Patents by Inventor Lorenzo Crespi

Lorenzo Crespi 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).

  • Publication number: 20180004238
    Abstract: Systems and methods according to one or more embodiments are provided for gate boosted drivers for integrated power stages. In one example, a gate driver includes an output stage comprising an n-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor (NMOS) pull-up transistor and an NMOS pull-down transistor, where the NMOS pull-up transistor and the NMOS pull-down transistor are coupled at an output node. The gate driver further includes a bootstrap circuit comprising a main bootstrap capacitor, where the bootstrap capacitor provides a supply voltage for driving the NMOS pull-up transistor. The gate driver further includes a high voltage generator coupled with the main bootstrap capacitor via a transistor switch and a replica bootstrap circuit comprising a replica bootstrap capacitor. The replica bootstrap circuit generates a reference voltage that regulates a drain current of the transistor switch, and the regulated drain current of the transistor switch charges the main bootstrap capacitor from the high voltage generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Dan Shen, Lorenzo Crespi
  • Patent number: 9831884
    Abstract: Noise and distortion reduction in a signal processed through analog circuitry includes providing noise reduction circuitry to reduce signal noise generated by at least one analog circuit element. The noise reduction circuitry is adaptively configured to adjust a rate to apply noise reduction to the signal without introducing unwanted distortion. Distortion reduction circuitry is adaptively configured to adjust a rate to apply distortion reduction to the signal without introducing unwanted noise. The signal is processed through the analog circuitry using the adaptively configured noise reduction circuitry and adaptively configured distortion reduction circuitry to reduce both noise and distortion in the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Dan Shen, Lorenzo Crespi
  • Publication number: 20170288690
    Abstract: Noise and distortion reduction in a signal processed through analog circuitry includes providing noise reduction circuitry to reduce signal noise generated by at least one analog circuit element. The noise reduction circuitry is adaptively configured to adjust a rate to apply noise reduction to the signal without introducing unwanted distortion. Distortion reduction circuitry is adaptively configured to adjust a rate to apply distortion reduction to the signal without introducing unwanted noise. The signal is processed through the analog circuitry using the adaptively configured noise reduction circuitry and adaptively configured distortion reduction circuitry to reduce both noise and distortion in the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Dan Shen, Lorenzo Crespi
  • Patent number: 9515646
    Abstract: A grounding switch is described which operates properly even in the presence of negative voltages on a signal line. The grounding switch uses isolated field effect transistors that have their substrates tied to different voltages. The isolated field effect transistor has a gate voltage and substrate voltage which can be pulled down to a negative voltage when the signal line has a negative voltage allowing the switch to remain open even with a negative voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: CONEXANT SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Christian Larsen, Lorenzo Crespi
  • Patent number: 9485568
    Abstract: A driver controller comprising a state machine for controlling transitions between a plurality of states. An output switch for providing a low impedance path to ground during transition periods. An output stage for decoupling output signal from driver amplifier during the transition periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: CONEXANT SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Christian Larsen, Lorenzo Crespi, Mouna Elkhatib, Mary Xiao-Hua Lu, James Bunde Villadsen Skov
  • Patent number: 9319768
    Abstract: A system for detecting a jack configuration comprising a first plurality of switches configured to couple a first headphone jack position to ground. A second plurality of switches configured to couple a second headphone jack position to ground. A microphone bias circuit for applying a microphone bias signal to the second headphone jack position when the first headphone jack position is coupled to ground, and for applying the microphone bias signal to the first headphone jack position when the second headphone jack position is coupled to ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: CONEXANT SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Christian Larsen, Lorenzo Crespi, Brian W. Friend
  • Patent number: 9276525
    Abstract: A circuit comprising a peak detector configured to receive a positive voltage input, a negative voltage input and a reference current source input and to output a peak signal data value. A fast attack current source control coupled to the peak detector and configured to generate a current source control signal as a function of the peak signal data value. A slow decay control coupled to the fast attack current source control and configured to reduce the current source control signal based on a predetermined or user-selected decay rate. A variable current source coupled to the fast attack current source control and configured to generate a variable current as a function of the current source control signal. Amplifier circuitry coupled to the variable current source, the amplifier circuitry configured to receive the variable current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: CONEXANT SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Brian W. Friend, Lorenzo Crespi, Kyehyung Lee
  • Patent number: 9264043
    Abstract: A level shifter comprising a first driver transistor for receiving an input signal. A gate-controlled transistor coupled to the first driver transistor. A second driver transistor coupled to the gate controlled transistor. An output coupled to the second driver transistor, wherein the gate-controlled transistor is for receiving a predetermined gate voltage when the output voltage exceeds a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: CONEXANT SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Lorenzo Crespi, Christian Larsen, Lakshmi P. Murukutla, Ketan B. Patel
  • Publication number: 20140247091
    Abstract: A circuit comprising a peak detector configured to receive a positive voltage input, a negative voltage input and a reference current source input and to output a peak signal data value. A fast attack current source control coupled to the peak detector and configured to generate a current source control signal as a function of the peak signal data value. A slow decay control coupled to the fast attack current source control and configured to reduce the current source control signal based on a predetermined or user-selected decay rate. A variable current source coupled to the fast attack current source control and configured to generate a variable current as a function of the current source control signal. Amplifier circuitry coupled to the variable current source, the amplifier circuitry configured to receive the variable current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Conexant Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian W. Friend, Lorenzo Crespi, Kyehyung Lee
  • Patent number: 8797770
