Patent US6060932A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6060932A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Variable frequency charge pump
Assignee: STMicroelectronics SA
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Filing: 1998-07-17
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Granted: 2000-05-09
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Expires: 2018-07-17
Abstract
Abstract In integrated circuits, to modify the operation of the charge pumps or voltage step-up circuits, they are sent a variable frequency signal at the input with the aim of breaking the regularity of the pulse train that enters the charge pump. This limits the risks of entry into resonance and limits radiation at a given frequency. The variable frequency signal is typically produced by a logic circuit and by a main oscillator whose transmission of certain pulses is masked by the combined action of different masking signals. The duty cycle ratios of the masking signals are less than that of the signal from the main oscillator. Such duty cycle ratios are preferably produced following the passage of a signal to a lower frequency than that of the signal of the main oscillator in a circuit for the detection of high transitions.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean Devin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 12:48
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M3/00; H02M3/02; H02M3/04; H02M3/06; H02M3/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
An electronic integrated circuit comprising: a charge pump; at least one first oscillator to produce cyclically repetitive pulses for use as control signals for said charge pump; and a masking circuit to mask transmission of certain ones of the cyclically repetitive pulses from said at least one first oscillator to said charge pump to modify a frequency of electromagnetic radiation resulting from the cyclically repetitive pulses.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
An electronic integrated circuit comprising: a charge pump; at least one first oscillator to produce cyclically repetitive pulses for use as control signals for said charge pump; and a masking circuit to mask transmission of certain ones of the cyclically repetitive pulses from said at least one first oscillator to said charge pump to modify a frequency of electromagnetic radiation resulting from the cyclically repetitive pulses.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A circuit according to claim 1, wherein said at least one first oscillator comprises a ring oscillator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A circuit according to claim 1, wherein said masking circuit comprises at least one second oscillator having an output connected with an output of said first oscillator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A circuit according to claim 3, wherein said at least one second oscillator has a frequency lower than a frequency of said at least one first oscillator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A circuit according to claim 3, wherein said masking circuit further comprises a combination circuit to combine signals of the at least one first oscillator and the at least one second oscillator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A circuit according to claim 5, wherein said combination circuit comprises at least one NOR gate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A circuit according to claim 3, wherein said at least one second oscillator produces a signal having a duty cycle ratio smaller than a duty cycle ratio of a signal produced by said at least one first oscillator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A circuit according to claim 3, wherein said at least one second oscillator comprises: a second oscillator; and a third oscillator phase-shifted with respect to said second oscillator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
A circuit according to claim 3, wherein said at least one second oscillator comprises a circuit to produce a pulse with a duration shorter than a duration of a pulse of said at least one second oscillator at a time of appearance of an edge of a pulse of said at least one second oscillator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A circuit according to claim 3, wherein said at least one second oscillator produces a signal having a duty cycle ratio in a range of about 10% to 15%.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A circuit according to claim 1, said at least one first oscillator produces a signal having a duty cycle ratio of about 50%.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
82 words
An electronic circuit comprising: a charge pump; at least one first oscillator to produce cyclically repetitive pulses for use as control signals for said charge pump; and a masking circuit to mask transmission of pulses produced from said at least one first oscillator to said charge pump, said masking circuit comprising at least one second oscillator having an output connected with an output of said first oscillator and having a frequency lower than a frequency of said at least one first oscillator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
82 words
An electronic circuit comprising: a charge pump; at least one first oscillator to produce cyclically repetitive pulses for use as control signals for said charge pump; and a masking circuit to mask transmission of pulses produced from said at least one first oscillator to said charge pump, said masking circuit comprising at least one second oscillator having an output connected with an output of said first oscillator and having a frequency lower than a frequency of said at least one first oscillator.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A circuit according to claim 12, wherein said at least one first oscillator comprises a ring oscillator.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
A circuit according to claim 12, wherein said masking circuit further comprises a combination circuit to combine signals of the at least one first oscillator and the at least one second oscillator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A circuit according to claim 14, wherein said combination circuit comprises at least one NOR gate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
A circuit according to claim 12, wherein said at least one second oscillator produces a signal having a duty cycle ratio smaller than a duty cycle ratio of a signal produced by said at least one first oscillator.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
A circuit according to claim 12, wherein said at least one second oscillator comprises: a second oscillator; and a third oscillator phase-shifted with respect to said second oscillator.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
55 words
A circuit according to claim 12, wherein said at least one second oscillator comprises a circuit to produce a pulse with a duration shorter than a duration of a pulse of said at least one second oscillator at a time of appearance of an edge of a pulse of said at least one second oscillator.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
A circuit according to claim 12, wherein said at least one second oscillator produces a signal having a duty cycle ratio in a range of about 10% to 15%.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
A circuit according to claim 12, said at least one first oscillator produces a signal having a duty cycle ratio of about 50%.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
55 words
A method for operating an electronic circuit of a type comprising a charge pump to reduce electromagnetic radiation from the circuit, the method comprising the steps of: producing cyclically repetitive pulses for use as control signals for the charge pump; and masking transmission of certain ones of the cyclically repetitive pulses to the charge pump.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
55 words
A method for operating an electronic circuit of a type comprising a charge pump to reduce electromagnetic radiation from the circuit, the method comprising the steps of: producing cyclically repetitive pulses for use as control signals for the charge pump; and masking transmission of certain ones of the cyclically repetitive pulses to the charge pump.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 21, wherein the step of producing the cyclically repetitive pulses comprises producing same using at least one first oscillator.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method according to claim 22, wherein the step of masking comprises the steps of: using at least one second oscillator having a frequency lower than a frequency of the at least one first oscillator; and combining signals of the at least one first oscillator and the at least one second oscillator.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 23, wherein the step of combining comprises using at least one NOR gate.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 23, further comprising the step of operating the at least one second oscillator to produce a signal having a duty cycle ratio in a range of about 10% to 15%.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 23, further comprising the step of operating the at least one first oscillator to produce a signal having a duty cycle ratio of about 50%.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-05-09 | 2003-11-08 | 2004-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-09 | 2007-11-08 | 2008-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-09 | 2011-11-08 | 2012-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |