The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 20, 2002
Filed:
Oct. 13, 2000
Danilo Ranieri, Sesto San Giovanni, IT;
Davide Brambilla, Rho, IT;
Edoardo Botti, Vigevano, IT;
Luca Celant, Milan, IT;
STMicroelectronics S.r.l., Agrate Brianza, IT;
Abstract
A method of assessing the offset on the output nodes of an amplifying channel includes generating a logic signal for signaling the existence of an offset having a level exceeding a window of permitted levels symmetric about the zero level. The window is defined by a negative limit value and by a positive limit value. The method includes establishing an interval or phase of detection by applying to an input of a detection circuit a timing pulse with a certain frequency, sensing the rising edge of the timing pulse and setting a bistable circuit, and comparing the signal on the output nodes of the amplifiers channel with the window of permitted values. The bistable circuit is reset upon the occurrence, after the initial setting, of an output signal amplitude within the window of permitted values. Failure of the bistable circuit to reset before the end of the detection phase signals an excessive offset.