With Latching Type Element (e.g., Flip-flop, Etc.) Patents (Class 327/57)
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Patent number: 12184279Abstract: An example apparatus includes: a first level shifting circuit including a supply output; a first deserializer stage including a supply input, a first input, a first output, and a second output, the supply input coupled to the supply output; a second level shifting circuit including a second input and a third output, the second input coupled to the first output; and a second deserializer stage including a third input, a fourth output and a fifth output, the third input coupled to the third output.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2023Date of Patent: December 31, 2024Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Nithin Sathisan Poduval, Abishek Manian, Roland Nii Ofei Ribeiro
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Patent number: 11888478Abstract: An example apparatus includes: a first level shifting circuit including a supply output; a first deserializer stage including a supply input, a first input, a first output, and a second output, the supply input coupled to the supply output; a second level shifting circuit including a second input and a third output, the second input coupled to the first output; and a second deserializer stage including a third input, a fourth output and a fifth output, the third input coupled to the third output.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2021Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Nithin Sathisan Poduval, Abishek Manian, Roland Nii Ofei Ribeiro
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Patent number: 11550377Abstract: Integrated circuit, method for resetting and computer program product. The integrated circuit comprises a first portion and a second portion. The first portion comprises a reset input configured to receive a reset signal, an activation module connected to the reset input. The activation module is configured to activate the second portion upon reception of the reset signal. The first portion comprises an emissions module configured to emit a replicated reset signal. The second portion can be selectively activated or deactivated. The second portion comprises a reset input configured to receive the replicated reset signal of the emissions module, a determination module configured to determine that an elapsed time starting from the activation of the second portion of the circuit oversteps a threshold.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2021Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (ROUSSET) SASInventors: Herve Cassagnes, Cyril Moulin, Jean-Michel Gril-Maffre
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Patent number: 11418748Abstract: An image sensor for stably generating pulses of a precharge signal is disclosed. The image sensor includes a divider configured to generate a plurality of divided clock signals by dividing one or ore input clock signal, a precharge pulse generator configured to generate a first pulse signal by selecting any one of the plurality of divided clock signals in response to decoding signals of a first group, and generate a second pulse signal by selecting any one of the plurality of divided clock signals in response to decoding signals of a second group, and a precharge signal generator configured to generate a precharge signal by combining the first pulse signal and the second pulse signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2019Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: SK hynix Inc.Inventor: Hoe Sam Jeong
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Patent number: 10734039Abstract: A voltage-enhanced-feedback sense amplifier of a resistive memory is configured to sense a first bit line and a second bit line. The voltage-enhanced-feedback sense amplifier includes a voltage sense amplifier and a voltage-enhanced-feedback pre-amplifier. The voltage-enhanced-feedback pre-amplifier is electrically connected to the voltage sense amplifier. A first bit-line amplifying module receives a voltage level of the second input node to suppress a voltage drop of the first bit line and amplifies a voltage level of the first input node according to a voltage level of the first bit line. A second bit-line amplifying module receives the voltage level of the first input node to suppress a voltage drop of the second bit line and amplifies the voltage level of the second input node according to a voltage level of the second bit line. A margin enhanced voltage difference is greater than a read voltage difference.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2018Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: NATIONAL TSING HUA UNIVERSITYInventors: Meng-Fan Chang, Huan-Ting Lin
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Patent number: 10522202Abstract: A circuit is disclosed that includes an inverter unit and a switch unit. The inverter unit is coupled to a memory cell column. The inverter unit is configured to invert, in response to a first control signal and a second control signal, a first signal and to output a second signal for the enabling or disabling of a bit line keeper circuit that is configured to maintain a bit line to a voltage. The first signal is generated by the memory cell column. The switch unit is configured to couple a reference voltage to an input of the inverter unit, in response to a third control signal. The inverter unit is further configured to be deactivated in response to the reference voltage, the first control signal, and the second control signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2018Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Sanjeev Kumar Jain, Atul Katoch
