Raymond Murl Perry

US Patent:

7961132, Jun 14, 2011

Filed:

Feb 3, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/699794

Inventors:

Raymond T. Perry - South San Francisco CA, US

Assignee:

Linear Technology Corporation - Milpitas CA

International Classification:

H03M 1/12

US Classification:

341172, 341155

Abstract:

In one embodiment, an A/D converter samples an analog input signal voltage by applying the input signal to a first capacitor terminal, while a second capacitor terminal is connected to ground via an NMOS sampling switch, to charge the capacitor to the input signal voltage. During an analog-to-digital conversion process, the second capacitor terminal may swing in a voltage range that extends below ground. A controller circuit provides bias voltage signals to a gate terminal and to a p-well of the NMOS sampling switch, to selectively turn the sampling switch on and off. In a first step of a multi-step sampling process, the controller very quickly discharges the gate terminal to ground to isolate a quantity of charge on the second capacitor plate. In a subsequent step of the sampling process, the controller circuit applies a negative voltage to the gate terminal and p-well to ensure that the quantity of change is substantially preserved during the ensuing analog-to-digital conversion process.

US Patent:

20220209681, Jun 30, 2022

Filed:

Dec 30, 2020

Appl. No.:

17/138295

Inventors:

- Limerick, IE
Raymond Thomas Perry - South San Francisco CA, US
Quan Wan - Belmont MA, US
David James Plourde - Pembroke NH, US
Andreas Koch - Wiesbaden, DE
Paul A. Perrault - Cochrane, CA

International Classification:

H02M 7/36
H03K 5/24

Abstract:

A system for processing a signal in a signal chain having decentralized embedded power management of components of the signal chain includes an input circuit to generate a measurement signal responsive to a stimulus, where the measurement signal is indicative of a characteristic of the stimulus. The system additionally includes a signal converter circuit coupled to the input circuit to convert the measurement signal to a digital signal according to a timing condition for capturing a sample of the measurement signal. The signal converter includes a control circuit to provide electrical power to the input circuit based on the timing condition and a sampling circuit to capture the sample of the measurement signal responsive to an indicator signal generated by the sensor circuit.