Systems and methods for power transfer based on resonance coupling of inductors
Granted: November 18, 2014
Patent Number:
8890368
An integrated circuit (IC) includes first and second resonator circuits and an isolation barrier. The first resonator circuit includes first and second inductors, wherein the first resonator circuit is connected to a supply voltage. The second resonator circuit includes third and fourth inductors, wherein the second resonator circuit is matched to the first resonator circuit. The isolation barrier separates the first and second resonator circuits. The first and second inductors are…
Input common mode control using a dedicated comparator for sensor interfaces
Granted: November 11, 2014
Patent Number:
8884699
Various embodiments of the invention allow for low-noise, high performance input common mode voltage control in capacitive sensor front end amplifiers. In certain embodiments overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by implementing a full voltage swing common mode voltage comparator in a parallel feed-forward path to compensate large common mode input signal variations.
Transmitter and method for applying multi-tone OFDM based communications within a lower frequency range
Granted: November 4, 2014
Patent Number:
8879379
A method to detect a phase connection of a receiver of a power line communication system includes providing a first connection between a transmitter and one phase of a multi-phase power line. A zero crossing of a first signal provided by the first connection is detected. A first timestamp is generated before a packet is transmitted by the transmitter and added to a header of the packet. A second connection is provided between the receiver and one phase of the multi-phase power line. A…
Automatic VGA monitor detection
Granted: November 4, 2014
Patent Number:
8878859
Various embodiments of the present invention relate to methods, systems and devices of employing a monitor detection module in a computer to automatically detect the presence of a VGA display. Such a system for automatic VGA monitor detection comprises a central processing unit (CPU), a GPU, a VGA connector and the monitor detection module. The CPU provides image information to the GPU which further processed the image information to generate video signals according to a VGA display…
Capacitive touch sense architecture having a correlator for demodulating a measured capacitance from an excitation signal
Granted: November 4, 2014
Patent Number:
8878797
An analog front end circuit utilizes coherent detection within a capacitance measurement application. The analog front end circuit uses coherent detection to measure capacitance of a touch screen display. An analog excitation signal is modulated by a capacitor to be measured. The modulated signal is synchronously demodulated using a correlator, which includes a discrete mixer and a discrete integrator. The excitation signal is also input to the mixer such that the modulated signal is…
Low distortion MOS attenuator
Granted: November 4, 2014
Patent Number:
8878588
An attenuation circuit uses a voltage controlled variable resistance transistor as a signal attenuator for receivers operating in the zero Hz to about 30 MHz range. The transistor functions in the linear region to linearize the transistor resistance characteristics used for signal attenuation. In an exemplary application, the attenuation circuit is used as an RF attenuator for AM radio broadcast receivers and amplifiers with automatic gain control. Multiple attenuation circuits can be…
Semiconductor device having a buffer material and stiffener
Granted: November 4, 2014
Patent Number:
8878350
Semiconductor devices are described that include a semiconductor device having multiple, stacked die on a substrate (e.g., a semiconductor wafer). In one or more implementations, wafer-level package devices that employ example techniques in accordance with the present disclosure include an ultra-thin semiconductor wafer with metallization and vias formed in the wafer and an oxide layer on the surface of the wafer, an integrated circuit chip placed on the semiconductor wafer, an underfill…
Circuit and device for increasing power supply hold-up time
Granted: October 28, 2014
Patent Number:
8872485
In an embodiment, set forth by way of example and not limitation, a circuit for increasing power supply hold-up time includes an inductor, two capacitors and a controller. A first capacitor has a first node coupled to a first node of the inductor and has a second node coupled to ground. A second capacitor has a first node coupled to a second node of the inductor and has a second node coupled to ground. The controller is preferably operative to direct current through the inductor such…
Non-linear PWM controller
Granted: October 21, 2014
Patent Number:
8866463
A switching power supply includes a circuit having at least two reactive components to provide an output voltage and capable of being switched from a first output state to a second output state. A switching component switches the circuit between at least two switching states including the first output state and the second output state. A pulse width modulator receives a duty cycle and drives the switching component to cause switching between two of the at least two switching states. A…
Techniques for wafer-level processing of QFN packages
Granted: October 14, 2014
Patent Number:
8860222
Semiconductor package device, such as wafer-level package semiconductor devices, 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…
Apparatus for remote wake-up during dedicated charging mode
Granted: October 14, 2014
Patent Number:
8862921
