Abstract: A level-turning point of input data is detected; and a sampling clock is generated in response to the level-turning point of the input data. The input data are sampled in synchronization with the sampling clock.

Abstract: A sampling circuit includes a first sample hold means having a sample hold switch whose one terminal receives an input signal and a sample hold capacitor whose one terminal is connected to the other terminal of the sample hold switch, an amplifier circuit whose input terminal is connected to the other terminal of the sample hold switch and a horizontal selection switch whose one terminal is connected to an output terminal of the amplifier circuit and the other terminal of which is connected to a horizontal signal line. The output terminal of the amplifier circuit is connected to one terminal of a conduction control switch, and a first constant current load is connected to the other terminal of the conduction control switch. The conduction control switch is turned on when the sample hold switch is on and the horizontal selection switch is off.

Abstract: A circuit for providing a control voltage to a switch includes a capacitor, a first pair of switches for coupling the capacitor to an input voltage source and a second pair of switches for coupling the capacitor to the switch. The first pair of switches is controlled by a control signal in response to the voltage across the capacitor in order to prevent overcharging the capacitor beyond a first predetermined level. The second pair of switches is controlled by a second control signal in response to the voltage across the switch in order to replenish the capacitor voltage when the capacitor voltage falls to a second predetermined level. The first and second pairs of switches are closed during non-overlapping time intervals in order to isolate the switch from the input voltage source, thereby preventing switching transients from affecting the input voltage source and permitting the circuit to be used to drive a variety of switch types arranged in a variety of configurations.

Abstract: A level-turning point of input data is detected; and a sampling clock is generated in response to the level-turning point of the input data. The input data are sampled in synchronization with the sampling clock.

Abstract: A CMOS sequential logic circuit for an edge triggered flip-flop to lower power consumption in very large scale integrated (VLSI) circuit designs is disclosed. The circuit includes a plurality of PMOS transistors and a plurality of NMOS transistors. The PMOS and NMOS transistors are matched and joined as a data-sampling front end and a data-transferring back end to provide an output based on an input signal fed to a pair of transistor gates. Outputs from the pair of transistor gates charge and discharge internal nodes which connect the data-sampling front end to the data-transferring back end. The internal nodes also include a first latch that connects to a first internal node, and a second latch that connects to a second internal node. The latches prevent a floating voltage state for each of the first and second internal nodes and reduce power consumption during flip-flop transitions.

Abstract: The boosted switch device comprises an input terminal and an output terminal; a supply line set to a supply potential; a ground line set to a ground potential; a transistor connected between the input and output terminals; a capacitor; and a switch device connecting the capacitor between the supply line and the ground line, when the transistor is off, and between the input terminal and the control terminal of the transistor, when the transistor is on.

Abstract: In a signal read circuit including a plurality of circuit rows each having a charge amplifier connected to a photoelectric conversion element PD and a CDS circuit 2S for performing correlated double sampling for an output from the charge amplifier, a dummy circuit row DMY having the same configuration as a circuit row SLT is connected in parallel with this circuit row SLT. By calculating the difference between these circuit rows connected in parallel, offset variations generated in the two circuit rows SLT and DMY can be removed.

Abstract: An input receiver capable of sensing and amplifying an external signal having a very small swing input signal. The input receiver comprises a clock sampled amplifier for receiving a clock signal and a reference signal, respectively, in response to a first state of a clock signal and a delayed sampling clock signal, and for amplifying and sampling the voltage difference between the external signal and the reference signal, respectively, in response to a transition of the clock and delayed sampling clock signals to a second state; and a pulse generator for pre-charging a power source voltage and selectively pulling down the pre-charged signals to produce a pulse signal, in response to the second state of the delayed sampling clock signal and outputs of the clock sampled amplifier.

Abstract: Repetitive sampling of a data signal is performed. A clock reference is generated. The clock reference has a known period relationship with the data signal. The clock reference and the data signal are simultaneously sampled. The sampling is performed at a known frequency. The sampled information from the clock reference and the known sampling frequency are used to determine in what phase of the clock reference sampled values of the data signal occur.

