Patents Examined by Tony T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7991369
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for determining process corner information of an integrated circuit (IC) and controlling at least one analog current for at least one analog circuit of the IC based on the process corner information. More specifically, if the process corner information is indicative of a fast corner IC, the analog current may be scaled down. At the same time that the analog current is scaled down, a current consumption level of digital circuitry of the IC may increase. In this way, overall power consumption of the IC may be reduced to the extent that the analog current(s) are scaled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Nutt
  • Patent number: 7962109
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting and correcting over-current and/or over-voltage conditions in power amplifier circuitry in a transmit chain of a mobile terminal are provided. In general, over-current detection and correction circuitry combines a current detection signal indicative of a current provided to or drained by the power amplifier circuitry during ramp-up for a transmit burst and a substantially inverse current ramping profile to provide a first constant value. The first constant value is compared to a current threshold or limit value to determine whether an over-current condition exists. If an over-current condition exists, the over-current detection and correction circuitry operates to reduce the output power of the power amplifier circuitry during ramp-up for the transmit burst to correct for the over-current condition. In a similar manner, over-voltage detection circuitry operates to detect and correct over-voltage conditions during ramp-up for the transmit burst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Troy Stockstad, Alexander Wayne Hietala, Fares Jaoude, Roman Zbigniew Arkiszewski
  • Patent number: 7738852
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mixer comprising: a switching circuit, having a first pair of differential signal nodes and a second pair of differential signal nodes, for switching according to a local oscillation signal; an amplifying stage circuit, for receiving an input signal and amplifying the input signal; a load circuit, for serving as the loading of the mixer and generating an output signal of the mixer; a common-mode feedback circuit, for receiving the output signal and generating a feedback signal according to the output signal; a first current source, for receiving the feedback signal and generating a first current according to the feedback signal; and a second current source, for receiving the feedback signal and generating a second current according to the feedback signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Ying-Yao Lin, Ying-Hsi Lin
  • Patent number: 7734288
    Abstract: An airborne cell phone system comprises a cabin-based system for communicating with a ground station over a satellite link. A base station transceiver is in the ground station and an air interface (Um) is extended to a cabin-based mobile as if the cabin-based mobile is ground-based. The cabin-based system includes the cabin-based mobile for communicating over the Um interface. A custom device emulates the Um interface and communicates with the cabin-based mobile. A cabin transceiver connected to the custom device communicates with the custom device and the satellite link. The ground station further comprises a ground transceiver for communicating with the satellite link. A handset emulator connected the ground transceiver emulates a handset and communicates with the ground transceiver. A ground Um interface communicates with the handset emulator and the base station transceiver communicates with the ground Um interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Dana J. Jensen
  • Patent number: 7734264
    Abstract: An access terminal (102) reacquires a system frame number (SFN) when a difference between a continuous counter elapsed time (220) and a calculated elapsed time (222) exceeds a threshold. The continuous counter elapsed time (220) is generated by a continuous counter (122) remaining active during a sleep state of the access terminal (102) and the calculated elapsed time (222) is based on a SFN derived from a counter value generated by a discontinuous counter (124) that is deactivated during the sleep state. In one aspect, the continuous counter (122) may be clocked by a continuous clock (118) during a sleep mode and the discontinuous counter (124) may be clocked by a faster clock (120) that is deactivated during the sleep mode. During reactivation after the sleep mode, the discontinuous counter (120) is set, at the counter set time, to a reset counter value (126) corresponding to an SFN indicated by the continuous counter (122).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Anil S. Rao, Chandra Kumar, Gurdeep Singh, Kiran Chikkappa, Messay Amerga, Maheedhar Gollamudi, Sudarshan Keshava
  • Patent number: 7734312
    Abstract: Disclosed is a radio base station including: a common control channel transmission unit configured to transmit a common control channel by using radio communications parameter to be assigned to each radio base station; a transmission level determination unit configured to transmit the common control channel according to a predetermined transmission pattern; a reception level supervision unit configured to acquire a reception level of the common control channel received by a mobile station; and an overlap determination unit configured to determine whether or not the predetermined radio communications parameter overlaps with a radio communications parameter used in a different radio base station based on the reception level acquired by the reception level supervision unit and the predetermined transmission pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: NTT DoCoMo, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hosono, Shinichi Mori, Takatoshi Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 7734260
