Microchip Technology Inc.

Miguel Moreno

Hartono DArmawaskita

Layton W Eagar

Keith Edwin Curtis

Ruan Lourens

Michael Charles

An Ultra-low power voltage detection circuit is implemented in a digital integrated circuit to device to provide a basic timer, programmable timer and programmable low voltage detection (PLVD) using a single connection of the digital integrated circuit device and a passive component(s) external to the digital integrated circuit device. An internal low current source may be enabled so as to discharge an external timing capacitor connected to the output connection, thus eliminating the need for an external resistor. However, timing accuracy may be improved by adding an external discharging resistor and/or charging resistor. The output connection may be configured as a tri-state output and may be driven high to charge and low to discharge the timing capacitor. A voltage reference may be used in determining a voltage trip point for timing and low voltage detection purposes. Temperature may be determined from either a trip voltage compared to a known voltage determined at a known temperature, or a current value of the current source compared to a known current value determined at a known temperature, times a constant.

Ultra-low power programmable timer and low voltage detection circuits

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

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 amplifier may be configured as a general purpose operational amplifier having external gain determining components or as a programmable gain amplifier having self-contained gain determining components and fixed step amplification selection. Configuration and control of the operational amplifier may be performed with a digital processor such as a microcontroller. The configurable amplifier may be packaged in an integrated circuit package. The configurable amplifier and a processor may be fabricated on a single integrated circuit or in a multi-chip integrated circuit package.

Operational amplifier that is configurable as a progammable gain amplifier of a general purpose amplifier

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.

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Gilbert, AZ, United States of America

Miguel Moreno