Abstract: A radiation hardened memory cell includes an odd number of storage elements configured to redundantly store an input data logic signal. The storage elements include output lines for outputting respective logic signals having respective logic values. A logic combination network receives the respective logic signals and is configured to generate an output signal having a same logic value as a majority of the logic signals output from the storage elements. An exclusive logic sum circuit receives the respective logic signals output from the storage elements and is configured to produce a refresh of the logic data signal as stored in the storage elements when one of the logic signals output from the storage elements undergoes a logic value transition due to an error event.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 1, 2017
Publication date:
June 22, 2017
Applicant:
STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
Inventors:
Ignazio Bruno Mirabella, Salvatore Pappalardo, Calogero Ribellino, Alessandro Nicolosi
Abstract: A voltage-regulator device includes an error-amplifier stage configured to receive a first reference voltage and a feedback voltage, an output amplifier stage coupled to the error-amplifier stage and configured to generate an output voltage related to the first reference voltage by an amplification factor, and a feedback stage configured to generate the feedback voltage. A compensation stage is configured to implement a second feedback loop, and cause, in response to a variation of the output voltage, a corresponding variation of a first biasing voltage for the output amplifier stage. The compensation stage includes a coupling-capacitor element coupled between the output amplifier stage and a first internal node, and a driving module coupled between the first internal node, and the output amplifier stage and configured to generate a compensation voltage for driving the output amplifier stage.
Abstract: A photodiode structure is based on the use of a double junction sensitive to different wavelength bands based on a magnitude of a reverse bias applied to the photodiode. The monolithic integration of a sensor with double functionality in a single chip allows realization of a low cost ultra-compact sensing element in a single packaging useful in many applications which require simultaneous or spatially synchronized detection of optical photons in different spectral regions.
Abstract: An energy harvesting circuit receives an input voltage from a transducer and uses a single inductor operating in a DC-DC converter charging mode to generate charging current at a first output coupled to an energy storage device where a supply voltage is stored. The energy harvesting circuit further receives the supply voltage from the energy storage device and uses the same single inductor operating in a DC-DC converter regulating mode to generate load current at a second output where a regulated load voltage is provided. The energy harvesting circuit switches between the charging mode and the regulating mode in accordance with a discontinuous mode (DCM) control process.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 2, 2014
Date of Patent:
June 13, 2017
Assignee:
STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
Inventors:
Stefano Ramorini, Alessandro Gasparini, Alberto Cattani
Abstract: A sense structure may include sense amplifiers each having measuring and reference terminals for receiving a measuring and a reference current, respectively, output circuitry for providing an output voltage based upon the measuring and reference currents, and voltage regulating circuitry in cascode configuration for regulating a voltage at the measuring and reference terminals. The regulating circuitry may include measuring and regulating transistors and a reference regulating transistor having a first conduction terminal coupled with the measuring terminal and with the reference terminal, respectively, a second conduction terminal coupled with the output circuitry and a control terminal coupled with a biasing terminal. Biasing circuitry is for providing a biasing voltage to the biasing terminal, and common regulating circuitry is for regulating the biasing voltage. Each sense amplifier may also include local regulating circuitry for regulating the biasing voltage applied to the biasing terminal.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 4, 2015
Date of Patent:
June 13, 2017
Assignee:
STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
Inventors:
Antonino Conte, Mario Micciche′, SantiNunzioAntonino Pagano
Abstract: A monitoring device is for a block of building material. The monitoring device may include an electric supply line configured to be buried in the block of building material and having a flexible main cable, and flexible jumper cables coupled to the flexible main cable and extending outwardly. The monitoring device may include sensor devices configured to be buried in the block of building material and coupled to respective ones of the flexible jumper cables. Each sensor device may include a primary inductor coupled to the electric supply line at a position based upon peaks of a stationary waveform when the electric supply line is alternating current (AC) powered, and a monitoring circuit. The monitoring circuit may include an integrated sensor, and a secondary inductor magnetically coupled to the primary inductor and configured to supply the integrated sensor, and communicate through the electric supply line.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 27, 2015
Date of Patent:
June 13, 2017
Assignee:
STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
Inventors:
Giovanni Girlando, Michele Calabretta, Francesco Pappalardo
Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a memory array having memory cells arranged in wordlines and receiving a supply voltage. A row decoder includes an input and pre-decoding module, which is configured to receive address signals and generate pre-decoded address signals at low voltage, in the range of the supply voltage. A driving module is configured to generate biasing signals for biasing the wordlines of the memory array starting from decoded address signals, which are a function of the pre-decoded address signals, at high voltage and in the range of a boosted voltage higher than the supply voltage. A processing module is configured to receive the pre-decoded address signals and to jointly execute an operation of logic combination and an operation of voltage boosting of the pre-decoded address signals for generation of the decoded address signals.
Abstract: A micromechanical device includes a tiltable structure that is rotatable about a first rotation axis. The tiltable structure is coupled to a fixed structure through an actuation structure of a piezoelectric type. The actuation structure is formed by spring elements having a spiral shape. The spring elements each include actuation arms extending transversely to the first rotation axis. Each actuation arm carries a respective piezoelectric band of piezoelectric material. The actuation arms are divided into two sets with the piezoelectric bands thereof biased in phase opposition to obtain rotation in opposite directions of the tiltable structure about the first rotation axis.
Abstract: The MEMS device has a suspended mass supported via a pair of articulation arms by a supporting region. An electrostatic driving system, coupled to the articulation arms, has mobile electrodes and fixed electrodes that are coupled to each other. The electrostatic driving system is formed by two pairs of actuation assemblies, arranged on opposite sides of a respective articulation arm and connected to the articulation arm through connection elements. Each actuation assembly extends laterally to the suspended mass and has an auxiliary arm carrying a respective plurality of mobile electrodes. Each auxiliary arm is parallel to the articulation arms. The connection elements may be rigid or formed by linkages.
