Having Field Effect Transistor Patents (Class 330/253)
  • Patent number: 10943536
    Abstract: Provided are an external compensation circuit and method, and display device in the field of display techniques. The external compensation circuit includes a regulation sub-circuit that may collect a driving current loaded to a light-emitting unit and a reference current from a reference current source, and regulate potentials at two nodes connected to a compensation sub-circuit according to the collected current, to enable the compensation sub-circuit to calibrate a data signal to be input to a pixel circuit according to a potential difference between the two nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tangxiang Wang, Chen Song
  • Patent number: 10938364
    Abstract: A vacuum tube subwoofer extraction circuit system includes: a front-end circuit; and a vacuum tube subwoofer extraction circuit connected to the front-end circuit, the vacuum tube subwoofer extraction circuit including: a small signal amplification vacuum tube for receiving an input signal from the front-end circuit and outputting an audio signal; and a passive filtering circuit connected to the small signal amplification vacuum tube and adapted to perform a filtering process on the audio signal so as to output a filtered signal, wherein the front-end circuit includes a switch power circuit for providing low voltage to the vacuum tube subwoofer extraction circuit, wherein the small signal amplification vacuum tube does not have gain effect on the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: ECHOWELL ELECTRONIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hsi-Hsien Chen
  • Patent number: 10931240
    Abstract: An amplifier circuit can be configured to receive a differential input signal having a common mode component that can extend to at least one power supply rail for the amplifier circuit. The amplifier circuit can include an input stage, such as having a first differential transistor pair, and the input stage can receive the differential input signal and in response conduct a differential first current to a cascode output stage. The cascode output stage can include or use a cascode control signal that is adjusted in response to the differential input signal. The cascode control signal can be independent of a transconductance of the first differential transistor pair. In an example, the amplifier circuit includes a slew boost circuit configured to source or sink current at an output of the amplifier based on a magnitude and polarity of the differential input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Analog Devices International Unlimited Company
    Inventor: Asit Shankar
  • Patent number: 10924066
    Abstract: An operational amplifier is disclosed. The operational amplifier activates/couples either a first or a second differential pair of transistors to an input based on the input voltage. The first and second pair of transistors are each biased with a current having a first portion that is constant with temperature and a second portion that is proportional to temperature. By adjusting the ratios of the first and second portions, the transconductance of each differential pair may be made relatively constant with temperature. Each differential pair is coupled to a trim current source that is adjusted to reduce the voltage offset at each output. The resulting voltage offset for the operational amplifier is relatively constant over a range of input voltages and has temperature coefficient unaffected by the trimming process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Anca Purdila, Constantin Pasoi
  • Patent number: 10917046
    Abstract: Provided is an electronic circuit including a resonant circuit configured to output a resonance voltage having a resonance frequency to a first node, and an oscillation circuit configured to output an oscillation voltage having a level changed according to a first current and a second current based on the resonance voltage received from the first node, wherein the first current is delivered between a first voltage supply terminal and a second node in a first time period, the second current is delivered between the second node and a second voltage supply terminal in a second time period, and a sum of a length of the first time period and a length of the second time period corresponds to the resonance frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventor: Ja Yol Lee
  • Patent number: 10917058
    Abstract: A servo-amplifier includes a first bipolar transistor, a second bipolar transistor, a cascode transistor, and a bias transistor. The second bipolar transistor includes an emitter terminal that is connected to an emitter terminal of the first bipolar transistor to form a differential amplifier. The cascode transistor includes a source terminal that is connected to a collector terminal of the first bipolar transistor. The bias transistor is coupled to the first bipolar transistor, the second bipolar transistor and the cascode transistor. The bias transistor is configured to generate a bias voltage to drive a gate terminal of the cascode transistor based on a voltage at a base terminal of the first bipolar transistor and a voltage at a base terminal of the second bipolar transistor. As a result, neither of the bipolar transistors enters a saturation region during transient or steady state operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Aalok Dyuti Saha, Bhaskar Ramachandran
