Patents by Inventor Manuela La Rosa

Manuela La Rosa 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: 11522363
    Abstract: An input node is configured to receive a supply signal which may be of a first polarity or a second polarity opposite the first polarity. A high input current circuit couples the input node to an output node through at least one power transistor having a control electrode. A low input current circuit couples a supply current from the input node to control circuit configured to control the power transistor. A circuit is provided to detect polarity reversal with respect to the supply signal. A protection circuit for the low input current circuit operates to decouple the control circuit from the input node if the supply signal has the second polarity. A protection circuit for the high input current circuit operates to short-circuit the control electrode of the power transistor to the current path provided by the power transistor between the input node and the output node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Manuela La Rosa, Giovanni Sicurella, Giuseppe Meola
  • Patent number: 11171478
    Abstract: A power stage in an electronic fuse circuit is driven by controller. The controller includes a first comparator set for output voltage control and a second comparator set for output current control. Each comparator set includes at least one comparator having a reference input, a feedback input, and one or more outputs. A driver circuit includes output terminals for driving the power stage. The driver circuit includes a switch that is selectively activated in response to outputs from the first and second comparator sets to clamp the voltage across the output terminals of the driver circuit. The clamp operation is made in response to feedback input to either of the first and second comparator sets having exceeded a certain reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Manuela La Rosa, Giovanni Sicurella
  • Patent number: 11101813
    Abstract: A multiple-input analog-to-digital converter device includes analog-to-digital converter circuits arranged between input nodes and output nodes. The analog-to-digital converter circuits operate over respective conversion times to provide simultaneous conversion of the analog input signals into respective conversion time signals. A time-to-digital converter circuit includes timer circuitry common to the plurality of analog-to-digital converter circuits. The timer circuitry cooperates with the analog-to-digital converter circuits to convert the conversion time signals into digital output signals at the output nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Giovanni Sicurella, Manuela La Rosa
  • Publication number: 20210050859
    Abstract: A multiple-input analog-to-digital converter device includes analog-to-digital converter circuits arranged between input nodes and output nodes. The analog-to-digital converter circuits operate over respective conversion times to provide simultaneous conversion of the analog input signals into respective conversion time signals. A time-to-digital converter circuit includes timer circuitry common to the plurality of analog-to-digital converter circuits. The timer circuitry cooperates with the analog-to-digital converter circuits to convert the conversion time signals into digital output signals at the output nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Giovanni SICURELLA, Manuela LA ROSA
  • Publication number: 20210050787
    Abstract: A control circuit and method, wherein an error signal is generated representative of a difference between an output voltage of a switching circuit and a nominal signal; a single control signal is generated, representative of an average error of the error signal; the single control signal is compared with a first periodic reference signal and a second periodic reference signal; a first pulse width modulated signal is generated by a Buck modulator; and a second pulse width modulated signal is generated by a Boost modulator. The maximum value of the first periodic reference signal and the minimum value of the second periodic reference signal are higher and lower, respectively, than the single control signal in a transient control mode between a Buck control mode and a Boost control mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Manuela La Rosa, Giovanni Sicurella
  • Publication number: 20200287374
    Abstract: A power stage in an electronic fuse circuit is driven by controller. The controller includes a first comparator set for output voltage control and a second comparator set for output current control. Each comparator set includes at least one comparator having a reference input, a feedback input, and one or more outputs. A driver circuit includes output terminals for driving the power stage. The driver circuit includes a switch that is selectively activated in response to outputs from the first and second comparator sets to clamp the voltage across the output terminals of the driver circuit. The clamp operation is made in response to feedback input to either of the first and second comparator sets having exceeded a certain reference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Manuela LA ROSA, Giovanni SICURELLA
  • Patent number: 10771075
    Abstract: A converter circuit is used to selectively convert an analog input voltage into a digital output signal or a digital input signal into an analog output voltage as a function of a mode signal. The converter circuit includes a control circuit configured to generate a start-of-conversion signal. A ramp generator is configured to, when the mode signal indicates an analog-to-digital conversion, generate a timer stop signal after a time interval that is determined as a function of the value of the analog input voltage, thereby implementing an analog-to-time conversion. When the mode signal indicates a digital-to-analog conversion, ramp generator is configured to vary the ramp signal until a ramp stop signal is set and, in response to the ramp stop signal, determine the analog output voltage as a function of the ramp signal, thereby implementing a time-to-analog conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Manuela La Rosa, Giovanni Sicurella
