Clock Or Pulse Waveform Generating Patents (Class 327/291)
  • Patent number: 7812659
    Abstract: A programmable logic device (“PLD”) or the like has a plurality of data transmitter channels. Certain circuitry is shared by the channels. The shared circuitry includes at least one phase-locked loop (“PLL”) circuit for producing a primary clock signal, and global frequency divider circuitry for producing at least one global secondary clock signal based on the primary signal. The primary and global secondary signal(s) are distributed to the channels. Each of the channels includes local frequency divider circuitry for producing at least one local secondary clock signal based on the primary signal. Each channel also includes selection circuitry for selecting either the global or local secondary signal(s) for use by clock utilization circuitry of the channel. The clock utilization circuitry may include serializer circuitry for converting data from parallel to serial form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Sergey Shumarayev, Rakesh H Patel, William W Bereza, Tim Tri Hoang, Thungoc Tran
  • Patent number: 7809077
    Abstract: The invention relates to search and rescue service and can be used for debris active sounding. Said invention makes it possible to improve interference protection related to a temperature, the operator hands motion and trembling effecting the locator operation. The inventive method consists in forming an ultrabandwidth signal (UBW) according to a reference signal, in emitting the thus formed UBW signal to space, in receiving the UBW signal, in processing the UBW signal by correlating it with a reference UBW signal, wherein while processing the received UBW signal, the reference UBW signal is delayed for a time during which the initial position of a check point on a middle section between the maximum and minimum voltage of the correlated signal is set, in periodically monitoring the position of said check point and in modifying the space emission delay of the formed UBW signal when the check point position shifts from the initial position thereof, thereby resetting the check point position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignees: Life Sensor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Gairat Saidkhakimovich Ikramov, Aleksandr Vladimirovich Andriyanov, Sergei Vasilevich Kuramshev
  • Patent number: 7808292
    Abstract: A wireless communication device is described having a transmitter that generates electromagnetic interference when operating in a transmit mode. The wireless communication device comprises a clock circuit including a first clock element configured to generate a first clock output, and a second clock element configured to generate a second clock output. Also included is a controller configured to switch between the first clock output and the second clock output when the transmitter is operating in the transmit mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Mark A. J. Carragher, John W. Wynen
  • Patent number: 7808293
    Abstract: A clock distribution circuit includes a monitoring circuit that delays a signal based on a clock signal from a clock tree by using multiple inverter circuits and predicts a timing violation on the basis of the amount of delay produced by the multiple inverter circuits. The clock distribution circuit further includes an OR circuit that controls, on the basis of the result of prediction by the monitoring circuit, a clock gating signal generated by a combinational circuit and a clock gating circuit that supplies a clock signal or stops supply of the clock signal depending on a signal output from the OR circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Toshio Fujisawa
  • Publication number: 20100244922
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a clock supply apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention includes a first transmission line connected to a clock generator that generates clock signals, a second transmission line connected to a clock supply destination having input impedance different from output impedance of the clock generator, a capacitor that capacitively couples the first and second transmission lines, a pull-up resistor that is provided on the first transmission line to suppress reflection of the clock signal, and a pair of voltage divider resistors that apply potential obtained by voltage division to the second transmission line as a reference potential of the clock signal. The impedance of the pair of voltage divider resistors on the second transmission line is set to match the input impedance of the clock supply destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Hiroaki KOMAKI
  • Publication number: 20100248197
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sound device for acting on the motor automatisms of a person including: means for generating pulsed sounds SPi each having a frequency comprised between 200 and 1,500 Hz and a duration comprised between 2 and 20 s, each of the pulsed sounds being separated by a time interval ?T comprised between 2 and 60 s, means for controlling the emission and stopping of the pulsed sounds, means for generating associated sounds SA each having a frequency comprised between 2 and 200 Hz and a duration comprised between 2 and 60 s, means for triggering the emission of an associated sound, and control means adapted in order to interrupt the emission of pulsed sounds SPi and to provide the emission of at least one associated sound SA upon receiving an order for triggering an associated sound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: ACTIVA CONCEPTS
