Including Delay Line Or Charge Transfer Device Patents (Class 327/277)
  • Patent number: 7088156
    Abstract: A clock generator for generating an output clock signal synchronized with an input clock signal having first and second adjustable delay lines. The first adjustable delay lines is adjusted following initialization of the clock generator to expedite obtaining a lock condition following the initialization. The second adjustable delay line is adjusted after synchronization is achieved with the first adjustable delay line, or when the first adjustable delay line reaches a maximum adjustable delay. The first adjustable delay line is reset when a lock condition is initially obtained, and the second adjustable delay line is adjusted to compensate for the resetting of the first adjustable delay line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kang Yong Kim
  • Patent number: 7088163
    Abstract: A method and circuit to adjust timing between received differential data and clock signals to compensate for differences between transmission paths of data and clock signals. According to one embodiment, a timing adjustment circuit includes a decoder, a differential delay stage and a converter stage. The decoder is arranged to select one of the differential tri-state buffers, which provides the signal with a selected delay to a differential-to-single-ended converter. The converter provides properly a timing-adjusted signal to other circuits for further processing. Two current sources may be employed instead of resistive loads for the converter stage resulting in increased operating frequency and decreased power dissipation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Marshall J. Bell, James R. Kozisek
  • Patent number: 7061292
    Abstract: Apparatus for efficiently supplying energy to a device in a circuit, the apparatus comprising a powered device having a critical path delay; delay line operative to model said critical path delay; control logic responsive to output from said delay line and operative to generate control output; and a power converter operative to adjust supply voltage to said powered device in response to said generated control output, wherein the delay line, the control logic, and the power converter cooperate to provide first order bang-bang control of said critical path delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado
    Inventors: Dragan Maksimovic, Sandeep C. Dhar
  • Patent number: 7049874
    Abstract: A digital delaying device for delaying an input signal includes a ring oscillator, a calibration unit, and at least one delay number calculation unit and delay channel. The ring oscillator includes loop-connected delay cells for outputting an oscillation clock. The calibration unit receives a reference clock and the oscillation clock and calculates a pulse number of the oscillation clock corresponding to each reference clock period. The pulse number serves as a period reference pulse number. The calculation unit receives the pulse number and a signal delay value, calculates a signal delay number corresponding to the signal delay value according to the pulse number, and outputs a selection signal. The delay channel includes a multiplexer and cascaded delay cells, which receives an input signal and generates delay signals with different delay timings. The multiplexer selects and outputs one of the delay signals as an output signal according to the selection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: MediaTek Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Ching Chen, Jyh-Shin Pan, Ming-Yang Chao, Yi Kwang Hu
  • Patent number: 7034597
    Abstract: A dynamic phase adjustment circuit that includes a multi-tap delay line that receives a clock input signal. The multi-tap delay line includes an initial portion that is adjustable, and final portion after the adjustable portion. A number of registers receive the same data. However, the clock signal that causes the registers to sample is received from a corresponding delay element in the final portion of the multi-tap delay line. An edge detect and data decision circuit receives the sampled data values from each of the registers. Sampling resolution is improved over the PLL-based dynamic phase adjustment circuit since the clock signal is delayed using delay elements, which can be made with relatively small delays. Furthermore, the circuit does not contain excessive circuit elements thereby allowing the dynamic phase adjustment circuit to be contained in a small area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: AMI Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Shan Mo, James R. Brown, Richard A. Mosher, Robert S. Kirk
  • Patent number: 7034598
    Abstract: A switching point detection circuit for detecting a switching point according to a fabrication condition of a MOS transistor includes a reference voltage generation circuit for generating a reference voltage, a first CMOS inverter circuit for receiving the reference voltage, and a second CMOS inverter circuit for receiving the reference voltage, wherein an NMOS transistor is a dominant transistor for the reference voltage in the first CMOS inverter circuit and a PMOS transistor is a dominant transistor for the reference voltage in the second CMOS inverter circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Kwang-Rae Cho
  • Patent number: 7026849
    Abstract: There is provided a reset circuit for reducing current consumption during resetting. A reset circuit 20 is constituted in such a manner that a pulse generation circuit 22 for generating a reset pulse signal (PRSTN) 50 from a reset signal input to an input terminal (RSTN) is connected to a plurality modules 10, 12, 14, a register 40 arranged in the module 10 is initialized based on the reset pulse signal (PRSTN) 50, a register 42 arranged in the module 12 of a next stage is initialized based on a module reset signal (MRSTN) 60 output from a control circuit 30 arranged in the module 10 of a previous stage, and a register 44 arranged in each of modules of stages thereafter, e.g., the module 14, is initialized based on a module reset signal (MRSTN) output from a control circuit 32 arranged in the module 12 of a previous stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 7024568
