Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110279175 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RC CALIBRATION USING PHASE AND FREQUENCY - An RC filter is calibrated to a desired cutoff frequency by initializing the filter with a cutoff frequency. An input signal is filtered by the RC filter to provide a filter output signal having phase and frequency values. The cutoff frequency of the RC filter is adjusted based on the phase and frequency values of the filter output signal if the phase and frequency values do not satisfy a predetermined condition. The filtering and adjusting are repeated until the phase and frequency values of the filter output signal satisfy the predetermined condition. A calibration apparatus has a frequency generator, a resistor-capacitor (RC) filter, a phase comparator, a frequency detector, and a state machine. The phase comparator, frequency detector, and state machine are configured to calibrate the RC filter to a cutoff frequency specified by the reference signal based on a filter output signal of the RC filter. | 11-17-2011 |
20110304372 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AMPLIFYING A TIME DIFFERENCE - A time amplifier circuit has first and second inverters and first and second pull-down paths. Each inverter includes a first NMOS transistor and a first PMOS transistor. A source of the first NMOS transistor is coupled to a ground node directly or through a first additional NMOS transistor having a gate coupled to a respective input node. The first and second inverters are coupled to first and second input nodes and to first and second output nodes, respectively. The first pull-down path is from the first output node to the ground node and is enabled in response to the first input signal and the second output signal being high. The second pull-down path is from the second output node to ground and is enabled in response to the second input signal and the first output signal being high. | 12-15-2011 |
20120056769 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TIME TO DIGITAL CONVERSION WITH CALIBRATION AND CORRECTION LOOPS - Methods and apparatuses for time to digital conversion (TDC) are disclosed. A timing circuit comprises a TDC circuit, a calibration module, and a correction module. The TDC circuit is configured to provide a timing signal indicative of a timing difference between edges of a periodic reference clock signal and a variable feedback signal. The TDC circuit is also configured to provide a delay signal that is variably delayed relative to the reference clock signal. The calibration module is configured to provide a calibration signal to increase and decrease a total delay of the TDC circuit based on a time delay of the calibration signal plus a time delay of a correction signal. The correction module, which is configured to receive the timing signal and provide the correction signal, minimizes harmonic spurs in a frequency response of the timing signal by operating at a frequency of the reference clock signal. | 03-08-2012 |
20120068742 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EFFICIENT TIME SLICING - Apparatus for efficient time slicing including a phase lock loop circuit having a voltage controlled oscillator, an auto-frequency calibration circuit coupled with the phase lock loop circuit configured to output a value to select a range of the voltage controlled oscillator, and a burst mode detector connected with the auto-frequency calibration circuit. The burst mode detector having a register adapted to store the output of the auto-frequency calibration circuit. | 03-22-2012 |
20120098592 | FILTER AUTO-CALIBRATION USING MULTI-CLOCK GENERATOR - A filter auto-calibration system includes a multi-clock module. The multi-clock module includes a multi-clock generator that is configured to generate a clock signal with a variable frequency based on a channel setting. There is at least one filter to be calibrated. An auto-calibration control module is configured to control calibration of the at least one filter based on the channel setting. The multi-clock module is configured to supply the variable frequency clock signal to the at least one filter and to the auto-calibration control module, and the at least one filter is coupled to the auto-calibration control module. | 04-26-2012 |
20120303688 | Fast Filter Calibration Apparatus - A fast filter calibration system comprises a multi clock generator, an analog filter comprising a variable capacitor and a fast calibration apparatus. The fast calibration apparatus further comprises a phase comparator, a frequency detector and a fast calibration unit. The fast calibration unit stores a binary code corresponding to a bandwidth frequency of a filter and initiates a fast filter calibration by calibrating the filter from a binary code close to a guaranteed-by-design binary code for the bandwidth frequency to be calibrated. | 11-29-2012 |
