Patents by Inventor Holger Vogelmann

Holger Vogelmann 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: 8760227
    Abstract: A circuit and a method for correcting an offset is provided that includes a current amplifier and an adjusting circuit for correcting an offset of an output current of the current amplifier. Wherein the adjusting circuit has a controlled current source, an output of the controlled current source is connected to the current amplifier for impressing an output current of the controlled current source in the current amplifier, an input of the controlled current source to form a regulation element of a control loop is connected by a first switching device of the adjusting circuit to an output of the current amplifier and to form a holding element is disconnected from the output of the current amplifier by the first switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Armin Prohaska, Terje Saether, Holger Vogelmann
  • Patent number: 8558581
    Abstract: According to a novel aspect, operating an analog rail-to-rail comparator circuit with common mode detection of differential input signals includes generating a hysteresis current for the comparator circuit based on a common mode voltage used for the common mode detection. The hysteresis current is added to a differential output of a comparator in the comparator circuit, such that a hysteresis voltage at an output of the comparator circuit is substantially independent of the common mode voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Armin Prohaska, Holger Vogelmann
  • Publication number: 20130120046
    Abstract: According to a novel aspect, operating an analog rail-to-rail comparator circuit with common mode detection of differential input signals includes generating a hysteresis current for the comparator circuit based on a common mode voltage used for the common mode detection. The hysteresis current is added to a differential output of a comparator in the comparator circuit, such that a hysteresis voltage at an output of the comparator circuit is substantially independent of the common mode voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: ATMEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Armin Prohaska, Holger Vogelmann
  • Publication number: 20130043952
    Abstract: A circuit and a method for correcting an offset is provided that includes a current amplifier and an adjusting circuit for correcting an offset of an output current of the current amplifier. Wherein the adjusting circuit has a controlled current source, an output of the controlled current source is connected to the current amplifier for impressing an output current of the controlled current source in the current amplifier, an input of the controlled current source to form a regulation element of a control loop is connected by a first switching device of the adjusting circuit to an output of the current amplifier and to form a holding element is disconnected from the output of the current amplifier by the first switching device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventors: Armin Prohaska, Terje Saether, Holger Vogelmann
  • Patent number: 8289082
    Abstract: A circuit and a method for correcting an offset is provided that includes a current amplifier and an adjusting circuit for correcting an offset of an output current of the current amplifier. Wherein the adjusting circuit has a controlled current source, an output of the controlled current source is connected to the current amplifier for impressing an output current of the controlled current source in the current amplifier, an input of the controlled current source to form a regulation element of a control loop is connected by a first switching device of the adjusting circuit to an output of the current amplifier and to form a holding element is disconnected from the output of the current amplifier by the first switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Armin Prohaska, Terje Saether, Holger Vogelmann
  • Patent number: 8154217
    Abstract: A driver circuit, operating method, and use of a current mirror of a driver circuit is provided that includes at least one output transistor, a reference network with at least one reference transistor, a switching device, which is connected to the control input of the output transistor and to the control input of the reference transistor to form a switchable current mirror, a current source for providing a reference current for a reference current path, whereby the current source and the reference transistor are arranged in the reference current path, a load terminal, whereby the load terminal and the output transistor are arranged in a load current path, and at least one damping network, which is connected to or connectable to the reference current path. Wherein a connection of components of the at least one damping network and a connection of components of the reference network are substantially the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Guenther Bergmann, Peter Kolb, Holger Vogelmann, Michael Offenwanger
  • Patent number: 8101900
    Abstract: A circuit and method for operating a circuit with a terminal for connecting a photodiode to output an output current dependent on the photocurrent of the photodiode, with a resistance device for generating a voltage drop dependent on a photocurrent of the photodiode, with a control loop connected to the resistance device for generating the output current dependent on the photocurrent, with a switching means connected to the terminal with first switch positions for a first operating mode for operating the photodiode in the reversed bias and with second switch positions for a second operating mode for operating the photodiode in the photovoltaic mode, wherein in the first operating mode in the first switch positions of the switching means, the resistance device and the control loop are bridged and/or are not connected, and in the second operating mode in the second switch positions of the switching means, the terminal is connected to the resistance device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Guenther Bergmann, Herbert Knotz, Peter Kolb, Armin Prohaska, Holger Vogelmann
  • Patent number: 8009710
    Abstract: A laser driver circuit comprising an amplifier device with a plurality of switchable subamplifiers, which can be or are connected to an output for connection of a laser, ith an analog switching device for switching of analog input signals, a plurality of analog inputs for the analog input signals, a plurality of control inputs for receiving digital control signals, wherein each switchable subamplifier has a switching device for switching the amplification by one of the digital control signals, a digital switching device connected to an input of each switching device for the selectable connection of the input of the switching device of each switchable subamplifier to a control input. Whereby each switchable subamplifier has an analog input, which is connected to the analog switching device for the selectable switching of an analog input signal to the analog input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Herbert Knotz, Holger Vogelmann, Peter Kolb, Michael Offenwanger, Stefan Schabel
  • Publication number: 20110148380