  • Patent number: 10903804
    Abstract: Disclosed examples include differential amplifier circuits and variable neutralization circuits for providing an adjustable neutralization impedance between an amplifier input node and an amplifier output node, including neutralization impedance T circuits with first and second impedance elements in series between the amplifier input and output, and a third impedance element, including a first terminal connected to a node between the first and second impedance elements, and a second terminal connected to a transistor. The transistor operates according to a control signal to control the neutralization impedance between the amplifier input node and the amplifier output node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Krishnanshu Dandu, Brian P. Ginsburg
  • Patent number: 10897250
    Abstract: Systems and methods for mitigating occurrences of dynamic avalanche events are presented. An electrical system may include a gate-drive unit electrically coupled to a semiconductor switching device and used to drive the switching device by applying a voltage to a gate terminal of the switching device. The electrical system may also include a controller that indicates the switching device to turn off and determines system parameters in response to the switching device turning-off. The controller may determine an intermediate gate voltage based at least in part on the system parameters and may modify the gate-drive unit configuration to apply the appropriate intermediate gate voltage to the gate terminal. The controller may additionally modify the gate-drive unit configuration to apply a turn-off voltage at the gate terminal subsequent to the application of the intermediate gate voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: TRANSPORTATION IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Alois Zoels, Henry Todd Young, Jason Daniel Kuttenkuler
  • Patent number: 10897236
    Abstract: Wideband signal buffers that can be employed for mmWave (millimeter wave) communication are disclosed. One example signal buffer comprises a variable gain amplifier (VGA) that receives two control words and outputs a feedback signal, wherein both an amplitude and a phase of the feedback signal are based on the two control words and on a bias voltage; and a matching network comprising a first inductor that outputs the bias voltage, a second inductor, and a third inductor that receives the feedback signal from the VGA, and wherein the first, second, and third inductors are magnetically coupled to each other, wherein the signal buffer is configured to receive a RF (Radio Frequency) input and to generate a RF output from the RF input based on a transfer function of the signal buffer, wherein the transfer function is based at least in part on the feedback signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Chuanzhao Yu, Kurt Hausmann, Stephen Rector
  • Patent number: 10892717
    Abstract: A circuit includes a first common-source amplifier configured to receive a first voltage at a first gate node and output a first current to a first drain node in accordance with a first source voltage at a first source node; a second common-source amplifier configured to receive a second voltage at a second gate node and output a second current to a second drain node in accordance with a second source voltage at a second source node; a first diode-connected device configured to couple the first source node to a DC (direct current) node; a second diode-connected device configured to couple the second source node to the DC node; and a source-degenerating resistor inserted between the first source node and the second source node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: REALTEK SEMICONDUCTOR CORP.
    Inventor: Chia-Liang (Leon) Lin
  • Patent number: 10886881
    Abstract: An amplifier comprises eight transistors: the first coupled to a linked node and to a positive output node, the second coupled to the linked node and to a negative output node, the third coupled to the positive output node and a common potential, the fourth coupled to the negative output node and the common potential, the fifth coupled to a battery node, the sixth coupled to the fifth transistor and to the positive output node, the seventh coupled to the battery node, and the eighth coupled to the seventh transistor and to the negative output node. The amplifier also includes a charge pump to convert the battery voltage to an increased voltage on the linked node. The charge pump includes capacitors and operates at a lower frequency in lower power mode and a higher frequency in higher power mode to increase power provided to the linked node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Yinglai Xia, Shailendra Kumar Baranwal, Junmin Jiang, Yogesh Kumar Ramadass
  • Patent number: 10873303
    Abstract: An amplifier includes an input stage. The input stage includes a differential pair and a load circuit. The differential pair includes a first transistor and a second transistor. The first transistor and the second transistor are configured to amplify a received differential signal. The load circuit connects the differential pair to a reference voltage. The load circuit is configured to vary in resistance in inverse proportion to the transconductance of the first transistor and the second transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Neil Gibson
