Patents by Inventor Manuel Santoro

Manuel Santoro 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: 9897460
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an MEMS sensor and a method for compensation of a quadrature error on an MEMS sensor, which is intended for detection of movements of a substrate, especially accelerations and/or rotation rates. At least one mass arranged on the substrate and mounted to move relative to it is driven by means of drive electrodes. The mass/es execute a movement deviating from the prescribed movement due to a quadrature error. A deflection of the mass/es occurring due to Coriolis force and quadrature error is detected with detection electrodes. It is proposed according to the invention that a capacitance change be detected as a function of drive movement of the mass/es by means of compensation electrodes. A compensation charge dependent on the quadrature error of the MEMS sensor is generated on the compensation electrodes. For compensation, the distorted or incorrect charge generated by the quadrature error in the detection electrodes is compensated with the compensation charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Luca Coronato, Gabrielle Cazzaniga, Carlo Caminada, Manuel Santoro, Luciano Prandi, Demetre Kondylis
  • Publication number: 20150268060
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an MEMS sensor and a method for compensation of a quadrature error on an MEMS sensor, which is intended for detection of movements of a substrate, especially accelerations and/or rotation rates. At least one mass arranged on the substrate and mounted to move relative to it is driven by means of drive electrodes. The mass/es execute a movement deviating from the prescribed movement due to a quadrature error. A deflection of the mass/es occurring due to Coriolis force and quadrature error is detected with detection electrodes. It is proposed according to the invention that a capacitance change be detected as a function of drive movement of the mass/es by means of compensation electrodes. A compensation charge dependent on the quadrature error of the MEMS sensor is generated on the compensation electrodes. For compensation, the distorted or incorrect charge generated by the quadrature error in the detection electrodes is compensated with the compensation charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Luca Coronato, Gabrielle Cazzaniga, Carlo Caminada, Manuel Santoro, Luciano Prandi, Demetre Kondylis
  • Patent number: 9052335
    Abstract: Disclosed are a MEMS sensor and methods to compensate a quadrature error on the sensor. The sensor detects movements of a substrate, especially accelerations and rotation rates. At least one mass arranged on the substrate and mounted to move relative to it is driven by drive electrodes. The mass executes a movement deviating from the prescribed movement due to a quadrature error. A deflection of the mass occurring due to Coriolis force and quadrature error is detected with detection electrodes. A capacitance change is detected as a function of drive movement of the mass by using compensation electrodes. A compensation charge dependent on the quadrature error of the MEMS sensor is generated on the compensation electrodes. For compensation, the distorted or incorrect charge generated by the quadrature error in the detection electrodes is compensated with the compensation charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Luca Coronato, Gabriele Cazzaniga, Carlo Caminada, Manuel Santoro, Luciano Prandi, Demetre Kondylis
  • Publication number: 20130133396
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an MEMS sensor and a method for compensation of a quadrature error on an MEMS sensor, which is intended for detection of movements of a substrate, especially accelerations and/or rotation rates. At least one mass arranged on the substrate and mounted to move relative to it is driven by means of drive electrodes. The mass/es execute a movement deviating from the prescribed movement due to a quadrature error. A deflection of the mass/es occurring due to Coriolis force and quadrature error is detected with detection electrodes. It is proposed according to the invention that a capacitance change be detected as a function of drive movement of the mass/es by means of compensation electrodes. A compensation charge dependent on the quadrature error of the MEMS sensor is generated on the compensation electrodes. For compensation, the distorted or incorrect charge generated by the quadrature error in the detection electrodes is compensated with the compensation charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventors: Luca Coronato, Gabriele Cazzaniga, Carlo Caminada, Manuel Santoro, Luciano Prandi, Demetre Kondylis
  • Patent number: 8248108
    Abstract: A comparator formed by first and second stages. The second stage is formed by a pair of output transistors connected between a power-supply line and respective output nodes; a pair of bias transistors, connected between a respective output node and a current source; a pair of memory elements, connected between the control terminals of the output transistors and opposite output nodes; and switches coupled between the control terminals of the respective output transistors and the respective output nodes. In an initial autozeroing step, the first stage stores its offset so as to generate an offset-free current signal. In a subsequent tracking step, the second stage receives the current signal and the memory elements store control voltages of the respective output transistors. In a subsequent evaluating step, the first stage is disconnected from the second stage and the memory elements receive the current signal and switch the first and the second output node depending on the current signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Manuel Santoro, Fabio Bottinelli