mode and an operating mode with a digital CMOS circuit with NMOS field-effect transistors and with PMOS field-effect transistors, with a first load device, whereby source terminals of the NMOS field-effect transistors of the digital CMOS circuit are connected via the first load device to a first supply voltage, and with a second load device, whereby source terminals of the PMOS field-effect transistors of the digital CMOS circuit are connected via the second load device to a second supply voltage, wherein the body terminals of the NMOS field-effect transistors of the digital CMOS circuit are connected directly to the first supply voltage, and the body terminals of the PMOS field-effect transistors of the digital CMOS circuit are connected directly to the second supply voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Lutz DATHE, Matthias Vorwerk, Thomas Hanusch
  • Publication number: 20100102866
    Abstract: A signal processing apparatus includes: a latch circuit; a set pulse generation circuit; a reset pulse generation circuit; and a correction set signal forming circuit. The correction set signal forming circuit forms a correction set signal for applying a set instruction continuously during a time period from a time point of a front edge of the set pulse generated from the set pulse generation circuit or a time point delayed from the time point of the front edge to a time point at which the reset pulse is generated. The correction set signal forming circuit supplies the correction set signal to the set input terminal of the latch circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: SANKEN ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroki SUZUKI, Akihiko FUTAMI
  • Publication number: 20100102865
    Abstract: A standby control circuit for an integrated circuit module includes a first control circuit that is responsive, in a normal operating mode of the integrated circuit module, to an asynchronous standby signal indicating a standby mode entry event to output a standby mode signal synchronous with a primary clock signal to indicate a standby operating mode of the integrated circuit module. The standby control circuit also includes a second control circuit which is responsive, in a reduced power mode of the integrated circuit module, to the asynchronous standby signal indicating the standby mode entry event to control the first control circuit to output the standby mode signal synchronous with a secondary clock signal to indicate the standby operating mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Shankar RAMAKRISHNAN, Kumar ABHISHEK, Ashish GOEL, Ankit GUPTA, Chandan GUPTA, Mithlesh SHRIVAS, Rahul SOOD
  • Publication number: 20100097109
    Abstract: In a power-on detection circuit, a first connection node at which a first divided voltage is generated is connected to a second power supply line during activation of a power-down detection signal. Inactivation timing of the power-down detection signal is set earlier than an activation timing of a power-on detection signal. Therefore, the first transistor whose gate is connected to the first connection node is certainly turned off in the first half of a power-on period, which prevents the power-on detection signal from being activated during the power-on period. Further, a leak current flowing through the first transistor is reduced. In the second half of the power-on period, the power-on detection signal is certainly generated using the first divided voltage generated by the first dividing circuit. Thus, operating a reset circuit without malfunction and normally outputting a reset signal is possible disregarding behavior of a power supply voltage at power-on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: FUJITSU MICROELECTRONICS LIMITED
    Inventor: Hideaki SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 7701255
    Abstract: A system for automatically transforming a given synchronous circuit description into an equivalent and provably correct desynchronized circuit description. Included in the automated transformation are techniques for synthesizing a variability-aware controller using a two-phase protocol, techniques for synthesizing a variability-aware controller using gated clocks and testability circuits, techniques for synthesizing a variability-aware controller optimized for performance, techniques for initializing the synthesized controller, techniques for dynamically minimizing power requirements, and techniques for interfacing the desynchronized circuit with external synchronous circuits. Also disclosed are techniques for implementing a system for automatically transforming a synchronous circuit description into an equivalent and provably correct desynchronized circuit description within the context of an electronic design automation design flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Elastix Corporation
    Inventors: Jordi Cortadella, Vigyan Singhal, Emre Tuncer
  • Patent number: 7696795
    Abstract: A power-on reset circuit includes a power detector to generate a detect voltage by detecting an internal voltage. An output unit outputs a power-up reset signal using the detect voltage. A delay unit is configured to delay the power-up reset signal and generate a delay voltage. A switch device is configured to be controlled using the delay voltage. A discharge unit discharges the detect voltage in response to the internal voltage and the power-up reset signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Won Beom Choi
  • Patent number: 7696801
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a reset method for a digital circuit. The method includes: providing a clock signal to the digital circuit; keeping the clock signal at a logic level according to a first indicating signal; generating a reset signal for resetting the digital circuit; and recovering the clock signal to the digital circuit according to a second indicating signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Sung-Hung Yeh, Kuo-Uei Yang