Apple inc. (20240110959). Frequency Monitoring Circuitry with Voltage Conversion simplified abstract
Contents
Frequency Monitoring Circuitry with Voltage Conversion
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
Arunvenkatesh Alagappan of Cupertino CA (US)
Soheil Golara of San Jose CA (US)
Seyedeh Sedigheh Hashemi of Los Altos CA (US)
Frequency Monitoring Circuitry with Voltage Conversion - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240110959 titled 'Frequency Monitoring Circuitry with Voltage Conversion
Simplified Explanation
The integrated circuit described in the patent application includes frequency monitoring circuitry, which consists of a voltage-based frequency monitoring circuit and a coarse frequency monitoring circuit.
- The voltage-based frequency monitoring circuit is designed to monitor an input clock signal with a frequency within a first set of frequencies. It generates an output voltage that changes based on whether the input clock frequency is greater or less than a reference frequency.
- The coarse frequency monitoring circuit includes a reference counter and an input clock counter that calculates the input clock frequency based on a count value.
- Potential Applications:**
- This technology can be used in electronic devices that require precise clock signal monitoring, such as communication systems, data processing units, and timing circuits.
- Problems Solved:**
- The integrated circuit solves the problem of accurately monitoring input clock frequencies within different sets of frequencies, ensuring proper operation of the electronic device.
- Benefits:**
- Provides accurate frequency monitoring for improved performance and reliability of electronic devices. - Offers a cost-effective solution for integrating frequency monitoring capabilities into various applications.
- Potential Commercial Applications:**
- Communication systems - Data processing units - Timing circuits
- Possible Prior Art:**
There may be prior art related to frequency monitoring circuits in integrated circuits, but specific examples are not provided in the patent application.
- Unanswered Questions:**
- 1. How does the integrated circuit handle variations in input clock frequencies over time?**
The patent application does not specify how the circuit compensates for changes in input clock frequencies.
- 2. Are there any limitations to the frequency monitoring range of the integrated circuit?**
The patent application does not mention any restrictions on the frequency range that can be monitored by the circuit.
Original Abstract Submitted
an integrated circuit can include frequency monitoring circuitry. the frequency monitoring circuitry may include a voltage based frequency monitoring circuit for monitoring an input clock signal having an input clock frequency within a first set of frequencies and a coarse frequency monitoring circuit for monitoring an input clock signal having an input clock frequency within a second set of frequencies different than the first set of frequencies. the voltage based frequency monitoring circuit can be configured to generate an output voltage having a first value when the input clock frequency is greater than a reference frequency and having a second value when the input clock frequency is less than the reference frequency. the coarse frequency monitoring circuit can include a reference counter and an input clock counter that generates a count value used to compute the input clock frequency.
