Patents by Inventor Michael Kropfitsch

Michael Kropfitsch 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: 11635314
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method for monitoring a data converter configured to convert data using a calibration determined by a calibration data record includes calibrating the data converter in order to determine a corresponding multiplicity of time associated calibration data records at a multiplicity of different times; and determining a state of the data converter based on comparing at least one of the multiplicity of time associated calibration data records with a comparison data record.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Peter Bogner, Andrea Cristofoli, Michael Kropfitsch, Jochen O. Schrattenecker
  • Patent number: 10924069
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method includes amplifying a signal provided by a capacitive signal source to form an amplified signal, detecting a peak voltage of the amplified signal, and adjusting a controllable impedance coupled to an output of the capacitive signal source in response to detecting the peak voltage. The controllable impedance is adjusted to a value inversely proportional to the detected peak voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Michael Kropfitsch, Jose Luis Ceballos
  • Patent number: 10855095
    Abstract: A method is disclosed, which includes driving an alternating input current into a battery, measuring a voltage across the battery by a first measurement circuit to obtain a voltage measurement value, measuring a current through the battery by a second measurement circuit to obtain a current measurement value, and measuring a current through the battery using the first measurement circuit to obtain a further current measurement value. Further, the method includes calculating an impedance of the battery based on the current measurement value, the further current measurement value, and the voltage measurement value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Stefano Marsili, Michael Kropfitsch
  • Patent number: 10771087
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of monitoring a data converter includes determining a multiplicity of time-associated linearity parameters that describe a linearity of the data converter at a multiplicity of different times, and determining a state of the data converter based on comparing at least one linearity parameter of the multiplicity of time-associated linearity parameters with a comparison parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Jochen O. Schrattenecker, Peter Bogner, Andrea Cristofoli, Michael Kropfitsch
  • Patent number: 10761186
    Abstract: A radar device comprises a test signal generator including a digital harmonic oscillator that generates a digital oscillator signal with a first spectral component; a first digital-to-analog-converter that generates an analog oscillator signal based on the digital oscillator signal. Furthermore, the radar device comprises at least one radar channel receiving the analog oscillator signal during one or more self-tests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Jochen O. Schrattenecker, Florian Starzer, Oliver Frank, Michael Kropfitsch, Georg Krebelder, Helmut Kollmann, Thomas Sailer
  • Publication number: 20190386673
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of monitoring a data converter includes determining a multiplicity of time-associated linearity parameters that describe a linearity of the data converter at a multiplicity of different times, and determining a state of the data converter based on comparing at least one linearity parameter of the multiplicity of time-associated linearity parameters with a comparison parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Jochen O. Schrattenecker, Peter Bogner, Andrea Cristofoli, Michael Kropfitsch
  • Publication number: 20190383651
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method for monitoring a data converter configured to convert data using a calibration determined by a calibration data record includes calibrating the data converter in order to determine a corresponding multiplicity of time associated calibration data records at a multiplicity of different times; and determining a state of the data converter based on comparing at least one of the multiplicity of time associated calibration data records with a comparison data record.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Peter Bogner, Andrea Cristofoli, Michael Kropfitsch, Jochen O. Schrattenecker
  • Patent number: 10476483
    Abstract: Filters are discussed where a first window function and a second window function are applied to a digital input signal, wherein a window length of the first window function is longer than a window length of the second window function. The results of this windowing are integrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Dietmar Straeussnigg, Peter Bogner, Michael Kropfitsch, Jens Barrenscheen
  • Publication number: 20190140625
    Abstract: Filters are discussed where a first window function and a second window function are applied to a digital input signal, wherein a window length of the first window function is longer than a window length of the second window function. The results of this windowing are integrated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Dietmar STRAEUSSNIGG, Peter BOGNER, Michael KROPFITSCH, Jens BARRENSCHEEN
  • Patent number: 10278084
    Abstract: A radar sensor includes a mixer configured to receive an radio frequency (RF) input signal to down-convert the RF input signal into a base-band or intermediate frequency (IF) band, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and a signal processing chain coupled between the mixer and the ADC. The radar sensor further includes an oscillator circuit that is configured to generate a test signal. The ADC is coupled to an output of the signal processing chain, and is configured to generate a digital signal by digitizing an output signal of the signal processing chain, the output signal being derived from the test signal. The radar sensor further includes a digital signal processing circuit coupled to the ADC downstream thereof, the digital signal processing circuit being configured to perform a spectral analysis on frequency values of the digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Florian Starzer, Peter Bogner, Oliver Frank, Guenter Haider, Michael Kropfitsch, Thomas Sailer, Jochen O. Schrattenecker, Rainer Stuhlberger
  • Publication number: 20190115762
    Abstract: A method is disclosed, which includes driving an alternating input current into a battery, measuring a voltage across the battery by a first measurement circuit to obtain a voltage measurement value, measuring a current through the battery by a second measurement circuit to obtain a current measurement value, and measuring a current through the battery using the first measurement circuit to obtain a further current measurement value. Further, the method includes calculating an impedance of the battery based on the current measurement value, the further current measurement value, and the voltage measurement value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Stefano Marsili, Michael Kropfitsch
