Patents by Inventor Gabriele Gandolfi
Gabriele Gandolfi 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: 10333525Abstract: An apparatus includes a temperature sensor, a digitally-controlled capacitor and a processor. The temperature sensor is coupled to a crystal oscillator and configured to generate an input signal depending on a temperature of the crystal oscillator. The digitally-controlled capacitor is connected to the crystal oscillator and configured to receive a control signal and, based on the control signal, to control a frequency of an output signal generated by the crystal oscillator. The processor is configured to receive the input signal from the temperature sensor, to convert the input signal into the control signal based on parameters that characterize the crystal oscillator and the digitally-controlled capacitor, and to apply the control signal to the digitally-controlled capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2016Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: MARVELL INTERNATIONAL LTD.Inventors: Gabriele Gandolfi, Giacomo Bernardi, Marco Bongiorni, Michele Chiabrera, Vittorio Colonna, Alberto Demarziani, Stefano Marchese, Alessio Pelle, Francesco Rezzi, Alessandro Savo
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Patent number: 9800217Abstract: Technologies are described to DC-couple an integrated amplifier system to a source that provides a signal with an unknown DC component, for example to DC-couple an integrated audio codec to an analog microphone. In one aspect, methods include receiving, by an amplifier, a signal having an unknown DC component, and issuing an amplified signal; low pass filtering, with respect to a cutoff frequency, by a feedback circuit coupled between an output of the amplifier and an input of the amplifier, the amplified signal issued at the output of the amplifier to generate a filtered signal having frequencies lower than the cutoff frequency; and injecting, by the feedback circuit, the filtered signal into the input of the amplifier to cancel the unknown DC component below the cutoff frequency.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2015Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.Inventors: Gabriele Gandolfi, Vittorio Colonna, Francesco Rezzi
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Patent number: 9136853Abstract: An analog to digital converter including a low pass filter element, a quantizer, and a digital to analog converter provide in a feedback path. The low pass filter element is configured to filter an analog input signal. The quantizer is configured to receive an analog output signal that is based on the filtered analog input signal and convert the analog output signal to a digital output signal. The digital to analog converter is configured to generate an analog feedback signal based on the digital output signal and selectively inject or absorb current associated with the feedback path to reduce noise associated with the digital to analog converter. The analog feedback signal is combined with the analog input signal at an input of the low pass filter element.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2013Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: MARVELL WORLD TRADE LTD.Inventors: Marco Sosio, Antonio Liscidini, Rinaldo Castello, Gabriele Gandolfi, Vittorio Colonna
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Publication number: 20140062740Abstract: An analog to digital converter including a low pass filter element, a quantizer, and a digital to analog converter provide in a feedback path. The low pass filter element is configured to filter an analog input signal. The quantizer is configured to receive an analog output signal that is based on the filtered analog input signal and convert the analog output signal to a digital output signal. The digital to analog converter is configured to generate an analog feedback signal based on the digital output signal and selectively inject or absorb current associated with the feedback path to reduce noise associated with the digital to analog converter. The analog feedback signal is combined with the analog input signal at an input of the low pass filter element.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2013Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: Marvell World Trade Ltd.Inventors: Marco Sosio, Antonio Liscidini, Rinaldo Castello, Gabriele Gandolfi, Vittorio Colonna
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Patent number: 8581762Abstract: A filtering analog to digital converter (ADC) includes an integrator receiving at its input an analog input signal. A filtering capacitor at the input of the integrator filters out a large portion of out-of-band interferers in the analog input signal. The integrator produces an output that is quantized to produce a digital output. A feedback path between the quantizer output and the integrator input includes a digital to analog converter (DAC).Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2011Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Marvell World Trade Ltd.Inventors: Marco Sosio, Antonio Liscidini, Rinaldo Castello, Gabriele Gandolfi, Vittorio Colonna
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Publication number: 20120139764Abstract: A filtering analog to digital converter (ADC) includes an integrator receiving at its input an analog input signal. A filtering capacitor at the input of the integrator filters out a large portion of out-of-band interferers in the analog input signal. The integrator produces an output that is quantized to produce a digital output. A feedback path between the quantizer output and the integrator input includes a digital to analog converter (DAC).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2011Publication date: June 7, 2012Inventors: Marco Sosio, Antonio Liscidini, Rinaldo Castello, Gabriele Gandolfi, Vittorio Colonna
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Patent number: 7176754Abstract: A control system for the characteristic parameters of an active filter includes: a system for the determination of the technological distribution of the components that provides the information related to said technological distribution of the components; an elaboration system for said information related to said technological distribution of the components; an active filter including at least two programmable passive circuital elements receiving said information related to said technological distribution of the components; said elaboration system, being aware of the topology for said active filter, comprises means for determining the value for said at least two programmable passive circuital elements; means for correcting the value for said at least two programmable passive circuital elements according to the value of the information related to said technological distribution of the components; means for determining the programming values for said at least two programmable passive circuital elements.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2004Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: STMicroelectronics, S.r.l.Inventors: Andrea Baschirotto, Pietro Liguori, Vittorio Colonna, Gabriele Gandolfi
