Patents by Inventor Kuno Lenz

Kuno Lenz 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: 11824504
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device comprising two error amplifier stages having their first inputs interconnected, their second inputs interconnected and their outputs coupled to an output of the device, each stage comprising an operational amplifier; a circuit for calibrating the amplifier; a switch coupling an input of the amplifier to the first input; a switch coupling another input of the amplifier to the second input; a switch coupling an output of the amplifier to the stage output; a switch having on state which short-circuits the inputs of the amplifier; and a switch coupling the output of the amplifier to the calibration circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Alps) SAS
    Inventor: Kuno Lenz
  • Publication number: 20230283252
    Abstract: An internal voltage offset between a positive input and a negative input of a first operational amplifier is compensated. The negative input and the positive input of the first operational amplifier are coupled at the same voltage level. A comparison current generated at an output of the first operational amplifier has a sign that is representative of a sign of the internal voltage offset. The output of the first operational amplifier is biased to a threshold voltage using a current-to-voltage converter. A control voltage is generated from a sum of the threshold voltage and a voltage conversion of the comparison current. Compensation for the internal voltage offset between the positive and negative inputs of the first operational amplifier is made dependent on the control voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Alps) SAS
    Inventor: Kuno LENZ
  • Publication number: 20220004217
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a device for generating a first current from a second current, comprises: an output transistor configured to generate the first current; a first circuit configured to generate a third current representative of the second current and to draw it from a first node; a second circuit configured to generate a fourth current representative of the first current and to supply it to the first node; and a third circuit receiving a fifth current representative of a difference between the third and fourth currents, the third circuit being configured to generate a sixth current representative of the fifth current and to draw it from a control terminal of the output transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventor: Kuno Lenz
  • Publication number: 20210399702
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device comprising two error amplifier stages having their first inputs interconnected, their second inputs interconnected and their outputs coupled to an output of the device, each stage comprising an operational amplifier; a circuit for calibrating the amplifier; a switch coupling an input of the amplifier to the first input; a switch coupling another input of the amplifier to the second input; a switch coupling an output of the amplifier to the stage output; a switch having on state which short-circuits the inputs of the amplifier; and a switch coupling the output of the amplifier to the calibration circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventor: Kuno Lenz
  • Patent number: 11150682
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a device for generating a first current from a second current, comprises: an output transistor configured to generate the first current; a first circuit configured to generate a third current representative of the second current and to draw it from a first node; a second circuit configured to generate a fourth current representative of the first current and to supply it to the first node; and a third circuit receiving a fifth current representative of a difference between the third and fourth currents, the third circuit being configured to generate a sixth current representative of the fifth current and to draw it from a control terminal of the output transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (TOURS) SAS
    Inventor: Kuno Lenz
  • Publication number: 20210149430
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a device for generating a first current from a second current, comprises: an output transistor configured to generate the first current; a first circuit configured to generate a third current representative of the second current and to draw it from a first node; a second circuit configured to generate a fourth current representative of the first current and to supply it to the first node; and a third circuit receiving a fifth current representative of a difference between the third and fourth currents, the third circuit being configured to generate a sixth current representative of the fifth current and to draw it from a control terminal of the output transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventor: Kuno Lenz
  • Patent number: 10534389
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a Miller compensation and stabilization device for a feedback control loop includes a capacitor and a control circuit. The capacitor has a first terminal configured to be coupled to an output of a comparator of the feedback control loop and a second terminal. The control circuit is coupled to the second terminal of the capacitor and is configured to control, in response to a voltage applied to a setpoint input of the feedback control loop, a first voltage across the first and second terminals of the capacitor by controlling a value of a potential of the second terminal of the capacitor such that the first voltage is lower than a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Alps) SAS
    Inventor: Kuno Lenz
  • Patent number: 10254781
    Abstract: A voltage source wherein at least one first switch couples a first node of the voltage source to a node of application of at least one potential of a power supply voltage, and at least one first capacitive element couples the first node or a second node of the voltage source to a control node of the first switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Alps) SAS
    Inventor: Kuno Lenz
  • Publication number: 20190094895
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a Miller compensation and stabilization device for a feedback control loop includes a capacitor and a control circuit. The capacitor has a first terminal configured to be coupled to an output of a comparator of the feedback control loop and a second terminal. The control circuit is coupled to the second terminal of the capacitor and is configured to control, in response to a voltage applied to a setpoint input of the feedback control loop, a first voltage across the first and second terminals of the capacitor by controlling a value of a potential of the second terminal of the capacitor such that the first voltage is lower than a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventor: Kuno Lenz
  • Publication number: 20180024584
