Abstract: A surface-mount quartz crystal oscillator has a casing substantially in the shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, the casing having a recess defined therein, a pair of upper steps disposed in the recess, a lower step disposed in the recess and having electrically conductive pads thereon, a crystal blank having an end secured to one of the upper steps and an opposite end placed on the other of the upper steps, and an IC chip disposed on the bottom of the recess and electrically connected to the electrically conductive pads by wires according to wire bonding, the IC chip including a circuit, the circuit and the crystal blank jointly making up an oscillating circuit. The wires extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the casing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compensating for age related degradation in the performance of integrated circuits. In one embodiment, the phase-locked loop (PLL) charge pump is provided with multiple legs that can be selectively enabled or disabled to compensate for the effects of aging. In an alternate embodiment, the power supply voltage control codes can be increased or decreased to compensate for aging effects. In another embodiment, a ring oscillator is used to approximate the effects of NBTI. In this embodiment, the frequency domain is converted to time domain using digital counters and programmable power supply control words are used to change the operating parameters of the power supply to compensate for aging effects.

Abstract: An oscillator circuit includes a capacitor device, a current source for supplying a current to the capacitor device, a reference voltage, and a control circuit. The reference voltage is a first input to a comparator. An output of the capacitor device and an output of the current source are a second input to the comparator. The control circuit resets the oscillator circuit when the first and second inputs to the comparator are equal.

Abstract: A method and system for pulling a crystal frequency are provided, thereby allowing wireless stations to use less accurate crystal oscillators and dramatically reduce cost. A first frequency offset can be determined using a temperature-based method. This temperature-base method can include detecting a temperature substantially that of the crystal oscillator and then using that temperature to determine the first frequency offset. A second frequency offset using a closed loop frequency estimate-based method can also be determined. This frequency estimate-based method can include synchronizing the crystal frequency to a presumed, accurate frequency of a controlling device to determine the second frequency offset. Both the first and second frequency offsets can be used to pull the crystal frequency. A synthesizer can also be pulled to fine tune a carrier frequency derived from the crystal frequency.

Abstract: A VCO with temperature compensation is achieved using reverse biased diodes. The VCO includes an amplifier that provides the required signal gain, a resonator tank circuit that provides the required phase shift, and at least one frequency tuning circuit for tuning the frequency of the oscillator signal. Each frequency tuning circuit includes at least one tuning capacitor and at least one MOS pass transistor that connects or disconnects the tuning capacitor(s) to/from the resonator tank circuit. Each reverse biased diode may be a parasitic diode that is formed at a drain or source junction of a MOS transistor. The reverse biased diodes have capacitance that can be controlled by a reverse bias voltage to compensate for drift in the VCO oscillation frequency over temperature.

Abstract: A downhole crystal-based clock that is substantially insensitive to the factors that cause frequency deviation. The clock may be maintained at a predetermined temperature using a temperature sensing device and a heating device, where the predetermined temperature corresponds to the temperature at which the crystal experiences only slight frequency deviation as a function of temperature. A microprocessor may monitor the clock and compensate for long-term aging effects of the crystal according to a predetermined algorithm. The predetermined algorithm may represent long-term aging effects of the crystal which were derived by comparing the crystal clock to a more accurate clock (e.g., an atomic clock) prior to placing the clock downhole. In this manner, the crystal-based clock may be substantially free from the factors that cause frequency, and therefore time variations.

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.

Abstract: Techniques for determining a frequency profile of a quartz crystal in real time. Quartz crystals are subjected to a series of temperature cycles at various temperature rates and the crystal frequencies, crystal temperature parameters, and the temperature rates are monitored as the crystal is subjected to the temperature cycles. The monitored frequencies are grouped correlated with the monitored temperature parameters and temperature rates. A system for determining the frequency of a quartz crystal includes a processor adapted to perform the frequency profiling techniques.

Abstract: A relaxation oscillator for generating an oscillator output signal having a predetermined frequency. The relaxation oscillator includes an interleaved charge pump for providing a restoring charge to an integrator in response to at least one charge pump control signal. The relaxation oscillator further includes an integrator having an integrator input connected to the current summing node. The integrator is adapted to produce an integrator output signal having the predetermined frequency at an integrator output. A comparator having an input connected to the integrator output is adapted to generate the oscillator output signal having the predetermined frequency in response to the integrator output signal.

