Multiple Outputs Patents (Class 327/257)
  • Patent number: 12057840
    Abstract: A single-ended to a differential signal converter (converter) includes, in part, first, second, and third inverting elements, each having a first size, and coupled in series to form a chain of inverting elements. The converter further includes a fourth inverting element of a second size and coupled to the input of the first inverting element, a fifth inverting element of a third size and coupled to an output terminal of the first inverting element, a sixth inverting element of the third size and coupled to an output of the second inverting element, and a seventh inverting element of the second size and coupled to the output of the third inverting element. The outputs of the fourth and sixth inverting elements form a first one of the differential signals. The outputs of the fifth and seventh inverting elements form a second one of the differential signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Synopsys, Inc.
    Inventors: Yue Yu, Kuan Zhou
  • Patent number: 11347666
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods including memory commands for semiconductor memories are described. A controller provides a memory system with memory commands to access memory. The commands are decoded to provide internal signals and commands for performing operations, such as operations to access the memory array. The memory commands provided for accessing memory may include timing command and access commands. Examples of access commands include a read command and a write command. Timing commands may be used to control the timing of various operations, for example, for a corresponding access command. The timing commands may include opcodes that set various modes of operation during an associated access operation for an access command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kang-Yong Kim, Dean Gans
  • Patent number: 11341081
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a chip select signal at an SPI client device. The method also includes, responsive to receiving the chip select signal, transmitting a first bit of an SPI transmission to an SPI host device, where the first bit of the SPI transmission is transmitted with a delay based at least in part on a loop propagation delay of an SPI channel. The method includes receiving a clock signal at the SPI client device. The method also includes, responsive to receiving the clock signal, transmitting a second bit of the SPI transmission to the SPI host device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Kristen N. Mogensen, Matthieu Chevrier, Martin Staebler
  • Patent number: 11294416
    Abstract: A circuit can include a non-inverter circuit configured to generate a first clock signal with a first logic state during a first period of time in response to an input clock signal having the first logic state, and with a second logic state during a second period of time in response to the input clock signal having the second logic state. The circuit can include an inverter circuit that can be configured to generate a second clock signal with the second logic state during the first period of time in response to the input clock signal having the first logic state, and with the second logic state during the second period of time in response to the input clock signal having the second logic state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Steven Elliott Mikes
  • Patent number: 11062757
    Abstract: A data receiving device includes a clock receiver and a plurality of data receivers. The clock receiver is configured to generate a plurality of internal clock signals from a clock signal and a complementary clock signal based on a switching enable signal. The plurality of data receivers are configured to receive data and a reference voltage and compare the data with the reference voltage in synchronization with the plurality of internal clock signals, respectively, to generate first internal data. Among the plurality of data receivers, a data receiver receiving an internal clock signal, of which a logic level transitions signals when a logic level of the switching enable signal transitions, is configured to change a voltage level of the reference voltage when the logic level of the switching enable signal transitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Doo Bock Lee, Yong Suk Choi
  • Patent number: 10749508
    Abstract: A signal converter, a duty-cycle corrector, and a differential clock generator are provided. The differential clock generator includes the signal converter and the duty-cycle corrector. The signal converter is capable of calibrating skew distortion, and the duty-cycle corrector is capable of calibrating duty-cycle distortion. With the signal converter and the duty-cycle corrector, the differential clock generator can be applied to communication devices operating at high frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Faraday Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Vinod Kumar Jain
  • Patent number: 9806394
    Abstract: The isolated port of a 0/90 degree coupler is terminated by a novel complex termination impedance circuit having a reactance. The absolute value of the reactance is at least two ohms. The coupler receives a signal on its input port, and outputs a first signal on its first output port and a second signal on its second output port. A first load is coupled to the first output port without an intervening matching network. A substantial impedance mismatch exists between the first output port and the first load. A second load is coupled to the second output port without an intervening matching network. A substantial impedance mismatch exists between the second output port and the second load. Despite the substantial impedance mismatches, the first and second signals have a phase difference in a range of from 88 degrees to 92 degrees while exhibiting an amplitude imbalance less than 2 dB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventors: Fatih Golcuk, Yuen Hui Chee, Osama K. A. Shana'a
  • Patent number: 9703737