  • Publication number: 20190068139
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method includes amplifying a signal provided by a capacitive signal source to form an amplified signal, detecting a peak voltage of the amplified signal, and adjusting a controllable impedance coupled to an output of the capacitive signal source in response to detecting the peak voltage. The controllable impedance is adjusted to a value inversely proportional to the detected peak voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Kropfitsch, Jose Luis Ceballos
  • Patent number: 10171046
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method includes amplifying a signal provided by a capacitive signal source to form an amplified signal, detecting a peak voltage of the amplified signal, and adjusting a controllable impedance coupled to an output of the capacitive signal source in response to detecting the peak voltage. The controllable impedance is adjusted to a value inversely proportional to the detected peak voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Michael Kropfitsch, Jose Luis Ceballos
  • Publication number: 20180332488
    Abstract: A radar sensor includes a mixer configured to receive an radio frequency (RF) input signal to down-convert the RF input signal into a base-band or intermediate frequency (IF) band, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and a signal processing chain coupled between the mixer and the ADC. The radar sensor further includes an oscillator circuit that is configured to generate a test signal. The ADC is coupled to an output of the signal processing chain, and is configured to generate a digital signal by digitizing an output signal of the signal processing chain, the output signal being derived from the test signal. The radar sensor further includes a digital signal processing circuit coupled to the ADC downstream thereof, the digital signal processing circuit being configured to perform a spectral analysis on frequency values of the digital signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Florian STARZER, Peter BOGNER, Oliver FRANK, Guenter HAIDER, Michael KROPFITSCH, Thomas SAILER, Jochen O. SCHRATTENECKER, Rainer STUHLBERGER
  • Patent number: 10057795
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) receive circuit is described herein. In accordance with one embodiment, the RF receive circuit includes a mixer configured to receive an RF input signal to down-convert the RF input signal into a base-band or intermediate frequency (IF) band, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and a signal processing chain coupled between the mixer and the ADC. The signal processing chain includes at least two circuit nodes. The RF receive circuit further includes an oscillator circuit that is configured to generate a test signal. The oscillator circuit is coupled to the signal processing chain and is configured to selectively feed the oscillator signal into one of the at least two circuit nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Florian Starzer, Peter Bogner, Oliver Frank, Guenter Haider, Michael Kropfitsch, Thomas Sailer, Jochen O. Schrattenecker, Rainer Stuhlberger
  • Patent number: 10044368
    Abstract: A sigma delta analog to digital converter for converting an analog input into a digital output comprises a reference path for receiving a reference voltage. The reference path comprises a digital to analog converter. The digital to analog converter comprises a reference voltage input for receiving the reference voltage, wherein the reference voltage input comprises two contacts and wherein each contact is a beginning of a voltage line of two voltage lines. The digital to analog converter comprises a plurality of switches and a plurality of capacitors. The switches of the plurality of switches are configured to connect the digital to analog converter in a sampling phase with the reference voltage and to disconnect the digital to analog converter in an integrating phase from the reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Michael Kropfitsch, Massimo Rigo
  • Patent number: 10027298
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a system for amplifying a signal provided by a capacitive signal source includes an impedance converter having an input node configured to be coupled to a first terminal of the capacitive signal source, and an adjustable capacitive network having a first node configured to be coupled to a second terminal of the capacitive signal source and a second node coupled to an output node of the impedance converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Michael Kropfitsch, Andreas Wiesbauer
  • Patent number: 10015609
    Abstract: System and method for detecting a glitch is disclosed. An embodiment comprises increasing a bias voltage of a first capacitor, sampling an input signal of a first plate of the first capacitor with a time period, mixing the input signal with the sampled input signal, and comparing the mixed signal with a reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Michael Kropfitsch, Jose Luis Ceballos
  • Publication number: 20180172801
    Abstract: A radar device comprises a test signal generator including a digital harmonic oscillator that generates a digital oscillator signal with a first spectral component; a first digital-to-analog-converter that generates an analog oscillator signal based on the digital oscillator signal. Furthermore, the radar device comprises at least one radar channel receiving the analog oscillator signal during one or more self-tests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Jochen O. SCHRATTENECKER, Florian STARZER, Oliver FRANK, Michael KROPFITSCH, Georg KREBELDER, Helmut KOLLMANN, Thomas SAILER
  • Publication number: 20180115321
    Abstract: A sigma delta analog to digital converter for converting an analog input into a digital output comprises a reference path for receiving a reference voltage. The reference path comprises a digital to analog converter. The digital to analog converter comprises a reference voltage input for receiving the reference voltage, wherein the reference voltage input comprises two contacts and wherein each contact is a beginning of a voltage line of two voltage lines. The digital to analog converter comprises a plurality of switches and a plurality of capacitors. The switches of the plurality of switches are configured to connect the digital to analog converter in a sampling phase with the reference voltage and to disconnect the digital to analog converter in an integrating phase from the reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Kropfitsch, Massimo Rigo