Complementary Metal-oxide Semiconductor (cmos) Patents (Class 327/437)
  • Publication number: 20130009693
    Abstract: A first and second plurality of gates are coupled respectively between first and second source storage elements and first and second destination storage elements. The first and second plurality of gates are slept to reduce leakage current in the plurality of gates under certain conditions by turning off respective one or more transistors between the first and second plurality of gates and power supplies. A third plurality of gates are maintained in a reduced leakage current state (sleep state) or regular state (wake state) based on conditions associated with the source and destination elements for the first and second plurality of gates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventor: Daniel W. Bailey
  • Publication number: 20120299637
    Abstract: A switch can be implemented by a switch circuit, which can include a pair of NMOS transistors connected in series as pass-through transistors to transmit an input signal at an input terminal to produce an output signal at output terminal in response to an active state of a switching signal, and a pair of PMOS transistors connected in series as pass-through transistors to transmit the input signal at the input terminal to produce the output signal at output terminal in response to the active state of the switching signal. The switch circuit can also include a switch network connecting, in response to the active state of the switching signal, sources to bodies of the pairs of NMOS and PMOS transistors, and connecting, in response to an inactive state of the switching signal, the bodies of the pair of NMOS transistors to a first reference voltage, the bodies of the pair of PMOS transistors to a second reference voltage, and the sources of the pairs of NMOS and PMOS transistors to a third reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: ANALOG DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Enrique COMPANY BOSCH, John Anthony CLEARY
  • Publication number: 20120274387
    Abstract: Embodiments of radio frequency switching systems, modules, and methods with improved high frequency performance are described generally herein where the switching module may include a first switch module coupled in series to a second switch module, and a third switch module coupled between the first and the second module and ground. A controllable element of the second module may have a lower off capacitance than a controllable element of the first module. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventor: Jaroslaw Adamski
  • Patent number: 8278782
    Abstract: A circuit is provided that includes a parasitic power circuit that powers a parasitic circuit. The parasitic power circuit derives a supply voltage from an external AC or other signal suitable for use as a communications signal. A PMOS transistor or transistors is utilized to enable a supply voltage capacitor to charge substantially to the same voltage as the channel voltage of the communications signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin Lyle Peak, Jr., Bradley Mason Harrington, Matthew Ray Harrington
  • Patent number: 8248147
    Abstract: A power switch circuit providing voltage to an output port is provided. The switch circuit includes a single power supply, a switch unit, a controlling unit, and a logic unit. The switch unit is connected between the single power supply and an output port and capable of being turned on and off alternatively for continuing or discontinuing power from the single power supply to the output port; the single power supply provides power to the output port. The controlling unit is configured for generating a voltage controlling signal and transmitting the voltage controlling signal to the logic unit. The logic unit receives and inverts the voltage controlling signal, and outputs the inverted voltage controlling signal to turn on or turn off the switch unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yan Xu, Yan-Ling Geng, Hui Yin, Bo-Ching Lin, Han-Che Wang
  • Publication number: 20120206188
    Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed that include MOSFET transistor operation by adjusting Vbs, or the voltage applied to the body terminal of the MOSFET transistor, to control the threshold voltage (Vth) in order to minimize leakage current and increase response time. One embodiment includes a n-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (NMOS), including: a gate terminal; a source terminal; a drain terminal; a body terminal; and control circuitry, where the control circuitry is configured to bias the body terminal at a first voltage when voltage applied to the gate terminal turns the transistor OFF and a second voltage when voltage applied to the gate terminal turns the transistor ON; and where the first voltage is of a lower value than the second voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Tuan Anh Duong
  • Patent number: 8228109