  • Patent number: 10713446
    Abstract: A voltage-to-time converter circuit receives a first voltage signal and produces a PWM-modulated signal having a duty-cycle proportional to the first voltage signal. A current integrator circuit receives the PWM-modulated signal from the voltage-to-time converter circuit block and produces an output signal by integrating a current signal from a current source over integration time intervals having a duration which is a function of the duty-cycle of the PWM-modulated signal. The current signal is proportional to a second voltage signal. The output signal is accordingly proportional to a product of the first voltage signal and the current signal, which is furthermore proportional to a product of the first voltage signal and the second voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Giovanni Sicurella, Manuela La Rosa
  • Patent number: 10666039
    Abstract: A power stage in an electronic fuse circuit is driven by controller. The controller includes a first comparator set for output voltage control and a second comparator set for output current control. Each comparator set includes at least one comparator having a reference input, a feedback input, and one or more outputs. A driver circuit includes output terminals for driving the power stage. The driver circuit includes a switch that is selectively activated in response to outputs from the first and second comparator sets to clamp the voltage across the output terminals of the driver circuit. The clamp operation is made in response to feedback input to either of the first and second comparator sets having exceeded a certain reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Manuela La Rosa, Giovanni Sicurella
  • Publication number: 20200076190
    Abstract: An input node is configured to receive a supply signal which may be of a first polarity or a second polarity opposite the first polarity. A high input current circuit couples the input node to an output node through at least one power transistor having a control electrode. A low input current circuit couples a supply current from the input node to control circuit configured to control the power transistor. A circuit is provided to detect polarity reversal with respect to the supply signal. A protection circuit for the low input current circuit operates to decouple the control circuit from the input node if the supply signal has the second polarity. A protection circuit for the high input current circuit operates to short-circuit the control electrode of the power transistor to the current path provided by the power transistor between the input node and the output node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Manuela LA ROSA, Giovanni SICURELLA, Giuseppe MEOLA
  • Publication number: 20190372579
    Abstract: A converter circuit is used to selectively convert an analog input voltage into a digital output signal or a digital input signal into an analog output voltage as a function of a mode signal. The converter circuit includes a control circuit configured to generate a start-of-conversion signal. A ramp generator is configured to, when the mode signal indicates an analog-to-digital conversion, generate a timer stop signal after a time interval that is determined as a function of the value of the analog input voltage, thereby implementing an analog-to-time conversion. When the mode signal indicates a digital-to-analog conversion, ramp generator is configured to vary the ramp signal until a ramp stop signal is set and, in response to the ramp stop signal, determine the analog output voltage as a function of the ramp signal, thereby implementing a time-to-analog conversion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Manuela La Rosa, Giovanni Sicurella
  • Publication number: 20190253039
    Abstract: A voltage-to-time converter circuit receives a first voltage signal and produces a PWM-modulated signal having a duty-cycle proportional to the first voltage signal. A current integrator circuit receives the PWM-modulated signal from the voltage-to-time converter circuit block and produces an output signal by integrating a current signal from a current source over integration time intervals having a duration which is a function of the duty-cycle of the PWM-modulated signal. The current signal is proportional to a second voltage signal. The output signal is accordingly proportional to a product of the first voltage signal and the current signal, which is furthermore proportional to a product of the first voltage signal and the second voltage signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Giovanni SICURELLA, Manuela LA ROSA
  • Publication number: 20180062376
    Abstract: A power stage in an electronic fuse circuit is driven by controller. The controller includes a first comparator set for output voltage control and a second comparator set for output current control. Each comparator set includes at least one comparator having a reference input, a feedback input, and one or more outputs. A driver circuit includes output terminals for driving the power stage. The driver circuit includes a switch that is selectively activated in response to outputs from the first and second comparator sets to clamp the voltage across the output terminals of the driver circuit. The clamp operation is made in response to feedback input to either of the first and second comparator sets having exceeded a certain reference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Manuela La Rosa, Giovanni Sicurella
