Dynamic trim method for non volatile memory products
Granted: September 8, 2015
Patent Number:
9129710
A dynamic trim method includes testing a selected number of cells on a die with predetermined testing margins. Data from this testing is used to determine dynamic reference margins for improving yield. Advantageously, yield is improved by allowing functioning fast or slow units to pass wafer sort by applying the dynamic reference margins for varying processes.
System and method for optimized playback of audio signals through headphones
Granted: September 1, 2015
Patent Number:
9124980
The application discloses a system and method for playback of audio signals though a large variety of headphone devices. To optimize playback, the specific headphone device is identified so the proper amplifier gain and equalization settings can be applied. Such identification is determined by measuring the headphone impedance as a function of frequency, and comparing the impedance data with data of know devices in a database. Once a match is found, the appropriate audio gain and…
Power line communication device with channel load measurement and improved channel access
Granted: August 18, 2015
Patent Number:
9112798
A power line communication (PLC) device includes a physical layer module including a transceiver configured to transmit and receive data over a power line. A medium access control (MAC) module is configured to send data to and process data from the physical layer module. The MAC module includes a channel access module configured to initiate a channel access attempt. The channel access module successively is configured to increase a random backoff period for a subsequent channel access…
Gyroscope shock and disturbance detection circuit
Granted: August 18, 2015
Patent Number:
9109894
The invention relates to integrated circuits, and more particularly, to systems, devices and methods of integrating a gyro sensing circuit with a gyroscope to detect a shock or a disturbance, and accurately differentiate rotation-based sense signals from noises introduced by the shock or disturbance. The gyro sensing circuit may be implemented in a differential or non-differential demodulation scheme, and comprises at least one demodulation unit and a peak detector. The at least one…
Micro-gyroscope and method for operating a micro-gyroscope
Granted: August 18, 2015
Patent Number:
9109893
A micro-gyroscope for determining a rate of rotation about a Z-axis includes a substrate and two sensor devices each of which comprises at least one drive mass, at least one anchor, drive elements, at least one sensor mass and sensor elements. The drive mass is mounted linearly displaceably in the direction of an X-axis, and can be driven in an oscillatory manner with respect to the X-axis. The sensor mass is coupled to the drive mass by means of springs. The sensor mass is displaceable…
Digital technique for excess loop delay compensation in a continuous-time delta sigma modulator
Granted: August 11, 2015
Patent Number:
9106255
A continuous time delta sigma modulator includes a quantizer and a reference module. The quantizer includes: a first comparator that generates a first digital output based on a comparison of a first reference potential with an input generated based on a sample of an analog signal; and a second comparator that generates a second digital output based on a comparison of a second reference potential with the input generated based on the sample of the analog signal. The reference module…
Active parasite power circuit
Granted: August 11, 2015
Patent Number:
9106138
A circuit is provided that includes a parasitic power circuit that powers a parasitic circuit. The parasitic power circuit derives a supply voltage from an external AC or other signal suitable for use as a communications signal. A PMOS transistor or transistors is utilized to enable a supply voltage capacitor to charge substantially to the same voltage as the channel voltage of the communications signal.
Semiconductor device having a through-substrate via
Granted: August 11, 2015
Patent Number:
9105750
Semiconductor devices are described that have a through-substrate via formed therein. In one or more implementations, the semiconductor devices include a top wafer and a bottom wafer bonded together with a patterned adhesive material. The top wafer and the bottom wafer include one or more integrated circuits formed therein. The integrated circuits are connected to one or more conductive layers deployed over the surfaces of the top and bottom wafers. A via is formed through the top wafer…
Micromechanical sensor with multiple spring bars
Granted: August 11, 2015
Patent Number:
9103850
A micromechanical sensor comprising a substrate (5) and at least one mass (6) which is situated on the substrate (5) and which moves relative to the substrate (5) is used to detect motions of the sensor based on an acceleration force and/or Coriolis force which occur(s). The mass (6) and the substrate (5) and/or two masses which move toward one another are connected by at least one bending spring device (1) for a relative rotational motion. The bending spring device (1) has multiple, in…
Enhanced WLP for superior temp cycling, drop test and high current applications
Granted: August 4, 2015
Patent Number:
9099345
A WLP device is provided with a flange shaped UBM or an embedded partial solder ball UBM on top of a copper post style circuit connection.
