公开(公告)号：US07994604B2

公开(公告)日：2011-08-09

申请号：US12317606

申请日：2008-12-24

申请人： Alex Chow ,  Robert J. Drost ,  Ronald Ho ,  Robert Proebsting ,  Arlene Proebsting, legal representative

发明人： Alex Chow ,  Robert J. Drost ,  Ronald Ho ,  Robert Proebsting

IPC分类号： H01L23/52 ,  H01L23/538

CPC分类号： H01L23/48 ,  H01L2225/06527 ,  H01L2924/0002 ,  H01L2924/00

摘要： One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates reducing the power needed for proximity communication. This system includes an integrated circuit with an array of transmission pads that transmit a signal using proximity communication. A layer of fill metal is located in proximity to this array of transmission pads, wherein the layer of fill metal is “floating” (e.g., not connected to any signal). Leaving this layer of fill metal floating reduces the parasitic capacitance for the array of transmission pads, which can reduce the amount of power needed to transmit the signal.

摘要翻译： 本发明的一个实施例提供一种有助于减少邻近通信所需的功率的系统。 该系统包括具有使用接近通信传输信号的传输焊盘阵列的集成电路。 填充金属层位于该传输焊盘阵列附近，其中填充金属层“浮动”（例如，未连接到任何信号）。 离开这层填充金属浮动可以减少传输焊盘阵列的寄生电容，这可以减少传输信号所需的功率。

公开(公告)号：US08164918B2

公开(公告)日：2012-04-24

申请号：US12317659

申请日：2008-12-24

申请人： Alex Chow ,  Robert J. Drost ,  Ronald Ho ,  Robert Proebsting ,  Arlene Proebsting, legal representative

发明人： Alex Chow ,  Robert J. Drost ,  Ronald Ho ,  Robert Proebsting

IPC分类号： H05K7/00

CPC分类号： H01L23/48 ,  H01L2225/06527 ,  H01L2924/0002 ,  H01L2924/00

摘要： One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates reducing the power needed for proximity communication. This system includes an integrated circuit with an array of transmission pads that transmit signals using proximity communication. This array is comprised of a set of macropads, where each given macropad is comprised of a set of micropads that can be configured to transmit a signal. A steering fabric routes signals to and within macropads, such that a subset of the micropads in the array can be configured to transmit the signal to a receiving component. Each macropad receives a limited number of input signals, with the steering fabric routing input signals to the micropads of the macropads. By limiting the number of input signals that are routed to the micropads of the macropads, the steering fabric eliminates redundant steering configurations for the array and reduces the power needed to transmit the signal.

摘要翻译： 本发明的一个实施例提供一种有助于减少邻近通信所需的功率的系统。 该系统包括具有使用接近通信传输信号的传输焊盘阵列的集成电路。 该阵列由一组宏阵列组成，其中每个给定的宏阵列由可配置为传输信号的一组微阵列组成。 导向结构将信号路由到宏区域内并且在宏阵列内传送，使得阵列中的微阵列的子集可以被配置为将信号发送到接收组件。 每个macropad都接收到有限数量的输入信号，其中转向结构将输入信号输入到macropads的微型麦克风。 通过限制输入信号的数量，路由到巨型阵列的微阵列，转向结构消除了阵列的冗余转向配置，并减少传输信号所需的功率。

公开(公告)号：US08102203B2

公开(公告)日：2012-01-24

申请号：US11860693

申请日：2007-09-25

申请人： Robert J. Drost ,  Robert Proebsting ,  Arlene Proebsting, legal representative ,  Scott M. Fairbanks ,  Ronald Ho

发明人： Robert J. Drost ,  Robert Proebsting ,  Scott M. Fairbanks ,  Ronald Ho

IPC分类号： H03F1/02

CPC分类号： H03F3/45973 ,  H03F1/30

摘要： A method for calibrating an offset voltage of an amplifier used to amplify capacitively coupled communication signals is described. During this process, a common voltage is applied to one or more inputs to the amplifier. Next, an output of the amplifier is iteratively, measured, and charge is applied to the one or more inputs until the offset voltage is less than a pre-determined value. Note that applying the charge may involve applying a sequence of one or more charge pulses.