    Abstract: A system and method consistent with the present disclosure includes a master device, bus interface link, and slave device. The master device includes a power supply and a detection unit to detect an impedance of the power supply. The inverter provides a first path to the power supply on a first stage of a clock signal and. Further, the inverter provides a second path to a first ground line on a second stage of a clock signal. The bus interface link couples the master device to a slave device. Additionally, a bi-directional communications line is coupled to the bus interface link. A gating component provides a second ground line to the power supply through the first path. Furthermore, a receiver determines bit values from a plurality of clock data signals transmitted from the master device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Oluf Bagger
  • Patent number: 9438199
    Abstract: Provided herein is a component package including a matching unit and a matching method thereof, the matching unit including: a substrate; a transmission line formed on the substrate, the transmission line being connected to a terminal of the component package; a bonding wire electrically connecting the transmission line and a central component; and a capacitor unit having a plurality of capacitors electrically connected with the transmission line by wiring connection, wherein an inductance of the matching unit is variable by adjusting a length of the bonding wire, and a capacitance of the matching unit is variable by increasing or reducing the number of capacitors electrically connected to the transmission line, of among the capacitors inside the capacitor unit, by extending or cutting off the wiring connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Dong Min Kang, Seong Il Kim, Sang Heung Lee, Chull Won Ju, Ho Kyun Ahn, Hyung Sup Yoon, Jong Won Lim
  • Publication number: 20150110224
    Abstract: An interface device for performing on-off keying (OOK) modulation and a transmitter using the interface are disclosed. The interface device includes a first inverter and a second inverter. The first inverter outputs a signal to a first output terminal based on a digital baseband signal when the digital baseband signal is applied thereto. The second inverter outputs a signal to a second output terminal based on a signal obtained by inverting the phase of the digital baseband signal when the digital baseband signal is applied thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Taeyoung KANG, Byounggun CHOI, Kyunghwan PARK
  • Patent number: 8928383
    Abstract: A system may include a plurality of isolators to transfer data signals across an isolation barrier, one of the signals including a clock signal. A delay circuit may be included to receive the clock signal and provide a delayed clock signal that lags the clock signal by an amount representing a delay across the isolation barrier. The delayed clock signal may be delayed by a round trip propagation delay over the isolation barrier. The delayed clock signal may be used as a reference to read data sent over the isolation barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Bikiran Goswami, Mark Stewart Cantrell, Baoxing Chen
  • Patent number: 8836402
    Abstract: A phase splitter includes: a first signal path; and a second signal path, wherein the phase splitter outputs an internal signal of the first signal path as a first phase signal, and mixes an output signal of the first signal path with an output signal of the second signal path, thereby outputting a second phase signal having a predetermined phase difference from the first phase signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Min Sik Han
  • Publication number: 20130208549
    Abstract: Interpolator systems are described utilizing one or more push-pull buffers to generate output clock signals that may be provided as inputs to a phase interpolator. The more linear slope on the output of the push-pull buffer may improve the linearity of a phase interpolator using the clock signals output from the push-pull buffers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Micron Technology, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8504320
    Abstract: A differential SR flip-flop 100 receives a set signal S and a reset signal R, and generates a differential output pair Q and #Q. A first flip-flop FF1 generates a non-inverted output signal Q1 and an inverted output signal #Q1. A second flip-flop FF2 generates a non-inverted output signal Q2 and an inverted output signal #Q2. An averaging circuit 10 averages one output signal (Q1) of the first flip-flop FF1 and one output signal (Q2) of the second flip-flop FF2 so as to generate a first output signal Q3, and averages the other output signal (#Q1) of the first flip-flop FF1 and the other output signal (#Q2) of the second flip-flop FF2 so as to generate a second output signal #Q3. As a differential output pair, the differential SR flip-flop 100 outputs a signal that corresponds to the first output signal Q3 and a signal that corresponds to the second output signal #Q3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Advantest Corporation
    Inventor: Shoji Kojima
  • Publication number: 20130154691
    Abstract: A multi-phase clock generator may receive an input clock signal as an input. The clock generator may also receive an inverse of the input clock signal. The clock generator may produce a plurality of output clock signals having different phases. The phases of the output clock signals may be evenly spaced. The output clock signals may have a similar waveform to the input clock signal, with a frequency that is lower than the input clock signal by a division factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Shenggao Li, Roan M. Nicholson
  • Patent number: 8183711
    Abstract: A power extractor suitable for locations proximate to the sink of a signal channel is disclosed. The power extractor can generate power from the signal channel without substantially disturbing a quality of signals within the channel. In one embodiment, the power extraction circuit can include: a current source coupled to a sink side of a signal channel, where the signal channel is independent of any power supply signal, the current source being high impedance to maintain signal quality within the signal channel; a first regulator configured to generate a first regulated supply from a current derived from the signal channel using the current source; and a second regulator coupled to the first regulator, where the second regulator is configured to generate a second regulated supply from the first regulated supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Quellan, Inc.