    Abstract: Collisions between messages simultaneously transmitted by multiple spread-spectrum transmitters are reduced by distributing the transmissions over the available resources of the receiver. Each mobile station in a CDMA system uses one or more randomization methods to distribute its transmissions. In the first randomization, the mobile station time-delays its transmissions by a number of chips of the PN code with which it spreads the transmitted signal. In a second randomization, the mobile station randomly selects the PN code. In a third randomization, the mobile station inserts a random delay between successive message transmissions or probes if it does not receive an acknowledgement after a predetermined timeout period. A predetermined number of such transmissions is called a probe sequence. In a fourth randomization, the mobile station inserts a relatively long random delay between successive probe sequences if it does not receive an acknowledgement of any probe in the sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Edward G. Tiedemann, Jr., Lindsay A. Weaver, Jr., Roberto Padovani
  • Patent number: 7734270
    Abstract: An apparatus for an enhanced receiver for an RFID Tag Interrogator is described. The enhanced receiver has a zero crossing detector, a phase shifter, a pulse generator and a chopper. The zero crossing detector produces a sampling signal from the current transformer. The phase shifter modifies the sampling signal by producing a 90 degree phase shifted sampling signal. The pulse generator increases time duration of each pulse of the phase shifted sampling signal, which is then fed to the chopper. Thus, the chopper samples the backscattered carrier signal every 90 degree phase shift from the time when the backscattered carrier signal passes the zero crossing. This makes isolation of the backscattered signal from the carrier signal more effective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Kenetics Innovations Pte Ltd
    Inventor: Kai En Wong
  • Patent number: 7734268
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for leveling an increasing or decreasing slope of an AM modulated receiving signal attenuate the AM modulated receiving signal with an attenuation curve with a stepwise slope corresponding to the increasing or decreasing slope of said AM modulated receiving signal, filters the attenuated AM modulated receiving signal within AM-demodulation with a lowpass infinite-impulse-response filter of at least second order and increases the level of each delay-unit's output signal of the infinite-impulse-response filter each time a step in the attenuated AM modulated receiving signal arrives at the input of said infinite-impulse-response filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Reiner Hausdorf, Leo Brueckner
  • Patent number: 7729683
    Abstract: Aspects of a system for a power amplifier with an on-package matching transformer may include a DC/DC converter that enables generation of a bias voltage level within an IC die based on an amplitude of an input signal to a PA circuit within the IC die. The bias voltage level may be applied to a transformer, which is external to the IC die but internal to an IC package containing the IC die and/or a circuit board containing the IC package. One or more amplifier bias voltage levels, derived from the bias voltage level applied to the transformer, may be applied to the PA circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Ahmadreza Rofougaran
  • Patent number: 7636560
    Abstract: A Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) module and a Bluetooth module for a mobile communication terminal. A baseband unit for WLAN and Bluetooth, generates a signal indicating whether WLAN and Bluetooth services are in progress. A switch switches the at least two antennas to the Bluetooth module if only the Bluetooth service is in progress and switches the at least two antennas to the WLAN module if only the WLAN service is in progress. Therefore, antenna diversity is achieved if only one of the WLAN and Bluetooth services is in progress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Hyun-Chul Ku
  • Patent number: 7627284
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for mitigating communications interference between satellite communications systems in different orbits is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of evaluating a geometrical relationship between a second ground station and the satellites in the second satellite constellation, and directing communications between the second ground station and the second satellite according to the evaluated geometrical relationship. In one embodiment communications are handed over from a first satellite to another satellite when the first satellite is no longer at the highest elevation angle of visible satellites. In another embodiment, handover occurs when the first satellite drops below a minimum elevation angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur W. Wang
  • Patent number: 7627303
    Abstract: A signal downconverter having a pair of passive double sideband mixers for receiving quadrature RF signals and mixing the same with local oscillator driving signals to provide mixed differential signals. The mixed differential signals are fed to a differential difference feedback amplifier high frequency ripples are eliminated and finally providing a down converted output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Wipro Limited
    Inventors: Thomas Stoll, Peter Widerin
  • Patent number: 7616941