    Inventor: Bernard Gasquet
  • Patent number: 7804347
    Abstract: A pulse generator circuit that outputs pulses having a predetermined shape from an output terminal based on a start signal includes a timing generator circuit that generates (n) signals (n is an integer greater than or equal to 2), a pulse width signal generator circuit that generates a first pulse width signal and a second pulse width signal a first filter circuit limiting the band of the first pulse width signal, a second filter circuit limiting the band of the second pulse width signal, first and second power supplies, a first variable impedance circuit controlled by the first filter circuit, a second variable impedance circuit controlled by the second filter circuit, and a switching circuit that alternately connects the output terminal to the first power supply using a logic function value based on at least part of the n signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7801243
    Abstract: A DTV transmitting system includes a pre-processor, a block processor, and a trellis encoder. The pre-processor pre-processes enhanced data by expanding the enhanced data at an expansion rate of 1/H. The block processor includes a first converter, a symbol encoder, a symbol interleaver, and a second converter. The first converter converts the expanded data into symbols. The symbol encoder encodes each valid enhanced data bit in the symbols at an effective coding rate of 1/H. The symbol interleaver interleaves the encoded symbols, and the second converter converts the interleaved symbols into enhanced data bytes. The trellis encoder trellis-encodes the enhanced data outputted from the block processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Woo Kim, In Hwan Choi, Hyoung Gon Lee
  • Publication number: 20100231281
    Abstract: In a method of generating clock signals for a level-sensitive scan design latch, at least one test input signal is transmitted to a plurality of splitter leaves. Once the test input signal is stabilized at each of the splitter leaves, generating a shaped oscillator clock signal having a predetermined pattern of pulses from a central root is generated. At the plurality of splitter leaves, the test input signal is logically combined with the shaped oscillator clock signal, thereby generating a first latch clock signal and a second latch clock signal. The logically combining action includes applying a delay of less than one clock cycle to the shaped oscillator clock signal to generate a delayed oscillator clock signal; logically combining the delayed oscillator clock signal with a second signal so as to generate the first latch clock signal; and logically combining the shaped oscillator clock signal with a third signal so as to generate the second latch clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven M. Douskey, Ryan A. Fitch, Brandon E. Schenck
  • Patent number: 7795941
    Abstract: A frame pulse signal latch circuit has: a pulse-width expanding unit which outputs a frame pulse signal FPIN having a pulse width longer than a m-clock cycle; a phase adjustment unit which generates a phase-adjusted output clock CLK?; a flip-flop which latches the frame pulse signal FPIN; a racing detection unit which generates signals, which are shifted by one to m clocks with respect to a frame pulse signal FPOUT, and detects a racing state based on a result of an AND operation of the frame pulse signal FPOUT and the clock-shifted signals; and a control unit which sequentially selects and directs different phase adjustment amounts to the phase adjustment unit, determines an optimal phase adjustment amount based on a worst phase adjustment amount of the case in which the racing state is detected, and gives a direction about the optimal phase adjustment amount to the phase adjustment unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Tsugio Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7795943
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device has multiple first circuit elements arranged in a first area. A signal distribution circuit that has multiple drive circuits is connected in the form of a tree structure and that distributes a common signal that is input to the starting point of said tree structure to each of the multiple first circuit elements through the same number of levels of drive circuits. At least some of the drive circuits of the tree structure are arranged one each in each of multiple second areas into which the first area is divided to include approximately the same number of the first circuit elements, and the common signal is supplied to the first circuit elements included in the second area where they are arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Yutaka Toyonoh, Tomohide Miyagi
  • Patent number: 7796719
    Abstract: The invention discloses a signal detection apparatus and method thereof for detecting whether an input signal of a set of serial ATA signals is an out of band (OOB) signal. The signal detection apparatus includes a calibrated clock generation device, a signal processor, and a logic determination device. The calibrated clock generation device generates a sampling clock signal according to a predetermined clock signal. The signal processor generates a plurality of detection results based on the sampling clock signal and the input signal. The logic determination device receives the plural of detection results and determines whether the input signal is the OOB signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Mediatek Inc.