    Abstract: A transmission gate circuit includes a first transmission gate, having a first switching device, coupled in series with a second transmission gate, having a second switching device, and control circuitry which places the first transmission gate and the second transmission gate into a conductive state to provide a conductive path through the first transmission gate and the second transmission gate. When the voltage of the first terminal is above a first voltage level and outside a safe operating voltage area of at least one of the first and second switching device, the first switching device remains within its safe operating voltage area and the second switching device remains within its safe operating voltage area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Stockinger, Jose A. Camarena, Wenzhong Zhang
  • Patent number: 8228113
    Abstract: A power semiconductor module includes a normally on, controllable first power semiconductor switch including at least one first power semiconductor chip, and a normally off, controllable second power semiconductor switch including at least one second power semiconductor chip. The load paths of the first power semiconductor switch and of the second power semiconductor switch are connected in series. The control terminals of all first power semiconductor chips are permanently electrically conductively connected to a conductor track to which no load terminal of any of the first power semiconductor chips is permanently electrically conductively connected, and to which no load terminal and no control terminal of any of the second power semiconductor chips are permanently electrically conductively connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Daniel Domes
  • Publication number: 20120182070
    Abstract: A method for controlling an output amplification stage comprising first and second complementary SOI-type power MOS transistors, in series between first and second power supply rails, the method including the steps of: connecting the bulk of the first transistor to the first rail when the first transistor is maintained in an off state; connecting the bulk of the second transistor to the second rail when the second transistor is maintained in an off state; and connecting the bulk of each of the transistors to the common node of said transistors, during periods when this transistor switches from an off state to an on state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS SA
    Inventors: Dimitri Soussan, Sylvain Majcherczak
  • Patent number: 8222949
    Abstract: Embodiments of circuits, devices, and methods related to a radio frequency switch are disclosed. In various embodiments, a circuit may comprise a series path including a series transistor to be switched on during a first mode of operation; a shunt path including a shunt transistor to be switched off during the first mode of operation; and a return path including a return transistor to be switched on during the first mode of operation. Other embodiments may also be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Triquint Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Wolfram Stiebler
  • Publication number: 20120081172
    Abstract: A high voltage switch is presented that, rather than relying upon a charge pump to boost the voltage applied to the switches gate in order to compensate for the switch's threshold voltage, a combination of high voltage devices to eliminate the threshold voltage from the switch. This will save on the needed circuit area and reduce the current and, consequently, power consumption. In the exemplary embodiment, the switch circuit passes an input voltage from an input node to an output node in response to an enable signal. The switch includes a level shifter connected to the input node and is connected to receive the enable signal to provide the input voltage as output when the enable signal is asserted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventors: Jonathan Hoang Huynh, Feng Pan
  • Patent number: 8143934
    Abstract: A system includes a voltage pump to generate a first pump voltage from an analog voltage signal. The system further includes switching pad to receive an analog signal from an external source and route the analog signal to analog processing circuitry over one or more analog signal busses based on the first pump voltage and the analog voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: James H. Shutt, Harold Kutz, Timothy Williams, Bruce Byrkett
  • Publication number: 20120044012
    Abstract: A reference current generating circuit includes a generator that generates a reference voltage, a bias generator includes plural transistors of a different conductive types from each other and generates a first bias voltage and a second bias voltage, respectively, a first output transistor and a second output transistor of a different conductive type that outputs a current corresponds to a reference current when the first bias voltage or the second bias voltage is supplied thereto, an input-output unit that one terminal connected between the first output transistor and the second output terminal and the other terminal connected to a load, and supplies current from the first output transistor to the load or from the load to the second output transistor, and a switch that turns on/off the first and the second output transistors based on the output voltage of the input-output unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Naoya Shibayama
  • Patent number: 8115256
