Patents by Inventor Stefan Reithmaier
Stefan Reithmaier 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).
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Patent number: 11025229Abstract: A circuit includes a binary weighted divider having a first set of switches coupled in series between an input node and a feedback node. The first set of switches is configured to set a feedback voltage at the feedback node in response to activating or deactivating respective switches in the first set of switches. A set of compensation switches is coupled to the first set of switches. The set of compensation switches is configured to reduce resistance of one or more of the respective switches in the first set of switches that are activated by activating one or more switches in the set of compensation switches to provide one or more respective parallel current paths for each of the switches in the first set of switches that are activated.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2019Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Niko Bako, Stefan Reithmaier
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Publication number: 20200266799Abstract: A circuit includes a binary weighted divider having a first set of switches coupled in series between an input node and a feedback node. The first set of switches is configured to set a feedback voltage at the feedback node in response to activating or deactivating respective switches in the first set of switches. A set of compensation switches is coupled to the first set of switches. The set of compensation switches is configured to reduce resistance of one or more of the respective switches in the first set of switches that are activated by activating one or more switches in the set of compensation switches to provide one or more respective parallel current paths for each of the switches in the first set of switches that are activated.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2019Publication date: August 20, 2020Inventors: NIKO BAKO, STEFAN REITHMAIER
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Patent number: 10447161Abstract: In an example, a dual-phase inverting buck-boost power converter for use with at least first and second energy storage elements includes an inverting buck-boost power converter and an inverting boost converter. In an example, the inverting buck-boost power converter is coupled between an input node and an output node of the dual-phase inverting buck-boost power converter and includes a first plurality of switches operable to couple to the first energy storage element, wherein the inverting buck-boost power converter is operable to supply a first load current. In an example, the inverting boost converter is coupled in parallel with the inverting buck-boost power converter between the input node and the output node of the dual-phase inverting buck-boost power converter and includes a second plurality of switches operable to couple to the first and the second energy storage elements, wherein the inverting boost converter is operable to supply a second load current.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2017Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Erich Bayer, Ivan Shumkov, Nicola Rasera, Stefan Reithmaier, Roland Bucksch, Christian Rott, Florian Neveu
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Publication number: 20180287496Abstract: In an example, a dual-phase inverting buck-boost power converter for use with at least first and second energy storage elements includes an inverting buck-boost power converter and an inverting boost converter. In an example, the inverting buck-boost power converter is coupled between an input node and an output node of the dual-phase inverting buck-boost power converter and includes a first plurality of switches operable to couple to the first energy storage element, wherein the inverting buck-boost power converter is operable to supply a first load current. In an example, the inverting boost converter is coupled in parallel with the inverting buck-boost power converter between the input node and the output node of the dual-phase inverting buck-boost power converter and includes a second plurality of switches operable to couple to the first and the second energy storage elements, wherein the inverting boost converter is operable to supply a second load current.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2017Publication date: October 4, 2018Inventors: Erich BAYER, Ivan SHUMKOV, Nicola RASERA, Stefan REITHMAIER, Roland BUCKSCH, Christian ROTT, Florian NEVEU
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Patent number: 10020722Abstract: A circuit includes a signal generator to generate an output signal to vary the switching frequency of a switching circuit to mitigate noise in the switching circuit. The signal generator includes a modulation waveform generator (MWG) to generate a ramp signal in response to a numerical input and a switching signal from the switching circuit. The ramp signal is employed to modulate the frequency of the output signal of the signal generator over a range of frequencies from a minimum frequency to a maximum frequency. A frequency adjuster circuit modulates the amplitude of the ramp signal by adjusting at least one of the minimum frequency or the maximum frequency of the range of frequencies.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2016Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Christian Harder, Markus Georg Rommel, Stefan Reithmaier
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Publication number: 20180109176Abstract: A circuit includes a signal generator to generate an output signal to vary the switching frequency of a switching circuit to mitigate noise in the switching circuit. The signal generator includes a modulation waveform generator (MWG) to generate a ramp signal in response to a numerical input and a switching signal from the switching circuit. The ramp signal is employed to modulate the frequency of the output signal of the signal generator over a range of frequencies from a minimum frequency to a maximum frequency. A frequency adjuster circuit modulates the amplitude of the ramp signal by adjusting at least one of the minimum frequency or the maximum frequency of the range of frequencies.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2016Publication date: April 19, 2018Inventors: CHRISTIAN HARDER, MARKUS GEORG ROMMEL, STEFAN REITHMAIER
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Patent number: 9672781Abstract: A level shifter circuit has a plurality of channels for providing signals to a capacitive load and has circuits for sharing charge stored in the capacitive load between the channels. A first pair of channel clock generating circuits are coupled respectively to a first pair of channels. A second pair of channel clock generating circuits are coupled respectively to a second pair of channels. A pair of switches couple the first pair of channels together and the second pair of channels together, respectively, for sharing charge between the channels. A single resistor is coupled in circuit with all of the channels for controlling a slope of charge sharing between channels.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2016Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbHInventors: Stefan A. Reithmaier, Josy Bernard, Carsten I. Stoerk, Nicolas M Guibourg