    Inventors: Georgios Asmanis, Faouzi Chaahoub
  • Patent number: 8149040
    Abstract: A system is provided for generating a plurality of different voltage level clock signals. The system comprises an electrical energy storage pack having a plurality of series coupled electrical energy storage cells that provide a plurality of different output voltage level, a reference oscillator that provides a reference clock signal and a plurality of voltage clamps that receive the plurality of different output voltage levels and output the plurality of different voltage level clock signals at respective output nodes. The plurality of voltage clamps are configured to clamp each of a given output node to a respective high-side voltage level in response to pulling up of the given output node toward a respective high output voltage level and to clamp each of the given output node to a respective low-side voltage level in response to pulling down of the output node toward a low output voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Karthik Kadirel, Umar Jameer Lyles, John H. Carpenter, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100182058
    Abstract: Locked loops, delay lines and methods for delaying signals are disclosed, such as a delay line and delay lock loop using the delay line includes a series of delay stages, each of which consists of a single inverting delay device. The inputs and outputs of a selected stage are applied to a phase inverter that inverts one of the signals and applies it to a first input of a phase mixer with the same delay that the other signal is applied to a second input of the phase inverter. The delay of the signals from the selected delay element are delayed from each other by a coarse delay interval, and the phase mixer interpolates within the coarse delay interval by fine delay intervals. A phase detector compares the timing of a signal generated by the phase interpolator to the timing of a reference clock signal applied to the delay line to determine the selected delay stage and a phase interpolation value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Tyler GOMM
  • Patent number: 7551014
    Abstract: Circuits and methods provide single-ended and differential signals. Single-ended drivers are used to, e.g., reduce pin capacitance. The output cell uses an inversion circuit, such as a phase splitter, to derive the differential signals from the same output signal and provide low skew between the differential signals at the output pins. Selection circuits are used to select between single-ended and differential output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Bonnie I. Wang, Chiakang Sung, Khai Nguyen, Xiaobao Wang
  • Patent number: 7538593
    Abstract: A circuit to convert a single ended signal to differential signals is disclosed. The circuit has two paths with each of the two paths comprising a plurality of stages. The number of stages in each of the two paths is the same. A first path of the two paths includes a buffer stage and at least one inverter stage. A second path of the two paths includes at least two inverter stages. The buffer stage has a delay matched to that of a first inverter stage of the second path. The buffer stage comprises a first pair of transistors comprising a first transistor of a first category operatively connected to a first transistor of a second category with their channel connections being connected in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Prabhat Agarwal, Mayank Goel, Pradip Mandal
  • Publication number: 20080265964
    Abstract: In an example embodiments, a single signal-to-differential signal converter includes a first inverter for receiving and inverting a single input signal and outputting an inverted single input signal to a first node, and a first differential signal generating portion for generating a first signal and an inverted first signal which have the opposite phases to each other to second and third nodes in response to the single input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Youn-Sik PARK
  • Patent number: 7423469
    Abstract: There is provided a clock phase interpolator comprising a pair of output nodes, at least three complementary clock signal inputs, an equal plurality of current sources, and an equal plurality of clock switching sections. Each clock switching section is connected to switch, under the control of a complementary clock signal on a respective one of the complementary clock signal inputs, the current provided by a respective one of the current sources between the two output nodes. The current sources are controllable to provide interpolation between signals on the complementary clock signal inputs. Also provided is a clock phase interpolator comprising a pair of output nodes, two complementary clock signal inputs, an equal plurality of current sources, an equal plurality of clock switching sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Andrew Pickering, Bhajan Singh, Susan Simpson
  • Patent number: 7276949
    Abstract: A first-phase clock signal is generated in response to a first input clock signal. A second-phase clock signal is generated one clock cycle of the first input clock signal after generating the first-phase clock signal in response to the first input clock signal. A third-phase clock signal is generated one and one half clock cycles of the first input clock signal after generating the second-phase clock signal in response to a second input clock signal. A fourth-phase clock signal is generated one clock cycle of the first input clock signal after generating the third-phase clock signal in response to the second input clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Johnson
  • Patent number: 7034596