An apparatus for remote wake-up during dedicated charging mode includes: a USB transceiver port; a USB connector port; a switch network coupling the USB transceiver port to the USB connector port; and control logic coupled to the switch network and operative to control the switch network to disconnect the USB transceiver port from the USB connector port during a dedicated charger operational mode and to connect the USB transceiver port to the USB connector port upon the detection of a…
Background noise measurement and frequency selection in touch panel sensor systems
Granted: October 14, 2014
Patent Number:
8860432
A touch panel sensor system that can dynamically measure noise and automatically switch to a frequency with minimal noise is described. The touch panel sensor system includes a sensor configured to detect a change in capacitance associated with a touch upon a touch panel. The system also includes a drive module configured to generate a drive signal having a first waveform characteristic (e.g., signal having a periodic waveform characteristic) during a first phase (e.g., sensor phase) and…
Method and apparatus for generating piezoelectric transducer excitation waveforms using a boost converter
Granted: October 7, 2014
Patent Number:
8854319
Transducers formed as part of a touchscreen system emulate the motion of a pushbutton or other mechanical elements. A touchscreen system positions a transducer adjacent to an icon displayed on the touchscreen surface. When a user touches the icon, the transducer senses the touch and is then deformed in a pattern that emulates a mechanical motion, giving the user the sensation of touching a mechanical button. An excitation signal applied to the transducer is compared to a target…
Active transducer probes and circuits
Granted: October 7, 2014
Patent Number:
8854131
In an example embodiment, a method for bidirectional signal propagation comprises: a) sensing a voltage level of a first signal at a first port; b) coupling the first port to an output of an amplifier with a solid state switch if the voltage level of the first signal is less than a threshold voltage, whereby a second signal applied to a second port coupled to an input of the amplifier is propagated in a first direction from the second port to the first port; and c) bypassing the…
Current mirror and current cancellation circuit
Granted: October 7, 2014
Patent Number:
8854113
Techniques are described to mirror currents and subtract currents accurately. In an implementation, a circuit includes a first current source coupled to a first node to provide a current IPD1 and a current mirror coupled to the first node through a first switch T1 to provide a current IREF1. In a closed configuration, the current IREF1 flows from the current mirror into the first node. A sigma delta modulator controls the switch T1 such that over a period of time an average current…
Constant slope ramp circuits for sampled-data circuits
Granted: October 7, 2014
Patent Number:
8854092
A circuit includes a level-crossing detector to generate a level-crossing detection signal when an input signal crosses a predetermined voltage level. A first stage set of capacitors is operatively coupled to the level-crossing detector. A ramp circuit is operatively coupled to the set of series-connected capacitors. A second stage set of capacitors is operatively coupled to the first stage set of capacitors and the ramp circuit. The ramp circuit includes a feedback capacitor and a…
Electromechanic microsensor
Granted: October 7, 2014
Patent Number:
8850886
The invention relates to an electromechanic microsensor (MEMS) comprising drive elements which are moved linearly in an x-y plane and disposed on a substrate to determine at least two, preferably three, components of the yaw rate vector of a substrate, wherein two groups of drive elements are driven in directions running essentially at right angles to each other. The MEMS according to the invention is characterized in that the drive elements, which are moved at right angles to each…
Jammer canceller for power-line communication
Granted: September 30, 2014
Patent Number:
8848836
An apparatus to process an input signal received via a power line in a power line communication system includes a jammer remover and a jammer detector. The jammer remover removes interference resulting from transmission of electricity and the input signal over the power line from the input signal. The jammer remover generates a jammer-canceled signal using an adaptive filtering procedure. The jammer detector is coupled to the jammer remover to detect the interference.
Inductors and methods for integrated circuits
Granted: September 30, 2014
Patent Number:
8847365
Inductors and methods for integrated circuits that result in inductors of a size compatible with integrated circuits, allowing the fabrication of inductors, with or without additional circuitry on a first wafer and the bonding of that wafer to a second wafer without wasting of wafer area. The inductors in the first wafer are comprised of coils formed by conductors at each surface of the first wafer coupled to conductors in holes passing through the first wafer. Various embodiments are…
Digital to analog converters with adjustable output resolution
Granted: September 16, 2014
Patent Number:
8836560
A digital to analog converter (DAC) includes: first and second nodes; a first switching device; a second switching device; and a switch control module. The switch control module selectively configures the first and second switching devices such that: in a first configuration, the first switching device connects a first current to the first node and the second switching device connects a second current to the second node; in a second configuration, the first switching device connects the…