摘要翻译： 描述了用于校准用于放大电容耦合通信信号的放大器的偏移电压的方法。 在该过程中，将公共电压施加到放大器的一个或多个输入。 接下来，迭代地，测量放大器的输出，并且将电荷施加到一个或多个输入，直到偏移电压小于预定值。 注意，应用电荷可以包括应用一个或多个充电脉冲的序列。

公开(公告)号：US20090205850A1

公开(公告)日：2009-08-20

申请号：US12317659

申请日：2008-12-24

申请人： Alex Chow ,  Robert J. Drost ,  Ronald Ho ,  Arlene Proebsting ,  Robert Proebsting

发明人： Alex Chow ,  Robert J. Drost ,  Ronald Ho ,  Arlene Proebsting ,  Robert Proebsting

IPC分类号： H01B5/00

CPC分类号： H01L23/48 ,  H01L2225/06527 ,  H01L2924/0002 ,  H01L2924/00

摘要： One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates reducing the power needed for proximity communication. This system includes an integrated circuit with an array of transmission pads that transmit signals using proximity communication. This array is comprised of a set of macropads, where each given macropad is comprised of a set of micropads that can be configured to transmit a signal. A steering fabric routes signals to and within macropads, such that a subset of the micropads in the array can be configured to transmit the signal to a receiving component. Each macropad receives a limited number of input signals, with the steering fabric routing input signals to the micropads of the macropads. By limiting the number of input signals that are routed to the micropads of the macropads, the steering fabric eliminates redundant steering configurations for the array and reduces the power needed to transmit the signal.

摘要翻译： 本发明的一个实施例提供一种有助于减少邻近通信所需的功率的系统。 该系统包括具有使用接近通信传输信号的传输焊盘阵列的集成电路。 该阵列由一组宏阵列组成，其中每个给定的宏阵列由可配置为传输信号的一组微阵列组成。 转向结构将信号路由到宏阵列内并在宏阵中传送，使得阵列中的微阵列的子集可被配置为将信号发送到接收组件。 每个macropad都接收到有限数量的输入信号，其中转向结构将输入信号输入到macropads的微型麦克风。 通过限制输入信号的数量，路由到巨型阵列的微阵列，转向结构消除了阵列的冗余转向配置，并减少传输信号所需的功率。

公开(公告)号：US20090189674A1

公开(公告)日：2009-07-30

申请号：US12215943

申请日：2008-06-30

申请人： Alex Chow ,  Robert J. Drost ,  Ronald Ho ,  Robert Proebsting ,  Arlene Proebsting

发明人： Alex Chow ,  Robert J. Drost ,  Ronald Ho ,  Robert Proebsting ,  Arlene Proebsting

IPC分类号： H03K17/16

CPC分类号： H01L23/48 ,  H01L2225/06527 ,  H01L2924/0002 ,  H01L2924/00

摘要： One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates proximity communication. This system includes a circuit containing a bootstrap transistor and a pass-gate transistor, where the drain of the bootstrap transistor is coupled to the gate of the pass-gate transistor. Note that a first coupling capacitance exists between the source of the pass-gate transistor and the drain of the bootstrap transistor and a second coupling capacitance exists between the drain of the pass-gate transistor and the drain of the bootstrap transistor. During operation, the gate and the source of the bootstrap transistor are coupled to a high voltage, thereby causing an intermediate voltage at the drain of the bootstrap transistor. When the source of the pass-gate transistor transitions to a high voltage, the first coupling capacitance and the second coupling capacitance boost the voltage at the gate of the pass-gate transistor higher than the high voltage, thereby enabling the high voltage at the source of the pass-gate transistor to pass to the drain of the pass-gate transistor.

