Patents by Inventor Sandrine Bruel

Sandrine Bruel 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: 8184032
    Abstract: The invention relates to high-resolution analog-digital converters using so-called folding differential amplifier structures composed of differential circuits (crossed differential pairs) and of loads (cascode transistors). The folding structure according to the invention comprises, in the case where it is desired to produce four curves folded at two periods in the useful range of voltages to be converted, four folding blocks (one per curve). The first comprises 7 differential circuits and eight loads, the end loads not being linked to the output of the block. The other blocks comprise 6 differential circuits and eight loads, the last load of each block not being linked to the output of this block. Gains are achieved in terms of bulk, consumption and operating speed, with respect to existing structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: E2V Semiconductors
    Inventors: Sandrine Bruel, François Bore
  • Publication number: 20110032137
    Abstract: The invention relates to high-resolution analog-digital converters using so-called folding differential amplifier structures composed of differential circuits (crossed differential pairs) and of loads (cascode transistors). The folding structure according to the invention comprises, in the case where it is desired to produce four curves folded at two periods in the useful range of voltages to be converted, four folding blocks (one per curve). The first comprises 7 differential circuits and eight loads, the end loads not being linked to the output of the block. The other blocks comprise 6 differential circuits and eight loads, the last load of each block not being linked to the output of this block. Gains are achieved in terms of bulk, consumption and operating speed, with respect to existing structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: E2V SEMICONDUCTORS
    Inventors: Sandrine Bruel, Francois Bore
  • Patent number: 7737774
    Abstract: The invention relates to analog integrated electronic circuits using differential pairs. The proposal is for a method of automatic correction of offset voltage. The inputs (V1, V2) of the differential circuit are short circuited during a calibration phase distinct from the normal usage phase. A capacitor is charged through the difference of the output currents of the branches of the differential pair in this phase. The voltage at the terminals of the capacitor is compared with at least one threshold. During the normal usage phase following the calibration phase, the result of the comparison is kept in memory. In the normal usage phase, a correction is applied depending on the result kept in memory to a current source of a follower stage upstream of the differential pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: E2V Semiconductors
    Inventors: François Bore, Sandrine Bruel
  • Publication number: 20090224805
    Abstract: The invention relates to analog integrated electronic circuits using differential pairs. The proposal is for a method of automatic correction of offset voltage. The inputs (V1, V2) of the differential circuit are short circuited during a calibration phase distinct from the normal usage phase. A capacitor is charged through the difference of the output currents of the branches of the differential pair in this phase. The voltage at the terminals of the capacitor is compared with at least one threshold. During the normal usage phase following the calibration phase, the result of the comparison is kept in memory. In the normal usage phase, a correction is applied depending on the result kept in memory to a current source of a follower stage upstream of the differential pair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: E2V SEMICONDUCTORS
    Inventors: Francois Bore, Sandrine Bruel
  • Patent number: 7515085
    Abstract: The invention relates to integrated circuits comprising a set of identical differential pairs of two transistors each (T1, T2; T3, T4) one receiving a variable voltage (Vinp, Vinn) at its base and the other receiving a fixed reference voltage (Vrefp, Vrefn). In order to reduce the dispersion of the offset voltages of said differential pairs, it is provided that the transistor (T2, T4) that receives a fixed reference voltage has an emitter surface at least twice as large as the transistor (T1, T3) that receives a variable voltage at its base. Application to signal folding circuits and to analog-to-digital converters using differential pairs of transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: E2V Semiconductors
    Inventors: Francois Bore, Sandrine Bruel, Marc Wingender
  • Publication number: 20080211705
    Abstract: The invention relates to integrated circuits comprising a set of identical differential pairs of two transistors each (T1, T2; T3, T4) one receiving a variable voltage (Vinp, Vinn) at its base and the other receiving a fixed reference voltage (Vrefp, Vrefn). In order to reduce the dispersion of the offset voltages of said differential pairs, it is provided that the transistor (T2, T4) that receives a fixed reference voltage has an emitter surface at least twice as large as the transistor (T1, T3) that receives a variable voltage at its base. Application to signal folding circuits and to analog-to-digital converters using differential pairs of transistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: E2V Semiconductors
    Inventors: Francois Bore, Sandrine Bruel, Marc Wingender