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an inverter having an NMOSFET and a PMOSFET having sources, drains and gate electrodes respectively, the drains being connected to each other and the gate electrodes being connected to each other, and a pnp bipolar transistor including a collector (C), a base (B) and an emitter (E), the base (B) receiving an output of the inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruki Yoneda, Hideaki Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20120019969
    Abstract: In combining an analog terminal of an A/D converter with a digital terminal, the effect of the noise from the digital terminal is reduced. A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a high-speed external terminal, a low-speed external terminal, a high-speed analog switch, a low-speed analog switch, and an A/D converter. The high-speed external terminal is coupled to an input of the A/D converter via the high-speed analog switch, and the low-speed external terminal is coupled to the input of the A/D converter via the low-speed analog switch. A plurality of inputs of a plurality of low-speed digital input buffer circuits and a plurality of outputs of a plurality of low-speed digital output buffer circuits are coupled to a plurality of low-speed external terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventor: Masaru IWABUCHI
  • Publication number: 20120013390
    Abstract: In versions 1.1a and 1.2 of the DISPLAYPORT™ standard, capacitors are used between a sourcing circuit and a switch for the auxiliary channel. As a result, these capacitors are generally uncharged when the switch activates the auxiliary channel, which can result in errors. Here, a switch is employed that uses precharge circuits to precharge these capacitors. Thus, errors due to charging of these capacitors can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: MD Anwar Sadat, Yanli Fan, Huawen Jin, Woo J. Kim
  • Publication number: 20120013391
    Abstract: An adaptive switch circuit is provided, which includes a CMOS switch, an off-level voltage generator, and a booster circuit. The CMOS switch includes first PMOS and NMOS coupled transistors. The generator provides, via first and second outputs, first and second voltage levels, and includes second PMOS and NMOS transistors. The second PMOS transistor is series connected between VDD and a first bias source and the second NMOS transistor is series connected between VSS and a second bias source. The booster circuit, which is coupled to the generator between its outputs, and to the PMOS and NMOS gates of the CMOS switch, capacitively stores during off level first and second boost voltages, which are coupled to the PMOS and NMOS gates. The boost voltages are offset from VDD and VSS, respectively, each by approximately a threshold voltage of the respective transistor type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: ZENTRUM MIKROELEKTRONIK DRESDEN AG
    Inventor: Mathias Krauss
  • Publication number: 20120007656
    Abstract: A power switching circuit designed for operating in a radiation environment using non-radiation hardened components is provided. The power switching circuit provides a high-voltage rated, non-radiation hardened N-channel FET (N-FET) controlled by a relatively small, low-voltage, non-radiation hardened P-channel FET (P-FET), while both devices are operating in a radiation environment. The P-FET device is drive by a sufficiently high drive voltage in order to overcome gate threshold shifts resulting from accumulated radiation damage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventor: Steven E. Summer
  • Publication number: 20110316610
    Abstract: A transmission gate circuit includes a first transmission gate, having a first switching device, coupled in series with a second transmission gate, having a second switching device, and control circuitry which places the first transmission gate and the second transmission gate into a conductive state to provide a conductive path through the first transmission gate and the second transmission gate. When the voltage of the first terminal is above a first voltage level and outside a safe operating voltage area of at least one of the first and second switching device, the first switching device remains within its safe operating voltage area and the second switching device remains within its safe operating voltage area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Michael A. Stockinger, Jose A. Camarena, Wenzhong Zhang
  • Publication number: 20110298526
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for disabling well bias are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a complimentary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) switch having a gate, a drain, a source, and a well. The source and drain are formed in the well. The gate is formed adjacent the well between the source and drain, and the source is configured to receive a bias voltage from a power amplifier. The apparatus further includes a well bias control block for biasing the well voltage of the first switch and a disable circuit for disabling the well bias control block so as to prevent the well bias control block from biasing the well. The well bias control block can bias the well voltage of the first switch to at least two voltage levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Homol, Karl J. Couglar
  • Patent number: 8063671
