Douglas Stuart Smith

Title: Douglas Stuart Smith: Innovator in Electrical Engineering

Introduction

Douglas Stuart Smith is a notable inventor based in Milpitas, CA (US). He has made significant contributions to the field of electrical engineering, particularly in the development of innovative circuits and systems. With a total of 2 patents to his name, Smith continues to push the boundaries of technology.

Latest Patents

Smith's latest patents include an integrated defibrillation pulse protector and a digital input for a programmable logic controller. The integrated defibrillation pulse protector features a Silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) based circuit designed for ECG protection under defibrillator pulses. This SCR-based clamp is a symmetric structure that provides dual-direction voltage tolerance protection. It is based on two anti-series P-well/N-well lateral blocking junctions, which are isolated from the P-substrate by an N-buried layer. The injector regions are lengthened to accommodate a larger number of contact rows than typically used for ESD pulse specifications. Additionally, a stack of metal layers may be utilized to enhance current and heat-sink capabilities, with each electrode metal layer fully filled with VIAs.

The digital input for a programmable logic controller includes a galvanically isolated section with an integrating capacitor coupled to a high voltage signal input through at least one current-limiting resistor. A relaxation oscillator is coupled across the integrating capacitor, controlling an electronic switch. An optical isolator is integrated into the design, featuring an input side and an output side, with the input side coupled across the integrating capacitor by the switch. The low voltage section includes a decoder that has an input connected to the output side of the optical isolator, providing a low voltage signal output.

Career Highlights

Douglas Stuart Smith is currently employed at Maxim Integrated Products, Inc., where he applies his expertise in electrical engineering to develop cutting-edge technologies. His work has significantly impacted the industry, particularly in the areas of circuit design and protection systems.

Collaborations

Smith has collaborated with notable colleagues, including Vladislav Vashchenko and Augusto Tazzoli. These partnerships have fostered innovation and contributed to the successful development of his patented technologies.

Conclusion

Douglas Stuart Smith is a distinguished inventor whose work in electrical engineering has led to significant advancements in circuit protection and programmable logic systems. His contributions continue to influence the field and inspire future innovations.