H03K21/02

Device and method for a threshold sensor

A device with a first MEMS device and a second MEMS device is disclosed. The first MEMS device is configured to sense at least one external influence. The second MEMS device is responsive to the at least one external influence. The first MEMS device is configured to change a state when the at least one external influence exceeds a threshold value. The first MEMS device is configured to retain the state below the threshold value, wherein the change in state of the first MEMS device is done passively and wherein the state of the first MEMS device is indicative of a status of the second MEMS device. In one example, the first MEMS device further comprises a normally open switch that closes when the external influence exceeds the threshold value.

Electronic circuit, semiconductor integrated circuit and monitoring circuit mounted with the same, and electronic device
10784870 · 2020-09-22 · ·

An electronic circuit is configured to output an output signal after elapse of a predetermined time from a received trigger signal, and includes an oscillator configured to output a pulse signal having a predetermined oscillation frequency; a counter circuit configured to count the pulse signal from the oscillator upon receiving the trigger signal and to output the output signal in response to a count value reaching a predetermined value; and a trimming circuit including a plurality of trimming elements which includes a cuttable conductive part and configured to output a selection signal corresponding to a trimming element having a cut conductive part. In the trimming circuit, the trimming element, which corresponds to the oscillation frequency of the pulse signal output from the oscillator among the plurality of trimming elements, is cut, and the counter circuit is configured to set the predetermined value according to the selection signal.

Electronic circuit, semiconductor integrated circuit and monitoring circuit mounted with the same, and electronic device
10784870 · 2020-09-22 · ·

An electronic circuit is configured to output an output signal after elapse of a predetermined time from a received trigger signal, and includes an oscillator configured to output a pulse signal having a predetermined oscillation frequency; a counter circuit configured to count the pulse signal from the oscillator upon receiving the trigger signal and to output the output signal in response to a count value reaching a predetermined value; and a trimming circuit including a plurality of trimming elements which includes a cuttable conductive part and configured to output a selection signal corresponding to a trimming element having a cut conductive part. In the trimming circuit, the trimming element, which corresponds to the oscillation frequency of the pulse signal output from the oscillator among the plurality of trimming elements, is cut, and the counter circuit is configured to set the predetermined value according to the selection signal.

Load compensation to reduce deterministic jitter in clock applications

A method for reducing deterministic jitter in a clock generator includes providing a load current through a regulated voltage node to a circuit responsive to a divide ratio. The method includes providing an auxiliary current through the regulated voltage node. The auxiliary current has a first current level during a first period corresponding to a first value of the divide ratio and the auxiliary current has a second current level during a second period corresponding to a second value of the divide ratio.

Injection locked frequency divider

An injection locked frequency divider includes: a resonator circuit including first to fourth inductors; and a mixer circuit receiving an input signal with an input frequency. Each of the third and fourth inductors is coupled between a respective one of the first and second inductors and the mixer circuit. The two circuits cooperate to form a tank circuit having a free-running frequency and defining a frequency locking range which is around three times the free-running frequency and within which the input frequency falls. By at least performing mixing with a differential reference signal pair, the mixer circuit generates, based on the input signal, a differential mixed signal pair with a frequency that is one-third the input frequency.

Semiconductor device and control methods thereof
10749510 · 2020-08-18 · ·

A semiconductor device includes a first oscillator circuit, a clock monitoring circuit and a timing signal generation circuit for periodically switching the operating mode of the clock monitoring circuit to one of the first to third modes. The clock monitoring circuit includes: a clock counter configured for counting the number of oscillations of the clock signal in the first mode and configured for shifting the pulses of the input signal to the output signal at normal time in the third mode; a comparison circuit for comparing whether the count value per predetermined period by the clock counter is within an expected value in the second mode; and an edge detection circuit for detecting whether the pulses of the input signal are shifted to the output signal of the clock counter in the third mode.

Multi-modulus frequency divider circuit

A multi-modulus frequency divider circuit includes first and second frequency division stages. The first frequency division stage receives a first input clock signal having a first oscillating frequency, a first modulus input signal, and a first division bit. The first frequency division stage divides the first oscillating frequency by a first division ratio, and generates a second input clock signal having a second oscillating frequency. The second frequency division stage receives the second input clock signal, a second modulus input signal, and a second division bit. The second frequency division stage generates an output clock signal having an output oscillating frequency by dividing the second oscillating frequency by a second division ratio.

Programmable modular frequency divider

A frequency divider includes a circuit that receives an input clock signal having a period T on an input port thereof and generates an output clock signal on an output port thereof having a period MT in response to a control signal specifying M is disclosed. Here, M is a positive integer and all transitions between logical one and logical zero in the output clock signal occur at integer multiples of T. In one embodiment, the circuit includes a module string having characterized by N identical modules connected in series to form a string of modules. Each module is configured such that when the clock signal having period T is input to the first module, the output clock signal having a period of MT is output from the last module, where M can have any value between one and a maximum number that depends on N.

Programmable modular frequency divider

A frequency divider includes a circuit that receives an input clock signal having a period T on an input port thereof and generates an output clock signal on an output port thereof having a period MT in response to a control signal specifying M is disclosed. Here, M is a positive integer and all transitions between logical one and logical zero in the output clock signal occur at integer multiples of T. In one embodiment, the circuit includes a module string having characterized by N identical modules connected in series to form a string of modules. Each module is configured such that when the clock signal having period T is input to the first module, the output clock signal having a period of MT is output from the last module, where M can have any value between one and a maximum number that depends on N.

Method and apparatus for operating programmable clock divider using reset paths
10742220 · 2020-08-11 · ·

A programmable clock divider having reset circuits configured to receive a DP count comprises a first flip-flop having a clock input, a first output, and one of the DP inputs configured to receive a clock signal, a plurality of flip-flops connected to form a ripple counter configured to each receive a DP input, a clock input, and a reset input to provide a first output coupled to the clock input of a subsequent flip-flop of the plurality of flip-flops, each subsequent flip-flop having its clock input coupled to the first output of the preceding flip-flop, a first reset circuit coupled to the flip-flops configured to provide an out signal in response to the flip-flops obtaining the DP count, and a second reset circuit configured to provide a reset signal to the reset input of the plurality of flip-flops in response to the out signal from the first reset circuit.