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Patent number: 10468089Abstract: A voltage-stabilizing circuit includes a voltage-dividing module, a first stabilizing module and a second stabilizing module. The voltage-dividing module is configured to generate a plurality of reference voltages. The voltage-dividing module includes a plurality of resistors and a transistor unit. The transistor unit is coupled to the plurality of resistors and is configured to complementarily adjust resistances of the plurality of resistors. The first stabilizing module is coupled to the voltage-dividing module and is configured to generate a first stabilizing voltage. The first stabilizing voltage is equal to a middle one of the plurality of reference voltages. The second stabilizing module is coupled to the voltage-dividing module and is configured to generate a second stabilizing voltage. The second stabilizing voltage is equal to one of the plurality of reference voltages other than the middle one.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2018Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: NANYA TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Chih-Jen Chen, Ting-Shuo Hsu
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Patent number: 10284214Abstract: The invention relates to a filter circuit (200) comprising at least a first filter line (210). The first filter line (210) has a first input circuit (10), a first integration circuit (20) and a first output circuit (30). The first input circuit (10) is configured in such a way that, as a function of the value of the input signal, it converts an input signal into at least two distinguishable, first first-stage output signals and relays the first-stage output signals to the first integration circuit (20, 240) during a prescribed period of time. The first integration circuit (20) is configured to integrate the first first-stage output signals of the first input circuit (10) over the prescribed period of time and to generate a first integration signal (25). The first output circuit (25) is configured to compare the first integration signal (25) to a first output reference value and to generate a first second-stage output signal (35). The invention also relates to an appertaining filtering method.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2016Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM JÜLICH GmbHInventor: Christian Grewing
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Patent number: 10242720Abstract: A sense amplifier and method thereof are provided. The sense amplifier includes first and second transistors coupled to first and second bit lines, respectively. The first and second transistors are configured to connect the first and second bit lines to a differential amplifier during a first state (e.g., when a differential voltage is present on the first and second bit lines and prior to a sense signal transition) and to isolate the first and second bit lines from the differential amplifier during a second state (e.g., after the sense signal transition). The sense amplifier further includes a third transistor configured to deactivate the differential amplifier during the first state and configured to activate the differential amplifier during the second state.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2010Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Nan Chen, Ritu Chaba
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Patent number: 9941872Abstract: An apparatus includes first and second input transistors receiving respective first and second input signals, and a feedback circuit coupled to the first and second input transistors. The first and second input transistors provide first and second nodes with first and second currents according to values of the first and second input signals, respectively, when the feedback circuit is turned on. The first and second input transistors produce a reset value on the nodes when the feedback circuit is turned off. A method includes resetting, using first and second input transistors, respectively, values of first and second nodes to a reset value, providing first and second currents to the nodes using the first and second input transistors according to values of first and second input signals, and determining the values of the nodes according to the values of the first and second input signals.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2016Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.Inventor: Sasan Cyrusian
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Patent number: 9698763Abstract: Redundant inverters with multiple inverter stages enable lower operating voltages to be used. For example, the use of multiple inverter stages produces a strong “0” or a strong “1” output signal. The strong output signal facilitates self-oscillation of a ring oscillator at lower voltages.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2015Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.Inventors: Zhihong Luo, Benjamin Shui Chor Lau, Chun Huat Heng, Yong Lian
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Patent number: 9576623Abstract: The present disclosure herein relates to a sense amplifier and a semiconductor memory device employing the same. The sense amplifier includes an inverter including a pull-up transistor and a pull-down transistor, and a switching unit configured to change a connection relationship between the pull-up transistor and the pull-down transistor according to whether an input terminal of the inverter is precharged or a signal applied to the input terminal is sensed.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2015Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, Yonsei UniversityInventors: Seongook Jung, Hanwool Jeong, Young Hwi Yang, Kyoman Kang