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Publication number: 20160196791Abstract: A level shifter circuit has a plurality of channels for providing signals to a capacitive load and has circuits for sharing charge stored in the capacitive load between the channels. A first pair of channel clock generating circuits are coupled respectively to a first pair of channels. A second pair of channel clock generating circuits are coupled respectively to a second pair of channels. A pair of switches couple the first pair of channels together and the second pair of channels together, respectively, for sharing charge between the channels. A single resistor is coupled in circuit with all of the channels for controlling a slope of charge sharing between channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2016Publication date: July 7, 2016Inventors: Stefan A. Reithmaier, Josy Bernard, Carsten I. Stoerk, Nicolas M Guibourg
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Patent number: 9251753Abstract: A level shifter circuit has a plurality of channels for providing signals to a capacitive load and has circuits for sharing charge stored in the capacitive load between the channels. A first pair of channel clock generating circuits are coupled respectively to a first pair of channels. A second pair of channel clock generating circuits are coupled respectively to a second pair of channels. A pair of switches couple the first pair of channels together and the second pair of channels together, respectively, for sharing charge between the channels. A single resistor is coupled in circuit with all of the channels for controlling a slope of charge sharing between channels.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2013Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbHInventors: Stefan A. Reithmaier, Josy Bernard, Carsten I. Stoerk, Nicolas M. Guibourg
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Publication number: 20140347342Abstract: A level shifter circuit has a plurality of channels for providing signals to a capacitive load and has circuits for sharing charge stored in the capacitive load between the channels. A first pair of channel clock generating circuits are coupled respectively to a first pair of channels. A second pair of channel clock generating circuits are coupled respectively to a second pair of channels. A pair of switches couple the first pair of channels together and the second pair of channels together, respectively, for sharing charge between the channels. A single resistor is coupled in circuit with all of the channels for controlling a slope of charge sharing between channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2013Publication date: November 27, 2014Inventors: Stefan A. Reithmaier, Josy Bernard, Carsten I. Stoerk, Nicolas M. Guibourg
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Patent number: 8674744Abstract: An electronic device comprising a level shifter and a method. The level shifter includes an input adapted to receive an input signal switching between a low input voltage level and a high input voltage level and a first switch and a second switch coupled in series between a low output voltage supply and a high output voltage supply. An output is coupled to an interconnection node between the first and the second switch and is adapted to be coupled to a load. The first and second switches are controlled by the input signal. The level shifter further includes a third switch which is coupled between the interconnection node and an auxiliary voltage supply which has a voltage level between the low output voltage level and the high output voltage level.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2011Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbHInventors: Nigel P. Smith, Byoung-Suk Kim, Stefan Reithmaier
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Publication number: 20130113540Abstract: An electronic device comprising a level shifter and a method. The level shifter includes an input adapted to receive an input signal switching between a low input voltage level and a high input voltage level and a first switch and a second switch coupled in series between a low output voltage supply and a high output voltage supply. An output is coupled to an interconnection node between the first and the second switch and is adapted to be coupled to a load. The first and second switches are controlled by the input signal. The level shifter further includes a third switch which is coupled between the interconnection node and an auxiliary voltage supply which has a voltage level between the low output voltage level and the high output voltage level.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2011Publication date: May 9, 2013Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS DEUTSCHLAND GMBHInventors: Nigel P. Smith, Byoung-Suk Kim, Stefan Reithmaier
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Patent number: 8390556Abstract: A level shifter for use in LCD display applications is provided which includes a group of separate channels each with a signal input and a signal output and with channel control circuitry supporting gate voltage shaping for improving image quality. The level shifter further has a number of flicker clock inputs. The channel control circuitry of each particular channel in the group comprises logic circuitry combining all of said flicker clock inputs with the signal input of the particular channel and signal inputs form other channels into a gate voltage shaping enable signal for the control circuitry of the particular channel. With this configuration it is possible to use the same level shifter IC with only one flicker clock signal for all phases, regardless of how many, without the need for an additional synchronization signal, or multiple flicker clock signals as is conventional.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2011Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbHInventors: Nigel P. Smith, Byoung-Suk Kim, Stefan Reithmaier
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Patent number: 7999521Abstract: A converter has a single inductor with a first terminal connectable to a first terminal of the supply input through a first power transistor and a second terminal connectable to a second terminal of the supply input through a second power transistor. A first rectifier element connects the first terminal of the inductor with a first output terminal, and a second rectifier element connects the second terminal of the inductor with a second output terminal. A resistive voltage divider is connected between the first and second output terminals. A control circuit uses an input from the voltage divider as a reference input voltage and provides an output current to the second terminal of the supply input in response to any voltage difference between the reference input voltage and the second terminal of the supply input. This provides a virtual common reference potential at the second terminal of the supply input, which is thus a common ground (GND) terminal.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2008Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbHInventors: Erich Bayer, Juergen Neuhaeusler, Stefan Reithmaier
