Patents by Inventor Stefano Ramorini
Stefano Ramorini 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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Publication number: 20210099087Abstract: A half-bridge converter is controlled by a circuit including a differential circuit receiving a reference signal and a feedback signal which is a function of an output signal from the converter. The half-bridge converter includes high-side and low-side electronic switches. A comparator generates a PWM-modulated signal for controlling the converter as a function of the duty cycle of the PWM-modulated signal in response to a signal at an intermediate node between the high-side and low-side electronic switches and an output of the differential circuit. A gain circuit block coupled between the intermediate node and the input of the comparator applies a ramp signal to the input of the comparator which is a function of the signal at the intermediate node. A variable gain is applied by the gain circuit block in order to keep a constant value for the duty cycle of said PWM-modulated signal irrespective of converter operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2020Publication date: April 1, 2021Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Alberto CATTANI, Stefano RAMORINI, Alessandro GASPARINI
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Publication number: 20210067148Abstract: A DC-DC converter includes clock generation circuitry generating first and second clock signals that are out of phase, and a control signal generator generating a switching control signal at an edge of the second clock signal based upon a comparison of an error voltage to a summed voltage. Boost circuitry charges an energy storage component during an on-phase and discharges the energy storage component during an off-phase to thereby generate an output voltage. The on-phase and off-phase are set as a function of the switching control signal. Sum voltage generation circuitry generates a ramp voltage in response to an edge of the first clock signal and generates the summed voltage at an edge of the second clock signal. The sum voltage represents a sum of the ramp voltage and a voltage representative of the current flowing in the energy storage component during the on-phase.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2019Publication date: March 4, 2021Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Alessandro BERTOLINI, Alberto CATTANI, Stefano RAMORINI, Alessandro GASPARINI
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Patent number: 10897200Abstract: A half-bridge converter is controlled by a circuit including a differential circuit receiving a reference signal and a feedback signal which is a function of an output signal from the converter. The half-bridge converter includes high-side and low-side electronic switches. A comparator generates a PWM-modulated signal for controlling the converter as a function of the duty cycle of the PWM-modulated signal in response to a signal at an intermediate node between the high-side and low-side electronic switches and an output of the differential circuit. A gain circuit block coupled between the intermediate node and the input of the comparator applies a ramp signal to the input of the comparator which is a function of the signal at the intermediate node. A variable gain is applied by the gain circuit block in order to keep a constant value for the duty cycle of said PWM-modulated signal irrespective of converter operation.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2019Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Alberto Cattani, Stefano Ramorini, Alessandro Gasparini
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Patent number: 10797688Abstract: A comparator circuit is implemented using a simple comparator core having two gain stages integrated in a single circuit block. The circuit operates with improved speed and resolution in comparison to a conventional continuous-time comparator. Offset trimming allows for the crossing time of the comparator to be adjusted close to an ideal crossing time.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2018Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Stefano Ramorini, Germano Nicollini
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Publication number: 20200244168Abstract: A sensor comprises a first transistor comprising a first control terminal, a second transistor that is a scaled version of and connected to the first transistor and comprising a second control terminal, an operational amplifier connected to both the first and second transistors and configured to generate an intermediate signal at an output terminal, a variable current source, a current mirror, a measurement circuit, and a chopper circuit. The first and second control terminals are configured to receive a drive signal. The variable current source is configured to generate a first variable current as a function of the intermediate signal. The current mirror configured to apply a second variable current proportional to the first variable current to the second transistor. The measurement circuit is configured to generate a measurement signal indicative of current through the first transistor. The chopper circuit is configured to shift an offset of the operation amplifier.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Roberto Pio Baorda, Stefano Ramorini, Paolo Angelini
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Patent number: 10644599Abstract: A sensor includes a first transistor including a first terminal and a second terminal defining a current path, and a first gate terminal configured to receive a drive signal. The sensor further includes a sensor circuit configured to generate a measurement signal indicative of a first current flowing through the first transistor. The sensor circuit includes a second transistor including a third terminal, a fourth terminal, and a second gate terminal. The third terminal is connected to the first terminal of the first transistor. The second gate terminal is configured to receive the drive signal. The second transistor is a scaled version of the first transistor. The sensor circuit further includes an operational amplifier, a variable current source, a current mirror, and a measurement circuit.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2019Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.Inventors: Roberto Pio Baorda, Stefano Ramorini, Paolo Angelini