  • Patent number: 10868506
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes exemplary line drivers for use in an exemplary wireline transmission device. In some situations, the exemplary line drivers are electrically connected to a wireline communication channel to transmit information. The exemplary line drivers prevent charge sharing with the wireline communication channel. The exemplary line drivers disclosed herein charge various circuit nodes to various logical values, such as a logical zero or a logical one, to prevent charge sharing with the wireline communication channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Inventors: Xin Jie Wang, Dirk Pfaff
  • Patent number: 10862475
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are switching or other active field-effect transistor (FET) configurations that implement independently controlled main-auxiliary branch designs. Such designs include a circuit assembly for performing a switching function that includes a branch with a plurality of main FET devices in parallel with a plurality of auxiliary FET devices. The circuit assembly can include a plurality of gate bias networks where each controls one or more of the main FET devices. The circuit assembly includes a second plurality of gate bias networks that each controls one or more of the auxiliary FET devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Hailing Wang, Dylan Charles Bartle, Hanching Fuh, Jerod F. Mason, David Scott Whitefield, Paul T. DiCarlo
  • Patent number: 10860045
    Abstract: A voltage regulator having a buffer circuit and method for operating the same is disclosed. A voltage regulator having a buffer circuit includes an input stage coupled to receive an input voltage and an output stage configured to provide an output signal on an output node. The output stage includes first and second output transistors coupled to the output node. The circuit further includes a buffer stage coupled between the input and output stages. The buffer stage includes a first buffer transistor having a gate terminal coupled to the input stage and a source terminal coupled to a gate terminal of the first output transistor. The circuit further includes a first current mirror coupled to the first buffer transistor, and a second current mirror coupled to the first current mirror, the second current mirror including the second output transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Bin Huang
  • Patent number: 10862445
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an amplification circuit that outputs an output signal formed by amplifying a differential signal between a first input terminal and a second input terminal using an operating amplifier and a plurality of resistors, the amplification circuit including an adjustment circuit configured to adjust a frequency property of the output signal for an in-phase alternating current signal input between the first input terminal and the second input terminal. The adjustment circuit is connected to one input terminal of the first input terminal and the second input terminal through one or more resistors, the adjustment circuit includes a capacitor part whose capacitance is set to be variable, and the adjustment is realized through variable setting of the capacitance of the capacitor part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hisashi Sugie
  • Patent number: 10862470
    Abstract: A comparator circuitry includes an input pair circuit, a load circuit, and a compensation circuit. The input pair circuit is configured to compare a first input signal with a second input signal, in order to control a first bias current. The load circuit is coupled to the input pair circuit, and is configured to output an output signal having a first level from a first output terminal of the load circuit in response to the first bias current. The compensation circuit is coupled to the input pair circuit and the load circuit, and is configured to drain a compensation current from the first output terminal to a voltage source during the load circuit generates the output signal having a first level, in which the voltage source is configured to provide a voltage having a second level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignees: GLOBAL UNICHIP CORPORATION, TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ting-Hao Wang, Hao-Che Hsu, Pei-Ju Lin
  • Patent number: 10855383
    Abstract: A system and a method for calibrating an antenna using trim bits and non-volatile memory is disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a power amplifier configured to at least amplify the output signal of the first antenna. The power amplifier includes multiple stages. The apparatus further includes a trim control circuit configured to adjust a bias of one of the stages of the power amplifier, using trim bits from non-volatile memory. The trim control circuit is further configured to scale the bias of one of the plurality of stages of the power amplifier by an integer between 0 and 2n?1 corresponding to a binary number formed by the first plurality of trim bits, wherein n corresponds to the number of trim bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: ANOKIWAVE, INC.