    Abstract: A method for providing self-calibration for adaptively adjusting a power supply voltage in a digital processing system is provided that includes providing a nominal power supply voltage to the system as a power supply voltage. A regulator clock signal is propagated through a delay line. The delay line comprises a plurality of delay cells and is operable to function based on the nominal power supply voltage. A plurality of pairs of delay cells are sampled until a first and second delay cell are identified based on the first delay cell receiving the regulator clock signal and the second delay cell failing to receive the regulator clock signal at a specified time. A reference voltage is provided to the system as the power supply voltage. The system is operated using the first and second delay cells to determine whether to adjust the power supply voltage for the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Dragan Maksimovic, Sandeep Dhar
  • Patent number: 6982585
    Abstract: High-resolution serial data can be obtained by using a costly, large-scale high-performance IC. A high resolution can be achieved without using any high-performance PLL or the like by a low-cost, simple system capable of generating a fundamental waveform on the basis of serial data synchronous with the leading and the trailing edges of a clock signal, of generating a delayed clock signals of a plurality of times by a delay device, and of superposing the fundamental waveform and the delayed clock signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kiyoji Hane
  • Patent number: 6980041
    Abstract: Non-iterative introduction of phase delay into a signal, without feedback, is disclosed. A system of one embodiment of the invention includes a controller and a mechanism. The controller provides a pulse having a length representative of a phase delay for introduction into a signal. The mechanism non-iteratively introduces the phase delay into the signal based on the pulse, without feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: John L. McWilliams
  • Patent number: 6972606
    Abstract: A delay circuit and related apparatus for providing a longer delay time, such that when a level of an input signal changes, a level of an output signal changes accordingly after the predetermined delay time. The delay circuit has a storage unit, a current generator, a voltage generator for providing a reference voltage, a differential amplifier, and a feedback control module. The current generator starts to provide a charging current to the storage unit when the input signal changes level, such that an output charging voltage of the storages unit is gradually charged to reach the reference voltage. The feedback control module is capable of dynamically decreasing the charging current provided to the storage unit as the charging voltage is approaching the reference voltage, and the amplifier will change the level of the output voltage when the charging voltage reaches the reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: eMemory Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Ming Ku, Yu-Ming Hsu, Wei-Wu Liao
  • Patent number: 6949956
    Abstract: A logic circuit for delaying a signal input thereto a specified number of clock cycles X, wherein X is between 1 and 2N is described. In one embodiment, the logic circuit comprises a demultiplexer (“DEMUX”) comprising an input for receiving the signal and N outputs; a register array comprising 2N clocked registers, wherein each of a first N of the clocked registers is connected to one of the N outputs of the DEMUX and wherein data is shifted out of one clocked register to a next clocked register on each clock cycle; and a multiplexer (“MUX”) comprising M inputs, wherein each of the M inputs is connected to one of the clocked registers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Tyler James Johnson
  • Patent number: 6924686
    Abstract: A synchronous mirror delay (SMD)includes a model delay line that is coupled to a bi-directional delay line. In operation, an initial edge an input clock signal is applied through the model delay line to the bi-directional delay line. The SMD thereafter operates in a forward delay mode to alternately operate the bi-directional delay line in a forward mode and a backward mode to propagate the initial edge of the input clock signal through the bi-directional delay line and delay the initial edge of the input clock signal by a forward delay. In response to a subsequent edge of the input clock signal, the SMD mirrors the propagation of the input clock signal through the bi-directional delay line during the forward mode and further delay the initial edge of the input clock signal by a backward delay that is substantially equal to the forward delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Howard C. Kirsch
  • Patent number: 6919749
    Abstract: A circuit and method is shown for digital control of delay lines in a delay locked loop (DLL) system. A pair of multiplexors (MUXes) is used to select output taps from a pair of complementary delay lines that delay a reference clock signal in order to lock onto a received clock signal. An output tap from one delay line is used to produce a rising edge in an output clock signal while a corresponding tap in the complementary delay line is used to produce a falling edge in the output signal in order to correct for distortion. The MUXes are controlled based on a phase difference detected between the received clock signal and a feedback clock corresponding to the output clock signal. Another aspect of the present invention provides for generation of a quadrature clock by interpolating between the rising and falling edges selected for the output clock signal. Still another aspect of the present invention provides for selectively disabling unused elements of the delay lines to reduce power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Rambus, Inc.