Abstract: A level-turning point of input data is detected; and a sampling clock is generated in response to the level-turning point of the input data. The input data are sampled in synchronization with the sampling clock.

Abstract: A buffer arrangement uses separate amplifiers for handling for positive going signal transitions and for negative going signal transitions respectively. A comparator detects the direction of transition and a switching element connects signal input lines in the appropriate sense to the respective amplifiers based on the output of the comparator. This permits amplifiers optimized for positive or negative going transitions to be used.

Abstract: A method and circuit arrangement for processing analog signals in applications in which low energy consumption is of the essence. An integrator topology where the active charge-transferring element is preferably a source-follower-type transistor in which one input terminal is arranged so as to be substantially independent of the input signal and in which the essential signal path elements of the circuit topology are connected in a fixed manner. Preferably, the circuit arrangement is realized so that it comprises separate transistors for sampling and charge transfer. Thus it is possible to connect an input signal in a fixed manner in an input terminal of the sampling transistor, and an input terminal of the charge-transferring transistor can be connected in a fixed manner to a constant voltage. By using a signal processing circuit according to the invention, it is possible to avoid circuit non-idealities caused by parasitic capacitances.

Abstract: A level-turning point of input data is detected; and a sampling clock is generated in response to the level-turning point of the input data. The input data are sampled in synchronization with the sampling clock.

Abstract: A peak hold circuit that can operate to follow changes in peak value even if the changes are abrupt. The peak hold circuit (1) of the present invention has current control circuit (31), auxiliary switch element (25), and auxiliary constant current circuit (26). Current control circuit (31) counts the number of reference clock pulses RCK after output signal Vout becomes higher than analog voltage DI. When the number of clock pulses counted reaches a prescribed number or larger, auxiliary switch element (25) is turned on to operate auxiliary constant current circuit (26) to increase the amount of drop of output signal Vout per unit time. Consequently, even if output signal Vout becomes higher than the peak value of analog voltage DI, it is possible, by increasing the amount of drop of output signal Vout to make output signal Vout lower than analog voltage DI in a shorter amount of time than in the case in the conventional technology.

Abstract: A translation circuit for transferring a differential voltage to a ground referenced voltage includes a differential input circuit, a sample/hold (S/H) circuit, and a compensation circuit. The S/H circuit includes a S/H capacitor, a series capacitor and a switch. The S/H and series capacitors are connected in series between an output line and a source of ground potential (GROUND). The switch shorts the bottom electrode of the S/H capacitor to GROUND when executing a translation operation. The differential input circuit receives the differential voltage and selectively provides the differential voltage across the S/H capacitor so that the top and bottom electrodes of the S/H capacitor have voltages V+ and V−, respectively. Parasitic capacitance tends to add charge to the S/H capacitor during the translation operation. The compensation circuit compensates for parasitic capacitance by removing, ideally, the same amount of charge from the S/H capacitor by the end of the translation operation.

Abstract: A multiple channel signal processing circuit receives an input associated with a first channel and an input associated with a second channel. The respective inputs are sampled and processed by the circuit, which generates a sampled output signal for the first channel and a sampled output signal for the second channel. The circuit employs a shared active circuit component, such as an operational amplifier, to alternately process samples associated with the first and second channels. A network of switches are controlled by a multiphase clock signal such that the active circuit component processes samples associated with only one channel at a time; as the input for a first channel is being sampled, a previous sample for the second channel is processed. An alternate circuit embodiment may be utilized to reduce the amount of crosstalk between the channels.

Abstract: An offset cancel circuit for an operational amplifier comprises a capacitive element for storing a voltage to be amplified by an operational amplifier section and containing an offset, and for feedback-controlling a voltage value of the operational amplifier section based on the stored voltage, and switching elements for switching operation between the storage of the voltage in the capacitive element and the feedback control based on the value of the voltage stored in the capacitive element. The capacitive element and the switching elements can be used to cancel accurately an offset in the operational amplifier section without increasing the gate areas of transistors in the operational amplifier section.