    Inventors: Chuan Liu, Chuan-Cheng Hsiao, Pao-Ching Tseng
  • Patent number: 7791392
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating a pulse which generates an internal signal. The apparatus includes a latch circuit latching an input signal to output a first signal. A clock period detector detects a period of an external clock signal to output a period detecting signal and a delay controller adjusts a delay time of the first signal to output a second signal in response to the period detecting signal. A signal generator receives the first signal and the second signal to output a pulse signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Young-Hoon Oh
  • Patent number: 7791393
    Abstract: A clock generating circuit includes a source clock, a first clock generated from the source clock through a first header, a second clock generated from the source clock through a second header and an inverter, wherein the second clock is out of phase with respect to the first clock, a first delayed falling edge clock, wherein the first delayed falling edge clock corresponds to the first clock with a first delayed falling edge, and a second delayed falling edge clock, wherein the second delayed falling edge clock corresponds to the second clock with a second delayed falling edge. The first delayed falling edge clock is generated from a first leading edge path and a first falling edge path, both originating from the source clock, that are inputted to a first delay chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. Masleid, Heechoul Park, Jason M. Hart
  • Patent number: 7791382
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor integrated circuit which includes a logical operation circuit, a clock generator, a relay circuit, and a signal generating unit that are integrated. The clock generator generates multiphase clocks. The relay circuit distributes the generated multiphase clocks to the logical operation circuit. The signal generating unit detects phase states of the distributed multiphase clocks and, based on the detected phase states, generates an analog voltage signal having a voltage value indicative of a phase error in the multiphase clocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Takaaki Nedachi
  • Publication number: 20100219871
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generation of a low jitter clock signal for wireless circuits are disclosed. In an implementation, the system includes a wireless circuit powered by a first power supply and a low jitter clock (LJC) generator powered by a second power supply. The LJC generator provides at least one clock signal to the wireless circuit. The system further includes an LJC driver circuit including a clock buffer powered by the first power supply and a receive buffer powered by the second power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicants: ST-Ericsson India Pvt Ltd., ST-Ericsson SA
    Inventors: Srinath Sridharan, Ramkishore Ganti, Patrick Guyard
  • Patent number: 7786777
    Abstract: The circuit arrangement (1) comprises an input (2) for the connection of an oscillator (3) and an amplifier circuit (20) having a first input (21) that is coupled to the input (1) of the circuit arrangement (1), having a second input (22) and an output (23) that is connected to an output (4) of the circuit arrangement (1). A clock signal (Vout) with a duty cycle (?) can be accessed at the output (4) of the circuit arrangement (1). The circuit arrangement (1) furthermore incorporates a low-pass filter (40), the input of which is connected to the output (23) of the amplifier circuit (20), and an integrator circuit (50) the input of which is connected to the low-pass filter (40) and the output of which is connected to the second input (22) of the amplifier circuit (20) for the delivery of an adjustable threshold value (Vth) for controlling the duty cycle (?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Austriamicrosystems AG
    Inventor: Urs Denier
  • Patent number: 7786782
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to implement clock signal adaptation is provided to characterize an input clock signal that is to be adapted and in response, generate adaptation updates at each subsequent clock cycle of the input clock signal. In a first embodiment, clock signal adaptation occurs through duty cycle correction (DCC) to substantially achieve a 50% duty cycle. In an alternate embodiment, clock signal adaptation occurs through a multiplication operation that is applied to the clock signal to be adapted, whereby the multiplication operation is parameterizable to allow odd/even multiplication. In an alternate embodiment, clock signal adaptation occurs through a phase-shift operation that is applied to the clock signal to be adapted, whereby the phase-shift operation is parameterizable to allow all possible fractions and percentages of phase shifts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Te-Sheng Lien, Mark Men Bon Ng, Jesse H. Jenkins, IV
  • Patent number: 7786785
