公开(公告)号：US20160204778A1

公开(公告)日：2016-07-14

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

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.

Abstract translation: 传输通道传输高电压脉冲并接收高电压脉冲的回波。 传输通道包括产生电流积分器驱动电流的电流发生器电路。 控制电路产生一个或多个控制信号，以在换能器驱动期间通过电流发生器电路来控制电流积分器驱动电流的产生。 电流积分器集成了由电流发生器电路产生的电流积分器驱动电流以产生换能器驱动信号。

公开(公告)号：US11383971B2

公开(公告)日：2022-07-12

申请号：US16518865

申请日：2019-07-22

Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.

Inventor： Fabio Quaglia ,  Marco Ferrera ,  Marco Del Sarto

IPC: B81B7/00 ,  B81C1/00 ,  H01L29/66

Abstract: A process for manufacturing MEMS devices, includes forming a first assembly, which comprises: a dielectric region; a redistribution region; and a plurality of unit portions. Each unit portion of the first assembly includes: a die arranged in the dielectric region; and a plurality of first and second connection elements, which extend to opposite faces of the redistribution region and are connected together by paths that extend in the redistribution region, the first connection elements being coupled to the die. The process further includes: forming a second assembly which comprises a plurality of respective unit portions, each of which includes a semiconductor portion and third connection elements; mechanically coupling the first and second assemblies so as to connect the third connection elements to corresponding second connection elements; and then removing at least part of the semiconductor portion of each unit portion of the second assembly, thus forming corresponding membranes.

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：US20130265100A1

公开(公告)日：2013-10-10

申请号：US13907468

申请日：2013-05-31

Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.

Inventor： Valeria Bottarel ,  Giulio Ricotti ,  Fabio Quaglia

IPC: H03K17/16

CPC classification number: H03K17/16 ,  H03K17/08104 ,  H03K17/30

Abstract: A low voltage isolation switch is suitable for receiving from a connection node a high voltage signal and transmitting said high voltage signal to a load via a connection terminal. The isolation switch includes a driving block connected between first and second voltage reference terminals and including a first driving transistor coupled between the first voltage reference (Vss) and a first driving circuit node and a second driving transistor coupled between the driving circuit node and the second supply voltage reference. The switch comprises an isolation block connected to the connection terminal (pzt), the connection node, and the driving central circuit node and including a voltage limiter block, a diode block and a control transistor. The control transistor is connected across the diode block between the connection node and the connection terminal and has a control terminal connected to the driving central circuit node.

Abstract translation: 低压隔离开关适合于从连接节点接收高电压信号，并通过连接端将所述高电压信号发送到负载。 隔离开关包括连接在第一和第二参考电极之间的驱动块，并且包括耦合在第一电压基准（Vss）和第一驱动电路节点之间的第一驱动晶体管和耦合在驱动电路节点和第二驱动电路节点之间的第二驱动晶体管 电源参考电压。 开关包括连接到连接端子（pzt）的隔离块，连接节点和驱动中心电路节点，并且包括电压限制器块，二极管块和控制晶体管。 控制晶体管连接在连接节点和连接端子之间的二极管块两端，并具有连接到驱动中心电路节点的控制端子。

公开(公告)号：US12251729B2

公开(公告)日：2025-03-18

申请号：US17497542

申请日：2021-10-08

Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.

Inventor： Domenico Giusti ,  Fabio Quaglia ,  Marco Ferrera

IPC: B06B1/06 ,  B81B3/00 ,  B81B7/00 ,  B81C1/00 ,  H10N30/20 ,  H10N30/30

Abstract: A PMUT device includes a membrane element extending perpendicularly to a first direction and configured to generate and receive ultrasonic waves by oscillating about an equilibrium position. At least two piezoelectric elements are included, with each one located over the membrane element along the first direction and configured to cause the membrane element to oscillate when electric signals are applied to the piezoelectric element, and generate electric signals in response to oscillations of the membrane element. The membrane element has a lobed shape along a plane perpendicular to the first direction, with the lobed shape including at least two lobes. The membrane element includes for each piezoelectric member a corresponding membrane portion including a corresponding lobe, with each piezoelectric member being located over its corresponding membrane portion.

公开(公告)号：US12195327B2

公开(公告)日：2025-01-14

申请号：US17497538

申请日：2021-10-08

Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.

Inventor： Domenico Giusti ,  Marco Ferrera ,  Fabio Quaglia

IPC: B81B7/00 ,  B81B3/00 ,  B81C1/00 ,  H10N30/20 ,  H10N30/30

Abstract: A PMUT device includes a membrane element adapted to generate and receive ultrasonic waves by oscillating, about an equilibrium position, at a corresponding resonance frequency. A piezoelectric element is located over the membrane element along a first direction and configured to cause the membrane element to oscillate when electric signals are applied to the piezoelectric element, and generate electric signals in response to oscillations of the membrane element. A damper is configured to reduce free oscillations of the membrane element, and the damper includes a damper cavity surrounding the membrane element, and a polymeric member having at least a portion over the damper cavity along the first direction.

公开(公告)号：US11807519B2

公开(公告)日：2023-11-07

申请号：US17337296

申请日：2021-06-02

Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.

Inventor： Domenico Giusti ,  Fabio Quaglia

IPC: B81B7/00 ,  B81C1/00 ,  F16F15/00

CPC classification number: B81B7/0016 ,  B81C1/00825 ,  F16F15/007 ,  B81B2203/0118 ,  B81B2203/0127 ,  B81B2203/0307 ,  B81B2207/03 ,  B81C2203/032 ,  F16F2226/042

Abstract: A microelectromechanical membrane transducer includes: a supporting structure; a cavity formed in the supporting structure; a membrane coupled to the supporting structure so as to cover the cavity on one side; a cantilever damper, which is fixed to the supporting structure around the perimeter of the membrane and extends towards the inside of the membrane at a distance from the membrane; and a damper piezoelectric actuator set on the cantilever damper and configured so as to bend the cantilever damper towards the membrane in response to an electrical actuation signal.

公开(公告)号：US10145728B2

公开(公告)日：2018-12-04

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: G01S7/52 ,  G01H11/06 ,  G10K11/18 ,  B06B1/02

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.

公开(公告)号：US09323270B1

公开(公告)日：2016-04-26

申请号：US14553749

申请日：2014-11-25

Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.

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

IPC: G05F3/02

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, a receiver, which amplifies transducer-echo signals, and control circuitry. 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 and reception of transducer-echo signals by the receiver during echo-reception periods. A current integrator integrates current-integrator drive currents generated by current generator circuit to generate transducer drive signals.

Abstract translation: 传输通道传输高电压脉冲并接收高电压脉冲的回波。 传输通道包括产生电流积分器驱动电流的电流发生器电路，放大换能器回波信号的接收器和控制电路。 控制电路产生一个或多个控制信号，以在换能器驱动期间由电流发生器电路控制电流积分器驱动电流的产生，并且在回波接收周期期间由接收器接收换能器 - 回波信号。 电流积分器集成了由电流发生器电路产生的电流积分器驱动电流以产生换能器驱动信号。