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Publication number: 20110193839Abstract: A level shifter for use in LCD display applications is provided which includes a group of separate channels each with a signal input and a signal output and with channel control circuitry supporting gate voltage shaping for improving image quality. The level shifter further has a number of flicker clock inputs. The channel control circuitry of each particular channel in the group comprises logic circuitry combining all of said flicker clock inputs with the signal input of the particular channel and signal inputs form other channels into a gate voltage shaping enable signal for the control circuitry of the particular channel. With this configuration it is possible to use the same level shifter IC with only one flicker clock signal for all phases, regardless of how many, without the need for an additional synchronization signal, or multiple flicker clock signals as is conventional.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2011Publication date: August 11, 2011Applicant: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbHInventors: Nigel P. Smith, Byoung-Suk Kim, Stefan Reithmaier
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Patent number: 7595616Abstract: A control circuit for a polarity inverting buck-boost DC-DC converter, includes an operational trans-conductance amplifier that has inputs to which a sensed voltage difference signal is applied and an output connected to an input of a voltage-to-duty-cycle converter. A compensation capacitance is connected between the output of the amplifier and a fixed supply terminal. The compensation capacitance includes a first capacitor that is permanently connected between the output of the amplifier and the fixed supply terminal and a second capacitor that has a switched connection between the output of the amplifier and the fixed supply terminal. The first capacitor has a small capacitance compared to the second capacitor. The switched connection of the second capacitor is controlled by a continuous-discontinuous mode detection circuit.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2005Date of Patent: September 29, 2009Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbHInventors: Franz Prexl, Kevin Scoones, Stefan Reithmaier
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Publication number: 20090167264Abstract: A converter has a single inductor with a first terminal connectable to a first terminal of the supply input through a first power transistor and a second terminal connectable to a second terminal of the supply input through a second power transistor. A first rectifier element connects the first terminal of the inductor with a first output terminal, and a second rectifier element connects the second terminal of the inductor with a second output terminal. A resistive voltage divider is connected between the first and second output terminals. A control circuit uses an input from the voltage divider as a reference input voltage and provides an output current to the second terminal of the supply input in response to any voltage difference between the reference input voltage and the second terminal of the supply input. This provides a virtual common reference potential at the second terminal of the supply input, which is thus a common ground (GND) terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2008Publication date: July 2, 2009Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS DEUTSCHLAND GMBHInventors: Erich Bayer, Juergen Neuhaeusler, Stefan Reithmaier
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Patent number: 7180275Abstract: A DC-DC high frequency boost converter with a supply voltage input (110), a boosted voltage output (112), a series circuit of an inductor (114) and a rectifying device (116) connected in series between said supply voltage input (110) and said boosted voltage output (112), has a switch (124) connected between ground and a connection node (120) of said inductor (114) and said rectifying device (116). A control circuit (126) is provided for controlling said switch (124), and a zero inductor current detection circuit (128) is provided that compares a voltage (Un) on said connection node (120) with a reference voltage (Uref) and provides a zero inductor current indication (Comp) when both voltages are equal.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2005Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventor: Stefan Reithmaier
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Publication number: 20060012355Abstract: A control circuit for a polarity inverting buck-boost DC-DC converter, includes an operational trans-conductance amplifier that has inputs to which a sensed voltage difference signal is applied and an output connected to an input of a voltage-to-duty-cycle converter. A compensation capacitance is connected between the output of the amplifier and a fixed supply terminal. The compensation capacitance includes a first capacitor that is permanently connected between the output of the amplifier and the fixed supply terminal and a second capacitor that has a switched connection between the output of the amplifier and the fixed supply terminal. The first capacitor has a small capacitance compared to the second capacitor. The switched connection of the second capacitor is controlled by a continuous-discontinuous mode detection circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2005Publication date: January 19, 2006Inventors: Franz Prexl, Kevin Scoones, Stefan Reithmaier
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Publication number: 20050242788Abstract: A DC-DC high frequency boost converter with a supply voltage input (110), a boosted voltage output (112), a series circuit of an inductor (114) and a rectifying device (116) connected in series between said supply voltage input (110) and said boosted voltage output (112), has a switch (124) connected between ground and a connection node (120) of said inductor (114) and said rectifying device (116). A control circuit (126) is provided for controlling said switch (124), and a zero inductor current detection circuit (128) is provided that compares a voltage (Un) on said connection node (120) with a reference voltage (Uref) and provides a zero inductor current indication (Comp) when both voltages are equal.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2005Publication date: November 3, 2005Inventor: Stefan Reithmaier