Temperature Or Light Responsive Patents (Class 331/66)
  • Patent number: 7459983
    Abstract: There is provided a technique which is capable of detecting a temperature of a semiconductor device with high precision. A temperature detection circuit detecting a temperature of a semiconductor device includes a first short-cycle oscillator generating a first clock signal having positive temperature characteristics with respect to a frequency, a second short-cycle oscillator generating a second clock signal having negative temperature characteristics with respect to the frequency, and a temperature signal generation unit generating a temperature signal which is varied according to the temperature of the semiconductor device based on the first and second clock signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Takayuki Gyoten, Fukashi Morishita, Katsumi Dosaka
  • Publication number: 20080284532
    Abstract: An integrated temperature-compensated RC oscillator circuit includes an inverter having an input and an output. An RC network is coupled between the inverter and a pair of comparators. A first comparator has an inverting input coupled to a first reference voltage, a non-inverting input coupled to the RC network, and an output. A second comparator has an inverting input coupled to the RC network, a non-inverting input coupled to a second reference voltage, and an output. A set-reset flip-flop has a set input coupled to the output of the first comparator, a reset input coupled to the output of the second comparator, and an output coupled to the input of the inverter. Differential amplifiers in the comparators each have a diode-connected p-channel MOS transistor controlling a mirrored p-channel MOS transistor whose channel width is less than that of the diode-connected p-channel current mirror transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: ACTEL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gregory Bakker
  • Patent number: 7453324
    Abstract: There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a compensated microelectromechanical oscillator, having a microelectromechanical resonator that generates an output signal and frequency adjustment circuitry, coupled to the microelectromechanical resonator to receive the output signal of the microelectromechanical resonator and, in response to a set of values, to generate an output signal having second frequency. In one embodiment, the values may be determined using the frequency of the output signal of the microelectromechanical resonator, which depends on the operating temperature of the microelectromechanical resonator and/or manufacturing variations of the microelectromechanical resonator. In one embodiment, the frequency adjustment circuitry may include frequency multiplier circuitry, for example, PLLs, DLLs, digital/frequency synthesizers and/or FLLs, as well as any combinations and permutations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Aaron Partridge, Markus Lutz
  • Patent number: 7439818
    Abstract: An integrated temperature-compensated RC oscillator circuit includes an inverter having an input and an output. An RC network is coupled between the inverter and a pair of comparators. A first comparator has an inverting input coupled to a first reference voltage, a non-inverting input coupled to the RC network, and an output. A second comparator has an inverting input coupled to the RC network, a non-inverting input coupled to a second reference voltage, and an output. A set-reset flip-flop has a set input coupled to the output of the first comparator, a reset input coupled to the output of the second comparator, and an output coupled to the input of the inverter. Differential amplifiers in the comparators each have a diode-connected p-channel MOS transistor controlling a mirrored p-channel MOS transistor whose channel width is less than that of the diode-connected p-channel current mirror transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Actel Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory Bakker
  • Publication number: 20080224785
    Abstract: A temperature-dependent oscillator includes a first current source, wherein a first current provided by the first current source has a positive temperature coefficient, a second current source serially connected to the first current source, wherein a second current provided by the second current source has a negative temperature coefficient, and a capacitor serially connected to the first current source and parallel connected to the second current source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Shine Chung, Jonathan Hung
  • Publication number: 20080224786
    Abstract: An oscillator assembly includes an oscillator circuit that is configured to generate a frequency signal. A temperature compensation circuit is in communication with the oscillator circuit and adapted to adjust the frequency signal in response to changes in temperature. The oscillator and temperature compensation circuits are located within an oven. A heater and a temperature sensor in communication with the heater are also both located in the oven. The temperature sensor is adapted to directly control the heater in response to changes in temperature. In one embodiment, the oscillator components are mounted to a ball grid array substrate which, in turn, is mounted on a printed circuit board. In this embodiment, a resonator overlies the ball grid array substrate and a lid covers and defines an oven and enclosure for the resonator and the ball grid array substrate. The oscillator and temperature compensation circuit are defined on the ball grid array substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: James L. Stolpman, Thomas A. Knecht, Jerry L. Shirar
  • Publication number: 20080204153