Abstract: A clock oscillator embedded in an integrated circuit, including a piezoelectric resonator formed on the integrated circuit; a clock generator coupled to the on-chip piezoelectric resonator, one or more sensors adapted to sense one or more environmental parameters affecting the piezoelectric resonator; and a processor coupled to the clock generator and the one or more sensors to adjust the frequency of the clock generator based on the one or more environmental parameters.

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.

Abstract: A receiver uses an adaptive algorithm to tune a low-cost crystal oscillator according to a temperature compensation profile so as to produce a precision master reference frequency despite temperature, initial tolerance, and aging effects. An automatic frequency control system also tunes the crystal oscillator. The adaptive algorithm adjusts the temperature compensation profile for the crystal oscillator according to the adjustments made by the automatic frequency control should a received signal's quality factor exceed that associated with the temperature compensation profile.

Abstract: A control voltage window generator that tracks process, voltage supply, and temperature variations for a voltage controlled oscillator includes: a first transistor of a first conductivity type coupled between a supply voltage node and an upper control voltage node; and a second transistor of a second conductivity type coupled to the upper control voltage node to compensate for process variations in devices of the first conductivity type. Additionally, a target pull-in voltage generator includes circuitry for providing a pull-in control voltage that will always be inside the control voltage window, and also tracks process, voltage supply, and temperature variations.

Abstract: Opto-electronic regenerative circuits and devices for processing RF or microwave signals based on opto-electronic oscillator designs.

Abstract: A light-controlled oscillator includes a circuit device, a detection circuit and a control circuit. The circuit device changes its characteristics when light is applied, so that a frequency of the oscillation shifts. The detection circuit detects a change of the characteristics caused according to the applied light. The control circuit controls an operation of the oscillator to increase a shift of the frequency of the oscillation according to the change of the characteristics. The oscillation frequency can be shifted by a desired amount only by detecting a change of characteristics based on a condition of the light, even when the intensity of the light is small.

Abstract: The present invention provides a temperature sensitive ring oscillator (TSRO) in an integrated circuit. A temperature measuring device, such as a thermal resistor, is proximate the TSRO, which shares a substantially similar temperature. A memory is employable for storing data that is a function of the output of the TSRO and the temperature measuring device.

Abstract: A device for generating an output signal having a frequency. The device having a die temperature and including a first temperature sensor to sense a first temperature. A non-volatile memory to store calibration information for controlling the output signal frequency as a function of the first temperature. A semiconductor oscillator to generate the output signal as a function of the calibration information.

Abstract: To provide a highly stable crystal oscillator having increased thermal efficiency. The highly stable crystal oscillator comprises; a thermostat mainframe which maintains the temperature of a crystal resonator including a resonator container for sealing a crystal piece constant, an oscillating element which constitutes an oscillation circuit together with said crystal resonator, a temperature control element which controls the temperature inside of said thermostat mainframe, and a circuit board mounted with said thermostat mainframe, said oscillating element, and said temperature control element.

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.

Abstract: With first, second and third current exchanger circuits cascaded, a current in proportion to a difference between an ambient temperature Ta and a reference temperature Tr is input to the first current exchanger circuit. The first current exchanger circuit supplies a current in proportion to the square of Ta?Tr to the second current exchanger circuit, the second current exchanger circuit supplies a current in proportion to the fourth power of Ta?Tr to the third current exchanger circuit, and the third current exchanger circuit outputs a current in proportion to the fifth power of Ta?Tr. Each of the first, second and third current exchanger circuits has a configuration which does not require a high supply voltage enough to drive a series circuit of three or more diodes.

Abstract: A reference timing signal apparatus with a phase-locked loop (PLL) has a computer algorithm which adaptively models the multiple frequencies of an oscillator following a training period. The oscillator is part of a PLL and the oscillation frequency thereof is controlled in response to the phase detector output. The computer algorithm processes the control signal applied to the oscillator. The computer algorithm updates the characteristics of the model relating to the aging and temperature of the oscillator, using for example, a Kalman filter as an adaptive filter, in accordance with a cumulative phase error in the PLL calculated during a given time interval. By the algorithm, the subsequent model predicts the future frequency state of the oscillator on which it was trained. The predicted frequency of the model functions as a reference to correct the frequency of the oscillator in the event that no input reference timing signal is available.