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a driving circuit of switch device. The present invention employs transformer isolated driving. The number of said transformers is two. The primary sides of the two transformers are connected to two driving modulators, respectively. The input terminal of a high frequency carrier signal and the input terminal of a driving signal are connected to the input terminal of a first driving modulator. The input terminal of a driving signal being connected with an inverter together with the input terminal of the high frequency carrier signal are connected to the input terminal of a second driving modulator. The first secondary side of the first transformer is connected to a power supply circuit which may provide a necessary voltage for turning on the switch device during a high level period of the driving signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Liebert Corporation
    Inventor: Xueli Xiao
  • Publication number: 20110234298
    Abstract: Provided is a reference voltage circuit having a soft start function, which is small in circuit size and is capable of providing a continuous voltage. The reference voltage circuit includes a reference voltage section and a soft start circuit. The reference voltage section includes a depletion mode MOS transistor and a first enhancement mode MOS transistor. The soft start circuit includes: a second enhancement mode MOS transistor having a gate connected to a gate and a drain of the first enhancement mode MOS transistor, and a drain connected to an output terminal of the reference voltage circuit; a MOS switch having one terminal connected to an output terminal of the reference voltage section, and another terminal connected to the drain of the second enhancement mode MOS transistor; and a constant current source and a capacitor connected in series between a power supply and a ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventor: Teruo Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20110234285
    Abstract: A switching device includes a first switch disposed between a power source voltage and an intermediate node, the first switch forming a current path on the basis of an input signal, a second switch disposed between the intermediate node and a ground, the second switch forming a current path on the basis of a voltage of the intermediate node, and a transmission gate receiving the input signal, the transmission gate outputting the input signal on the basis of the voltage of the intermediate node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Tak-Yung Kim, Taewhan Kim
  • Publication number: 20110193615
    Abstract: Provided is a transmission gate capable of adapting to various input voltages to attain high S/N characteristics. The transmission gate includes: a PMOS transistor (11) which includes a drain to which an input voltage (Vin) is input, is turned ON when a voltage (Vin?Vs1) is input to a gate thereof, and includes a source from which the input voltage (Vin) is output as an output voltage (Vout); and an NMOS transistor (12) which has a gate length, a gate width, a gate oxide thickness, and an absolute value of a threshold voltage which are the same as those of the PMOS transistor (11), includes a drain to which the input voltage (Vin) is input, is turned ON when a voltage (Vin+Vs1) is input to a gate thereof, and includes a source from which the input voltage (Vin) is output as the output voltage (Vout).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventor: Takashi Ono
  • Publication number: 20110148507
    Abstract: A sample-and-hold feed switch has parallel PMOS branches and parallel NMOS branches, each extending from an input node to an output node connected to a hold capacitor. Each PMOS branch has a PMOS switch FET connected to a matching PMOS dummy FET, and each NMOS branch has an NMOS switch FET connected to a matching NMOS dummy FET. A sample clock switches the PMOS switch FETs on and off, and a synchronous inverse sample clock effects complementary on-off switching of the PMOS dummy FETs. Concurrently, a synchronous inverse sample clock switches the NMOS switch FETs on and off, and the sample clock effects a complementary on-off switching of the NMOS dummy FETs. A bias sequencer circuit biases the bodies of the PMOS switch FETs and the bodies of the PMOS dummy FETs, in a complementary manner, and biases the NMOS switch FETs and the NMOS dummy FETs, also in a complementary manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Qiong Wu, Kevin Mahooti
  • Patent number: 7965127
    Abstract: A drive circuit for a power switch component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ)
    Inventor: Andreas Svensson
  • Publication number: 20110140764
    Abstract: Provided is a CMOS switch for use in RF switching having improved isolation properties. The CMOS switch includes a serial switching unit having first and second CMOS switches, a switching isolation unit for allowing an unselected output terminal of two output terminals to be electrically isolated from a common input terminal when the serial switching unit operates and an isolation enhancement unit. The isolation enhancement unit is connected in parallel to the first and the second CMOS switches between the two output terminals forming a parallel resonance circuit together with a parasitic capacitor of the serial switching unit. The CMOS switch for use in RF switching according to the present invention has a simple circuit structure and excellent operating properties at the MF or higher band. Also, the CMOS switch having high isolation properties is realized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: Electronics & Telecommunications Research
