Microchip Technology Inc.

Microchip Technology Incorported

Hartono DArmawaskita

James B Nolan

Layton W Eagar

Sean Steedman

Miguel Moreno

Cristian Nicolae Groza

Zeke Lundstrum

David M Susak

Stephen Bowling

Vivien Neil Delport

Ward Brown

John Charais

Ryan Scott Ellison

Daniel Butler

Marilena Mancioiu

Zacharias Martin Smit

Sebastian Dan Copacian

R Scott Ellison

Sean Stacy Steedman

John Robert Charais

A complementary output generator (COG) module generates at least two complementary outputs determined by rising and falling event sources. In a simple configuration of the COG module, the rising and falling event sources are the same signal which is a signal having the desired period and duty cycle. The COG module converts this single signal input into dual complementary outputs. The frequency and duty cycle of the dual outputs substantially match those of the single input signal. Blanking and deadband times may be introduced between the complementary outputs, and the dual complementary outputs may also be phase delayed. In addition the COG module may provide up to four outputs for controlling half and full-wave bridge power applications.

Complementary output generator module

A slope compensation module provides slope compensation of a switched-mode power supply using current mode control. The slope control unit comprises a capacitor coupled between an input and an output of the slope control unit, a switch for discharging the capacitor and a constant current source for charging the capacitor. Slope compensation parameters may be changed during operation with a programmable constant current source. The slope compensation module may also function as an analog sawtooth waveform frequency generator, and as an analog pulse width modulation (PWM) generator. Charging the capacitor generates a linearly decreasing (negative slope) ramp voltage for modulating a feedback error voltage into a slope compensated feedback error voltage. Capacitor charging may be controlled from a pulse width modulation signal. Opening of the switch may be programmably delayed, and a minimum closed time thereof may also be programmed during operation of the slope compensation module.

Slope compensation module

An enhanced complementary waveform generator (ECWG) generates two complementary pulse width modulation (PWM) outputs determined by rising and falling event sources. In a simple configuration of the ECWG, the rising and falling event sources are the same signal which is a PWM signal having the desired period and duty cycle. The ECWG converts this single PWM input into dual complementary PWM outputs. The frequency and duty cycle of the dual PWM outputs substantially match those of the single input PWM signal. Blanking and deadband times may be introduced between the dual complementary PWM outputs, and the dual complementary PWM outputs may also be phase delayed.

Enhanced complementary waveform generator

A low power Universal Serial Bus (USB) capable device uses a weak pull-up resistance that is coupled to at least one data line of the USB for detection of when the USB capable device is connected to a USB host or hub. When the USB capable device is not connected to the USB host or hub, USB peripheral, including the USB transceiver, USB voltage regulator, serial interface and/or USB logic circuits required for USB operation may be powered down to conserve power drawn by the USB capable device. When the USB capable device is connected to the USB host or hub, a voltage from the weak pull-up will be significantly reduced, thus signaling that the USB peripheral and associated circuits should be powered up for normal USB operation.

Detecting connection to a USB host or hub without using an extra status input

A wake-up reset circuit is provided that generates a reset signal to a digital circuit upon a wake-up event. The wake-up reset circuit places the digital circuit into a known reset condition upon wake-up, even if a brown out condition occurs which may have caused unstable and unknown logic states in sequential circuit elements, e.g., volatile memory, flip flops and/or latching circuits. The wake-up reset circuit draws substantially no current when not generating the reset signal.

Wake-up reset circuit draws no current when a control signal indicates sleep mode for a digital device

A comparator is used as a microcontroller peripheral and is programmable for either high-speed or low-power operation. High-speed operation requires higher operating current than the operating current required in the low-power mode, but enables much faster response to changes in input signals. When in the low-power mode, the quiescent current of the comparator circuit is minimal but the response is slower to changing input signals. Current control is used on the first input stage, which affects the current consumption of the subsequent stages. The current consumption is adjusted by switching in and out different current sources for the differential input stage of the comparator.

Comparator programmable for high-speed or low-power operation

A configurable operational amplifier which is programmed to specific characteristics and parameters for various requirements in the measurement of analog signals. These programmable characteristics and parameters are gain bandwidth product (GBWP), selection of operational amplifier (op-amp) or comparator modes of operation, input offset zero calibration, ultra low input bias current, rail-to-rail input operation, and rail-to-rail output operation. The configurable operational amplifier is used in combination with a microcontroller system, and may be fabricated on an integrated circuit die or in a multi-chip package.

