Pulse Counting Or Dividing Chains Patents (Class 377/118)
  • Patent number: 7702061
    Abstract: A multi-bit counter is provided. The multi-bit counter includes a plurality of asynchronous base counter cells coupled in series, the asynchronous base counter cells having a plurality of input terminals. The multi-bit counter also includes at least one logic gate coupled to at least one of the input terminals of at least one of the plurality of asynchronous base counter cells, a reload signal being input into the asynchronous base counter cells, a clock signal being input into the asynchronous base counter cells, and an input voltage being input into the asynchronous base counter cells, wherein the multi-bit counter is synchronous with the clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Integrated Device Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhuyan Shao, Juan Qiao
  • Patent number: 7664220
    Abstract: An interlocked counter including a synchronous counter, a logic gate for judging end-value, a logic gate for amplifying an interlocking signal, at least one latch circuit for the interlocking signal, a logic gate for the interlocking signal, and a logic gate for an enable signal, wherein behavior of the synchronous counter is stopped when a count number arrived at an end value, by that the synchronous counter counts a number of pulses of a clock signal when the synchronous counter inputted an enable signal, the logic gate for judging end-value generates an interlocking signal when the count number outputted by a synchronous counter coincided with the end value, the logic gate for amplifying interlocking signal amplifies the interlocking signal in order to output to an external part, and the logic gate for enable signal generates the enable signal when the interlocking signal is not generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Ecchandes Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Ajioka
  • Patent number: 7609800
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a unit counter block. According to an aspect of the present invention, the unit counter block includes a D-flipflop, a second MUX, and a first MUX. The-flipflop outputs first and second output signals in synchronism with a clock signal. The second MUX selects any one of external data and the second output signal of the D-flipflop in response to a data load signal and outputs a selected signal. The first MUX transfers any one of the first output signal of the D-flipflop and the output signal of the second MUX as an input signal of the D-flipflop in response to a counter enable signal or the data load signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Sang Oh Lim, Byoung Kwan Jeong, Mi Sun Yoon
  • Patent number: 7609801
    Abstract: A control unit that outputs a plurality of control signals in response to the input of a plurality of counter enable signals allocated into the numerical value of a multiple of 2 is provided. An operating unit increments or decrements by a multiple of 2 in response to input of the plurality of control signals and count up-down signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Jae-Boum Park, Young-Bo Shim
  • Patent number: 7432742
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting an edge of a data signal carried on an observability bus. In one embodiment, a first performance counter is connected to receive the data signal in order to assert a trigger signal in response to detecting an assertion of the data signal. A second performance counter is connected to receive the data signal and the trigger signal. The second performance counter detects the edge responsive to detecting the assertion of the data signal and a logic level in the trigger signal that is a complement to a logic level associated with the assertion of the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Tyler J. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20080226015
    Abstract: A pulse extension circuit for extending a pulse signal includes an input unit for receiving the pulse signal, an edge detection unit coupled to the input unit for generating a initiation signal, a pulse initiation unit coupled to the edge detection unit for outputting a control signal and adjusting a voltage level of the control signal, a pulse width control unit coupled to the pulse initiation unit for outputting a termination signal, a reset unit coupled to the edge detection unit, the pulse initiation unit and the pulse width control unit for outputting the first reset signal and the second reset signal to reset the pulse initiation unit and the pulse width control unit, and an output unit coupled to the input unit and the pulse initiation unit for extending a signal period of the pulse signal according to the pulse signal and the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Chia-Hsin Tung, Liang-Kuei Hsu
  • Patent number: 7394886
    Abstract: A latency counter of a semiconductor device comprises a single cyclic signal generator and a command delay circuit. The single cyclic signal generator cyclically produces 0-th to n-th base signals based on an internal clock signal. The command delay circuit comprises 0-th to n-th latch elements and latches an internal command by means of a p-th latch element (p is an integer; 0?p?n) in response to a q-th base signal (q is an integer; 0?q?n) and to output the latched internal command corresponding to the latency timeout signal therefrom in response to a r-th base signal (r is an integer; 0?r?n), where r=q+s if q+s?n, while r=q+s?(n+1) if q+s>n, s being a natural number equal to or less than n.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroki Fujisawa
  • Publication number: 20080043899
