公开(公告)号：US20140191344A1

公开(公告)日：2014-07-10

申请号：US14203131

申请日：2014-03-10

Applicant: Wolfson Microelectronics plc

Inventor： Anthony Bernard Traynor ,  Richard Ian Laming ,  Tsjerk H. Hoekstra

IPC: B81B3/00

CPC classification number: H04R19/04 ,  B81B3/0021 ,  B81B3/0072 ,  B81B3/0094 ,  B81B2201/00 ,  B81B2201/0235 ,  B81B2201/0257 ,  B81B2201/0264 ,  H01L27/00 ,  H04R19/00 ,  H04R19/005 ,  H04R23/00 ,  H04R31/00 ,  H04R2499/11

Abstract: A method of fabricating a micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) transducer comprises the steps of forming a membrane on a substrate, and forming a back-volume in the substrate. The step of forming a back-volume in the substrate comprises the steps of forming a first back-volume portion and a second back-volume portion, the first back-volume portion being separated from the second back-volume portion by a step in a sidewall of the back-volume. The cross-sectional area of the second back-volume portion can be made greater than the cross-sectional area of the membrane, thereby enabling the back-volume to be increased without being constrained by the cross-sectional area of the membrane . The back-volume may comprise a third back-volume portion. The third back-volume portion enables the effective diameter of the membrane to be formed more accurately.

Abstract translation: 制造微机电系统（MEMS）换能器的方法包括以下步骤：在衬底上形成膜，并在衬底中形成后体积。 在基板中形成后部体积的步骤包括以下步骤：形成第一后部体积部分和第二背部体积部分，第一后部体积部分与第二背部体积部分分离， 背部体积的侧壁。 第二后部容积部分的横截面面积可以大于膜的横截面面积，从而能够增加后部体积，而不受膜的横截面面积的约束。 背部容积可以包括第三后部体积部分。 第三后部体积部分能够更准确地形成膜的有效直径。

公开(公告)号：US20140161290A1

公开(公告)日：2014-06-12

申请号：US14176811

申请日：2014-02-10

Applicant: Wolfson Microelectronics plc

Inventor： Colin Robert Jenkins ,  Tsjerk Hans Hoekstra ,  Euan James Boyd

IPC: B81B3/00 ,  B81C1/00

CPC classification number: H04R19/005 ,  B81B3/0021 ,  B81B3/0075 ,  B81B2201/0257 ,  B81B2201/0264 ,  B81B2203/0127 ,  B81C1/00158 ,  H01L41/09 ,  H01L41/0926 ,  H01L2224/16225 ,  H01L2224/48091 ,  H01L2924/1461 ,  H01L2924/16151 ,  H01L2924/16152 ,  H04R1/222 ,  H04R23/006 ,  H04R2201/003 ,  Y10T29/49005 ,  H01L2924/00014

Abstract: A MEMS capacitive transducer with increased robustness and resilience to acoustic shock. The transducer structure includes a flexible membrane supported between a first volume and a second volume, and at least one variable vent structure in communication with at least one of the first and second volumes. The variable vent structure includes at least one moveable portion which is moveable in response to a pressure differential across the moveable portion so as to vary the size of a flow path through the vent structure. The variable vent may be formed through the membrane and the moveable portion may be a part of the membrane, defined by one or more channels, that is deflectable away from the surface of the membrane. The variable vent is preferably closed in the normal range of pressure differentials but opens at high pressure differentials to provide more rapid equalisation of the air volumes above and below the membrane.

Abstract translation: 一种MEMS电容式换能器，具有增强的抗震性能和弹性。 换能器结构包括支撑在第一体积和第二体积之间的柔性膜，以及与第一和第二体积中的至少一个连通的至少一个可变排气口结构。 可变排气结构包括至少一个可移动部分，其可响应于可移动部分上的压差而移动，以便改变通过排气结构的流动路径的尺寸。 可变通气口可以通过膜形成，并且可移动部分可以是由一个或多个通道限定的膜，其可偏离膜的表面偏转。 可变排气口优选在正常的压差范围内封闭，但在高压差下打开以提供膜上方和下方的空气体积的更快速平衡。