    Abstract: There are provided a peaking detection part detecting a peaking amount in an output part of an inductor peaking circuit and a control signal generation part varying a circuit parameter of the inductor peaking circuit based on the peaking amount detected by the peaking detection part. Particularly, the inductor peaking circuit has inductors and resistors inserted in series between the output part and a power supply, and capacitances coupled in parallel between the output part and an earth (GND), and depending on respective values of these inductors, resistors and capacitances, it is possible to suppress a peaking generated in the output part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Kouichi Kanda, Hirotaka Tamura, Hisakatsu Yamaguchi, Junji Ogawa
  • Patent number: 7782110
    Abstract: Systems and methods for integrated circuits comprising multiple body bias domains. In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, an integrated circuit is constructed comprising active semiconductor devices in first and second body bias domains. A first body biasing voltage is coupled to the first body bias domain, and a second body biasing voltage is coupled to the second body bias domain. The first and the second body biasing voltages are adjusted to achieve a desirable relative performance between the active semiconductor devices in the first and the second body bias domains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventors: Kleanthes G. Koniaris, James B. Burr
  • Patent number: 7782112
    Abstract: In a device for generating a clock signal having a desired phase from input multi-phase clock signals, an intermediate clock generator generates, by using one of the input multi-phase clock signals as a reference clock signal, multi-phase intermediate clock signals in which one cycle is equal to a plurality of cycles of the reference clock signal. A first phase selector selects one of the multi-phase intermediate clock signals. A second phase selector selects one of the multi-phase clock signals. A latch circuit latches the intermediate clock signal selected by the first phase selector with the clock signal selected by the second phase selector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Tokunaga, Shiro Sakiyama, Shiro Dosho, Akinori Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7782111
    Abstract: A pulse generator is provided that includes: a current source, a source follower whose output controls the gate of a FET and a differential stage whose input voltage consists of inverting square waves and its output voltage consists of extremely narrow pulses widths, for example, of 30 to 40 ps and amplitude of 1.5 Volts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Tialinx, Inc.
    Inventor: Mohammad Ardehali
  • Patent number: 7772911
    Abstract: Disclosed is a timing control circuit that receives a first clock having a period T1, a group of second clocks of L different phases spaced apart from each other at substantially equal intervals and selection signals m, n supplied thereto and generates a fine timing signal delayed from the rising edge of the first clock signal by a delay td of approximately td=m·T1+n·(T2/L). The timing control circuit includes a coarse delay circuit and a fine delay circuit. The coarse delay circuit includes a counter for counting a rising edge of the first clock signal after an activate signal is activated and generates a coarse timing signal whose amount of delay from the first clock signal is approximately m·T1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Ide, Yasuhiro Takai, Tomonori Sekiguchi, Riichiro Takemura, Satoru Akiyama, Hiroaki Nakaya
  • Patent number: 7772902
    Abstract: A PWM buffer circuit includes a duty cycle converting circuit and a frequency-fixed PWM signal generating circuit. The duty cycle converting circuit is used for receiving a first PWM signal and then generating a duty cycle reference voltage on the basis of the first PWM signal. The duty cycle reference voltage is a one-to-one mapping function of the first duty cycle. The frequency-fixed PWM signal generating circuit is used for receiving the duty cycle reference voltage and then outputting a second PWM signal with a fixed frequency. The second PWM signal has a second duty cycle, which is determined in accordance with the duty cycle reference voltage. In addition, the second duty cycle is a one-to-one mapping function of the duty cycle reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Chun-lung Chiu, Wen-shi Huang
  • Patent number: 7772910
    Abstract: An internal clock generator, system and method of generating the internal clock are disclosed. The method comprises detecting the level of an operating voltage within the system, comparing the level of the operating voltage to a target voltage level and generating a corresponding detection signal, and selecting between a normal clock and an alternate clock having a period longer than the period of the normal clock in relation to the detection signal and generating an internal clock on the basis of the selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chul-Ho Lee, Jin-Yub Lee
  • Patent number: 7772909
