Patents by Inventor Andrea Morici
Andrea Morici 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).
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Publication number: 20230117387Abstract: An integrated circuit with galvanic isolation is described herein. In accordance with one example, the circuit comprises a galvanic insulation barrier including a first isolation element configured to separate a first isolation domain from a second isolation domain and a first channel configured to transmit—in a first mode of operation and across the first isolation element—a logic signal from a first input in the first isolation domain to a first output in the second isolation domain. The first channel is further configured to transmit—in a second mode of operation and across the first isolation element—a serial data stream from the first input to a logic circuit in the second isolation domain, wherein the logic circuit is configured to receive—in the second mode of operation—the serial data stream and to store configuration information included in the serial data stream in a memory.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2022Publication date: April 20, 2023Inventors: Andrea Morici, Thomas Ferianz
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Patent number: 10530352Abstract: The disclosure is directed to implementing a gradual power transition, in digital and mixed-signal power converters. A “soft start” smooths an abrupt power change in the output of a power converter such as when the power converter starts up after turning on the power to a device. A power converter may receive a digital control signal that includes a command to start up, as well as includes a power level set point. This disclosure includes a circuit that receives the digital control signal and outputs a modified control signal to the power converter that causes the power converter to gradually change the power output of the power converter until the power output reaches the power level set point. The circuit dynamically determines a step size, length of time of each step and other parameters based on characteristics of the input digital control signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2018Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AGInventor: Andrea Morici
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Patent number: 10056828Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of operating a switch-mode power supply includes receiving a measurement of a first current of the switch-mode power supply, determining a ripple of the first current based on the received measurement of the first current, determining a maximum current threshold based on a target average current and the determined ripple of the first current, determining an off time of a switch based on a target current ripple and the determined ripple of the first current, turning off the switch when the first current reaches the maximum current threshold, and turning on the switch after the determined off time has elapsed after turning off the switch.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2016Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AGInventor: Andrea Morici
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Patent number: 9970982Abstract: An apparatus for providing an output parameter includes an output parameter generator circuit configured to determine a value of an output parameter repeatedly. The output parameter generator circuit includes at least one circuit block mandatory for the determination of a value of the output parameter. Further, the apparatus includes an output interface circuit configured to transmit the output parameter repeatedly to a receiver and a test circuit configured to test a basic functionality of the at least one mandatory circuit block of the output parameter generator circuit repeatedly. The at least one mandatory circuit block of the output parameter generator circuit is unavailable for the determination of a value of the output parameter during the basic functionality test.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2015Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Andrea Morici, Harald Witschnig
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Patent number: 9965422Abstract: A sensor system utilizing adaptively selected carrier frequencies is disclosed. The system includes a system bus, a bus master, and a sensor. The system bus is configured to transfer power and data. The bus master is coupled to the system bus and is configured to provide power to the bus and receive data from the bus. The sensor is coupled to the system bus and is configured to transfer data on the bus using an adaptively selected carrier frequency.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2016Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: David Levy, Harald Witschnig, Dirk Hammerschmidt, Wolfgang Scherr, Andrea Morici
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Publication number: 20180013344Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of operating a switch-mode power supply includes receiving a measurement of a first current of the switch-mode power supply, determining a ripple of the first current based on the received measurement of the first current, determining a maximum current threshold based on a target average current and the determined ripple of the first current, determining an off time of a switch based on a target current ripple and the determined ripple of the first current, turning off the switch when the first current reaches the maximum current threshold, and turning on the switch after the determined off time has elapsed after turning off the switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2016Publication date: January 11, 2018Inventor: Andrea Morici
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Patent number: 9846191Abstract: Integrated circuit systems, such as sensor systems, having on-board-diagnostic (OBD) circuits for the detection of errors presenting internal to the systems are disclosed, along with related methods. In one embodiment, an ADC multiplexer receives analog output readback from an output driver and provides a signal triggering an OBD circuit for internal error indication performed completely independent of digital-to-analog converters (DAC) and output drivers, which can be the point of failure.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2013Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Wolfgang Granig, Harald Witschnig, Andrea Morici
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Patent number: 9699868Abstract: In one example, a device includes a transformer configured to electrically isolate one or more components of the device from a communication bus, and a controller configured to receive and transmit data via the communication bus, wherein the controller is operable to communicate via a plurality of communication standards that include at least one analog unidirectional communication standard and at least one digital bidirectional communication standard, and wherein both the received data and the transmitted data pass through the transformer.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2015Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AGInventors: Andrea Morici, Kurt Marquardt
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Publication number: 20170097913Abstract: A sensor system utilizing adaptively selected carrier frequencies is disclosed. The system includes a system bus, a bus master, and a sensor. The system bus is configured to transfer power and data. The bus master is coupled to the system bus and is configured to provide power to the bus and receive data from the bus. The sensor is coupled to the system bus and is configured to transfer data on the bus using an adaptively selected carrier frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2016Publication date: April 6, 2017Inventors: David Levy, Harald Witschnig, Dirk Hammerschmidt, Wolfgang Scherr, Andrea Morici