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Patent number: 7034725Abstract: A method of self-calibrating a modulator includes at least one integrator likely to incur a phase error may include reading a pulse response of the modulator, calculating a phase error parameter of the at least one integrator, and calibrating the phase error parameter. In addition, the calibration may provide a count of pulse response samples above suitable threshold values, as well as a change in the value of a capacitor associated with the integrator based upon the sample count.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2002Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Gabriele Gandolfi, Andrea Baschirotto, Vittorio Colonna
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Patent number: 6867724Abstract: An input stage includes switched capacitors for analog-digital converters. The stage comprises a first switched capacitor circuit structure suitable for sampling an analog signal in input to the converter with a preset sampling period, a buffer having in input the analog signal and that can be connected to the first circuit structure by means of a first and a second sampling switch of the first circuit structure coupled respectively with the output terminal and the input terminal of the buffer. The first and the second switch are controlled respectively by a first and a second signal to close respectively for a first interval of time and for a successive second interval of time of a first semi-sampling period of the analog signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2004Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Vittorio Colonna, Andrea Baschirotto, Gabriele Gandolfi
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Publication number: 20050030089Abstract: A controlled switch of the switched capacitance type is disclosed. In one embodiment the controlled switch comprises a control circuit for the switch, in a first phase the controlled circuit closes the controlled switch, in a second phase the control circuit opens the controlled switch, the controlled switch comprises a MOS transistor having a source and a substrate, characterized in that in the first phase the substrate is coupled to ground and in the second phase the substrate is coupled to the source.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2004Publication date: February 10, 2005Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Gabriele Gandolfi, Andrea Baschirotto, Vittorio Colonna
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Patent number: 6822592Abstract: A method for calibrating a frequency of a sigma—delta modulator having a go path that includes, in series, a resonator circuit and of an analog to digital conversion block, and a feedback path including a digital to analog conversion block, including the steps: a) applying an input pulse to the resonator circuit; b) measuring the oscillating frequency of the output signal from the resonator circuit in response to the pulse, while the feedback path of the sigma—delta modulator is opened; c) comparing the oscillating frequency of the resonator circuit with a selected frequency; d) modifying the oscillating frequency proportionately as a function of the comparison step. The resonator circuit includes an integrator filter with a variable gain amplifier in its feedback path, the variable gain configured to be modified as a function of the comparison, performed while the modulator feedback path is opened.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2002Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Gabriele Gandolfi, Vittorio Colonna, Andrea Baschirotto
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Publication number: 20040183625Abstract: A control system for the characteristic parameters of an active filter includes: a system for the determination of the technological distribution of the components that provides the information related to said technological distribution of the components; an elaboration system for said information related to said technological distribution of the components; an active filter including at least two programmable passive circuital elements receiving said information related to said technological distribution of the components; said elaboration system, being aware of the topology for said active filter, comprises means for determining the value for said at least two programmable passive circuital elements; means for correcting the value for said at least two programmable passive circuital elements according to the value of the information related to said technological distribution of the components; means for determining the programming values for said at least two programmable passive circuital elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2004Publication date: September 23, 2004Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.IInventors: Andrea Baschirotto, Piertro Liguori, Vittorio Colonna, Gabriele Gandolfi
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Publication number: 20040183705Abstract: An input stage includes switched capacitors for analog-digital converters. The stage comprises a first switched capacitor circuit structure suitable for sampling an analog signal in input to the converter with a preset sampling period, a buffer having in input the analog signal and that can be connected to the first circuit structure by means of a first and a second sampling switch of the first circuit structure coupled respectively with the output terminal and the input terminal of the buffer. The first and the second switch are controlled respectively by a first and a second signal to close respectively for a first interval of time and for a successive second interval of time of a first semi-sampling period of the analog signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2004Publication date: September 23, 2004Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Vittorio Colonna, Andrea Baschirotto, Gabriele Gandolfi
