Patents Assigned to STMicroelectronics (Alps) SAS
  • Publication number: 20180309187
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a support plate having a mounting face and an electrical connection network. An integrated circuit chip is mounted on the mounting face and linked to the electrical connection network. An encapsulation block embeds the integrated circuit chip. An additional element made of an electrically conductive material is at least partly embedded within the encapsulation block. The additional conductive element has a main portion extending parallel to the support plate and has a secondary portion that is linked electrically to the integrated circuit chip. An opening is formed in the encapsulation block, and the secondary portion extends into that opening to make the electrical link. The additional conductive element may be an antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicants: STMicroelectronics (Grenoble 2) SAS, STMicroelectronics (Alps) SAS
    Inventors: David Auchere, Laurent Marechal, Yvon Imbs, Laurent Schwarz
  • Publication number: 20180310390
    Abstract: The power supply device comprises a supply transistor commanded by a command signal and providing electric power to a lighting module, and a driving means configured to selectively generate, depending on an instruction signal representative of the structure of said at least one lighting module, a first command signal able to command the supply transistor into an ohmic regime, a second command signal able to command the supply transistor into a pulse width modulation regime involving an alternation of ohmic regimes and blocked regimes, and a third command signal able to command the supply transistor into a saturated regime.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicants: STMicroelectronics (Alps) SAS, STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics Application GmbH
    Inventors: Philippe SIRITO-OLIVIER, Giovanni Luca TORRISI, Manuel GAERTNER, Fritz BURKHARDT
  • Patent number: 10103079
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a supporting substrate having a front mounting face and an electrical connection network. An integrated circuit chip is mounted to the mounting face and is electrically connected to the electrical connection network. A primary encapsulation block embeds the integrated circuit chip and extends above and around the integrated circuit chip on the mounting face of the supporting substrate. An opening is provided in the primary encapsulation block to at least partially uncover an electrical contact. An additional wire made from an electrically conductive material has an end that is electrically connected to the electrical contact. An additional encapsulation block above the primary encapsulation block embeds the additional wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Alps) SAS, STMicroelectronics (Grenoble 2) SAS
    Inventors: Yvon Imbs, Laurent Schwarz, David Auchere, Laurent Marechal
  • Patent number: 10073474
    Abstract: A method of controlling a current flowing through a load including the steps of: applying a first transfer function representative of the load to a first voltage to obtain a second voltage; applying the second voltage to a first terminal of a circuit for generating the current; sampling a third voltage between first and second terminals of the load; comparing the third voltage with the second voltage; and determining the current to be supplied to the load according to the result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Alps) SAS
    Inventors: Patrik Arno, Alexandre Balmefrezol
  • Patent number: 10067200
    Abstract: A circuit includes, in series between a first terminal and a second terminal of application of a power supply voltage, and first and second branches. The first branch includes a first transistor and a first current source coupled to the first transistor. The second branch includes a resistive element, a second transistor coupled to the resistive element and forming a current mirror with the first transistor and a second current source coupled to the second transistor. The resistive element conditions a threshold of detection of a variation of the power supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (ALPS) SAS
    Inventors: Bruno Leduc, Pascal Bernon, Stephane Clin
  • Patent number: 10067550
    Abstract: Dynamic power control embodiments concern a data processing pipeline. First and second pipeline stages respectively receive first and second clock signals. The first and second pipeline stages are configured to perform first and second operations respectively triggered by first timing edges of the first clock signal and second timing edges of the second clock signal. A clock controller is configured to generate the first and second clock signals. The clock controller is capable of operating in a first mode in which, during a first data processing cycle of the data processing pipeline, a first of the first timing edges is in-phase with a first of the second timing edges. The clock controller is also capable of operating in a second mode in which, during a second data processing cycle of the data processing pipeline, a second of the first timing edges is out of phase with a second of the second timing edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (ALPS) SAS
    Inventor: Fabien Journet
  • Patent number: 10062961
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a support board having a mounting face and an integrated circuit chip mounted on the mounting face. An encapsulation block embeds the integrated circuit chip, the encapsulation block extending above the integrated circuit chip and around the integrated circuit chip on the mounting face of the support board. The encapsulation block includes a front face with a hole passing through the encapsulation block to uncovering at least part of an electrical contact. A layer made of an electrically conducting material fills the hole to make electrical connection to the electrical contact and further extends over the front face of the encapsulation block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Alps) SAS, STMicroelectronics (Grenoble 2) SAS
