公开(公告)号：US10211826B2

公开(公告)日：2019-02-19

申请号：US15946595

申请日：2018-04-05

Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.

Inventor： Marco Terenzi ,  Davide Ugo Ghisu

IPC: H03K17/00 ,  H03K17/16 ,  H03K5/08 ,  H03K17/041 ,  H03K17/687 ,  H03K17/10

Abstract: A high-voltage electronic switch includes first and second transistors defining a current flow path between an input and output of the switch. The transistors have a common point of the current flow path and a common control terminal. A control circuit includes a voltage line receiving a limit operating voltage and first and second branches coupled between the voltage line and the common point and common control terminal, respectively. Further transistors are activated, upon turning-off of the first and second transistors, for coupling the branches to the voltage line. The branches include a parallel connected resistor, diode, and string of diodes with opposite polarities. The diode of the first branch plus string of diodes of the second branch and diode of the second branch plus string of diodes of the first branch provide coupling paths between the voltage line and, respectively, the common point and common control terminal.

公开(公告)号：US20170149434A1

公开(公告)日：2017-05-25

申请号：US15168468

申请日：2016-05-31

Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.R.L.

Inventor： Dario Bianchi ,  Federico Guanziroli ,  Davide Ugo Ghisu

IPC: H03K19/0185 ,  H03K3/037

CPC classification number: H03K19/018507 ,  H03K3/037 ,  H03K3/356113

Abstract: A level shifter circuit includes: an input stage for receiving an input signal switchable between a first and a second input level and an output stage to produce a drive signal for the load that is switchable between a first and a second output level. A level translator translates the input signal switching between the input levels into the output stage switching between the output levels. A feedback element coupled to the output stage transfers to the input stage a feedback signal representative of the output level of the output stage. The input stage includes control circuitry sensitive to the input signal and the feedback signal for detecting undesired switching of the output stage between the first and second output levels occurring in the absence of input signal switching between the first and second input levels. The control circuitry inverts the output level of the output stage resulting from undesired switching.

公开(公告)号：US20160076933A1

公开(公告)日：2016-03-17

申请号：US14750312

申请日：2015-06-25

Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.

Inventor： Antonio Davide Leone ,  Davide Ugo Ghisu ,  Fabio Quaglia

IPC: G01H11/06 ,  G01S7/52 ,  G10K11/18

CPC classification number: G01H11/06 ,  B06B1/0207 ,  B06B2201/51 ,  B06B2201/76 ,  G01S7/52019 ,  G01S7/52023 ,  G10K11/18

Abstract: Described herein is a transceiver circuit for a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT), provided with: a transmitter stage, which generates excitation pulses for a first node of the CMUT transducer during a transmitting phase, a second node of the CMUT transducer being coupled to a biasing voltage; a receiver stage that is selectively coupled to the first node during a receiving phase and has an amplification stage; a switching stage that couples the receiver stage to the first node during the receiving phase and decouples the receiver stage from the first node during the transmitting phase. The amplification stage is provided with a charge amplifier that has an input terminal and is biased as a function of a biasing voltage; and the switching stage is coupled to the same biasing voltage thereby minimizing an injection of charge into the input terminal upon switching from the transmitting phase to the receiving phase.

Abstract translation: 这里描述的是用于电容微加工超声换能器（CMUT）的收发器电路，其提供有：发射器级，其在发射阶段期间为CMUT换能器的第一节点产生激励脉冲，CMUT换能器的第二节点耦合到 偏置电压; 在接收阶段期间选​​择性地耦合到第一节点并具有放大级的接收机级; 切换阶段，在接收阶段将接收机级耦合到第一节点，并在发射阶段将接收机级与第一节点分离。 放大级具有电荷放大器，其具有输入端并作为偏置电压的函数被偏置; 并且开关级耦合到相同的偏置电压，从而在从发送阶段切换到接收阶段时最小化到输入端子中的电荷注入。

公开(公告)号：US20130265855A1

公开(公告)日：2013-10-10

申请号：US13907493

申请日：2013-05-31

Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.

Inventor： Davide Ugo Ghisu ,  Antonio Ricciardo ,  Sandro Rossi

IPC: H03K5/08 ,  H04B11/00

CPC classification number: H03K5/084 ,  H03K17/102 ,  H03K17/6872 ,  H03K17/6874 ,  H03K17/693 ,  H03K2217/0054 ,  H04B11/00

Abstract: A switching circuit for transmission channel for ultrasound applications is electrically coupled between a connection terminal and a low voltage output terminal. The switching circuit includes a receiving switch, a high voltage clamp circuit electrically coupled between the connection terminal and a central node, and a low voltage clamping switch electrically coupled between said central node and a reference voltage. The receiving switch is a low voltage switch and is electrically coupled between the central node and the low voltage output terminal. The clamping switch and the receiving switch are controlled in a complementary way with respect to each other. A transmission channel for ultrasound applications includes the switching circuit

Abstract translation: 用于超声应用的传输通道的切换电路电耦合在连接端子和低电压输出端子之间。 开关电路包括接收开关，电连接在连接端子和中心节点之间的高电压钳位电路以及电耦合在所述中心节点和参考电压之间的低压钳位开关。 接收开关是低压开关，并且电耦合在中心节点和低压输出端子之间。 夹紧开关和接收开关以互补的方式相互控制。 用于超声应用的传输通道包括开关电路

公开(公告)号：US11264982B2

公开(公告)日：2022-03-01

申请号：US15944377

申请日：2018-04-03

Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.

