Spectra Linear, Inc.

Silicon Labs Spectra, Inc.

Alexei Shkidt

Gregory Jon Richmond

Ahmet Akyildiz

Omer Fatih Orberk

Francisco Fernandez

Aysel Yildiz Okyay

Methods, systems, and devices are described for a power-on sequence for a circuit. A sequence generator for an electronic system may control various power domains to enter known states and prevent unwanted states as other domains of the system power-up. Regulator modules may be controlled to remain in an inoperable state until a reference voltage stabilizes at a predetermined reference level. The regulator modules regulate a received voltage supply to output a regulated voltage at the reference level, the regulated voltage set via a comparison to the reference voltage. Various analog and digital modules may be controlled to remain in an known state until the regulated voltage stabilizes at substantially the reference level. Additional sequencing is described for other dependencies, as well.

Methods, systems, and devices for power-on sequence for a circuit

Methods, systems, and devices are described for the implementation of a novel architecture to support a calibrated rate for the transfer of circuit configuration data. Sets of configuration data from a memory may be transferred to volatile memory to support reconfigurable circuit elements, for example, for use in a clock generator. Upon system power-up, there may be a default speed for the transfer of the configuration data. Techniques are described to first transfer calibration data upon power-up; the transferred calibration data may then be used to set an accelerated speed for a remaining portion of the transfer.

Calibrated transfer rate

A voltage-controlled oscillator is implemented with a succession of delay cells coupled in series to form an oscillator loop. The oscillator loop is supplied with reference voltages produced by a voltage generator. The reference voltages produce stable operation of the voltage-controlled oscillator. Cascode reference current generators are incorporated within the voltage generator to supply a cross-coupled arrangement of pull-up devices within each delay cell. The cross-coupled pull-up devices are instrumental in producing complementary output signaling from each delay cell. A pair of cascode current generators is configured in parallel to produce a magnitude of current according to an applied voltage and to be selectable for dual or single operation with a corresponding frequency determination.

Voltage-controlled oscillator topology

A power-on reset circuit produces a reset signal output configured by an upper trip-point in an input hysteresis characteristic of the circuit. The upper trip-point is configured by resistances of a first pair of resistors coupled in series at an internal voltage reference node. A temperature coefficient of the upper trip-point is configured by resistance values of a second pair of resistors where each resistor is coupled with a corresponding switching device with an associated switching threshold. A magnitude of the input hysteresis characteristic is configured by resistances of a third pair of resistors in series. The magnitude of hysteresis is configured independent of configuring either the level or the temperature coefficient of the upper trip-point.

Power-on reset circuit

A rail-to-rail operational amplifier has a pair of input terminals and an output terminal, and includes first and second parallel-connected differential input stages configured to generate a differential output signal OUTN, OUTP in response to a differential input signal VINN, VINP received at the pair of input terminals. Each of the first and second differential input stages in turn includes a pair of source-follower transistors and a pair of bulk-driven transistors. The pair of source-follower transistors are respectively coupled between the pair of input terminals and a bulk terminal of the pair of bulk-driven input transistors. Further, the pair of source-follower transistors in the first differential input stage have a different threshold voltage than the source-follower transistors in the second differential input stage.

Rail-to-rail operational amplifier

A gain control system comprises a reference stage, a bias replication stage, an operational amplifier, an automatic gain control block, a gain stage, and a crystal oscillator in one embodiment. A negative feedback loop is formed by portions of the operational amplifier, the replica biasing stage, the gain stage, and the automatic gain control stage. The negative feedback loop operatively controls an amplitude of oscillation in the crystal oscillator. The automatic gain control block produces output currents at reference levels in proportion to an input current source. The output current reference levels provide a corresponding yet independent scaling of currents in the bias replication stage and the gain stage. By the scaling capabilities provided a high common mode of voltage is provided between the crystal oscillator and the voltage reference section while stable oscillating characteristics are provided over a broad frequency range.

Replica-bias automatic gain control

A standby regulator circuit includes a standby bias circuit and a standby operational amplifier. The standby regulator circuit provides a standby regulated control voltage to a multiplexer. A regular operational amplifier provides a regulated control voltage to the multiplexer. During regular operation, the multiplexer selects the regular operational amplifier and selects the standby regulator circuit in a low-power mode. The multiplexer couples to a native pass transistor gate having a threshold voltage about equal to 0 V. The native pass transistor provides a regulated output voltage with relatively low-level input control voltages. In low-power mode, a power-down signal, provided to the multiplexer, smoothly transitions regulated control voltage from the regular operational amplifier to regulated control voltage sourcing from the standby operational amplifier. In low-power operation regular operational amplifier power is saved and the standby operational amplifier is appropriate for regulating the low threshold voltage native pass transistor.

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Newark, CA, United States of America

Alexei Shkidt