Abstract: A level-turning point of input data is detected; and a sampling clock is generated in response to the level-turning point of the input data. The input data are sampled in synchronization with the sampling clock.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high speed sample and hold circuit which comprises a plurality of sample and hold subcircuits coupled in parallel between an input and an output. The circuit also comprises a calibration circuit coupled to the plurality of sample and hold subcircuits. The calibration circuit is operable to modify a hold signal for one or more of the plurality of sample and hold subcircuits to thereby reduce timing mismatch between the plurality of sample and hold subcircuits and distortion associated therewith. The present invention also comprises a method of reducing timing mismatch in a high speed, parallel coupled sample and hold circuit. The method comprises detecting timing mismatch associated with a plurality of sample and hold subcircuits and modifying a hold signal for one or more of the subcircuits.

Abstract: Disclosed is a peak hold circuit wherein output current corresponding to the peak value of input current is obtained for input currents with little change in magnitude, at essentially higher speeds.

Abstract: A signal sampling circuit and method uses a compensating capacitor (30) connected between a ground terminal and an output of an operational amplifier (12) to permit noise error to be applied to both electrodes of a separate output sampling capacitor (18). The noise error component is generated from high frequency noise coupled to the sampling capacitor via a semiconductor substrate. Compensation occurs during a sampling phase and an output operational amplifier (14) is used to filter any high frequency noise during a hold phase.

Abstract: Switch driver circuity having first and second output nodes with a current-voltage converter connected therebetween and providing current paths of first and second directions between the nodes, switching circuity connected therewith being switchable between first and second states respectively permitting current flow of a common preselected magnitude in respective first and second opposite directions producing potential differences between the first and second output nodes of a common magnitude but respective, opposite polarities.

Abstract: A test mode reference potential generating circuit outputs a reference potential from an output node by activation of a test mode signal. When a sample signal is in an activated state, a transfer gate is turned on, and a capacitor stores the reference potential. When the test is being conducted, the transfer gate is turned off by inactivation of the sample signal, and thus the reference potential stored in the capacitor is output from a node. Thus, the semiconductor memory device according to the present invention can generate a stable reference potential during the test mode.

Abstract: Sample and hold circuits and methods to reduce distortion. A signal to be sampled is connected across a capacitor through a field effect device, which field effect device is turned off when the sample voltage across the capacitor is to be held. When the field effect device coupling the sample voltage to the capacitor is turned on, the body and gate voltages of the field effect device are made to have a fixed voltage relative to the voltage being sampled, so that the characteristics of the field effect device are unaffected by signal variations during sampling or between samples. Exemplary embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A circuit 100, which can be used to perform a sample and hold function, includes a switch 112 with a current patch coupled between an input node VIN and an output node VOUT. A capacitor 114 is coupled to the output node VOUT. A replica device 160 includes a current path coupled between the input node VIN and a supply voltage node VDD. A bootstrap circuit, e.g., including a bootstrap capacitor 164, is coupled between a control terminal of the first switch 112 and a control terminal of the replica device 160.

Abstract: A system for processing a signal s(t) from a sensor to recover sensed signal information within the bandwidth of the summation signal, wherein the signal s(t) includes a sensed signal m(t) and an offset signal having a first frequency f1. The system comprises: a sampling device for sampling the signal s(t) at a second frequency f2 that is a multiple of the first frequency f1, to create a sequence of sampled values; and an averaging device for averaging the sequence of sampled values to provide a sequence of averaged sampled values indicative of the sensed signal m(t).

Abstract: A sample and hold in a switched capacitor circuit with frequency shaping. The sample and hold does not require a pair of large area, power-consuming operational amplifiers and, as such, consumes less power and less area. Preferably, the sample and hold is operable in four different states wherein a different set of switches are closed in each of the four states. The switches are controlled by two clock signals and a plurality of signals derived from the two clock signals, such as four signals derived from the two clock signals. Desirably, the sample and hold with frequency shaping is configured to sample a voltage across a first capacitor while a second capacitor is disconnected from said first capacitor, and is configured to thereafter connect the second capacitor to the first capacitor and possibly discharge at least a portion of a charge held in the first capacitor into the second capacitor.