    Abstract: Provided is an oscillator including: a MEMS resonator for mechanically vibrating; an output oscillator circuit for oscillating at a resonance frequency of the MEMS resonator to output an oscillation signal; and a MEMS capacitor for changing a capacitance thereof caused by a change in a distance between an anode electrode and a cathode beam according to an environmental temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Yoshida, Fumio Kimura
  • Patent number: 7411172
    Abstract: A latch circuit includes first and second resonant tunneling diodes coupled in series, and a reset portion having a photodiode portion responsive to varying photonic energy for switching between first and second states which are different. When the photodiode portion is in its first state, the reset portion normalizes a voltage across each of the resonant tunneling diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Gary A. Frazier
  • Publication number: 20080174374
    Abstract: Device and method for temperature compensation in a clock oscillator using quartz crystals, which integrates dual crystal oscillators. The minimal power consumption is achieved through an efficient use of a processor in charge of the synchronisation of the two oscillators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventor: Andrew Tozer
  • Patent number: 7403078
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated circuit for a temperature compensated crystal oscillator having an external crystal. The integrated circuit comprises a temperature compensation having one fixed or at least two selectable 3rd and/or 4th and/or 5th and/or higher order temperature compensation functions for at least one specific type of external crystal. The temperature compensation can be calibrated at one temperature, in other words without use of temperature variation, by means of an external voltage or current source overdriving a respective temperature-dependent voltage or current supplied from an internal temperature sensor to the temperature compensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Micro Analog System Oy
    Inventors: Jarkko Routama, Klaus Turhanen
  • Publication number: 20080164953
    Abstract: There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a compensated microelectromechanical oscillator, having a microelectromechanical resonator that generates an output signal and frequency adjustment circuitry, coupled to the microelectromechanical resonator to receive the output signal of the microelectromechanical resonator and, in response to a set of values, to generate an output signal having second frequency. In one embodiment, the values may be determined using the frequency of the output signal of the microelectromechanical resonator, which depends on the operating temperature of the microelectromechanical resonator and/or manufacturing variations of the microelectromechanical resonator. In one embodiment, the frequency adjustment circuitry may include frequency multiplier circuitry, for example, PLLs, DLLs, digital/frequency synthesizers and/or FLLs, as well as any combinations and permutations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Aaron Partridge, Markus Lutz
  • Publication number: 20080164952
    Abstract: A system and method for providing temperature compensation in a oscillator component (such as a crystal oscillator component) that includes a closely-located temperature sensing device. The crystal oscillator component in example systems and methods is exposed to a temperature profile during a calibration procedure. Temperature and frequency data are collected and applied to coefficient generating function according to a temperature compensation model to generate a set of coefficients that are used in the temperature compensation model in an application device. The generated coefficients are stored in a coefficient memory accessible to an application device during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: Daniel Babitch
  • Publication number: 20080157880
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a temperature compensating solution to reduce changes in PLL damping factor that would otherwise occur with changes in temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Eyal Fayneh, Ernest Knoll
  • Publication number: 20080150642
    Abstract: There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a compensated microelectromechanical oscillator, having a microelectromechanical resonator that generates an output signal and frequency adjustment circuitry, coupled to the microelectromechanical resonator to receive the output signal of the microelectromechanical resonator and, in response to a set of values, to generate an output signal having second frequency. In one embodiment, the values may be determined using the frequency of the output signal of the microelectromechanical resonator, which depends on the operating temperature of the microelectromechanical resonator and/or manufacturing variations of the microelectromechanical resonator. In one embodiment, the frequency adjustment circuitry may include frequency multiplier circuitry, for example, PLLs, DLLs, digital/frequency synthesizers and/or FLLs, as well as any combinations and permutations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Aaron Partridge, Markus Lutz
  • Publication number: 20080143449
    Abstract: A temperature-sensitive current source includes a first MOS transistor having a source coupled to a first voltage; a second MOS transistor having a source coupled to the first voltage, and a gate coupled to a gate of the first MOS transistor, such that a current output at a drain of the second MOS transistor mirrors a current passing across the first MOS transistor; and a resistor coupled between the source and a drain of the first MOS transistor in parallel, such that the current passing across the first MOS transistor is substantially larger than a current passing through the resistor, wherein the first and second MOS transistors operate in a saturation mode, such that the output current at the drain of the second MOS transistor is responsive to a change of temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Shine Chung, Jonathan Hung