    Abstract: A supply power can be fed in at a circuit arrangement for supplying power to, and clocking, clocked loads. The circuit arrangement provides a clock signal at a frequency and a supply voltage, the frequency and/or the supply voltage being able to be controlled by the circuit arrangement in such a manner that a power tapped off at the output and the supply power fed in are in a predefined relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Josef Haid, Walter Kargl, Thomas Leutgeb
  • Patent number: 7768319
    Abstract: A clock input filter uses a first programmable low-pass delay element to filter during a low period of an input clock signal and to output a SET signal. The clock input filter uses a second programmable low-pass delay element to filter during a high period of the input clock signal and to output a RESET signal. A latch is set and reset by the SET and RESET signals. The latch outputs a filtered version of the input signal that has the same approximate duty cycle as the input signal. A pair of gates generates a corresponding pair of duty cycle adjusted versions of the input signal. Output multiplexing circuitry is provided to output either the output of the latch, or an increased duty cycle version of the input signal, or a decreased duty cycle version of the input signal, or an unfiltered version of the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: ZiLOG, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven K. Fong
  • Patent number: 7768332
    Abstract: Spurious noise that occurs in the vicinity of a carrier can be removed even when a high-resolution cycle is set, thereby realizing low jitters in a high-precision variable clock signal. Cycle data that is set by a pattern generator in a waveform generation apparatus (a semiconductor test apparatus) is corrected in such a manner that spurious noise that occurs in a carrier of a high-precision variable clock is produced at a position far from the carrier in terms of frequency. As a result, the spurious noise can be assuredly removed by a phase-locked loop circuit, thereby realizing low jitters in the high-precision variable clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Advantest Corp.
    Inventor: Kenji Tamura
  • Publication number: 20100188129
    Abstract: Various apparatuses and methods for offsetting the phase and/or frequency of a clock signal are disclosed herein. For example, some embodiments provide an apparatus for generating a clock signal, including a quadrature delay circuit connected to an input clock signal. The quadrature delay circuit outputs components of the input clock signal with different phase shifts. A first amplitude modulator is connected to the first output of the quadrature delay circuit, and a second amplitude modulator is connected to the second output of the quadrature delay circuit. A summer combines the output of the first and second amplitude modulators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventor: Stanley Jeh-Chun Ma
  • Patent number: 7764104
    Abstract: A clock signal may be generated for a receiving circuit without requiring an external oscillator. A first digital circuit may convert a first signal edge at an input into a first clock signal at an output, and a second digital circuit, in feedback connection with the first digital circuit, may generate a second signal edge at the input based on the first clock signal at the output. Then, the first circuit may convert the second signal edge at the input to a second clock signal at the output. Thus, the first circuit and the second circuit, in combination, may generate a continuous stream of signal edges at the input and clock signals at the output. The second circuit may communicate with the controller circuit that may indicate that a subsequent clock signal is needed. The controller circuit may send commands and receive status from the receiving circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: L3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Michael Reindl, Byungchae Kim
  • Publication number: 20100182066
    Abstract: A main (sub) clock circuit comprising a first (second) capacitor, a first (second) current-supply circuit to supply to the first (second) capacitor a first (third) current for charging at a predetermined-current value or a second (fourth) current for discharging at a predetermined-current value, a first (second) charge/discharge-control circuit to output a first (second) control signal for switching between the first (third) current and second (fourth) current which are supplied to the first (second) capacitor from the first (second) current-supply circuit when a voltage across the first (second) capacitor has reached a first (third) reference voltage or second (fourth) reference voltage higher than the first (third) reference voltage, and a first (second) output circuit to output a main (sub) clock according to the first (second) control signal, the first capacitor having one end connected to a first potential, the second capacitor having one end to which the main clock is input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicants: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Sanyo Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuru Ooyagi, Tomoaki Nishi