20130120035 | LOCK DETECTOR AND METHOD OF DETECTING LOCK STATUS FOR PHASE LOCK LOOP - A lock detector for a PLL circuit includes a first signal counting circuit, a second signal counting circuit, a comparator, and a lock status unit. The first signal counting circuit is configured to define a plurality of observation periods according to a first oscillating signal and a predetermined cycle value. The second signal counting circuit is configured to determine a maximum counter value according to a second oscillating signal within each of the observation periods, and the second oscillating signal is generated in relation to the first oscillating signal. The comparator is configured to determine, for each of the observation periods, whether the maximum counter value equals the predetermined cycle value. The lock status unit is configured to generate a lock signal based on the maximum counter value being equal to the predetermined cycle value for a predetermined number of consecutive ones of the observation periods. | 05-16-2013 |
20130134553 | INTERPOSER AND SEMICONDUCTOR PACKAGE WITH NOISE SUPPRESSION FEATURES - Interposer and semiconductor package embodiments provide for the isolation and suppression of electronic noise such as EM emissions in the semiconductor package. The interposer includes shield structures in various embodiments, the shield structures blocking the electrical noise from the noise source, from other electrical signals or devices. The shields include solid structures and some embodiments and decoupling capacitors in other embodiments. The coupling structures includes multiple rows of solder balls included in strips that couple the components and surround and contain the source of electrical noise. | 05-30-2013 |
20130135011 | PHASE FREQUENCY DETECTOR CIRCUIT - A phase frequency detector circuit includes an edge detector circuit, a plurality of phase frequency detector sub-circuits, and a decision circuit. The edge detector circuit is configured to receive a first input signal and a second input signal. The decision circuit is configured to detect whether a blind condition exits based on outputs of the edge detector circuit and outputs of the plurality of phase frequency detector sub-circuits. Responsive to a result of the decision circuit, a corresponding frequency detector sub-circuit of the plurality of phase frequency detector sub-circuit is configured to provide signals for use in determining a phase difference between the first input signal and the second input signal. | 05-30-2013 |
20130135018 | PHASE-LOCKED LOOPS THAT SHARE A LOOP FILTER - A die stack of an integrated circuit includes a plurality of dies. Each die in the die stack includes a phase lock loop (PLL). The PLLs in each of the dies share a loop filter and other corresponding circuits. | 05-30-2013 |
20130234305 | 3D TRANSMISSION LINES FOR SEMICONDUCTORS - A transmission line structure for semiconductor RF and wireless circuits, and method for forming the same. The transmission line structure includes embodiments having a first die including a first substrate, a first insulating layer, and a ground plane, and a second die including a second substrate, a second insulating layer, and a signal transmission line. The second die may be positioned above and spaced apart from the first die. An underfill is disposed between the ground plane of the first die and the signal transmission line of the second die. Collectively, the ground plane and transmission line of the first and second die and underfill forms a compact transmission line structure. In some embodiments, the transmission line structure may be used for microwave applications. | 09-12-2013 |
20130278303 | AUTO FREQUENCY CALIBRATION FOR A PHASE LOCKED LOOP AND METHOD OF USE - A phase locked loop includes a phase difference detector configured to receive a reference frequency and a divider frequency and output a phase difference signal. The phase locked loop includes a code generator configured to receive the reference frequency and the phase difference signal, and output a coarse tuning signal and a reset signal. The phase locked loop includes a digital loop filter configured to receive the phase difference signal and output a fine tuning signal. The phase locked loop includes a voltage control oscillator configured to receive the coarse and fine tuning signals, and output an output frequency. The phase locked loop includes a divider configured to receive the reset signal, a divider number control signal and the output frequency, and output the divider frequency. The phase locked loop includes a delta-sigma modulator configured to receive a divisor ratio and the reset signal, and output divider number control signal. | 10-24-2013 |
20130290916 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING LAYOUT-DEPENDENT EFFECTS - A method includes extracting a first netlist from a first layout of a semiconductor circuit and estimating layout-dependent effect data based on the first netlist. A first simulation of the semiconductor circuit is performed based on the first netlist using an electronic design automation tool, and a second simulation of the semiconductor circuit is performed based on a circuit schematic using the electronic design automation tool. A weight and a sensitivity of the at least one layout-dependent effect are calculated, and the first layout of the semiconductor circuit is adjusted based on the weight and the sensitivity to provide a second layout of the semiconductor circuit. The second layout is stored in a non-transient storage medium. | 10-31-2013 |
20130298091 | METHOD OF PERFORMING CIRCUIT SIMULATION AND GENERATING CIRCUIT LAYOUT - A method of generating a circuit layout of an integrated circuit includes generating layout geometry parameters for at least a predetermined portion of an original netlist of the integrated circuit. A consolidated netlist including information from the original netlist and the layout geometry parameters is generated. Then, the circuit layout is generated based on the consolidated netlist. | 11-07-2013 |
