Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080258785 | Periodic signal synchronization apparatus, systems, and methods - Apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed that operate to generate a periodic output signal from a periodic input signal, obtain a plurality of samples of a phase difference between the output signal and the input signal, and to adjust a phase of the output signal based on the samples of the phase difference. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. | 10-23-2008 |
20090046761 | TEMPERATURE SENSOR CIRCUIT, DEVICE, SYSTEM, AND METHOD - A sensor, device, system and method for sensing temperature includes a pull up circuit coupled to a pull down circuit for generating a variable pull up output current and a variable pull down output current varying according to circuit elements responsive to temperature change. A pull up transistor and a pull down transistor are respectively serially coupled to first and second switches for alternatingly respectively switching additional pull up and pull down current into the pull up output current and the pull down output current. A comparator controls the additional pull up and pull down currents in response to a comparison of a summed output voltage and a reference voltage. | 02-19-2009 |
20090129438 | Devices and methods for reducing effects of device mismatch in temperature sensor circuits - A temperature sensor having one or more mirror circuits output temperature dependent output signals is disclosed in one embodiment. The temperature sensor includes a sampling circuit coupled to receive a clock signal that samples the output signals for a duration of a predetermined number of clock cycles. The temperature sensor additionally includes a phase control circuit that receives the clock signal and generates a control signal that enables subsequent sampling operations. Each subsequent sampling operation has a duration of the predetermined number of clock cycles. The control signal from the phase control circuit further enables input and output terminals of respective circuit components in the mirror circuits to be switched for each subsequent sampling operation. | 05-21-2009 |
20090201046 | OUTPUT BUFFER AND METHOD HAVING A SUPPLY VOLTAGE INSENSITIVE SLEW RATE - An output buffer includes a final driver formed by first and second MOSFET transistors that alternately couple an output terminal to respective supply voltages. The output terminal is biased to a bias voltage intermediate the supply voltages. The slew rate at which the MOSFET transistors transition the output terminal to the supply voltages is affected by the magnitude of at least one of the supply voltages. The output buffer is driven by a pre-driver coupling first and second control signals to the first and second MOSFET transistors, respectively. The pre-driver adjusts the delay between generating one of the control signals to turn off the MOSFET transistor and generating the other of the control signals to turn on the other MOSFET transistor as a function of the supply voltage magnitude to make the slew rate of the resulting transition substantially insensitive to variations in power supply voltage. | 08-13-2009 |
20090213666 | LOW VOLTAGE OPERATION BIAS CURRENT GENERATION CIRCUIT - Devices and systems for generating a bias current with a low minimum voltage, for example, are disclosed. One such device includes a first transistor having a source coupled to a voltage supply, a drain coupled to a first node, and a gate coupled to a second node, a second transistor having a source coupled to a reference, and a drain and a gate coupled to the first node, a third transistor having a source coupled to the reference, a drain coupled to a third node, and a gate coupled to the first node, a first resistive element coupled between the voltage supply and the third node, a second resistive element coupled between the voltage supply and the second node, and a fourth transistor having a source coupled to the reference, a drain coupled to the second node, and a gate coupled to the third node. | 08-27-2009 |
20090238239 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR TEMPERATURE CALIBRATION AND SENSING - Some embodiments include apparatus and methods having a first switch, a second switch, and a circuit coupled to the first and second switches. The first switch may be configured to switch between an on-state and an off-state based on a value of a first current flowing through a number of resistors and a diode coupled in series with the resistors. The second switch may be configured to switch between the on-state and the off-state based on a value of a second current on a circuit path. The second current is a function of a voltage at a node between two of the resistors and a resistance of the circuit path. The circuit may be configured to provide a temperature reading based on the number of times the first switch or the second switch switches between the on-state and the off-state during a time interval. | 09-24-2009 |
