Patents Assigned to STMicroelectronics
  • Method and device for decoding LDPC encoded codewords with a fast convergence speed
    Patent number: 8196005
    Abstract: The method includes defining from all the check nodes at least one group of check nodes mutually connected through at least one second variable node defining an internal second variable node. The method includes performing for each group the joint updating of all the check nodes of the group via a Maximum-A-Posteriori (MAP) type process, and the updating of all the first variable nodes and all the second variable nodes connected to the group except the at least one internal second variable node. The method may include iteratively repeating the updates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics N.V.
    Inventors: Frank Kienle, Norbert Wehn, Torben Brack
  • Receiver circuitry with variable gain amplifier
    Patent number: 8195116
    Abstract: Receiving circuitry having a plurality of amplifiers coupled in series, a first of the amplifiers receiving an input signal and each of the amplifiers outputting an amplified signal; a plurality of comparators each coupled to the output of one of the amplifiers and having an input for receiving the amplified signal; signal identification circuitry coupled to the outputs of the comparators and arranged to determine whether the outputs of the comparators validly represent data; and signal selection circuitry arranged to select the best signal originating from the comparators based on the validity of the outputs of the comparators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Philippe Sirito-Olivier, Pietro Calo, Mario Chiricosia
  • Electronic amplification device with current mirror for integrated power amplifiers
    Patent number: 8195104
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an electronic differential amplification device integrated on a semiconductor chip. The device may include first and second transistors having respective source terminals connected to a first potential, and drain terminals to receive a first differential current signal. The device may include third and fourth transistors having respective source terminals connected to the first potential, and drain terminals to provide a second differential current signal to a load obtained by amplifying the first signal. The third and fourth transistors may have a respective gate terminal connected to the drain terminal of the first and the second transistors, respectively, in order to form current mirrors with the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.R.L.
    Inventors: Ranieri Guerra, Giuseppe Palmisano
  • Method for controlling a switching regulator and related switching regulator
    Patent number: 8194420
    Abstract: An embodiment of a power-supply controller comprises a switching-control circuit, an error amplifier, and a signal generator. The switching-control circuit is operable to control a switch coupled to a primary winding of a transformer, and the error amplifier has a first input node operable to receive a feedback signal, a second input node operable to receive a comparison signal, and an output node operable to provide a control signal to the switching-control circuit. The signal generator is operable to generate either the feedback signal or the comparison signal in response to a compensation signal that is isolated from a secondary winding of the transformer and that is proportional to a load current through a conductor disposed between the secondary winding and a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Salvatore Tumminaro, Salvatore Giombanco, Alfio Pasqua, Claudio Adragna
  • Semiconductor device having pairs of pads
    Patent number: 8193530
    Abstract: An integrated-circuit semiconductor device includes external electrical connection pads on one face and electrical connection vias under said pads. The electrical connection vias are arranged with a defined pitch in a defined direction. Each via is respectively associated with one of a plurality of adjacent zones of the face. These zones extend perpendicularly to the pitch direction. The electrical connection pads are grouped in adjacent pairs. An insulation space is located between the pads of each pair of electrical connection pads. In a direction perpendicular to the pitch direction, the pads in the pair are spaced apart. The pads of each pair of electrical connection pads extend over a pair of adjacent zones and are associated with two adjacent vias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.A., STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventors: Eric Sabouret, Laurent Hoareau, Yves Salmon
  • Very small image sensor
    Patent number: 8193479
    Abstract: An image sensor formed in a semiconductor stack of a lower region of a first conductivity type and of an upper region of a second conductivity type, including: a photodiode formed of a first portion of the stack; a read area formed of a second portion of the stack; a trench with insulated walls filled with a conductive material, the trench surrounding the photodiode and the read area and being interrupted, all along its height, on a portion facing the photodiode and the read area; and first connection mechanism associated with the conductive material of the trench and capable of being connected to a reference bias voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventors: François Roy, Benoît Ramadout
  • Protection of data of a memory associated with a microprocessor
    Patent number: 8195946