    Abstract: A circuit and a method for correcting an offset is provided that includes a current amplifier and an adjusting circuit for correcting an offset of an output current of the current amplifier. Wherein the adjusting circuit has a controlled current source, an output of the controlled current source is connected to the current amplifier for impressing an output current of the controlled current source in the current amplifier, an input of the controlled current source to form a regulation element of a control loop is connected by a first switching device of the adjusting circuit to an output of the current amplifier and to form a holding element is disconnected from the output of the current amplifier by the first switching device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Armin Prohaska, Terje Saether, Holger Vogelmann
  • Patent number: 7899099
    Abstract: A laser drive circuit and use of digital-to-analog converters is provided, each with a current input and a current output to set current values of partial currents switchable by means of digital channel signals to provide a laser current pulse at least on the basis of a sum of partial currents, wherein at least one current output of one of the digital-to-analog converters is connected to at least one current input of an additional digital-to-analog converter via an analog switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Atmel Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Guenther Bergmann, Karl-Josef Gropper, Herbert Knotz, Stefan Schabel, Holger Vogelmann
  • Publication number: 20100102208
    Abstract: A circuit and method for operating a circuit with a terminal for connecting a photodiode to output an output current dependent on the photocurrent of the photodiode, with a resistance device for generating a voltage drop dependent on a photocurrent of the photodiode, with a control loop connected to the resistance device for generating the output current dependent on the photocurrent, with a switching means connected to the terminal with first switch positions for a first operating mode for operating the photodiode in the reversed bias and with second switch positions for a second operating mode for operating the photodiode in the photovoltaic mode, wherein in the first operating mode in the first switch positions of the switching means, the resistance device and the control loop are bridged and/or are not connected, and in the second operating mode in the second switch positions of the switching means, the terminal is connected to the resistance device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Guenther Bergmann, Herbert Knotz, Peter Kolb, Armin Prohaska, Holger Vogelmann
  • Publication number: 20100034226
    Abstract: A laser driver circuit comprising an amplifier device with a plurality of switchable subamplifiers, which can be or are connected to an output for connection of a laser, ith an analog switching device for switching of analog input signals, a plurality of analog inputs for the analog input signals, a plurality of control inputs for receiving digital control signals, wherein each switchable subamplifier has a switching device for switching the amplification by one of the digital control signals, a digital switching device connected to an input of each switching device for the selectable connection of the input of the switching device of each switchable subamplifier to a control input. Whereby each switchable subamplifier has an analog input, which is connected to the analog switching device for the selectable switching of an analog input signal to the analog input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Herbert Knotz, Holger Vogelmann, Peter Kolb, Michael Offenwanger, Stefan Schabel
  • Publication number: 20090262769
    Abstract: A laser drive circuit and use of digital-to-analog converters is provided, each with a current input and a current output to set current values of partial currents switchable by means of digital channel signals to provide a laser current pulse at least on the basis of a sum of partial currents, wherein at least one current output of one of the digital-to-analog converters is connected to at least one current input of an additional digital-to-analog converter via an analog switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Guenther BERGMANN, Karl-Josef GROPPER, Herbert KNOTZ, Stefan SCHABEL, Holger VOGELMANN
  • Publication number: 20090230879
    Abstract: A driver circuit, operating method, and use of a current mirror of a driver circuit is provided that includes at least one output transistor, a reference network with at least one reference transistor, a switching device, which is connected to the control input of the output transistor and to the control input of the reference transistor to form a switchable current mirror, a current source for providing a reference current for a reference current path, whereby the current source and the reference transistor are arranged in the reference current path, a load terminal, whereby the load terminal and the output transistor are arranged in a load current path, and at least one damping network, which is connected to or connectable to the reference current path. Wherein a connection of components of the at least one damping network and a connection of components of the reference network are substantially the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Guenther BERGMANN, Peter KOLB, Holger VOGELMANN, Michael OFFENWANGER
  • Patent number: 7145929
    Abstract: A driver circuit and a method drive an electronic component such as a laser diode with a variable electric current that is controlledly switched between at least two discrete current levels. The driver circuit includes circuit elements that damp ringing or initial transient oscillations that arise when switching the current between the current levels. The driver circuit includes a current mirror having a mirror amplification factor dependent on the frequency of the variable electric current. In order to counteract parasitic capacitances and/or inductances leading to the ringing, an inductance and/or a resistance are connected between the two series circuits making up the current mirror, a capacitance is connected parallel to a reference resistor of one of the series circuits, and/or a capacitance is connected across the voltage supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Atmel Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Guenther Bergmann, Erwin Dotzauer, Holger Vogelmann, Herbert Knotz, Wolfgang Wernig
  • Publication number: 20040257140
    Abstract: A driver circuit and a method drive an electronic component such as a laser diode with a variable electric current that is controlledly switched between at least two discrete current levels. The driver circuit includes circuit elements that damp ringing or initial transient oscillations that arise when switching the current between the current levels. The driver circuit includes a current mirror having a mirror amplification factor dependent on the frequency of the variable electric current. In order to counteract parasitic capacitances and/or inductances leading to the ringing, an inductance and/or a resistance are connected between the two series circuits making up the current mirror, a capacitance is connected parallel to a reference resistor of one of the series circuits, and/or a capacitance is connected across the voltage supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Guenther Bergmann, Erwin Dotzauer, Holger Vogelmann, Herbert Knotz, Wolfgang Wernig