Patents by Inventor Dario Paci

Dario Paci has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9671471
    Abstract: A magnetic-field sensor, including: a die, a current generator in the die. The current generator generating a driving current. A Lorentz force transducer also in the die and being configured to obtain measurements of magnetic field based upon the Lorentz force is coupled to the current generator. The transducer having a resonance frequency. The current generator is such that the driving current has a non-zero frequency different from the resonance frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Giacomo Langfelder, Alessandro Tocchio, Dario Paci
  • Patent number: 9568566
    Abstract: An integrated magnetoresistive sensor, formed in a chip including a substrate having a surface and an insulating region covering the surface of the substrate. A magnetoresistor, of a first ferromagnetic material, is formed in the insulating region and has a sensitivity plane parallel to the surface. A concentrator of a second ferromagnetic material is formed in the substrate and has at least one arm extending in a transverse direction to the sensitivity plane. The arm has one end in contact with the magnetoresistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Dario Paci, Dino Faralli, Andrea Picco
  • Publication number: 20160377691
    Abstract: An integrated AMR magnetoresistive sensor has a magnetoresistor, a set/reset coil and a shielding region arranged on top of each other. The set/reset coil is positioned between the magnetoresistor and the shielding region. The magnetoresistor is formed by a magnetoresistive strip of an elongated shape having a length in a first direction parallel to the preferential magnetization direction and a width in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The set/reset coil has at least one stretch extending transversely to the magnetoresistive strip. The shielding region is a ferromagnetic material and has a width in the second direction greater than the width of the magnetoresistive strip so as to attenuate the external magnetic field traversing the magnetoresistive strip and increase the sensitivity scale of the magnetoresistive sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Dario Paci, Marco Marchesi, Marco Morelli
  • Patent number: 9442168
    Abstract: An integrated magnetoresistive device, where a substrate of semiconductor material is covered, on a first surface, by an insulating layer. A magnetoresistor of ferromagnetic material extends in the insulating layer and defines a sensitivity plane of the sensor. A concentrator of ferromagnetic material including at least one arm, extending in a transversal direction to the sensitivity plane and vertically offset to the magnetoresistor. In this way, magnetic flux lines directed perpendicularly to the sensitivity plane are concentrated and deflected so as to generate magnetic-field components directed in a parallel direction to the sensitivity plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Dario Paci, Marco Morelli, Caterina Riva
  • Patent number: 9423474
    Abstract: A magnetic-field sensor includes: a chip including a substrate having a first surface and an insulating layer covering the first surface; first and second magnetoresistors each extending into the insulating layer and having a main axis of magnetization and a secondary axis of magnetization; a first magnetic-field generator configured to generate a first magnetic field having field lines along the main axis of magnetization of the first magnetoresistor; a second magnetic-field generator configured to generate a second magnetic field having field lines along the main axis of magnetization of the second magnetoresistor. The main axes of magnetization extending transversely to each other and the secondary axes of magnetization extending transversely to each other. The first and second magnetoresistors extend into the insulating layer at a first distance and a second distance, respectively, that differ from one another, from the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Dario Paci, Sarah Zerbini, Benedetto Vigna
  • Publication number: 20160202329
    Abstract: An AMR-type integrated magnetoresistive sensor sensitive to perpendicular magnetic fields is formed on a body of semiconductor material covered by an insulating region. The insulating region houses a set/reset coil and a magnetoresistor arranged on the set/reset coil. The magnetoresistor is formed by a magnetoresistive strip of an elongated shape parallel to the preferential magnetization direction. A concentrator of ferromagnetic material is arranged on top of the insulating region as the last element of the sensor and is formed by a plurality of distinct ferromagnetic regions aligned parallel to the preferential magnetization direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventor: Dario Paci
  • Publication number: 20160154067
    Abstract: A magnetic-field sensor includes: a chip including a substrate having a first surface and an insulating layer covering the first surface; first and second magnetoresistors each extending into the insulating layer and having a main axis of magnetization and a secondary axis of magnetization; a first magnetic-field generator configured to generate a first magnetic field having field lines along the main axis of magnetization of the first magnetoresistor; a second magnetic-field generator configured to generate a second magnetic field having field lines along the main axis of magnetization of the second magnetoresistor. The main axes of magnetization extending transversely to each other and the secondary axes of magnetization extending transversely to each other. The first and second magnetoresistors extend into the insulating layer at a first distance and a second distance, respectively, that differ from one another, from the first surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Dario Paci, Sarah Zerbini, Benedetto Vigna