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Patent number: 6753799Abstract: A sigma-delta-type converter comprises: a sigma-delta modulator having a digital output having a first prefixed bit number; a randomizer including a circular memory; an analogical reconstruction filter comprising a branch number equal to said first default number including sampling capacitors and a low-pass filter; characterized in that said circular memory comprises a number of elements equal to said first default number of bits less one and receives in input said first default number of bits less one, and in that a bit of said first default number of bits is applied to one of said branches of said reconstruction filter.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2003Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Vittorio Colonna, Andrea Baschirotto, Gabriele Gandolfi
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Publication number: 20030189504Abstract: A sigma-delta-type converter comprises: a sigma-delta modulator having a digital output having a first prefixed bit number; a randomizer including a circular memory; an analogical reconstruction filter comprising a branch number equal to said first default number including sampling capacitors and a low-pass filter; characterized in that said circular memory comprises a number of elements equal to said first default number of bits less one and receives in input said first default number of bits less one, and in that a bit of said first default number of bits is applied to one of said branches of said reconstruction filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2003Publication date: October 9, 2003Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.I.Inventors: Vittorio Colonna, Andrea Baschirotto, Gabriele Gandolfi
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Publication number: 20030149538Abstract: A method of self-calibrating a modulator includes at least one integrator likely to incur a phase error may include reading a pulse response of the modulator, calculating a phase error parameter of the at least one integrator, and calibrating the phase error parameter. In addition, the calibration may provide a count of pulse response samples above suitable threshold values, as well as a change in the value of a capacitor associated with the integrator based upon the sample count.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2002Publication date: August 7, 2003Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.I.Inventors: Gabriele Gandolfi, Andrea Baschirotto, Vittorio Colonna
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Publication number: 20030146862Abstract: A method for calibrating a frequency of a sigma-delta modulator having a go path that includes, in series, a resonator circuit and of an analog to digital conversion block, and a feedback path including a digital to analog conversion block, including the steps: a) applying an input pulse to the resonator circuit; b) measuring the oscillating frequency of the output signal from the resonator circuit in response to the pulse, while the feedback path of the sigma-delta modulator is opened; c) comparing the oscillating frequency of the resonator circuit with a selected frequency; d) modifying the oscillating frequency proportionately as a function of the comparison step. The resonator circuit includes an integrator filter with a variable gain amplifier in its feedback path, the variable gain configured to be modified as a function of the comparison, performed while the modulator feedback path is opened.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2002Publication date: August 7, 2003Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Gabriele Gandolfi, Vittorio Colonna, Andrea Baschirotto
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Patent number: 6496066Abstract: The present invention refers to a fully differential operational amplifier of the folded cascode type. In one embodiment the fully differential operational amplifier comprises: a differential input stage able to drive a differential output stage; said differential output stage includes a first branch having at least a first and a second transistor, and a second branch having at least a third and a fourth transistor; said first and second branch are coupled to a first and a second voltage source; a feedback circuit of said first, second, third and fourth transistors that is constituted by a single amplifier having four inputs and four outputs, said four inputs taking the voltages present on a terminal of said first, second, third and fourth transistors, and providing voltages to the control elements of said first, second, third and fourth transistors, which voltages depend on the input voltages of said four inputs.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2001Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Vittorio Colonna, Andrea Baschirotto, Paolo Cusinato, Gabriele Gandolfi
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Patent number: 6486736Abstract: A class AB single-stage operational amplifier having input decoupler stages for voltage signals, a voltage repeater stage, biasing transistors and bias current generators for the input decoupler stages, and capacitors placed between the input decoupler stages and the voltage repeater stage so as to increase the phase margin.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2001Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Paolo Cusinato, Andrea Baschirotto, Vittorio Colonna, Gabriele Gandolfi
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Patent number: 6483449Abstract: A digital-analog converter having a sigma delta cascade modulator with two outputs, particularly a third order sigma delta modulator 2+1. The digital-analog converter includes a sigma delta modulator of the type having two outputs able to supply a first and a second signal to the two outputs; a reconstruction circuit of the first and second signals able to provide a reconstructed signal; a filter able to filter the reconstructed signal; the reconstruction circuit combining the first and second signals according to the following relationship: Yout Y1*(1+Z−1)−Y2*(1−Z−1)+Y2*Z−2*(1−Z−1), where: Yout corresponds to said reconstructed signal, Y1 corresponds to said first signal, Y2 corresponds to said according to signal, Z corresponds to the Z transform.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2001Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Gabriele Gandolfi, Andrea Baschirotto, Vittorio Colonna, Paolo Cusinato