    Abstract: A hybrid counter array device for counting events. The hybrid counter array includes a first counter portion comprising N counter devices, each counter device for receiving signals representing occurrences of events from an event source and providing a first count value corresponding to a lower order bits of the hybrid counter array. The hybrid counter array includes a second counter portion comprising a memory array device having N addressable memory locations in correspondence with the N counter devices, each addressable memory location for storing a second count value representing higher order bits of the hybrid counter array. A control device monitors each of the N counter devices of the first counter portion and initiates updating a value of a corresponding second count value stored at the corresponding addressable memory location in the second counter portion. Thus, a combination of the first and second count values provide an instantaneous measure of number of events received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan G. Gara, Valentina Salapura
  • Publication number: 20080025457
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for counting input pulses during a specific time interval are provided. A clock edge recovery output signal is produced in response to an input gating signal and a clock signal containing the input pulses. The clock edge recovery output signal contains a respective full clock pulse for each of either the rising or falling edge of the input pulses of the clock signal that occurs while the input gating signal is in an enable state and when the input gating signal transitions from the enable state to the disable state. A counter circuit counts the pulses contained in the clock edge recovery output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Hong Beom Pyeon
  • Patent number: 7203265
    Abstract: A M by N bit synchronous counter for use in advanced applications is provided. The M by N bit synchronous counter comprises an M by N register configured to receive and store data corresponding to at least one word integrated with a N bit counter configured to sequentially count out a selected word of data from the M by N register. The present design replaces a single counter latch circuit with a plurality or stack of selectable latches and employs combined load/store logic and counter controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Frederick A. Perner
  • Patent number: 7197104
    Abstract: An edge counter counting both rising and falling edges of an input signal is implemented with combinational logic, without using flip-flops. The combinational logic is designed using intermediate signals and state transitions producing an output signal having a cycle corresponding to a predetermined odd or even number of input signal edges, with the logic optimized and protected against entry into “stuck” states. A low power, low gate count edge counter is thus implemented with an output signal duty cycle at least as balanced as the input counter duty cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Hung K. Cheung, Hee Wong
  • Patent number: 7190756
    Abstract: Integrated circuit counting apparatuses are described. More particularly, a hybrid counter (203) including an asynchronous counter (310) front end and a synchronous counter (311) back end is described. The asynchronous counter (310) including at least one asynchronous counter stage (341, 342, 343) having an asynchronous level-mode state machine (381, 382). The asynchronous level-mode state machine formed of Differential Cascode Voltage Switch Logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Alireza S. Kaviani, Carlos M. Vasquez
  • Patent number: 6956793
    Abstract: A frequency divider circuit uses a base counter to frequency divide a clock signal with period T by an integer value N and employs a cyclic rotational select circuit to select among multiple equally phase shifted signals of a multiple phase clock to generate a fractional term P/k where P is variable from 0 to k?1. The counter counts an output clock that corresponds to the output of a multiplexer selecting from among the multiple clock phases. Depending on the desired fractional term, after N counts of the output clock phases of the multiple phase clock are selected glitch free by rotationally selecting a first phase, and skipping either 0, 1, 2 . . . up to k?1 sequential phases to generate fractional terms 0, 1/k, 2/k, 3/k . . . k?1/k, respectively, thus providing frequency division corresponding to N+P/k where P may be varied from 0 to k?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Hung C. Ngo
  • Patent number: 6952121
    Abstract: Circuits, devices and methods are provided for dividing a fast pulse signal by an integer M. A dual modulus prescaler receives input pulses, counts them, and generates one prescaled pulse for every Qth input pulse. Q is a division modulus, and has a different value depending on a modulus control signal. When the prescaler generates a prescaled pulse from an input pulse, it ignores the modulus control signal at least until the onset of a next input pulse. A program counter generates a reset signal when the prescaler receives the Mth input pulse. A swallow counter then changes the modulus control signal to a different value, and the prescaler starts dividing by a different modulus. Even if the prescaler had already received the onset of the next input pulse, it accounts for it properly, for dividing with the different modulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Ha C. Vu
  • Patent number: 6898262