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to provide static and/or dynamic phase adjustments to a data signal relative to a clock signal. For example, the data signal may be delayed by a coarse delay and/or a fine delay to match the timing of the clock signal independently for each input path (e.g., per input pad). The delay may be as a function of positive and/or negative clock edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Lattice Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: William B. Andrews, Harold Scholz, Barry K. Britton
  • Patent number: 7030674
    Abstract: Multiphase clock generators and methods are provided. A multiphase clock generator has a first clock divider for generating a first-phase clock signal from a first input clock signal. A first logic gate is connected to an output port of the first clock divider. A second clock divider is connected to an output port of the first logic gate. The second clock divider is for generating a second-phase clock signal from the first input clock signal. A second logic gate is connected to an output port of the second clock divider. A third clock divider is connected to an output port of the second logic gate. The third clock divider is for generating a third-phase clock signal from a second input clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Johnson
  • Patent number: 6965273
    Abstract: A design for an inverting delay component of an oscillator is disclosed, which enables the oscillator to be more tolerant of parameter variations. This increased parameter variation tolerance allows the KVCO of the oscillator to vary less between the worst case scenario (where the components of the oscillator meet minimum specifications) and the best case scenario (where the components meet the maximum specifications). This in turn means that the worst case KVCO value will be significantly smaller than in the prior art. By using a significantly smaller KVCO value, the jitter experienced at the output of the oscillator will be substantially reduced. Thus, this design enables a low-jitter oscillator to be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Via Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lewelyn D'Souza, Yuwen Swei
  • Patent number: 6897698
    Abstract: The present invention provides an inverter controller comprising a drive circuit that generates a plurality of switch drive signals for inverter applications. In some exemplary embodiments, the drive circuit operates by reversing the command level of an error signal. In other embodiments, the drive circuit operates by using a half period of a sawtooth signal. In still other embodiments, the drive circuit operates by using a double period opposite shifting pulses method. The present invention also provides a PWM signal generator circuit that generates periodic PWM switch drive signals symmetrical to the minimum or maximum of a sawtooth waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: O2Micro International Limited
    Inventors: Virgil Ioan Gheorghiu, Da Liu
  • Patent number: 6894551
    Abstract: Multiphase clock generators and methods are provided. A multiphase clock generator has a first clock divider for generating a first-phase clock signal from a first input clock signal. A first logic gate is connected to an output port of the first clock divider. A second clock divider is connected to an output port of the first logic gate. The second clock divider is for generating a second-phase clock signal from the first input clock signal. A second logic gate is connected to an output port of the second clock divider. A third clock divider is connected to an output port of the second logic gate. The third clock divider is for generating a third-phase clock signal from a second input clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Johnson
  • Patent number: 6879199
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for generating two constant width and symmetrical drive signals from two separate, but complementary, pulse width modulated control signals while also generating two pulse width modulated drive signals corresponding to said pulse width modulated control signals. The constant width drive signals are generated through the use of a toggle or latch set/reset circuit actuated by a given characteristic of each of the control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Valere Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Olen Blair, Gregory H. Fasullo, James Edward Harvey, Donald Marabell
  • Patent number: 6815994
    Abstract: A phase splitter is formed by first and second branches that generate respective first and second complimentary output clock signals from an input clock signal. The first branch includes two series connected inverters, the first of which receives the input clock signal and the second of which outputs a non-complimentary output clock signal. The second branch includes three series connected inverters, the first of which receives the input clock signal and the third of which outputs a complimentary output clock signal. An inverter is coupled from the output of the second inverter in the second branch to the output of the first inverter in the first branch to increase the slew rate of the signal applied to the input of the second inverter. In one embodiment, first and second parallel pairs of diode-coupled transistors are coupled from the output of the third inverter in the second branch to the outputs of respective first inverters in the first and second branches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian W. Huber, David R. Brown
  • Patent number: 6668342