    Inventors: Elad Alon, Scott Best
  • Patent number: 6918048
    Abstract: A system, method and medium may delay a strobe signal based upon a delay base and a delay adjustment to reduce effects of process variations and/or environmental changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: John F. Zumkehr
  • Patent number: 6909427
    Abstract: A column driver system and method for driving a plurality of column drivers in an active matrix display. The system comprises: a register in each column driver for holding a pixel value; a system that generates a shared ramp signal for the plurality of column drivers; a system that samples the shared ramp signal for each possible pixel value; and a load characteristic correction system that adaptively adjusts the shared ramp signal in anticipation of a load error associated with at least one pixel value. The load characteristic correction system comprises: a data collection system that collects pixel data for each of the plurality of column drivers and determines a number of occurrences of all possible pixel values; a load analysis system that identifies error conditions based on the number of occurrences; and a signal modification system that determines a correction to the ramp signal when an error condition is identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Peter J. Janssen, Lucian Remus Albu, John Dean
  • Patent number: 6907539
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first delay circuit. The first delay circuit may be configured to present a data delayed signal having one of a plurality of delay times. The plurality of delay times may provide a user configurable setup/hold time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Padma S. Nagarasa, Pidugu L. Narayana, Beng-Ghee Teh
  • Patent number: 6906569
    Abstract: The invention relates to a digital signal delay device (101) for converting a signal (IN) into a corresponding delayed signal (OUT), comprising a plurality of signal delay elements (103a, 103b, 103c) connected in series, wherein, as a function of the desired delay of the delayed signal (OUT), the output signal of a particular signal delay element (103a, 103b, 103c) is used for generating the delayed signal (OUT), and wherein the signal delay elements (103a, 103b, 103c) each comprise one single inverter (105, 106, 107) only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Martin Brox
  • Patent number: 6900678
    Abstract: A method for performing a delay lock to generate a second clock according to a first clock and to synchronize the second clock with the first clock is provided. The method has correcting processes executed to increase or decrease, by a correction interval, a delay time between corresponding periods of the first clock and the second clock. The correction interval for a subsequent correcting process is substantially half the previous correction interval of the previous correcting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Jui-Lung Chen, Shih-Huang Huang
  • Patent number: 6891774
    Abstract: A delay line for an adjustable, high speed clock generator is based on two-stage multiplexing, in which for all pairs of adjacent taps, a change from a current tap to an adjacent tap in the pair is executed by switching only one of the first stage and second stage multiplexers. Control signals are generated for the first and second stage multiplexers by logic based on bidirectional shift registers. The delay line is suitable for generation of an output clock having an adjustable phase, allowing for smooth, glitch-free adjustment over a large range of phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: T-Ram, Inc.