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Patent number: 9514836Abstract: A memory includes first and second select gate transistors, memory cells, a source line, a bit line, a selected word line which is connected to a selected memory cell as a target of a verify reading, a non-selected word line which is connected to a non-selected memory cell except the selected memory cell, a potential generating circuit for generating a selected read potential which is supplied to the selected word line, and generating a non-selected read potential larger than the selected read potential, which is supplied to the non-selected word line, and a control circuit which classifies a threshold voltage of the selected memory cell to one of three groups by verifying which area among three area which are isolated by two values does a cell current of the selected memory cell belong, when the selected read potential is a first value.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2015Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Makoto Iwai, Hiroshi Nakamura
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Patent number: 9443567Abstract: Described is an apparatus which comprises: an input sensing stage for sensing an input signal relative to another signal; a decision making circuit, coupled to the input sensing stage, for determining whether the input signal is a logic low or a logic high; and a power management circuit, coupled to the input sensing stage and the decision making circuit, which is operable to monitor a state of the decision making circuit and to disable the input sensing stage according to the monitored state. Described is an apparatus which comprises: a decision making circuit integrated with an input sensing stage, wherein the decision making circuit is operable to pre-charge its internal nodes during a phase of the clock signal; and a latching circuit to latch an output of the decision making circuit.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2015Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Pankaj Vinayak Dudulwar, Chenchu Punnarao Bandi, Lip Khoon Teh, Tat Hin Tan
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Patent number: 9337156Abstract: A method for manufacturing a digital circuit is described comprising forming two field effect transistors, connecting the field effect transistors such that an output signal of the digital circuit in response to a predetermined input signal has an undefined logic state when the threshold voltages of the field effect transistors are equal and setting the threshold voltages of at least one of the field effect transistors such that the output signal of the digital circuit in response to the predetermined input signal has a predetermined defined logic state.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2014Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Thomas Kuenemund, Berndt Gammel
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Patent number: 9106225Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit comprises a state holding circuit that inputs an output of one inverter to another inverter with each other; an input circuit that causes a state of the state holding circuit to transition based on a data signal; a first first-conductive transistor that is inserted between an input of the one inverter and an output of the another inverter and is controlled by the data signal; and a first second-conductive transistor that is connected in parallel with the first first-conductive transistor and is controlled by the data signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2013Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Chen kong Teh, Hiroyuki Hara
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Patent number: 9007119Abstract: A method of operating a system including a MEMS device of an integrated circuit die includes generating an indicator of a device parameter of the MEMS device in a first mode of operating the system using a monitor structure formed using a MEMS structural layer of the integrated circuit die. The method includes generating, using a CMOS device of the integrated circuit die, a signal indicative of the device parameter and based on the indicator. The device parameter may be a geometric dimension of the MEMS device. The method may include, in a second mode of operating the system, compensating for a difference between a value of the signal and a target value of the signal. The method may include re-generating the indicator after exposing the MEMS device to stress and generating a second signal indicating a change in the device parameter.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventors: Aaron J. Caffee, Brian G. Drost, Emmanuel P. Quevy
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Patent number: 8988959Abstract: A circuit and method for dynamically changing trip point voltage in a sensing inverter circuit. In one embodiment, the sensing inverter circuit includes: (1) a base inverter circuit couplable to logic-high and logic-low voltage sources at respective inputs thereof and configured to transition an output thereof from a previous logic-level voltage to a present logic-level voltage based on a logic value of an input voltage received by the base inverter circuit, and (2) a feedback circuit associated with the base inverter circuit and configured to employ the previous logic-level voltage to decouple one of the logic-high and logic-low voltage sources from one of the inputs and thereby shift a trip voltage of the base inverter circuit toward the input voltage.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2012Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: LSI CorporationInventor: Rajiv Roy
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Publication number: 20150061730Abstract: A latch, an operation method of the latch, and a comparator using the latch are disclosed. The latch includes first and second cross-coupled pairs and first and second transistor pairs. First terminals of the first and second current paths of the first cross-coupled pair are respectively coupled to first terminals of the first and second transistors of the first transistor pair. First terminals of the third and fourth current paths of the second cross-coupled pair are respectively coupled to first terminals of the third and fourth transistors of the second transistor pair. Control terminals of the third and fourth transistors are respectively coupled to the first and second current paths. Control terminals of the first and second transistors are respectively coupled to the third and fourth current paths.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: Chia-Ming Tsai, Bo-Jyun Kuo, Bo-Wei Chen
