Paul F Ferguson

Title: Paul F. Ferguson: Innovator in Analog Circuit Design

Introduction

Paul F. Ferguson is a distinguished inventor based in North Andover, MA (US). He holds a total of 8 patents that showcase his expertise in the field of analog circuit design. His innovative contributions have significantly advanced the technology used in various electronic devices.

Latest Patents

One of his latest patents focuses on limiting aging effects in analog differential circuits. Aging effects on devices fabricated using deep nanometer complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) processes can cause circuits to exhibit an undesirable mismatch buildup over time. To address these aging effects, the connections to an array of M differential circuits are controlled to limit and systematically minimize or reverse the aging effects. In one embodiment, the controlling permutation sequence is selected to stress the array of M differential circuits under opposite stress conditions during at least two different time periods. Imposing opposite stress conditions, preferably substantially equal opposite stress conditions, can reverse the direction of a mismatch buildup and limit the mismatch buildup over time within acceptable limits. The controlling permutation sequence can be applied to an array of comparators of an analog-to-digital converter or an array of differential amplifiers of a folding analog-to-digital converter.

Another notable patent involves a continuous-time oversampled converter having enhanced immunity to noise. This apparatus includes a clock source and an oversampled continuous-time digital-to-analog converter. Noise signals are added to the clock signal as it is generated and/or routed. The oversampled continuous-time digital-to-analog converter includes a sigma-delta modulator to perform noise shaping on input data samples and provide intermediate data samples. A filter is used to filter the intermediate data samples and generate filtered samples, with a transfer function that has a stop band at a frequency range that includes the frequency of the noise signal or a component of the noise signal. Finally, a continuous-time digital-to-analog converter converts the filtered samples to an output analog signal.

Career Highlights

Throughout his career, Paul has worked with prominent companies such as Analog Devices, Inc. and MediaTek Singapore Pte. Ltd. His experience in these organizations has allowed him to refine his skills and contribute to groundbreaking advancements in analog technology.

Collaborations

Paul has collaborated with notable professionals in the field, including Xavier S. Haurie and Jeffrey Carl Gealow. These collaborations have further enriched his work and expanded