    Abstract: A clock splitter circuit provides a radiation hardened pair of adjustably non-overlapping complementary clocks. The circuit includes a pair of clock inverter legs. Each clock inverter leg can include an and-or-inverter (AOI) circuit having a first input coupled to an overlap_en signal, a second input coupled to an inverted overlap_en signal, a third input coupled to an inverted first clock input signal, and a fourth input coupled to an second clock input signal that is substantially 180 degrees out of phase with the first clock input signal. Each clock inverter leg can further include an asymmetric variable delay (AVD) circuit having an input coupled to an output of the first AOI circuit and an input coupled to a waitr_signal that can be used to delay and adjust breadth of non-overlap. Each leg can further include a tri-state inverter circuit having a first input coupled to an output of the AVD circuit, and a second input coupled to the inverted first clock input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Bae Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil E. Wood, Eric J. Hatch
  • Patent number: 6597231
    Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor switching circuit and a semiconductor device using the switching circuit that can maintain sufficient isolation characteristics even when dealing with high frequency signals. The semiconductor switching circuit includes a first semiconductor switching element connected between a first terminal and a second terminal, a second semiconductor switching element, one end of the second switching element being connected to one of the first and second terminals, and an open stub connected to the other end of the second switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Tsutsumi
  • Patent number: 6580301
    Abstract: An additional clock is delayed from a master clock by 90 degrees to provide needed additional clock edges during a cycle. The need for the additional clock edges arises from the desire to perform a read and a write in the same clock cycle. The precise delay is achieved through a clock programmable delay that can be updated as the frequency of the master clock may change. The amount of delay is conveniently detected by using two other programmable delays to achieve a 180 degree delay. The 180 degree delay is easily detected using a flip-flop. The programming signal that caused the total of 180 degrees of delay caused 90 degrees per programmable delay. The same programming signal is then coupled to the clock programmable delay to achieve the desired 90 degrees of delay for the additional clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: David Moshe, Eyal Gutkind, Shmuel Dino, Maksim Tozik
  • Patent number: 6480048
    Abstract: Circuit for generating an inverse signal of a digital signal with minimal delay difference between the inverse signal and the digital signal. Two inverter circuits (6, 8; 7, 9) have been connected in series. The output signal of the second inverter circuit (7, 9) is the digital signal. An input signal for the first inverter circuit (6, 8) is supplied to a pass-through circuit (13, 14) with threshold action. The signal present between the first (6, 8) and the second (7, 9) inverter circuit is supplied to a control input (16) of the pass-through circuit with threshold action. The signal which is also present between the first (6, 8) and the second (7, 9) inverters appears with some delay at the output (17) of the pass-through circuit with threshold action, which signal is the inverse of the digital signal and at the same time constitutes the output signal of the pass through circuit (13, 14) with threshold action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Gerrit Willem Den Besten
  • Patent number: 6466074
    Abstract: A clock splitter device for forming a clock/inverted clock signal pair. The input clock signal is sent through an initial buffer stage and applied to two parts of a second stage. The second stage includes a single stage buffer and constricted inverter to provide two inverted outputs. The transistor arrangement of these two parts provides an equal delay to the two signal paths. The outputs of these two parts are sent to identical output buffers. Because the two paths have identical transistor delays, and since the metal paths on the board are arranged to have identical delays, the two paths can very low skew therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Kersi H. Vakil, William N. Roy, Jerry G. Jex
  • Patent number: 6420920
    Abstract: A phase splitter is formed by first and second branches that generate respective first and second complimentary output clock signals from an input clock signal. The first branch includes two series connected inverters, the first of which receives the input clock signal and the second of which outputs a non-complimentary output clock signal. The second branch includes three series connected inverters, the first of which receives the input clock signal and the third of which outputs a complimentary output clock signal. An inverter is coupled from the output of the second inverter in the second branch to the output of the first inverter in the first branch to increase the slew rate of the signal applied to the input of the second inverter. In one embodiment, first and second parallel pairs of diode-coupled transistors are coupled from the output of the third inverter in the second branch to the outputs of respective first inverters in the first and second branches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian W. Huber, David R. Brown
  • Patent number: 6356131