    Abstract: An output cycle of a pulse string generated from a pulse generating section (2) is divided by a pulse dividing section (3) and a signal having a cycle which is plural times as great as the cycle of an output pulse is output from the pulse dividing section (3). This signal is input as an interruption request signal to a CPU (1). Consequently, the CPU (1) can execute an interruption processing in a cycle which is plural times as great as the cycle of the output pulse. By the interruption processing, the number of pulses to be output is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinsuke Yokokawa
  • Patent number: 6892315
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit may be configured to wake-up the second circuit in response to an input signal. The input signal generally comprises a programmable delay value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventor: Timothy J. Williams
  • Publication number: 20040213370
    Abstract: Optimizing statistics counter use is disclosed. A total number of counter bits to be used to track two or more statistics is determined. The total number of counter bits is allocated among the two or more statistics to provide for each statistic a counter comprising the number of bits allocated for that statistic, the allocation being such that each counter overflows at a rate desired for that counter. The overflow rates may be balanced, such that each counter overflows at approximately the same rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: Alcatel IP Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. L. Smallwood, Michael J. Clarke, Mark A. French, Martin R. Lea
  • Publication number: 20040125907
    Abstract: A real time clock counter includes a serially connected plurality of register units, each register unit having a bit register for storing clock data, a half adder for incrementing the clock data stored in the bit register, and an activation circuit for activating the bit register. Each activation circuit includes a first input for receiving an oscillating timing signal and a second input for receiving a binary carry term from the previous bit register unit”s half adder. Each activation circuit also includes an output for outputting a first activation signal or a second activation signal according to the first value and the oscillating timing signal such that when the activation circuit outputs the first activation signal, the bit register is activated, and when the activation circuit outputs the second activation signal, the bit register is not activated, saving power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 25, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: Min-Cheng Kao
  • Publication number: 20040109527
    Abstract: A method for operating an electronic counter with reduced power consumption has been developed. The electronic counter is divided into multiple segments that are ordered according to their numerical value. As the counter is updated, it becomes necessary to propagate data between the segments. If the supply energy of the counter meets or exceeds a set limit, the data is propagated to the next highest segment. However, if the supply energy of the counter falls below the set limit, the data to be propagated is stored in a propagation carry counter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: David Hamilton, Tim Bianchi
  • Publication number: 20030231736
    Abstract: High speed multiple-bit binary counter circuits are provided. The multiple-bit counter circuit includes serially connected 1-bit counter circuits 1, wherein the 1-bit counter circuits 1 are divided into at least one lower 1-bit counter circuit for outputting a lower bit and a plurality of upper 1-bit counter circuits for outputting upper bits. Output signals of the upper 1-bit counter circuits are output through latch circuits, and a signal CLK2, which is generated by using a signal generation circuit that receives as an input a last stage output signal of the lower 1-bit counter circuits, is provided as an input signal to the initial stage of the upper 1-bit counter circuits. The latch circuits are timing-controlled by the signal CLK2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Yamamura
  • Publication number: 20030152188
    Abstract: Methods and systems for automatic generation of an at-speed binary counter are described. The binary counter includes a slow counter that increments when a fast counter overflows to keep up with a fast clock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Applicant: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kamran Zarrineh, Kenneth A. House, Joseph R. Siegel
  • Publication number: 20030095621
    Abstract: A programmable-divider provides a lower-speed transition signal to effect a synchronized load of a new divisor value during a safe-load period of the programmable-divider, such that the division occurs using either the prior divisor value or the new divisor value, only. A combination of in-phase and reverse-phase counter stages are used to position the divisor-independent period of each counter stage so that an edge of at least one of the lower-speed counter-enabling signals occurs during a period when all of the counter stages are in a divisor-independent period. The preferred selection of in-phase and reverse-phase counter stages also maximizes the critical path duration, to allow for the accurate division of very high speed input frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: Hongbing Wu, Rainer Gaethke
  • Patent number: 6538523
