Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Michael J. Donohue
  • Patent number: 5867066
    Abstract: A current amplifier includes a cascode transistor for fixing the voltage of an input of the amplifier; a first constant current source connected between the input and a first supply voltage; a second constant current source, for providing a current lower than the first current source, connected between a second supply voltage and the cascode transistor; a second transistor, of different type than the cascode transistor, connected between the input and the second supply voltage, and controlled by the node between the cascode transistor and the second current source; and an output transistor of same type as the second transistor, connected to the second supply voltage and controlled by the node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: SGS-Thomson Microelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Francis Dell'Ova, Bruno Bonhoure, Frederic Paillardet
  • Patent number: 5768115
    Abstract: A voltage booster comprising a charge pump for generating a boost voltage over a boost line. The booster comprises a comparator which is supplied by a voltage divider with a voltage proportional to the boost voltage, and by a reference source with a low reference voltage, and which, depending on the outcome of the comparison, enables or disables the charge pump. A voltage limiter is connected between the boost line and ground; and a acceleration circuit accelerates the voltage increase on the acceleration line following low-power operation in which the paths toward ground are interrupted for reducing consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: SGS-Thomson Microelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Luigi Pascucci, Silvia Padoan, Carla Maria Golla