Texas Instruments Corporation

Other

Drs Sensors & Targeting Systems, Inc.

Terence Joseph Murphy

John Walter Orcutt

Arthur Monroe Turner

Keith W Malang

Andrew Steven Dewa

Larry G Hutsell

James E Chloupek

Robert Duvall

Christopher L Mears

Doug Martin

Shirley Rae Duvall, Legal Representative

Kim D Hyland

An image sensor is provided that includes a focal plane array; a cold shield having a top wall disposed over the focal plane array and defining an aperture operatively configured to be selectively switched between a first diameter and a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter; and a filter element disposed between the cold shield aperture and the focal plane array. The filter element includes a first band-pass filter and a second band-pass filter. The first band-pass filter is disposed directly beneath the cold shield aperture when the cold shield aperture is switched to the first diameter or the second diameter. The second band-pass filter is covered by the top wall of the cold shield when the cold shield aperture is switched to the first diameter and is disposed directly beneath the cold shield aperture when the cold shield aperture is switched to the second diameter.

Image sensor having a variable aperture and mono-color focal plane array for dual color detection

An integrated circuit () provides drive signals to a piezo element () of a milli-actuator device () in a mass data storage device (). The integrated circuit () includes a circuit () for selectively operating the integrated circuit () in either a voltage or a charge mode of operation. A first amplifier circuit () can be compensated for a variable number of piezo elements in the charge mode of operation by adjustable output impedance adjusting elements () that are switchably connectable into the amplifier circuit ().

Adjustable compensation of a piezo drive amplifier depending on mode and number of elements driven

An integrated circuit ( ) provides drive signals to a piezo element ( ) of a milli-actuator device ( ) in a mass data storage device ( ). The integrated circuit ( ) includes a circuit ( ) for selectively operating the integrated circuit ( ) in either a voltage or a charge mode of operation. A first amplifier circuit ( ) can be compensated for a variable number of piezo elements in the charge mode of operation by adjustable output impedance adjusting elements ( ) that are switchably connectable into the amplifier circuit ( ).

A piezo actuator drive circuit ( ) adapted to operate in both a charge mode and a voltage mode. A low frequency compensation loop ( ) is formed from a piezo actuator output (OUT6XP) of a driver ( ) to the input thereof. The resulting closed loop system produces charge mode operation within a bandpass that can be tuned for desired operation. Below the bandpass turn on frequency (F ) the closed loop system restores the piezo output (OUT6XP) to a defined DC voltage and compensates for any wandering effects, such as DC current mismatches in the closed loop configuration, such that the piezo output is centered around the desired DC operating point. The circuit is further provided with a DC restore feature in combination with the feedback which allows for a low frequency DC coupled path and thus allows for the DC positioning of the piezo in the charge mode to be changed. The DC restoring amplifier is used to compensate for offsets in the amplifier chain. The DC restore amplifier ensures the overall circuit is balanced and that the charge mode operation is maintained. The circuit is particularly adapted to drive a varying number of multiple piezo actuators.

Closed loop charge mode drive for piezo actuators using a DC restore amplifier

A electrostatic sensing device for sensing a voltage from a electrostatic device, includes a first actuator having a first membrane and a first electrode, the first membrane being moveable and a second actuator having a second membrane and a second electrode, the second membrane being moveable. Additionally, a control device controls the first actuator and the second actuator to alternatively charge the first actuator with a first charge and the second actuator with a second charge, and a circuit outputs a first voltage linearly based on the first charge and a second voltage linearly based on the second charge.

Inherently stable electrostatic actuator technique which allows for full gap deflection of the actuator

A circuit ( ) and method are provided to create a drive voltage that is linearly proportional to a position of a movable member ( ) of an electrostatic actuator device ( ) that is positioned by a voltage ( ) applied thereto. The circuit ( ) has a sensor ( ) to sense a position of the movable member ( ) from a reference position (d ) to provide an analog position indicating signal. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) ( ) receives the analog position indicating signal and converts it to a digital position indicating signal. A digital signal processor (DSP) ( ), programmed to convert the digital position indicating signal into a digital signal that is linearly proportional to the position of the movable member, receives the digital position indicating signal. A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) ( ) receives the digital signal that is linearly proportional to the position of the movable member for producing a linear analog positioning command, and a voltage amplifier ( ) receives the linear analog positioning command to produce a position voltage and for application to the movable member ( ).

Digital control loop to solve instability of electrostatic drives beyond &frac13; gap limit

The present invention discloses drive apparatus for rotating a mirror used for switching light signals. The drive apparatus has reduced internal wiring and uses a base printed circuit board which is mounted to a support printed circuit board by sandwiching conductive ball connections between matching traces or pads on the two printed circuit boards. A drive module is also included between the two printed circuit boards which can be either a drive coil or an electrostatic plate and is used to rotate the mirrors. The use of the bump grid array or conductive ball connections significantly reduces the amount of internal wiring required.

Conductive member grid array interface for mirror array drive apparatus

A driver ( ) for supplying drive signals to a piezo element ( ) of a milli-actuator device ( ) in a mass data storage device ( ) in a charge mode of operation has a first circuit ( ) for providing a charging current to a sense capacitor ( ) in response to head position control signals. The first circuit is powered by a voltage supply (VM) that is referenced to a substrate potential, or a ground potential (AGND). A second circuit ( ) for mirroring a current in the first circuit at a predetermined mirror ratio (1x:Nx) to provide drive currents to the piezo element ( ). The substrate potential may be, for example, an analog ground potential. If desired, the integrated circuit may also include a first switch ( ) connected to selectively disable the first circuit ( ) a second switch ( ) connected to selectively provide a feedback path from the second circuit ( ) to an input of the second circuit ( ). When the first ( ) and second ( ) switches are selectively operated, the integrated circuit is configured to operate in a voltage mode.

Integrated charge and voltage mode drive circuit for piezo actuators used in mass data storage devices, or the like

A staring focal plane architecture that utilizes a frame buffer to meet the requirements of multiple applications. The frame buffer can be implemented in the array unit cell or external to the unit cell. The frame buffer allows windowing or outputting subsections of the array. Multiple windows per frame can also be outputs. Other features such as electronic dezoom are also supported. The frame buffer allows a high degree of flexibility and in the case where the frame buffer is external to the cell high dynamic range.

Growing community of inventors

Plano, TX, United States of America

Terence Joseph Murphy