Company Filing History:
Years Active: 1987-1996
Title: Franco Pellegrini: Innovator in Electrostatic Discharge Protection
Introduction
Franco Pellegrini is a notable inventor based in Corsico, Italy. He has made significant contributions to the field of electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection, holding three patents that showcase his innovative spirit and technical expertise.
Latest Patents
One of Pellegrini's latest patents is an electrostatic discharge protective device having a reduced current. This invention is designed for anti-ESD protective structures, particularly for pins that are intended to operate below ground or above supply voltages. The device incorporates a pair of Zener diodes or lateral NPN structures with a resistive connection between the base and emitter, arranged in opposition between the pin to be protected and a grounded substrate of the integrated circuit. This design effectively eliminates the amplifying effect on leakage current caused by the triggering of an intrinsic parasitic transistor by connecting a biasing element between the interconnection node of the two structures and a node of the integrated circuit.
Another significant patent is a current measuring structure for testing integrated circuits. This structure includes a first resistor that converts the current to be measured into a voltage, along with an operational amplifier for measuring the current. A second resistor, integrated with the first, is activated solely during the wafer testing stage. This setup reduces the current corresponding to a predetermined voltage value detected by the operational amplifier, enabling optimum correlation between the reduced current value during testing and the corresponding nominal current value.
Career Highlights
Franco Pellegrini has worked with prominent companies in the electronics sector, including STMicroelectronics and SGS-ATES Componenti Elettronici. His experience in these organizations has allowed him to refine his skills and contribute to various innovative projects.
Collaborations
Throughout his career, Pellegrini has collaborated with talented individuals such as Marco Morelli and Athos Canclini. These partnerships have fostered a creative environment that has led to the development of groundbreaking technologies.
Conclusion
Franco Pellegrini is a distinguished inventor whose work in electrostatic discharge protection has made a lasting impact on the electronics industry. His patents reflect his commitment to innovation and excellence in engineering.