Systems and methods for capacitive digital to analog converters
Granted: April 12, 2016
Patent Number:
9312877
A capacitive digital to analog converter (DAC) includes a first switching device that receives first, second, third, and fourth reference potentials at respective inputs and that selectively connects one of the first, second, third, and fourth reference potentials to a first output. The first and second reference potentials are approximately equal. The third and fourth reference potentials are approximately equal. A first capacitor is connected between the first output and a common node.…
Power supply protection system
Granted: April 12, 2016
Patent Number:
9312688
A power supply protection system including a first metal oxide field effect transistor (MOSFET) having a first source, a first drain coupled to an input node, and a first gate; a second MOSFET having a second source coupled to the first source, a second drain coupled to an output node and a second gate coupled to the first gate, whereby the first MOSFET and the second MOSFET are coupled back-to-back; a zener diode coupled between the first and second sources and the first and second…
Multi-layer content protecting microcontroller
Granted: April 12, 2016
Patent Number:
9311255
The present invention relates to a microcontroller designed for protection of intellectual digital content. The microcontroller includes a secure CPU, a real-time cipher, and a user programmable multi-layer access control system for internal memory realized by programmable nonvolatile memory. Programmable nonvolatile memory allows in-system and in-application programming for the end user. The programmable nonvolatile memory is mainly used for program code and operating parameter storage.…
Multi-channel simultaneous sampling with a single ADC
Granted: April 5, 2016
Patent Number:
9306790
A system includes an analog to digital converter (ADC) that samples an analog input signal as received by a first channel of a plurality of channels, samples the analog input signal as received by at least a second channel of the plurality of channels, and outputs a plurality of digital samples including a first set and a second set of digital samples of the analog input signal corresponding to the first channel and the second channel, respectively. A filter receives the first and second…
Optical isolator life expander
Granted: April 5, 2016
Patent Number:
9306662
A system includes a light emitting device on a first side of electrically isolated circuitry for transmitting an optical signal to a second side of the electrically isolated circuitry. The system also includes a driver for driving the light emitting device at an operational characteristic. The system further includes an optical receiver on the second side of the electrically isolated circuitry for receiving the optical signal from the light emitting device. The system also includes a…
VCOM amplifier with transient assist circuit
Granted: April 5, 2016
Patent Number:
9305506
Electronic devices with a VCOM display panel are configured to provide a common voltage VCOM to a VCOM display panel backplane, referred to as a VCOM reference plane. The common voltage is supplied by a VCOM application circuit coupled to the VCOM reference plane. The VCOM application circuit includes a linear amplifier, such as a Class AB amplifier, coupled to a switched transient assist circuit configured to output the common voltage. The switched transient assist circuit stabilizes…
Digital technique for excess loop delay compensation in a continuous-time delta sigma modulator
Granted: March 22, 2016
Patent Number:
9294120
A continuous time delta sigma modulator includes a quantizer, a buffer module, and a reference module. The quantizer includes a comparator that updates a digital output each cycle of a clock signal based on a comparison of a reference potential with an input generated based on a sample of an analog signal. The buffer module receives the digital output, stores the digital output for a predetermined delay period, and outputs the digital output after the predetermined delay period as a…
Digital input circuit and method for high voltage sensors
Granted: March 22, 2016
Patent Number:
9294063
A digital input circuit includes a series connection of a current limiter and a switch having a switch control input coupled between a signal input and ground, and a logic level shifter coupled to the signal input and having a switch control output coupled to the switch control input and a signal output, where a maximum amplitude at the signal input is greater than a maximum amplitude at the signal output. A digital input method includes coupling an input signal to ground with a current…
Fast-settling capacitive-coupled amplifiers
Granted: March 22, 2016
Patent Number:
9294049
Fast-settling capacitive-coupled amplifiers are disclosed. The amplifiers use two Capacitive Coupled paths embedded in a Multipath Hybrid Nested Miller Compensation topology. One path is a direct high frequency path and the other path is a slower stabilization path. This combination results in a flat frequency response to and through the chopper frequency, and a fast settling response. Various exemplary embodiments are disclosed, including operational amplifier and instrumentation…
Micromechanical coriolis rate of rotation sensor
Granted: March 8, 2016
Patent Number:
9279681
A micromechanical Coriolis rate of rotation sensor for detecting a rate of rotation, comprising a substrate, a measurement axis (X-axis), a detection axis (Y-axis), and a drive axis (Z-axis), each disposed orthogonally to each other and a first and a second driving mass (2) disposed in an X-Y plane parallel to the substrate. Each driving mass (2) being rotatably connected to the substrate by means of a central suspension. The two central suspensions being disposed along the Y-axis. Drive…
Adaptive sampling qualification for extinction ratio control