  • Publication number: 20080084249
    Abstract: An output signal ZA of NAND 48a is given to a first input of NAND 48b and is given to a second input of the above NAND 48b, simultaneously through a delay circuit. Furthermore, an output signal ZB of the NAND 48b is given to the first input of NAND 48a and is given to the second input of NAND 48a, simultaneously through a delay circuit. The delay circuit includes a charging and discharging circuit consisting of a NMOS 42 having the conductivity controlled by a voltage VN depending on a temperature signal from a temperature-dependent current source 30 and a capacitor 44, and a NMOS 45 being turned on/off by the voltage of the above capacitor 44. By setting temperature characteristics of the voltage VN and temperature characteristics of the threshold voltage of the NMOS 45 so as to cancel each other, the oscillation frequency variation of the oscillation circuit consisting of astable multi-vibrators can be restrained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Applicant: OKI ELECTRIC INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mineo Noguchi
  • Patent number: 7348857
    Abstract: A circuit and related method of monitoring performance of an integrated circuit is provided comprising: using a variable oscillator that has an oscillation time period that varies within an expected range with variations in one or more of process, voltage or temperature to provide a signal that causes a count of a first counter to change at rate proportional to an oscillation frequency of the variable oscillator; using a clock source that has a frequency that substantially does not vary with variations in one or more of process, time or voltage to cause a count of a second counter to change at rate proportional to an oscillation frequency of the clock source; setting the second counter to start a count from a start; determining when the first counter has counted a reference count; and providing as a circuit speed, a value indicative of a count value produced by the second counter at about the moment when first counter finishes counting the count interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Marvell Semiconductor Israel Ltd.
    Inventors: Reuven Ecker, David Moshe
  • Patent number: 7345552
    Abstract: A lead wire led-out type crystal oscillator of constant temperature type for high stability is disclosed, which includes a heat supply body that supplies heat to a crystal resonator from which a plurality of lead wires are led out, to maintain the temperature constant. The heat supply body includes a heat conducting plate which has through-holes for the lead wires and is mounted on the circuit board, and which faces, and is directly thermally joined to, the crystal resonator and a chip resistor for heating which is mounted on the circuit board adjacent to the heat conducting plate, and is thermally joined to the heat conducting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Ito, Minoru Fukuda, Tetuo Kudo, Takeshi Uchida
  • Patent number: 7342460
    Abstract: A technique provides a clock source that meets accuracy requirements, allows the use of a low cost resonator, provides a wide range of output frequencies, and provides suitable phase noise performance. The technique generates a clock signal having a target output frequency using a controllable oscillator having at least one continuous frequency range of operation. The technique dynamically adjusts a reference control value based on a voltage for adjusting a frequency of the clock signal around a frequency determined by the reference control value. The reference control value is adjusted to be approximately within the center of an actual pull range corresponding to the controllable oscillator and a voltage control input of the controllable oscillator. The effective pull range of the controllable oscillator is continuous across the at least one continuous frequency range of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Batchelor, Axel Thomsen
  • Patent number: 7332975
    Abstract: A programmable reference-less oscillator provides a wide range of programmable output frequencies. The programmable reference-less oscillator is implemented on an integrated circuit that includes a free running controllable oscillator circuit such as a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), a programmable divider circuit coupled to divide an output of the controllable oscillator circuit according to a programmable divide value. A non-volatile storage stores the programmed divide value and a control word that controls the output of the controllable oscillator circuit. The control word provides a calibration capability to achieve a desired output frequency in conjunction with the programmable divider circuit. Open loop temperature compensation is achieved by adjusting the control word according to a temperature detected by a temperature sensor on the integrated circuit. Additional clock accuracy may be achieved by adjusting the control word for process as well as temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventor: Augusto Marques
  • Patent number: 7321272
    Abstract: In a device for detecting the temperature of an oscillator crystal 2, arranged on a carrier, in particular in a mobile radio apparatus, the detected temperature should be as exact as possible a replica of the temperature to which the oscillator crystal 2 is subjected. For this purpose, a temperature sensor 7 is arranged on the carrier 1 in such a way that it is subjected to the same ambient temperature as the oscillator crystal 2 or the oscillator-crystal housing 2?. The temperature sensor 7 and the oscillator crystal 2 are located so as to be electrically parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Markus Neumann