Inventor： Marco Terenzi ,  Davide Ugo Ghisu

IPC: H03K17/082 ,  H03K19/003 ,  B06B1/02

Abstract: A high voltage driving circuit for driving a load receives a low voltage input signal and generates a high voltage output signal. A short circuit protection circuit including a first electronic switch operated by the low voltage input signal and a second electronic switch operated by a low voltage signal obtained by a voltage division of the output high voltage signal. The first electronic switch causing a first pull-up current to be sent to a capacitive element whose voltage controls an input of a threshold comparator. A second electronic switch causes a second pull-down current to be drawn from the capacitive element whose voltage controls the input of the threshold comparator. A short circuit detection signal is generated at an output of said threshold comparator, indicating a short circuit and capable of inhibiting operation of the driving circuit.

公开(公告)号：US10730073B2

公开(公告)日：2020-08-04

申请号：US15691292

申请日：2017-08-30

Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.

Inventor： Davide Ugo Ghisu ,  Sandro Rossi ,  Andrea Gambero

IPC: H04B1/02 ,  B06B1/02 ,  G01S15/89 ,  G01S7/524 ,  G01S7/52 ,  B06B1/06

Abstract: A circuit for an ultrasonic channel has a first and a second terminal between which extend a resistive and diode signal paths including a pair of diodes with opposing polarities, for example in anti-parallel. Switching circuitry is coupled with the resistive and diode signal paths and is switchable between first and second states. In the first state, the first and the second terminals are coupled with one another via the resistive signal path. In the second state, the first and the second terminals are coupled with one another via the diode signal path. The switching circuitry includes first and second transistor discharge circuits coupled between first and second drive lines and current paths of these transistors, and coupled to control terminals of these transistors. The control terminals are coupled to the first or second drive line and are non-conductive and conductive in first and second operating states, respectively.

公开(公告)号：US10114114B2

公开(公告)日：2018-10-30

申请号：US14669651

申请日：2015-03-26

Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.

Inventor： Antonio Davide Leone ,  Davide Ugo Ghisu ,  Fabio Quaglia

IPC: G01S7/52 ,  G01N29/36 ,  H03F1/30 ,  H03F3/70 ,  G01N29/34

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe includes: an ultrasonic transducer; an amplification stage; a bias circuit, which determines a bias voltage on an input terminal of the amplification stage; and a selector having an intermediate node, a high-voltage switch between the intermediate node and the transducer, and a first low-voltage switch between the intermediate node and the input terminal. A control unit controls the high-voltage switch and the first low-voltage switch so as to alternately couple and decouple the amplification stage and the transducer. A precharge circuit determines a precharge voltage on the intermediate node as a function of the bias voltage, before the amplification stage and the transducer are coupled.

公开(公告)号：US20180248544A1

公开(公告)日：2018-08-30

申请号：US15690963

申请日：2017-08-30

Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.

Inventor： Davide Ugo Ghisu ,  Sandro Rossi ,  Andrea Gambero

IPC: H03K17/567 ,  H03K5/08 ,  A61B8/00

CPC classification number: H03K17/567 ,  A61B8/54 ,  B06B1/0215 ,  B06B2201/77 ,  H03K5/023 ,  H03K5/08

Abstract: A driver circuit for driving, for example, ultrasonic transducers in medical equipment, such as ultrasound scanning equipment. The driver circuit includes first inputs receptive of a pulsed signal, second inputs receptive of an analog signal, an output for applying a pulsed drive signal or an analog drive signal to a load. A pair of output transistors of complementary polarities are positioned with their current paths in series between opposing supply lines with a connection point intermediate between the transistors of the pair of transistors. The connection point between output transistors is coupled to the output of the circuit. The control terminals of the output transistors, which are coupled together, may be coupled to the first inputs with the driver functioning as a pulser, or else coupled to the second inputs with the driver functioning as a linear driver.

公开(公告)号：US09772645B2

公开(公告)日：2017-09-26

申请号：US15076211

申请日：2016-03-21

Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.

Inventor： Sandro Rossi ,  Davide Ugo Ghisu ,  Fabio Quaglia ,  Antonio Davide Leone

IPC: H03K17/16 ,  G05F3/02 ,  B06B1/02 ,  H03K4/94

CPC classification number: G05F3/02 ,  B06B1/0215 ,  H03K4/94 ,  H03K17/162

Abstract: A transmission channel transmits high-voltage pulses and receives echos of the high-voltage pulses. The transmission channel includes a current generator circuit, which generates current-integrator drive currents. The control circuitry generates one or more control signals to control generation of current-integrator drive currents by the current generator circuit during transducer-driving periods. A current integrator integrates current-integrator drive currents generated by current generator circuit to generate transducer drive signals.

公开(公告)号：US20160332196A1

公开(公告)日：2016-11-17

申请号：US15220208

申请日：2016-07-26

Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.

Inventor： Davide Ugo Ghisu ,  Sandro Rossi ,  Dario Bianchi

IPC: B06B1/02 ,  H03K17/687

Abstract: A transmission channel transmits high-voltage pulses in a transmission phase and receives echoes of the high-voltage pulses in a receiving phase. The transmission channel includes a buffer with anti-memory circuitry to couple drain conduction terminals of buffer transistors of a high-side of a buffer of the transmission channel to a low-side reference voltage of a low-side of the buffer and couple drain conduction terminals of buffer transistors of the low-side of the buffer to a high-side reference voltage of the high-side of the buffer during the clamping phase.

Abstract translation: 传输通道在传输阶段传输高电压脉冲，并在接收阶段接收高电压脉冲的回波。 传输通道包括具有防存储器电路的缓冲器，用于将传输通道的缓冲器的高侧的缓冲晶体管的漏极导通端子耦合到缓冲器的低侧的低侧参考电压并耦合漏极导通 缓冲器的低侧的缓冲晶体管的端子在钳位阶段期间到缓冲器的高侧的高侧参考电压。