Granted: March 1, 2016
Patent Number:
9276680
Techniques are described for adaptive sampling qualification for extinction ration control. The techniques may be implemented in a laser driver assembly which includes a laser driver and a sampling loop configured to facilitate sampling of photodiode current produced by a monitor photodiode (MPD) of an optical transmitter assembly. The sampling loop comprises a low pass filter with reset, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), and a comparator. The filter receives transmit (Tx) data…
Multiphase switching converters operating over wide load ranges
Granted: March 1, 2016
Patent Number:
9276470
A system includes a multi-phase switching converter and a converter control module. The multi-phase switching converter receives an input voltage and that supplies an output voltage to a load via a plurality of phases. Each phase includes a plurality of switches, an on-time generator module that determines an on-time of the switches, and a switch control module that controls a switching frequency of the switches based on the on-time and a clock signal, and an inductance that connects the…
Single sided, flat, no lead, integrated circuit package
Granted: February 23, 2016
Patent Number:
9269689
An integrated circuit package comprising an enclosure including a dielectric housing, a first electrical contact, and a second electrical contact. The dielectric housing, the first electrical contact, and the second electrical contact are configured to form a contact side of the enclosure. In addition, the first and second electrical contacts are sized to be substantially alignment insensitive for electro-mechanical connection to corresponding contacts of an end-use equipment. The…
Sampling device and circuit having a single voltage supply
Granted: February 16, 2016
Patent Number:
9261541
In embodiments of the present invention a device, circuit, and method are described for sampling input signal voltages, which may include voltages below a negative supply voltage for the device or circuit, without requiring static current from the input. Various embodiments of the invention obviate the requirement of an external negative supply voltage or attenuation resistors to allow sampling between a positive and negative voltage range. These embodiments result in a lower power…
Systems and methods to auto-adjust zero cross circuits for switching regulators
Granted: February 9, 2016
Patent Number:
9257908
Various embodiments of the present invention provide for an adaptive and accurate zero cross circuit that can operate without directly sensing an inductor current. Certain embodiments allow adjustment of a zero crossing condition while eliminating the need for a blanking time. In certain embodiments this is accomplished by detecting the effects of turning off a switch on a switching node voltage of a buck converter. Some embodiments use a counter to lengthen or shorten the delay time…
Method and apparatus for an integrated isolation mechanical filter with substrate based package
Granted: February 2, 2016
Patent Number:
9250262
This invention relates generally to semiconductor manufacturing and packaging and more specifically to semiconductor manufacturing in MEMS (Microelectromechanical systems) inertial sensing products. Embodiments of the present invention provide a robust packaging process and a mechanical filter to reduce the mechanical shock from impact. The mechanical filter can be integrated within the package substrate as part of the packaging process, reducing the assembly complexity.
Keypad having tamper-resistant keys
Granted: January 26, 2016
Patent Number:
9245702
A tamper resistant keypad includes one or more key assemblies having a resilient key member and a contact. The resilient key member is configured to flex when the key assembly is depressed to allow the contact to close a key press detection circuit on a circuit board to register a key press. A tamper detection switch assembly at least partially surrounds the resilient key member. The tamper detection switch assembly is configured to detect attempts to access the key assembly.
System and method to electronically determine adequate gamma radiation sterilization time
Granted: January 26, 2016
Patent Number:
9242017
An integrated circuit includes a sensing module, a measuring module, a comparing module, and memory. The sensing module senses radiation incident on the integrated circuit. The measuring module communicates with the sensing module and measures an amount of the radiation incident on the integrated circuit. The comparing module communicates with the measuring module and compares the amount of the radiation to a predetermined threshold and generates an indication that the amount of the…
Ambient temperature measurement
Granted: January 19, 2016
Patent Number:
9239254
A temperature measuring device includes a heat plate exposed to the ambient, one or more sensor chips, and one or more device electronics that include a power transmitter, a wireless communication receiving block, and a processor. Each sensor chip includes a wireless communication transmitting block, a temperature sensor, a signal processing block, and an energy harvesting circuit. The heat plate and the sensor chips are positioned within an indent formed in an exposed surface of a…
Multi-die, high current wafer level package
Granted: January 5, 2016
Patent Number:
9230903
Wafer-level package semiconductor devices for high-current applications are described that have pillars for providing electrical interconnectivity. In an implementation, the wafer-level package devices include an integrated circuit chip having at least one pillar formed over the integrated circuit chip. The pillar is configured to provide electrical interconnectivity with the integrated circuit chip. The wafer-level package device also includes an encapsulation structure configured to…