公开(公告)号：US08729880B2

公开(公告)日：2014-05-20

申请号：US12841604

申请日：2010-07-22

Applicant: Mark McCloy-Stevens ,  Andrew Notman

Inventor： Mark McCloy-Stevens ,  Andrew Notman

IPC: H02M3/156

CPC classification number: H02M3/1588 ,  H02M1/38 ,  H02M2001/0009 ,  H02M2001/0032 ,  Y02B70/1466

Abstract: A regulator circuit comprising an input for receiving an input voltage; an output stage, configured to switch between said input voltage and a reference voltage to generate an output voltage, in dependence on a modulated signal; a controller, configured to receive an error signal (VERROR) on a control input and to provide the modulated signal to said output stage; an error amplifier, for providing the error signal to the controller in dependence on the output voltage; and presetting circuitry, configured to estimate the error signal in dependence on at least the input voltage, and for presetting the control input with the estimated error signal.

Abstract translation: 一种调节器电路，包括用于接收输入电压的输入端; 输出级，被配置为根据调制信号在所述输入电压和参考电压之间切换以产生输出电压; 控制器，被配置为在控制输入上接收错误信号（VERROR）并将调制信号提供给所述输出级; 误差放大器，用于根据输出电压向控制器提供误差信号; 以及预置电路，被配置为根据至少输入电压来估计误差信号，以及用所述估计的误差信号来预设所述控制输入。

公开(公告)号：US20140105413A1

公开(公告)日：2014-04-17

申请号：US14054555

申请日：2013-10-15

Applicant: Wolfson Microelectronics plc

Inventor： Richard Clemow

IPC: G10K11/175

CPC classification number: G10K11/002 ,  G10K11/175 ,  G10K11/178 ,  G10K2210/3027 ,  G10K2210/3028 ,  H03G3/002 ,  H04R1/1008

Abstract: A noise cancellation signal is generated by generating an ambient noise signal, representing ambient noise, and generating a noise cancellation signal, by applying the ambient noise signal to an feedforward filter, where the feedforward filter comprises a high-pass filter having an adjustable cut-off frequency, and by applying a controllable gain. The noise cancellation signal is then applied to a loudspeaker, to generate a sound to at least partially cancel the ambient noise. An error signal is generated, representing unwanted sound in the region of the loudspeaker. The phase of the ambient noise signal is compared to a phase of the error signal, and the gain is controlled on the basis of a result of the comparison, taking account of a phase shift introduced by the high-pass filter when performing the comparison.

Abstract translation: 噪声消除信号是通过将环境噪声信号施加到前馈滤波器来产生表示环境噪声的环境噪声信号，以及产生噪声消除信号，其中前馈滤波器包括具有可调节切断信号的高通滤波器， 关闭频率，并通过应用可控增益。 然后将噪声消除信号施加到扬声器，以产生声音以至少部分地消除环境噪声。 产生一个错误信号，表示扬声器区域内的不必要的声音。 将环境噪声信号的相位与误差信号的相位进行比较，并且在进行比较时考虑到高通滤波器引入的相移，基于比较结果来控制增益。

公开(公告)号：US08638155B2

公开(公告)日：2014-01-28

申请号：US12841627

申请日：2010-07-22

Applicant: Andrew Notman ,  Mark McCloy-Stevens

Inventor： Andrew Notman ,  Mark McCloy-Stevens

IPC: H03L5/00

CPC classification number: H02M3/1588 ,  H02M1/38 ,  H02M2001/0009 ,  H02M2001/0032 ,  Y02B70/1466

Abstract: A level-shift circuit, comprising: an input, for receiving a first voltage; an output, for outputting a second voltage; a resistor array comprising one or more resistors connected in series to the input; a current sink for providing a current that is independent of the first voltage; a switch arrangement comprising a plurality of switch connections for establishing a selected one from a plurality of force paths between the current sink and the input, the selected force path comprising a selected number of the one or more resistors of said resistor array; and at least one connection between the output and the resistor array that provides a sense path between the resistor array and the output that does not comprise any of the switch connections used to establish each of the plurality of force paths.