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Patent number: 8930862Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for converting a design from edge-triggered docking to two-phase non-overlapping clocking is disclosed. The method includes the steps of replacing an edge-triggered flip-flop circuit that is coupled to a combinational logic circuit with a pair of latches including a first latch circuit and a second latch circuit and determining a midpoint of the combinational logic circuit based on timing information. The second latch circuit is propagated to a midpoint of the combinational logic circuit and two-phase non-overlapping clock signals are provided to the pair of latches.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2013Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: NVIDIA CorporationInventor: William J. Dally
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Patent number: 8928357Abstract: A sense amplifier is provided. The sense amplifier comprises a first and second cross-coupled transistor pairs, a first and second current sources, a first digital input transistor, and a second digital input transistor. The first and second ends of the first cross-coupled transistor pair are coupled to an operating voltage, the first and second back gate ends of the first cross-coupled transistor pair are coupled to a first and second output ends respectively. The first and second back gate ends of the first cross-coupled transistor pair are coupled to a first and second output ends respectively, and the first and second ends of the first cross-coupled transistor pair are coupled to a first digital input end and second digital input end respectively.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2013Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Nanya Technology CorporationInventors: Adam Saleh El-Mansouri, Adrian Jay Drexler, Hofstetter Martin Ryan
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Patent number: 8890576Abstract: An input/output sense amplifier includes: a data input unit configured to amplify data using a driving voltage and to output the amplified data, and a latch unit configured to latch and output an output signal of the data input unit to an output terminal.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2012Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.Inventor: Jong Su Kim
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Publication number: 20140152345Abstract: A latch circuit comprises true and complement data nodes. During a setup period of a latching operation, true node setup circuitry draws the true data node toward an input data signal in parallel with complement node setup circuitry drawing the complement node upward toward a high-voltage reference source (VDD) when the data signal is low or downward toward a low-voltage reference source (VSS) when the data signal is high. After the setup period, true and complement clock signals are used as control signals to turn the setup circuitry off and amplification circuitry on. The amplification circuitry, which comprises a pair of cross-coupled inverters coupled between VDD and VSS, is capable of resolving relatively small voltage differentials between the true and complement nodes by pulling the true node (i) upward toward VDD when the data signal is high and (ii) downward toward VSS when the data signal is low.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2012Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: LSI CorporationInventors: Manish Trivedi, Manish Umedlal Patel
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Patent number: 8742796Abstract: Embodiments of the present technology are directed toward circuits for gating pre-charging sense nodes within a flip-flop when an input data signal changes and a clock signal is in a given state. Embodiments of the present technology are further directed toward circuits for maintaining a state of the sense nodes.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2011Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Nvidia CorporationInventors: William Dally, Jonah Alben
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Patent number: 8710868Abstract: A sense-amplifier monotizer includes an amplifier circuit and a keeper circuit. The amplifier circuit outputs a predetermined logic state while a clock signal is in a first phase, and samples a data signal and outputs at least one of the data signal and a complementary logic state of the data signal while the clock signal is in a second phase. A subsequent change of the data signal does not affect an output of the amplifier circuit once the data signal is sampled while the clock signal is in the second phase. The keeper circuit keeps a logic state of the sampled data signal once the data signal is sampled while the clock signal is in the second phase. The amplifier circuit may receive multiple data signals, and output a data signal selected by the select signal and/or a complementary value while the clock signal is in the second phase.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2010Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.Inventors: Samuel D. Naffziger, Visvesh S. Sathe, Srikanth Arekapudi
