Patents by Inventor Carmelo Settepani

Carmelo Settepani 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).

  • Driver circuit for MOS transistor switches in switching regulators and related methods
    Patent number: 5883505
    Abstract: A driver circuit is for turning on at least one power MOS transistor having a diode connected thereto. The driver circuit preferably includes a smart driver circuit portion for increasing a drive current to the power MOS transistor responsive to turning on of the diode. The smart driver circuit may include a comparator having one input connected to the diode and a second input connected to a threshold signal indicative of the turning on of the diode. The smart driver circuit may also comprise: a first current source for supplying a first drive current; a second current source for supplying a second drive current; and a switch for connecting the second current source to the power MOS transistor responsive to the comparator. The smart driver circuit may further include a turn off circuit for turning off the increased drive current a predetermined time after turning on same, such as before turning off the first current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: SGS-Thomson Microelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Antonio Magazzu', Carmelo Settepani, Alessandra Toscano