    Inventors: Robert McMorrow, Vipul Jain, Mikhail Shirokov, Kevin B. Greene, Susanne A. Paul, Shamsun Nahar
  • Patent number: 10855236
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for practical realization of an integrated circuit comprising a stack of transistors operating as an RF amplifier are described. As stack height is increased, capacitance values of gate capacitors used to provide a desired distribution of an RF voltage at the output of the amplifier across the stack may decrease to values approaching parasitic/stray capacitance values present in the integrated circuit which may render the practical realization of the integrated circuit difficult. Coupling of an RF gate voltage at the gate of one transistor of the stack to a gate of a different transistor of the stack can allow for an increase in the capacitance value of the gate capacitor of the different transistor for obtaining an RF voltage at the gate of the different transistor according to the desired distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: pSemi Corporation
    Inventor: Jaroslaw Adamski
  • Patent number: 10855306
    Abstract: A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) capable of operating in radio frequency (RF) with linear output, low distortion, low power consumption, and input data independence. The DAC includes switch drivers and output switches driven by the switch drivers. The switch drivers include pairs of outputs, and positive feedback circuitries coupled between respective pairs of outputs. The output switches are arranged between a first current source configured to push current to the DAC's outputs and a second current source configured to pull current from the DAC's outputs. Different output switches are configured to push current to and pull current from the DAC's outputs in accordance with rising edges and falling edges, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: MEDIATEK Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Nathan Egan
  • Patent number: 10833641
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for an amplifier circuit. Methods and apparatus for an amplifier circuit according to various aspects of the present invention may comprise a first cross-connect circuit configured to receive an input signal at an input terminal and transmit the input signal to an input stage circuit. The amplifier circuit may further comprise a second cross-connect circuit connected between the input stage circuit and an output stage circuit, and a voltage adjustment circuit connected to the input stage circuit. Each cross-connect circuit may comprise a plurality of switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Akinobu Onishi
  • Patent number: 10824768
    Abstract: Disclosed is a security device for preventing leakage of data information in solid-state drive. The present invention provides the security device for preventing leakage of data information in solid-state drive (SSD), the device enabling a user to electrically destroy flash memory personally to prevent leakage of data stored in the SSD, which is used and is to be waste-processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Inventor: Dong Beom Kim
  • Patent number: 10826463
    Abstract: An example of a signal switch includes a first transistor coupled between first and second nodes, a plurality of second transistors coupled in series between the first and second nodes, in parallel with the first transistor, a third transistor coupled between the first node and a third node, and a plurality of fourth transistors coupled in series between the first and third nodes, in parallel with the third transistor. The signal switch further includes a first shunt path including a first shunt transistor and a first inductor connected in series between a reference node and a first connection point between two of the plurality of second transistors, and a second shunt path including a second shunt transistor and a second inductor connected in series between the reference node and a second connection point between two of the plurality of fourth transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Nuttapong Srirattana
  • Patent number: 10811542
    Abstract: A pseudo-resistor structure, comprises: a first and a second PMOS transistor or PN diode configured as two-terminal devices, wherein the positive terminal of the first PMOS transistor or PN diode is connected to the positive terminal of the second PMOS transistor or PN diode, and wherein the negative terminal of the first PMOS transistor or PN diode is connected to an input (A) of the pseudo-resistor structure and wherein the negative terminal of the second PMOS transistor or PN diode is connected to an output (C) of the pseudo-resistor structure, and a dummy transistor or dummy diode connected to the input (A), wherein the dummy transistor or dummy diode is further connected to a bias voltage for compensating a leakage current through the first and the second PMOS transistors or PN diodes. A closed-loop operational amplifier circuit comprising the pseudo-resistor structure is provided. Also, a bio-potential sensor comprising the closed-loop operational amplifier circuit is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: IMEC VZW
    Inventor: Carolina Mora Lopez
  • Patent number: 10810040
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system for real-time transmission of data associated with trigger events. The system is configured for identifying one or more priorities associated with a user, extract one or more triggers associated with the one or more priorities of the user, receiving an indication that at least one condition associated with at least one of the one or more triggers is met, determining that the user is performing one or more actions associated with at least one priority of the one or more priorities based receiving the indication, in response to determining that the user is performing the one or more actions associated with the at least one priority, dynamically extracting information associated with the user, and transmitting, in real-time, the extracted information associated with the user to at least one third party entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katherine Dintenfass, Paul Adam Keifer, Ashwin Borges
  • Patent number: 10803277
    Abstract: A fingerprint sensing circuit and a fingerprint sensing apparatus are provided. The fingerprint sensing circuit includes a sensing electrode; a first converting circuit connected to the sensing electrode and configured to convert a coupling capacitance sensed by the sensing electrode into a drive voltage, where the drive voltage is equal to a sum of a voltage variation converted from the coupling capacitance and a reference voltage; and a second converting circuit configured to generate a sensing current based on the drive voltage, and send the sensing current to a fingerprint signal processor, where the sensing current is equal to a product of a transconductance gain of the second converting circuit and the voltage variation, and the fingerprint signal processor performs fingerprint sensing based on the sensing current. With the fingerprint sensing circuit and the fingerprint sensing apparatus, the detection accuracy can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: FOCALTECH ELECTRONICS, LTD.