Abstract translation: 一种电平移位电路，包括：用于接收第一电压的输入; 用于输出第二电压的输出; 电阻器阵列，包括与输入串联连接的一个或多个电阻器; 用于提供独立于第一电压的电流的电流吸收器; 开关装置，其包括多个开关连接件，用于从电流接收器和输入端之间的多个力路径建立选定的开关连接，所选择的力路径包括所述电阻器阵列的一个或多个电阻器的选定数量; 以及输出和电阻器阵列之间的至少一个连接，其提供在电阻器阵列和输出之间的感测路径，其不包括用于建立多个力路径中的每一个的任何开关连接。

公开(公告)号：US08607036B2

公开(公告)日：2013-12-10

申请号：US12841591

申请日：2010-07-22

Applicant: Grant M. More ,  Holger Haiplik ,  Abhay Kejriwal

Inventor： Grant M. More ,  Holger Haiplik ,  Abhay Kejriwal

IPC: G06F9/24 ,  G06F15/177

CPC classification number: G06F1/26 ,  G06F9/4401

Abstract: Apparatus and method for power management and especially to power management integrated circuits (PMICs). In one aspect, the invention relates to a PMIC having an internal non-volatile memory (NVM) for storing boot settings for the PMIC. The PMIC also has control circuitry for detecting whether a source of boot settings is available, such as an NVM external to the PMIC, and, if so, using any settings stored in the external source in preference to the relevant settings stored in the internal NVM. The external settings can thus override any internal settings, which is useful for fault diagnosis and/or development. In one aspect the PMIC may have programming circuitry for automatically programming boot settings from an external source into the internal NVM.

Abstract translation: 电源管理的装置和方法，特别是电源管理集成电路（PMIC）。 一方面，本发明涉及具有用于存储PMIC的引导设置的内部非易失性存储器（NVM）的PMIC。 PMIC还具有用于检测引导设置源是否可用的控制电路，例如PMIC外部的NVM，如果是，则使用存储在外部源中的任何设置，优先于存储在内部NVM中的相关设置 。 因此，外部设置可以覆盖任何内部设置，这对于故障诊断和/或开发是有用的。 在一个方面，PMIC可以具有用于将引导设置从外部源自动编程到内部NVM的编程电路。

公开(公告)号：US20130216060A1

公开(公告)日：2013-08-22

申请号：US13773276

申请日：2013-02-21

Applicant: Wolfson Microelectronics plc

Inventor： Renjish Kodappully Narayan ,  Steven Llewellyn

IPC: H04R1/10

CPC classification number: H04R1/1083 ,  H04R1/1016 ,  H04R3/005 ,  H04R3/007 ,  H04R5/04 ,  H04R2410/05 ,  H04R2430/01

Abstract: An earphone comprises an earphone body, containing a speaker, and a projection, extending from a first surface of the earphone body, for location in the entrance to the user's ear canal. The earphone body comprises a sound outlet in the first surface, for allowing sounds generated by the speaker to leave the earphone body. The projection extends from the first surface of the earphone body, adjacent to the sound outlet, and contains a sound inlet port, connected to a microphone for detecting sounds entering the ear canal. A noise cancellation system includes noise cancellation circuitry, for applying a frequency dependent filter characteristic and applying a gain to an input signal representing ambient noise, at least one of the frequency dependent filter characteristic and the gain being adaptive. The earphone then has an ambient noise microphone, and an error microphone connected to the sound inlet port.

Abstract translation: 耳机包括耳机体，其包含扬声器和从耳机主体的第一表面延伸的用于位于使用者耳道入口处的突出部。 耳机主体包括在第一表面中的声音出口，用于允许扬声器产生的声音离开耳机主体。 突出部从耳机本体的第一表面延伸出来，邻近声音出口，并且包含连接到麦克风的声音入口端口，用于检测进入耳道的声音。 噪声消除系统包括噪声消除电路，用于施加频率相关滤波器特性，并对表示环境噪声的输入信号应用增益，频率相关滤波器特性和增益中的至少一个是自适应的。 然后耳机具有环境噪声麦克风，以及连接到声音入口的错误麦克风。

公开(公告)号：US08482088B2

公开(公告)日：2013-07-09

申请号：US12678903

申请日：2008-09-18

Applicant: Richard Ian Laming ,  Colin Robert Jenkins ,  Anthony Bernard Traynor

Inventor： Richard Ian Laming ,  Colin Robert Jenkins ,  Anthony Bernard Traynor

IPC: H01L29/84

CPC classification number: B81B3/0072 ,  B81B2201/0257 ,  B81B2201/0264 ,  B81B2203/0127 ,  B81B2203/019 ,  B81C1/00103 ,  B81C2201/0108 ,  B81C2201/0157 ,  H04R19/005 ,  H04R19/04

Abstract: A MEMS device comprises a membrane layer and a back-plate layer formed over the membrane layer. The membrane layer comprises an outer portion and an inner portion raised relative to the outer portion and a sidewall for connecting the inner portion and the outer portion. The sidewall is non-orthogonal to the outer portion.

