Xilinx, Inc.

Dublin City University

Donnacha Lowney

Christophe Erdmann

Edward Cullen

Marites De La Torre

Patrick J McNally

Christopher M Gorman

Aidan Keady

Alec Reader

In one example, a current steering circuit for a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) includes a source-coupled transistor pair responsive to a differential gate voltage; a current source coupled to the source-coupled transistor pair operable to source a bias current; a load circuit coupled to the source-coupled transistor pair operable to provide a differential output voltage; a driver having a first input, a second input, and a differential output, the differential output providing the differential gate voltage; and combinatorial logic having a data input, a clock input, a true output, and a complement output, the true output and the complement output respectively coupled to the first input and the second input of the driver, the combinatorial logic operable to exclusively OR a data signal on the data input and a clock signal on the clock input.

Radio frequency current steering digital to analog converter

An integrated circuit (IC) can include an analog region of a die of the IC. The analog region includes analog circuitry. The IC further includes a plurality of solder bumps implemented on a surface of the die in an area in vertical alignment with the analog region of the die.

Solder bump arrangements for large area analog circuitry

A circuit includes a first input terminal, a first transmission line, a first sampling switch coupled to the first input terminal through the first transmission line, a first sampling capacitor coupled to the sampling switch, and a first open-circuit quarter wavelength stub coupled to the first transmission line, the first open-circuit quarter wavelength stub configured to reduce kickback noise on the first transmission line. A method for reducing kickback noise in a circuit includes determining a frequency associated with a kickback noise on a first transmission line of the circuit, the circuit having an input terminal coupled to the first transmission line, configuring a length of an open-circuit quarter wavelength stub to correspond to the determined frequency, and coupling the open-circuit quarter wavelength stub to the first transmission line to filter the frequency associated with the kickback noise.

System and method for reducing effects of switched capacitor kickback noise

An apparatus with package integrity monitoring capability, includes: a package having a die connected to an interposer through a plurality of bumps, wherein at least some of the bumps comprise dummy bumps; a package integrity monitor having a transmitter to transmit a test signal and a receiver to receive the test signal; and a first scan chain comprising a plurality of alternating interconnects in the die and in the interposer connecting some of the dummy bumps in series, wherein the first scan chain has a first end coupled to the transmitter of the package integrity monitor and a second end coupled to the receiver of the package integrity monitor.

Package integrity monitor with sacrificial bumps

An embodiment of an apparatus is disclosed. For this embodiment of the apparatus, an interposer has first vias. First interconnects and second interconnects respectively are coupled on opposite surfaces of the interposer. A first portion of the first interconnects and a second portion of the first interconnects are spaced apart from one another defining an isolation region between them. A substrate has second vias. Third interconnects and the second interconnects are respectively coupled on opposite surfaces of the package substrate. A first portion of the first vias and a first portion of the second vias are both in the isolation region and are coupled to one another with a first portion of the second interconnects.

Noise attenuation wall

An apparatus relating generally to signal analysis is disclosed. In such an apparatus, a first comparator is coupled to receive a signal input and a first input level. A second comparator is coupled to receive the signal input and a second input level different from the first input level. A time-to-digital converter is coupled at a first port thereof, such as a start port for example, to receive a first output from the first comparator and coupled at a second port thereof, such as a stop port for example, to receive a second output from the second comparator. The time-to-digital converter is coupled to provide digital words representing the signal input.

High-speed and high-resolution signal analysis system

An apparatus relating generally to a current steering cell includes a first bleeder circuit, a second bleeder circuit, a steering circuit, and an output circuit. The first bleeder circuit and the second bleeder circuit are coupled to receive a first current-source bias voltage. The steering circuit is coupled to receive a second current-source bias voltage independent from the first current-source bias voltage.

Current steering with independent biasing between bleed and steering circuitry

An apparatus for calibration of a signal converter is disclosed. This apparatus includes a first digital-to-analog converter ('DAC') and a calibration system coupled to an output port of the first DAC. The calibration system includes a second DAC. The calibration system is configured to provide an adjustment signal responsive to a spurious spectral performance parameter in an output of the first DAC. The spurious spectral performance parameter is sensitive to a timing error associated with the first DAC. The calibration system is coupled to provide the adjustment signal to the first DAC to correct the timing error of the first DAC.

Calibration of a switching instant of a switch

A photoacoustic spectrometer apparatus adapted to enable an observation and characterisation of non-radiative sub bandgap defects in narrow and large bandgap materials using photoacoustic spectroscopy techniques, the apparatus providing for an irradiation of a sample material provided within a photoacoustic cell and the subsequent detection and processing of an acoustic signal emitted by the sample, the apparatus comprising a light source having a polychromatic output substantially in the photonic energy range 0.5 eV to 6.2 eV, focusing means adapted to couple the output from the light source onto the sample material, the focusing means providing for an alignment and focusing of the light emitted from the light source so as to provide a substantially parallel incident light onto the sample material, and means for detecting and acquiring the acoustic signal emitted by the sample in response to the irradiation. A method of providing an acoustic signal spectrum emitted by a sample material provided within a photoacoustic cell following irradiation of the sample by an incident light beam is also provided.

Growing community of inventors

Dublin, Ireland

Donnacha Lowney