  • Patent number: 9543360
    Abstract: A flexible sheet of organic polymer material, may include a monolithically fabricated array of one or more types of cells juxtaposed among them to form a multi-cell sheet. Each cell may include a self consistent, organic base integrated circuit, replicated in each cell of same type of the array, and shares, in common with other cells of same type, at least a conductor layer of either an electrical supply rail of the integrated circuit or of an input/output of the integrated circuit. A piece of the multi-cell, sheet including any number of self consistent integrated circuit cells, may be severed from the multi-cell sheet by cutting the sheet along intercell boundaries or straight lines, with a reduced affect on the operability of any cell spared by the cutting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventor: Manuela La Rosa
  • Publication number: 20140295585
    Abstract: A flexible sheet of organic polymer material, may include a monolithically fabricated array of one or more types of cells juxtaposed among them to form a multi-cell sheet. Each cell may include a self consistent, organic base integrated circuit, replicated in each cell of same type of the array, and shares, in common with other cells of same type, at least a conductor layer of either an electrical supply rail of the integrated circuit or of an input/output of the integrated circuit. A piece of the multi-cell, sheet including any number of self consistent integrated circuit cells, may be severed from the multi-cell sheet by cutting the sheet along intercell boundaries or straight lines, with a reduced affect on the operability of any cell spared by the cutting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventor: MANUELA LA ROSA
  • Patent number: 8830685
    Abstract: A flexible sheet of organic polymer material, may include a monolithically fabricated array of one or more types of cells juxtaposed among them to form a multi-cell sheet. Each cell may include a self consistent, organic base integrated circuit, replicated in each cell of same type of the array, and shares, in common with other cells of same type, at least a conductor layer of either an electrical supply rail of the integrated circuit or of an input/output of the integrated circuit. A piece of the multi-cell, sheet including any number of self consistent integrated circuit cells, may be severed from the multi-cell sheet by cutting the sheet along intercell boundaries or straight lines, with a reduced affect on the operability of any cell spared by the cutting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.R.L.
    Inventor: Manuela La Rosa
  • Patent number: 8459554
    Abstract: A monitoring device may include a core cell including a detection circuit, and a radio frequency (RF) tag antenna configured to exchange data with a data acquisition reader device, and a single-tier corolla having sensor cells around the core cell and covering a monitoring area. The sensor cells may be configured to convert a change of a parameter at the cell location. The detection circuit may be configured to detect a change in the parameter and location based upon excitation by the reader device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.R.L.
    Inventors: Manuela La Rosa, Davide Giuseppe Patti
  • Patent number: 8283657
    Abstract: A sensor and/or actuator system in which functional circuitry is embedded in an all organic electromechanical transducer device is disclosed. The electromechanical transducer device exploits the behavior of a flexible sensible ionomeric material sheet as effective sensing or actuating member sandwiched between flexible organic electrodes when undergoing a deformation or being polarized at a certain drive voltage applied to the, electrodes, respectively. The completely embedded all organic system is realized with a process exploiting relatively low cost deposition and patterning techniques. The enhanced flexibility makes the all organic device suitable for new applications in fields ranging from biomedical to aerospace industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Manuela La Rosa, Luigi Fortuna, Salvatore Graziani, Donata Rosaria Maria Nicolosi, Giovanni Sicurella
  • Publication number: 20120132711
    Abstract: A monitoring device may include a core cell including a detection circuit, and a radio frequency (RF) tag antenna configured to exchange data with a data acquisition reader device, and a single-tier corolla having sensor cells around the core cell and covering a monitoring area. The sensor cells may be configured to convert a change of a parameter at the cell location. The detection circuit may be configured to detect a change in the parameter and location based upon excitation by the reader device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Manuela LA ROSA, Davide Giuseppe Patti
  • Publication number: 20110211316
    Abstract: A flexible sheet of organic polymer material, may include a monolithically fabricated array of one or more types of cells juxtaposed among them to form a multi-cell sheet. Each cell may include a self consistent, organic base integrated circuit, replicated in each cell of same type of the array, and shares, in common with other cells of same type, at least a conductor layer of either an electrical supply rail of the integrated circuit or of an input/output of the integrated circuit. A piece of the multi-cell, sheet including any number of self consistent integrated circuit cells, may be severed from the multi-cell sheet by cutting the sheet along intercell boundaries or straight lines, with a reduced affect on the operability of any cell spared by the cutting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventor: Manuela LA ROSA