Abstract: In accordance with a specific embodiment of the present invention, a system is disclosed having an analog to digital converter and control module. The analog-to-digital converter includes an analog input, digital output, and control input. The control input of the analog-to-digital converter is connected to a pulse width modulated output of the control module which provides an offset pulse width modulated signal. During a first portion of the offset pulse width modulated signal a sampling capacitor is charged. During a second portion of the offset pulse width modulated signal an integration capacitor is charged.

Abstract: A sampling device for sampling an input signal in response to a pulse train of a sample signal. The sampling device includes a sampling transistor for creating samples in response to the sample signal. The sampling transistor has an impedance corresponding with the difference between the gate to source voltage and the threshold voltage of the sampling transistor. The sampling device also includes a control device for generating a control signal. The control device includes a bootstrap reference voltage source for providing a reference voltage in response to the sample signal, and a control circuit for generating the control circuit voltage in response to the sample signal. By this design, the control signal comprises the sum of the input signal and the sampling threshold voltage, the control signal comprises the sum of control circuit voltage and the reference voltage, and the gate to source voltage comprises the difference between the control signal and the input signal.

Abstract: An electronic device includes sampling circuitry and at least one switching device. Each switching device has resonance circuitry associated with the output terminal thereof. The resonance circuitry and the at least one switching device have at least one resonance oscillation associated therewith. The electronic device further comprises clock generation circuitry which generates a clock signal for the sampling circuitry at least in part from the at least one resonance oscillation.

Abstract: An output amplifier for a strobed sampling circuit has first and second operational amplifiers coupled to receive the sampled output from the sampling circuit. The operational amplifiers each have a RC circuit having a high ohmic value resistor that is coupled from its inverting input terminal to its output terminal. The non-inverting input terminals receive biasing voltages that are coupled to the sampling circuit. The gating strobes to the sampling circuit produces a DC current through the feedback resistor as a result of strobe pulses being integrated by the RC circuit. Respective electronic switches are coupled in parallel with the RC circuits of the operational amplifiers and are closed at a predetermined time interval after each strobe pulse to discharge the stored charge on the capacitors prior to the next strobe pulse. The output signals from the operational amplifiers are summed in a summing amplifier.

Abstract: A sample and hold circuit having a semiconductor with a field effect transistor therein. The field effect transistor has a channel in the semiconductor, a source region in the semiconductor, a drain region in the semiconductor a front-gate disposed over the channel, and a back-gate in the semiconductor under the channel. The front-gate and back-gate are configured to control a flow of carriers in the semiconductor through a length of the channel between the source region and the drain region. A capacitor is connected to one of the drain and source regions. The other one of the source and drain region is configured for coupling to an input signal. A switch is responsive to a sampling signal to electrically connect a constant electrical potential between one of the source and drain regions and back-gate during a tracking phase. In one embodiment, the sample and hold circuit includes a second switch to electrically a second constant potential between the front-gate and one of the source and drain.

Abstract: An analog voltage comparator for suppressing an input voltage offset is described. The voltage comparator includes: a first and a second input comparator, both operating in opposite phases, and third comparator coupled to the two input comparators. The circuit further includes a first switch connected a first capacitor coupled to a negative input of the first comparator and to the positive input of the second comparator for alternatively supplying either an input voltage Vi or a reference voltage Vref to the negative and positive input, respectively. It further includes a second capacitor between the positive input of the first comparator and the negative input of the second comparator; a second switch between the negative input and an output of the first comparator; and a third switch between the negative input and an output of the second comparator.

Abstract: A chopper-stabilized telescopic differential amplifier circuit with an input signal switching matrix and an output signal switching matrix. Complementary nonoverlapping chop control signals for the switching matrices cause the inverse and noninverse input and output terminals of the circuit to alternately connect to the inverse and noninverse terminals of the internal differential amplifier. Common mode feedback is also provided in the form of synchronized switched capacitances coupling the output terminals of the circuit to a bias circuit for the internal differential amplifier. The internal differential amplifier includes a secondary bias circuit which maintains respective portions of the two circuit branches of the differential amplifier in constantly on bias states.