    Abstract: When a PWM signal is generated by PWM generators which are provided for the number of channels, each PWM generator outputs the PWM start schedule data showing the timing of startup of the PWM signal to the CPU. When the number of PWM signals which start at substantially the same time exceeds a predetermined number on the basis of the PWM start schedule data, the CPU outputs delay setting data with respect to a channel corresponding to a portion exceeding the predetermined number to the PWM generator as the one showing that the generation of the PWM signal is to be delayed. The PWM generator delays the PWM signal, when the delay setting data shows a delay. As a result, a multi-channel pulse width modulation apparatus which can prevent a decrease in the operational reliability due to simultaneous start of the pulse width modulation signals can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Sugita, Shinjiro Toyoda, Takashi Toyoda
  • Publication number: 20020191733
    Abstract: A method for operating a multistage counter in only one counting direction is described. The counting value of a single-stage auxiliary counter that can be changed in only one counting direction is changed in predetermined counting values of the multistage counter. The respective counting value states of the multistage counter and of the single-stage auxiliary counter are registered. First authenticity data is generated by logically linking the counting value of the auxiliary counter to supplementary data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Robert Allinger, Wolfgang Pockrandt
  • Patent number: 6445760
    Abstract: Partially-synchronous and non-integer integrated circuit counters for dividing a high-speed reference clock signal with a selectable divisor have been provided. The circuits use a high-speed synchronous counter that cycles between the use of a selectable and a fixed divisor, to give the counter circuit a selectable overall division ratio. The partially-synchronous counter circuit uses asynchronous dividers to complete the division process and to minimize power consumption. A non-integer counter circuit is provided that includes a edge select mechanism to reduce power consumption in the division process. Examples are presented with specific number of stages, and corresponding divisors and divisor ranges. Method for implementing the above-mentioned partially-synchronous and non-integer counter circuits have also been provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Applied Micro Circuits Corporation
    Inventors: Sharon Lynn Weintraub, Mark Chien-Fu Lin
  • Patent number: 6430250
    Abstract: The invention relates to a digital timer (20) comprising a binary counter (21) driven by a counting clock signal (Hc), the counter (21) presenting a stabilization time after each counting pulse, and means for delivering a detection signal (DS2) with a predetermined value when a counting order (N) is reached by the counter. According to the invention, the timer comprises wired logic means (22) arranged for detecting, at the output of the counter, a counting value (N−1) which is immediately before the counting order (N) in relation to the counting direction, and delivering an intermediate signal (DS1) with a predetermined value, as well means (24) for sampling the intermediate signal (DS1) at a moment when the counter receives the next counting pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, SA
    Inventors: Ludovic Ruat, Olivier Ferrand
  • Publication number: 20020085663
    Abstract: A system and method are presented for providing a multi-stage counter. In one embodiment, a signal propagates from the most significant bit of the counter to the least significant bit of the counter that indicates that all “more significant” stages of the counter have reached a limit value (e.g., all 1's). Use of this propagating signal means that only the first (or first couple) stages of the counter are time critical, while the remainder are less so. The described counter may have a modular design and may result in lower power consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventor: Eitan Emanuel Rosen
  • Patent number: 6377650
    Abstract: An improved counter register (30) and method of transferring data from a host data bus (29) controlled by a first clock source (BCLK) to the cycle timer (18) controlled by a second clock source (NCLK) which frees the host data bus (29) to perform other functions while a clock synchronization process occurs to allow the data (24) to be written to the counter register (30) or read from the counter register (30). This synchronization scheme is such that at any time the host data bus (29) may read data (25) from the cycle timer (18) and retrieve the current counter register value. In the alternative, at any time, the host data bus (29) may write to the cycle timer (18) and it will receive this data (24) immediately. In either case, the data is transferred immediately without the host data bus (29) having to wait for synchronization across the aforementioned clock boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Brian T. Deng, Michael D. McKinney
  • Publication number: 20020012416
    Abstract: A method of finding an unknown value from within a range of values is disclosed that divides the range into weighted subranges and then, beginning with an arbitrary search value within the range, performs a number of simple comparisons to determine the value for each subrange that will result in a match with the target value. This method can also detect those cases where the target value lies outside the range. In one embodiment, the method of finding an unknown value within a range of values is applied to impedance matching. In this embodiment, the output impedance of a pin on an integrated circuit is automatically matched to the impedance of the load connected to it. The output driver has a controllable impedance that can be adjusted within a specific range of impedances to match the external load impedance it is to drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William N. Thompson, John D. Porter, Larren Gene Weber