Abstract: A voltage-controlled oscillator includes a voltage-controlled phase-shift circuit, outputting a signal with the shift deviated from an input signal by a specified amount with an external control voltage Vt, a SAW resonator, a buffer, inputting a resonance signal having a specified resonance frequency from the SAW resonator, outputting a clock signal with a desired frequency, and outputting a positive-feedback-oscillation-loop output signal, wherein the voltage-controlled phase-shift circuit, the SAW resonator, and the buffer construct a positive-feedback oscillation loop, in which the frequency temperature characteristic of the SAW resonator is rotated by a specified amount using the temperature characteristic of the propagation delay time of the buffer to correct the frequency temperature characteristic of the SAW resonator.

Abstract: An oscillator circuit having an oscillation period moderately varying such that it is short at high temperature but long at low temperature and wherein a maximum value of oscillation period at low temperature can be set. By coupling a resistance parallel circuit having a resistance element having a resistance value decreasing with increasing temperature and a resistance element having a resistance value nondependent upon temperature at between the main electrodes of PMOST and NMOST, the output signal of an inverter is caused to vary with temperature. A ring oscillator circuit outputs an oscillation period short at high temperature but long at low temperature. Meanwhile, because oscillation period is greatly affected by a resistance value of the resistant element not dependent upon temperature at low temperature, a maximum value of oscillation period can be set.

Abstract: A temperature compensating circuit is provided in a radio unit, an ambient temperature is detected by a temperature sensor of the temperature compensating circuit, the detected temperature value is supplied to a correction address storage section as an address after it is converted to a digital value, and thus a correction address corresponding to a correct temperature value obtained by correcting the detected temperature value is read out. Then, the correction address is supplied to a frequency correction data storage section to read out frequency correction data corresponding to the corrected temperature value, and the frequency correction data is converted to an analog control voltage by a D/A converter and then supplied to a variable capacitance element of a reference oscillator, thereby making it possible to correct the reference oscillation frequency according to the temperature.

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.

Abstract: An active inductor with a smaller voltage drop with respect to the power supply voltage of an integrated circuit can be realized by an active inductor which is biased from a voltage higher than the power supply voltage, the higher voltage being generatable on the integrated circuit. Advantageously, more headroom is left for the amplifying circuit coupled to the active inductor to operate properly than with prior art active inductors. Furthermore, by not simply operating the entire active inductor from a higher voltage, the power dissipation remains the same as if the active inductor were connected as in the prior art only to the power supply voltage, and the task of generating the voltage higher than the power supply voltage is simplified, because only leakage current, e.g., nanoamps, is required.

Abstract: A frequency-adjustable oscillator suitable for digital signal clock synchronization comprises a crystal oscillator circuit for generating a driving signal and having a voltage-variable control input for adjusting a frequency of the driving signal, a phase detector circuit for generating a phase offset signal, a filter which operates on the phase offset signal to produce a VCO control signal, a voltage controlled oscillator circuit operably linked to the filter and responsive to the VCO control signal for generating an analog controlled-frequency signal, a frequency divider circuit for generating a reduced frequency feedback signal in response to the controlled-frequency signal. The frequency-adjustable oscillator also includes a double-sided package including a platform having a central portion and an outer portion with sidewalls extending substantially upwardly and substantially downwardly from the outer portion of the platform.

Abstract: A circuit for measuring temperature with all digital components in an integrated circuit. During manufacture, the number of clock period cycles during a known period of time at a predetermined temperature is stored in non-volatile memory. Later, during use of the integrated circuit, a clock circuit is activated and each cycle of its period is counted during a known length of time. Using the previously saved number of clock circuit cycles at a predetermined temperature and a current count of clock cycles for another known length of time, the current period of the clock circuit can be calculated and used to determine the current temperature.

Abstract: A power down system and method for an integrated circuit that enables a power down mode to be maintained for a predetermined time is described herein. The power down system comprises an oscillator, a low power oscillator and an oscillator control circuit controlling both the oscillator and the low power oscillator. The oscillator control circuit including at least one real time counter. The oscillator control circuit being so configured that the oscillator is energized when said oscillator control circuit is in a normal mode and that, when a power down signal is received: a) the oscillator control circuit measures an oscillation frequency of the low power oscillator, b) the oscillator control circuit uses the measured oscillation frequency of the low power oscillator to set the real time counter so as to maintain the power down mode for the predetermined time, c) the oscillator control circuit turns off the oscillator and uses the low power oscillator for the duration of the power down.