  • Patent number: 7760002
    Abstract: A clock generating circuit, including a pulse generating unit to generate a plurality of pulse signals based on a reference clock, the pulse signals each having the same period, a phase difference between the adjacent pulse signals being a first phase difference; and a multi-phase clock generating unit to generate a plurality of multi-phase clocks, a phase difference between the adjacent multi-phase clocks being equal to a second phase difference between pulse signals of a pulse signal pair, based on a plurality of unit-phase clock generating units receiving the pulse signal pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Dae-Han Kwon, Taek-Sang Song
  • Patent number: 7759999
    Abstract: An Externally Asynchronous-Internally Clocked (EAIC) system that generates an internal clock signal includes a clock signal control block. The clock signal control block includes a pull-up unit that is activated in response to an input signal used to generate an internal clock signal; a pull-down unit that is activated in response to the input signal used to generate an internal clock signal, and a bypass unit that is provided between the pull-up unit and the pull-down unit, and selectively provides a signal path to the pull-down unit if the pull-down unit is activated and a signal path from the pull-up unit if the pull-up unit is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Seon-Kwang Jeon
  • Patent number: 7755409
    Abstract: A clock signal generator including: a signal generation unit that outputs a first clock signal composed of a single frequency component; and a phase angle detection unit that detects phase angles of the first clock signal by comparing a plurality of threshold values set within the amplitude of the first clock signal with instantaneous values of the first clock signal by using window comparators, and generates a second clock signal by determining rising and/or falling edges of the signal according to the detected phase angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kesatoshi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 7755408
    Abstract: A signal distribution tree structure for distributing signals within a plurality of signal tree branches to a plurality of signal sinks, wherein the signal in subsequent sub trees (11) is driven by a preceding amplifier (2), which is characterized in that the amplifiers are logic gates (3), which combines the signals of a preferred input (31) connected to a preceding logic gate in the signal path with a signal of a secondary input (32) connected to an adjacent tree (12) path of a neighboring and/our preceding sub tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sebastian Ehrenreich, Juergen Koehl, Juergen Pille
  • Patent number: 7755410
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a voltage supplying unit that supplies a first regulated voltage and a second regulated voltage by using a first reference voltage and a second reference voltage, respectively, and a clock buffer unit that supplies an output clock clocking within a range of the first regulated voltage and the second regulated voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Ic-Su Oh, Yong-Ju Kim, Sung-Woo Han, Hee-Woong Song, Hyung-Soo Kim, Tae-Jin Hwang, Hae-Rang Choi, Ji-Wang Lee, Jae-Min Jang, Chang-Kun Park
  • Patent number: 7750585
    Abstract: A particularly high level of performance in a sensorless, electronically commutated multiphase electric motor can be achieved, wherein for one full cycle at least, one motor phase is controlled in an asymmetrical manner relative to a further motor phase by controlling a commutation angle of one motor phase by reduction relative to a corresponding commutation angle of the other motor phase. Alternatively or in addition, according to the aforementioned method, at least one motor phase is asymmetrically controlled by reduction by self-reference for a full cycle, a commutation angle being controlled by reduction relative to a preceding or subsequent commutation angle or the size of the intermediate angles between two commutation angles being varied, the reduced commutation angle always being preceded or followed by a measurement angle within which the relevant motor phase is switched at zero current for detecting the rotor position by measuring the counter-electromotive force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive AG
    Inventor: Johannes Schwarzkopf
  • Patent number: 7750713
    Abstract: A spread spectrum clock generator for sequentially modulating a source clock of a fixed frequency with a predetermined frequency range, including: a plurality of first loading units configured to delay clock edges of the source clock by a delay time corresponding to the number of unit delay steps determined by delay step control signals, wherein each of the first loading units comprises a plurality of second loading units each of which is configured to vary a delay value of each unit delay step by changing an inner interconnection configuration thereof in response to unit delay step control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Young-Hoon Oh