  • Publication number: 20160072057
    Abstract: An integrated magnetoresistive device includes a substrate of semiconductor material that is covered, on a first surface, by an insulating layer. A magnetoresistor of ferromagnetic material extends within the insulating layer and defines a sensitivity plane of the sensor. A concentrator of ferromagnetic material includes at least one arm that extends in a transversal direction to the sensitivity plane and is vertically offset from the magnetoresistor. The concentrator concentrates deflects magnetic flux lines perpendicular to the sensitivity plane so as to generate magnetic-field components directed in a parallel direction to the sensitivity plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Dario Paci, Marco Morelli, Caterina Riva
  • Patent number: 9018946
    Abstract: An integrated magnetic-field sensor designed to detect an external magnetic field, comprising a first magnetoresistive structure for detecting the external magnetic field, the first magnetoresistive structure including first magnetoresistive means having a main axis of magnetization and a secondary axis of magnetization set orthogonal to one another. The magnetic-field sensor further comprises a magnetic-field generator, including a first portion configured for generating a first magnetic field having field lines in a first field direction, and a second portion, which is coplanar and is connected to the first portion, configured for generating a second magnetic field having field lines in a second field direction, the first magnetoresistive means being configured so that the main axis of magnetization extends parallel to the first field direction, and the secondary axis of magnetization extends parallel to the second field direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.R.L.
    Inventors: Dario Paci, Sarah Zerbini
  • Patent number: 9006862
    Abstract: An embodiment of an electronic device includes first and second semiconductor bodies. The first semiconductor body houses a first conductive strip having a first end portion and a second end portion, and houses a first conduction terminal electrically coupled to the first end portion and facing a surface of the first semiconductor body. The second semiconductor body houses a second conductive strip having a third end portion and a fourth end portion, and houses a second conduction terminal electrically coupled to the third end portion and facing a surface of the second semiconductor body. The first and second semiconductor bodies are arranged relative to one another so that the respective surfaces face one another, and the first conduction terminal and the second conduction terminal are coupled to one another by means of a conductive element so as to form a loop of an inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Vincenzo Palumbo, Dario Paci, Paolo Iuliano, Fausto Carace, Marco Morelli
  • Publication number: 20150082856
    Abstract: An integrated sensor device including a first die, housing a sensor element to detect a quantity external to the sensor device and transduce the external quantity into an electrical sensing signal; a second die mechanically coupled to the first die so that the first and second dies are stacked on one another along one and the same axis; and at least one heater of a resistive type integrated in the first die and/or in the second die, having a first conduction terminal and a second conduction terminal configured to couple respective first and second conduction terminals of a signal generator for causing an electric current to flow, in use, between the first and second conduction terminals of the heater and generate heat by the Joule effect. It is possible to carry out calibration in temperature of the sensor element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Dario PACI, Francesco PROCOPIO, Carlo VALZASINA, Paolo ANGELINI, Francesco DIAZZI, Roberto Pio BAORDA, Danilo Karim KADDOURI
  • Publication number: 20150035526
    Abstract: A magnetic-field sensor, including: a die, a current generator in the die. The current generator generating a driving current. A Lorentz force transducer also in the die and being configured to obtain measurements of magnetic field based upon the Lorentz force is coupled to the current generator. The transducer having a resonance frequency. The current generator is such that the driving current has a non-zero frequency different from the resonance frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Giacomo Langfelder, Alessandro Tocchio, Dario Paci
  • Publication number: 20140353785
    Abstract: An integrated magnetoresistive sensor (20; 30; 40) of an AMR (Anisotropic Magneto Resistance) type, formed by a magnetoresistive strip (24) of ferromagnetic material and having an elongated shape with a preferential magnetization direction (EA). A set/reset coil (22) has a stretch (34a, 34b), which extends over and transversely to the magnetoresistive strip. A concentrating region (23), also of ferromagnetic material, extends over the stretch of the set/reset coil so as to form a magnetic circuit for the field generated by the set/reset coil during steps of refresh and maintenance of magnetization of the magnetoresistive coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventor: Dario Paci
  • Publication number: 20140159717