  • Patent number: 6085343
    Abstract: A testing method in which the stages in a multi-stage counter chain are tested sequentially. A counter chain is composed of two or more stages with the carry-out signal from each stage being coupled to the carry-in signal of a subsequent stage. Various circuit modules may be clocked from intermediate stages in the counter chain. In the test mode, the carry-out signal from a given stage is latched once it is asserted. Thereafter, the subsequent stage counts at a higher rate. In this manner, each stage of the chain is run through a complete count, thus verifying the functionality of each stage. Further, the first stage finishes a complete count cycle before the second stage begins counting at a higher rate. A circuit module which is clocked by the output of the first stage is therefore able to complete an operation before any circuit modules clocked by subsequent stages are triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Suresh Krishnamoorthy
  • Patent number: 5708453
    Abstract: In a ramp signal producing apparatus, a ramp signal is produced under low clock signal frequency in a compact circuit arrangement. Luminance control and a white balance control are carried out by the ramp signal in a liquid crystal display. The ramp signal producing apparatus is comprised of: an up/down counter for either counting up, or counting down a clock signal supplied thereto; amplitude amount converting means for converting the amplitude of the supplied clock signal into such an amplitude value corresponding to the count value of the up/down counter and for converting the amplitude value in such a manner that a change amount per one count value is increased during the count down operation by the up/down counter; and ramp signal producing means for producing such a ramp signal with an amplitude corresponding to the converted amplitude value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Susumu Tsuchida, Yoshihide Nagatsu
  • Patent number: 5526391
    Abstract: An N+1 frequency divider counter (20) has a binary counter (22), ones detect circuitry (26), control logic (24), and an output flip-flop (28). The binary counter (22) counts from an initial value to a final value for each half of an output clock signal. If N+1 is an even number, one full cycle is added to each half cycle of the output clock signal. If N+1 is an odd number, one-half of a cycle is added to each half phase of the output clock signal. At the final count value, the control logic (24) causes the output clock signal to transition on either the rising edge or the falling edge of an input clock signal. The N+1 counter (20) has a fifty percent duty cycle for all count values of N, and does not require additional circuitry to accommodate when N equals zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Motorola Inc.
    Inventors: Ravi Shankar, Ana S. Leon
  • Patent number: 5526393
    Abstract: A synchronous counter comprises one D flip-flop circuit for performing divide-by-2 frequency division of a clock signal CK, JK flip-flop circuits for, when input signals have HIGH levels (logical value 1), inverting the levels of the output signals in synchronization with the clock signal CK, logic circuits for inputting control signals to the JK flip-flop circuits, lower-stage signal assembling circuits for grouping the output signals from the JK flip-flop circuits into two-signal-unit groups to produce logical product signals of the signals in these two,signal-unit groups, and upper-stage signal assembling circuits for further handling the output signals from the lower-stage signal assembling circuits, thereby firstly simultaneously satisfying an increase in speed of the counting operation as well as simplification of the wiring pattern and reduction in the circuit area and secondly realizing further increase in the counting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Kondo, Takamoto Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5249214
    Abstract: A low-skew CMOS clock divider circuit for providing tracking of the divide-by-one and divide-by-two output signals obtained from a source of master clock pulses is fabricated using two matched flip-flops externally wired as divide-by-two devices. Coincidence gates are coupled with the outputs of the flip-flops to produce the desired divide-by-one and divide-by-two output signals in a manner such that the signals in each path pass through substantially identical circuit components, Thus, any delays encountered are the same in both circuit paths. In this manner, skew between the edges of the divide-by-two and divide-by-one clock signals is significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: VLSI Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Ulmer, James Ward
  • Patent number: 5224133
    Abstract: A high speed modular counter (100) utilizing a novel counting method in which the first bit changes with the frequency of the driving clock, and changes in the higher order bits are initiated one clock pulse after a "0" to "1" transition of the next lower order bit. This allows all carries to be known one clock period in advance of a bit change. The present counter is modular and utilizes two types of standard counter cells. A first counter cell determines the zero bit. The second counter cell determines any other higher order bit. Additional second counter cells are added to the counter to accommodate any count length without affecting speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Universities Research Association, Inc.
