Patents by Inventor Heinz Zitta

Heinz Zitta 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).

  • Patent number: 8737034
    Abstract: A method determines a change in the activation state of an electromagnetic actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Herbert Gietler, Heinz Zitta
  • Publication number: 20110170224
    Abstract: A method determines a change in the activation state of an electromagnetic actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Herbert Gietler, Heinz Zitta
  • Patent number: 7528645
    Abstract: An apparatus, comprising a transistor having a source/drain node and a gate, and a circuit coupled between the source/drain node and the gate and configured to limit a voltage between the source/drain node and the gate to a clamping voltage such that the clamping voltage is reduced in response to a rising temperature of the transistor. Also, a method, comprising measuring a first temperature, measuring a second temperature, and reducing a clamped voltage between a source/drain node of a transistor and a gate of the transistor responsive to a difference between the first and second temperatures increasing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Erich Scheikl, Heinz Zitta
  • Publication number: 20090072887
    Abstract: An apparatus, comprising a transistor having a source/drain node and a gate, and a circuit coupled between the source/drain node and the gate and configured to limit a voltage between the source/drain node and the gate to a clamping voltage such that the clamping voltage is reduced in response to a rising temperature of the transistor. Also, a method, comprising measuring a first temperature, measuring a second temperature, and reducing a clamped voltage between a source/drain node of a transistor and a gate of the transistor responsive to a difference between the first and second temperatures increasing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Erich Scheikl, Heinz Zitta
  • Patent number: 7369382
    Abstract: An integrated circuit arrangement includes connection terminals, an undervoltage detector, and at least one circuit unit. The connection terminals are configured to receive a supply voltage. The undervoltage detector is coupled between the connection terminals and is configured to compare the supply voltage with a select reference value selected from a first reference value and a second reference value. The second reference value is less than the first reference value. The undervoltage detector is further operable to produce a detector signal on the basis of a result of the comparison. The circuit unit is coupled between the connection terminals, and includes a first operating state with a first drawn current and a second operating state with a second drawn current. The second drawn current exceeds the first drawn current. The select reference value corresponds to an operating state of the at least one circuit unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Erich Scheikl, Heinz Zitta
  • Publication number: 20060158808
    Abstract: An integrated circuit arrangement includes connection terminals, an undervoltage detector, and at least one circuit unit. The connection terminals are configured to receive a supply voltage. The undervoltage detector is coupled between the connection terminals and is configured to compare the supply voltage with a select reference value selected from a first reference value and a second reference value. The second reference value is less than the first reference value. The undervoltage detector is further operable to produce a detector signal on the basis of a result of the comparison. The circuit unit is coupled between the connection terminals, and includes a first operating state with a first drawn current and a second operating state with a second drawn current. The second drawn current exceeds the first drawn current. The select reference value corresponds to an operating state of the at least one circuit unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Publication date: July 20, 2006
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Erich Scheikl, Heinz Zitta
  • Patent number: 5939921
    Abstract: A drive circuit for a field-effect-controlled semiconductor component reduces a charging current for driving the field-effect-controlled semiconductor component when a load current limiting responds. That prevents an increase in current consumption of the drive circuit while maintaining a short switching time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Silvester Strauss, Heinz Zitta
  • Patent number: 5744878
    Abstract: A circuit configuration for triggering a field effect transistor with a source-side load has a capacitor which is connected on one hand through a load path of the field effect transistor to a supply voltage and on the other hand both to a first charging device and to a first controllable switching device. The first switching device is connected between the capacitor and a gate terminal of the field effect transistor. A second charging device acts through a second controllable switching device to charge a gate-to-source capacitor of the field effect transistor. A comparator monitors a voltage at the gate terminal of the field effect transistor and makes the first switching device conducting when a predetermined value is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Franz Wachter, Heinz Zitta, Johann Massoner
  • Patent number: 5617285
    Abstract: A circuit configuration for undervoltage detection of a voltage source includes a reference voltage source being fed by the voltage source and having a first output, a second output, and a device for generating an enable signal at the second output only whenever a reference voltage has attained a stable value. A voltage divider divides a voltage furnished by the voltage source and supplies an output voltage. A comparator has a first input connected to the first output of the reference voltage source, a second input receiving the output voltage of the voltage divider, an output for supplying a detection signal, and a switching device being triggered by the enable signal for enabling the output of the comparator only after the enable signal has been generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Heinz Zitta
  • Patent number: 5289051
    Abstract: An assembly has an MOS power transistor with an output circuit and an input circuit, a load connected in series with the output circuit of the MOS power transistor, and a control stage for controlling the input circuit of the MOS power transistor. A circuit configuration for triggering the MOS power transistor includes a constant current source and a switchable auxiliary current source connected parallel to the constant current source for feeding the control stage. The auxiliary current source is turned off at a predetermined period of time after an onset of a control event for the MOS power transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Heinz Zitta
  • Patent number: 5049761
    Abstract: A pulse width modulator configuration in complementary MOS circuit technology includes two comparators for comparing an input signal with two reference signals and producing results of the comparison. Output stages are associated with the comparators. The output stages are interconnected for logically linking the results of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Heinz Zitta
  • Patent number: 5043599
    Abstract: A circuit configuration in complementary MOS technology includes a comparator having two input transistors forming an input differential stage, a current source supplying the input transistors, first and second load transistors being driven by the input transistors, and an output. An output driver circuit has at least one first output transistor being controlled the output of the comparator, and a second output transistor complementary to the at least one first output transistor. The input transistors have symmetrical geometries and the load transistors have asymmetrical geometries generating a given operating characteristic of the comparator. The output driver circuit is geometrically adapted to the given operating characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Heinz Zitta
  • Patent number: 5001593
    Abstract: A circuit configuration for monitoring the temperature of power switching transistor integrated in a semiconductor circuit for overload protection includes temperature sensors each being associated with one respective power switching transistor for detecting the circuit temperature and issuing an output signal. Comparison stages are each connected to a respective one of the temperature sensors for comparing the output signal of one of the temperature sensors with a first reference corresponding to a first predetermined temperature value and switching off only the power switching transistor associated therewith upon attainment of the first predetermined temperature value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Heinz Zitta, Adam-Istvan Koroncai, Johann Massoner
  • Patent number: 4931718
    Abstract: A circuit configuration in complementary MOS technology for generating a reference voltage independent of temperature with the aid of a bandgap circuit includes first and second bipolar transistors having first and second base-to-emitter threshold voltages and interconnected base connections, and first and second field effect transistors. A first series circuit includes the output circuit of the first bipolar transistor, a first resistor being connected to the first bipolar transistor and defining a first connecting point therebetween, and the output circuit of the first field effect transistor being connected between terminals of a supply voltage source. A second series circuit which is parallel to the first includes the output circuit of the second bipolar transistor, series-connected second and third resistors defining a second connecting point therebetween, and the output circuit of the second field effect transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Heinz Zitta