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Patent number: 8705304Abstract: Memories, current mode sense amplifiers, and methods for operating the same are disclosed, including a current mode sense amplifier including cross-coupled p-channel transistors and a load circuit coupled to the cross-coupled p-channel transistors. The load circuit is configured to provide a resistance to control at least in part the loop gain of the current mode sense amplifier, the load circuit including at least passive resistance.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2010Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Seong-Hoon Lee, Onegyun Na, Jongtae Kwak
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Patent number: 8704553Abstract: Circuits that operate with power supplies of less than 1 Volt are presented. More particularly, circuits that operate with supply voltages near or lower than the threshold voltage of the transistors in those circuits are presented. Various circuits and embodiments such as operational transconductance amplifiers, biasing circuits, integrators, continuous-time sigma delta modulators, track-and-bold circuits, and others are presented. The techniques and circuits can be used in a wide range of applications and various transistors from metal-oxide-semiconductor to bipolar junction transistors may implement the techniques presented herein.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2012Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New YorkInventors: Kong-Pang Pun, Shouri Chatterjee, Peter R. Kinget
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Patent number: 8692581Abstract: A constant switching current flip-flop includes a latch circuit that provides latch outputs of the flip-flop, whereby the latch outputs are reset to zero at the beginning of each clock cycle to eliminate pattern dependent switching currents. The latch circuit is reset responsive to control signals provided without significant delay.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Minjae Lee
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Patent number: 8680890Abstract: A sense amplifier circuit includes a first transistor and a second transistor of a first type, a first transistor and a second transistor of a second type, a first resistive device, and a second resistive device. A first end of the first resistive device is coupled to a first data line. A second end of the first resistive device is coupled to a drain of the first transistor of the second type and a gate of the second transistor of the first type. A first end of the second resistive device is coupled to a second data line. A second end of the second resistive device is coupled to a drain of the second transistor of the second type and a gate of the first transistor of the first type.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2012Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventor: Hyun-Sung Hong
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Patent number: 8665003Abstract: A dead-time generating circuit includes a constant current circuit; a current generating circuit generating a capacitor-charge current; and a control circuit receiving a dead time control signal and a comparator signal. The control circuit generates a dead time generating signal based on the dead time control signal and the comparator signal, and a charge/discharge signal based on the dead time generating signal. Charging or discharging of a capacitor is controlled by the capacitor-charge current in accordance with the charge/discharge signal. A voltage of the capacitor is compared with a threshold voltage in order to generate a comparator signal when the voltage of the capacitor exceeds the threshold voltage. The control circuit generates the charge/discharge signal for a duration starting from a time when the delay time has elapsed from the rise or fall timing of the dead time control signal until the control circuit receives the comparator signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2010Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yasuo Ueda, Masashi Tokuda, Toshihiro Tsukagoshi
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Patent number: 8659322Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a memory cell and a sense amplifier coupled to the memory cell via a first bit line and a second bit line. The sense amplifier includes first and second inverters cross-coupled to provide a latch. The first inverter is responsive to a first data signal provided by the memory cell over the first bit line. The second inverter is responsive to a second data signal as provided by the memory cell over the second bit line. A first negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) compensation transistor includes a source electrode coupled to receive a reference voltage, a drain electrode coupled to a source electrode of the first inverter, and a gate electrode coupled to first logic responsive to the first data signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2011Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: Alexander B. Hoefler, James D. Burnett, Scott I. Remington
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Patent number: 8653858Abstract: A signal operating circuit includes: a loading device, having a loading value, wherein the loading value is deviated from a predetermined loading value by a loading deviation value; an input stage coupled to the loading device, for converting an input signal into an output signal according to a controlling signal; a latching stage coupled to the loading device and the input stage for latching the output signal according to the controlling signal; and a controlling circuit coupled to the latching stage for adjusting an operating current flowing through the latching stage and an operating current flowing through the input stage to compensate the loading deviation value according to the loading deviation value of the loading device.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2012Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Silicon Motion Inc.Inventor: Hui-Ju Chang