    Abstract: A capacitive voltage converter comprising a switched capacitor array having a voltage input and a voltage output. A skip gating control coupled to the switched capacitor array and configured to control a switching activity of the switched capacitor array. A resistance look-up table coupled to the switched capacitor array and configured to control a resistance value of the switched capacitor array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Conexant Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Matteo Conta, Lorenzo Crespi
  • Publication number: 20140176223
    Abstract: A level shifter comprising a first driver transistor for receiving an input signal. A gate-controlled transistor coupled to the first driver transistor. A second driver transistor coupled to the gate controlled transistor. An output coupled to the second driver transistor, wherein the gate-controlled transistor is for receiving a predetermined gate voltage when the output voltage exceeds a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: CONEXANT SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Lorenzo Crespi, Christian Larsen, Lakshmi P. Murukutla, Ketan B. Patel
  • Patent number: 8659342
    Abstract: A level shifter comprising a first driver transistor receiving an input signal. A gate-controlled transistor coupled to the first driver transistor. A second driver transistor coupled to the gate controlled transistor. An output coupled to the second driver transistor, wherein the gate-controlled transistor is for receiving a predetermined gate voltage when the output voltage exceeds a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Conexant Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lorenzo Crespi, Christian Larsen, Lakshmi P. Murukutla, Ketan B. Patel
  • Publication number: 20140029770
    Abstract: A device comprising a detector configured to receive an indication from a terminal of a connector and to determine whether the indication matches an expected result. One or more first switches are configured to connect one or more speaker transducers to the connector if the indication is false. One or more second switches are configured to connect the one or more speaker transducers to a digital output converter if the indication is true. The device can also include one or more third switches configured to connect one or more microphone elements to the connector if the indication is false, and one or more fourth switches configured to connect one or more microphones to a digital input converter if the indication is true. The input and output converters can be stand alone or part of a digital signal processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Conexant Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Chien, James Bunde Villadsen Skov, Andrew B. Webster, Lorenzo Crespi, Eitan David, Sverrir Olafsson, Ludgero Leonardo, Christian Larsen
  • Publication number: 20140003621
    Abstract: A grounding switch is described which operates properly even in the presence of negative voltages on a signal line. The grounding switch uses isolated field effect transistors that have their substrates tied to different voltages. The isolated field effect transistor has a gate voltage and substrate voltage which can be pulled down to a negative voltage when the signal line has a negative voltage allowing the switch to remain open even with a negative voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: CONEXANT SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: CHRISTIAN LARSEN, LORENZO CRESPI
  • Patent number: 8587287
    Abstract: High linearity is essential in audio circuitry. As sampling rates for audio applications are needed, high speed and high linearity are needed in analog and mixed signal portions of audio circuitry such as in current mirrors. A current mirror employs two current paths in an output. The first current path is driven by a fast acting transistor through a resistor. The second current path is driven by a differential amplifier coupled to another transistor through another resistor. The second current path is used to maintain linearity by causing the voltage across both transistors to be the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Conexant Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Larsen, Lorenzo Crespi
  • Publication number: 20130257176
    Abstract: A capacitive voltage converter providing multiple gain modes comprising a switched capacitor array having a voltage input and a voltage output. A skip gating control coupled to the switched capacitor array and configured to control a switch resistance value of the switched capacitor array, and to control a switching sequence of the switched capacitor array. An override control coupled to the skip gating control and the switched capacitor array, the override control configured to detect transitions in a gain mode and to modify the switch resistance value of the switched capacitor array and the switching sequence of the switched capacitor array for a finite amount of time following the gain mode transition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Lorenzo Crespi, Lakshmi Murukutla
  • Patent number: 8526635
    Abstract: A grounding switch is described which operates properly even in the presence of negative voltages on a signal line. The grounding switch uses isolated field effect transistors that have their substrates tied to different voltages. The isolated field effect transistor has a gate voltage and substrate voltage which can be pulled down to a negative voltage when the signal line has a negative voltage allowing the switch to remain open even with a negative voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Conexant Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Larsen, Lorenzo Crespi
  • Publication number: 20130141829
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting and controlling current. A current detector for generating a first value that represents an amount of current being delivered to a device. A current limit circuit for generating a second value that represents a maximum permitted current level from a current source. A current controller for controlling the amount of current drawn by the device if the first value exceeds the second value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventors: James Bunde Villadsen Skov, Lorenzo Crespi, Ketan B. Patel
  • Publication number: 20130142350
    Abstract: A system for detecting a jack configuration comprising a first plurality of switches configured to couple a first headphone jack position to ground. A second plurality of switches configured to couple a second headphone jack position to ground. A microphone bias circuit for applying a microphone bias signal to the second headphone jack position when the first headphone jack position is coupled to ground, and for applying the microphone bias signal to the first headphone jack position when the second headphone jack position is coupled to ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventors: Christian Larsen, Lorenzo Crespi, Brian W. Friend
  • Publication number: 20130141071
    Abstract: A capacitive voltage converter comprising a switched capacitor array having a voltage input and a voltage output. A skip gating control coupled to the switched capacitor array and configured to control a switching activity of the switched capacitor array. A resistance look-up table coupled to the switched capacitor array and configured to control a resistance value of the switched capacitor array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventors: Matteo Conta, Lorenzo Crespi