    Abstract: There is disclosed a 90-degree phase shifter so configured that an input signal is supplied through a variable gain amplifying circuit and a phase adjusting circuit to a low pass filter and also supplied through another variable gain amplifying circuit and another phase adjusting circuit to a high pass filter, so that the low pass filter and the high pass filter generate output signals, respectively, which have a 90-degree phase difference therebetween. An amplitude error and a phase error between the output signals are detected, so that the variable gain amplifying circuits are gain-controlled by the detected amplitude error, and the phase shift amounts of the phase adjusting circuits are controlled by the detected phase error. Thus, the amplitude error and the phase error attributable to the variation in the device characteristics and the parasite component can be removed, so that it is possible to obtain the output signals having the 90-degree phase difference with no amplitude error and no phase error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Kuwano
  • Patent number: 6327319
    Abstract: A PLL (225) includes a phase detector (202) and a charge pump (210 or 212). The phase detector (202) includes a first D-type flip flop (302), a second D-type flip flop (304) and an AND gate forming a reset circuit (306). The charge pump (210 or 212) includes an up current source (308) and a down current source (310). The up current source (308) provides a constant current. The down current source (310) varies responsive to an output signal (207) generated by the second D-type flip flop (304). The constant current provided by the up current source (308) is made to be less than one half the current provided by the down current source (310) to bias the charge pump (210 or 212) in a negative direction to minimize false locks between the phase of a divided reference frequency signal (206) and the phase of a divided voltage controlled oscillator frequency signal (209).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander W. Hietala, David M. Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 6304111
    Abstract: A CMOS switch circuit includes a first stage having PMOS and NMOS transistors arranged and properly sized to provide substantially concurrently switching complementary outputs, and a second stage having PMOS and NMOS transistors arranged and related to counterparts in the first stage so as to provide substantially concurrently switching complementary outputs that are substantially process independent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: ZiLOG, Inc.
    Inventor: Mohammad R. Pirjaberi
  • Patent number: 6300811
    Abstract: A differential amplifier includes a first amplifier transistor whose base terminal is coupled to an emitter terminal of a first emitter-follower transistor, a second amplifier transistor whose base terminal is coupled to an emitter terminal of a second emitter-follower transistor, a first emitter impedance across which the emitter terminals of the first and second amplifier transistors are coupled to each other, while base terminals of the emitter-follower transistors can be supplied with a differential voltage for controlling the differential amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Burkhard Dick
  • Patent number: 6292042
    Abstract: A phase splitter is disclosed for preventing a timing loss from a presentation timing mismatch of a clock signal of a phase equal to a reference signal and a clock signal of a phase inverted from the reference signal, including a semiconductor device for providing a signal of the same phase and a signal of an inverted phase with respect to a received reference signal, the semiconductor device including a first and a second transmission gates for receiving the reference signal and an inverted version of the received reference signal, and a third and a fourth transmission gates for receiving the reference sign, and the inverted version of that reference signal and for generating a signal having the same phase as the received reference signal and for providing that signal at the same time that the first and second transmission gates provide their output signal, the signals output by the first and second transmission gates having the same timing and opposite phase as the signal output by the third and fourth tran
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Hyundai Electronics Industries Co, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ha Soo Kim, Sung Ho Wang, Tae Hyung Kim
  • Patent number: 6246278
    Abstract: A dual-phase clock divider circuit provides the ability to generate high speed complementary clocks with low skew. The dual-phase clock divider circuit runs off a single clock input, such as provided by a high speed VCO. This eliminates the effect of clock skew in the highest speed portion of the circuit. The dual-phase clock divider then generates complementary outputs of low skew to be used by other clocked elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: LSI Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Michael B. Anderson, Kenneth C. Schmitt, David M. Weber
  • Patent number: 6225847
    Abstract: A complementary clock generator and a method for generating complementary clocks are disclosed. A complementary clock generator according to the present invention includes a first inverter, a first transmitting switch and a second transmitting switch. The first inverter outputs inverted clock signals by inverting input clock signals. The first transmitting switch has an input terminal, an output terminal, a first control input terminal and a second control input terminal, and connects the input terminal to the output terminal when the input clock signal reaches the first control input terminal and the inverted clock signal from the first inverter reaches the second control input terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: LG Semicon Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dae-Jeong Kim
  • Patent number: 6208186