Abstract: An apparatus compensates for voltage and temperature variations on an integrated circuit with: a voltage sensor having a digital voltage output; a temperature sensor having a digital temperature output; a register coupled to the voltage sensor and the temperature sensor, the register adapted to concatenate the digital voltage output and the temperature output into an address output; and a memory device having an address input coupled to the address output of the register, the memory device being adapted to store one or more corrective vectors.

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.

Abstract: A light-controlled oscillator includes a circuit device, a detection circuit and a control circuit. The circuit device changes its characteristics when light is applied, so that a frequency of the oscillation shifts. The detection circuit detects a change of the characteristics caused according to the applied light. The control circuit controls an operation of the oscillator to increase a shift of the frequency of the oscillation according to the change of the characteristics. The oscillation frequency can be shifted by a desired amount only by detecting a change of characteristics based on a condition of the light, even when the intensity of the light is small.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a temperature on an integrated circuit that includes a thin gate oxide transistor. A temperature monitoring system that includes a thick gate oxide transistor is provided. The temperature monitoring system includes a temperature independent voltage generator, a temperature dependent voltage generator that includes a thick gate oxide transistor, and a quantifier operatively connected to the temperature independent voltage generator and temperature dependent voltage generator.

Abstract: An integrated VCO having an improved tuning range over process and temperature variations. There is therefore provided in a present embodiment of the invention an integrated VCO. The VCO comprises, a substrate, a VCO tuning control circuit responsive to a VCO state variable that is disposed upon the substrate, and a VCO disposed upon the substrate, having a tuning control voltage input falling within a VCO tuning range for adjusting a VCO frequency output, and having its tuning range adjusted by the tuning control circuit in response to the VCO state variable.

Abstract: A sheet substrate for use in manufacturing surface-mount crystal oscillators has a plurality of container bodies fabricated thereon. Each of the container bodies is capable of accommodating at least one IC chip, and has a bottom face formed with a plurality of mount terminals and a top face which is capable of forming a crystal unit thereto. On the sheet substrate, each of the container bodies has a conductive path extending from the container body to an adjacent container body and connected to a mount terminal of the adjacent container body, and a chip carrying terminal connected to one end of the conductive path for use in electric connection with the IC chip.

Abstract: A temperature compensated oscillator keeping the area of a capacitor array and the bit number of a memory from increasing and allowing for high precision is provided. A adjusting method of such a resonator and an integrated circuit for temperature compensated oscillation are also provided. A capacitor array and a variable capacitance diode are connected and used as a load capacitance in an oscillation circuit, and the capacitance value of the former is digital-controlled and that of the latter is analog-controlled, so that the amount of compensation data necessary for the digital control is reduced and highly precise temperature compensation is permitted.

Abstract: A pseudo-cubic function generator circuit comprises a CMOS inverter which is applied with a detected voltage of a sensor and supplied with a power supply voltage, and a voltage divider circuit for dividing the power supply voltage, wherein an output terminal of the CMOS inverter is connected to a voltage division point of the voltage divider circuit to generate an output voltage from the voltage division point. The pseudo-cubic function generator circuit can directly generate a large voltage change in a simple circuit configuration with a reduced noise component, and facilitates a setting of each parameter for specifying a cubic function curve. The parameter is set, for example, by scaling substantial gate areas of a P-MOS FET and an N-MOS FET which constitutes the CMOS inverter.

Abstract: By supplying a control voltage that corresponds to the phase difference between an output signal of a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO 1) and a signal obtained by dividing an output signal of a voltage-controlled SAW oscillator (VCSO 4) using the SAW resonator to the VCSO 4, the frequency of the output signal of the VCSO 4 is controlled so as to be constant over a wide temperature range.

Abstract: A temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO) comprises a voltage-controlled crystal oscillator (VCXO) having a crystal unit, a compensating voltage generator for generating a compensating voltage applied to the voltage-controlled crystal oscillator, a low pass filter inserted between the compensating voltage generator and voltage-controlled crystal oscillator, and a switching element connected in parallel with the low pass filter for short-circuiting across the low pass filter. In a manufacturing process of the temperature-compensated crystal oscillator, switching element is brought into a conducting state when an excitation electrode of the crystal unit is irradiated with an ion beam for adjusting the oscillation frequency.

Abstract: Clock generation circuits for an integrated circuit device are provided including a temperature sensor circuit, the temperatures sensor circuit including a calibration circuit responsive to a temperature coding signal and a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor circuit has a first or test mode state in which a temperature output signal of the temperature sensor circuit is based on a temperature sensor output control signal and a second or normal operating mode state in which the temperature output signal is based on the temperature sensor and the calibration circuit. A clock period controller circuit includes a calibration circuit responsive to a period coding signal. The clock period controller circuit generates a period control signal based on the temperature output signal and the calibration circuit of the clock period controller circuit. A clock generator circuit generates a clock signal based on the period control signal.