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Patent number: 9557799Abstract: A sensor interface system includes a system bus, a bus master and a sensor. The bus master is coupled to the system bus. The bus master is configured to provide voltage regulation at a first band and perform data transmission within or at a second band. The sensor is also coupled to the system bus. The sensor is configured to receive or utilize the voltage regulation and to perform data transmission within or at the second band.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2013Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: David Levy, Harald Witschnig, Dirk Hammerschmidt, Wolfgang Scherr, Andrea Morici
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Patent number: 9529763Abstract: A sensor system utilizing adaptively selected carrier frequencies is disclosed. The system includes a system bus, a bus master, and a sensor. The system bus is configured to transfer power and data. The bus master is coupled to the system bus and is configured to provide power to the bus and receive data from the bus. The sensor is coupled to the system bus and is configured to transfer data on the bus using an adaptively selected carrier frequency.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2013Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: David Levy, Harald Witschnig, Dirk Hammerschmidt, Wolfgang Scherr, Andrea Morici
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Patent number: 9506996Abstract: Embodiments relate to an apparatus comprising a first measurement bridge circuit. The first measurement bridge circuit comprises a first half bridge for providing a first half bridge signal in response to a quantity to be measured and a second half bridge for providing a second half bridge signal in response to the quantity. The apparatus further comprises a second measurement bridge circuit. The second measurement bridge circuit comprises a third half bridge for providing a third half bridge signal in response to the quantity and a fourth half bridge for providing a fourth half bridge signal in response to the quantity. The apparatus also comprises an error detector. The error detector is configured to determine an error signal indicative of an error of the measurement of the quantity based on a combination of the first, the second, the third and the fourth half bridge signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2013Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Wolfgang Granig, Harald Witschnig, Andrea Morici
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Publication number: 20160295673Abstract: In one example, a device includes a transformer configured to electrically isolate one or more components of the device from a communication bus, and a controller configured to receive and transmit data via the communication bus, wherein the controller is operable to communicate via a plurality of communication standards that include at least one analog unidirectional communication standard and at least one digital bidirectional communication standard, and wherein both the received data and the transmitted data pass through the transformer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2015Publication date: October 6, 2016Inventors: Andrea Morici, Kurt Marquardt
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Publication number: 20160103173Abstract: An apparatus for providing an output parameter includes an output parameter generator circuit configured to determine a value of an output parameter repeatedly. The output parameter generator circuit includes at least one circuit block mandatory for the determination of a value of the output parameter. Further, the apparatus includes an output interface circuit configured to transmit the output parameter repeatedly to a receiver and a test circuit configured to test a basic functionality of the at least one mandatory circuit block of the output parameter generator circuit repeatedly. The at least one mandatory circuit block of the output parameter generator circuit is unavailable for the determination of a value of the output parameter during the basic functionality test.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2015Publication date: April 14, 2016Inventors: Andrea MORICI, Harald Witschnig
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Publication number: 20150108971Abstract: Embodiments relate to an apparatus comprising a first measurement bridge circuit. The first measurement bridge circuit comprises a first half bridge for providing a first half bridge signal in response to a quantity to be measured and a second half bridge for providing a second half bridge signal in response to the quantity. The apparatus further comprises a second measurement bridge circuit. The second measurement bridge circuit comprises a third half bridge for providing a third half bridge signal in response to the quantity and a fourth half bridge for providing a fourth half bridge signal in response to the quantity. The apparatus also comprises an error detector. The error detector is configured to determine an error signal indicative of an error of the measurement of the quantity based on a combination of the first, the second, the third and the fourth half bridge signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2013Publication date: April 23, 2015Inventors: Wolfgang Granig, Harald Witschnig, Andrea Morici
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Publication number: 20150070042Abstract: Integrated circuit systems, such as sensor systems, having on-board-diagnostic (OBD) circuits for the detection of errors presenting internal to the systems are disclosed, along with related methods. In one embodiment, an ADC multiplexer receives analog output readback from an output driver and provides a signal triggering an OBD circuit for internal error indication performed completely independent of digital-to-analog converters (DAC) and output drivers, which can be the point of failure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2013Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicant: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Wolfgang Granig, Harald Witschnig, Andrea Morici
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Publication number: 20150012767Abstract: A sensor interface system includes a system bus, a bus master and a sensor. The bus master is coupled to the system bus. The bus master is configured to provide voltage regulation at a first band and perform data transmission within or at a second band. The sensor is also coupled to the system bus. The sensor is configured to receive or utilize the voltage regulation and to perform data transmission within or at the second band.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2013Publication date: January 8, 2015Inventors: David Levy, Harald Witschnig, Dirk Hammerchmidt, Wolfgang Scherr, Andrea Morici
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Publication number: 20150012678Abstract: A sensor system utilizing adaptively selected carrier frequencies is disclosed. The system includes a system bus, a bus master, and a sensor. The system bus is configured to transfer power and data. The bus master is coupled to the system bus and is configured to provide power to the bus and receive data from the bus. The sensor is coupled to the system bus and is configured to transfer data on the bus using an adaptively selected carrier frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2013Publication date: January 8, 2015Inventors: David Levy, Harald Witschnig, Dirk Hammerschmidt, Wolfgang Scherr, Andrea Morici