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Patent number: 10566940Abstract: A switching amplifier, such as a Class D amplifier, includes a current sensing circuit. The current sensing circuit is formed by replica loop circuits that are selectively coupled to corresponding output inverter stages of the switching amplifier. The replica loop circuits operated to produce respective replica currents of the output currents generated by the output inverter stages. A sensing circuitry is coupled to receive the replica currents from the replica loop circuits and operates to produce an output sensing signal as a function of the respective replica currents.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2019Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: StMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Stefano Ramorini, Alberto Cattani, Germano Nicollini, Alessandro Gasparini
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Publication number: 20190372535Abstract: A switching amplifier, such as a Class D amplifier, includes a current sensing circuit. The current sensing circuit is formed by replica loop circuits that are selectively coupled to corresponding output inverter stages of the switching amplifier. The replica loop circuits operated to produce respective replica currents of the output currents generated by the output inverter stages. A sensing circuitry is coupled to receive the replica currents from the replica loop circuits and operates to produce an output sensing signal as a function of the respective replica currents.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Stefano RAMORINI, Alberto CATTANI, Germano NICOLLINI, Alessandro GASPARINI
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Publication number: 20190348915Abstract: A half-bridge converter is controlled by a circuit including a differential circuit receiving a reference signal and a feedback signal which is a function of an output signal from the converter. The half-bridge converter includes high-side and low-side electronic switches. A comparator generates a PWM-modulated signal for controlling the converter as a function of the duty cycle of the PWM-modulated signal in response to a signal at an intermediate node between the high-side and low-side electronic switches and an output of the differential circuit. A gain circuit block coupled between the intermediate node and the input of the comparator applies a ramp signal to the input of the comparator which is a function of the signal at the intermediate node. A variable gain is applied by the gain circuit block in order to keep a constant value for the duty cycle of said PWM-modulated signal irrespective of converter operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2019Publication date: November 14, 2019Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Alberto CATTANI, Stefano RAMORINI, Alessandro GASPARINI
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Publication number: 20190324063Abstract: A sensor includes a first transistor including a first terminal and a second terminal defining a current path, and a first gate terminal configured to receive a drive signal. The sensor further includes a sensor circuit configured to generate a measurement signal indicative of a first current flowing through the first transistor. The sensor circuit includes a second transistor including a third terminal, a fourth terminal, and a second gate terminal. The third terminal is connected to the first terminal of the first transistor. The second gate terminal is configured to receive the drive signal. The second transistor is a scaled version of the first transistor. The sensor circuit further includes an operational amplifier, a variable current source, a current mirror, and a measurement circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2019Publication date: October 24, 2019Inventors: Roberto Pio Baorda, Stefano Ramorini, Paolo Angelini
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Patent number: 10439569Abstract: A switching amplifier, such as a Class D amplifier, includes a current sensing circuit. The current sensing circuit is formed by replica loop circuits that are selectively coupled to corresponding output inverter stages of the switching amplifier. The replica loop circuits operated to produce respective replica currents of the output currents generated by the output inverter stages. A sensing circuitry is coupled to receive the replica currents from the replica loop circuits and operates to produce an output sensing signal as a function of the respective replica currents.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2018Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Stefano Ramorini, Alberto Cattani, Germano Nicollini, Alessandro Gasparini
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Patent number: 10326418Abstract: A circuit includes an input transistor pair with first and second input transistors, the first input transistor having a control terminal configured to receive an input signal and a cascode transistor pair including a first and second cascode transistors having a common control node. A bias circuit has a bias input configured to receive the input signal and a first bias output coupled to the common node of the first and second cascode transistors. The bias circuit includes a signal tracking circuit operating to generate the first bias output to track the input signal. A pair of load transistors are coupled to the input transistor pair and biased by a second bias output of the bias circuit.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2018Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Stefano Ramorini, Alberto Cattani, Alessandro Gasparini, Germano Nicollini
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Patent number: 10277178Abstract: A triangular-voltage generator has an input terminal that receives a power supply voltage and an output terminal that supplies a triangular-wave voltage having a repetition period. An operational amplifier in an integrator configuration has a first input, a second input and an output coupled to the output terminal. The second input receives a reference voltage as a function of the power supply voltage. The first input is selectively and alternately connected to the input terminal during a first half-period of the repetition period and to a reference terminal during a second half-period of the repetition period.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2017Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Stefano Ramorini, Germano Nicollini, Alberto Cattani, Alessandro Gasparini