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Patent number: 8624632Abstract: Sense amplifier-type latch circuits are provided which employ static bias currents for enhancing operating frequency. For example, a sense amplifier-type latch circuit includes a latch circuit that captures and stores data during an evaluation phase of the sense amplifier-type latch circuit, and outputs the stored data to differential output nodes. An input differential transistor pair has drains connected to the latch circuit and sources commonly connected to a coupled source node. A static bias current circuit is connected to the coupled source node to provide a static bias current which flows through the differential transistor pair and cross-coupled inverters of the latch during a precharge phase. A switch device, which is connected to the coupled source node, is turned off during the precharge phase and turned on during the evaluation phase by operation of a clock signal to increase current flow through the differential transistor pair.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2012Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: John F. Bulzacchelli
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Patent number: 8559240Abstract: A CMOS latch-type sense amplifying circuit is disclosed. The circuit comprises a CMOS differential amplifier configured to amplify a voltage signal of an input line pair to generate a first amplified voltage signal pair, and provide the first amplified voltage signal pair to an output line pair, a first pre-charge voltage having a first voltage level being applied to the input line pair. The circuit further comprises a CMOS latch-type sense amplifier configured to amplify a voltage signal of the output line pair to generate a second amplified voltage signal pair, and provide the second amplified voltage signal pair to the output line pair. The circuit additionally comprises a first common node controlled by a first common enable signal and connected to both the CMOS differential amplifier and the CMOS latch-type sense amplifier, such that the first common enable signal controls both the CMOS differential amplifier and the CMOS latch-type sense amplifier.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sang-Pyo Hong, Doo-Young Kim
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Publication number: 20130257483Abstract: Sense amplifier-type latch circuits are provided which employ static bias currents for enhancing operating frequency. For example, a sense amplifier-type latch circuit includes a latch circuit that captures and stores data during an evaluation phase of the sense amplifier-type latch circuit, and outputs the stored data to differential output nodes. An input differential transistor pair has drains connected to the latch circuit and sources commonly connected to a coupled source node. A static bias current circuit is connected to the coupled source node to provide a static bias current which flows through the differential transistor pair and cross-coupled inverters of the latch during a precharge phase. A switch device, which is connected to the coupled source node, is turned off during the precharge phase and turned on during the evaluation phase by operation of a clock signal to increase current flow through the differential transistor pair.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: John F. Bulzacchelli
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Patent number: 8536898Abstract: A sense amplifier for use in a memory array having a plurality of memory cells is provided. The sense amplifier provides low power dissipation, rapid sensing and high yield sensing operation. The inputs to the sense amplifier are the differential bitlines of an SRAM column, which are coupled to the sense amplifier via the sources of two PMOS transistors. A CMOS latching element comprised of two NMOS transistors and the aforementioned PMOS transistors act to amplify any difference between the differential bitline voltages and resolve the output nodes of the sense amplifier to a full swing value. The latching element is gated with two additional PMOS transistors which act to block the latching operation until the sense amplifier is enabled. One or more equalization transistors ensure the latch remains in the metastable state until it is enabled. Once the latch has resolved it consumes no DC power, aside from leakage.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Inventors: David James Rennie, Manoj Sachdev
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Patent number: 8487659Abstract: An adaptive delay device that provides a delay to a signal based on circuit conditions such as temperature, supply voltage values and/or fabrication processes. The adaptive delay device may respond to circuit conditions by charging a capacitive device to a threshold voltage. A comparator may incorporate the adaptive delay device to provide adaptive timing for the comparator functions thereby attaining improved noise performance and/or reduce power consumption.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2011Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.Inventor: Ronald Kapusta
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Patent number: 8476933Abstract: A receiver circuit of a semiconductor apparatus includes a first sense amplifier, a level restriction unit, and a second sense amplifier. The first sense amplifier amplifies an input signal in response to a clock signal and generates a first signal with a voltage swing between a first level and a second level. The level restriction unit receives the first signal and generates a correction signal with a voltage swing between the first level and a third level. The second sense amplifier amplifies the correction signal in response to the clock signal and generates a second signal with the voltage swing between the first level and the second level.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2011Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.Inventor: Sang Yeon Byeon