    Inventors: Shahram Abdollahi-Alibeik, Chaofeng Huang
  • Patent number: 6885231
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for delay tuning an integrated circuit which includes a delay element that includes a plurality of delay stages interconnected in a cascaded relationship, each stage imposing an incremental delay upon the input signal when enabled, the delay element receives a selection signal that determines how many of the delay stages are enabled. By varying the select signal, the delay element imposes, a variable delay upon the input signal for testing and evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ravishankar Kuppuswamy, Gregory Taylor
  • Patent number: 6873187
    Abstract: An electronic circuit includes delay selection units each associated with a flip-flop or other circuit element. The delay selection unit for a given one of the circuit elements is coupled between a source of a clock or other signal and a corresponding input of the circuit element, and is controllable to provide one of a number of selectable delays for the signal. One or more of the delay selection units are controlled so as to select a particular one of the selectable delays for each of the units. In an illustrative embodiment, the particular delays may be determined at least in part based on the solution of an integer nonlinear program in which the plurality of delays for a given one of the delay selection units are arranged substantially in a monotonically increasing manner and each of at least a subset of the selectable delays for the given one of the delay selection units is specified by upper and lower bounds on the corresponding delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Lattice Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: William Andrews, Barry Britton, Xiaotao Chen, John P. Fishburn, Harold Scholz
  • Patent number: 6856170
    Abstract: A clock generator (10a) outputs either a first clock signal or a second clock signal. The second clock signal is higher in frequency than the first clock signal. Under control of a control signal (CNTL1), when the first clock signal and the second clock signal are outputted from the clock generator (10a), a selector (81a) transmits the first and second clock signals to a clock transmission line (42) and to a clock transmission line (41), respectively. The clock transmission line (41) is greater in linewidth than the clock transmission line (42). Under control of the control signal (CNTL1), a selector (82a) connects either the clock transmission line (41) or the clock transmission line (42) to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Niichi Itoh
  • Patent number: 6850107
    Abstract: A variable delay circuit uses a plurality of inverters or inverting gates as delay elements in a delay line. In one embodiment of the invention, the point in the delay circuit at which an input clock signal enters the delay circuit is adjusted to vary the delay of an output clock signal. In another embodiment, the point in the delay circuit from which the output clock signal exits the delay circuit is adjusted to vary the delay of an output clock signal. In either case, the polarity of the input or output clock signal is adjusted as the delay is adjusted so there are always an even number of inverters or inverting gates between an input terminal to which the input clock signal is applied and an output terminal from which the output clock signal is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Tyler J. Gomm
  • Patent number: 6847246
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for reducing power dissipation and jitter in a delay line is described. The delay line includes a plurality of delay elements. At least one of the plurality of delay elements includes a gate terminal configured to receive gate control signals for activating or deactivating one or more of the delay elements. The delay line further includes gate control circuitry for providing gate control signals to the gate terminal of at least one of the plurality of delay elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Alireza S. Kaviani, Patrick T. Lynch, Paul G. Hyland, Patrick J. Crotty, Tao Pi
  • Publication number: 20040251946
    Abstract: An analog delay circuit integrally formable on a semiconductor substrate and providing an improvement in accuracy of delay time. An analog delay circuit 24 includes a clock generating section 50, analog switches 51-56, 61-66, inverter circuits 71-76, and capacitors 81-86, 90. The switches 51-56 are sequentially rendered conductive, thereby causing capacitors 81-86 to hold the voltages of input signals at the respective time points. Before these held voltages are updated, the switches 61-66 are rendered conductive, thereby deriving the held voltages. In this way, the time periods from when the switches 51-56 are rendered conductive to when the respectively associated switches 61-66 are rendered conductive, that is, signal output timings are delayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventor: Hiroshi Miyagi
  • Publication number: 20040239395
    Abstract: A semiconductor chip able to reduce wasteful power loss due to a margin of power supply voltage considering variation of characteristics. A voltage setting signal for setting the power supply voltage to be supplied to a target circuit is generated in a voltage controller in the semiconductor chip based on a delay time of a delay signal of a replica circuit with respect to a clock signal. The maximum value of power supply voltage set by the voltage setting signal is restricted to the maximum value of the power supply voltage determined based on variations in production of the semiconductor chip. Accordingly, even when the value of the power supply voltage set based on the delay signal exceeds the maximum value due to the margin set considering the variation of characteristics, the voltage setting of the voltage setting signal output to the external power supply is restricted to the maximum value, so wasteful power loss can be suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventor: Masakatsu Nakai
  • Publication number: 20040232966
