Programmable oscillator using magnetoresistive memory technology
US6252471A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 29, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jun 26, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 29, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C11/14
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A programmable oscillator including a memory array of magnetoresistive memory elements, where the memory array is programmed to any one of multiple states based on one or more values and provides an output signal that controls a variable oscillator. The variable oscillator provides a frequency signal that corresponds to the output signal. The oscillator may be a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) where the memory array is a voltage divider receiving a voltage reference signal and having a voltage junction that asserts a control voltage to the VCO. The voltage divider may include multiple voltage dividers, each including resistive circuits coupled on either side of the voltage junction and each programmed by a corresponding value. A frequency select register stores a frequency select value to program a frequency voltage divider. A trim select register stores a trim value to program a trim voltage divider. A frequency control block receives a reference clock and the frequency signal and generates an error value that programs a dither voltage divider. A portion of the memory array may be preprogrammed for calibration. The voltage reference signal may be provided to an analog to digit…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.