Abstract: A drive circuit for airbag systems, for instance includes a differential transconductance amplifier having a first input node, a second input node, an output node coupled to the second input node via a feedback line; a transistor coupled between a drive node and a supply node configured to be coupled to a power supply source; a control node coupled to the control electrode of the transistor and the output node; a Zener diode arrangement having cathode and anode terminals coupled to the supply node and the first input node, respectively; a pull-up component arranged in parallel with the Zener diode arrangement; and an enable switch coupled to the first input node and referred to ground and switchable between a conductive state and a non-conductive state with the differential transconductance amplifier providing controlled current discharging/charging of the control node to make the transistor conductive/non-conductive, respectively.

Abstract: A circuit comprises at least one memory cell adapted to store data in terms of values of an electrical characteristic thereof, which exhibits a variability with temperature according to a first variation law; a voltage generator is provided for generating a voltage to be supplied to the at least one memory cell for retrieving the data stored therein, the voltage generator including first means adapted to cause the generated voltage take a value in a set of target values including at least one target value, corresponding to an operation to be performed on the memory cell. The voltage generator comprises second means for causing the value taken by the generated voltage vary with temperature according to a prescribed second variation law exploiting a compensation circuit element having said electrical characteristic.

Abstract: A multistage circuit for regulating the charge voltage or the discharge current of a capacitance of an integrated device at a certain charge-pump generated boosted voltage is implemented without integrating high voltage transistor structures having a type of conductivity corresponding to the same sign of the boosted voltage (high-side transistors). The multistage circuit current includes at least a first stage, and an output stage in cascade to the first stage and coupled to the capacitance. The first stage is supplied at an unboosted power supply voltage of the integrated device, and the output stage is supplied at an unregulated charge-pump generated boosted voltage. The first stage includes a transistor having a type of conductivity corresponding to an opposite sign of the boosted voltage and of the power supply voltage. The drain of the output stage transistor is coupled to the boosted voltage either through a resistive pull-up or a voltage limiter.

Abstract: A voltage regulator integrated in a chip of semiconductor material is provided.

Abstract: A circuit comprises at least one memory cell adapted to store data in terms of values of an electrical characteristic thereof, which exhibits a variability with temperature according to a first variation law; a voltage generator is provided for generating a voltage to be supplied to the at least one memory cell for retrieving the data stored therein, the voltage generator including first means adapted to cause the generated voltage take a value in a set of target values including at least one target value, corresponding to an operation to be performed on the memory cell. The voltage generator comprises second means for causing the value taken by the generated voltage vary with temperature according to a prescribed second variation law exploiting a compensation circuit element having said electrical characteristic.

Abstract: Voltage-boosting device having a supply input receiving a supply voltage, and a high-voltage output. The device is formed by a plurality of charge-pump stages series-connected between the supply input and the high-voltage output. Each charge-pump stage has a respective enabling input receiving an enabling signal. A control circuit formed by a plurality of comparators is connected to the high-voltage output and generates the enabling signals on the basis of the comparison between the voltage on the high-voltage output and a plurality of reference voltages, one for each comparator. The charge-pump stages are grouped into sets of stages, and the stages belonging to a same set receive a same enabling signal; thus, as many comparators as there are sets of stages are present.

Abstract: A high-voltage switch has a high-voltage input terminal, receiving a high voltage, and an output terminal. A pass transistor, having a control terminal, is connected between the high-voltage input terminal and the output terminal. The output of a voltage-multiplying circuit of the charge-pump type is connected to the control terminal. The voltage-multiplying circuit is of a symmetrical type, has first and second charge-storage means, receiving a clock signal of a periodic type, and has a first circuit branch and a second circuit branch, which are symmetrical to one another and operate in phase opposition with respect to the clock signal.

Abstract: An embodiment of an electronic apparatus is provided. The electronic apparatus includes a supplying block for supplying a plurality of operative voltages, one or more operative circuits and a distribution bus for distributing at least part of the operative voltages to each operative circuit. Each operative circuit includes a set of devices for generating a set of output voltages from a set of input ones of the distributed operative voltages. The input and output voltages span an effective range. Each device is capable of sustaining at most a safe voltage between each pair of terminals thereof not higher than the effective range. The devices are controlled by a set of auxiliary ones of the distributed operative voltages spanning an auxiliary range within the effective range, so that a difference between the voltage applied to each pair of terminals thereof is not higher than the safe voltage.

Abstract: A circuit comprises at least one memory cell adapted to store data in terms of values of an electrical characteristic thereof, which exhibits a variability with temperature according to a first variation law; a voltage generator is provided for generating a voltage to be supplied to the at least one memory cell for retrieving the data stored therein, the voltage generator including first means adapted to cause the generated voltage take a value in a set of target values including at least one target value, corresponding to an operation to be performed on the memory cell. The voltage generator comprises second means for causing the value taken by the generated voltage vary with temperature according to a prescribed second variation law exploiting a compensation circuit element having said electrical characteristic.

Abstract: A voltage regulator integrated in a chip of semiconductor material is provided.