20130320553 | NOVEL BEAD FOR 2.5D/3D CHIP PACKAGING APPLICATION - An integrated circuit package having a multilayer interposer has one or more metal wiring beads provided in the interposer, each of the one or more metal wiring beads has a convoluted wiring pattern that is formed in one of the multiple layers of wiring structures in the interposer, and two terminal end segments connected to the power lines in the integrated circuit package, wherein the one or more metal wiring beads operate as power noise filters. | 12-05-2013 |
20140001609 | INTERPOSER AND SEMICONDUCTOR PACKAGE WITH NOISE SUPPRESSION FEATURES | 01-02-2014 |
20140015576 | PHASE-LOCKED LOOPS THAT SHARE A LOOP FILTER - An integrated circuit includes a first die and a second die. The first die comprising a first phase-locked loop (PLL) and the second die comprising a second PLL. The integrated circuit includes a shared loop filter, wherein the first PLL in the first die is combined with the shared loop filter to form a first PLL feedback loop, the second PLL in the second die is combined with the shared loop filter to form a second PLL feedback loop and the shared loop filter is configured to provide configurable bandwidths to each of the first PLL feedback loop and the second PLL feedback loop. | 01-16-2014 |
20140021989 | PHASE-LOCKED LOOPS THAT SHARE A LOOP FILTER AND FREQUENCY DIVIDER - An integrated circuit die stack includes a first die having a first phase locked loop (PLL) and a second die having a second PLL. The first PLL includes a first voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) and the second PLL includes a second VCO. The first VCCO and the second VCCO share a frequency divider and a loop filter. | 01-23-2014 |
20140029205 | Band Pass Filter for 2.5D/3D Integrated Circuit Applications - The present disclosure relates to a device and method for a band pass filter with a reduced cost, area penalty, and manufacturing complexity relative to current solutions. An integrated passive device chip comprising a plurality of capacitors embedded in a common molding compound along with a transceiver chip, and arranged within a polymer package. Ultra-thick metallization layers are disposed within the polymer package and configured to couple the integrated passive device chip to the transceiver chip. The ultra-thick metallization layers also form a plurality of transmission lines, wherein the combined integrated passive device chip and transmission lines form a band pass filter with improved frequency response, noise immunity, and cost and area penalty as compared to conventional solutions. The band pass filter may also be coupled to a plurality of solder balls comprising a Flip Chip Ball Grid Array suitable for 2.5D and 3D integrated circuit applications. | 01-30-2014 |
20140103545 | SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF GENERATING MASKS FOR MAKING INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - A method of generating masks for making an integrated circuit includes determining if a coupling capacitance value of a conductive path of a first and second groups of conductive paths of the integrated circuit is greater than a predetermined threshold value. The determination is performed based on at least a resistance-capacitance extraction result of the conductive path and a predetermined level of mask misalignment. The layout patterns are modified to increase an overall vertical distance between the first group of conductive paths and the second group of conductive paths if the coupling capacitance value is greater than the predetermined threshold value. | 04-17-2014 |
20140103961 | PHASE FREQUENCY DETECTOR CIRCUIT - A phase frequency detector circuit includes an edge detector circuit, a plurality of phase frequency detector sub-circuits, and a decision circuit. The edge detector circuit is configured to receive a first input signal and a second input signal. The decision circuit is configured to detect whether a blind condition exits based on outputs of the edge detector circuit and outputs of the plurality of phase frequency detector sub-circuits. Responsive to a result of the decision circuit, a corresponding frequency detector sub-circuit of the plurality of phase frequency detector sub-circuit is configured to provide signals for use in determining a phase difference between the first input signal and the second input signal. | 04-17-2014 |
20140210528 | PHASE LOCKED LOOP (PLL) WITH MULTI-PHASE TIME-TO-DIGITAL CONVERTER (TDC) - One or more techniques or systems for locking a phase locked loop (PLL) are provided herein. In some embodiments, a multi-phase time-to-digital converter (TDC) includes a first phase finder, a phase predictor, a second phase finder, and a phase switch. For example, the first phase finder is configured to generate a first fractional phase signal based on a multi-phase variable clock (CKV) signal. For example, the phase predictor is configured to generate a phase select (QSEL) signal or a multi-phase CKV select (CKVSEL) signal based on a frequency command word (FCW) signal or the multi-phase CKV signal. For example, the second phase finder is configured to generate a second fractional phase signal based on the CKVSEL signal or the QSEL signal. For example, the phase switch is configured to select the first or second fractional phase signal based on a phase error (PHE) signal. | 07-31-2014 |