  • Patent number: 7307482
    Abstract: A ring oscillator setting apparatus and method depending on an environmental change of an image formation apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of ring oscillators for generating different oscillation frequencies. The apparatus further includes a loopspeed detection unit to detect a loopspeed representing the number of pulses generated at the oscillation frequency by one of the ring oscillators selected from the plurality of ring oscillators for a predetermined unit time. Moreover, a state sensing unit is provided to detect a state of system environment of the image formation apparatus. A setting control unit is also provided to select and set one of the ring oscillators selected corresponding to change of the loopspeed detected from the loopspeed detection unit among the plurality of ring oscillators in response to the detected state of the state sensing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwon-Cheol Lee, Sang-Sin Park
  • Patent number: 7301408
    Abstract: An integrated circuit package comprises an integrated circuit that comprises a temperature sensor that senses a temperature of the integrated circuit. A memory module stores data relating to oscillator calibrations and selects one of the oscillator calibrations as a function of the sensed temperature. An oscillator module generates a reference signal having a frequency that is based on the selected one of the oscillator calibrations. A packaging material encases at least part of the integrated circuit and has a low dielectric loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Marvell World Trade Ltd.
    Inventor: Sehat Sutardja
  • Patent number: 7286020
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for monitoring the performance of circuits and replacing low performing circuits with higher performing circuits. A frequency detector compares the frequency of a first periodic signal to the frequency of a second periodic signal. The difference in the frequency between the first periodic signal and the second periodic signal indirectly indicates how much the threshold voltages of the transistors have shifted. The difference in frequency between the two periodic signals can be monitored to determine the speed and performance of circuits on the chip. The output of the frequency detector can also indicate when to replace low performing circuits with higher performing circuits. When the frequency of the second periodic signal differs from the frequency of the first periodic signal by a predefined percentage, a low performing circuit is replaced with a higher performing replica circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Hugh Sungki O, Samit Sengupta, Joseph Michael Ingino, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7253695
    Abstract: In a function generating circuit which comprises a temperature sensor 1 for outputting an output current (Ilin) with a linear temperature characteristic or an output voltage (Vlin) with the linear temperature characteristic, a cubic function generating circuit 2 for receiving the output current (Ilin) or the output voltage (Vlin) of the temperature sensor 1 as an input and generating a cubic temperature characteristic voltage (Vcub), and a control data storing circuit 3 for recording control data to control the output characteristic of the cubic function generating circuit 2, an external control signal is applied to the temperature sensor 1 from an external control terminal 4 to cause the sensor to output variably the output current (Ilin) or the output voltage (Vlin) such that the temperature characteristic of the cubic function generating circuit 2 can be controlled at the ordinary temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junichi Matsuura
  • Patent number: 7253694
    Abstract: A method provides a temperature controlled frequency source. The method reduces the effects of temperature variations on an operating frequency of the temperature controlled frequency source by temperature compensating the temperature controlled frequency source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: C-Mac Quartz Crystals, Limited
    Inventors: Nigel Hardy, Karl Ward
  • Patent number: 7248126
    Abstract: A temperature correcting apparatus divides an actually measured waveform of correcting voltages, which are required at each of different temperatures, by a minimum resolution of D/A conversion; obtains voltage digital values representing voltage values at individual dividing points of the actually measured waveform, and obtains times corresponding to the voltage digital values; prestores pairs of the voltage digital values and times together with addresses as correcting data; reads out the correcting data in response to the detection address representing the temperature; extracts or calculates from the correcting data the voltage digital values and times about the correcting voltages required by the detection address; and sequentially supplying a D/A converter with the resultant voltage digital values in synchronization with the corresponding times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinichi Kanbe
  • Patent number: 7248127