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus adapted for supplying a plurality of clock signals. The apparatus comprises a set of clock signal circuits for generating m clock signals of at least two different signal periods, with m being a natural number, and a superperiod signal-generating unit adapted for deriving, from a dedicated clock signal of said set of clock signals, a first superperiod signal. The signal period of said first superperiod signal is a common multiple of the clock signals' signal periods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Ralf Killig
  • Publication number: 20040201409
    Abstract: A delay adjusting circuit that can minimize a delay at selectors even when the number of delay stages and the number of selector stages are increased, to enable a stable and speedy operation. As selectors S in a delay producing circuit (11), 2:1 selectors, each of the type that selectively outputs one from two inputs, may be used which are connected to input/output portions of N-stage delay elements D1 to DN for enabling delayed output of an even-stage delayed clock signal (Even) and an odd-stage delayed clock signal (Odd). In this case, the 2:1 selectors are arranged in a two-stage configuration including the for-even-stage selectors (S1, S3, . . . , Sn, S(n+2)) and the for-odd-stage selectors (S2, . . . , S(n+1), S(n+3)). The even-stage delayed clock signal (Even) is obtained through the first-stage selector S1. The odd-stage delayed clock signal (Odd) is obtained through the second-stage selector S2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventor: Toru Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20040196085
    Abstract: An analog equalization filter is disclosed which permits higher speed and linearity than existing designs, allowing for filtering operation to the hundreds of gigahertz range. Possible applications include fixed and adaptive equalization filtering and radio frequency filtering. The filter can be entirely implemented on an integrated circuit chip. The filter is based on transmission line based delay elements and transconductance amplifiers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: David H. Shen
  • Patent number: 6801072
    Abstract: The present invention relates a circuit for generating a digital output signal (56) locked to a phase of an input signal (24), comprising a plurality of delay cells (42), a first register (31) containing a first value, a phase detector (26) and a control logic (25), which is characterized by comprising a plurality of flip-flop devices (37, . . . , 38), wherein storing said first value, a second register (30) containing a second value, a plurality of adder nodes (33) adapted to sum in each of said delay cells (42) said second value with the content of said selected flip-flop device (37, . . . , 38), being said delay cells (42) adapted to provide said digital output signal (56), said phase detector (26), receiving said input signal (24) and said digital output signal (56), adapted to detect the phase difference (27) between said input signal and said digital output signal (56), said control logic (25) adapted to control said first and second value in function of said phase difference (27). (FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics s.r.l.
    Inventors: Jesus Guinea, Luciano Tomasini
  • Publication number: 20040189368
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a circuit that varies the delay time of a clock signal in response to a frequency of the clock signal. The circuit may include a sensor and a delay circuit. The sensor may output a determination of the frequency of the clock signal. The delay time of the delay circuit may be responsive to the determination of a frequency of the clock signal. Accordingly, when the frequency of a clock signal varies, a delay of that clock signal can be varied to accommodate for the change in frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Moty Mehalel
  • Patent number: 6791389
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a variable delay circuit includes a delay circuit unit group, a control unit and an offset delay amount memory group. The delay circuit unit group includes a plurality of delay circuit units, and the plurality of delay circuit units includes two paths having different delay amounts. The offset delay amount memory group includes a plurality of offset delay amount memories, and offset delay amounts corresponding to delay amounts of the first paths of the corresponding delay circuit units are set in the plurality of offset delay amount memories. The control unit includes a plurality of subtracting units, and the plurality of subtracting units select paths of the delay circuit units through which an input signal may pass by using a delay setting value and offset delay amounts. It is possible to reduce volume of the circuit and remove a table since the path is selected by calculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Advantest Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Mikami, Yasutaka Tsuruki
  • Publication number: 20040160256
    Abstract: A logic circuit block and a memory circuit block are provided on a semiconductor chip. A timing adjustment circuit block for adjusting the propagation timing of signals is provided on a line between the circuit blocks. A timing adjustment circuit unit includes: a delay element block including a plurality of delay elements for adding different delay amounts to the inter-block signals; a counter circuit block for receiving a timing adjustment control signal from the timing adjustment circuit block; and a fuse circuit block in which a fuse is melted down based on a fuse information signal held by the counter circuit block after a timing verification and which replaces the function of the counter circuit block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Kuroda, Masanori Shirahama
  • Publication number: 20040150452
    Abstract: In order to generate an output signal delayed compared to an input signal and with a defined mark-to-space ratio, it is useful to produce at least first and second intermediate signals delayed differently with respect to the input signal and to combine them to form the output signal so that a rising (or negative) edge of the first intermediate signal determines a rising edge of the output signal, and a rising (or negative) edge of the second intermediate signal determines a falling edge of the output signal. In particular a plurality of successive versions of an input timing signal delayed by an equal amount can be generated with a mark-to-space ratio of 50%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Frank Wiedmann