  • Patent number: 7750707
    Abstract: High-resolution low-interconnect phase rotator. A signal may be generated having any desired phase (as determined by the step size employed). First and second control signals select a sector (e.g., the range from 0° to 360° is divided into a number of sectors) and a particular phase within that sector. Generally, this range from 0° to 360° is uniformly divided so that each sector is the same. However, if desired, there can alternatively be differences in the sizes of each of the sectors. The use of these two sets of controls signals (one for selecting the sector and one for selecting the particular phase within the sector) allows for very few control signals. N-channel metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (N-MOSFET) based switches and differential pairs of transistors or alternatively p-channel metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (P-MOSFET) based switches and differential pairs of transistors can be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Afshin Momtaz
  • Patent number: 7750706
    Abstract: Circuits, systems, and methods for generating a delayed clock signal. The circuit generally includes a first ramp generator configured to produce a first ramp signal in response to a reference clock signal, a first comparison circuit configured to compare the first ramp signal to a first threshold value in response to the reference clock signal to produce a comparison signal, a second ramp generator configured to produce a second ramp signal in response to the comparison signal, and a second comparison circuit configured to compare the second ramp signal to a second threshold value to produce the delayed clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas B. Cho, Xiaoyue Wang
  • Patent number: 7750714
    Abstract: A semiconductor device minimizes generation of an output signal skew of an input buffer and thus stabilizes the operation of the semiconductor device. The semiconductor integrated circuit includes an input potential detection unit outputting a detection signal in response to a level of an input signal, an input buffer buffering the input signal, and an output path control unit that receives the output signal of the input buffer and the detection signal of the input potential detection unit and outputs an output driving signal in response to the level of the detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Mi Hye Kim, Jae Jin Lee
  • Publication number: 20100164583
    Abstract: An on-chip logic cell timing characterization circuit is provided. Also provided are a method of conducting setup/hold characterization on a sequential cell and a method of characterizing propagation delay on a logic cell. A sequential cell on which setup/hold time is to be characterized is formed in duplicate with one close to the other. A first clock signal is sampled at a transition of a second clock signal on one sequential cell, and a setup time is determined by a state transition in the output signal of the first sequential. The second clock signal is sampled at a transition of the first clock signal on the other sequential cell, and a hold time is determined by a state transition in the output signal of the second sequential cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Ker-Min Chen, Ching-Hao Shaw
  • Patent number: 7746142
    Abstract: Circuit and methods for automatic clock skew compensation in circuits having two power domains. When one of the power domains is operated with a lowered supply voltage, lowering the supply voltage tends to slow the clock pulse and produces clock skew. Circuitry is provided for selectively delaying the clock pulse in one of the power domains to reduce the clock skew by comparing the clock pulses, and then automatically delaying the clock pulse in one of the domains by a delay determined to minimize the skew. A method is provided where the clock skew between two clock pulses is determined and the delay needed in one of the clock pulses to reduce the skew is determined by sampling the clock skew using a plurality of delays at multiples of a minimum delay, and then automatically delaying the one clock pulse by selecting an appropriate delay. The method may be iterated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei-Pin Changchein, Shu Yi Ying, Fu-Lung Hsueh
  • Patent number: 7746143
    Abstract: An object is to provide a clock generating circuit that can suppress variation of an oscillation frequency from the clock generating circuit, which is due to a change in the output voltage according to a discharging characteristic of the battery, and effectively utilize the remaining power of the battery. A structure includes an output voltage detecting circuit for detecting an output voltage from a battery; a frequency-division number determining circuit for determining the number of frequency-division by a value of the output voltage detected by the output voltage detecting circuit; an oscillation circuit for outputting a reference clock signal depending on the output voltage; a counter circuit for counting a number of waves of the reference clock signal that depends on the number of frequency-division; and a frequency-dividing circuit that frequency-divides the reference clock signal depending on the number of waves counted by the counter circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Masami Endo
