Jonathan Eric Starr

US Patent:

6339351, Jan 15, 2002

Filed:

Jun 7, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/326964

Inventors:

Michael A. Ang - Santa Clara CA
Alexander D. Taylor - Cupertino CA
Jonathan E. Starr - Cupertino CA
Sai V. Vishwanthaiah - Sunnyvale CA

Assignee:

Sun Microsystems, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H03K 512

US Classification:

327170, 327108, 326 82, 326 87

Abstract:

A driver may be provided which controls output impedance of a driver which includes within the driver an impedance circuit and slew rate control. Accordingly, a desired output slew rate and a desired output impedance can be advantageously established and maintained over a wide range of variations in operating conditions, manufacturing processes and output voltage levels. Such a driver also advantageously limits any crowbar current, thereby reducing the overall power consumption of the driver with little, if any, degradation of driver performance.

US Patent:

6366139, Apr 2, 2002

Filed:

Jun 7, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/327220

Inventors:

Michael A. Ang - Santa Clara CA
Alexander D. Taylor - Cupertino CA
Jonathan E. Starr - Cupertino CA
Sai V. Vishwanthaiah - Sunnyvale CA

Assignee:

Sun Microsystems, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H03B 100

US Classification:

327108, 327327, 327112, 326 87, 326 82

Abstract:

A method may be provided which controls the output impedance of a driver which includes within the driver an impedance circuit and a slew rate control. Accordingly, a desired output slew rate and a desired output impedance can be advantageously established and maintained over a wide range of variations in operating conditions, manufacturing processes and output voltage levels. Such a method also advantageously limits any crowbar current, thereby reducing the overall power consumption of the driver with little, if any, degradation of driver performance.

US Patent:

6411131, Jun 25, 2002

Filed:

May 21, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/316421

Inventors:

Michael A. Ang - San Francisco CA
Jonathan E. Starr - Cupertino CA

Assignee:

Sun Microsystems, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G01R 1900

US Classification:

327 52, 327 56

Abstract:

A receiver is provided which quickly and efficiently recognizes signals by including with the receiver a resolving circuit which is coupled to a signal generation circuit which provides a differential current. The resolving circuit is coupled to a latching circuit. The resolving circuit can operate with supply voltage levels as low as one threshold voltage. Also, the signal setup and hold times are inherently vary small due to the high intrinsic bandwidth of the receiver. Other advantages include reduced power consumption, high speed operation, good rejection of input noise and power supply noise, ability to resolve small (e. g. , 1. 0 mVolt) voltage differences, reduced capacitive loading, and the ability to function with a variety of types of drivers, including HSTL, DTL and PECL.

US Patent:

6420913, Jul 16, 2002

Filed:

Sep 20, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/398868

Inventors:

Michael A. Ang - San Francisco CA
Alexander D. Taylor - Olga WA
Jonathan E. Starr - Cupertino CA
Sai V. Vishwanthaiah - Sunnyvale CA

Assignee:

Sun Microsystems, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H03B 100

US Classification:

327108, 327112

Abstract:

A driver capable of launching signals into a transmission line and of terminating signals at a receiver end of the transmission line includes within the driver a circuit for controlling the output impedance and a circuit for controlling the output slew rate. Accordingly, a desired output impedance can be advantageously established and maintained over a wide range of variations in operating conditions, manufacturing processes and output voltage levels. Such a driver also advantageously limits any crowbar current, thereby reducing the overall power consumption of the driver with little, if any, degradation of driver performance. The driver includes a pull up circuit coupled to receive at least one of a plurality of control codes. The pull up circuit includes pull up output circuit and an impedance control buffer circuit, a parallel pull up circuit, the parallel pull up circuit and the pull up output circuit being controllable to adjust the impedance of the pull up circuit. The driver also includes a pull down circuit coupled to receive at least one of the plurality of control codes.

