Power-on detection circuit for detecting minimum operational frequency

• US 7,750,684 B2
• Filed: 04/18/2008
• Issued: 07/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
• Inventors: Dale, Bret Roberts, Jurasek, Ryan Andrew, Daudelin, Darin James, Chapmen, Dave Eugene
• Primary Examiner(s): Donovan; Lincoln
• Assistant Examiner(s): Houston; Adam D
• Application Number:
  US12/105,280
• Publication Number:
  US 20090261870A1
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• Field of Search: 327/142, 327/143, 327/333, 327/198
• US Class Current: 327/47
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 3/0315 Ring oscillators

Abstract

A power-on detection circuit for detecting a minimum operational frequency includes: an oscillating circuit, which includes: a ring oscillator, for generating a first oscillating signal; and a high pass filter for filtering the first oscillating signal to generate a second oscillating signal. The power-on detection circuit also includes a rectification device, coupled to the high pass filter, for generating a logic signal once the second oscillating signal reaches a certain frequency.

Claims

1. A power-on detection circuit for detecting a minimum operational frequency, comprising:

an oscillating circuit, for generating an oscillating signal having an upper threshold, comprising;

a ring oscillator, for generating a first oscillating signal up to the upper threshold; and

a high pass filter, coupled to the ring oscillator, for filtering the first oscillating signal to generate a second oscillating signal, wherein a logic signal is generated once the first oscillating signal reaches the certain frequency; and

a rectification device, coupled to the oscillating circuit, for receiving the second oscillating signal and generating the logic signal once the first oscillating signal reaches a certain frequency, comprising;

a transistor, having a gate coupled to the high pass filter and a source coupled to a first reference voltage;

a resistor, coupled between a second reference voltage and a drain of the transistor; and

a logic detect circuit, coupled to the drain of the transistor, for outputting the logic signal when the transistor is turned on by the second oscillating signal.

2. The power-on detection circuit of claim 1,

wherein the second oscillating signal is generated at a predetermined frequency and amplitude of the first oscillating signal, and the logic signal is generated after the second oscillating signal is generated.

3. A power-on detection circuit for detecting a minimum operational frequency, comprising:

an oscillating circuit, for generating an oscillating signal having an upper threshold; and

a rectification device, coupled to the oscillating circuit, for receiving the oscillating signal and generating a logic signal once the oscillating signal reaches a certain frequency, comprising;

a transistor that is turned on at the certain frequency, having a gate coupled to the oscillating device and a source coupled to a first reference voltage;

a resistor, coupled between a second reference voltage and a drain of the transistor;

a capacitor, coupled between the resistor and the drain of the transistor, for storing charges when the oscillating signal is below the certain frequency and for discharging when the transistor is turned on by the oscillating signal; and

a logic detect circuit, coupled to the capacitor, for outputting the logic signal when the capacitor discharges.

4. The power-on detection circuit of claim 3, wherein the second oscillating signal is generated at a predetermined frequency and amplitude of the first oscillating signal, and the logic signal is generated after the second oscillating signal is generated.