Abstract: An architecture for implementing an integrated capacity includes a capacitive block inserted between first and second voltage reference. The block is formed The block is formed from elementary capacitive modules. An enable block is inserted between the first voltage reference and the capacitive block and includes switches connected to the elementary capacitive modules and driven on their control terminals by control signals. Each switch of the enable block is inserted between the first voltage reference and a first end of a corresponding elementary capacitive module. A verify and enable circuit is connected to the first voltage reference, as well as at the input of the first end of the elementary capacitive modules and at the output of the control terminals of the switches of the enable block.

Abstract: A voltage-down converter for providing an output voltage lower than a power supply voltage of the converter is proposed. The converter includes voltage regulation means for obtaining an intermediate voltage corresponding to the output voltage from the power supply voltage by controlling a variable-conductivity element with a control signal resulting from a comparison between the intermediate voltage and a reference voltage, and an output stage for obtaining the output voltage from the power supply voltage by controlling a further variable-conductivity element with the control signal, wherein the further variable-conductivity element has a modular structure with at least one set of multiple basic modules, the converter further including means for enabling and/or disabling the modules of each set in succession according to a comparison between the output voltage and the intermediate voltage.

Abstract: A voltage-down converter for providing an output voltage lower than a power supply voltage of the converter is proposed. The converter includes voltage regulation means for obtaining an intermediate voltage corresponding to the output voltage from the power supply voltage by controlling a variable-conductivity element with a control signal resulting from a comparison between the intermediate voltage and a reference voltage, and an output stage for obtaining the output voltage from the power supply voltage by controlling a further variable-conductivity element with the control signal, wherein the further variable-conductivity element has a modular structure with at least one set of multiple basic modules, the converter further including means for enabling and/or disabling the modules of each set in succession according to a comparison between the output voltage and the intermediate voltage.

Abstract: A voltage down converter is provided that includes a voltage regulator and voltage driver circuit branches. The voltage regulator receives a first voltage, has a regulation node providing a regulated second voltage that is lower than the first voltage, and has a control node providing a control voltage corresponding to the second voltage. One voltage driver circuit branch receives the first voltage and includes a variable-conductivity element having a control terminal coupled to the control node for controlling a current sunk by the variable-conductivity element. This one voltage driver circuit branch has a voltage supply node supplying a down-converted voltage corresponding to the second voltage. At least one additional voltage driver circuit branch receives the first voltage and is coupled to the voltage supply node.

Abstract: The charge pump uses PMOS transistors for implementing the first and the second charge transfer switches of the charge pump. Substantially, the closing and opening of the first switch through which the first capacitor is charged, of the second switch for transferring the electric charge from the first capacitor to the load capacitance connected to the output node of the circuit and of the third switch for discharging to ground the load capacitance, are driven by a logic NOR gate. A first input of the NOR gate is connected to a common control node of the PMOS transistor forming the second switch and of a NMOS transistor forming the third switch, a second inverting input is connected to the output node, and the output is connected to the first capacitor.

Abstract: A variable charge pump contains several individual simple charge pumps, each with a pumping capacitor and a switching mechanism. Additionally, a switching network is coupled to the individual charge pumps so that the different lines in the charge pump can be connected together in a serial mode or parallel mode (or mixed serial and parallel modes) to match the needs of the output load. The switching network is easily changed to provide the necessary driving capability as the needs of the output load changes.

Abstract: A generator circuit for voltage ramps is provided that includes a differential stage with positive feedback coupled between a first and a second voltage reference and having a first output connected to a control terminal of a first output transistor. The first output transistor is connected at an output terminal of the ramp generator circuit to a capacitive charge to be biased with voltage ramps. The ramp generator circuit also includes a second output transistor parallel connected to the first output transistor and having the control terminal connected to a second output of the differential stage.

Abstract: The charge pump uses PMOS transistors for implementing the first and the second charge transfer switches of the charge pump. Substantially, the closing and opening of the first switch through which the first capacitor is charged, of the second switch for transferring the electric charge from the first capacitor to the load capacitance connected to the output node of the circuit and of the third switch for discharging to ground the load capacitance, are driven by a logic NOR gate. A first input of the NOR gate is connected to a common control node of the PMOS transistor forming the second switch and of a NMOS transistor forming the third switch, a second inverting input is connected to the output node, and the output is connected to the first capacitor.

Abstract: A variable charge pump contains several individual simple charge pumps, each with a pumping capacitor and a switching mechanism. Additionally, a switching network is coupled to the individual charge pumps so that the different lines in the charge pump can be connected together in a serial mode or parallel mode (or mixed serial and parallel modes) to match the needs of the output load. The switching network is easily changed to provide the necessary driving capability as the needs of the output load changes.

Abstract: A generator circuit for voltage ramps is provided that includes a differential stage with positive feedback coupled between a first and a second voltage reference and having a first output connected to a control terminal of a first output transistor. The first output transistor is connected at an output terminal of the ramp generator circuit to a capacitive charge to be biased with voltage ramps. The ramp generator circuit also includes a second output transistor parallel connected to the first output transistor and having the control terminal connected to a second output of the differential stage.

Abstract: A sense amplifier of the type coupled to a reference bit line and at least one cell array bit line. The sense amplifier includes an amplifying stage and a current voltage conversion circuit that compare a reference current from the reference bit line and a cell current from the cell array bit line. The current-voltage conversion circuit includes a voltage setting circuit for setting predetermined voltages on the reference bit line and the cell array bit line, a load circuit for the reference bit line and the cell array bit line, and current mirror circuits for mirroring the reference current and the cell current into the amplifying stage. The load circuit for the reference bit line and the current mirror circuit for the reference current are different circuits, and the load circuit for the reference bit line includes a transistor that mirrors a predetermined current that is generated outside of the sense amplifier.