Abstract: A circuit including an oscillator circuit, a current generator circuit and a voltage generator circuit. The oscillator circuit may be configured to generate an output signal having a frequency in response to (i) a first control signal and (ii) a second control signal. The current generator may be configured to generate said first control signal in response to a first adjustment signal. The voltage generator circuit may be configured to generate the second control signal in response to a second adjustment signal.

Abstract: A precision oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) uses an adjustment feedback signal that, when mixed with a reference signal from a stable reference oscillator, accurately controls the generation of an output signal from a voltage controlled crystal oscillator (VCXO). An OCXO according to the invention has high stability and high accuracy. The digital OXCO can be manufactured at low cost, and is particularly beneficial for Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) base station applications in cellular communication networks an the like.

Abstract: A temperature compensated crystal includes a crystal package including a package board and a crystal oscillating piece, conductive patterns for constituting a temperature compensating circuit formed on a surface of the package board, exterior terminals formed at corners of the board, temperature compensating components formed on the surface of the board, and resin molded part enveloping the surface of the board. With a lower surface of a crystal package serving as a component mounting area, it is not necessary to provide an additional printed circuit board required for mounting of temperature compensating components, and it is possible to provide a compact TCXO having a surface area corresponding to that of a crystal package.

Abstract: The present invention provides a refresh clock generator which optimally controls a period of a refresh clock signal according to temperature variation and outputs the refresh clock signal. The refresh clock generator includes a bias voltage generating unit for generating first and second bias voltages in response to a temperature variation and a clock generator for generating a refresh clock signal having a frequency which is controlled or adjusted based on the first and second bias voltages, wherein the first bias voltage is varied in proportion to the temperature variation; the second bias voltage is varied in inverse proportion to the temperature variation; and the frequency of the refresh clock signal is varied in proportion to the temperature variation.

Abstract: Disclosed is an amplifier apparatus that corrects mismatching of the filter transmission characteristic due to a change in the temperature of the amplifier apparatus itself and thereby stably amplifies the high-frequency signal. The amplifier apparatus converts a signal to be processed into one having an intermediate frequency band to thereby execute amplification processing.

Abstract: A system and method for programming a digitally tunable oscillator is provided. A desired output frequency is received. A tuning effect of a set of digital tuning words on a crystal resonant frequency is determined, and valid parameters of an algorithm for translating and tuning the crystal resonant frequency to a value within an error tolerance of the desired frequency, based on the determined tuning effect are calculated. Valid parameters are preferably calculated based on an intermediate tuning value, sorted by ascending divide parameter of the algorithm, and then evaluated in sorted order for ability of a tuning effect to null frequency error to within the error tolerance. The valid set of calculated parameters are then programmed into a nonvolatile memory. The oscillator control parameters may remain unprogrammed until all necessary parameters are defined.

Abstract: A method and circuit are disclosed for measuring temperature. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a first oscillator circuit that generates a first signal having a frequency that is dependent upon a sensed temperature. Difference circuitry determines a difference in frequency between the first signal and the second signal having a frequency that is substantially independent of temperature, and generates a difference signal having a number of pulses thereon based upon the difference. A counter circuit is responsive to the difference circuitry for offsetting a predetermined temperature level based upon the pulses appearing on the difference signal, to obtain an output signal indicative of the sensed temperature.

Abstract: In a hermetically sealed container constituted by a lid (105), frame (103), and substrate (104), a piezoelectric vibrator (101) is fixed on the substrate (104) (on the upper surface of the substrate) with fixing members (104a) made of a conductive material, and a semiconductor component (102) is flip-chip mounted on the lower surface of the substrate (104).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for reducing a startup interval of a temperature controlled crystal oscillator chip. The method includes the steps of connecting an operating circuit of the temperature controlled crystal oscillator chip into a first configuration to reduce the startup interval following application of power and reconnecting the operating circuit into a second configuration after a predetermined time period.

Abstract: Based on an initial crystal coefficient value, a processor generates a control signal for a frequency synthesizer. The processor estimates a new crystal coefficient value based on a comparison of the frequency of the output of the frequency synthesizer against a target output frequency in relation to a crystal temperature value.