    Inventor: Che-Wei Wu
  • Patent number: 10797695
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a sensing circuit and a current subtraction circuit. The sensing circuit may output first and second current signals. The current subtraction circuit may mirror the first and second current signals onto first and second current branches. The second current branch may be split into a first sub-path and a second sub-path. An amplifier may control the amount of current flowing through the second sub-path by forcing the current flowing through the first current branch and the current flowing through the first sub-path to be identical. Configured in this way, the current flowing through the second sub-path will be equal to the difference between the first and second current signals. The current flowing through the second sub-path may be optionally amplified using another current mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Kyle Thomas
  • Patent number: 10797665
    Abstract: Systems and methods for amplifying an input signal include amplifier circuitry, an itail connection coupled between a positive voltage circuitry and the negative voltage circuitry and operable to generate an itail voltage corresponding to a greater of the positive voltage input signal (Vp) and the negative voltage input signal (Vn), a first resistor rgp disposed to receive the itail voltage and a first voltage corresponding to Vp, and a second resistor rgn disposed to receive the itail voltage and a second voltage corresponding to Vn. A first current output node is coupled to the output of rgp and operable to output a positive output current (Ioutp) corresponding to the current flowing through rgp, and a second current output is coupled to the output of rgn and operable to output a negative output current (Ioutn) corresponding to the current flowing through rgn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Brian Friend
  • Patent number: 10795397
    Abstract: A stable reference voltage that can be supplied in a layout area smaller than prior art is provided. A current-voltage convertor includes a first current mirror circuit including a first MOS transistor, a second MOS transistor in a pair, and an output resistor; and a depletion type N-channel MOS transistor, inserted between a first voltage to be input and the first MOS transistor and the second MOS transistor, and having a gate to which an output voltage from the output resistor is fed back. When a reference current is input to the first MOS transistor, the output voltage is generated by a current corresponding to the reference current flowing into the second MOS transistor and the output resistor. In addition, a reference voltage generator including the current-voltage convertor is provided to output a reference voltage based on the output voltage of the current-voltage convertor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Tomofumi Kitani
  • Patent number: 10790785
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a circuit structure. An error amplifier of the structure includes an input terminal coupled to a voltage source, a reference terminal, and an output terminal coupled to a back-gate terminal of a power amplifier. A voltage at the output terminal of the error amplifier indicates a voltage difference between the input terminal and the reference terminal. A logarithmic current source may be coupled to the reference terminal of the error amplifier, the logarithmic current being configured to generate a reference current logarithmically proportionate to a voltage level of the voltage source. A plurality of serially coupled transistor cells, having a shared substrate and coupled between the reference terminal of the error amplifier and ground, each may include a back-gate terminal coupled to the output terminal of the error amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Yiching Chen, Thomas G. Mckay
  • Patent number: 10789895
    Abstract: The differential difference amplifier circuit includes a differential input stage circuit, a loading stage circuit coupled to the differential input stage circuit, and an output stage circuit coupled to the loading stage circuit. The output stage circuit is configured to generate an output signal. The differential input stage circuit includes a first differential pair having a first transconductance and a second differential pair having a second transconductance. The first differential pair is biased by a first current source and receives a first input signal and the output signal. The second differential pair is biased by a second current source and receives a second input signal and the output signal. At least one of the first transconductance and the second transconductance is adjusted according to the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: NOVATEK MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Chih-Hsien Chou, Po-Yu Tseng, Jhih-Siou Cheng
  • Patent number: 10784828
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology comprise a method and apparatus for an operational amplifier with a variable gain-bandwidth product. According to various embodiments, an amplifier circuit comprising the operational amplifier operates in multiple stages and provides a low gain-bandwidth and a high gain-bandwidth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Tsutomu Murata
  • Patent number: 10778145
    Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillator includes a first inductor, a second inductor, a first metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor, a second MOS transistor, and an inductor-capacitor (LC) tank circuit. A first end of the first inductor and a first end of the second inductor are coupled to a first power rail. A drain node of the first MOS transistor is coupled to a second end of the first inductor. A drain node of the second MOS transistor is coupled to a second end of the second inductor. Source nodes of the first MOS transistor and the second MOS transistor are coupled to a second power rail. The LC tank circuit is coupled to gate nodes of the first MOS transistor and the second MOS transistor, wherein energy is magnetically pumped into the LC tank circuit through the first inductor and the second inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventors: Yu-Li Hsueh, Po-Chun Huang, Ang-Sheng Lin, Wei-Hao Chiu
  • Patent number: 10763810
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to electrical circuits and techniques thereof. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a variable gain amplifier architecture that includes a continuous-time linear equalizer (CTLE) section and a variable gain amplifier (VGA) section. The CTLE section provides both a pair of equalized data signals and a common mode voltage. A DAC generates a control signal based on a control code. The VGA section amplifies the pair of equalized data signals by an amplification factor using a transistor whose resistance value is based on both the common mode voltage and the control signal. There are other embodiments as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: INPHI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Simon Forey, Rajasekhar Nagulapalli, Parmanand Mishra
  • Patent number: 10764524
    Abstract: Provided is an imaging apparatus, including: a photoelectric conversion element; an amplifier transistor configured to output a voltage corresponding to electric charges generated by the photoelectric conversion element; a load transistor configured to supply a bias current to the amplifier transistor; and a voltage supply unit configured to input one of a first voltage and a second voltage, which have different voltage values, to a control node of the load transistor via an input capacitor. In the imaging apparatus, a current value of the bias current to be supplied by the load transistor at a time when the second voltage is input to the control node via the input capacitor is larger than a current value of the bias current to be supplied by the load transistor at a time when the first voltage is input to the control node via the input capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takamasa Sakuragi
  • Patent number: 10734953
    Abstract: A power amplifier system is disclosed that includes a power amplifier having a first signal input, a first signal output, second signal input, and a second signal output. The power amplifier system further includes cross-coupled bias circuitry having a first transistor with a first collector coupled to the first signal input, a first base coupled to the second signal input, and a first emitter coupled to a fixed voltage node, a second transistor with a second collector coupled to the second signal input, a second base coupled to the first signal input, and a second emitter coupled to the fixed voltage node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc.
    Inventors: George Maxim, Stephen James Franck, Michael F. Zybura, Baker Scott
  • Patent number: 10732714
    Abstract: An integrated haptic system may include a digital signal processor and an amplifier communicatively coupled to the digital signal processor and integrated with the digital signal processor into the integrated haptic system. The digital signal processor may be configured to receive a force sensor signal indicative of a force applied to a force sensor and generate a haptic playback signal responsive to the force. The amplifier may be configured to amplify the haptic playback signal and drive a vibrational actuator communicatively coupled to the amplifier with the haptic playback signal as amplified by the amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Harsha Rao, Rong Hu, Carl Lennart Ståhl, Jie Su, Vadim Konradi, Teemu Ramo, Anthony Stephen Doy
  • Patent number: 10728058
    Abstract: A decision feedback equalizer includes: a comparison circuit; a latch circuit configured to latch a result of comparison by the comparison circuit; a setting circuit configured to set a decision threshold of the comparison circuit in accordance with a control signal; and a switch circuit configured to be controlled to be turned on and off by an output signal from the latch circuit, wherein the setting circuit is configured to be connected in parallel with an input stage of the comparison circuit through the switch circuit and operate in synchronization with a clock signal for driving the comparison circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Yasufumi Sakai
  • Patent number: 10727796
    Abstract: The invention provides a Low-voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS) receiver circuit that comprises a folded-cascode operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) that includes a pair of input branches and a pair of output branches. The pair of input branches of the folded-cascode OTA includes a p-channel metal-oxide semiconductor (PMOS) input transistor pair connected to a first supply voltage domain. The pair of output branches includes an output circuit connected to a second supply voltage domain. The LVDS receiver circuit further includes a common-mode feedback circuit connected to the pair of output branches of the folded-cascode OTA that controls the second supply voltage domain. The LVDS receiver circuit further includes a regenerative buffer circuit connected to the pair of output branches of the folded-cascode OTA and an output generated from the pair of output branches of the folded-cascode OTA directly operates the regenerative buffer circuit to produce a distortion-free output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: THE KING ABDULAZIZ CITY FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (KACST)
