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).

  • Patent number: 11025229
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Niko Bako, Stefan Reithmaier
  • Publication number: 20200266799
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: NIKO BAKO, STEFAN REITHMAIER
  • Patent number: 10447161
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Erich Bayer, Ivan Shumkov, Nicola Rasera, Stefan Reithmaier, Roland Bucksch, Christian Rott, Florian Neveu
  • Publication number: 20180287496
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Erich BAYER, Ivan SHUMKOV, Nicola RASERA, Stefan REITHMAIER, Roland BUCKSCH, Christian ROTT, Florian NEVEU
  • Patent number: 10020722
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Christian Harder, Markus Georg Rommel, Stefan Reithmaier
  • Publication number: 20180109176
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: CHRISTIAN HARDER, MARKUS GEORG ROMMEL, STEFAN REITHMAIER
  • Patent number: 9672781
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan A. Reithmaier, Josy Bernard, Carsten I. Stoerk, Nicolas M Guibourg
  • Publication number: 20160196791
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Stefan A. Reithmaier, Josy Bernard, Carsten I. Stoerk, Nicolas M Guibourg
  • Patent number: 9251753
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan A. Reithmaier, Josy Bernard, Carsten I. Stoerk, Nicolas M. Guibourg
  • Publication number: 20140347342
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Stefan A. Reithmaier, Josy Bernard, Carsten I. Stoerk, Nicolas M. Guibourg
  • Patent number: 8674744
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Nigel P. Smith, Byoung-Suk Kim, Stefan Reithmaier
  • Publication number: 20130113540
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Nigel P. Smith, Byoung-Suk Kim, Stefan Reithmaier
  • Patent number: 8390556
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Nigel P. Smith, Byoung-Suk Kim, Stefan Reithmaier
  • Patent number: 7999521
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Erich Bayer, Juergen Neuhaeusler, Stefan Reithmaier
  • Publication number: 20110193839
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Nigel P. Smith, Byoung-Suk Kim, Stefan Reithmaier
  • Patent number: 7595616
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Prexl, Kevin Scoones, Stefan Reithmaier
  • Publication number: 20090167264
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Erich Bayer, Juergen Neuhaeusler, Stefan Reithmaier
  • Patent number: 7180275
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Stefan Reithmaier
  • Publication number: 20060012355
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Inventors: Franz Prexl, Kevin Scoones, Stefan Reithmaier
  • Publication number: 20050242788
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Inventor: Stefan Reithmaier