    Abstract: A method and a circuit for checking the coherence between data read from a first area of a memory of a microcontroller and the address of these data, including calculating a current digital signature of the read data by a function also taking into account the address of these data in the memory, and checking the coherence between the current signature and a previously-recorded signature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Fabrice Romain, Alain Pomet
  • APPLICATION USING A SINGLE PHOTON AVALANCHE DIODE (SPAD)
    Publication number: 20120133921
    Abstract: A sporting device may include a proximity detector, and a housing for carrying the proximity detector. The proximity detector may comprise a single photon avalanche diode for measuring the speed of an object struck by the housing. For example, the housing may define a tennis racket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventor: John Kevin MOORE
  • ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH PROTECTION CIRCUIT
    Publication number: 20120134060
    Abstract: An electronic device comprises an application circuit; a first supply rail having a first electric potential; a second supply rail having a second electric potential different from the first electric potential; at least one terminal having a third electric potential, connected to the application circuit; and a protection circuit for protecting the application circuit from an injected current. The protection circuit comprises a first conductive line connected between the at least one terminal and the first supply rail, the first conductive line comprising a first switch having a first control input; and a first voltage amplifier circuit having a first input connected to the at least one terminal, a second input connected to the second supply rail and a first output connected to the first control input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicants: Stmicroelectronics SRL, Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Hubert Bode, Mauro Giacomini
  • STANDARD CELL FOR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT
    Publication number: 20120132963
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) cell may include first and second semiconductor regions, and parallel electrically conductive lines extending above the first and second semiconductor regions. The IC cell may further include electrically conductive line contacts electrically connected to the parallel electrically conductive lines, and may include at least one first line contact between the first semiconductor region and a corresponding end of the IC cell, and at least one second line contact between the first semiconductor region and the second semiconductor region. Adjacent ones of the electrically conductive lines may be respectively coupled to one of the at least one first line contact and to one of the at least one second line contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicants: STMicroelectronics STM, STMicroelectronics (Grenoble 2) SA
    Inventors: Rwik Sengupta, Rohit Kumar Gupta, Mitesh Goyal, Olivier Menut
  • MEMS BIAXIAL RESONANT ACCELEROMETER
    Publication number: 20120132003
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical detection structure for a MEMS resonant biaxial accelerometer is provided with: an inertial mass, anchored to a substrate by elastic elements to be suspended above the substrate. The elastic elements enabling inertial movements of the inertial mass along a first axis of detection and a second axis of detection that belong to a plane of main extension of said inertial mass, in response to respective linear external accelerations. At least one first resonant element and one second resonant element have a respective longitudinal extension, respectively along the first axis of detection and the second axis of detection, and are mechanically coupled to the inertial mass through a respective one of the elastic elements to undergo a respective axial stress when the inertial mass moves respectively along the first axis of detection and the second axis of detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicants: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., Politecnico Di Milano
    Inventors: Claudia Comi, Alberto Corigliano, Barbara Simoni
  • ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH ADDRESS PROGRAMMABLE THROUGH REDUCED NUMBER OF TERMINALS
    Publication number: 20120137022
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a set of programming terminals for receiving corresponding programming signals, and assignment circuitry for assigning an address to the electronic device according to the programming signals. The assignment circuitry includes circuitry for providing a set of comparison signals, with at least part of the comparison signals that is variable during a non-zero comparison interval, and comparison circuitry for determining the address according to a comparison between the programming signals and the comparison signals during the comparison interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventor: Ignazio Cala'
  • SYSTEM FOR REPROGRAMMING POWER PARAMETERS FOR LIGHT EMITTING DIODES
    Publication number: 20120133284
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of light-emitting diode (LED) modules in series are monitored. When an LED module is detected as failing or operating inadequately, a bypass switch removes the particular LED module from the series and the voltage provided to the series is modified. When the LED modules are detected as having too high of a temperature, the current provided to the LED modules is limited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicants: STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte Ltd., STMicroelectronics (Shenzhen) R&D Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Henry Ge, Leslie Leong
  • SENSOR ARRAY MICROCHIP