Current limit circuit for DC-DC converter
Granted: August 4, 2015
Patent Number:
9098103
A clamp circuit generates a current limit for a DC-DC converter including an inductor. The clamp circuit includes a circuit to generate a control signal based on a sensed inductor current signal and a current limit signal for the DC-DC converter. A variable current source adjusts a first current signal based on the control signal. A transistor includes a control terminal, a first terminal and a second terminal. The variable current source outputs the first current signal to the control…
Current-boosting output stage with short-circuit protection
Granted: July 28, 2015
Patent Number:
9093992
A circuit is provided for both boosting output current and providing short circuit protection in an integrated circuit such as an operational amplifier. In an embodiment, a current-boosting output stage with short-circuit protection includes six current sources and six transistors, where the the boosting of output current is achieved using positive feedback and the short circuit protection is achieved using negative feedback.
Predictive sampling for primary side sensing in isolated flyback converters
Granted: July 28, 2015
Patent Number:
9093910
A system comprises a pulse width modulator, a voltage sensing circuit, a pulse generator, and a sampling circuit. The pulse width modulator generates a control signal to control a switch connected to an input voltage via a primary winding and to regulate an output voltage across a secondary winding that is supplied to a load through a component connected in series with the secondary winding. The voltage sensing circuit senses a first voltage across the primary winding that represents the…
Integrated circuit device having extended under ball metallization
Granted: July 28, 2015
Patent Number:
9093333
Semiconductor devices are described that have an extended under ball metallization configured to mitigate dielectric layer cracking due to stress, particularly stress caused by CTE mismatch during thermal cycling tests, dynamic deformation during drop tests, or cyclic bending tests, and so on. In an implementation, the semiconductor package devices include an integrated circuit chip having a solder ball and under ball metallization, formed on the integrated circuit chip, which is…
Current mirror circuit configured to adjust a body to source voltage of an input device
Granted: July 28, 2015
Patent Number:
9092041
A current mirror circuit that is configured to adjust a body to source voltage of an input device in response to a drain to source voltage of an output device is disclosed. In an implementation, the current mirror circuit comprises a current mirror including an input device and an output device coupled together. The current mirror circuit also includes a feedback circuit component coupled between the output of the current mirror and the input device. The feedback circuit component is…
Multi-die, high current wafer level package
Granted: July 21, 2015
Patent Number:
9087779
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…
Wafer-level package device having solder bump assemblies that include an inner pillar structure
Granted: July 21, 2015
Patent Number:
9087732
Wafer-level package (semiconductor) devices are described that have a pillar structure that extends at least partially into a solder bump to mitigate thermal stresses to the solder bump. In implementations, the wafer-level package device may comprise an integrated circuit chip having a surface and a solder bump disposed over the surface. The wafer-level package device may also include a pillar structure disposed over the surface that extends at least partially into the solder bump.
Zero-pole compensator circuits with impedance reduction multipliers
Granted: July 21, 2015
Patent Number:
9086710
A compensator circuit includes a first transconductance amplifier to convert an input voltage to a first output current. A second transconductance amplifier converts the input voltage to a second output current. A buffer includes an input and an output. The input of the buffer receives the second output current. A resistance is connected between an output of the first transconductance amplifier and an output of the buffer. A capacitance connected (i) between an output of the second…
Circuits, devices and methods having pipelined capacitance sensing
Granted: July 21, 2015
Patent Number:
9086439
Capacitance sensing circuits, systems and method can include sample and hold (S/H) circuits that can retain analog values for one set of capacitance sensors, and sequentially convert such analog values into digital values while analog values for another set of capacitance sensors values are generated.
Optimal compensating ramp generator for fixed frequency current mode DC-DC converters
Granted: July 14, 2015
Patent Number:
9081403
Systems and methods for generating a compensating ramp for a DC-DC converter having fixed frequency current mode control architecture are adaptive to an input voltage of the converter and an output voltage of the converter, and are programmable based on an inductor of the converter. The systems and methods include receiving the input voltage and the output voltage of the converter and outputting, based on the input voltage and the output voltage, a voltage reference or a current…