Abstract: The analog sampling circuit samples an analog input signal at intervals of time precisely defined by a master clock signal. The analog sampling circuit comprises N track-and-hold circuits and a clock signal generator. Each of the track-and-hold circuits includes a clock signal input. The clock signal generator includes a clock window signal generator and N gate circuits. The clock window signal generator comprises an input connected to receive the master clock signal, and N outputs, derives clock window signals from the master clock signal and feeds one of the clock window signals to each of the outputs. The clock window signals have imprecisely-timed edges. Each of the N gate circuits generates a sub-sampling clock signal with logic states defined by one of the clock window signals and with edge timings defined by the master clock signal independently of the imprecisely-timed edges of the clock window signal, and comprises a first input, a second input and an output.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an improved track-and-hold circuit is disclosed. By utilizing an amplifier connected to the input signal in combination with, in essence, a replica of the track-and-hold sampling transistor, a track-and-hold technique that reduces distortion and nonlinearities in the sampling process is achieved.

Abstract: With a switch including at least one insulated-gate field-effect transistor, an analog input signal is delivered on the source of the transistor and the transistor is controlled on its gate synchronized with a clock signal to successively turn it on and off. On the conclusion of each half-period of the clock signal during which the transistor is off, a precharging capacitor is precharged at the start of the next half-period and for a predetermined precharge duration, with a predetermined precharge voltage. Then, for the remaining duration of the half-period, the precharged capacitor is connected between the source and the gate of the transistor to turn it on under the action of a gate-source voltage which is almost independent of the level of the input signal. At the end of the half-period, the gate of the transistor and the precharging capacitor are grounded.

Abstract: A method and circuit arrangement for processing analog signals in applications in which low energy consumption is of the essence. An integrator topology where the active charge-transferring element is preferably a source-follower-type transistor in which one input terminal is arranged so as to be substantially independent of the input signal and in which the essential signal path elements of the circuit topology are connected in a fixed manner. Preferably, the circuit arrangement is realized so that it comprises separate transistors for sampling and charge transfer. Thus it is possible to connect an input signal in a fixed manner in an input terminal of the sampling transistor, and an input terminal of the charge-transferring transistor can be connected in a fixed manner to a constant voltage. By using a signal processing circuit according to the invention, it is possible to avoid circuit non-idealities caused by parasitic capacitances.

Abstract: The charge sampling circuit comprises a current sampling switch, a charge amplifier and a charge-to-voltage converter.

Abstract: A linear sampling circuit is constructed with an p-channel and an n-channel field effect transistor (FET). A source node of the p-channel FET is coupled to a drain node of the n-channel FET and a drain node of the p-channel FET is coupled to a source node of the n-channel FET. A sampling clock is coupled to the gate node of each FET. A first side of the linear sampling circuit is connected to an analog or RF signal source and a far side of the linear sampling circuit is connected to a holding capacitor. The a n-channel FET has a n-channel width. A p-channel FET has a p-channel width. The p-channel width is larger than the n-channel width in order to increase the linearity of the on-resistance of the resulting switch.

Abstract: An average value calculating circuit comprises capacitors C1 to Cn with one end of each capacitor supplied with reference voltage VSS, switching elements SW11 to SW1n connected between inputs D1 to Dn and the other ends of capacitors C1 to Cn, respectively, common wiring COM, switching elements SW21 to SW2n connected between the other ends of capacitors C1 to Cn and common wiring COM and resetting switching element SWr with one end connected to common wiring COM and the other end supplied with reference voltage VTT. When one of a group consisting of switching elements SW11 to SW1n and SWr and another group consisting of switching elements SW21 to SW2n is on, the others are off, substantially.

Abstract: An infinite sample-and-hold circuit which employs a DAC and an ADC coupled with a mode control circuit. In acquisition mode, the mode control circuit connects the analog input signal to the ADC. The ADC drives the DAC and when the DAC output equals the analog input, the mode control circuit disconnects the analog input and the DAC drives the output in hold mode. The mode control circuit preferably includes a comparator/buffer circuit including switching circuitry. The ADC is preferably of the successive approximation type. The comparator/buffer is used in two modes: (1) open loop, as a comparator, and (2) closed loop, as a buffer. During acquisition, the comparator mode is used, while in hold mode the buffer mode is used. The utilization of the same amplifier to provide both functions allows cancellation of offset errors otherwise introduced by the comparator and buffer, at least to a first order.