    Inventor: Guy F. Vanstraelen
  • Patent number: 5167031
    Abstract: A clock pulse generator for a one-chip microprocessor permits the microprocessor to be operated on two different power sources by effectively using a single source of clock pulses, a clock pulse divider and gate circuits to gate a specific sequence of pulses to the microprocessor. The period of a slowest clock pulse signal after division is integrally related to the periods of the faster clock pulse signals so that the pulse signals are synchronously provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuhisa Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5063578
    Abstract: A digital logic circuit (100) is provided for multiplying, such as doubling, the frequency of an input clock pulse sequence of period T. The circuit in one embodiment includes complementarily clocked first and second chains of cascaded delay elements (12, 13 in A1, A2, A3, . . . and B1, B2, B3, . . . ). Further, the n'th one of set of clocked latches (14, 15, 16 in A2, A4, A6, . . . ) derives its input from the 2n'th one of the delay elements in the first chain, where n is a running integer index (n=1,2,3, . . . ). The circuit (100) also includes a set of two-input logic gates (11), one of whose inputs (IN) is the output (OU) of a separate one of the logic elements (12, 13) in the second chain and the other of whose inputs is an output (MO) of a separate one of the latches (14, 15, 16). Each of the outputs of these logic gates (11) is fed to a multiple input output logic gate (25) whose output has a desired double-frequency feature (edges at T/4) relative to the frequency of the clocked pulse sequence (CLK).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventor: Philip W. Diodato
  • Patent number: 5012497
    Abstract: A frequency divider receives a first frequency signal and at least one clock signal of a sub-multiple of the first frequency. The first frequency signal charges a storage terminal once each first frequency cycle and the sub-multiple frequency signal discharges the storage temrinal once each sub-multiple frequency cycle. The discharged storage terminal sets the frequency divider output which is reset by the first frequency signal when the storage terminal is discharged. The sub-multiple frequency clock signal is employed to control the storage terminal instead of a feedback path from the output to increase the operating frequency of the divider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: David Sarnoff Research Center, Inc.
    Inventor: Swye N. Lee
  • Patent number: 4951303
    Abstract: A high speed digital programmable frequency divider (100) capable of frequency division by even and odd integers is disclosed herein. The frequency divider (100) of the present invention includes a waveform generator (200) for providing a periodic input waveform of a first period and the inverse thereof. The present invention further includes a clocked ring oscillator circuit (400) for providing first and second closed signal paths, in response to the input waveform, disposed to invert signals passing therethrough. The first and second signal paths have a common output node (499) and first and second propagation delays substantially equal to first and second integral multiples of the first period, respectively. In addition, the frequency divider (100) includes a programmable switch network (500) for opening the first and second signal paths to provide a periodic output waveform at the output node (499).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Larson
  • Patent number: 4926451
    Abstract: There is disclosed a digital integrated circuit device which has high-speed transistors of a selected type. A timing controller is incorporated in this device and performs timing control for an internal digital circuit. The timing controller includes a series-circuit of two flip-flop circuits serving as a frequency-dividing circuit for frequency-dividing a reference clock signal and generating an internal timing signal, and a switch circuit connected to a signal feedback line of these flip-flop circuits. In a normal mode, the switch circuit supplies the internal timing signal output from the flip-flop circuits to the digital integrated circuit. At a desired timing, the switch circuit performs a switching operation in response to a control signal, electrically disconnects the signal feedback line of the flip-flop circuits, and alternatively supplies an external timing signal externally supplied thereto to the digital integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kunio Yoshihara, Toshiyuki Terada, Chiaki Takubo, Nobuo Koide, Shoichi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 4855683