    Publication number: 20120132806
    Abstract: A sensor array microchip apparatus includes a substrate and a lens positioned over the substrate. A plurality of radiation sensor elements are formed on the substrate in an array format and spatially separated from each other. The substrate further includes power supply circuitry (generating power for the radiation sensor elements) and processing circuitry (operable to control and process information from the radiation sensor elements). The power supply circuitry and said processing circuitry are positioned on the substrate within the array between two or more of the radiation sensor elements. The lens, in combination with the spatial separation of the radiation sensor elements in the array format, defines a relatively wide (30-80 degrees) field of regard for the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventors: Ewan Findlay, Sara Pellegrini
  • DEVICE AND RELATIVE METHOD FOR SCAVENGING ENERGY
    Publication number: 20120133151
    Abstract: An energy scavenging device includes an electromagnetic transducer adapted to generate a current in response to accelerations impressed thereto. The device also includes a power switching stage input with the current generated by the electromagnetic transducer, having a network of controlled switches adapted to alternately deliver on output nodes of the switching stage an output current that does not invert its sign and to short-circuit the transducer. There is an output capacitor coupled between the output nodes of the power stage. A controller having a sensor coupled to the electromagnetic transducer is to sense the current flowing therethrough, the controller being adapted to drive the switches of the power stage in order to either short-circuit the electromagnetic transducer or to direct the current flowing through the transducer to charge the output capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Valeria BOTTAREL, Guilio Ricotti, Sandro Rossi
  • RADIATION SENSOR
    Publication number: 20120133799
    Abstract: A radiation sensor includes first and second pixels with a radiation absorption filter positioned over the first pixel and an interference filter positioned over both the first and second pixels. The combined spectral response of the absorption filter and the first pixel has a first pixel pass-band and a first pixel stop-band. The interference filter has a first interference filter pass-band substantially within the first pixel pass-band and a second interference filter pass-band substantially within the first pixel stop-band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventor: Ewan Findlay
  • RADIATION SENSOR
    Publication number: 20120132788
    Abstract: A radiation sensor is provided comprising: one or more first pixels and one or more second pixels. A first optical element is provided over the first and second pixels, having a first field of view. A second optical element is provided over the one or more second pixels, having a second field of view. The second optical element is positioned between the first optical element and the one or more second pixels, wherein the first field of view is substantially narrower than, and lies substantially within, the second field of view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Research& Development)
    Inventor: Ewan Findlay
  • Method and apparatus for reducing power comsumption in a wireless communication device
    Publication number: 20120135776
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for conserving power in a wireless communication device. The method includes receiving at least a portion of a PHY protocol data unit (PPDU) frame, where the PPDU frame includes an aggregate MAC protocol data unit (A-MPDU) field. The method also includes comparing a receiver address (RA) within the A-MPDU field to a stored address of the wireless communication device and, if the received RA does not match the stored address, causing power to be removed from one or more circuits of the wireless communication device for a calculated period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Liwen Chu, George A. Vlantis
  • CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR ADDING DITHER TO VERTICAL DROOP COMPENSATION USING LINEAR FEEDBACK SHIFT REGISTERS
    Publication number: 20120133391
    Abstract: Vertical dithering is performed for vertical droop compensation in image processing using Linear Feedback Shift Registers (LFSRs). Line memories are not used. A compensation circuit includes a signature reload input signal coupled to the input of five LFSRs. Each LFSR includes a signature store. The output of each LFSR provides a sequence output signal that is gated with a corresponding enable signal in a first logic circuit. The output of all of the first logic circuits are combined in a second logic circuit to provide a control signal output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte Ltd.
    Inventors: Beng-Heng GOH, Srijith Varma Vijaya Varma
  • PROXIMITY SENSOR
    Publication number: 20120132793
    Abstract: A proximity sensor includes a sensor package having an attachment pad with a radiation source and a radiation detector housed within the sensor package. The source and the detector are held in a fixed relation to the attachment pad, and are mounted by one of a direct or indirect attachment to the attachment pad. A portion of the attachment pad is adapted to form a baffle which forms at least part of an optical isolator. The optical isolator is adapted to substantially prevent the internal propagation of radiation between the source and the detector within the sensor package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventors: Colin Campbell, Ewan Findlay