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Patent number: 8462572Abstract: An ultra low power sense amplifier circuit for amplifying a low swing input signal to a full swing output signal is disclosed. In one aspect, the amplifier circuit includes a first amplifier stage for pre-amplifying the input signal to an intermediate signal on its internal nodes, a second amplifier stage for amplifying the intermediate signal to the output signal, and a control circuit for sequentially activating the first and second amplifier. The first amplifier has a capacitor for limiting energy consumption and two upsized PMOS transistors without NMOS transistors.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2011Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignees: Stichting IMEC Nederland, Katholieke Universiteit LeuvenInventors: Vibhu Sharma, Stefan Cosemans, Wim Dehaene, Francky Catthoor, Maryam Ashouei, Jos Huisken
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Patent number: 8432188Abstract: A latch circuit includes a first tri-state inverter configured to invert an input voltage in response to a pulse and to output the inverted voltage to a first node, a second tri-state inverter connected between the first node and a second node and to invert a voltage of the second node in response to an inverted pulse being an inverted version of the pulse, and a variable inversion unit connected between the first node and the second node. The variable inversion unit adjusts a logical threshold value according to a logical value corresponding to a voltage of the first node and inverts a voltage of the first node based upon the adjusted logical threshold value, the logical threshold value indicating a voltage for discriminating the logical value.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2011Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Gunok Jung, Minsu Kim
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Patent number: 8410820Abstract: In a latch circuit having a bistable pair of cross connected transistors of a first polarity and a third transistor of a second polarity, a current signal greater than a bias current is received at a latch circuit port, amplified with the third transistor, and applied to the latch circuit port. This decreases the time in which the latch circuit port receiving the current signal greater than the bias current reaches a steady state voltage.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2011Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Klaas Bult, Rudy Van de Plassche, Jan Mulder
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Publication number: 20130057422Abstract: A comparator including a preamplifier amplifying a first signal and a second signal to produce a first amplified signal on a first output terminal and a second amplified signal on a second output terminal. The comparator also includes a capacitor, a clamp and a latch coupled in parallel to the first output terminal and the second output terminal of the preamplifier. A control circuit is coupled to the variable capacitor and the clamp and is configured to close the clamp during a first time period to cause the first amplified signal and the second amplified signal to bypass the capacitor and the latch, and open the clamp during a second time period following the first time period to cause the first amplified signal and the second amplified signal to be coupled to the capacitor and the latch. The capacitor filters the amplified signals, and the latch produces a digital output signal of the comparator based on the filtered signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2011Publication date: March 7, 2013Applicant: APTINA IMAGING CORPORATIONInventors: Robert Johansson, Steffen Skaug, Timothy Bales
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Patent number: 8355431Abstract: A Decision Feedback Equalizer (DFE) capable of preventing incremental increases of a jitter of a recovered clock and reduction of a voltage margin of decided data due to delay of feedback data. The DFE includes a combiner for combining received data with feedback data and outputting the combined data as equalization data, a decision circuit for deciding recovery data by receiving the equalization data, a feedback loop for supplying the recovery data to the combiner as feedback data and a clock recovery circuit for removing a delay data component from the equalization data through the feedback loop, recovering a clock with respect to the other equalization data except the delay data component and supplying the recovered clock for decision operation of the decision circuit.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2008Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor, Inc.Inventor: Ki-Hyuk Lee
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Patent number: 8339158Abstract: A dynamic high-speed comparative latch comprises a pre-amplifier unit for enlarging input differential signals, a regenerating latch unit for latching outputted differential signals from the pre-amplifier unit by using a positive feedback, specifically, converting the output of the pre-amplifier unit into a latched result at a first state of a clock cycle, and then retaining the latched result and simultaneously resetting relevant nodes at a second state opposite to the first state of the clock cycle, and a latch unit for outputting the effective outputted value of the regenerating latch unit when the regenerating latch unit being in a retaining state. The pre-amplifier unit is connected with the regenerating latch unit, and the regenerating latch unit is connected with the latch unit. The pre-amplifier unit comprises only one input clock signal. The present invention has a simple structure, and ensures the correctness of the output result of the latch.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2010Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: IPGoal Microelectronics (SiChuan) Co., Ltd.Inventors: Bin Li, Guosheng Wu