    Abstract: An integrated magnetoresistive sensor, formed in a chip including a substrate having a surface and an insulating region covering the surface of the substrate. A magnetoresistor, of a first ferromagnetic material, is formed in the insulating region and has a sensitivity plane parallel to the surface. A concentrator of a second ferromagnetic material is formed in the substrate and has at least one arm extending in a transverse direction to the sensitivity plane. The arm has one end in contact with the magnetoresistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Dario Paci, Dino Faralli, Andrea Picco
  • Patent number: 8736262
    Abstract: An integrated magnetic sensor formed in a body including a substrate of semiconductor material, which integrates a Hall cell. A trench is formed in the body, for example, on the back of the substrate, and is delimited by lateral surface portions that extend in a direction transverse to the main face of the body. The trench has a depth in a direction perpendicular to the main face that is much greater than its width in a direction parallel to the main face of the body, between the lateral surface portions. A concentrator made of ferromagnetic material is formed within the trench and is constituted by two ferromagnetic regions, which are set at a distance apart from one another and extend along the lateral surface portions of the trench towards the first Hall cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Dario Paci, Caterina Riva, Marco Morelli
  • Patent number: 8677824
    Abstract: A MEMS microbalance that includes a substrate made of semiconductor material with a cavity, and a resonator, which is suspended above the cavity of the substrate and is formed by a mobile body, by at least one first arm connected between the substrate and the mobile body, which has a first thickness and which enables oscillations of the mobile body with respect to the substrate, by an actuation transducer connected to the mobile body for generating the oscillations at a resonance frequency, and by a detection transducer for detecting a variation of the resonance frequency, wherein the mobile body possesses at least one thin portion having a second thickness smaller than the first thickness of the first arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.R.L.
    Inventors: Dario Paci, Francesco Pieri, Pietro Toscano
  • Patent number: 8633688
    Abstract: The integrated magnetic sensor for detecting an external magnetic field, is formed by a body of semiconductor material having a surface; an insulating layer covering the body of semiconductor material; a magnetically sensitive region, for example a Hall cell, extending inside the body; and a concentrator of ferromagnetic material, extending on the Hall cell and having a planar portion extending parallel to the surface of the substrate on the insulating layer. The concentrator terminates with a tip protruding peripherally from, and transversely to, the planar portion toward the Hall cell. When the magnetically sensitive region is a sensing coil of a fluxgate sensor, it is formed on the substrate, embedded in the insulating layer, and the tip of the concentrator can reach as far as the sensing coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Dario Paci, Paolo Iuliano, Caterina Riva, Marco Morelli
  • Publication number: 20140015525
    Abstract: A magnetic-field sensor includes: a chip including a substrate having a first surface and an insulating layer covering the first surface; first and second magnetoresistors each extending into the insulating layer and having a main axis of magnetization and a secondary axis of magnetization; a first magnetic-field generator configured to generate a first magnetic field having field lines along the main axis of magnetization of the first magnetoresistor; a second magnetic-field generator configured to generate a second magnetic field having field lines along the main axis of magnetization of the second magnetoresistor. The main axes of magnetization extending transversely to each other and the secondary axes of magnetization extending transversely to each other. The first and second magnetoresistors extend into the insulating layer at a first distance and a second distance, respectively, that differ from one another, from the first surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Dario Paci, Sarah Zerbini, Benedetto Vigna
  • Publication number: 20130299930
    Abstract: An integrated magnetoresistive device, where a substrate of semiconductor material is covered, on a first surface, by an insulating layer. A magnetoresistor of ferromagnetic material extends in the insulating layer and defines a sensitivity plane of the sensor. A concentrator of ferromagnetic material including at least one arm, extending in a transversal direction to the sensitivity plane and vertically offset to the magnetoresistor. In this way, magnetic flux lines directed perpendicularly to the sensitivity plane are concentrated and deflected so as to generate magnetic-field components directed in a parallel direction to the sensitivity plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Dario Paci, Marco Morelli, Caterina Riva
  • Publication number: 20130081467
    Abstract: A MEMS microbalance that includes a substrate made of semiconductor material with a cavity, and a resonator, which is suspended above the cavity of the substrate and is formed by a mobile body, by at least one first arm connected between the substrate and the mobile body, which has a first thickness and which enables oscillations of the mobile body with respect to the substrate, by an actuation transducer connected to the mobile body for generating the oscillations at a resonance frequency, and by a detection transducer for detecting a variation of the resonance frequency, wherein the mobile body possesses at least one thin portion having a second thickness smaller than the first thickness of the first arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Dario Paci, Francesco Pieri, Pietro Toscano