    Inventors: Mohammed Sulaiman BenSaleh, Syed Arsalan Jawed, Yasir Mehmood Siddiqi, Waqas Siddiqi, Shahab Ahmed Najmi
  • Patent number: 10691152
    Abstract: A low-dropout regulator comprises an output current branch (100) in which a first output driver (110) and a second output driver (120) is arranged. An input amplifier stage (200) provides a first control current (I1) to control the operating state of the first and the second output driver (110, 120). A current generator unit (300) provides a second control current (12) to operate the first output driver (110) in the second operating state and provides a third control current (13) to operate the second output driver (120) in the second operating state, when the first control current (I1) of the input amplifier stage (200) is below a threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: ams International AG
    Inventors: Carlo Fiocchi, Marco Cerchi
  • Patent number: 10666248
    Abstract: A circuit biases an input transistor by using a voltage on a reference transistor having open gate connection and operating at the same current density as the input transistor to null current leakage at the gate of the input transistor. The input transistor is biased based on the voltage on the zero-gate-current reference transistor. The bias condition for the input transistor to operate at a zero gate current is determined by leaving the gate terminal of the reference transistor open-circuited, thus zero gate current, forcing a desired current through the reference transistor, and measuring a drain-source voltage of the reference transistor. When the input terminal of the input transistor has an ancillary circuitry that may contribute gate leakage current, the same ancillary circuitry can be coupled to the gate of the reference transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventor: Albert E. Cosand
  • Patent number: 10666212
    Abstract: A positive-side power supply terminal (1-1a) of a differential amplifier (1-1) is connected to a positive-side power supply line (L1). A negative-side power supply terminal (1-2b) of a differential amplifier (1-2) is connected to a negative-side power supply line (L2). A negative-side power supply terminal (1-1b) of the differential amplifier (1-1) and a positive-side power supply terminal (1-2a) of the differential amplifier (1-2) are connected to each other. A final-stage amplifier (2) is connected between the positive-side power supply line (L1) and the negative-side power supply line (L2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinsuke Nakano, Masafumi Nogawa, Hideyuki Nosaka
  • Patent number: 10658985
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a trans-impedance amplifier, comprising: an inverting amplifier circuit, having an input end and an output end. The input end is coupled to an optical diode and is used for accessing an input voltage signal, and the output end is used for outputting an amplified voltage signal. The inverting amplifier circuit comprises at least three sequentially-connected amplifier units. Each of the amplifier units comprises two mutually-coupled N-type transistors, wherein one N-type transistor is used for receiving an input voltage, and the other N-type transistor is used for receiving a DC voltage signal. A common connection end of the two N-type transistors is used for outputting an amplified voltage signal, and the N-type transistor used for receiving the DC voltage signal adopts a native NFET. The trans-impedance amplifier further comprises a feedback resistor coupled to the input end and the output end of the inverting amplifier circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: HANGZHOU HONGXIN MICROELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hehong Zou
  • Patent number: 10658992
    Abstract: A circuit for implementing an operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) based on telescopic topology, wherein cascode transistors of the operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) are self-biased without using additional biasing circuitry, which not only reduces power consumption but also achieves high gain without extra current, and each cascode stage of the OTA has a pair of transistors so that the swing of the output differential signals of the OTA can be completely symmetrical so as to benefit second-order harmonic rejection, CMRR and PSRR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Rafael Microelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Tzu-Yun Wang
  • Patent number: 10651856