    Inventors: Dong Hwan Shin, In Bok Yom
  • Patent number: 7961031
    Abstract: A semiconductor switch circuit is provided that enables current consumption to be reduced even in a conduction state. A semiconductor switch circuit 100 has P-type MOS transistors Q101 and Q102 for conduction that share a source and are connected in series between an input/output terminal 101 and input/output terminal 102, a P-type MOS transistor Q103 and N-type MOS transistor Q105 having drains connected to the gate of Q101, a P-type MOS transistor Q104 and N-type MOS transistor Q106 having drains connected to the gate of Q102, and a control terminal 103 connected to the gates of the transistors. Further semiconductor switch circuit 100 is configured with the sources and back gates of Q103 and Q104 connected to the sources of Q101 and Q102. Therefore, it is possible to switch the path between input/output terminal 101 and input/output terminal 102 between a conduction state and non-conduction state by means of voltage control by voltage value Vcont of a control signal applied to control terminal 103.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hideyuki Kihara, Tomohiro Ukai, Kiyotaka Inagaki
  • Patent number: 7956668
    Abstract: A method of driving an array of switches comprising supplying the same drive signal to a first drive terminal of a plurality of the switches of an array and supplying second drive signals to a second drive terminal of each of the plurality of switches, the second drive signal supplied to a first of the switches being of a form selected to close the first switch, the form of the second drive signal supplied to the remaining switches being selected to prevent false activation of those switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Inventors: Kevin Wilson, John Baggs, Louis Couture
  • Patent number: 7952418
    Abstract: An enhanced transistor gate drive is disclosed in which a pair of Kelvin sense leads measure the voltage potential across at the gate and source of the transistor. The difference in the voltage potential of the Kelvin sense lead from the gate and the Kelvin sense lead of the source is provided to a voltage controlled current source, which compares the output of the voltage differentiator to an oscillating voltage input. Changes to the voltage difference between the Kelvin sense connectors will result in more or less voltage being applied at the gate of the transistor, thereby parasitic inductance in the transistor from causing the device to switch on and off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Brent A. McDonald, George G. Richards, III, Brian P. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7924083
    Abstract: An isolation circuit is provided. The isolation circuit is coupled to an output and an input node and includes a first set, a second switch set, and a body bias voltage generator. The first switch set couples a switch control node to a second voltage when a first voltage is at a first voltage level, and couples the switch control node to the input node when the first voltage is at a second voltage level. The second switch set couples the output node to the input node when the first voltage is at the first voltage level, and isolates the output node from the input node when the first voltage is at the second voltage level. The body bias voltage generator selectively provides a higher one of the first voltage and a voltage on the input node to a body of the second switch set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Yung-Fa Chou, Ding-Ming Kwai
  • Publication number: 20110080206
    Abstract: An electronic system is disclosed, which includes a connector unit to communicate data with a host system, an electronic circuit to store the data, and a switch to convey the data to and from the electronic circuit via the connector unit. The switch includes a negative voltage protection unit coupled to the connector unit, and a transistor switch coupled to the negative voltage protection unit, the connector unit, and the electronic circuit. The negative voltage protection unit forces the transistor switch off if a negative voltage is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: INTERSIL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventor: DONALD GILES KOCH
  • Patent number: 7893750
    Abstract: A component with a functionally-configurable circuit arrangement, has a first switch group with a voltage-dependent switching on or off of a data line and at least one second switch group generating two discrete output voltages separated by an increase in voltage and the switch states for the discrete output voltages may be stored in non-volatile memory. The switching on or off of the data line is determined by the switch state of the first switch group and a third switch group (11) is provided to increase the voltage increase between the first switch group (17) and the second switch group (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Joachim Bangert, Markus Köchy, Christian Siemers
  • Publication number: 20110025734