US Patent:

6484293, Nov 19, 2002

Filed:

Jul 14, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/617519

Inventors:

Jonathan E. Starr - Santa Clara CA

Assignee:

Sun Microsystems, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G06F 1750

US Classification:

716 2, 326 30

Abstract:

A Scheme-1 Termination scheme maximizes system signaling rates by minimizing the signal settling-time when the distance from the middle node to the intersection of the transmission lines is much smaller than the sum of the distances from the end nodes to the intersection of the transmission lines. If the distance from the middle node to the intersection of the transmission lines is not much smaller than the sum of the distances from the end nodes to the intersection of the transmission lines, it has been discovered that a Scheme-2 Termination scheme minimizes the signal settling-time. Alternately, when a Scheme-3 Termination scheme is available, the Scheme-3 Termination scheme maximizes system signaling rates by minimizing the signal settling time when the third transmission line length is more than the second transmission line length divided by two. Otherwise a Scheme-1 Termination scheme minimizes the signal settling time. Additionally, for a given termination scheme, the settling time can be changed by adjusting the lengths of the transmission lines.

US Patent:

6608506, Aug 19, 2003

Filed:

Mar 20, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/102564

Inventors:

Michael A. Ang - San Francisco CA
Alexander D. Taylor - Olga WA
Jonathan E. Starr - Cupertino CA
Sai V. Vishwanthaiah - Sunnyvale CA

Assignee:

Sun Microsystems, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

H03B 100

US Classification:

327108, 327112

Abstract:

A driver capable of launching signals into a transmission line and of terminating signals at a receiver end of the transmission line includes within the driver a circuit for controlling the output impedance and a circuit for controlling the output slew rate. Accordingly, a desired output impedance can be advantageously established and maintained over a wide range of variations in operating conditions, manufacturing processes and output voltage levels. Such a driver also advantageously limits any crowbar current, thereby reducing the overall power consumption of the driver with little, if any, degradation of driver performance. The driver includes a pull up circuit coupled to receive at least one of a plurality of control codes. The pull up circuit includes pull up output circuit and an impedance control buffer circuit, a parallel pull up circuit, the parallel pull up circuit and the pull up output circuit being controllable to adjust the impedance of the pull up circuit. The driver also includes a pull down circuit coupled to receive at least one of the plurality of control codes.

US Patent:

62396196, May 29, 2001

Filed:

Dec 11, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/763687

Inventors:

Leo Yuan - Los Altos CA
Chaim Amir - Sunnyvale CA
Derek Shuntao Tsai - San Jose CA
Drew George Doblar - San Jose CA
Jonathan Eric Starr - Cupertino CA
Trung Thanh Nguyen - San Jose CA

Assignee:

Sun Microsystems, Inc. - Palo Alto CA
LSI Logic Corporation - Milpitas CA

International Classification:

H03K 1716
H03K 190175
H03K 19094

US Classification:

326 86

Abstract:

An apparatus for dynamic termination logic of bi-directional data buses and methods of operating the same result in bi-directional data buses with improved data transfer performance. The bi-directional data bus for wire-or data transfers comprises a first end-driver coupled to a first end of the data bus configured to drive the first end of the data bus with a first signal. The second end-driver coupled to the second end of the data bus is configured to dynamically terminate the first signal from the first end-driver.

US Patent:

59558946, Sep 21, 1999

Filed:

Jun 25, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/881940

Inventors:

Sai V. Vishwanthaiah - Sunnyvale CA
Jonathan E. Starr - Cupertino CA
Alexander D. Taylor - Cupertino CA

Assignee:

Sun Microsystems, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H03K 1923
H03K 190175

US Classification:

326 86

Abstract:

A method for controlling the impedance of drivers controls the output impedance of drivers by coupling the drivers to a impedance control circuit. Accordingly, a desired driver output impedance can advantageously be established and maintained over a wide range of variations in operating conditions and manufacturing processes. Thereby shortening the signal settling time and increasing the attainable signaling frequency.