Patents by Inventor Marco Passerini

Marco Passerini 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: 8493137
    Abstract: Devices and circuits for voltage reference architectures that can increase the PSRR parameter by improving the saturation margin for an output transistor. For example, a device can include a current source coupled between a first power supply line and a circuit node, a voltage production circuit coupled between the circuit node and a second power supply line to produce a plurality of voltages respectively at voltage nodes thereof, a multiplexer coupled to the voltage nodes of the voltage production circuit and the output node and configured to select and output one of the voltages to the output node, and a control circuit configured to supply the one of the voltages to the circuit node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Marco Passerini, Francesco Mannino, Chiara Missiroli
  • Publication number: 20130069715
    Abstract: Devices and circuits for voltage reference architectures that can increase the PSRR parameter by improving the saturation margin for an output transistor. For example, a device can include a current source coupled between a first power supply line and a circuit node, a voltage production circuit coupled between the circuit node and a second power supply line to produce a plurality of voltages respectively at voltage nodes thereof, a multiplexer coupled to the voltage nodes of the voltage production circuit and the output node and configured to select and output one of the voltages to the output node, and a control circuit configured to supply the one of the voltages to the circuit node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Marco Passerini, Francesco Mannino, Chiara Missiroli
  • Publication number: 20130033947
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a clock generator that comprises a master or first oscillator having an output terminal which provides a master clock signal and at least one slave or second oscillator having an output terminal which provides a slave clock signal, the master and slave oscillators comprising respective time delay stages and latches, the slave oscillator also comprising logic gates connected to the outputs of the latches and configured to logically combine said outputs to generate a slave clock signal having a different phase with respect to a master clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Marco Passerini, Stefano Surico
  • Publication number: 20120287723
    Abstract: Disclosed here in a method that comprises performing an erase operation on multiple cells in a memory device, the performing comprising applying an erase voltage to the multiple cells, bit lines coupled to the multiple cells being thereby charged up; and discharging the bit lines by coupling the bit lines to a discharging line through a DC path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Marco Passerini, Simone BARTOLI, Osama Khouri
  • Patent number: 7983098
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving the performance of an electronic device is disclosed. An idle voltage state is introduced by an adaptive voltage generator when providing or removing a high voltage signal from a line or a node in a circuit. The idle state reduces the undesirable effects of switching disturbances caused by sudden voltage changes in a line or node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Marco Passerini, Stefano Sivero, Andrea Sacco, Monica Marziani
  • Patent number: 7864583
    Abstract: Various embodiments include memory devices and methods having first memory cells and second memory cells coupled to the first memory cells in a string arrangement, first word lines configured to apply a first voltage to gates of the first memory cells during a verify operation of the first memory cells, and second word lines configured to apply a second voltage to gates of the second memory cells during the verify operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Stefano Surico, Marco Passerini, Fablo Tassan Caser, Simone Bartoll
  • Patent number: 7769943
    Abstract: A flash memory includes input/output buffers, a memory array having memory cells coupled to the input/output buffers, and row and column decoders, and a voltage-generator circuit coupled to the row and column decoders. A microcontroller is coupled to the command user interface. Switch-instruction circuitry selectively provides instructions to the microcontroller from the read-only memory and from off chip through on-board t-latches coupled to the input/output buffers under control of a command user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Stefano Surico, Stefano Sivero, Simone Bartoli, Marco Passerini
  • Publication number: 20100074030
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving the performance of an electronic device is disclosed. An idle voltage state is introduced by an adaptive voltage generator when providing or removing a high voltage signal from a line or a node in a circuit. The idle state reduces the undesirable effects of switching disturbances caused by sudden voltage changes in a line or node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Marco Passerini, Stefano Sivero, Andrea Sacco, Monica Marziani
  • Patent number: 7599231
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving the performance of an electronic device is disclosed. An idle voltage state is introduced by an adaptive voltage generator when providing or removing a high voltage signal from a line or a node in a circuit. The idle state reduces the undesirable effects of switching disturbances caused by sudden voltage changes in a line or node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Marco Passerini, Stefano Sivero, Andrea Sacco, Monica Marziani
  • Patent number: 7579902
    Abstract: A charge pump circuit for generating a plurality of voltages in excess of a supply voltage includes a first group of cascaded charge-pump stages, the input of a first charge pump stage in the first group being driven from the supply voltage. A first output stage has an input driven from the output of a last charge pump stage of the first group and an output coupled to a first voltage node. A second group of cascaded charge-pump stages is provided, the input of the first charge pump stage of the second group being driven from the output of the last charge pump stage of the first group. A second output stage has an input driven from the output of the last charge pump stage in the second group and an output coupled to a second voltage node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Massimiliano Frulio, Stefano Sivero, Marco Passerini, Fabio Tassan Caser
  • Patent number: 7525856
    Abstract: A serial-interface flash memory device includes a data/address I/O pin and a clock input pin. A bidirectional buffer is coupled to the data/address I/O pin. A serial interface logic block including data direction control is coupled to the clock pin, the bidirectional buffer, to internal control logic, and to read-voltage and modify-voltage generators. A first switch is coupled to the read-voltage generator and the clock buffer and a second switch is coupled to the modify-voltage generator and the clock buffer, the first and second switches each having a control input. Memory drivers are coupled to the read-voltage generator and the modify-voltage generator through the first and second switches. First and second registers coupled between the serial interface logic and the first and second switches. A memory array is coupled to the memory drivers and read amplifiers and program buffers are coupled between the serial interface logic and the memory drivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Stefano Surico, Marco Passerini, Massimiliano Frulio, Alex Pojer
