Frame structure for a QAM system
Granted: October 13, 2015
Patent Number:
9160601
A novel framing method for a variable net bit rate digital communications system that utilizes a set of different QAM constellations and punctured trellis code combinations, each combination designated as a mode. This frame structure has a variable integral number of QAM symbols per frame depending on the selected mode, but the number of bytes and Reed-Solomon packets per frame is constant. This is achieved even though the number of data bits per QAM symbol for some modes is fractional.…
Dynamic phase timing control for multiple regulators or phases
Granted: October 13, 2015
Patent Number:
RE45755
A drive control circuit generates switching drive signals for a single phase of a multiphase voltage regulator. A driver circuitry generates the switching drive signals for the voltage regulator responsive to a clock signal. A clock circuitry generates the clock signal responsive to a monitored external clock signal. A phase number detector determines a number of active phases in the multiphase voltage regulator in real time responsive to an indicator on a phase number input monitored by…
Switchable solar cell devices
Granted: September 29, 2015
Patent Number:
9147774
Exemplary embodiments provide a solar cell device, and method for forming the solar cell device by integrating a switch component into a solar cell element. The solar cell element can include a solar cell, a solar cell array and/or a solar cell panel. The integrated solar cell element can be used for a solar sensor, while the solar sensor can also use discrete switches for each solar cell area of the sensor. Exemplary embodiments also provide a connection system for the solar cell…
Method of forming an insulator layer in a semiconductor structure and structures resulting therefrom
Granted: September 29, 2015
Patent Number:
9147613
An electronic system, method of manufacture of a semiconductor structure, and one or more semiconductor structures are disclosed. For example, a method of manufacture of a semiconductor structure is disclosed, which includes forming a first semiconductor substructure over a semiconductor substrate, forming a first spacer layer over the first semiconductor substructure and the semiconductor substrate, and forming a second semiconductor substructure over at least a portion of the first…
Audio frequency deadband system and method for switch mode regulators operating in discontinuous conduction mode
Granted: September 15, 2015
Patent Number:
9136763
A controller for controlling operation of a switching regulator including a modulator, a discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) controller, an audible DCM (ADCM) controller, and a sub-sonic discontinuous conduction mode (SBDCM) controller. The modulator generally operates in a continuous conduction mode. The DCM controller modifies operation to DCM during low loads. The ADCM controller detects when the switching frequency is less than a super-sonic frequency threshold and modifies operation…
Image processing apparatus and camera system
Granted: August 25, 2015
Patent Number:
9118831
An image processing apparatus or camera system comprises an image sensor 1, a geometrical position calculation device 6 for performing predetermined correction of a distortion, a first address table 10 for storing information correlating an input side address based on the calculation results of the geometrical position calculation device 6 to an output side address as a reference, a sort unit 11 for sorting the output side addresses according to the input side addresses, a second address…
Digital voltage compensation for power supply integrated circuits
Granted: August 25, 2015
Patent Number:
9118245
Systems and methods for digital voltage compensation in a power supply integrated circuit are provided. In at least one embodiment, a method includes receiving a digital voltage code, the digital voltage code corresponding to an output voltage value; setting an output count on a first counter to change from a present first digital count corresponding to a present voltage code value toward a target first digital count corresponding to a new voltage code value; and setting a second count…
Base for a NPN bipolar transistor
Granted: August 18, 2015
Patent Number:
9111955
An improved base for a NPN bipolar transistor. The base region is formed with Boron and Indium dopants for improved beta early voltage product and reduced base resistance.
Optical sensors for detecting relative motion and/or position and methods and systems for using such optical sensors
Granted: July 21, 2015
Patent Number:
9087942
An optical sensor, according to an embodiment of the present invention, includes a photodetector region and a plurality of slats over the photodetector region. In an embodiment, the slats are made of an opaque polymer material, such as an opaque photoresist. In an embodiment, the slats are angled relative to a surface of the photodetector region.
