公开(公告)号：US20160077198A1

公开(公告)日：2016-03-17

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

CPC classification number: G01S7/52023 ,  G01N29/34 ,  G01N29/36 ,  G01N2291/106 ,  H03F1/301 ,  H03F3/70 ,  H03F2200/453 ,  H03F2200/456

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.

Abstract translation: 超声波探头包括：超声换能器; 放大级; 偏置电路，其确定放大级的输入端上的偏置电压; 以及具有中间节点，中间节点和换能器之间的高压开关以及中间节点和输入端子之间的第一低压开关的选择器。 控制单元控制高压开关和第一低压开关，以交替地耦合和去耦放大级和换能器。 在放大级和换能器耦合之前，预充电电路确定中间节点上的预充电电压作为偏置电压的函数。

公开(公告)号：US10103734B2

公开(公告)日：2018-10-16

申请号：US15168468

申请日：2016-05-31

Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.R.L.

Inventor： Dario Bianchi ,  Federico Guanziroli ,  Davide Ugo Ghisu

IPC: H03L5/00 ,  H03K19/0185 ,  H03K3/037

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：US09954519B2

公开(公告)日：2018-04-24

申请号：US15655389

申请日：2017-07-20

Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.

Inventor： Marco Terenzi ,  Davide Ugo Ghisu

IPC: H03K17/16 ,  H03K5/08 ,  H03K17/041

CPC classification number: H03K17/162 ,  H03K5/08 ,  H03K17/04106 ,  H03K17/102 ,  H03K17/6874 ,  H03K2217/0054

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：US09911869B2

公开(公告)日：2018-03-06

申请号：US15250645

申请日：2016-08-29

Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.

Inventor： Marco Sambi ,  Dario Ripamonti ,  Davide Ugo Ghisu ,  Dario Bianchi

IPC: H01L29/861 ,  H01L29/06 ,  H01L27/06

CPC classification number: H01L29/861 ,  H01L21/76 ,  H01L27/0629 ,  H01L29/0649 ,  H01L29/0692 ,  H01L29/8611

Abstract: A diode comprising a semiconductor body delimited by a front surface and including: a first semiconductor region having a first type of conductivity, facing at least in part the front surface; and a second semiconductor region having a second type of conductivity, the second semiconductor region facing at least in part the front surface and surrounding, at a distance, at least part of the first semiconductor region. The diode further includes: a trench, which extends in the semiconductor body starting from the front surface, for surrounding at least part of the second semiconductor region; and a lateral insulation region, which is arranged within the trench, is formed by dielectric material and contacts at least in part the second semiconductor region.

公开(公告)号：US20170263784A1

公开(公告)日：2017-09-14

申请号：US15250645

申请日：2016-08-29

Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.

Inventor： Marco Sambi ,  Dario Ripamonti ,  Davide Ugo Ghisu ,  Dario Bianchi

IPC: H01L29/861 ,  H01L27/06 ,  H01L29/06

CPC classification number: H01L29/861 ,  H01L21/76 ,  H01L27/0629 ,  H01L29/0649 ,  H01L29/0692 ,  H01L29/8611

Abstract: A diode comprising a semiconductor body delimited by a front surface and including: a first semiconductor region having a first type of conductivity, facing at least in part the front surface; and a second semiconductor region having a second type of conductivity, the second semiconductor region facing at least in part the front surface and surrounding, at a distance, at least part of the first semiconductor region. The diode further includes: a trench, which extends in the semiconductor body starting from the front surface, for surrounding at least part of the second semiconductor region; and a lateral insulation region, which is arranged within the trench, is formed by dielectric material and contacts at least in part the second semiconductor region.

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：US10734954B2

公开(公告)日：2020-08-04

申请号：US15691298

申请日：2017-08-30

Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.

Inventor： Andrea Gambero ,  Davide Ugo Ghisu ,  Sandro Rossi

IPC: H03F1/14 ,  H03F1/30 ,  H03F3/217 ,  H03F3/45 ,  H04R3/00 ,  H03F3/30 ,  H03F3/72 ,  H03F3/187

Abstract: An operational amplifier including an input stage coupled to an input terminal, an output stage coupled to an output terminal, and a gain node between the input stage and the output stage. A bias current source is couplable to the input stage to supply a bias current thereto and a current mirror circuit mirrors the bias current toward the gain node and the output stage. A switch circuit includes a switch activatable to bring the gain node to a pre-bias voltage and a switch coupled to the output stage and switchable between a first state and a second state in which the output stage is active and non-active, respectively—. A further switch circuit is coupled to the output terminal and switchable between a first state and a second state in which the output stage is coupled to the output terminal and to a reference level, respectively.

公开(公告)号：US10441972B2

公开(公告)日：2019-10-15

申请号：US15220208

申请日：2016-07-26

Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.

Inventor： Davide Ugo Ghisu ,  Sandro Rossi ,  Dario Bianchi

IPC: G05F3/02 ,  B06B1/02 ,  H03K19/0185 ,  H03K17/687 ,  H03K3/356 ,  H03K17/082 ,  A61B8/00

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.

公开(公告)号：US20180248522A1

公开(公告)日：2018-08-30

申请号：US15691298

申请日：2017-08-30

Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.

Inventor： Andrea Gambero ,  Davide Ugo Ghisu ,  Sandro Rossi

IPC: H03F1/30 ,  H03F3/217 ,  H03F3/45 ,  H04R3/00

CPC classification number: H03F1/305 ,  H03F1/307 ,  H03F3/187 ,  H03F3/217 ,  H03F3/302 ,  H03F3/45475 ,  H03F3/72 ,  H03F2200/03 ,  H03F2200/297 ,  H03F2200/516 ,  H03F2203/30099 ,  H03F2203/30132 ,  H04R3/00

Abstract: An operational amplifier including an input stage coupled to an input terminal, an output stage coupled to an output terminal, and a gain node between the input stage and the output stage. A bias current source is couplable to the input stage to supply a bias current thereto and a current mirror circuit mirrors the bias current toward the gain node and the output stage. A switch circuit includes a switch activatable to bring the gain node to a pre-bias voltage and a switch coupled to the output stage and switchable between a first state and a second state in which the output stage is active and non-active, respectively—. A further switch circuit is coupled to the output terminal and switchable between a first state and a second state in which the output stage is coupled to the output terminal and to a reference level, respectively.

公开(公告)号：US09442507B2

公开(公告)日：2016-09-13

申请号：US14573438

申请日：2014-12-17

Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.

Inventor： Davide Ugo Ghisu ,  Sandro Rossi ,  Dario Bianchi

IPC: H03L5/00 ,  G05F3/02 ,  H03K19/0185 ,  H03K17/687 ,  H03K3/356

CPC classification number: B06B1/0215 ,  A61B8/4483 ,  G05F3/02 ,  H03K3/356182 ,  H03K17/0822 ,  H03K17/687 ,  H03K19/018521 ,  H03K2217/0063

Abstract: A transmission channel transmits high-voltage pulses and receives echos of the high-voltage pulses. The transmission channel includes a buffer with anti-memory circuitry to couple drains of the buffer transistors to voltage reference terminals during a clamping phase.

Abstract translation: 传输通道传输高电压脉冲并接收高电压脉冲的回波。 传输通道包括具有防存储器电路的缓冲器，以在夹持阶段将缓冲晶体管的漏极耦合到电压参考端子。