    Abstract: A digital phase locked loop operable over a wide dynamic range has jitter performance that is exactly bounded within predetermined limits. The phase locked loop includes an accumulator-type digital voltage controlled oscillator (201) which generates from a high speed system clock, an output clock signal at frequency equal to p times the frequency of an input clock signal, and which output frequency is controlled by the value k of a digital input to the VCO. A frequency window comparator (208) compares the number of output clock pulses between input clock pulses to determine, based on the count, whether the frequency of the output is too high, too low or equal to the correct frequency. A phase window comparator (210) simultaneously determines from the phase of the output clock signal whether the phase is leading, lagging or within a prescribed window of acceptability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Bell Communications Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Thierry Troudet, Stephen M. Walters
  • Patent number: 4821299
    Abstract: In a semiconductor integrated circuit device having at least one shift register, a plurality of 5 stages of the shift register are electrically connected in series, the 1st stage of said shift register is located in the closest position to the data input terminal, and other succeeding stages are sequentially and straightly located at intervals; the chain of the stages is folded at a particular stage, and further succeeding stages are sequentially and straightly located at intervals so as to fill in the spaces between the other stages, thus, the unbalance of the load capacitance between said stages and the functional unbalance between the shift registers can be minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Matsushita Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Kawai, Masaru Fujii, Kiyoto Ohta, Masahiko Sakagami
  • Patent number: 4748347
    Abstract: The invention pertains to programmable fast logic.The logic gate of the invention comprises two parallel-mounted inverters comprising one transistor and one saturable load. The second inverter is powered through a transistor, the electrode gate of which, linked to the drain, is joined to the drain of the first inverter which may have additional inputs (OR function). A triplet of three series-mounted logic gates comprises a programming input at the third gate, a re-looping output and, in the case of a sequence of triplets, re-looping inputs at the first gate of the first triplet. A programmable logic circuit is obtained by a sequence of series-mounted triplets which are all looped back to the first gate of the sequence. The programming is obtained by placing one or two programming inputs at the logic 0 level.Application: Programmable frequency divider circuits in which the ratios follow one another, one by one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Assignee: Thomson-CSF
    Inventor: Pham N. Tung
  • Patent number: 4692640
    Abstract: The majority circuit has an (n+1)/2-notation counter circuit comprising a plurality of cascade-connected binary counters. An odd number of n-bit serial data are counted by the counter circuit, and an output of the binary counter of the last stage is taken out as a majority output of the majority circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Seigo Suzuki, Yukihiko Yabe, Masumi Kawakami
  • Patent number: 4596027
    Abstract: A counter/divider apparatus employing an array of counters arranged in parallel. Each counter repeatedly counts through a sequence of a number of clock pulses. The number is different for each counter and the numbers are relatively prime numbers. The outputs of the counters are applied to a detector that recognizes a preset combination of output signals which is present after a predetermined number of clock pulses have been received. The detector then produces an output pulse which clears all the counters to their initial states, and the cycle is repeated. The apparatus thus divides the input clock pulses by the aforementioned predetermined number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1986
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Bernardson
  • Patent number: 4393301
    Abstract: A serial-to-parallel converter receives serial data bits forming serial input words and serial word synchronizing pulses indicating the length of the serial input words. A parallel clock signal is generated synchronously with an integer number of serial word synchronizing pulses. The input data is sequentially supplied via a direct data path to an output storage means. A synchronous counter counts the received consecutive serial data bits and in response to each count a decoder sequentially enables one respective output storage means to store therein one data bit. The stored data is released simultaneously from the output storage means in form of a parallel word in response to the parallel clock signal. Means for changing the length of the parallel output word are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1983
    Assignee: Ampex Corporation
    Inventor: Gordon D. Svendsen
  • Patent number: H718
    Abstract: A multi-sensor buffer interface that couples a multi-sensor inertial measment unit to a missile flight computer. The buffer converts input serial data into 16 bit parallel data and outputs messages of either 6 or 16 words. The buffer will provide computer requested data until the computer changes state of the controlling input signal or until communication between the buffer and the computer fails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Troy L. Hester