    Abstract: A quartz crystal oscillator in which phase noise is reduced includes: a resonance circuit having a quartz crystal unit and a split capacitor connected to the crystal unit; a transistor for oscillation having its base connected to the node of the crystal unit and the split capacitor; an output line for connecting the mutual node of the split capacitor to the emitter of the transistor; a quartz crystal resonator that is inserted in the output line; and a temperature compensation mechanism for compensating the frequency-temperature characteristics of both the crystal unit and the crystal resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Ishikawa, Hideo Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 7242258
    Abstract: An inventive temperature-compensated crystal oscillator has a construction such that a crystal oscillator element (5) is accommodated in a container (1) and an IC element (7) for controlling an oscillation output on the basis of the oscillation of the crystal oscillator element (5) is mounted on a lower surface of the container (1). A plurality of electrode pads (10) at least including plural crystal electrode pads connected to the crystal oscillator element (5), plural writing control electrode pads, and an oscillation output electrode pad, a ground electrode pad, a power source voltage electrode pad and an oscillation control electrode pad connected to surface mounting external terminals are arranged in a matrix configuration of m rows×n columns (wherein m and n are natural numbers not smaller than 2) in an IC element mounting area. The IC element (7) is electrically connected to the electrode pads (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Hidefumi Hatanaka, Ryoma Sasagawa
  • Patent number: 7239211
    Abstract: A temperature-compensated quartz crystal oscillator includes a substrate having a circuit pattern disposed on a surface thereof and mounting electrodes disposed on a reverse side thereof and electrically connected to the circuit pattern, circuit components mounted on the surface of the substrate and electrically connected to the circuit pattern, and a surface-mounted quartz crystal unit having a hermetically sealed quartz crystal blank, and mounted on the surface of the substrate and electrically connected to the circuit pattern. The crystal unit has a cavity defined in a mounting surface thereof, at least one of the circuit components being housed in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshikatsu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7236061
    Abstract: A memory circuit that generates a positive temperature correlated clock frequency is described. One embodiment includes a voltage reference having a voltage determined at least in part by a diode or transistor having a negative temperature coefficient. A clock generator generates a clock having a frequency that is based at least in part on the voltage reference voltage so that the clock frequency has a positive temperature correlation. A memory charge pump is enabled at least in part by the clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yung Feng Lin
  • Patent number: 7233180
    Abstract: A memory device has refresh cycles to refresh memory cells of the memory device. The time interval between one refresh cycle to the next refresh cycle is a refresh interval. The refresh interval depends on a frequency of an oscillating signal. A refresh timer adjusts the frequency of the oscillating signal based on changes in the temperature to adjust the refresh interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Feng Lin
  • Patent number: 7224236
    Abstract: There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a compensated microelectromechanical oscillator, having a microelectromechanical resonator that generates an output signal and frequency adjustment circuitry, coupled to the microelectromechanical resonator to receive the output signal of the microelectromechanical resonator and, in response to a set of values, to generate an output signal having second frequency. In one embodiment, the values may be determined using the frequency of the output signal of the microelectromechanical resonator, which depends on the operating temperature of the microelectromechanical resonator and/or manufacturing variations of the microelectromechanical resonator. In one embodiment, the frequency adjustment circuitry may include frequency multiplier circuitry, for example, PLLs, DLLs, digital/frequency synthesizers and/or FLLs, as well as any combinations and permutations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Aaron Partridge, Markus Lutz
  • Patent number: 7221231
    Abstract: An RF-discharge lamp stabilization system for preferred use in a Rubidium atomic clock, senses acoustic oscillations of plasma ions in the 20.0 kHz range to assess the performance of the lamp for determining radio frequency parameters of the lamp while the lamp is in operation and while the performance of an atomic clock is influenced by the plasma character, with lamp spectral outputs being actively stabilized for improved vapor-cell clock performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: The Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: James C. Camparo, Charles M. Klimcak
  • Patent number: 7221230
    Abstract: There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a compensated microelectromechanical oscillator, having a microelectromechanical resonator that generates an output signal and frequency adjustment circuitry, coupled to the microelectromechanical resonator to receive the output signal of the microelectromechanical resonator and, in response to a set of values, to generate an output signal having second frequency. In one embodiment, the values may be determined using the frequency of the output signal of the microelectromechanical resonator, which depends on the operating temperature of the microelectromechanical resonator and/or manufacturing variations of the microelectromechanical resonator. In one embodiment, the frequency adjustment circuitry may include frequency multiplier circuitry, for example, PLLs, DLLs, digital/frequency synthesizers and/or FLLs, as well as any combinations and permutations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Aaron Partridge, Markus Lutz