System and method for high precision current sensing
Granted: July 21, 2015
Patent Number:
9088208
An apparatus for sensing an input current through an inductor includes an RC circuit connected in parallel with the inductor across first and second input pins of an integrated circuit. A voltage monitoring circuit monitors a first voltage at the first input pin of the integrated circuit and monitors a second voltage at the second input pin of the integrated circuit. An op-amp compares the first voltage with the second voltage and generates a control output responsive to the comparison.…
Method and system for compensating mode conversion over a communications channel
Granted: June 23, 2015
Patent Number:
9065436
A circuit can compensate for intra pair skew or mode conversion in a channel by applying a second or corrective mode conversion effect that counters the channel's mode conversion. The circuit can process the common mode signal with a frequency dependent filter prior to injection back into the differential mode. The circuit can implement the reverse mode conversion with passive circuits using integrated resistors and metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) switches. In certain embodiments, such…
Optoelectronic apparatuses with post-molded reflector cups
Granted: June 23, 2015
Patent Number:
9065025
An optoelectronic apparatus includes one or more packaged optoelectronic semiconductor devices (POSDs), each including one or more optoelectronic elements encapsulated by a light transmissive molding compound. Each POSD includes a top surface formed by a top surface of the light transmissive molding compound that encapsulates the one or more optoelectronic elements of the POSD. Each POSD also includes a bottom surface including electrical contacts for the one or more optoelectronic…
Reduced-noise reference voltage platform for a voltage converter device
Granted: May 19, 2015
Patent Number:
9036442
An electronic system, a reduced-noise reference voltage platform for a voltage converter device, and a method of manufacture of a reduced-noise reference voltage platform for a voltage converter device are disclosed. For example, the reduced-noise reference voltage (e.g., ground) platform includes a first conductor unit, a second conductor unit, and an insulator unit interposed between a first surface of the first conductor unit and a first surface of the second conductor unit. The…
System and method of balanced slope compensation for switch mode regulators
Granted: May 5, 2015
Patent Number:
9024610
A modulator with balanced slope compensation including a control network, a slope compensation network, an offset network and an adjust network. The control network receives a feedback signal indicative of an output voltage and provides a loop control signal. The slope compensation network develops a slope compensation signal. The offset network determines a DC offset of the slope compensation signal. The adjust network combines the DC offset, the slope compensation signal and the loop…
Light sensors having dielectric optical coating filters
Granted: May 5, 2015
Patent Number:
9024404
Light sensors including dielectric optical coatings to shape their spectral responses, and methods for fabricating such light sensors in a manner that accelerates lift-off processes and increases process margins, are described herein. In an embodiment, a light sensor includes a photodetector sensor region formed in a semiconductor substrate, a dielectric optical coating filter covering the photodetector sensor region, and dummy dielectric optical coating features beyond the photodetector…
Internal compensation for power management integrated circuits
Granted: April 28, 2015
Patent Number:
9018929
A voltage regulator integrated circuit comprises a control circuit driving at least one power switch to provide a regulated voltage at an output of an inductor/capacitor (LC) circuit coupled to the at least one power switch; an error amplifier having a first input coupled to a feedback signal representative of the regulated output voltage and a second input coupled to a reference signal; and a compensation network coupled to an output of the error amplifier and configured to provide a…
Solder flow impeding feature on a lead frame
Granted: April 28, 2015
Patent Number:
9018746
One embodiment is directed towards a packaged chip including a lead frame. At least one chip is mounted on the lead frame. At least one edge the lead frame has a solder flow impeding feature located thereon. The solder flow impeding feature includes an integral portion of the lead frame that extends in a first projection outward at an edge of the lead frame and parallel to an external surface of the lead frame. An internal surface of the first projection is aligned with an internal…
Method of manufacturing a packaged circuit including a lead frame and a laminate substrate
Granted: April 21, 2015
Patent Number:
9012267
Embodiments of the subject application provide for a circuit comprising: a lead frame having a first plurality of exposed terminals, the lead frame defining a plane; a laminate substrate in the plane defined by the lead frame, adjacent to the lead frame, and electrically coupled to the lead frame, the laminate substrate having a first surface including a second plurality of exposed terminals and a second surface opposite the first surface; a first one or more dies mounted on the lead…
Discrete multi-tone systems for half-duplex IP links
Granted: April 7, 2015
Patent Number:
9001911
A DMT system for a half-duplex two-way link carries Internet protocol encoded video stream on a coaxial cable that also carries a baseband rendition of the same video stream. A plurality of downlink symbols modulated on a subband of subcarriers in a downlink signal are decoded. The symbols may carry data encoded on a subband using a constellation of QAM symbols assigned to the subband. Other subbands may be associated with different QAM constellations. Lower-order constellations of QAM…
Optical proximity sensors using echo cancellation techniques to detect one or more objects
Granted: March 31, 2015
Patent Number:
8994926
An optical sensor includes a driver, light detector and echo canceller. The driver is adapted to selectively drive a light source. The light detector is adapted to produce a detection signal indicative of an intensity of light detected by the light detector. The echo canceller is adapted to produce an echo cancellation signal that is combined with the detection signal produced by the light detector to produce an echo cancelled detection signal having a predetermined target magnitude…