    Abstract: A four-phase oscillator includes, a first oscillator configured to output a first differential signal, a second oscillator configured to output a second differential signal shifted in phase with respect to the first differential signal by 90 or ?90 degrees, and a control circuit. The first oscillator includes a first tail current source and a second tail current source. The second oscillator includes a third tail current source and a fourth tail current source. The control circuit changes the frequency of the first and second differential signals by controlling at least one of a difference between a first current value supplied from the first tail current source and a third current value supplied from the third tail current source and a difference between a second current value supplied from the second tail current source and a fourth current value supplied from the fourth tail current source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Takashi Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 10644652
    Abstract: In optical receivers, extending the transimpedance amplifier's (TIA) dynamic range is a key to increasing the receiver's dynamic range, and therefore increase the channel capacity. Ideally, the TIA requires controllable gain, whereby the receiver can modify the characteristics of the TIA and/or the VGA to process high power incoming signals with a defined maximum distortion, and low power incoming signals with a defined maximum noise. A solution to the problem is to provide TIA's with reconfigurable feedback resistors, which are adjustable based on the level of power, e.g. current, generated by the photodetector, and variable load resistors, which are adjustable based on the change in impedance caused by the change in the feedback resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Elenion Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ariel Leonardo Vera Villarroel, Abdelrahman Ahmed, Alexander Rylyakov
  • Patent number: 10636470
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for a source follower-based sensing architecture and sensing scheme are described. In one example, a memory device may include a sense circuit that includes two source followers that are coupled to each other and to a sense amplifier. A method of operating the memory device may include transferring a digit line voltage to one of the source followers and transferring a reference voltage to the other source follower. After transferring the digit line voltage and the reference voltage, the source followers may be enabled so that signals representative of the digit line voltage and the reference voltage are transferred from the outputs of the source followers to the sense amplifier for sensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hyun Yoo Lee, Suryanarayana B. Tatapudi, Huy T. Vo, Ferdinando Bedeschi, Umberto Di Vincenzo, Riccardo Muzzetto
  • Patent number: 10630283
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are switching or other active FET configurations that implement a segmented main-auxiliary branch design. Such designs include a circuit assembly for performing a switching function that includes a branch including a plurality of main-auxiliary pairs coupled in series, wherein each main-auxiliary pair includes a main field-effect transistor (FET) in parallel with an auxiliary FET. The circuit assembly also includes a gate bias network connected to the main FETs and configured to bias the main FETs in a strong inversion region. The circuit assembly also includes an auxiliary bias network connected to the auxiliary FETs and configured to bias the auxiliary FETs in a weak inversion region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Hailing Wang, Dylan Charles Bartle, Hanching Fuh, Jerod F. Mason, David Scott Whitefield, Paul T. DiCarlo
  • Patent number: 10627847
    Abstract: A bias current circuit which includes: a main unit including first PMOS and NMOS transistors constituting a first current path, and second PMOS and NMOS transistors constituting a second current path together with a first resistor; an output unit; and a supply voltage adapting unit including a third MOS transistor, a pull-up current source and a pull-down current source. The third MOS transistor is connected between a first node to which gates of the first and second PMOS transistors are connected and a second node to which drains of the second NMOS and PMOS transistors are connected. The pull-up current source is mirrored to the first PMOS transistor and configured to provide a current equal to a current provided by the pull-down current source. The bias current circuit has an operating voltage range encompassing low-voltage band such that it is operable at high and low voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Shanghai Huahong Grace Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Chengwei Tang, Xin Wang
  • Patent number: 10607560
    Abstract: A semiconductor device for driving a load of an object includes a differential circuit receiving an input signal and outputting differential output signals, first to fourth output circuits receiving the differential output signals, and a control circuit configured to respectively connect or disconnect the differential circuit to each of the first to fourth output circuits. The first output circuit is connected between high-level and mid-level power supply terminals and outputs a first output signal to the differential circuit, the second output circuit is connected between the high-level and mid-level power supply terminals, and outputs a second output signal to the load, a third output circuit is connected between mid-level and low-level power supply terminals, and outputs a third output signal to the differential circuit, and a fourth output circuit is connected between the mid-level low-level power supply terminals, and outputs a fourth output signal to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: LAPIS SEMICONDUCTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tsuchi, Kenichi Shiibayashi