IP Library Granted Patent US 7,301,412
Granted Patent B2
US 7,301,412 · App. 11/216,000 · Granted Nov 27, 2007

Variable capacity circuit and control method of variable capacity circuit

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,301,412
App. No.
11/216,000
Granted
Nov 27, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

To present a variable capacity circuit and a control method of variable capacity capable of extending a variable capacity width of a variable capacity element to a maximum extent without increasing an element area of the variable capacity element or varying the level of control voltage, a variable capacity circuit 2 comprises a capacity value control circuit 11, varactors VA 1 and VA 2, and resistance elements R 1 and R 2. The capacity value control circuit 11 issues a variable output voltage CNTOUT depending on input control voltage VT, and controls the potentials at both ends of the varactors simultaneously. The output voltage CNTOUT is variably adjusted so as to have a negative correlation to the control voltage VT. Variable width of terminal voltage VD can be extended from a variable width SA 1 to a variable width SA 1 a (range is +/−(Vcc 1 )). As a result, as shown in FIG. 5B , the changeable area of a varactor capacity value CV can be extended from a changeable area CA 1 to a changeable area CA 1 a.

Claims (22)

1. A variable capacity circuit comprising:

a second voltage control circuit for receiving a first voltage and issuing a second voltage, wherein a voltage level of the second voltage changes depending on a voltage level change of the first voltage; and

at least one variable capacity element for receiving the first voltage at one end and the second voltage at other end, and controlling a capacity value depending on a differential voltage between the first voltage and the second voltage.

2. The variable capacity circuit according to claim 1 , wherein the second voltage control circuit adjusts the second voltage variably so that the second voltage has a negative correlation to the first voltage.

3. The variable capacity circuit according to claim 1 , wherein the second voltage control circuit adjusts the second voltage variably so that the second voltage has a positive correlation to the first voltage.

4. A voltage control oscillation circuit comprising:

a variable capacity control circuit comprising:

a second voltage control circuit for receiving a first voltage and issuing a second voltage, wherein a voltage level of the second voltage changes depending on a voltage level change of the first voltage, and

at least one variable capacity element for receiving the first voltage at one end and the second voltage at other end, and controlling a capacity value depending on a differential voltage between the first voltage and the second voltage;

an inductor connected to the variable capacity element of the variable capacity circuit; and

a capacitor for connection provided on a connection route of the variable capacity element and the inductor.

5. The voltage control oscillation circuit according to claim 4 , wherein a resistance element is provided on a connection route of output terminal of the second voltage control circuit and the variable capacity element.

6. A control method of variable capacity circuit comprising the steps of:

issuing a second voltage, wherein a voltage level of the second voltage changes depending on a voltage level change of the first voltage, and

controlling a capacity value of a variable capacity element depending on a differential voltage between the first voltage and the second voltage.

7. The control method of variable capacity circuit according to claim 6 , wherein the second voltage is adjusted variably so that the second voltage has a negative correlation to the first voltage.

8. The control method of variable capacity circuit according to claim 7 , wherein, for increasing the change rate of a capacity value of the variable capacity element relative to the first voltage, a decrease rate of the second voltage relative to the first voltage is increased depending on the change rate, and

for decreasing the change rate of the capacity value of the variable capacity element relative to the first voltage, the decrease rate of the second voltage relative to the first voltage is decreased depending on the change rate.

9. The control method of variable capacity circuit according to claim 6 , wherein the second voltage is adjusted variably so that the second voltage has a positive correlation to the first voltage.

10. The control method of variable capacity circuit according to claim 9 , wherein, for decreasing the change rate of a capacity value of the variable capacity element relative to the first voltage, an increase rate of the second voltage relative to the first voltage is increased depending on the change rate, and

for increasing the change rate of the capacity value of the variable capacity element relative to the first voltage, the increase rate of the second voltage relative to the first voltage is decreased depending on the change rate.

11. The control method of variable capacity circuit according to claim 6 , wherein the second voltage is provided with an offset depending on the difference between a center value in a range of differential voltage depending on a target capacity range of the variable capacity element, and a center value in a range of differential voltage determined by the first voltage and the second voltage.

Assignments (9)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE 8647899 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 035240 FRAME 0429. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTERST. Recorded Nov 3, 2020
From: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION; SPANSION LLC
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 058002/0470 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 14, 2016
From: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
To: MONTEREY RESEARCH, LLC
Reel/Frame 040911/0238 →
PARTIAL RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Aug 11, 2016
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION; SPANSION LLC
Reel/Frame 039708/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 30, 2015
From: SPANSION, LLC
To: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 036036/0738 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 21, 2015
From: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION; SPANSION LLC
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 035240/0429 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 11, 2013
From: FUJITSU SEMICONDUCTOR LIMITED
To: SPANSION LLC
Reel/Frame 031205/0461 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 22, 2010
From: FUJITSU MICROELECTRONICS LIMITED
To: FUJITSU SEMICONDUCTOR LIMITED
Reel/Frame 024982/0245 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 12, 2008
From: FUJITSU LIMITED
To: FUJITSU MICROELECTRONICS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 021998/0645 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 1, 2005
From: MORIBE, TSUYOSHI; KISHI, MASAKI; KAMIYA, YOSHIHARU; YAMAMOTO, MASAHIRO
To: FUJITSU LIMITED
Reel/Frame 016951/0584 →