  • Publication number: 20080310232
    Abstract: Various embodiments include memory devices and methods having first memory cells and second memory cells coupled to the first memory cells in a string arrangement, first word lines configured to apply a first voltage to gates of the first memory cells during a verify operation of the first memory cells, and second word lines configured to apply a second voltage to gates of the second memory cells during the verify operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Stefano Surico, Marco Passerini, Fablo Tassan Caser, Simone Bartoll
  • Patent number: 7456678
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a temperature compensated reference current in an electronic device is disclosed. The temperature compensated reference current is compensated for temperature and other circuit variations. The reference current is provided by an improved reference current generator and may be used in a memory device or any other desired circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Marco Passerini, Stefano Sivero, Mirella Marsella, Maria Mostola
  • Publication number: 20080246504
    Abstract: A serial-interface flash memory device includes a data/address I/O pin and a clock input pin. A bidirectional buffer is coupled to the data/address I/O pin. A serial interface logic block including data direction control is coupled to the clock pin, the bidirectional buffer, to internal control logic, and to read-voltage and modify-voltage generators. A first switch is coupled to the read-voltage generator and the clock buffer and a second switch is coupled to the modify-voltage generator and the clock buffer, the first and second switches each having a control input. Memory drivers are coupled to the read-voltage generator and the modify-voltage generator through the first and second switches. First and second registers coupled between the serial interface logic and the first and second switches. A memory array is coupled to the memory drivers and read amplifiers and program buffers are coupled between the serial interface logic and the memory drivers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: ATMEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stefano Surico, Marco Passerini, Massimiliano Frulio, Alex Pojer
  • Publication number: 20080250191
    Abstract: A flash memory includes input/output buffers, a memory array having memory cells coupled to the input/output buffers, and row and column decoders, and a voltage-generator circuit coupled to the row and column decoders. A microcontroller is coupled to the command user interface. Switch-instruction circuitry selectively provides instructions to the microcontroller from the read-only memory and from off chip through on-board t-latches coupled to the input/output buffers under control of a command user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: ATMEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stefano Surico, Stefano Sivero, Simone Bartoli, Marco Passerini
  • Patent number: 7414891
    Abstract: An erase-verify method for a NAND flash memory includes a serial double-step erase verify. A verify operation is performed on cells in the unit connected to even word lines by biasing all the even word lines at the read voltage value used in read mode, and by biasing all the odd word lines at the pass voltage value used in read mode of the selected unit. A verify operation is performed on the cells connected to odd word lines by biasing all the odd word lines at the read voltage value used in read mode and by biasing the all even word lines at the pass voltage value used in read mode of the selected unit. Verifying the odd and even word lines may be performed in either order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Stefano Sivero, Marco Passerini, Fabio Tassan Caser, Simone Bartoli
  • Publication number: 20080165585
    Abstract: An erase-verify method for a NAND flash memory includes a serial double-step erase verify. A verify operation is performed on cells in the unit connected to even word lines by biasing all the even word lines at the read voltage value used in read mode, and by biasing all the odd word lines at the pass voltage value used in read mode of the selected unit. A verify operation is performed on the cells connected to odd word lines by biasing all the odd word lines at the read voltage value used in read mode and by biasing the all even word lines at the pass voltage value used in read mode of the selected unit. Verifying the odd and even word lines may be performed in either order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: ATMEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stefano Surico, Marco Passerini, Fabio Tassan Caser, Simone Bartoli
  • Publication number: 20080136500
    Abstract: A charge pump circuit for generating a plurality of voltages in excess of a supply voltage includes a first group of cascaded charge-pump stages, the input of a first charge pump stage in the first group being driven from the supply voltage. A first output stage has an input driven from the output of a last charge pump stage of the first group and an output coupled to a first voltage node. A second group of cascaded charge-pump stages is provided, the input of the first charge pump stage of the second group being driven from the output of the last charge pump stage of the first group. A second output stage has an input driven from the output of the last charge pump stage in the second group and an output coupled to a second voltage node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Massimiliano Frulio, Stefano Sivero, Marco Passerini, Fabio Tassan Caser
  • Publication number: 20080089140
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving the performance of an electronic device is disclosed. An idle voltage state is introduced by an adaptive voltage generator when providing or removing a high voltage signal from a line or a node in a circuit. The idle state reduces the undesirable effects of switching disturbances caused by sudden voltage changes in a line or node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: ATMEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marco Passerini, Stefano Sivero, Andrea Sacco, Monica Marziani
  • Publication number: 20080084240
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a temperature compensated reference current in an electronic device is disclosed. The temperature compensated reference current is compensated for temperature and other circuit variations. The reference current is provided by an improved reference current generator and may be used in a memory device or any other desired circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Applicant: ATMEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marco Passerini, Stefano Sivero, Mirella Marsella, Maria Mostola