Warren J Spina

Title: Warren J. Spina: Innovator in ASIC and Clock Circuit Technology

Introduction

Warren J. Spina is an accomplished inventor based in Lexington, KY, with a noteworthy portfolio of four patents to his name. His inventions have significantly contributed to advancements in application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC) and clock circuit technology, impacting the effectiveness and efficiency of electronic devices.

Latest Patents

One of his latest patents is for an ASIC with selectable output drivers. This innovative ASIC features four driver circuits, each providing different output power capabilities. The design allows one of the driver circuits to be selected via the content of a register on the ASIC, which is decoded by a dedicated decoder to activate the appropriate driver. This register is routinely updated from an external microprocessor during the initialization of a printer where the ASIC is implemented. By allowing the appropriate driver to be selected based on the estimated needs of the load, his design eliminates the need for nonvolatile memory and streamlines the mask and design requirements.

Another significant patent from Warren is a digital processor clock circuit. This circuit typically delivers clock pulses to a microprocessor capable of interfacing with various memory devices that have differing access times. His design intelligently detects when a slower memory device is accessed and, in response, suspends the microprocessor's operation temporarily to ensure that valid data is read from that device. The suspension period can be adjusted to manage the number of blocked clock pulses, enhancing the reliability of data retrieval.

Career Highlights

Warren Spina has made substantial contributions to the technology and electronics industries during his career. He has worked for reputable companies such as Lexmark International, Inc. and International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), where his expertise in ASIC and digital circuitry has placed him at the forefront of innovation in integrated circuit design.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, Warren has collaborated with talented individuals like Stephen R. Troyer and Jeffrey A. Minnick. Their combined efforts have led to advancements that have not only propelled Warren's inventions but also contributed to the broader field of electronic engineering.

Conclusion

Warren J. Spina's innovative approaches in ASIC technology and clock circuit design highlight his status as a leading inventor in the field. Through his patents and collaboration with esteemed colleagues, he continues to influence technological advancements, demonstrating the significant role inventors play in shaping the future of electronic devices.