Patents Assigned to STMicroelectronics
  • Publication number: 20110134966
    Abstract: A pulse generator circuit is provided. The pulse generator circuit has an input adapted to receive an input electrical quantity and an output at which an output electrical quantity is made available. A transfer characteristic establishes a relationship between said input and said output electrical quantities. The pulse generator circuit is adapted to provide said output electrical quantity in the form of pulses having a predetermined shape, suitable to be used for UWB transmission. The transfer characteristic has substantially a same shape as that of said pulses. Moreover, a UWB modulating system exploiting the novel pulse generator is proposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics, S.r.I.
    Inventors: Marco Orazio CAVALLARO, Tino Copani, Giovanni Girlando, Giuseppe Palmisano
  • Publication number: 20110135218
    Abstract: An image processor includes a readout arranged to read out an M-bit image data word from an image sensor pixel array and an adder arranged to add a noise contribution to the image data word to obtain a dithered M-bit word. A dither processor is arranged to derive correction data having a word size of M+1 bits from a combination of a plurality of M-bit reference words. The noise contribution are derived from said correction data, wherein different correction data are derived for different groups of pixels, each different group of pixels is associated with a specific pixel value DC shift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventor: John Kevin Moore
  • Publication number: 20110138194
    Abstract: A system and method for improving performance while transferring encrypted data in an input/output (I/O) operation are provided. The method includes receiving a block of data. The method also includes dividing the block of data into a plurality of sub-blocks of data. The method further includes performing a first operation on a first sub-block. The method also includes performing a second operation on a second sub-block at substantially the same time as performing the first operation on the first sub-block. The method still further includes reassembling the plurality of sub-blocks into the block of data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt Godwin
  • Publication number: 20110133842
    Abstract: A radio-frequency amplifier includes a common gate amplification stage configured to be biased in a saturation condition with a first current and configured to receive an input signal as a gate-source voltage and to generate an output voltage as an amplified replica of the input signal. A feedback transistor is configured to be biased in a saturation condition with a second current and coupled to the common gate amplification stage so as to have a gate-drain voltage corresponding to a difference between the output voltage and the input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.I.
    Inventors: Ranieri Guerra, Giuseppe Palmisano
  • Publication number: 20110138124
    Abstract: A cache, including a cache memory, is configurable to operate in a cache mode and a trace mode. When the cache is operating in the cache mode, the cache memory stores a copy of a portion of data that is stored in another memory external to the cache, and a received data access request is processed by retrieving a copy of a portion of data identified in the received data access request from the cache memory (if the cache memory stores a copy of the portion of data), or by forwarding the data access request to a data access request processing means external to the cache (if the cache memory does not store a copy of the portion of data). When the cache is operating in the trace mode, data access requests received by the cache are monitored and information relating to a received data access request is captured and stored in the cache memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventors: Mark Hill, John Mark Beaumont
  • Publication number: 20110133813
    Abstract: An analog switch includes a transistor whose source connected to a signal input and whose drain is connected to a signal output. An output of a gate control circuit is connected to the transistor gate. A first input of the gate control circuit is connected to the source of the transistor. The gate control circuit responds to a logic transition of an enable signal received at a second input by pre-charging a substantially constant gate-to-source voltage across the transistor. This voltage is stored by a gate-to-source connected capacitor. In one steady-state logic condition of the enable signal, the gate control circuit operates to turn off the transistor. In another steady-state logic condition of the enable signal, the gate control circuit permits the signal received at the signal input to drive the gate of the transistor with a voltage offset by the substantially constant gate-to-source voltage stored on the capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. (SG)
    Inventor: Dianbo Guo
  • Publication number: 20110134079
    Abstract: A radiation source emits radiation, with respect to a touch sensitive surface, which is detected by a corresponding sensor. By sensing radiation levels in a sensing plane substantially parallel with said surface, a determination is made as to an instance of at least one touch of the surface by a touching object. Furthermore, the sensed radiation levels are processed to determine a relative pressure applied to the surface by the at least one touch based upon a parameter related to an approaching speed of the touching object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventor: Laurence Stark
  • Publication number: 20110134033
    Abstract: A mobile communications device includes a radiofrequency antenna, a navigation pad and a signal processor. The radiofrequency antenna, navigation pad, and signal processor cooperate to encode and transmit motion signals from the navigation pad to a computer so that the mobile communications device functions as a pointing device therefore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventor: Jeffrey RAYNOR
  • Publication number: 20110134612
    Abstract: An electronic component package including an electronic component having a circuit surface, a block of resin partially surrounding the electronic component, and a multi-layer interconnection in contact with said circuit surface, wherein the multi-layer interconnection is connected to bond-pads having a pitch lower than 50 ?m, and the block of resin is made of injection-molding resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Grenoble) SAS
    Inventor: Julien Vittu
  • Publication number: 20110133704
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling turn-on of phases of a multiphase regulator. According to the method, there are tested the conditions necessary for the turn-on of a phase to be turned-on indicated by a first cell of the phase register, and in response to a positive result a corresponding ramp signal is reset. There is then tested the conditions necessary for the turn-on of a phase successive to the phase to be turned on according to the list of priorities of the phase register, and corresponding ramp signals are reset if there is a positive result. In response to no positive results of testing conditions necessary for the turn-on of all phases successive to the phase to be turned on, there is reset a ramp signal corresponding to a phase successive to a last turned on phase indicated by a last cell of the phase register.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.I
    Inventors: Osvaldo Enrico Zambetti, Alessandro Zafarana
  • Publication number: 20110135031
    Abstract: A pulse generator circuit is provided. The pulse generator circuit has an input adapted to receive an input electrical quantity and an output at which an output electrical quantity is made available. A transfer characteristic establishes a relationship between said input and said output electrical quantities. The pulse generator circuit is adapted to provide said output electrical quantity in the form of pulses having a predetermined shape, suitable to be used for UWB transmission. The transfer characteristic has substantially a same shape as that of said pulses. Moreover, a UWB modulating system exploiting the novel pulse generator is proposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics, S.r.I.