Abstract: A sample and hold circuit (200) accepts an input (202). During a first half of the clock (204) (either an active high portion or an active low portion) the devices (216, 220, and 222) drive the node (218) to a voltage representative of the voltage present on input (202). At a rising edge of the clock (204), the switch (222) is disabled and the voltage on the node (218) is forced to a higher hold voltage by a capacitor (224). While sample circuit (208) is holding the high voltage on node (218), a hold circuit (210) is settling to a hold voltage representative of the voltage on node (218) in a master-slave fashion. This manner of clocking and controlling the circuit (200) allows circuit (200) to be used in low power, high speed telecommunications systems.

Abstract: A time-multiplexed common mode feedback circuit provides a common mode feedback signal during active phases of a clock signal. The common mode feed back circuit includes capacitors which are charged during the inactive phases of the clock signals. In one embodiment, the common mode feedback signal is provided by two generator circuits each driven by a respective one of two non-overlapping clock signals. In that embodiment, the generator circuits provide the common mode feedback signal during the active phases of their respective clock signals.

Abstract: In an integrated circuit comprising a so-called “switched” capacitor, the latter is switched by a parallel circuit of two complementary switching transistors having mutually complementary switching pulse trains. Due to parasitic effects during this switching operation, disturbing offset voltages arise at the switched capacitor. In order to avoid such offset voltages, the edges of the one switching pulse train are shifted in time with respect to the corresponding edges of the complementary switching pulse train. To this end, a switching pulse generator contains a delay member fed with a control signal which is formed by means of a constant reference voltage using a dummy or simulation of that circuit that contains the switched capacitor.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for making isolated voltage and/or current measurements on a transmission line is characterized in that a shunt branch between the go conductor (+) and the return conductor (−) contains a series combination of a transformer (T), a first optically controllable, clocked switching element (OS1), and a first resistor (R1), and/or that the go conductor (+) or the return conductor (−) contains a second resistor (R2) shunted by a series combination of a transformer (T) and a second optically controllable, clocked switching element (OS2). The measured voltage and current values can thus be taken off linearly to the voltages and currents of the transmission lines using simple means and only few active components, particularly without analog-to-digital converters and power supplies tied to the potential of the transmission line.

Abstract: The present invention provides a peak and bottom detecting circuit including a current source for charging or discharging the capacitor, a switch for connecting the current source to the capacitor, a comparator for comparing a potential of a connection node between the switch and the capacitor, and a potential of an input signal with each other, and for turning the switch on/off in accordance with the result of the comparison, a buffer for buffering the potential of the connection node between the switch and the capacitor, and outputting an output signal, and a damper for comparing the potential of the output signal and the potential of the input signal and reducing the current allowed to flow from the current source as the potential difference becomes smaller.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for the conversion of a series signal received in the form of a low-amplitude, high-frequency differential signal into n parallel signals. The device uses a scheme derived from that of a static memory cell as a sample-and-hold unit and amplifier. The device continues to perform well when the differential signal comprises noise in common mode.

Abstract: An analog sampling processor includes an analog sampling filter, a sample amplitude comparison circuit, a switch and switch control circuitry. The analog sampling filter filters a filter input signal to produce a filtered signal. The sample amplitude comparison circuit compares amplitude of the input signal and the filtered signal to produce a comparator signal. The switch samples a processor input signal to produce a sampled signal. The switch control circuitry receives the comparator signal and input from a sampling control signal. The switch control circuitry combines the comparator signal from the sampling control signal to generate a control signal that controls the sampling characteristics of the switch.

Abstract: Integrated circuitry for selectively introducing capacitance and for controlling the transconductance transfer function of one or more amplifiers includes concatenated differential amplifiers with one or more pairs of switchable capacitive components differentially connected across outputs of the differential amplifiers to facilitate operation over a wide range of operating frequencies under control of external signals.