20140282310 | METHOD OF PERFORMING CIRCUIT SIMULATION AND GENERATING CIRCUIT LAYOUT - A method of generating, based on a first netlist of an integrated circuit, a second netlist includes generating layout geometry parameters for at least a portion of the first netlist of the integrated circuit, the portion including a first device. A third netlist is generated based on the first netlist and the layout geometry parameters. A description in the third netlist for modeling the first device is decomposed into a description in a fourth netlist for modeling a plurality of secondary devices. The second netlist is generated based on the fourth netlist. | 09-18-2014 |
20140292400 | FILTER AUTO-CALIBRATION USING MULTI-CLOCK GENERATOR - A filter auto-calibration system comprises a multi-clock module that includes a multi-clock generator configured to generate a first variable frequency signal based on a channel setting, the multi-clock generator comprising a quadrature signal generator configured to generate an in-phase component and a quadrature component of the first variable frequency signal; and a mixer configured to generate an in-phase component and a quadrature component of a quadrature signal from a received signal other than the first variable frequency signal. The system also comprises at least one filter to be calibrated, and an auto-calibration control module coupled to the multi-clock module and the at least one filter, the auto-calibration control module configured to receive the in-phase component and quadrature component of the first variable frequency signal from the multi-clock module, and configured to control calibration of the at least one filter based on the channel setting. | 10-02-2014 |
20140333355 | PHASE-LOCKED LOOPS THAT SHARE A LOOP FILTER AND FREQUENCY DIVIDER - A shared loop filter includes an input port configured to selectively receive a first input from a first charge pump. The first charge pump is connected to a first phase locked loop (PLL) in a first die. The input port is further configured to selectively receive a second input from a second charge pump, the second charge pump connected to a second PLL in a second die separate from the first die. The shared loop filter further includes an output port configured to selectively provide an output to a first voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). The first VCO is connected to the first PLL. The output port is further configured to selectively output a second output to a second VCO. The second VCO is connected to the second PLL. | 11-13-2014 |
20150015346 | Electronic Device with Switched-Capacitor Tuning and Related Method - A device comprises a first variable capacitance block comprising four first capacitors, a second variable capacitance block comprising four second capacitors, wherein the second capacitors are arranged in a same configuration as the first capacitors, a third variable capacitance block comprising four third capacitors, a fourth variable capacitance block comprising four fourth capacitors, and wherein the fourth capacitors are arranged in a same configuration as the third capacitors, a first switch coupled between the first variable capacitance block and the second variable capacitance block, a second switch coupled between the third variable capacitance block and the fourth variable capacitance block, a third switch coupled between the first variable capacitance block and the fourth variable capacitance block and a fourth switch coupled between the third variable capacitance block and the second variable capacitance block. | 01-15-2015 |
20150130518 | AUTO FREQUENCY CALIBRATION FOR A PHASE LOCKED LOOP AND METHOD OF USE - An apparatus comprises a code generator configured to generate a coarse tuning signal and a reset signal based on a reference frequency and a phase difference signal. The apparatus also comprises a digital loop filter configured to generate a fine tuning signal based on the phase difference signal. The apparatus further comprises a voltage control oscillator configured to generate an output signal based on the coarse tuning signal and the fine tuning signal. The apparatus additionally comprises a divider configured to generate a divider frequency based on a divider control signal and the output signal. The phase difference signal is based, at least in part, on the divider frequency, and the divider is configured to be reset based on the reset signal. | 05-14-2015 |
20150228576 | SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURE - A semiconductor structure includes a first conductive path and a second conductive path configured to carry a first pair of differential signals representative of an in-phase signal. The semiconductor device further includes a third conductive path and a fourth conductive path configured to carry a second pair of differential signals representative of a quadrature signal corresponding to the in-phase signal. The first and second conductive paths are in a conductive layer of the semiconductor structure, and the third and fourth conductive paths are in another conductive layer of the semiconductor structure. | 08-13-2015 |