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Patent number: 10211722Abstract: An energy harvesting interface receives an electrical signal from an inductive transducer and outputs a supply signal. An input branch includes a first switch and a second switch connected in series between a first input terminal and an output terminal, and further a third switch and a fourth switch connected in series between a second input terminal and the output terminal. A first electrical-signal-detecting device coupled across the second switch detects a first threshold value of an electric storage current in the inductor of the transducer. A second electrical-signal-detecting device coupled across the fourth switch detects whether the electric supply current that flows through the fourth switch reaches a second threshold value lower than the first threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2016Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Stefano Ramorini, Alessandro Gasparini, Alberto Cattani
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Publication number: 20190036518Abstract: A comparator circuit is implemented using a simple comparator core having two gain stages integrated in a single circuit block. The circuit operates with improved speed and resolution in comparison to a conventional continuous-time comparator. Offset trimming allows for the crossing time of the comparator to be adjusted close to an ideal crossing time.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2018Publication date: January 31, 2019Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Stefano RAMORINI, Germano NICOLLINI
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Publication number: 20180342993Abstract: A switching amplifier, such as a Class D amplifier, includes a current sensing circuit. The current sensing circuit is formed by replica loop circuits that are selectively coupled to corresponding output inverter stages of the switching amplifier. The replica loop circuits operated to produce respective replica currents of the output currents generated by the output inverter stages. A sensing circuitry is coupled to receive the replica currents from the replica loop circuits and operates to produce an output sensing signal as a function of the respective replica currents.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2018Publication date: November 29, 2018Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Stefano RAMORINI, Alberto CATTANI, Germano NICOLLINI, Alessandro GASPARINI
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Publication number: 20180337647Abstract: A circuit includes an input transistor pair with first and second input transistors, the first input transistor having a control terminal configured to receive an input signal and a cascode transistor pair including a first and second cascode transistors having a common control node. A bias circuit has a bias input configured to receive the input signal and a first bias output coupled to the common node of the first and second cascode transistors. The bias circuit includes a signal tracking circuit operating to generate the first bias output to track the input signal. A pair of load transistors are coupled to the input transistor pair and biased by a second bias output of the bias circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2018Publication date: November 22, 2018Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Stefano RAMORINI, Alberto CATTANI, Alessandro GASPARINI, Germano NICOLLINI
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Patent number: 10116208Abstract: A converter includes an inductor configured to receive an input signal and output configured to supply an electrical load with an output signal. The converter operates to charge the inductor until a maximum pre-set current value is reached during a first operating condition in which the electrical load is not supplied. Next, the converter actively supplies the electrical load by partially discharging the inductor during a first time interval of a second operating condition. Then, the converter passively supplies the electrical load by the residual charge of the inductor during a second time interval, subsequent to the first time interval, of the second operating condition, by discharging the inductor completely.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2015Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Stefano Ramorini, Alessandro Gasparini, Alberto Cattani
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Publication number: 20180234062Abstract: A triangular-voltage generator has an input terminal that receives a power supply voltage and an output terminal that supplies a triangular-wave voltage having a repetition period. An operational amplifier in an integrator configuration has a first input, a second input and an output coupled to the output terminal. The second input receives a reference voltage as a function of the power supply voltage. The first input is selectively and alternately connected to the input terminal during a first half-period of the repetition period and to a reference terminal during a second half-period of the repetition period.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2017Publication date: August 16, 2018Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Stefano Ramorini, Germano Nicollini, Alberto Cattani, Alessandro Gasparini
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Patent number: 9979302Abstract: A control device for a switching power converter having an inductor element, a switch coupled to the inductor element, a storage element coupled to an output on which an output voltage is provided, and a diode element coupled to the storage element. The control device generates a command signal to control the switch and determine storage of energy in the inductor element in a first interval, and transfer of energy onto the storage element through the diode element in a second interval. A voltage shifter module generates a feedback voltage shifted relative to the output voltage. An amplification module has a first input receiving the feedback voltage, a second input receiving the reference voltage, and an output that supplies, as a function of the difference between the feedback and reference voltages, a control signal. A control unit receives the control signal and generates the command signal to control the switch.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2016Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Alberto Cattani, Alessandro Gasparini, Stefano Ramorini