Atmel Corporation

Daniel J Russell

Albert Weiner

Jed Griffin

Michael J Seymour

Jeffrey S Hapke

Michael Klein

Methods and systems are disclosed for an integrated voltage regulator with open loop digital control for power stepping. In one aspect, a method for regulating an output voltage includes receiving data indicative of a power setting associated with an identified state of an electrical circuit, the power setting based on a load current demand of the electrical circuit in the identified state, enabling one or more parallel driver segments based on the received data indicative of the power setting. The method further includes sourcing by the enabled one or more parallel driver segments sufficient current to meet the load current demand of the electrical circuit in the identified state while maintaining the output voltage at a predetermined voltage level, and providing the output voltage to the electrical circuit at the predetermined voltage level.

Fully integrated voltage regulator using open loop digital control for optimum power stepping and slew rate

A self-calibrating, wide-range temperature sensor includes a current reference, impervious to process and voltage, with the current reference mirrored into two oppositely-sized bipolar transistors or diodes. Duplicate current sources are used with a ratio of geometries between them, such that the larger current biases the smaller bipolar transistor (less cross-sectional area) and the smaller current source biases the larger bipolar transistor (higher cross-sectional area). The current source in conjunction with the differential temperature sensing provides inherent calibration without drift while the differential sensing, from the ratio of geometries in the current paths also increases sensitivity.

Self-calibrating, wide-range temperature sensor

A charge pump is incorporated into circuitry of an RFID tag. The charge pump takes advantage of an antenna voltage phase to eliminate the need for a charge pump clock generator. Placement of the charge pump in the RFID circuitry reduces the number of pump stages and eliminates drivers used in each pump stage. In some implementations, an RFID tag comprises antenna circuitry, including a tuned antenna, for receiving an RF signal. Voltage conversion circuitry in the RFID tag is coupled to the antenna circuitry and operable for converting a varying magnetic field produced in the antenna to a voltage source. A charge pump is coupled to output voltage signals of the antenna circuitry which provide the charge pump with a high starting reference voltage and a two phase pump clock.

Growing community of inventors

Monument, CO, United States of America

Daniel J Russell