20090243709 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR GENERATING A REFERENCE VOLTAGE - Methods, devices, and systems are disclosed for a voltage reference generator. A voltage reference generator may comprise a bandgap voltage reference circuit configured to output two complementary-to-absolute-temperature (CTAT) signals. The voltage reference generator may further comprise a differential sensing device configured to sense the two complementary-to-absolute-temperature (CTAT) signals and generate a positive reference signal substantially insensitive to temperature variations over an operating temperature range. | 10-01-2009 |
20090261800 | Voltage Protection Circuit for Thin Oxide Transistors, and Memory Device and Processor-Based System Using Same - Devices, reference voltage generators, systems and methods are disclosed, including an embodiment of a voltage regulator output transistor using a thin gate insulator to provide a low output impedance despite having a semiconductor channel width that is relatively small. The output transistor is protected from damage by a clamping circuit provided to limit the gate-to-source voltage of the transistor such that damage to the output transistor should be reduced or prevented. One such clamping circuit includes a clamp transistor that receives a reference voltage at its gate. The magnitude of the reference voltage limits to voltage to which the gate of the transistor can be driven. A voltage reference circuit provides the reference voltage so that it compensates for process and temperature variations of the output transistor. | 10-22-2009 |
20090267642 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OUTPUT DRIVER CALIBRATION, AND MEMORY DEVICES AND SYSTEM EMBODYING SAME - A method, system, and output driver calibration circuit determine calibration values for configuring adjustable impedance output drivers. The calibration circuit includes a pull-up calibration circuit configured to generate an averaged pull-up count signal for calibrating p-channel devices in the output driver with the averaged pull-up count signal being an average of a plurality of pull-up count signals. The calibration circuit further includes a pull-down calibration circuit configured to generate an averaged pull-down count signal for calibrating n-channel devices in the output driver with the averaged pull-down count signal being an average of a plurality of pull-down count signals. | 10-29-2009 |
20100033232 | VARIABLE STAGE CHARGE PUMP AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING BOOSTED OUTPUT VOLTAGE - An embodiment of a variable stage charge pump includes a plurality of pump stages. Each stage is configured to generate an intermediate boosted output voltage. A pump stage selector selects the number of charge pump stages to be coupled between an input and output terminal of the variable stage charge pump. The pump stage selector may control a plurality of switches to select the number of stages. For example, two stages maybe coupled in parallel and the parallel combination coupled in series to a third stage, resulting in a two stage charge pump. For a three stage charge pump, all three stages are coupled in series. | 02-11-2010 |
20100052777 | High Performance Input Receiver Circuit For Reduced-Swing Inputs - An input buffer receiver circuit for electronic devices (e.g., memory chips) to receive and process reduced-swing and high bandwidth inputs to obtain “buffered” output signals therefrom with symmetrical rising and falling delays, and without additional current dissipation over previous receiver circuits, is disclosed. The receiver circuit may include two stages of differential amplifier pairs (i.e., a total of 4 separated differential amplifiers). The differential amplifiers in the first stage convert the single-ended input signal to a full-differential signal, which is then converted back to a single-ended output signal by the differential amplifier pair in the second stage. The output of a P-diff first stage may be connected to the input of an N-diff second stage and the output of an N-diff first stage may be connected to the input of a P-diff second stage thereby creating a “cross” coupled structure. Various current saving and biasing methods may also be employed to keep the operating current the same or lower than the previous receiver circuit designs. Because of the rules governing abstracts, this abstract should not be used to construe the claims. | 03-04-2010 |
20100188921 | VOLTAGE PROTECTION CIRCUIT FOR THIN OXIDE TRANSISTORS, AND MEMORY DEVICE AND PROCESSOR-BASED SYSTEM USING SAME - Devices, reference voltage generators, systems and methods are disclosed, including an embodiment of a voltage regulator output transistor using a thin gate insulator to provide a low output impedance despite having a semiconductor channel width that is relatively small. The output transistor is protected from damage by a clamping circuit provided to limit the gate-to-source voltage of the transistor such that damage to the output transistor should be reduced or prevented. One such clamping circuit includes a clamp transistor that receives a reference voltage at its gate. The magnitude of the reference voltage limits to voltage to which the gate of the transistor can be driven. A voltage reference circuit provides the reference voltage so that it compensates for process and temperature variations of the output transistor. | 07-29-2010 |