    Inventors: Marco Orazio CAVALLARO, Tino Copani, Giovanni Girlando, Giuseppe Palmisano
  • Patent number: 7956431
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a micromodule including the steps of: producing an integrated circuit on an active face of a chip made of a semi-conductive material, making a via passing through the chip, electrically linked to the integrated circuit, and inserting the chip into a box comprising a cavity and an electrically conductive element, the active face of the chip being disposed towards the bottom of the cavity, forming on at least one part of a lateral face of the chip a conductive lateral layer made of an electrically conductive material, electrically linked to a conductive element of the rear face of the chip, and producing a connection between the conductive lateral layer and the conductive element by depositing an electrically conductive material in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics Rousset SAS, STMicroelectronics R&D Limited
    Inventors: Brendan Dunne, Kevin Channon, Eric Christison, Robert Nicol
  • Patent number: 7955914
    Abstract: A method is for producing an asymmetric architecture semiconductor device. The device includes a substrate, and in stacked relation, a first photosensitive layer, a non-photosensitive layer, and a second photosensitive layer. The method includes a first step of exposing a first zone in each of the photosensitive layers by a first beam of electrons traversing the non-photosensitive layer. A second step includes exposing at least one second zone of one of the two photosensitive layers by a second beam of electrons or photons or ions, thereby producing a widening of one of the first zones compared to the other first zone such that the second zone is in part superimposed on one of the first zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics SA, Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Serdar Manakli, Jessy Bustos, Philippe Coronel, Laurent Pain
  • Patent number: 7956824
    Abstract: A driver device for driving light emitting elements comprises a data latch having an input coupled to an input signal, a current control circuit having an input coupled to the data latch, and an output coupled to the input of an output stage, the latter being configured to drive the light emitting elements. The driver device has a power control circuit having an input coupled to the output of the data latch and an output coupled to the input of the current control circuit. The power control circuit is configured to control the current control circuit and the latter is configured to deliver a first current when the data inputted to the power control circuit is in a first state and a second current when at least part of the data inputted to the power control circuit is in a second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventor: Nicola Li Volsi
  • Patent number: 7956475
    Abstract: A ball grid array (BGA) package includes a substrate layer having first and second sides. A semiconductor chip is attached to the first side of the substrate layer by a dielectric adhesive layer. A plurality of solder balls are attached to the second side of the substrate layer. The solder balls may be set out by rows and columns. A plurality of wires electrically connect the semiconductor chip to the solder balls. A layer of encapsulating compound is deposited over the semiconductor chip. A step cavity of a selected depth and shape is formed in the layer of encapsulating compound at or near the edge or periphery of the layer of encapsulating compound. The step cavity is separated from the solder balls by the substrate layer but spans over a plurality of selected solder balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kim-Yong Goh, Jing-En Luan
  • Patent number: 7958175
    Abstract: A method for generating a random number, comprising steps of receiving a data transmission binary signal subjected to phase jitter, generating several oscillator signals substantially of a same average frequency and having distinct respective phases, sampling a status of each of the oscillator signals upon the appearance of edges of the binary signal, and of generating a random number using the statuses of each of the oscillator signals. The method may be applied to an integrated circuit usable in a smart card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics SA, Axalto SA
    Inventors: Alain Pomet, Benjamin Duval, Robert Leydier
  • Patent number: 7956590
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a converter of the multiphase interleaving type. According to the method, there is detected when a change of the load applied to an output terminal of the converter occurs. All the phases of the converter are simultaneously turned off, and a driving interleaving phase shift is recovered so as to restart a normal operation of the converter. A controller for carrying out such a method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Alessandro Zafarana, Osvaldo Zambetti
  • Patent number: 7956345
    Abstract: A method is provided for growth of carbon nanotube (CNT) synthesis at a low temperature. The method includes preparing a catalyst by placing the catalyst between two metal layers of high chemical potential on a substrate, depositing such placed catalyst on a surface of a wafer, and reactivating the catalyst in a high vacuum at a room temperature in a catalyst preparation chamber to prevent a deactivation of the catalyst. The method also includes growing carbon nanotubes on the substrate in the high vacuum in a CNT growth chamber after preparing the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Shanzhong Wang, Mui Hoon Nai, Zhonglin Miao
  • Publication number: 20110128419
    Abstract: A method and system is for limiting the x-droop effect in the digital image captured with solid state image sensors with a correction mechanism which instead of using only correction values from the same column to which the correction is applied, also takes the neighboring pixels into account to provide an averaged value to aid in the reduction of temporal and fixed noise contributions associated with the readout of a single pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventor: John Kevin MOORE
  • Publication number: 20110129024
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a channel estimator includes first and second stages. The first stage is operable to generate a respective one-dimensional array of first channel-estimation coefficients for each communication path of a communication channel, and the second stage is operable to generate a multi-dimensional array of second channel-estimation coefficients in response to the first channel-estimation coefficients. For example, such a channel estimator may estimate the response of a channel over which propagates an orthogonal-frequency-division-multiplexed (OFDM) signal that suffers from inter-carrier interference (ICI) due to Doppler spread. Such a channel estimator may estimate the channel response more efficiently, and with a simpler algorithm, than conventional channel estimators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicants: STMicroelectronics, Inc., STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific PTE, Ltd.
    Inventors: Muralidhar KARTHIK, George A. VLANTIS