Error detecting/correcting scheme for memories
Granted: July 3, 2012
Patent Number:
8214729
A method for detecting and correcting errors in a memory having a read/write paradigm is presented. In these implementations, various approaches to detect errors on a per word or per group of words basis and correct errors on a per group of words or per page basis, respectively, in relation to a memory and its associated differing read/write operations, are provided. For instance, in one implementation, errors are detected on a per word basis and corrected on a per page basis for a NOR…
Method and system to access memory
Granted: June 26, 2012
Patent Number:
8208315
This document discusses among other things, a system comprising a host controller, an Input/Output buffer, and a memory device. The memory device is coupled to the host controller and is configured to receive a read command from the host controller. The non-volatile includes an interface control logic, which is in communication with a non-volatile memory. The interface control logic includes a latency programming circuit coupled to the non-volatile memory and the Input/Output buffer. The…
Accessing memory in a system with memory protection
Granted: June 26, 2012
Patent Number:
8209509
The present disclosure includes, among other things, methods, systems, program products, and devices for providing access to memory in a system with memory protection. A request is received from a processor for a memory access at a first memory location. A second memory location is determined. The second memory location is associated with the first memory location and is protected from access by the processor. The requested memory access is performed at the second memory location.
Low current comparator with programmable hysteresis
Granted: June 12, 2012
Patent Number:
8198920
A low current comparator with programmable hysteresis is disclosed that uses a ratio of latch intrinsic (internal) latch capacitance and capacitance of a sample capacitor to adjust hysteresis. In some implementations, the comparator includes a switch capacitor sampling stage coupled to a dynamic latch output stage. Depending on an output state (0 or 1) of the comparator, hysteresis is generated by adding or subtracting a first charge stored in the latch intrinsic capacitance to or from a…
Method for obtaining field strength information
Granted: June 12, 2012
Patent Number:
8200178
A method for obtaining field strength information from a received electromagnetic signal by a receiver unit is provided, whereby an input voltage for an operational amplifier is generated from the received signal in the receiver unit by means of an input resistance realized as a voltage divider circuit and an output voltage is generated by the operational amplifier by means of a fixed amplification factor. The input voltage is changed until the output voltage lies within a predefined…
Selectable delay pulse generator
Granted: June 5, 2012
Patent Number:
8193846
A programmable pulse generator having a clock signal delay chain, multiplexer, and reduced voltage charge circuit. The clock delay chain comprises a plurality of propagated delays, coupled to the multiplexer. The multiplexer selects a particular clock delay signal from a plurality of delay chain taps. The multiplexer is driven by a tap select register coupled to a state machine. The state machine controls the programmable pulse output, encoding the data by varying the pulse width and…
Non-volatile memory charge pump for radio frequency identification (RFID) system
Granted: May 29, 2012
Patent Number:
8186601
A charge pump is incorporated into circuitry of an RFID tag. The charge pump takes advantage of an antenna voltage phase to eliminate the need for a charge pump clock generator. Placement of the charge pump in the RFID circuitry reduces the number of pump stages and eliminates drivers used in each pump stage. In some implementations, an RFID tag comprises antenna circuitry, including a tuned antenna, for receiving an RF signal. Voltage conversion circuitry in the RFID tag is coupled to…
Non-volatile memory counter
Granted: May 29, 2012
Patent Number:
8189732
A counter is efficiently implemented in non-volatile memory by using two binary counters and selectively using one or the other as a current counter. Writes to the binary counters are minimized by using two linear counters and using the state of the binary counters to determine which binary counter contains the current count. Write operations can be performed to the “not current” binary counter with the final write operation being to the linear counters. The linear counter write…
Dynamic column redundancy replacement
Granted: May 29, 2012
Patent Number:
8190950
A dynamic column redundancy replacement system for programming and reading a non-volatile memory system includes an input data replacement logic block and an output data replacement logic block. A column redundancy match logic block compares a user address to latched fuse addresses of bad columns and identifies address matches to facilitate the replacement of bits from defective memory cells with replacement redundancy bits.