20100254427 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE INCLUDING A TEMPERATURE SENSOR CIRCUIT - A semiconductor device including a temperature sensor includes a pull up circuit, a pull down circuit, a first additional current path, and a second additional current path. The pull up circuit is configured to generate a pull up current that contributes to generation of a first output current. The pull down circuit is operably coupled to the pull up circuit at an output node and configured to generate a pull down current that contributes to generation of a second output current. The first additional current path, when enabled, is configured to combine a first additional current with the pull up current to comprise the first output current. The second additional current path, when enabled, is configured to combine a second additional current with the pull down current to comprise the second output current. Respective enablement of the first additional current path and the second additional current path is complementary. | 10-07-2010 |
20110001528 | PERIODIC SIGNAL SYNCHRONIZATION APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS - Apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed that operate to generate a periodic output signal from a periodic input signal, obtain a plurality of samples of a phase difference between the output signal and the input signal, and to adjust a phase of the output signal based on the samples of the phase difference. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. | 01-06-2011 |
20110006831 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR REDUCING EFFECTS OF DEVICE MISMATCH IN TEMPERATURE SENSOR CIRCUITS - A temperature sensor having one or more mirror circuits output temperature dependent output signals is disclosed in one embodiment. The temperature sensor includes a sampling circuit coupled to receive a clock signal that samples the output signals for a duration of a predetermined number of clock cycles. The temperature sensor additionally includes a phase control circuit that receives the clock signal and generates a control signal that enables subsequent sampling operations. Each subsequent sampling operation has a duration of the predetermined number of clock cycles. The control signal from the phase control circuit further enables input and output terminals of respective circuit components in the mirror circuits to be switched for each subsequent sampling operation. | 01-13-2011 |
20110150029 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR TEMPERATURE CALIBRATION AND SENSING - Some embodiments include apparatus and methods having a first switch, a second switch, and a circuit coupled to the first and second switches. The first switch may be configured to switch between an on-state and an off-state based on a value of a first current flowing through a number of resistors and a diode coupled in series with the resistors. The second switch may be configured to switch between the on-state and the off-state based on a value of a second current on a circuit path. The second current is a function of a voltage at a node between two of the resistors and a resistance of the circuit path. The circuit may be configured to provide a temperature reading based on the number of times the first switch or the second switch switches between the on-state and the off-state during a time interval. | 06-23-2011 |
20110221514 | VARIABLE STAGE CHARGE PUMP AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING BOOSTED OUTPUT VOLTAGE - An embodiment of a variable stage charge pump includes a plurality of pump stages. Each stage is configured to generate an intermediate boosted output voltage. A pump stage selector selects the number of charge pump stages to be coupled between an input and output terminal of the variable stage charge pump. The pump stage selector may control a plurality of switches to select the number of stages. For example, two stages maybe coupled in parallel and the parallel combination coupled in series to a third stage, resulting in a two stage charge pump. For a three stage charge pump, all three stages are coupled in series. | 09-15-2011 |
20110235455 | VOLTAGE REGULATORS, AMPLIFIERS, MEMORY DEVICES AND METHODS - Circuits, devices and methods are provided, such as an amplifier (e.g., a voltage regulator) that includes a feedback circuit that supplies negative feedback through a feedback path. One such feedback path includes a capacitance coupled in series with a “one-way” isolation circuit through which a feedback signal is coupled. The “one-way” isolation circuit may allow the feedback signal to be coupled from a “downstream” node, such as an output node, to an “upstream” node, such as a node at which an error signal is generated to provide negative feedback. However, the “one-way” isolation circuit may substantially prevent variations in the voltage at the upstream node from being coupled to the capacitance in the isolation circuit. As a result, the voltage at the upstream node may quickly change since charging and discharging of the capacitance responsive to voltage variations at the upstream node may be avoided. | 09-29-2011 |