    Abstract: Provided are a level shifter and a display device including the level shifter. The level shifter includes: a first circuit that blocks a supply of a source voltage to a first node while a signal input to an input terminal is maintained at a logic high level, and that supplies the source voltage to the first node while the signal input to the input terminal is transitioned from a logic high level to a logic low level; a second circuit that supplies the source voltage to the first node only when a voltage of an output terminal is maintained at a logic low level; a first inverter that reverses a logical level of the signal input to the input terminal by using the voltage supplied from the first node and outputs the signal to a second node; and a second inverter that reverses the logical level of the signal input to the second node by using the source voltage and outputs the signal to the output terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Woo-Chol Jeon, Jae-bum Choi
  • Publication number: 20110019760
    Abstract: A transmitter expresses continuous-time signals on alternate, parallel channels with reference to different supply voltages such that the signals on alternate channels have different common-mode voltages. At the transmitter, expressing the symbols using alternate supply voltages limits the maximum supply current used to express the signals and to transition between adjacent symbol sets. Limiting supply current ameliorates problems associated with simultaneous switching noise (SSN). At the receiver, the different common-mode voltages tend to balance the current to and from termination nodes, and consequently place reduced stress on a reference voltage. Providing different common-mode voltages on alternate channels may additionally reduce cross-talk between channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: Rambus Inc.
    Inventor: Huy M. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7863964
    Abstract: A radio frequency semiconductor switching device (S) is formed on an MMIC structure (C) including a switching circuit element (12) having four semiconductor switching units (68, 70) with each adapted for receiving a gate control signal. A level shift circuit (10) generates a biasing voltage signal communicated of the switching units (68, 70) for biasing the switching units (68), and provides an output that swings between approximately one diode drop above ground and a negative voltage to bias the switching circuit elements (68 and 70) for reduced loss. The level shift circuit (10) is responsive to an externally provided control signal (58). The switching units (68, 70) are formed into a grouping of at least, a first and a second set (76, 78) of interconnected semiconductor switching units (68, 70) with each set (76, 78) having gates of at least two of the interconnected switching units (68, 70) connected with the level shift circuit output (60, 62).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Scott K. Suko, Andrew R. Passerelli, Gregory D. Nachtreib
  • Patent number: 7852137
    Abstract: A device capable of bidirectional on-off switching control of an electric circuit. Included is a normally-on HEMT connected between a pair of terminals of the device. A normally-off MOSFET of relatively low antivoltage strength is connected between the HEMT and one of the pair of terminals, and another similar MOSFET between the HEMT and the other of the terminal pair. A diode is connected in inverse parallel with each MOSFET, and two other diodes are connected between the gate of the HEMT and the pair of terminals respectively. The switching device as a whole is normally off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Machida, Akio Iwabuchi
  • Publication number: 20100308891
    Abstract: A switch circuit is disclosed. The switch circuit may include one or more arrangements of transistors coupled in a cascode configuration. The transistors used to implement the switch circuit may be configured for operation within a first range of voltages. The application in which the switch circuit may be implemented may require conveying signals within a second range of voltages that is greater than the first range of voltages. Thus, the switch circuit may include one or more additional transistors to ensure that a voltage drop between any two terminals of the transistors used in the switch circuit is within the first range of voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventor: Vincent R. von Kaenel
  • Publication number: 20100277217
    Abstract: To easily judge a transmission signal outputted from an own electronic device. A transmission part 7 outputs a transmission signal to a transmission path 1 side. Switching parts Q1 and Q2 are connected between a constant voltage power source and the transmission path 1, to switch on/off of a signal supplied from the constant voltage power source, being the transmission signal from the transmission part 7, and output it to the transmission path 1. A reception part 9 receives the transmission signal from the transmission path 1. A detection part 13 is connected between the constant voltage power source and the switching parts Q1, Q2, to detect the transmission signal from the transmission part 7 flowing through the switching parts Q1 and Q2. A selection part 15 selects the reception part 9, when the transmission signal from the transmission part 7 is not detected by the detection part 13.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: B & PLUS K.K.
