Patents by Inventor Davide Ugo Ghisu
Davide Ugo Ghisu 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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Patent number: 11264982Abstract: A high voltage driving circuit for driving a load receives a low voltage input signal and generates a high voltage output signal. A short circuit protection circuit including a first electronic switch operated by the low voltage input signal and a second electronic switch operated by a low voltage signal obtained by a voltage division of the output high voltage signal. The first electronic switch causing a first pull-up current to be sent to a capacitive element whose voltage controls an input of a threshold comparator. A second electronic switch causes a second pull-down current to be drawn from the capacitive element whose voltage controls the input of the threshold comparator. A short circuit detection signal is generated at an output of said threshold comparator, indicating a short circuit and capable of inhibiting operation of the driving circuit.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2018Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Marco Terenzi, Davide Ugo Ghisu
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Patent number: 10873328Abstract: A driver circuit for driving, for example, ultrasonic transducers in medical equipment, such as ultrasound scanning equipment. The driver circuit includes first inputs receptive of a pulsed signal, second inputs receptive of an analog signal, an output for applying a pulsed drive signal or an analog drive signal to a load. A pair of output transistors of complementary polarities are positioned with their current paths in series between opposing supply lines with a connection point intermediate between the transistors of the pair of transistors. The connection point between output transistors is coupled to the output of the circuit. The control terminals of the output transistors, which are coupled together, may be coupled to the first inputs with the driver functioning as a pulser, or else coupled to the second inputs with the driver functioning as a linear driver.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2017Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Davide Ugo Ghisu, Sandro Rossi, Andrea Gambero
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Patent number: 10730073Abstract: A circuit for an ultrasonic channel has a first and a second terminal between which extend a resistive and diode signal paths including a pair of diodes with opposing polarities, for example in anti-parallel. Switching circuitry is coupled with the resistive and diode signal paths and is switchable between first and second states. In the first state, the first and the second terminals are coupled with one another via the resistive signal path. In the second state, the first and the second terminals are coupled with one another via the diode signal path. The switching circuitry includes first and second transistor discharge circuits coupled between first and second drive lines and current paths of these transistors, and coupled to control terminals of these transistors. The control terminals are coupled to the first or second drive line and are non-conductive and conductive in first and second operating states, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2017Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.Inventors: Davide Ugo Ghisu, Sandro Rossi, Andrea Gambero
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Patent number: 10734954Abstract: An operational amplifier including an input stage coupled to an input terminal, an output stage coupled to an output terminal, and a gain node between the input stage and the output stage. A bias current source is couplable to the input stage to supply a bias current thereto and a current mirror circuit mirrors the bias current toward the gain node and the output stage. A switch circuit includes a switch activatable to bring the gain node to a pre-bias voltage and a switch coupled to the output stage and switchable between a first state and a second state in which the output stage is active and non-active, respectively—. A further switch circuit is coupled to the output terminal and switchable between a first state and a second state in which the output stage is coupled to the output terminal and to a reference level, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2017Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.Inventors: Andrea Gambero, Davide Ugo Ghisu, Sandro Rossi
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Patent number: 10441972Abstract: A transmission channel transmits high-voltage pulses in a transmission phase and receives echoes of the high-voltage pulses in a receiving phase. The transmission channel includes a buffer with anti-memory circuitry to couple drain conduction terminals of buffer transistors of a high-side of a buffer of the transmission channel to a low-side reference voltage of a low-side of the buffer and couple drain conduction terminals of buffer transistors of the low-side of the buffer to a high-side reference voltage of the high-side of the buffer during the clamping phase.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2016Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Davide Ugo Ghisu, Sandro Rossi, Dario Bianchi
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Patent number: 10211826Abstract: A high-voltage electronic switch includes first and second transistors defining a current flow path between an input and output of the switch. The transistors have a common point of the current flow path and a common control terminal. A control circuit includes a voltage line receiving a limit operating voltage and first and second branches coupled between the voltage line and the common point and common control terminal, respectively. Further transistors are activated, upon turning-off of the first and second transistors, for coupling the branches to the voltage line. The branches include a parallel connected resistor, diode, and string of diodes with opposite polarities. The diode of the first branch plus string of diodes of the second branch and diode of the second branch plus string of diodes of the first branch provide coupling paths between the voltage line and, respectively, the common point and common control terminal.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2018Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Marco Terenzi, Davide Ugo Ghisu
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Patent number: 10145728Abstract: Described herein is a transceiver circuit for a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT), provided with: a transmitter stage, which generates excitation pulses for a first node of the CMUT transducer during a transmitting phase, a second node of the CMUT transducer being coupled to a biasing voltage; a receiver stage that is selectively coupled to the first node during a receiving phase and has an amplification stage; a switching stage that couples the receiver stage to the first node during the receiving phase and decouples the receiver stage from the first node during the transmitting phase. The amplification stage is provided with a charge amplifier that has an input terminal and is biased as a function of a biasing voltage; and the switching stage is coupled to the same biasing voltage thereby minimizing an injection of charge into the input terminal upon switching from the transmitting phase to the receiving phase.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2015Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.Inventors: Antonio Davide Leone, Davide Ugo Ghisu, Fabio Quaglia