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Patent number: 8330745Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a source driver includes a shift register including latch stages each including a level shifter that level-shifts clock signals so that the signals are fed into a set-reset flip-flop as inverted set input signals. Outputs from the set-reset flip-flop are delayed by a hazard preventing circuit and then fed into a level shifter in the next latch stage as enable signals. A delay trimming circuit causes a NAND circuit to perform a NAND operation with respect to outputs obtained by a delay of the outputs by a delay circuit and outputs from the level shifter in the next latch stage, so that a sampling pulse is derived. This allows for provision of a pulse output circuit capable of further trimming delay in output pulses and of securing a sufficient interval between the output pulses.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2007Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Makoto Yokoyama, Yuhichiroh Murakami
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Patent number: 8320211Abstract: A current-sense amplifier with low-offset adjustment and a low-offset adjustment method thereof are disclosed. The current-sense amplifier includes a sensing unit, an equalizing unit and a bias compensation unit. The sensing unit includes a sense amplifier, a latch circuit, a first precharged bit line, and a second precharged bit line. The equalizing unit is electrically connected to the first and the second precharged bit line for regulating a voltage of the first precharged bit line and a voltage of the second precharged bit line to the same electric potential. The bias compensation unit is electrically connected to the sense amplifier for compensating an input offset voltage of the current-sense amplifier.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2011Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: National Tsing Hua UniversityInventors: Meng-Fan Chang, Yu-Fan Lin, Shin-Jang Shen, Yu-Der Chih
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Patent number: 8310853Abstract: A layout structure of bit line sense amplifiers for use in a semiconductor memory device includes first and second bit line sense amplifiers arranged to share and be electrically controlled by a first column selection line signal, and each including a plurality of transistors. In this layout structure, each of the plurality of transistors forming the first bit line sense amplifier is arranged so as not to share an active region with any transistors forming the second bit line sense amplifier.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2011Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Young-Sun Min, Kyu-Chan Lee, Chul-Woo Yi, Jong-Hyun Choi
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Patent number: 8269527Abstract: A hysteresis comparator circuit that compares first and second input signals to output a hysteresis output signal includes a constant current source, a first comparator, a second comparator, and an output circuit. The constant current source includes a load resistor to generate a given constant current. The first comparator is controlled by the constant current supplied from the constant current source to compare the first and second input signals to output a first comparison result. The second comparator is controlled by the constant current supplied from the constant current source to compare the first and second input signals to output a second comparison result. The output circuit has a pair of inputs thereof connected to the first and second comparators, respectively, which inverts an output thereof in response to each of the first and second comparison results to generate the hysteresis output signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2010Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Yasuo Ueda
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Patent number: 8258819Abstract: Traditionally, latched comparators have suffered from performance problems related to exposure of the latch to load capacitances. Even attempts to isolate the latch from the load capacitances by way of resistors has resulted in performance problems (namely, voltage swing degradation). Here, however, a latched comparator is provided that employs inductors to generally provide isolation from load capacitances, which generally improves performance. Moreover, the latch has been modified to accommodate the inductors during a track period (namely, provision of grounding paths).Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2010Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Vaibhav Tripathi, Marco Corsi, Venkatesh Srinivasan
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Patent number: 8249533Abstract: A rapidly adjustable local oscillation (LO) module for use in a radio transmitter or a radio receiver includes an oscillation generating module and a high frequency switching module. The oscillation generating module is operably coupled to generate a plurality of local oscillations. The high frequency switching module is operably coupled to, for a first one of a plurality of transmission paths, provide one of the plurality of local oscillations when a first transmission path selection indication is in a first state and provide another one of the plurality of local oscillations when the first transmission path selection indication is in a second state and, for a second one of the plurality of transmission paths, provide the one of the plurality of local oscillations when a second transmission path selection indication is in a first state and provide the another one of the plurality of local oscillations when the second transmission path selection indication is in a second state.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2005Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Vixs Systems, Inc.Inventors: Bojan Subasic, Mathew A. Rybicki