    Inventor: Mitsuo Takarada
  • Publication number: 20100277220
    Abstract: Conventional current sharing circuits, which can be used in drivers for liquid crystal displays (LCDs), for example, often use bipolar transistors. However, bipolar transistors are not available in many CMOS processes. Thus, a current sharing circuit is provided here that employs CMOS transistors. In particular, the circuit provided here uses a current mirror and pass circuit to assist in providing this current sharing function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Carsten I. Stoerk, Joerg T. Kirchner
  • Publication number: 20100244930
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has multiple high-side field-effect transistors and multiple low-side field-effect transistors connected to a single output terminal to generate an output signal. A driver circuit outputs driving signals that turn the field-effect transistors on and off. The driving signal for the field-effect transistors on each side is conducted by a salicided gate line with salicide block areas that produce successive delays, causing the field-effect transistors to turn on sequentially. Alternatively, the transistors have different threshold voltages, or the driving signals for different transistors are output from drivers with different driving abilities, again causing the transistors to turn on sequentially. The output signal therefore rises and falls gradually, reducing electromagnetic interference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: OKI SEMICONDUCTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Ogawa, Daisuke Fujii
  • Publication number: 20100219878
    Abstract: A semiconductor switch circuit is provided that enables current consumption to be reduced even in a conduction state. A semiconductor switch circuit 100 has P-type MOS transistors Q101 and Q102 for conduction that share a source and are connected in series between an input/output terminal 101 and input/output terminal 102, a P-type MOS transistor Q103 and N-type MOS transistor Q105 having drains connected to the gate of Q101, a P-type MOS transistor Q104 and N-type MOS transistor Q106 having drains connected to the gate of Q102, and a control terminal 103 connected to the gates of the transistors. Further semiconductor switch circuit 100 is configured with the sources and back gates of Q103 and Q104 connected to the sources of Q101 and Q102. Therefore, it is possible to switch the path between input/output terminal 101 and input/output terminal 102 between a conduction state and non-conduction state by means of voltage control by voltage value Vcont of a control signal applied to control terminal 103.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideyuki KIHARA, Tomohiro UKAI, Kiyotaka INAGAKI
  • Publication number: 20100214006
    Abstract: There is provided a circuit whose output is free from high impedance to improve wrong transmission and waveform overshoot, realizing a semiconductor integrated circuit device in which plural channels is integrated with transmitter circuit as unit channel, in the transmitter circuit used in a medical ultrasound system and drives a transducer by voltage pulses having plural positive and negative electric potentials including ground potential. The transmitter circuit includes a conventional pulse generating circuit supplied with positive and negative voltage largest in absolute value, a P-channel analog switching pulse generating circuit supplied with positive voltage being the second largest therein, an N-channel analog switching pulse generating circuit supplied with negative voltage being the second largest, and an N-channel analog switching ground level damping circuit supplied with ground potential. The circuits are connected to output terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Satoshi HANAZAWA, Toshio Shinomiya, Hiroyasu Yoshizawa
  • Patent number: 7760007
    Abstract: A CMOS analog switch circuit includes an NMOS switch transistor, a PMOS switch transistor, and a bias circuit. In an embodiment, the bias circuit includes a first and a second native bias transistors having their gate terminals coupled to a first and a second terminals of the CMOS switch circuit, respectively. The source terminals of the first and the second native bias transistors are coupled together and are also coupled to the body terminal of the PMOS switch transistor. In an configuration, the first and the second native bias transistors are characterized by substantially 0V threshold voltages, and the PMOS switch transistor is configured to exhibit a lower on-resistance in response to the greater of the voltages of the first terminal and the second terminal of the CMOS analog switch circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Nuvoton Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Holzmann
  • Publication number: 20100164600