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Patent number: 10114114Abstract: An ultrasonic probe includes: an ultrasonic transducer; an amplification stage; a bias circuit, which determines a bias voltage on an input terminal of the amplification stage; and a selector having an intermediate node, a high-voltage switch between the intermediate node and the transducer, and a first low-voltage switch between the intermediate node and the input terminal. A control unit controls the high-voltage switch and the first low-voltage switch so as to alternately couple and decouple the amplification stage and the transducer. A precharge circuit determines a precharge voltage on the intermediate node as a function of the bias voltage, before the amplification stage and the transducer are coupled.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2015Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.Inventors: Antonio Davide Leone, Davide Ugo Ghisu, Fabio Quaglia
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Publication number: 20180302080Abstract: A high voltage driving circuit for driving a load receives a low voltage input signal and generates a high voltage output signal. A short circuit protection circuit including a first electronic switch operated by the low voltage input signal and a second electronic switch operated by a low voltage signal obtained by a voltage division of the output high voltage signal. The first electronic switch causing a first pull-up current to be sent to a capacitive element whose voltage controls an input of a threshold comparator. A second electronic switch causes a second pull-down current to be drawn from the capacitive element whose voltage controls the input of the threshold comparator. A short circuit detection signal is generated at an output of said threshold comparator, indicating a short circuit and capable of inhibiting operation of the driving circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2018Publication date: October 18, 2018Inventors: Marco Terenzi, Davide Ugo Ghisu
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Patent number: 10103734Abstract: A level shifter circuit includes: an input stage for receiving an input signal switchable between a first and a second input level and an output stage to produce a drive signal for the load that is switchable between a first and a second output level. A level translator translates the input signal switching between the input levels into the output stage switching between the output levels. A feedback element coupled to the output stage transfers to the input stage a feedback signal representative of the output level of the output stage. The input stage includes control circuitry sensitive to the input signal and the feedback signal for detecting undesired switching of the output stage between the first and second output levels occurring in the absence of input signal switching between the first and second input levels. The control circuitry inverts the output level of the output stage resulting from undesired switching.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2016Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Dario Bianchi, Federico Guanziroli, Davide Ugo Ghisu
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Publication number: 20180243791Abstract: A circuit for an ultrasonic channel has a first and a second terminal between which extend a resistive and diode signal paths including a pair of diodes with opposing polarities, for example in anti-parallel. Switching circuitry is coupled with the resistive and diode signal paths and is switchable between first and second states. In the first state, the first and the second terminals are coupled with one another via the resistive signal path. In the second state, the first and the second terminals are coupled with one another via the diode signal path. The switching circuitry includes first and second transistor discharge circuits coupled between first and second drive lines and current paths of these transistors, and coupled to control terminals of these transistors. The control terminals are coupled to the first or second drive line and are non-conductive and conductive in first and second operating states, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2017Publication date: August 30, 2018Inventors: Davide Ugo Ghisu, Sandro Rossi, Andrea Gambero
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Publication number: 20180248544Abstract: A driver circuit for driving, for example, ultrasonic transducers in medical equipment, such as ultrasound scanning equipment. The driver circuit includes first inputs receptive of a pulsed signal, second inputs receptive of an analog signal, an output for applying a pulsed drive signal or an analog drive signal to a load. A pair of output transistors of complementary polarities are positioned with their current paths in series between opposing supply lines with a connection point intermediate between the transistors of the pair of transistors. The connection point between output transistors is coupled to the output of the circuit. The control terminals of the output transistors, which are coupled together, may be coupled to the first inputs with the driver functioning as a pulser, or else coupled to the second inputs with the driver functioning as a linear driver.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2017Publication date: August 30, 2018Inventors: Davide Ugo Ghisu, Sandro Rossi, Andrea Gambero
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Publication number: 20180248522Abstract: An operational amplifier including an input stage coupled to an input terminal, an output stage coupled to an output terminal, and a gain node between the input stage and the output stage. A bias current source is couplable to the input stage to supply a bias current thereto and a current mirror circuit mirrors the bias current toward the gain node and the output stage. A switch circuit includes a switch activatable to bring the gain node to a pre-bias voltage and a switch coupled to the output stage and switchable between a first state and a second state in which the output stage is active and non-active, respectively—. A further switch circuit is coupled to the output terminal and switchable between a first state and a second state in which the output stage is coupled to the output terminal and to a reference level, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2017Publication date: August 30, 2018Inventors: Andrea Gambero, Davide Ugo Ghisu, Sandro Rossi