    Abstract: A differential signal generator accepts a single-ended signal on an input node and produces a differential signal on differential output nodes. The differential output nodes include a true output node and a complementary output node. In one embodiment, the differential signal generator includes a memory element coupled between the differential output nodes, a first switch that conditionally couples one of the differential output nodes to a reference node, and a second switch that conditionally couples the other differential output node to the same reference node. The memory element includes a latch having cross-coupled inverters. The cross-coupled inverters are each skewed to respond more quickly to one edge of an input signal. When the switches conditionally couple one of the differential output nodes to a ground node, the inverters are skewed to respond more quickly to falling edge input signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Rajendran Nair
  • Patent number: 6111445
    Abstract: A phase interpolator with noise immunity. The phase interpolator includes a voltage-to-current conversion circuit that receives a differential voltage and generates a differential current. The differential current is mirrored and provided to a phase Max/Min detector circuit and current switches. The phase Max/Min detectors may generate signals for a phase selector circuit. The current switches provide the mirrored current to a phase comparator and a load circuit in response to input vectors and a quadrant select signal. The phase comparator generates output waveforms from the phase interpolator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Jared L. Zerbe, Grace Tsang, Clemenz L. Portmann
  • Patent number: 6094108
    Abstract: An unbalance-to-balance converter includes an FET and a balanced output adjusting capacitor connected between the source terminal of the FET and an earth conductor. The balanced output adjusting capacitor has a capacitance value equal to a capacitance difference Cpd-Cps between a drain side parasitic capacitance Cpd and a source side parasitic capacitance Cps. This makes it possible to solve a problem involved in a conventional unbalance-to-balance converter in that when the drain side parasitic capacitance Cpd differs from the source side parasitic capacitance Cps, a pair of balanced signals output from the drain terminal and source terminal do not have the same amplitude and are not in complete opposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Noriharu Suematsu, Shigeru Sugiyama, Masayoshi Ono, Yoshitada Iyama, Fumimasa Kitabayashi
  • Patent number: 5909134
    Abstract: An improved complementary-type clock generator minimizes the time difference between a normal clock signal and an inverted clock signal. The clock generator includes an inverting unit for outputting Vcc-Vtn and Vss+Vtp level voltage by pulling up and pulling down the source voltage and ground voltage in accordance with an externally applied clock signal, and a first buffer for outputting Vcc-Vtn and Vss+Vtp level voltages by pulling up and pulling down the source voltage and ground voltage in accordance with an externally applied clock signal. A level converting unit receives the Vcc-Vtn and Vss+Vtp level voltages and second and third buffers invert the outputs of the level converting unit for outputting a normal clock signal and an inverted clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: LG Semicon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jang Sub Sohn, Yong-Weon Jeon
  • Patent number: 5867043
    Abstract: A complementary clock generator and a method for generating complementary clocks are disclosed. A complementary clock generator according to the present invention includes a first inverter, a first transmitting switch and a second transmitting switch. The first inverter outputs inverted clock signals by inverting input clock signals. The first transmitting switch has an input terminal, an output terminal, a first control input terminal and a second control input terminal, and connects the input terminal to the output terminal when the input clock signal reaches the first control input terminal and the inverted clock signal from the first inverter reaches the second control input terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: LG Semicon Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dae-Jeong Kim
  • Patent number: 5751176
    Abstract: An improved complementary-type clock generator minimizes the time difference between a normal clock signal and an inverted clock signal. The clock generator includes an inverting unit for outputting Vcc-Vtn and Vss+Vtp level voltage by pulling up and pulling down the source voltage and ground voltage in accordance with an externally applied clock signal, and a first buffer for outputting Vcc-Vtn and Vss+Vtp level voltages by pulling up and pulling down the source voltage and ground voltage in accordance with an externally applied clock signal. A level converting unit receives the Vcc-Vtn and Vss+Vtp level voltages and second and third buffers inverters the outputs of the level converting unit for outputting a normal clock signal and an inverted clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: LG Semicon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jang Sub Sohn, Yong-Weon Jeon
  • Patent number: 5736882
    Abstract: A complementary clock system is disclosed for producing antiphase clock signals. The system includes a clock generator for producing a first clock signal (t3) and a second clock signal (t4). A first and second driver stage coupled to the clock generator for driving respective clock lines having a capacitive load that corresponds to a first load capacitance and a second load capacitance, respectively. A switchable current path coupled between the first and second clock lines which contains a gating circuit and at least one inductive element. The gating circuit being in a conducting state essentially during the switching intervals (ti) of the first and second clock signals (t3, t4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Deutsche ITT Industries, GmbH
    Inventor: Franz-Otto Witte