  • Publication number: 20040135613
    Abstract: A Pulse Clock Delay (PCT) apparatus (208) includes a selectable plurality (Nd) of series-connected pulse transition delay units (209) from a total plurality (Nmax) of such units. Each unit provides an incremental proximal node (n1a) and an adjacent electrically isolated second intermediate node (n1b) where the first and second intermediate nodes are in a shorter (215a, 215b) of two signal paths having respective proximal and spaced apart distal ends (212, 216) in an electrical network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Evangelos Arkas, Nicholas Arkas
  • Patent number: 6759884
    Abstract: A variable delay circuit includes a first delay circuit having a plurality of first delay stages connected in cascade. The first delay circuit receives an input signal at the initial stage of the first delay stages. A second delay circuit has a plurality of second delay stages identical to the first delay stages. The second delay circuit is connected in cascade and receives a first timing signal at the initial stage of the second delay stages. A detecting circuit receives a second timing signal asynchronous to the first timing signal, and detects, of delayed timing signals outputted from each of the second delay stages, a delayed timing signal having a transition edge near a transition edge of the second timing signal. A selecting circuit selects a delayed signal outputted from the first delay stage corresponding to the second delay stage outputting the delayed timing signal detected by the detecting circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Hiroyoshi Tomita
  • Publication number: 20040124900
    Abstract: The invention relates to a digital signal delay device (101) for converting a signal (IN) into a corresponding delayed signal (OUT), comprising a plurality of signal delay elements (103a, 103b, 103c) connected in series, wherein, as a function of the desired delay of the delayed signal (OUT), the output signal of a particular signal delay element (103a, 103b, 103c) is used for generating the delayed signal (OUT), and wherein the signal delay elements (103a, 103b, 103c) each comprise one single inverter (105, 106, 107) only.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Martin Brox
  • Patent number: 6756833
    Abstract: A delayed signal generation circuit includes a first delay circuit having a plurality of delay elements connected in series and delaying a reference signal applied thereto, a second delay circuit having a plurality of delay elements connected in series each of which sends out an output signal which is delayed with respect to an input signal applied to the second delay circuit, a detector unit, responsive to the reference signal, for detecting a number of delay elements of the first delay circuit which output an output signal that is delayed with respect to the reference signal after a lapse of a predetermined time interval, and a selection unit for selecting one delay element from the second delay circuit according to the number of delay elements of the first delay circuit, and for outputting the output signal from the selected delay element as a delayed signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Hiromichi Miura
  • Patent number: 6750691
    Abstract: A novel measurement method is provided capable of measuring characteristics of semiconductor integrated circuit devices without incurring the influence of external measuring means. A prescribed delay time applied to an address supplied from a microprocessor 11 to a memory 12 during normal operation is increased and a critical time where data corresponding to the address can no longer be read in by the microprocessor 11 from the memory 12 via the latch circuit 14 correctly is obtained. The delay time with which the address is supplied to the latch circuit 14 is increased with the address being supplied in a short-circuited manner to the latch circuit 14 rather than being supplied to the memory 12 and a short-circuit critical delay time where the address can no longer be read in correctly is obtained. A time difference corresponding to a difference in critical delay times is then obtained as the memory access time of the semiconductor integrated circuit device 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirokazu Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 6750670
    Abstract: An integrated test circuit, as part of an integrated circuit, includes phase-shifted test signals fed through inputs A and B. These test signals are conducted through a plurality of cascaded delay elements, the advancing of the first test signal through the delay elements being held and evaluated by the second test signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Thorsten Bucksch, Ralf Schneider
  • Publication number: 20040085113
    Abstract: For generating a delay signal, a series of source signals based on the same high frequency signal are first provided. Every adjacent two of the source signals have a phase difference of a certain clock unit therebetween. A first and a second output signals are then generated on the basis of the plurality of source signals at a first and a second time points selected as desired. The first and the second output signals are processed by a logic operation to obtain the accurate and adjustable delay signal. For obtaining the first and the second output signals, the source signals are duplicated at first, and then respectively processed in response to respective clock signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Ying-Lang Chuang
  • Patent number: 6696875
    Abstract: A Pulse Clock Delay (PCD) apparatus (208) includes a selectable plurality (Nd) of series-connected pulse transition delay units (209) from a total plurality (Nmax) of such units. Each unit provides an incremental transition delay interval DELTA t. The PCD may be connected to a first intermediate proximal node (n1a) and an adjacent electrically isolated second intermediate node (n1b) where the first and second intermediate nodes are in a shorter (215a, 215b) of two signal paths having respective proximal and spaced apart distal ends (212, 216) in an electrical network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Daidalos, Inc.