Configurable operational amplifier as a microcontroller peripheral

Input offset voltage calibration of an analog device, or plurality of analog devices, is controlled by a microcontroller. The microcontroller and analog device(s) are fabricated on an integrated circuit die or in a multi-chip package. The microcontroller applies a digital word to an input offset voltage compensation circuit of the analog device for generating input offset voltage compensation. The analog device is switched to a calibrate mode and a voltage comparator compares the output of the analog input device and a voltage reference. When the output of the analog input device is equal to or greater than the voltage reference, the comparator output signals the microcontroller by changing its output logic level. The input offset voltage compensation circuit of the analog input device has a storage register or memory that retains the digital word which compensates for the input offset voltage.

Input voltage offset calibration of an analog device using a microcontroller

An auto-calibration circuit minimizes input offset voltage in an integrated circuit analog input device. The auto-calibration circuit may also calibrate a plurality of analog input devices on an integrated circuit die or in a multi-chip package (MCP). The auto-calibration circuit and analog input device(s) may be fabricated in combination with a microcontroller system on an integrated circuit die or in an MCP. The auto-calibration circuit controls input offset voltage compensation circuit that counteracts or compensates for input offset voltage so as to minimize voltage error at the output of the analog input device. A digital control circuit applies a digital word to the input offset voltage compensation circuit for generating the required input offset voltage compensation. A linear search or binary search of various values of the digital word may be used by the digital control circuit. The digital control circuit switches the inputs, the output and feedback-gain determining resistors for the analog input device during a calibration mode. A voltage comparator compares the output of the analog input device and a voltage reference. When the output of the analog input device is equal to or greater than the voltage reference, the comparator output signals the digital control circuit by changing its output logic level. The input offset voltage compensation circuit of the analog input device has a storage register or memory that retains the digital word which compensates for the input offset voltage.

Auto-calibration circuit to minimize input offset voltage in an integrated circuit analog input device

A single integrated circuit package for controlling the charging circuits of a battery charger. The single integrated circuit package comprises a microcontroller, switch mode power supply controller(s), analog to digital converter and analog input multiplexer which may be fabricated on a single integrated circuit die, or the microcontroller may be on one integrated circuit die, and the remaining aforementioned circuits may be on a second integrated circuit die. The switch mode power supply controller is adapted for connection to a power converter which is used to control the voltage and/or current to a battery being charged. The power converter may also be on the same integrated circuit die as the switch mode power supply controller, or may be on a separate semiconductor die but included in the single integrated circuit package. Single or multiple batteries may be charged using charging algorithms specifically tailored to each battery. Batteries being charged may have a different capacity, voltage, or chemistry type. State of charge and time to reach a fully charged condition for each battery may also be different.

Microcontroller with integral switch mode power supply controller

A precision temperature sensor produces a clock frequency which varies predictably over wide variations of ambient temperature. The invention has a oscillation generator, two independent current generators, a reference oscillator and a frequency counter. The outputs of the two independent current generators are combined to provide an approximately linear capacitor charging current which is directly proportional to changes in temperature. The capacitor charging current is used to drive the oscillation generator which outputs a clock frequency that is approximately linearly dependent on temperature with determinable slope and intercept. The frequency counter compares the output of the oscillation generator with the independent reference oscillator to compute a digital value for temperature. The precision temperature sensor is implemented on a single, monolithic integrated circuit.

Precision temperature sensor integrated circuit

A precision relaxation oscillator with temperature compensation produces a stable clock frequency over wide variations of ambient temperature. The invention has a oscillation generator and two independent current generators. The outputs of the two programmable, independent current generators are combined to provide a capacitor charging current which is independent of temperature. The precision relaxation oscillator with temperature compensation is implemented on a single, monolithic integrated circuit.

Precision relaxation oscillator integrated circuit with temperature

A time-based digital temperature sensing system has a first oscillator which is temperature sensitive. The first oscillator has a temperature coefficient which allows the first oscillator to generate an output signal which varies linearly as a function of temperature. A second oscillator is provided and is used to generates a reference clock signal. The outputs from the first and the second oscillator are coupled to a timer. The timer has a clock input coupled to an output of the second oscillator and an enable input coupled to an output of the first oscillator. From these input signals, the timer generates a number indicative of a length of time the timer is enabled by the first oscillator. The number is proportional to a current temperature of a material that is being monitored by the temperature sensing system.

Time-based temperature sensor system and method therefor

A direct sensor interface (DSI) module which allows a microcontroller to directly interface to sensors having at least one of a resistive, capacitive, and/or current source characteristic. The DSI module is coupled directly to a sensor device, which could be a reference resistor, which generates a sensor current. A current mirroring circuit outputs a charging current proportional to the sensor current. A capacitive sensor and/or a capacitive device is coupled to the current mirroring circuit and generates a voltage when charged by the charging current. Using a comparator and a threshold voltage source, the time it takes the capacitive sensor and/or a capacitive device to ramp up from zero to the threshold voltage can be measured. The charging time is proportional to the sensor reading.

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Chandler, AZ, United States of America

Hartono DArmawaskita