摘要翻译： 本发明的一个实施例提供一种便于邻近通信的系统。 该系统包括包含自举晶体管和通过栅极晶体管的电路，其中自举晶体管的漏极耦合到栅极 - 栅极晶体管的栅极。 注意，在栅极晶体管的源极和自举晶体管的漏极之间存在第一耦合电容，并且在通过栅极晶体管的漏极和自举晶体管的漏极之间存在第二耦合电容。 在操作期间，自举晶体管的栅极和源极耦合到高电压，从而在自举晶体管的漏极处产生中间电压。 当栅极晶体管的源极转换到高电压时，第一耦合电容和第二耦合电容使得栅极晶体管的栅极处的电压升高到高于高电压，从而使源极处的高电压 的栅极晶体管传递到栅极晶体管的漏极。

公开(公告)号：US08358155B2

公开(公告)日：2013-01-22

申请号：US12215943

申请日：2008-06-30

申请人： Alex Chow ,  Robert J. Drost ,  Ronald Ho ,  Arlene Proebsting

发明人： Alex Chow ,  Robert J. Drost ,  Ronald Ho ,  Robert Proebsting

IPC分类号： H03K19/20

CPC分类号： H01L23/48 ,  H01L2225/06527 ,  H01L2924/0002 ,  H01L2924/00

摘要： One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates proximity communication. This system includes a circuit containing a bootstrap transistor and a pass-gate transistor, where the drain of the bootstrap transistor is coupled to the gate of the pass-gate transistor. Note that a first coupling capacitance exists between the source of the pass-gate transistor and the drain of the bootstrap transistor and a second coupling capacitance exists between the drain of the pass-gate transistor and the drain of the bootstrap transistor. During operation, the gate and the source of the bootstrap transistor are coupled to a high voltage, thereby causing an intermediate voltage at the drain of the bootstrap transistor. When the source of the pass-gate transistor transitions to a high voltage, the first coupling capacitance and the second coupling capacitance boost the voltage at the gate of the pass-gate transistor higher than the high voltage, thereby enabling the high voltage at the source of the pass-gate transistor to pass to the drain of the pass-gate transistor.

公开(公告)号：US07629813B2

公开(公告)日：2009-12-08

申请号：US11327530

申请日：2006-01-05

申请人： Robert Proebsting ,  Robert J. Drost ,  Ronald Ho

发明人： Robert Proebsting ,  Robert J. Drost ,  Ronald Ho

IPC分类号： H03K17/16

CPC分类号： H04L25/0272 ,  H04L25/0292

摘要： A system that dynamically refreshes the inputs of a differential receiver. During operation, while a differential transmitter is not transmitting data, the system applies substantially equal voltages to the outputs of the differential transmitter so that the differential voltage on the outputs of the differential transmitter is substantially zero. The system then refreshes the inputs of an associated differential receiver by applying substantially equal voltages to the inputs of the differential receiver so that the differential voltage on the inputs of the differential receiver is substantially zero. The differential transmitter is coupled to the differential receiver through a DC blocking mechanism, which prevents a DC voltage on the differential transmitter from reaching the differential receiver.

摘要翻译： 动态刷新差分接收器的输入的系统。 在操作期间，当差分发射机不发送数据时，系统对差分发射机的输出施加基本相等的电压，使得差分发射机的输出上的差分电压基本上为零。 然后，系统通过对差分接收器的输入施加基本上相等的电压来刷新相关联的差分接收器的输入，使得差分接收器的输入上的差分电压基本上为零。 差分发射器通过直流阻塞机构耦合到差动接收器，这阻止差分变送器上的直流电压到达差动接收器。

公开(公告)号：US20090079498A1

公开(公告)日：2009-03-26

申请号：US11860693

申请日：2007-09-25

申请人： Robert J. Drost ,  Robert Proebsting ,  Arlene Proebsting ,  Scott M. Fairbanks ,  Ronald Ho

发明人： Robert J. Drost ,  Robert Proebsting ,  Arlene Proebsting ,  Scott M. Fairbanks ,  Ronald Ho

IPC分类号： H03G3/20

CPC分类号： H03F3/45973 ,  H03F1/30

摘要： A method for calibrating an offset voltage of an amplifier used to amplify capacitively coupled communication signals is described. During this process, a common voltage is applied to one or more inputs to the amplifier. Next, an output of the amplifier is iteratively, measured, and charge is applied to the one or more inputs until the offset voltage is less than a pre-determined value. Note that applying the charge may involve applying a sequence of one or more charge pulses.