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Publication number: 20180226964Abstract: A high-voltage electronic switch includes first and second transistors defining a current flow path between an input and output of the switch. The transistors have a common point of the current flow path and a common control terminal. A control circuit includes a voltage line receiving a limit operating voltage and first and second branches coupled between the voltage line and the common point and common control terminal, respectively. Further transistors are activated, upon turning-off of the first and second transistors, for coupling the branches to the voltage line. The branches include a parallel connected resistor, diode, and string of diodes with opposite polarities. The diode of the first branch plus string of diodes of the second branch and diode of the second branch plus string of diodes of the first branch provide coupling paths between the voltage line and, respectively, the common point and common control terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2018Publication date: August 9, 2018Inventors: Marco Terenzi, Davide Ugo Ghisu
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Patent number: 9954519Abstract: A high-voltage electronic switch includes first and second transistors defining a current flow path between an input and output of the switch. The transistors have a common point of the current flow path and a common control terminal. A control circuit includes a voltage line receiving a limit operating voltage and first and second branches coupled between the voltage line and the common point and common control terminal, respectively. Further transistors are activated, upon turning-off of the first and second transistors, for coupling the branches to the voltage line. The branches include a parallel connected resistor, diode, and string of diodes with opposite polarities. The diode of the first branch plus string of diodes of the second branch and diode of the second branch plus string of diodes of the first branch provide coupling paths between the voltage line and, respectively, the common point and common control terminal.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2017Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Marco Terenzi, Davide Ugo Ghisu
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Patent number: 9911869Abstract: A diode comprising a semiconductor body delimited by a front surface and including: a first semiconductor region having a first type of conductivity, facing at least in part the front surface; and a second semiconductor region having a second type of conductivity, the second semiconductor region facing at least in part the front surface and surrounding, at a distance, at least part of the first semiconductor region. The diode further includes: a trench, which extends in the semiconductor body starting from the front surface, for surrounding at least part of the second semiconductor region; and a lateral insulation region, which is arranged within the trench, is formed by dielectric material and contacts at least in part the second semiconductor region.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2016Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.Inventors: Marco Sambi, Dario Ripamonti, Davide Ugo Ghisu, Dario Bianchi
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Publication number: 20170317670Abstract: A high-voltage electronic switch includes first and second transistors defining a current flow path between an input and output of the switch. The transistors have a common point of the current flow path and a common control terminal. A control circuit includes a voltage line receiving a limit operating voltage and first and second branches coupled between the voltage line and the common point and common control terminal, respectively. Further transistors are activated, upon turning-off of the first and second transistors, for coupling the branches to the voltage line. The branches include a parallel connected resistor, diode, and string of diodes with opposite polarities. The diode of the first branch plus string of diodes of the second branch and diode of the second branch plus string of diodes of the first branch provide coupling paths between the voltage line and, respectively, the common point and common control terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Marco Terenzi, Davide Ugo Ghisu
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Patent number: 9772645Abstract: A transmission channel transmits high-voltage pulses and receives echos of the high-voltage pulses. The transmission channel includes a current generator circuit, which generates current-integrator drive currents. The control circuitry generates one or more control signals to control generation of current-integrator drive currents by the current generator circuit during transducer-driving periods. A current integrator integrates current-integrator drive currents generated by current generator circuit to generate transducer drive signals.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2016Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.LInventors: Sandro Rossi, Davide Ugo Ghisu, Fabio Quaglia, Antonio Davide Leone
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Publication number: 20170263784Abstract: A diode comprising a semiconductor body delimited by a front surface and including: a first semiconductor region having a first type of conductivity, facing at least in part the front surface; and a second semiconductor region having a second type of conductivity, the second semiconductor region facing at least in part the front surface and surrounding, at a distance, at least part of the first semiconductor region. The diode further includes: a trench, which extends in the semiconductor body starting from the front surface, for surrounding at least part of the second semiconductor region; and a lateral insulation region, which is arranged within the trench, is formed by dielectric material and contacts at least in part the second semiconductor region.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2016Publication date: September 14, 2017Inventors: Marco Sambi, Dario Ripamonti, Davide Ugo Ghisu, Dario Bianchi
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Patent number: 9722596Abstract: A high-voltage electronic switch includes first and second transistors defining a current flow path between an input and output of the switch. The transistors have a common point of the current flow path and a common control terminal. A control circuit includes a voltage line receiving a limit operating voltage and first and second branches coupled between the voltage line and the common point and common control terminal, respectively. Further transistors are activated, upon turning-off of the first and second transistors, for coupling the branches to the voltage line. The branches include a parallel connected resistor, diode, and string of diodes with opposite polarities. The diode of the first branch plus string of diodes of the second branch and diode of the second branch plus string of diodes of the first branch provide coupling paths between the voltage line and, respectively, the common point and common control terminal.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2016Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.Inventors: Marco Terenzi, Davide Ugo Ghisu