公开(公告)号：US20170060152A1

公开(公告)日：2017-03-02

申请号：US14838706

申请日：2015-08-28

Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.

Inventor： Marco Martini

IPC: G05F1/46

CPC classification number: G05F1/46 ,  G05F1/573

Abstract: A power transistor generates an output current and a sense transistor generates a proportional sense current. A differential amplifier generates a gate voltage applied to the power and sense transistors in response to first and second input signals. A comparator circuit compares the gate voltage to a switching reference to detect whether the power and sense transistors are operating in a triode mode of operation or in a saturation mode of operation. At least one of the first and second input signals is modified in response to the detection made by the comparator circuit. In one instance, different reference voltages are applied to an input of the amplifier depending on the detected mode of operation. In another instance, different resistances are used to convert the sense current to a voltage for application to an input of the amplifier in response to the detected mode of operation.

Abstract translation: 功率晶体管产生输出电流，感测晶体管产生比例感测电流。 差分放大器响应于第一和第二输入信号产生施加到功率并检测晶体管的栅极电压。 比较器电路将栅极电压与切换基准进行比较，以检测功率和感测晶体管是工作在三极管工作模式还是饱和运行模式。 第一和第二输入信号中的至少一个响应于比较器电路的检测而被修改。 在一种情况下，根据检测的操作模式，不同的参考电压被施加到放大器的输入。 在另一种情况下，响应于检测到的操作模式，使用不同的电阻将感测电流转换成用于施加到放大器的输入的电压。

公开(公告)号：US09160159B2

公开(公告)日：2015-10-13

申请号：US14340031

申请日：2014-07-24

Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.

Inventor： Salvatore Pantano ,  Marco Martini

IPC: H02H3/08 ,  H02H1/00

CPC classification number: H02H3/08 ,  H02H1/0092 ,  H03K2217/0027

Abstract: An embodiment of an apparatus, such as a circuit breaker, includes an input node, an output node, and a digital circuit. The input node is configured to receive an input voltage, and the output node is coupled to the input node and is configured to carry an output current. And the digital circuit is configured to uncouple the output node from the input node in response to a power drawn from the input node exceeding a threshold.

Abstract translation: 诸如断路器的装置的实施例包括输入节点，输出节点和数字电路。 输入节点被配置为接收输入电压，并且输出节点耦合到输入节点并被配置为承载输出电流。 并且数字电路被配置为响应于从输入节点超过阈值的功率而将输出节点与输入节点分离。

公开(公告)号：US20140197752A1

公开(公告)日：2014-07-17

申请号：US14154573

申请日：2014-01-14

Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.

Inventor： Salvatore Pantano ,  Marco Martini

IPC: H05B33/08

CPC classification number: H05B33/0815 ,  H05B33/0827 ,  H05B33/0848

Abstract: An array of LED diodes includes N channels each having LEDs coupled in series with a switch. A current driver for the array includes a processing circuit configured to detect N currents flowing respectively through the N channels of the array. The detected currents are converted by a single analog to digital converter, one at a time, into a digital word. The circuit further includes N comparator devices configured to control the N switches as result of a comparison between the digital words and respective target digital words. A memory is provided for storing the digital words received from the analog to digital converter.

Abstract translation: LED二极管阵列包括N个通道，每个通道具有与开关串联的LED。 用于阵列的电流驱动器包括处理电路，其被配置为检测分别通过阵列的N个通道流动的N个电流。 检测到的电流由单个模数转换器转换成一个数字字。 电路还包括N个比较器装置，其被配置为通过数字字和各个目标数字字之间的比较来控制N个开关。 提供存储器，用于存储从模数转换器接收的数字字。

公开(公告)号：US20140197747A1

公开(公告)日：2014-07-17

申请号：US14154367

申请日：2014-01-14

Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.

Inventor： Marco Martini ,  Salvatore Pantano

IPC: H05B33/08 ,  H02M1/36

CPC classification number: H05B33/0815 ,  H02M1/36 ,  H05B33/0812 ,  H05B33/0848 ,  Y02B20/343

Abstract: A current driver for a string of LEDs includes a first series connection of a first transistor and a first resistance and a second series connection of a second transistor and a second resistance. The first and second series connections are coupled in parallel between the string of LEDs and a voltage reference. An operational amplifier selectively drives the first and second transistors in response to a clock signal. A switch device driven by the clock signal alternately applies a reference voltage and a respective one of the voltages across the first and second resistances to inverting and non-inverting inputs of the operational amplifier in response to the clock signal. A storage circuit is coupled to the output of the operational amplifier to store the drive signals for the first and second transistors for application to the first and second transistors in the absence of output from the operational amplifier.

Abstract translation: 用于一串LED的电流驱动器包括第一晶体管和第一电阻的第一串联连接以及第二晶体管和第二电阻的第二串联连接。 第一和第二串联连接并联在LED串和电压基准之间。 运算放大器响应于时钟信号选择性地驱动第一和第二晶体管。 由时钟信号驱动的开关装置响应于时钟信号交替地将参考电压和跨第一和第二电阻的电压中的相应电压施加到运算放大器的反相和非反相输入。 在没有来自运算放大器的输出的情况下，存储电路耦合到运算放大器的输出端以存储用于第一和第二晶体管的驱动信号，以用于第一和第二晶体管。