20120146718 | HIGH PERFORMANCE INPUT RECEIVER CIRCUIT FOR REDUCED-SWING INPUTS - An input buffer receiver circuit for electronic devices (e.g., memory chips) to receive reduced-swing and high bandwidth inputs to provide “buffered” output signals having symmetrical rising and falling delays, and without additional current dissipation over previous receiver circuits, is disclosed. The receiver circuit may include two differential amplifier pair stages (i.e., 4 total differential amplifiers). The first stage of differential amplifiers convert the single-ended input signal to a full-differential signal, which is converted back to a single-ended output signal by the second stage of differential amplifiers. The output of a P-diff first stage may be connected to the input of an N-diff second stage and the output of an N-diff first stage may be connected to the input of a P-diff second stage thereby creating a “cross coupled” structure. Various current saving and biasing methods may also be employed to keep operating current the same or lower than previous designs. | 06-14-2012 |
20120194160 | VOLTAGE GENERATORS HAVING REDUCED OR ELIMINATED CROSS CURRENT - Embodiments described include voltage generators having reduced or eliminated cross current. Dynamic adjustment of a low or high threshold voltage used in a voltage generator is described. Use of a folded cascade amplifier in a voltage generator is also described. | 08-02-2012 |
20120224605 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR TEMPERATURE CALIBRATION AND SENSING - Some embodiments include apparatus and methods having a first switch, a second switch, and a circuit coupled to the first and second switches. The first switch may be configured to switch between an on-state and an off-state based on a value of a first current flowing through a number of resistors and a diode coupled in series with the resistors. The second switch may be configured to switch between the on-state and the off-state based on a value of a second current on a circuit path. The second current is a function of a voltage at a node between two of the resistors and a resistance of the circuit path. The circuit may be configured to provide a temperature reading based on the number of times the first switch or the second switch switches between the on-state and the off-state during a time interval. | 09-06-2012 |
20120299655 | VOLTAGE REGULATORS, AMPLIFIERS, MEMORY DEVICES AND METHODS - Circuits, devices and methods are provided, such as an amplifier (e.g., a voltage regulator) that includes a feedback circuit that supplies negative feedback through a feedback path. One such feedback path includes a capacitance coupled in series with a “one-way” isolation circuit through which a feedback signal is coupled. The “one-way” isolation circuit may allow the feedback signal to be coupled from a “downstream” node, such as an output node, to an “upstream” node, such as a node at which an error signal is generated to provide negative feedback. However, the “one-way” isolation circuit may substantially prevent variations in the voltage at the upstream node from being coupled to the capacitance in the isolation circuit. As a result, the voltage at the upstream node may quickly change since charging and discharging of the capacitance responsive to voltage variations at the upstream node may be avoided. | 11-29-2012 |
20130003781 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE INCLUDING A TEMPERATURE SENSOR CIRCUIT - A semiconductor device including a temperature sensor includes a pull up circuit, a pull down circuit, a first additional current path, and a second additional current path. The pull up circuit is configured to generate a pull up current that contributes to generation of a first output current. The pull down circuit is operably coupled to the pull up circuit at an output node and configured to generate a pull down current that contributes to generation of a second output current. The first additional current path, when enabled, is configured to combine a first additional current with the pull up current to comprise the first output current. The second additional current path, when enabled, is configured to combine a second additional current with the pull down current to comprise the second output current. Respective enablement of the first additional current path and the second additional current path is complementary. | 01-03-2013 |
