Patents by Inventor Andrea Carletti

Andrea Carletti has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10411689
    Abstract: In one example, a method includes selectively activating, by control logic and based on a control signal, a switch; in response to determining that an electrical characteristic of a signal provided to the switch satisfies a threshold while the switch is deactivated, activating, by the control logic and regardless of the control signal, the switch until determining that a potential of the signal provided to the switch satisfies a threshold potential; and in response to determining that the potential of the signal provided to the switch satisfies the threshold potential, deactivating the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Andrea Carletti, Gerold Schrittesser, Albino Pidutti
  • Patent number: 10250029
    Abstract: A semiconductor device, overvoltage detection structure is described that includes a current path including a Zener diode connected in series with a fuse. The Zener diode is configured to conduct a current in response to an overvoltage condition at a semiconductor device and the fuse is configured to permanently break the current path of the overvoltage detection structure in response to the Zener diode conducting the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Andrea Carletti, Gerold Schrittesser, Albino Pidutti
  • Publication number: 20180034457
    Abstract: In one example, a method includes selectively activating, by control logic and based on a control signal, a switch; in response to determining that an electrical characteristic of a signal provided to the switch satisfies a threshold while the switch is deactivated, activating, by the control logic and regardless of the control signal, the switch until determining that a potential of the signal provided to the switch satisfies a threshold potential; and in response to determining that the potential of the signal provided to the switch satisfies the threshold potential, deactivating the switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Andrea Carletti, Gerold Schrittesser, Albino Pidutti
  • Publication number: 20170338648
    Abstract: A semiconductor device, overvoltage detection structure is described that includes a current path including a Zener diode connected in series with a fuse. The Zener diode is configured to conduct a current in response to an overvoltage condition at a semiconductor device and the fuse is configured to permanently break the current path of the overvoltage detection structure in response to the Zener diode conducting the current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Andrea Carletti, Gerold Schrittesser, Albino Pidutti
  • Patent number: 9470738
    Abstract: In one example, a method includes receiving, at an input of a system, an AC signal, rectifying the AC signal into a DC signal, and determining, based on a value of one or more counters in a detection logic, whether or not the input is connected to ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Andrea Carletti
  • Patent number: 9450436
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a circuit includes a direct current (DC) output configured to be coupled to a rechargeable battery and a power factor corrector circuit coupled to the DC output, where the power factor corrector circuit includes a controller, and where the controller is configured to determine a switching frequency of the power factor corrector circuit in accordance with a battery charging curve of the rechargeable battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Andrea Carletti, Albino Pidutti
  • Patent number: 9444331
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a circuit includes a switch coupled between a first reference terminal and a first output terminal, an inductive element coupled between an input terminal and a second output terminal, and a diode coupled between the first output terminal and the input terminal. The circuit further includes a controller coupled to a control terminal of the switch. The controller is configured to determine a switching signal based on an output signal at the second output terminal and provide the switching signal to the control terminal of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Andrea Carletti, Mathias Kiele-Dunsche
  • Patent number: 9343955
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a controller configured to apply slope compensation to a reference signal in a power factor corrector. The device also configured to adjust the slope compensation based on an input voltage of the power factor corrector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Albino Pidutti, Andrea Carletti
  • Publication number: 20160043588
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a circuit includes a direct current (DC) output configured to be coupled to a rechargeable battery and a power factor corrector circuit coupled to the DC output, where the power factor corrector circuit includes a controller, and where the controller is configured to determine a switching frequency of the power factor corrector circuit in accordance with a battery charging curve of the rechargeable battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Andrea Carletti, Albino Pidutti
  • Patent number: 9190900
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, an electronic device includes a controller configured to be coupled to a first switch of a power factor corrector. The controller is configured to produce a variable switching frequency depending on a load current. For a first load current, the controller is configured to produce a first switching frequency, and for a second load current, the controller is configured to produce a second switching frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Andrea Carletti, Albino Pidutti
  • Patent number: 9147630
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a power semiconductor is provided. A device includes a printed circuit board, a heat sink, and a semiconductor chip package. The semiconductor chip package is located between the printed circuit board and the heat sink. A heat-generating surface of the semiconductor chip package is oriented such that the heat-generating surface faces the heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Andrea Carletti
  • Publication number: 20150226779
    Abstract: In one example, a method includes receiving, at an input of a system, an AC signal, rectifying the AC signal into a DC signal, and determining, based on a value of one or more counters in a detection logic, whether or not the input is connected to ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Andrea Carletti
  • Patent number: 8988039
    Abstract: A power converter circuit includes input terminals configured to receive an input voltage and an input current and output terminals configured to provide an output voltage and an output current. A boost converter stage is coupled between the input terminals and the output terminals. The power converter circuit is operable to operate in one of a first operation mode, a second operation mode, and a third operation mode dependent on the output voltage. The first, second and third operation modes are mutually different. In each of the first, second and third operation modes, the input current is controlled dependent on the input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Andrea Carletti
  • Publication number: 20150028836
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a circuit includes a switch coupled between a first reference terminal and a first output terminal, an inductive element coupled between an input terminal and a second output terminal, and a diode coupled between the first output terminal and the input terminal. The circuit further includes a controller coupled to a control terminal of the switch. The controller is configured to determine a switching signal based on an output signal at the second output terminal and provide the switching signal to the control terminal of the switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Andrea Carletti, Mathias Kiele-Dunsche
  • Publication number: 20140252583
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a power semiconductor is provided. A device includes a printed circuit board, a heat sink, and a semiconductor chip package. The semiconductor chip package is located between the printed circuit board and the heat sink. A heat-generating surface of the semiconductor chip package is oriented such that the heat-generating surface faces the heat sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventor: Andrea Carletti
  • Publication number: 20140211526
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, an electronic device includes a controller configured to apply slope compensation to a reference signal in a power factor corrector. The device also configured to adjust the slope compensation based on an input voltage of the power factor corrector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Albino Pidutti, Andrea Carletti
  • Publication number: 20140103861
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, an electronic device includes a controller configured to be coupled to a first switch of a power factor corrector. The controller is configured to produce a variable switching frequency depending on a load current. For a first load current, the controller is configured to produce a first switching frequency, and for a second load current, the controller is configured to produce a second switching frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Andrea Carletti, Albino Pidutti
  • Publication number: 20130307467
    Abstract: A power converter circuit includes input terminals configured to receive an input voltage and an input current and output terminals configured to provide an output voltage and an output current. A boost converter stage is coupled between the input terminals and the output terminals. The power converter circuit is operable to operate in one of a first operation mode, a second operation mode, and a third operation mode dependent on the output voltage. The first, second and third operation modes are mutually different. In each of the first, second and third operation modes, the input current is controlled dependent on the input voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Andrea Carletti
  • Patent number: 8503205
    Abstract: Disclosed is a power converter including a power factor corrector and a DC/DC converter and a power conversion method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Andrea Carletti, Albino Pidutti
  • Patent number: 8503204
    Abstract: A power converter includes a DC/AC converter with input terminals and output terminals. A DC/DC converter includes input terminals for receiving a DC input voltage and output terminals for providing a DC output voltage. The output terminals are coupled to the input terminals of the DC/AC converter. The DC/DC converter also includes a control circuit that is configured to control an output current of the DC/DC converter dependent on a reference signal. The reference signal has a frequency that is dependent on a frequency of the AC output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Andrea Carletti, Albino Pidutti