  • Patent number: 7215212
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system that enables the simultaneous remote monitoring of a plurality of infants' skin temperatures. The system comprises an electronic circuit that combines the functions of sensoring and multiple-channel transmitting, a pre-deployment temperature bath for calibration of the temperature sensor(s), and a receiving and reporting station for centralized monitoring the infants' skin temperatures. The present invention is further directed to a temperature sensor that measures the temperature and transmits the data in multiple channels to a remote receiver. In one embodiment, the temperature sensor comprises a ring oscillator, having a plurality of odd number of inverters, and the ring oscillator is capable of utilizing less than all of the inverters in the ring to modulate the frequency of the signal. In another embodiment, the temperature sensor comprises one inverter and a plurality of delay elements and sensor transmits phase shifted signals to modulate the signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Mahony, Daniel White Sexton, John Erik Hershey
  • Patent number: 7211926
    Abstract: Disclosed is an oscillator that relies on redundancy of similar resonators integrated on chip in order to fulfill the requirement of one single quartz resonator. The immediate benefit of that approach compared to quartz technology is the monolithic integration of the reference signal function, implying smaller devices as well as cost and power savings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Emmanuel P. Quevy, Roger T. Howe
  • Patent number: 7209013
    Abstract: A self-calibrating integrated circuit includes a processor having at least one analog function used with the processor; one or more sensors adapted to sense one or more environmental parameters of the at least one analog function; and a solid state memory being configured to store the one or more environmental parameters of the at least one analog function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Inventors: Robert D Norman, Dominik J. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7205858
    Abstract: A temperature-compensated piezoelectric oscillator includes an AT-cut quartz crystal resonator, an amplifying circuit connected to one end of the quartz crystal resonator, a varactor diode connected to the other end of the quartz crystal resonator, and a temperature compensation voltage generation circuit connected to ends of the varactor diode via resistors. The temperature compensation voltage generation circuit includes a first voltage generation circuit that includes thermistors and resistors and that is connected to the cathode of the varactor diode, and a second voltage generation circuit that includes a thermistor and resistors and that is connected to the anode of the varactor diode (VD).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Kato
  • Patent number: 7196591
    Abstract: An oscillator comprising a three-terminal device and circuitry coupled across a first terminal and a second terminal of the device. The circuitry is preferably operable to bias the device and feedback a select amount of noise generated by the device into the device so as to reduce a proportional amount of phase noise present at a third terminal of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Synergy Microwave Corporation
    Inventors: Ulrich L. Rohde, Ajay Kumar Poddar
  • Patent number: 7183869
    Abstract: In the present invention, a temperature compensation circuit is provided. The temperature compensation circuit includes a first oscillator for providing a first clock signal, a timer electrically connected to the first oscillator for clocking a specific time period, a voltage regulator for generating a constant voltage, a second oscillator electrically connected to the voltage regulator for providing a second clock signal, and a counter electrically connected to the second oscillator for counting within the specific time period based on the second clock signal so as to obtain a counting value, and thereby a frequency of the second oscillator is obtained for the temperature compensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Holtek Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Kuo-Hsiang Chen, Chun-Ku Lin, Jason Chen
  • Patent number: 7180379
    Abstract: A synchronous clock signal is generated in a large number of local clock circuits at the same time by exposing photoconductive regions in each local clock circuit to a pulsed light source that operates at a fixed frequency. The photoconductive regions generate photoconductive currents which are sufficient to cause a logic inverter to switch states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Hopper, Philipp Lindorfer, Vladislav Vashchenko, Yuri Mirgorodski
  • Patent number: 7180380
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first temperature sensing device providing an indication of a sensed temperature, a correlation oscillator circuit positioned adjacent to the first temperature sensing device, a plurality of other oscillator circuits, and storage locations storing calibration factors associated with at least the first temperature sensing device and the plurality of other oscillator circuits. A temperature calculation circuit determines temperatures of various locations in the integrated circuit. Each of the temperatures is determined according to an oscillation frequency of a respective one of the other oscillators, the oscillation frequency of the correlation ring oscillator, the temperature of the first temperature sensing device, and one or more stored calibration factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Bienek, Larry Hewitt, Huining Liu