摘要翻译： 描述了用于校准用于放大电容耦合通信信号的放大器的偏移电压的方法。 在该过程中，将公共电压施加到放大器的一个或多个输入。 接下来，迭代地，测量放大器的输出，并且将电荷施加到一个或多个输入，直到偏移电压小于预定值。 注意，应用电荷可以包括应用一个或多个充电脉冲的序列。

公开(公告)号：US20070153920A1

公开(公告)日：2007-07-05

申请号：US11327530

申请日：2006-01-05

申请人： Robert Proebsting ,  Robert Drost ,  Ronald Ho

发明人： Robert Proebsting ,  Robert Drost ,  Ronald Ho

IPC分类号： H04L25/00

CPC分类号： H04L25/0272 ,  H04L25/0292

摘要： A system that dynamically refreshes the inputs of a differential receiver. During operation, while a differential transmitter is not transmitting data, the system applies substantially equal voltages to the outputs of the differential transmitter so that the differential voltage on the outputs of the differential transmitter is substantially zero. The system then refreshes the inputs of an associated differential receiver by applying substantially equal voltages to the inputs of the differential receiver so that the differential voltage on the inputs of the differential receiver is substantially zero. The differential transmitter is coupled to the differential receiver through a DC blocking mechanism, which prevents a DC voltage on the differential transmitter from reaching the differential receiver.

摘要翻译： 动态刷新差分接收器的输入的系统。 在操作期间，当差分发射机不发送数据时，系统对差分发射机的输出施加基本相等的电压，使得差分发射机的输出上的差分电压基本上为零。 然后，系统通过对差分接收器的输入施加基本上相等的电压来刷新相关联的差分接收器的输入，使得差分接收器的输入上的差分电压基本上为零。 差分发射器通过直流阻塞机构耦合到差分接收器，防止差分发射器上的直流电压到达差动接收器。

公开(公告)号：US20060087332A1

公开(公告)日：2006-04-27

申请号：US10973114

申请日：2004-10-22

申请人： Robert Drost ,  Ronald Ho ,  Robert Proebsting

发明人： Robert Drost ,  Ronald Ho ,  Robert Proebsting

IPC分类号： G01R31/02

CPC分类号： H01L23/48 ,  H01L23/49827 ,  H01L23/49833 ,  H01L23/552 ,  H01L24/72 ,  H01L24/73 ,  H01L25/0652 ,  H01L25/0657 ,  H01L25/50 ,  H01L2225/06527 ,  H01L2225/06541 ,  H01L2225/06555 ,  H01L2225/06562 ,  H01L2225/06572 ,  H01L2924/01005 ,  H01L2924/01006 ,  H01L2924/01027 ,  H01L2924/01033 ,  H01L2924/01082 ,  H01L2924/14 ,  H01L2924/15153 ,  H01L2924/15165 ,  H01L2924/19041 ,  H01L2924/30105

摘要： One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that improves communications between capacitively coupled integrated circuit chips. The system operates by situating an interposer over capacitive communication pads on a first integrated circuit chip, wherein the interposer is made up of material that is anisotropic with respect to transmitting capacitive signals. A second integrated circuit chip is situated so that communication pads on the second integrated circuit chip are aligned to capacitively couple signals between the integrated circuit chips through the interposer. The increased dielectric permittivity caused by the interposer can improve capacitive coupling between opposing communication pads on the integrated circuit chips. The interposer can also reduce cross talk between communication pads on the first integrated circuit chip and pads adjacent to the opposing communication pads on the second integrated circuit chip.

摘要翻译： 本发明的一个实施例提供一种改善电容耦合集成电路芯片之间的通信的系统。 该系统通过在第一集成电路芯片上的电容性通信焊盘上设置插入器来工作，其中插入器由相对于传输电容性信号是各向异性的材料构成。 第二集成电路芯片被定位成使得第二集成电路芯片上的通信焊盘对齐以通过插入器电容耦合在集成电路芯片之间的信号。 由插入器引起的增加的介电常数可以改善集成电路芯片上相对的通信焊盘之间的电容耦合。 插入器还可以减少第一集成电路芯片上的通信焊盘与第二集成电路芯片上相对的通信焊盘相邻的焊盘之间的串扰。