  • Patent number: 7741893
    Abstract: There is a provided a dual mode clock generator that is applicable to a direct current-direct current converter of a power supply. The dual mode clock generator includes a frequency controller for controlling generation of charge and discharge; a current source unit for generating a charge, and generating a charge; a capacitor for charging a voltage according to the charge current generated by the current source unit; an oscillation controller for controlling switch-on or switch-off to charge and discharge the capacitor; a switch for controlling the charging and discharging of the capacitor through the ON or OFF control of the oscillation controller; and a current sink unit for generating a discharge current according to the second current in the first operation mode and generating a discharge current according to the third current and the fourth current in the second operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong In Cheon, Byoung Own Min, Chang Woo Ha
  • Publication number: 20100148840
    Abstract: A circuit for increasing a gate voltage of a transmission gate in a high-speed switch to a level higher than a level of a supply voltage is provided. The circuit includes an oscillator generating a clock signal and a charge pump circuit operatively coupled to the oscillator. The charge pump circuit receives the supply voltage and the clock signal as inputs, and outputs the gate voltage. The circuit also includes a comparator circuit coupled to the oscillator circuit and the charge pump circuit and a pulse signal generator circuit operatively coupled to the oscillator, the pulse signal generator circuit generating a pulse signal which enables the oscillator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: SIYOU WENG, TACETTIN ISIK
  • Patent number: 7733151
    Abstract: A clock signal generator (1) includes a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit (25) which requires a reference clock signal of at least a predetermined first frequency (fDIGCLK). A first clock signal (REFCLK) of a second frequency (fREF) that is substantially lower than the first frequency (fDIGCLK) is multiplied so as to produce a second clock signal (DIGCLK) which has a frequency at least as high as the first frequency (fDIGCLK) and which is phase-locked with respect to the first clock signal (REFCLK). The second clock signal (DIGCLK) is applied to a reference signal input of the PLL circuit (25), which produces an output clock signal (PLLCLK or CLKOUT).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Shawn Xianggang Yu, Terry L. Sculley
  • Patent number: 7733152
    Abstract: A pulse signal circulates around a ring of delay elements with respective traversal signals being thereby successively outputted from the delay elements. The period of a reference signal is multiplied or divided by a real number to obtain control data specifying a required period of a clock signal as a value having an integer part and a fractional part. The control data are used to select the timings of specific traversal signal, and the clock signal is generated based these selected timings, with the timing selection being repetitively adjusted in accordance with the fractional part of the control data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takamoto Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7733150
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for distributing a clock signal to a digital circuit provide for: producing a clock signal; and delaying, advanced, or leaving the clock signal unchanged to produce an output clock signal as a function of a control signal, wherein an amount of delay or advancement between the clock signal and the output clock signal (phase difference) is a function of time variant changes in a magnitude of a power supply voltage to the digital circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Chiaki Takano
  • Patent number: RE41791
    Abstract: In a pulse generator, a sawtooth-shaped wave generator circuit generates a sawtooth-shaped wave by charging and discharging a capacitor. The sawtooth-shaped wave is fed to a comparator that performs pulse-width modulation on it in accordance with the voltage it receives via a terminal and thereby produces pulses. The comparator has its output grounded through a transistor that is turned on with appropriate timing by the sawtooth-shaped wave generator circuit. Thus, the maximum duty factor of the output pulses is made equal to the duty factor of the sawtooth-shaped wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michiaki Yama