    Abstract: A voltage source wherein at least one first switch couples a first node of the voltage source to a node of application of at least one potential of a power supply voltage, and at least one first capacitive element couples the first node or a second node of the voltage source to a control node of the first switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventor: Kuno Lenz
  • Patent number: 9791882
    Abstract: A voltage source wherein at least one first switch couples a first node of the voltage source to a node of application of at least one potential of a power supply voltage, and at least one first capacitive element couples the first node or a second node of the voltage source to a control node of the first switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Alps) SAS
    Inventor: Kuno Lenz
  • Publication number: 20170038788
    Abstract: A voltage source wherein at least one first switch couples a first node of the voltage source to a node of application of at least one potential of a power supply voltage, and at least one first capacitive element couples the first node or a second node of the voltage source to a control node of the first switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventor: Kuno Lenz
  • Patent number: 7453249
    Abstract: An integrated circuit including at least one low-dropout voltage regulator (LDO) capable of delivering a regulated output voltage using a reference voltage (VREF), comprises means for generating a substitution voltage (VRMP) in the form of a ramp and control means capable of replacing the reference voltage (VREF) by the substitution voltage as long as the substitution voltage (VRMP) is lower than the reference voltage (VREF).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics SA
    Inventors: Kuno Lenz, Claude Renous, Jean-Luc Patry
  • Patent number: 7391239
    Abstract: A solution for increasing the switching speed of a bus driver circuit includes a pair of transistors controlled by a pair of control circuits. Pumping circuits are placed between the control electrodes of the transistors to speed up the conduction of one of the transistors immediately after the other is in an off state. An output interface for a differential bus is produced using two bus driver circuits, the control signals of one of the circuits being inverted relative to the other of the circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics SA
    Inventor: Kuno Lenz
  • Patent number: 7279977
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a resistive circuit with reduced mismatch that includes a primary resistive network with several main resistances (Rp) each having the same theoretical main value. It also includes an auxiliary resistance (Rau) having an auxiliary theoretical resistive value equal to the product or to the quotient of the theoretical main resistive value by ?{square root over (2)}. All these resistances are connected together so as to attribute a theoretical overall resistive value to the primary resistive network equal to the theoretical auxiliary resistive value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics SA
    Inventor: Kuno Lenz
  • Publication number: 20060158232
    Abstract: A solution for increasing the switching speed of a bus driver circuit includes a pair of transistors controlled by a pair of control circuits. Pumping circuits are placed between the control electrodes of the transistors to speed up the conduction of one of the transistors immediately after the other is in an off state. An output interface for a differential bus is produced using two bus driver circuits, the control signals of one of the circuits being inverted relative to the other of the circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Publication date: July 20, 2006
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics SA
    Inventor: Kuno Lenz
  • Publication number: 20060017508
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a resistive circuit with reduced mismatch that includes a primary resistive network with several main resistances (Rp) each having the same theoretical main value. It also includes an auxiliary resistance (Rau) having an auxiliary theoretical resistive value equal to the product or to the quotient of the theoretical main resistive value by ?{square root over (2)}. All these resistances are connected together so as to attribute a theoretical overall resistive value to the primary resistive network equal to the theoretical auxiliary resistive value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS SA
    Inventor: Kuno Lenz
  • Publication number: 20060006857
    Abstract: An integrated circuit including at least one low-dropout voltage regulator (LDO) capable of delivering a regulated output voltage using a reference voltage (VREF), comprises means for generating a substitution voltage (VRMP) in the form of a ramp and control means capable of replacing the reference voltage (VREF) by the substitution voltage as long as the said substitution voltage (VRMP) is lower than the said reference voltage (VREF).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS SA
    Inventors: Kuno Lenz, Claude Renous, Jean-Luc Patry
  • Patent number: 6741132
    Abstract: A low noise differential amplifier structure comprising a first amplifier provided with an output stage with a Miller capacitor having a first electrode and a second electrode connected to the input and the output of the output stage, respectively. A second amplifier is provided with an output stage with a Miller capacitor having a first electrode and a second electrode connected to the input and the output of the output stage, respectively. The structure is characterized in that it comprises: at least a first trimming capacitor having a first electrode connected to the first electrode of the first Miller capacitor; at least a second trimming capacitor having a first electrode connected to the first electrode of the second Miller capacitor; and a cascode stage having an input receiving the output common mode voltage and an output connected to the second electrode of the first and second trimming capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Claude Renous, Kuno Lenz
  • Publication number: 20030137351
    Abstract: A low noise differential amplifier structure comprising a first amplifier provided with an output stage with a Miller capacitor having a first electrode and a second electrode connected to the input and the output of the output stage, respectively. A second amplifier is provided with an output stage with a Miller capacitor having a first electrode and a second electrode connected to the input and the output of the output stage, respectively. The structure is characterized in that it comprises: at least a first trimming capacitor having a first electrode connected to the first electrode of the first Miller capacitor; at least a second trimming capacitor having a first electrode connected to the first electrode of the second Miller capacitor; and a cascode stage having an input receiving the output common mode voltage and an output connected to the second electrode of the first and second trimming capacitors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Claude Renous, Kuno Lenz