    Inventors: David Auchere, Laurent Marechal, Laurent Schwarz, Yvon Imbs
  • Patent number: 10056923
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for serial data transmission, comprising the steps consisting in computing the running disparity (RD) of a bit stream that is being transmitted; when the running disparity reaches a threshold (T), computing a point disparity on a subsequent frame (S) of the stream; if the point disparity has the same sign as the threshold, inverting the states of the bits of the frame in the transmitted bit stream; and inserting into the transmitted bit stream a polarity bit having a state signalling the inversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS (GRENOBLE 2) SAS, STMICROELECTRONICS (ALPS) SAS
    Inventors: Julien Saade, Abdelaziz Goulahsen
  • Patent number: 10021482
    Abstract: An audio device includes an audio amplifier configured to receive an input signal and generate a differential output signal. A first signal combiner circuit is configured to generate a time-convolution signal of an analog current signal and an analog voltage signal. The analog current signal corresponds to a current at the differential output signal, and the analog voltage signal corresponds to a voltage across the differential output signal. A second signal combiner circuit is configured to subtract the generated time-convolution signal from the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Alps) SAS
    Inventors: Christian Fraisse, Angelo Nagari
  • Patent number: 10014834
    Abstract: An embodiment circuit includes a first voltage divider coupled between a first voltage level and a ground potential. The circuit further includes an error amplifier having a first input terminal coupled to a node between a first resistive element and a second resistive element of the first voltage divider. The circuit further includes a second voltage divider coupled between a second voltage level and a reference voltage, wherein a second input terminal of the error amplifier is coupled to a node between a third resistive element and a fourth resistive element of the second voltage divider, and wherein an output voltage of the error amplifier is configured to control a potential difference between the first voltage level and the second voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (ALPS) SAS
    Inventors: Vratislav Michal, Denis Cottin, Patrik Arno, Nicolas Marty
  • Patent number: 10003174
    Abstract: An optical emitting circuit includes an array of M optical sources distributed in N groups, where N is lower than M. A controller is configured to generate N periodic square wave control signals that are successively mutually phase shifted by pi/N and that all have the same period, and to cyclically activate/deactivate all the optical sources of the N groups using the control signals. The optical emitting circuit is configured so that each group is activated when a corresponding control signal is in its first state and deactivated when the corresponding control signal is in its second state. The number of optical sources in each group and the order of the groups in the sequence of activations/deactivations are chosen so as to generate an optical signal having an amplitude that sinusoidally varies in steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (ALPS) SAS
    Inventor: Xavier Branca
  • Patent number: 9958889
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a voltage regulation circuit including a first transistor connected between an input of voltage to be regulated and an output of a regulated voltage. A first regulation loop controls the first transistor according to a difference between a reference voltage and a first feedback voltage derived from the regulated voltage. A second transistor is connected in series between the first transistor and the output. A second regulation loop controls the second transistor according to a difference between the reference voltage and a second feedback voltage derived from the regulated voltage. The second regulation loop is active in low and high power regulation modes. A switch circuit forces the first transistor into an on state in a low power regulation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Alps) SAS
    Inventor: Alexandre Pons
  • Patent number: 9933797
    Abstract: An integrated electronic device includes a core having a first terminal and a second terminal. The core includes a first branch with a first diode-connected bipolar transistor coupled in series to a first resistor between the first terminal and a reference terminal intended to be supplied with a reference voltage, and a second branch with a second diode-connected bipolar transistor coupled between the second terminal and the reference terminal. The second diode-connected bipolar transistor has a current density higher than the first diode-connected bipolar transistor. The core also includes a first resistive network coupled between a base of the first diode-connected bipolar transistor and the reference terminal. An equalizer is configured to equalize potentials of the first terminal and of the second terminal and a voltage generator is coupled to the first and second terminals of the core and configured to generate the bandgap voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Alps) SAS
    Inventor: Frederic Lebon
  • Publication number: 20180080960