Quadrature decoder filtering circuitry for motor control
Granted: May 29, 2012
Patent Number:
8190956
The disclosed quadrature decoder filtering circuitry for motor control uses one quadrature signal to correct an error in the other quadrature signal, thus allowing a noisy signal due to large dust particles or scratches to be recovered. In some implementations, a system processing for quadrature signals comprises a first circuitry triggered by edges of a first quadrature signal to detect inactivity of a second quadrature signal during consecutive edges of the first quadrature signal. A…
Current to frequency conversion, apparatus and methods
Granted: May 22, 2012
Patent Number:
8183834
Electronic apparatus, methods of forming the electronic apparatus, and methods of operating the electronic apparatus include features of current to frequency conversion that may be implemented in a variety of applications. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
Method for the at least temporary activation of bidirectional communication and transponder
Granted: May 22, 2012
Patent Number:
8183983
A method for the at least temporary activation of bidirectional communication between a transponder having a nonvolatile memory area and a base station, whereby the transponder in an at least partial mute state receives messages, but no information-related data from the nonvolatile memory area are transmitted and for activation a data stream is transmitted to the transponder by the base station, wherein the data stream for a transmission is linked with a symmetric password, the enable…
Apparatus for detecting a USB host
Granted: May 22, 2012
Patent Number:
8183886
A multi-interface integrated circuit (IC) comprises a plurality of transistors, and a level detection block. At least one transistor of the plurality of transistors is in communication with a first terminal and either a first or a second lead of the multi-interface IC, and at least one of the plurality of transistors is in communication with the first terminal, a second terminal and either the first or a second lead of the multi-interface IC. The level detection block is in communication…
Anti-cross-talk circuitry for ROM arrays
Granted: May 15, 2012
Patent Number:
8179708
A circuit and method precharge a selected bit-line in a read only memory (ROM) array during a precharge period of a read cycle. At least one bit-line adjacent to the selected bit-line is discharged during the precharge period. After the precharge period, the selected bit-line is read such that parasitic capacitance effects on the selected bit-line are reduced.
Low power mode data preservation in secure ICs
Granted: May 15, 2012
Patent Number:
8181042
Methods, apparatus and computer program products are provided for reducing power consumption in a device. One method includes identifying a plurality of addressable areas for storing data in a volatile memory element of a device and, responsive to a detection of a power condition in the device, enabling power to a first portion of the addressable areas and disabling power to a second portion.
Method for providing a nanoscale, high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) on insulator
Granted: May 8, 2012
Patent Number:
8173526
Various embodiments include forming a silicon-germanium layer over a substrate of a device; forming a layer in the silicon-germanium layer, the layer including at least one of boron and carbon; and forming a silicon layer over the silicon-germanium layer. Additional embodiments are described.
Leadless package with internally extended package leads
Granted: May 8, 2012
Patent Number:
8174099
A DFN package includes internally extended package leads. One or more package pads are physically and electrically extended from a first edge of the package to a second, opposite edge of the package. These extended package leads can terminate at the edges of the leadframe. The package pads and the extended package leads where the IC die is attached can have full leadframe thickness. Other extended package lead features can have a reduced leadframe thickness (e.g., about half the…
Proportional phase comparator and method for phase-aligning digital signals
Granted: May 1, 2012
Patent Number:
8169241
Embodiments of a proportional phase comparator and method for aligning digital signals are generally described herein. In some embodiments, circuitry to align digital signals comprises a proportional phase comparator that generates triangular-shaped pulses for application to a charge pump. The triangular-shaped pulses may reduce an amount of charge injection in the charge pump close to convergence.
System and method for ambient-light adaptive intensity control for an electronic display
Granted: May 1, 2012
Patent Number:
8169450
The techniques of the present invention relate to automatically controlling display intensity. The present invention includes a calibration step in which the display intensity settings are correlated to the ambient light intensity conditions. The present invention also includes an automatic adjustment step in which the ambient light intensity is measured and the display intensity is automatically adjusted according to a correlation defined in the calibration step.
Apparatus and methods for sense amplifiers
Granted: May 1, 2012
Patent Number:
8169845
Some embodiments include apparatus and methods having a sense amplifier unit, a supply node to receive a supply voltage, and a line coupled to a memory cell of a device. The sense amplifier unit includes a circuit path coupled between the supply node and the line to carry a current having a value based on a value of information stored in the memory cell; and a second circuit including a second circuit path coupled between the supply node and the line to charge the line during the memory…