20130169251 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR WITH IMPROVED VOLTAGE REGULATOR RESPONSE AND REDUCED VOLTAGE DROP - A voltage regulator includes an output drive device configured to provide an output voltage to an output terminal; an error amplifier configured to control the output drive device by taking into consideration a feedback signal from the output voltage; a first compensation unit configured to provide a first compensation signal to compensate an output signal of the error amplifier; and a second compensation unit configured to provide a second compensation signal to compensate an input signal of the error amplifier, wherein second compensation unit comprises at least two capacitors and at least one transistor configured to control the coupling of the two capacitors. | 07-04-2013 |
20130257548 | CIRCUITS, APPARATUSES, AND METHODS FOR OSCILLATORS - Circuits, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed for oscillators. In one such example oscillator circuit, a plurality of delay stages are coupled in series. A variable delay circuit stage is coupled to the plurality of delay stages and is configured to delay a signal through the variable delay circuit stage by a variable delay. The variable delay increases responsive to a rising magnitude of a supply voltage provided to the variable delay circuit stage. | 10-03-2013 |
20130328618 | VOLTAGE PUMPING CIRCUIT - A voltage pumping circuit for pumping an input voltage to generate an output voltage, which comprises: a first voltage pumping path including a first number of pumping stages; and a second voltage pumping path including a second number of pumping stages, wherein the second number is less than the first number. Only one of the first voltage pumping path and the second voltage pumping path is activated according to at least one path selecting signal to pump the input voltage to generate the output voltage. | 12-12-2013 |
20140239931 | VOLTAGE GENERATORS HAVING REDUCED OR ELIMINATED CROSS CURRENT - Embodiments described include voltage generators having reduced or eliminated cross current. Dynamic adjustment of a low or high threshold voltage used in a voltage generator is described. Use of a folded cascade amplifier in a voltage generator is also described. | 08-28-2014 |
20140266447 | VOLTAGE REGULATORS, AMPLIFIERS, MEMORY DEVICES AND METHODS - Circuits, devices and methods are provided, such as an amplifier (e.g., a voltage regulator) that includes a feedback circuit that supplies negative feedback through a feedback path. One such feedback path includes a capacitance coupled in series with a “one-way” isolation circuit through which a feedback signal is coupled. The “one-way” isolation circuit my allow the feedback signal to be coupled from a “downstream” node, such as an output node, to an “upstream” node, such as a node at which an error signal is generated to provide negative feedback. However, the “one-way” isolation circuit may substantially prevent variations in the voltage at the upstream node from being coupled to the capacitance in the isolation circuit. As a result, the voltage at the upstream node may quickly change since charging and discharging of the capacitance responsive to voltage variations at the upstream node may be avoided. | 09-18-2014 |
20140334241 | CIRCUITS, APPARATUSES, AND METHODS FOR OSCILLATORS - Circuits, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed for oscillators. In one such example oscillator circuit, a plurality of delay stages are coupled in series. A variable delay circuit stage is coupled to the plurality of delay stages and is configured to delay a signal through the variable delay circuit stage by a variable delay. The variable delay increases responsive to a rising magnitude of a supply voltage provided to the variable delay circuit stage. | 11-13-2014 |
20150042398 | CHARGE PUMP INCLUDING SUPPLY VOLTAGE-BASED CONTROL SIGNAL LEVEL - Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods having an input node to receive a first voltage, an output node to provide an output voltage, and a charge pump to generate the output voltage based on the first voltage. The charge pump can include a control node to receive a control signal for controlling at least one switch of the charge pump, such that the output voltage includes a value greater than a value of the first voltage. The control signal can include a level corresponding to a second voltage having a value greater than the value of the output voltage. Additional apparatus and methods are described. | 02-12-2015 |
20150048886 | TEMPERATURE DETECTING APPARATUS, SWITCH CAPACITOR APPARATUS AND VOLTAGE INTEGRATING CIRCUIT THEREOF - The invention provides a temperature detecting apparatus, a switch capacitor apparatus and a voltage integrating circuit. The voltage integrating circuit includes an operating amplifier, a capacitor and a current source. The operating amplifier has a positive input end, a negative input end and an output end. The output end of the operating amplifier generates an output voltage, and the positive input end receives a reference voltage. The capacitor is coupled between the output end and the negative input end of the operating amplifier. The current source is coupled to the output end of the operating amplifier. The current source draws a replica current from the capacitor, and a current level of the replica current is determined according to a current level of a current flowing to the negative input end of the operating amplifier. | 02-19-2015 |