Abstract: An embodiment of an electronic apparatus is provided. The electronic apparatus includes a supplying block for supplying a plurality of operative voltages, one or more operative circuits and a distribution bus for distributing at least part of the operative voltages to each operative circuit. Each operative circuit includes a set of devices for generating a set of output voltages from a set of input ones of the distributed operative voltages. The input and output voltages span an effective range. Each device is capable of sustaining at most a safe voltage between each pair of terminals thereof not higher than the effective range. The devices are controlled by a set of auxiliary ones of the distributed operative voltages spanning an auxiliary range within the effective range, so that a difference between the voltage applied to each pair of terminals thereof is not higher than the safe voltage.

Abstract: A multistage circuit for regulating the charge voltage or the discharge current of a capacitance of an integrated device at a certain charge-pump generated boosted voltage is implemented without integrating high voltage transistor structures having a type of conductivity corresponding to the same sign of the boosted voltage (high-side transistors). The multistage circuit current includes at least a first stage, and an output stage in cascade to the first stage and coupled to the capacitance. The first stage is supplied at an unboosted power supply voltage of the integrated device, and the output stage is supplied at an unregulated charge-pump generated boosted voltage. The first stage includes a transistor having a type of conductivity corresponding to an opposite sign of the boosted voltage and of the power supply voltage. The drain of the output stage transistor is coupled to the boosted voltage either through a resistive pull-up or a voltage limiter.

Abstract: Voltage-boosting device having a supply input receiving a supply voltage, and a high-voltage output. The device is formed by a plurality of charge-pump stages series-connected between the supply input and the high-voltage output. Each charge-pump stage has a respective enabling input receiving an enabling signal. A control circuit formed by a plurality of comparators is connected to the high-voltage output and generates the enabling signals on the basis of the comparison between the voltage on the high-voltage output and a plurality of reference voltages, one for each comparator. The charge-pump stages are grouped into sets of stages, and the stages belonging to a same set receive a same enabling signal; thus, as many comparators as there are sets of stages are present.

Abstract: A high-voltage switch has a high-voltage input terminal, receiving a high voltage, and an output terminal. A pass transistor, having a control terminal, is connected between the high-voltage input terminal and the output terminal. The output of a voltage-multiplying circuit of the charge-pump type is connected to the control terminal. The voltage-multiplying circuit is of a symmetrical type, has first and second charge-storage means, receiving a clock signal of a periodic type, and has a first circuit branch and a second circuit branch, which are symmetrical to one another and operate in phase opposition with respect to the clock signal.

Abstract: A circuit for converting a direct current input voltage into an output voltage greater than the input voltage. The circuit includes a charge pump and a block for generating pulse signals of a predetermined frequency to be applied to a control input of the charge pump. The settling time, i.e. the time necessary for the output voltage to attain its operating value and to maintain it with a given precision, is reduced by providing the circuit with charge injection control via modulation of the duty cycle of the pulse signals as a function of the difference between the output voltage, or a predetermined fraction thereof, and a predetermined reference voltage and in such a manner as to reduce the settling time as the difference diminishes. The circuit includes a regulator that controls the charge pump based upon the predetermined reference voltage.

Abstract: A circuit comprises at least one memory cell adapted to store data in terms of values of an electrical characteristic thereof, which exhibits a variability with temperature according to a first variation law; a voltage generator is provided for generating a voltage to be supplied to the at least one memory cell for retrieving the data stored therein, the voltage generator including first means adapted to cause the generated voltage take a value in a set of target values including at least one target value, corresponding to an operation to be performed on the memory cell. The voltage generator comprises second means for causing the value taken by the generated voltage vary with temperature according to a prescribed second variation law exploiting a compensation circuit element having said electrical characteristic.

Abstract: The output voltage ripple of a single stage or a multi-stage charge pump may be significantly reduced by introducing in the voltage generator a cascode connected output transistor. In operation, this output transistor may be in a conduction state and may be controlled with a voltage having a smaller ripple than the voltage output by the charge pump.

Abstract: A method and an electronic device for stabilizing the voltage on the drain terminals of multi-level non-volatile memory cells during programming thereof. The voltage is provided by a drain voltage regulator having an output connected to the drain terminals at a common circuit node by a metal line conduction path having a parasitic intrinsic resistance. A feedback path is advantageously provided between the common circuit node and an input of the regulator.

Abstract: A circuit for converting a direct current input voltage into an output voltage greater than the input voltage. The circuit includes a charge pump and a block for generating pulse signals of a predetermined frequency to be applied to a control input of the charge pump. The settling time, i.e. the time necessary for the output voltage to attain its operating value and to maintain it with a given precision, is reduced by providing the circuit with charge injection control via modulation of the duty cycle of the pulse signals as a function of the difference between the output voltage, or a predetermined fraction thereof, and a predetermined reference voltage and in such a manner as to reduce the settling time as the difference diminishes. The circuit includes a regulator that controls the charge pump based upon the predetermined reference voltage.

Abstract: A method and an electronic device for stabilizing the voltage on the drain terminals of multi-level non-volatile memory cells during programming thereof. The voltage is provided by a drain voltage regulator having an output connected to the drain terminals at a common circuit node by a metal line conduction path having a parasitic intrinsic resistance. A feedback path is advantageously provided between the common circuit node and an input of the regulator.