Abstract: A plurality of sensors provide respective output data rates, with a first sensor that has a highest output data rate, while one or more other sensors have output data rates that are submultiples of the aforesaid highest output data rate. The data signals coming from the sensors are stored in a memory, e.g., a FIFO memory, by storing the data signals of the first sensor at the aforesaid highest output data rate, accompanying storage of the data signals coming from said first sensor with storage of the data signals coming from the sensors as supplied by said other sensors at the aforesaid submultiple output data rates, so that the data signals are stored in the memory according to a repeated pattern that is common to the various sensors.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 20, 2015
Date of Patent:
June 6, 2017
Assignee:
STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
Inventors:
Marco Leo, Paolo Rosingana, Marco Castellano
Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes a power supply circuit and a power-on circuit. The power-on circuit detects a remotely transmitted control signal and causes a transition of the power supply circuit to a turned on state. The power-on circuit includes a transducer configured to provide a power-on signal in response to the remote control signal. The transducer triggers transition to the turned on state through a switch driven by the power-on signal output from the transducer and arranged to supply a power supply circuit enable signal. A DC blocking capacitor is connected between an output of the transducer and a control terminal of the switch.
Abstract: A VTMOS transistor in semiconductor material of a first type of conductivity includes a body region of a second type of conductivity and a source region of the first type of conductivity. A gate region extends into the main surface through the body region and is insulated from the semiconductor material. A region of the gate region extends onto the main surface is insulated from the rest of the gate region. An anode region of the first type of conductivity is formed into said insulated region, and a cathode region of the second type of conductivity is formed into said insulated region in contact with the anode region; the anode region and the cathode region define a thermal diode electrically insulated from the chip.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 23, 2015
Date of Patent:
June 6, 2017
Assignee:
STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
Inventors:
Antonio Giuseppe Grimaldi, Davide Giuseppe Patti, Monica Miccichè, Salvatore Liotta, Angela Longhitano
Abstract: An oscillator circuit includes first and second oscillators arranged in a series configuration between a supply voltage node and a reference voltage node. The first and second oscillators are configured to receive a synchronizing signal for controlling synchronization in frequency and phase. An electromagnetic network provided to couple the first and the second oscillators includes a transformer with a primary circuit and a secondary circuit. The primary circuit includes a first portion coupled to the first oscillator and second portion coupled to the second oscillator. The first and second portions are connected by a circuit element for reuse of current between the first and second oscillators. The oscillator circuit is fabricated as an integrated circuit device wherein the electromagnetic network is formed in metallization layers of the device. The secondary circuit generates an output power combining power provided from the first and second portions of the primary circuit.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 2, 2016
Date of Patent:
June 6, 2017
Assignee:
STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
Inventors:
Egidio Ragonese, Vincenzo Fiore, Nunzio Spina, Giuseppe Palmisano
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.
Abstract: An optical device for detecting a first chemical species and a second chemical species contained in a specimen, which includes: a first optical sensor, which may be optically coupled to an optical source through the specimen and is sensitive to radiation having a wavelength comprised in a first range of wavelengths; and a second optical sensor, which may be optically coupled to the optical source through the specimen and is sensitive to radiation having a wavelength comprised in a second range of wavelengths, different from the first range of wavelengths.
Abstract: A digital filter with a pipeline structure includes processing structures timed by respective clock signals. Each processing structure in turn is formed by a number of processing modules for processing input samples. A phase generator aligns the processing modules with the input samples so that each input sample is processed by a respective one of the processing modules. An up-sampling buffer and a down-sampling buffer are used when the processing structures operate at different clock frequencies (thus implementing different clock domains) so as to convert signal samples between the clock domains for processing in the processing structures.
Abstract: An integrated circuit on a substrate includes a peripheral portion that surrounds an active area and is positioned close to a scribe line providing separation with other integrated circuits realized on a same wafer. The integrated circuit includes at least one conductive structure that extends in the peripheral portion on different planes of metallizations starting from the substrate and forms an integrated antenna. Another conductive structure extends in the peripheral portion on different planes of metallizations and forms a seal ring.
Abstract: A MEMS device includes a fixed structure and a mobile structure with a reflecting element coupled to the fixed structure through at least a first deformable structure and a second deformable structure. Each of the first and second deformable structures includes a respective number of main piezoelectric elements, with the main piezoelectric elements of the first and second deformable structures configured to be electrically controlled for causing oscillations of the mobile structure about a first axis and a second axis, respectively. The first deformable structure further includes a respective number of secondary piezoelectric elements configured to be controlled so as to vary a first resonance frequency of the mobile structure about the first axis.
Abstract: A galvanic isolation system includes a first isolation barrier and a second isolation barrier. The first isolation barrier includes a transformer. The second isolation barrier includes an inductive circuit connected to a secondary winding of the transformer. The first and the second isolation barriers are coupled to form an LC resonant network.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 24, 2016
Publication date:
June 1, 2017
Applicant:
STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
Inventors:
Nunzio Spina, Egidio Ragonese, Giuseppe Palmisano, Nunzio Greco
Abstract: A reflector micromechanical structure includes a frame with a window. The frame is elastically connected to an anchorage structure by first elastic elements. An actuation structure operatively coupled to the frame is configured to generate a first actuation movement of the frame about a first actuation axis. A mobile mass is positioned within the window and elastically coupled to the frame by second elastic elements. A mass distribution is associated to the mobile mass such as to generate, by an inertial effect in response to the first actuation movement, a second actuation movement of rotation of the mobile mass about a second actuation axis.