    Abstract: Aspects of a system for improving efficiency over power control for linear and class AB power amplifiers may include a current source circuit that enables determination of a bias current level for a PA circuit within an IC die based on an amplitude of an input modulation signal. The PA circuit may enable generation of an output signal based on a differential input signal and the input modulation signal to the current source circuit. A generated bias voltage may be applied to a transformer external to the IC die, but internal to an IC package containing the IC die and/or a circuit board containing the IC package. One or more amplifier bias voltage levels may be applied to the PA circuit wherein the amplifier bias voltage levels may be derived from the generated bias voltage level and/or the determined bias current level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Ahmadreza Rofougaran
  • Patent number: 7616932
    Abstract: A multi-channel amplifier has inputs via which input signals can be fed to the multi-channel amplifier. The input signals are amplified into output signals by amplifier channels of an amplification stage of the multi-channel amplifier and then are emitted via outputs of the multi-channel amplifier. An adjustment device is associated with the amplification device that allows dynamic adjustment of a limit power, up to which the respective output signal can be amplified, for each output. The limit power can be set to a maximum value for each output. The multi-channel amplifier is fashioned such that the sum of the limit powers of all outputs can always be simultaneously emitted independent of the current setting of the limit powers, but such that the sum of the limit powers is always smaller than the sum of the maximum values of all outputs. Such a multi-channel amplifier is particularly suitable for use in a transmission arrangement for radio-frequency signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Wilfried Schnell
  • Patent number: 7610032
    Abstract: A method for generating phase signals includes triggering a phase register to output a binary number stored in the phase register, wherein the phase register is triggered based at least in part on a voltage signal provided by a voltage controlled oscillator. The method also includes providing an input signal to a decoder, wherein the input signal is based at least in part on the binary number output by the phase register and the decoder is operable to generate phase signals in response to the input signals. The method further includes incrementing the binary number stored in the phase register and repeating the triggering and providing steps after the binary number is incremented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Microtune (Texas), L.P.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Davis
  • Patent number: 7606578
    Abstract: A method of generating a control signal to enable or inhibit a wide variety of applications is provided. The method generally includes the steps of determining the location of a first mobile radio terminal, determining the location of a second mobile radio terminal, comparing the locations of the terminals, and generating a control signal based upon the comparison. The control signal may be generated if the first and second mobile radio terminals are within a specified distance of one another. Alternatively, the control signal may be generated if the first and second mobile radio terminals are separated by at least a specified distance from one another. Additionally, the control signal may be generated if it is determined that the first mobile radio terminal is at a first specified location and the second mobile radio terminal is at a second specified location spacially separated from the first specified location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ)
    Inventors: David R. Irvin, Ali S. Khayrallah
  • Patent number: 7606540
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for using ambient RF power in a portable terminal are provided. In the charging apparatus, an antenna array receives RF signals left derelict in the air, a rectifier rectifies the RF signals to DC voltages, and a power storage stores the DC voltages as power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seong-Ho Yoon
  • Patent number: 7603100
    Abstract: A high-frequency wireless communication device is provided that is capable of enlarging the range of communication by enhancing reception sensitivity while avoiding mutual interference. The device comprises an antenna filter and a direct detection type reception mechanism connected to the antenna filter. A crystal filter is used as the antenna filter. A crystal chip constituting the crystal filter and an IC chip into which the reception mechanism is integrated are housed in a single modular container to configure a high-frequency wireless module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Akaike, Makoto Okamoto, Tsutomu Yamakawa, Minoru Fukuda, Kozo Ono, Nobuo Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 7596385
    Abstract: A method of discovering multi-mode mobile terminals (13) in a heterogeneous network environment, each multi-mode mobile terminal (13) having at least one interface for sending packet data to and/or receiving packet data from a home radio communication network (11) and a foreign radio communication network (12), said home radio communication network having a different access technology from said foreign radio communication network, each multi-mode mobile terminal (13) performing the steps of: (a) listening to said foreign radio communication network (12); (b) receiving and storing a foreign network indicator for indicating presence of said foreign radio communication network (12); and (c) transmitting said foreign network indicator to said home radio communication network (11); whereby said home radio communication network (11) may store a database comprising a mapping between a multi-mode mobile terminal identity, a home network indicator and a foreign network indicator, to facilitate interworking of said
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: King's College London
    Inventors: Abdol Hamid Aghvami, Paul Anthony Pangalos, Oliver Damian Holland