    Inventors: Evangelos Arkas, Nicholas Arkas
  • Publication number: 20040012429
    Abstract: The figure shows a unit (5) for distributing clock signals (SA1, SB1) in telecommunication systems. The unit is provided with a semiconductor arrangement (ADA, CTA, RDA) for generating a predetermined time delay. Two clocks (CLA, CLB) are connected to two parallel, redundant semi-conductor or circuits (SCA, SCB) emitting clock signals (SA2, SB2) from multiplexers (MXA, MXB). These receive delayed clock signals (SA1) from one of the clocks (CLA), and from the other clock (CLB) clock signals (SB1) that are delayed in adjustable delay circuits (ADA, ADB) to be phased in with the clock signals (SA1) from the first clock Thus, a number of delay elements in the delay circuit (ADA) are connected and a first reference number of delay elements, providing a predetermined delay time, are connected in a reference delay circuit (RDA). A quotient of the two numbers is stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Mikael Lindberg, Stefan Davidsson, Ulf Hansson
  • Publication number: 20040008065
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an external resistor for establishing a delay of a signal relative to another signal in the device. The resistor may be external to a buffer, such as a zero-delay buffer, that receives an input signal generates one or more output signals that relate to the input signal. The delay may be introduced either before or after the buffer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Dinh Bui, Paul W. Self, Pedro W. Lo, Satoshi Mukaida
  • Patent number: 6670835
    Abstract: A delay locked loop which is capable of adjusting the number of delay devices in a delay line and controlling a phase increase or decrease more precisely than the adjustment by the number of delay devices and a phase control method thereof are provided. The delay locked loop includes a phase detector, a delay line, and a delay time adjuster. The phase detector compares the phase of a reference clock signal with the phase of a feedback clock signal and outputs the phase difference between the reference clock signal and the feedback clock signal as an error control signal. The delay line includes a plurality of first delay devices having a fixed delay time and connected in series. The number of first delay devices connected in series is adjusted in response to a shift signal. The delay line receives an input clock signal and outputs an output clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chang-sik Yoo
  • Publication number: 20030234673
    Abstract: A synchronous mirror delay (SMD) includes a model delay line that is coupled to a bi-directional delay line. In operation, an initial edge an input clock signal is applied through the model delay line to the bi-directional delay line. The SMD thereafter operates in a forward delay mode to alternately operate the bi-directional delay line in a forward mode and a backward mode to propagate the initial edge of the input clock signal through the bi-directional delay line and delay the initial edge of the input clock signal by a forward delay. In response to a subsequent edge of the input clock signal, the SMD mirrors the propagation of the input clock signal through the bi-directional delay line during the forward mode and further delay the initial edge of the input clock signal by a backward delay that is substantially equal to the forward delay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventor: Howard C. Kirsch
  • Patent number: 6664838
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a compensated percent-of-clock period delay signal are described. A first circuit determines how many delay elements a clock signal passes through during one period of the clock signal. A second circuit passes a signal to be delayed through the same number of delay elements according to information received from the first circuit. The ratio of the values of delay elements in the first and second circuits determines the percent-of-clock period that the passed signal is delayed. Since the clock signal is relatively insensitive to reference voltage and temperature variations as compared to the delay elements, the percent-of-clock period is maintained as more or less delay elements are passed through during a period of the clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Integrated Device Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Cesar A. Talledo
  • Patent number: 6661265
    Abstract: A delay locked loop has a delay unit with a delay time that can be controlled in a manner dependent on a control signal. In order to generate complementary delayed clock signals, provision is made of switching elements, which tap off the clock signal to be delayed along the series circuit of delay elements. Each of the delay elements has a series circuit of two inverters. One of the delayed clock signals is tapped off in each case at the output of the second of the inverters of the delay elements, and the complementary output signal from the delayed output signals is tapped off at the first of the inverters. What is thus made possible is that, disregarding the frequency of the clock signal to be delayed and the length of the delay time, the complementary delayed clock signals always have the same phase angle with respect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Torsten Partsch, Thilo Marx, Patrick Heyne, Thomas Hein
  • Publication number: 20030222693
    Abstract: Apparatus (28) for applying a delay to an input signal (50) includes a plurality of delay devices (40), each having an input and an output, coupled in series such that the output of each of the delay devices, except for a final delay device (51) in the series, is coupled to the input of a succeeding one of the delay devices in the series. A switching unit (34) is adapted to receive a delay selection signal indicative of a desired time delay and, responsive thereto, to couple the input signal to the input of a designated one of the delay devices, so as to generate an output signal (100) at the output of the final delay device which is delayed with respect to the input signal by the desired time delay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Shai Cohen, Ronnen Lovinger