    Abstract: A first resistor and a second resistor are coupled in series between a voltage source and an active load. When the current drawn by the active load exceeds a current threshold corresponding to a maximum admissible voltage drop across the first resistor, a stabilization current is delivered to the node common to the series coupled first and second resistors in such a way as to stabilize the voltage on the terminals of the active load at a threshold value. In the presence of such a current in excess of the current threshold, the current consumed by the active load is measured from the voltage drop across the second resistor. Conversely, if the current is less than the current threshold, the current consumed by the active load is measured from the voltage drop across the first resistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Alps) SAS
    Inventor: Patrick Almosnino
  • Patent number: 9917506
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a critical duty cycle that maximizes an output power of a boost converter is provided. In the method and apparatus, the boost converter may be operated at or below the critical duty cycle. In the method and apparatus, a first voltage that is a function of an output voltage of a boost converter and voltage drops across a first set of parasitic resistances of the boost converter is detected. A second voltage that is a function voltage drops across a second set of parasitic resistances of the boost converter is also detected. The voltages are compared to determine the critical duty cycle and the boost converter is operated in accordance with a duty cycle that does not exceed the critical duty cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (ALPS) SAS
    Inventor: Vratislav Michal
  • Publication number: 20180063638
    Abstract: Several first digital streams of first digital samples at a first sampling frequency are processed to issue corresponding stream that are converted into second digital streams sampled at a second sampling frequency lower than said first sampling frequency. At least one delay to be applied to at least one first digital stream to satisfy a condition on the second digital streams is determined and applied to at least one first digital stream before converting. The converting operation performed is decimation filtering of the first digital streams. The application of the at least one delay to at least one first steam involves skipping a number of first digital samples in the at least one first digital stream. The number skipped depends on the value of the at least one delay. Samples that are skipped are not delivered for decimation filtering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicants: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS, STMicroelectronics Design and Application S.R.O., STMicroelectronics (Alps) SAS
    Inventors: Jean Claude Bini, Dragos Davidescu, Igor Cesko, Jonathan Cottinet
  • Patent number: 9905262
    Abstract: A method for transmitting and/or receiving a potential aggressor audio signal includes a transmission and/or a reception of successive groups of data timed by a first clock signal within respective successive frames synchronized by a second clock signal. In the presence of a risk of interference of the potential aggressor audio signal with a different, potential victim, signal, during the transmission or reception of the potential aggressor audio signal, the frequency of the first clock signal is modified while keeping the frequency of the second clock signal unchanged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS (ALPS) SAS, STMICROELECTRONICS (ROUSSET) SAS
    Inventors: Jonathan Cottinet, Jean Claude Bini
  • Patent number: 9892877
    Abstract: A circuit including: a plurality of first switches connected in parallel between a first terminal and a second terminal; and a control circuit capable of implementing the following steps at each period of a clock signal: comparing the voltage between the first and second terminals with a reference voltage; if the voltage between the first and second terminals is greater than the reference voltage, turning on one of the first switches without modifying the state of the other switches; and if the voltage between the first and second terminals is smaller than the reference voltage, turning off one of the first switches without modifying the state of the other switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (ALPS) SAS
    Inventors: Vratislav Michal, Denis Cottin
  • Publication number: 20180039320
    Abstract: A system on a chip includes at least one integrated circuit that is configured to operate at least at one operating point. A monitoring circuit acquires at least the cumulative duration of activity of the at least one integrated circuit. An evaluation circuit establish at least one instantaneous state of aging of the at least one integrated circuit based on the at least one cumulative duration of activity. An adjustment circuit operates to change the at least one operating point on the basis of the at least one state of aging of the at least one integrated circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Applicants: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS, STMicroelectronics (Alps) SAS, STMicroelectronics SA
    Inventors: Vincent Huard, Silvia Brini, Chittoor Parthasarathy
  • Publication number: 20180035069
    Abstract: A video and/or audio decoder provided with a first terminal for supplying an analog audio and/or video signal, including: a first circuit capable of supplying a digital signal which is an image of said analog signal; a digital-to-analog converter capable of receiving as an input said digital signal; an amplifier coupling a second output terminal of the digital-to-analog converter to the first terminal; and a second circuit capable of comparing a signal representative of the voltage or current level on the first terminal with a reference signal, and of deducing therefrom whether the first terminal is connected or not to an analog input terminal of a video signal display and/or audio signal playing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Alps) SAS
    Inventor: Serge Hembert