Abstract translation: MEMS器件包括膜层和形成在膜层上的背板层。 膜层包括外部部分和相对于外部部分凸起的内部部分和用于连接内部部分和外部部分的侧壁。 侧壁与外部部分不正交。

公开(公告)号：US20130129114A1

公开(公告)日：2013-05-23

申请号：US13678300

申请日：2012-11-15

Applicant: Wolfson Microelectronics plc

Inventor： John Paul Lesso

IPC: H03L7/08 ,  H03G5/00

CPC classification number: H03L7/099 ,  G06F3/162 ,  H03G5/00 ,  H03G5/005 ,  H03L7/08 ,  H03L7/087 ,  H03L7/14 ,  H03L7/18 ,  H03L2207/50

Abstract: A clock generator receives first and second clock signals, and input representing a desired frequency ratio. A comparison is made between frequencies of an output clock signal and the first clock signal, and a first error signal represents the difference between the desired frequency ratio and this comparison result. The first error signal is filtered. A comparison is made between frequencies of the output clock signal and the second clock signal, and a second error signal represents the difference between the filtered first error signal and this comparison result. The second error signal is filtered. A numerically controlled oscillator receives the filtered second error signal and generates an output clock signal. As a result, the output clock signal has the jitter characteristics of the first input clock signal over a useful range of jitter frequencies and the frequency accuracy of the second input clock signal.

Abstract translation: 时钟发生器接收第一和第二时钟信号，并且输入表示期望的频率比。 比较输出时钟信号和第一时钟信号的频率，第一误差信号表示期望频率比与该比较结果之间的差。 第一个错误信号被过滤。 比较输出时钟信号和第二时钟信号的频率，第二个误差信号表示滤波后的第一误差信号与该比较结果之间的差值。 第二个错误信号被过滤。 数字振荡器接收经滤波的第二误差信号并产生输出时钟信号。 结果，输出时钟信号在抖动频率的有用范围和第二输入时钟信号的频率精度上具有第一输入时钟信号的抖动特性。

公开(公告)号：US20130127531A1

公开(公告)日：2013-05-23

申请号：US13677182

申请日：2012-11-14

Applicant: Wolfson Microelectronics plc

Inventor： John Paul Lesso

IPC: H03F3/217

CPC classification number: H03F3/217

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for Class-D amplifier circuits with D.C. offset control/correction. A Class-D amplifier is described having an output stage, such as a full H-bridge or half bridge, with a plurality of switches operable to provide a plurality of output states comprising at least a positive output state and a negative output state. Control circuitry is configured to receive a first signal based on the input signal and produce a digital control signal, which is used to determine the switch state of the output stage. A digital integrator is configured to receive a feedback signal indicative of the output state of the output stage and to sample the feedback signal at a sample rate and produce an integrated output signal (INT, IVC) indicating the difference in number of instances of the positive output state and the negative output state. Correction circuitry subtracts the integrated output signal from the input signal to produce a D.C. offset corrected signal.

Abstract translation: 具有D.C.偏移控制/校正的D类放大器电路的方法和装置。 描述了具有诸如全H桥或半桥的输出级的D类放大器，其中多个开关可操作以提供至少包括正输出状态和负输出状态的多个输出状态。 控制电路被配置为基于输入信号接收第一信号并产生用于确定输出级的开关状态的数字控制信号。 数字积分器被配置为接收指示输出级的输出状态的反馈信号，并以采样速率对反馈信号进行采样，并产生一个积分输出信号（INT，IVC），该信号表示正数的实例数 输出状态和负输出状态。 校正电路从输入信号中减去积分输出信号，产生D.C.偏移校正信号。