    Abstract: A charge pump circuit includes a first voltage supply circuit configured to provide a first supply voltage in response to a first and second input signals. A first capacitor is coupled to the first voltage supply circuit. A first switch circuit is configured to provide a second supply voltage to a second terminal of the first capacitor in response to a first control signal. A second switch circuit is coupled to the second terminal of the first capacitor. A second capacitor is coupled to the second switch circuit. The second switch circuit is configured to cause charge transfer from the first capacitor to the second capacitor in response to a second control signal. The charge pump also includes an output terminal coupled to the second capacitor to provide an output voltage, the output voltage being higher than the first supply voltage, the output voltage being also higher than the second supply voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation
    Inventors: CHI KANG LIU, Talee Yu
  • Patent number: 7746158
    Abstract: A driving device of an IGBT includes a high potential side switch device group having a plurality of switch devices and, one end of each switch device being connected to a high potential side; a low potential side switch device group having a plurality of switch devices and, one end of each switch device being connected to a low potential side; an drive type selective input terminal to which a drive type selection signal corresponding to drive type of the IGBT connected to the driving device is inputted; a direct drive type control unit and an indirect drive type control unit generating a control signal controlling complementarily the high potential side switch device group and the low potential side switch device group corresponding to the drive type of the IGBT; and a selector selecting the control signal controlling the high potential side switch device group and the low potential side switch device group corresponding to an inputted drive type selection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Morishita, Hideo Yamawaki, Yuu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7746155
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a circuit and method for providing a switchable strong pulldown for a power FET in an off state to avoid inadvertent or false turn ons. A strong pulldown is provided to the gate of a power FET to avoid inadvertent turn on during output swings. In other cases, the gate of the power FET is pulled down weakly to reduce EMI and voltage noise in the circuit. In a particular exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a circuit and method for obtaining a strong pulldown on the gate of a power FET in an off state, while providing a weak pulldown during turn on to turn off transitions. The invention avoids false turn ons during fast output transitions while maintaining relatively high EMI protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Eric Labbe
  • Publication number: 20100148851
    Abstract: A CMOS analog switch circuit includes an NMOS switch transistor, a PMOS switch transistor, and a bias circuit. In an embodiment, the bias circuit includes a first and a second native bias transistors having their gate terminals coupled to a first and a second terminals of the CMOS switch circuit, respectively. The source terminals of the first and the second native bias transistors are coupled together and are also coupled to the body terminal of the PMOS switch transistor. In an configuration, the first and the second native bias transistors are characterized by substantially 0V threshold voltages, and the PMOS switch transistor is configured to exhibit a lower on-resistance in response to the greater of the voltages of the first terminal and the second terminal of the CMOS analog switch circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: NUVOTON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: PETER HOLZMANN
  • Patent number: 7733980
    Abstract: A quadrature modulation circuit includes a mixer circuit including an integrated sign modulation control circuit and a plurality of mixer ports. The mixer ports include a first input port, a second input port, an output port and a sign modulation control port. The modulation circuit generates a modulated signal by operation of the mixer circuit multiplying a modulating signal applied to the first input port with a carrier signal applied to the second input port to generate a mixed signal output from the output port, and by operation of the integrated sign modulation control circuit controlling polarity switching of a signal at one of the mixer ports in response to a sign modulation control signal input to the sign modulation control port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Troy James Beukema, Alberto Valdes Garcia, Scott Kevin Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20100090747
    Abstract: A high frequency switch circuit according to the present invention includes a control-voltage-generating circuit. The control-voltage-generating circuit includes a depletion type field-effect transistor, an external-control-signal-input terminal, an internal-control-voltage-output terminal, and a power-receiving terminal of the control-voltage-generating circuit. The field-effect transistor has a grounded gate, a source connected to the external-control-signal-input terminal, and a drain connected to the power-receiving terminal. The internal-control-voltage-output terminal is connected to an electrical connection path between the drain of the field-effect transistor and the power-receiving terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Yuta Sugiyama, Shigeki Koya, Irei Kyu