  • Patent number: 7173499
    Abstract: Design means is provided to prevent electronic parts used in a high-stability piezoelectric oscillator from deterioration due to aging by heat when the high-temperature side of the working temperature range is as high as 85° C. A high-stability piezoelectric oscillator, which is provided with a first constant temperature oven having housed therein a piezoelectric resonator and electronic parts for oscillation, a second constant temperature oven having housed herein said first constant temperature oven, and temperature control means for controlling the temperature of each constant temperature oven, and in which the temperature of said first constant temperature oven is set lower than the temperature of said second constant temperature oven, is characterized in that a heat source is disposed near said piezoelectric resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Toyo Communication Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomio Satoh
  • Patent number: 7173501
    Abstract: An oscillator circuit (100) can provide a dual slop temperature response. For a lower temperature range, a capacitor (106) can be charged and/or discharged according to a first current source (302) that provides an essentially constant current source. For a higher temperature range, the capacitor (106) can be charged and/or discharged according to a second current source (304) that can be enabled and/or provide current according to a voltage proportional to absolute temperature. A slightly positive temperature coefficient of a first current source (302) can be offset by a threshold detect circuit (210 and 212) within a second comparator circuit (204) that utilizes the threshold voltage (Vt) of a transistor (212) as a low limit for a capacitor voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Jason Varricchione
  • Patent number: 7173749
    Abstract: This application describes use of an opto-electronic feedback in oscillators to suppress phase noise based on the high Q factor of the opto-electronic feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Lutfollah Maleki, Vladimir Ilchenko
  • Patent number: 7154351
    Abstract: A circuit for generating a component of n-th order includes: six differential amplifiers (15A to 15F) having a pair of input terminals supplied with a common linear input signal and a constant level signal of a predetermined level, outputting a reversed or non-reversed signal to the linear input signal, and having a limiter function to limit the output signal to a predetermined maximum value and a minimum value; a constant level signal generation circuit for supplying the constant level signal to each of the six differential amplifiers; a current mirror circuit (14) for controlling current flowing in the differential amplifiers (15A to 15F); and addition resistors (16A, 16B) for adding the output current of the differential amplifiers (15A to 15F).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Microsystems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takako Kawasaki, Kenji Nemoto
  • Patent number: 7151415
    Abstract: An injection locked dual opto-electronic oscillator having a master oscillator which generates a high Q RF output signal with a plurality of harmonic signals within a predetermined pass band. A slave oscillator has a modulation input coupled to the output signal from the master oscillator as well as an output signal. The slave oscillator has a cavity length selected to produce a single mode operation within the pass band. An electronic phase shifter in the slave oscillator is adjustable to produce constructive interference at a single harmonic of the output signal from the master oscillator and destructive interference of all other harmonics within the pass band and to bring the slave oscillator into injection locked condition with the master oscillator. Therefore the slave OEO is used as a filter for the spurious radiation generated by the master OEO and at the same time preserves the high Q of the RF carrier signal from the master OEO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Weimin Zhou
  • Patent number: 7148761
    Abstract: A GPS receiver device comprises a receiver, an oscillator, a memory unit, a temperature sensor, and a processor. The oscillator generates frequency with drift errors occurring at a variety of different temperatures. The memory unit stores coefficients of a plurality of polynomial equations. Each polynomial equation fits a temperature range versus corresponding drift errors. The temperature sensor detects ambient temperature of the receiver. The processor determines which temperature range the ambient temperature belongs to, reads the coefficients of the corresponding polynomial equation from the memory unit according to the determined temperature range, and calculates the drift error of the oscillator at the ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Mediatek Inc.
    Inventor: Jia-Horng Shieh
  • Patent number: 7145402
    Abstract: Method for stabilizing the frequency of a frequency synthesizer by means of a reference oscillator unit coupled to a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) and a frequency synthesizer, wherein the synthesizer is provided with a phase locked loop (PLL) to stabilize the operation of the voltage controlled oscillator, wherein the reference oscillator unit is a MEMS (MicroElectromechanicalSystems) reference oscillator unit, the temperature of the MEMS reference oscillator unit is measured, and the output frequency is corrected according to the measured temperature by using a frequency/temperature function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Tomi Mattila, Olli Jaakkola, Ville Kaajakari, Aarne Oja, Heikki Seppä