Abstract: A CMOS technology voltage booster having plurality of charge-pump stages cascade connected together and driven by a plurality of phases, each stage having a terminating input node and a terminating output node, with at least one transistor connected therebetween that has its control terminal connected to an internal circuit node of the same stage and applied one of the phases. This voltage booster further includes a pair of additional circuit elements for transferring, onto the internal node, a potential exceeding the voltage at the input node by at least one threshold. A first of the additional elements is essentially a MOS transistor having its control terminal connected to the control terminal of that transistor that is connected between the input and the output of the stage, while the second additional element is an auxiliary capacitor having one end connected directly to the first additional element and connected to the internal node through a transistor.

Abstract: A memory read amplifier circuit includes at least one memory cell to be read and a bit line connected thereto, a first pre-charge amplifier circuit connected to the bit line. A first cascode circuit is connected between a supply voltage and the memory cell for providing a first current to the memory cell. The memory read amplifier circuit also includes at least one reference memory cell and a reference bit line connected thereto, and a second pre-charge amplifier circuit connected to the reference bit line. A second cascode circuit is connected between the supply voltage and the reference memory cell for providing a second current to the reference memory cell. A differential comparator circuit having a first input is connected to the control terminal of the first cascode circuit for receiving a first voltage based upon the first current, and a second input connected to the control terminal of the second cascode circuit for receiving a second voltage based upon the second current.

Abstract: A CMOS technology voltage booster having plurality of charge-pump stages cascade connected together and driven by a plurality of phases, each stage having a terminating input node and a terminating output node, with at least one transistor connected therebetween that has its control terminal connected to an internal circuit node of the same stage and applied one of the phases. This voltage booster further includes a pair of additional circuit elements for transferring, onto the internal node, a potential exceeding the voltage at the input node by at least one threshold. A first of the additional elements is essentially a MOS transistor having its control terminal connected to the control terminal of that transistor that is connected between the input and the output of the stage, while the second additional element is an auxiliary capacitor having one end connected directly to the first additional element and connected to the internal node through a transistor.

Abstract: A bias circuit for read amplifier circuits for memories includes at least one first circuit branch formed by a first pair of MOS transistors connected between a supply voltage and ground. The first pair of MOS transistors includes a P-channel diode connected transistor and an N-channel transistor connected in series, with an enable transistor interposed therebetween. The first circuit branch drives a capacitive load for coupling to the supply voltage. The bias circuit further includes reference current amplifier circuit branches for amplifying a reference current which flows in the first circuit branch for charging the capacitive load. A circuit portion, which controls the charging current of the capacitive load, includes a feedback loop between the reference current amplifier circuit branches and the capacitive load.

Abstract: A voltage phase generator that generates a normal voltage phase, a negated normal voltage phase, a boosted voltage phase, and a negated boosted voltage phase. The voltage phase generator includes a first driver circuit that supplies the normal voltage phase to a first output node, and a second driver circuit that supplies the negated normal voltage phase to a second output node. The first and second driver circuits are driven by additional voltage phases that have a boosted voltage. In one preferred embodiment, each of the driver circuits includes a pull-up connected between a supply voltage and one of the output nodes, and a pull-down connected between ground and the one output node. Additionally, the present invention provides a voltage boosting circuit that includes a booster circuit and a voltage phase generator.

Abstract: A shielded electrical connection of the integrated type comprises a connection element and a shielding element. The connection element includes a first substantially planar structure of a first conducting material and is placed vertically above and isolated from a semiconductor substrate and which occupies a first flat region. The shielding element includes a second substantially planar structure of a second conducting material and is placed vertically between the first structure and the substrate and which occupies a second flat region. A third substantially planar structure made of a third conducting material is placed vertically above the first structure and which occupies a third flat region. The first region does not extend outside the second and third regions. Furthermore, the second and third structures are connected electrically together and to a reference of potential and are electrically insulated from the first structure and the substrate.

Abstract: A first current generator which generates a current that is based on the threshold difference of enhancement-type and native-type transistors therein. A second current generator which generates a current that is based on the thermal voltage. The currents generated by the first and second current generators are linearly combined to produce a highly temperature-stable current.

Abstract: A boosted voltage driving circuit includes an inverter circuit with positive feedback and a selective breaking circuit. The selective breaking circuit disconnects the positive feedback from the output load during an operation phase of the boosted voltage driving circuit in order to reduce energy consumption. In a preferred embodiment, the boosted voltage driving circuit is the final stage of a decoder circuit for selecting and deselecting a line or column of a memory array, and the positive feedback is disconnected during a deselection phase in which the line or column is deselected. The present invention also provides a boosted voltage driving circuit that includes first, second, and third transistors and a selective breaking circuit. The first transistor is connected between a supply voltage and an output node, the second transistor is connected between the output node and ground, and the third transistor is connected between the supply voltage and the gate of the first transistor.

Abstract: A voltage boosting circuit for use in an integrated circuit having at least four driving voltage phases that include first and second voltage phases with amplitudes substantially equal to the supply voltage, and first and second boosted voltage phases. The voltage boosting circuit includes an input that receives the first or second voltage phase, an output that supplies the first or second boosted voltage phase, and a charge node that is coupled to the input. Additionally, a supply voltage precharge circuit precharges the charge node, and an additional transistor is connected between the supply voltage and the charge node. The additional transistor is driven by a voltage with a greater amplitude than the supply voltage so that the charge node is precharged up to the supply voltage and the first or second boosted voltage phase that is output by the voltage boosting circuit reaches an amplitude equal to substantially twice the supply voltage.