Abstract: Methods and devices provide a test signal to each of a plurality of antenna channels via a test signal line. Each antenna channel includes an amplitude adjustor and a phase adjustor associated with at least one antenna element. For each antenna channel, the test signal provided to the antenna channels is modulated to produce a modulated test signal. The modulated test signal is produced by: i) controlling the amplitude adjustor of the antenna channel to vary a current amplitude of the test signal between a plurality of amplitude states, and ii) controlling the phase adjustor of the antenna channel to vary a current phase of the test signal between a plurality of phase states. A received test signal received from the antenna channels is processed to determine amplitude and phase errors associated with the modulated test signals associated with the antenna channels.

Abstract: A noise canceler for use in a transceiver is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a split amplifier to output an amplified transmit signal, the split amplifier providing a first noise attenuation factor in a receive band. The apparatus also includes a transmit antenna to transmit the amplified transmit signal, the transmit antenna being isolated from a receive antenna by an antenna isolation factor that provides a second noise attenuation factor in the receive band. The apparatus also includes a noise canceler configured to subtract a detection signal from a received signal to obtain an adjusted received signal, wherein subtraction of the detection signal provides a third noise attenuation factor in the receive band, and wherein the first, second, and third noise attenuation factors combine to provide a selected amount of noise attenuation in the receive band.

Abstract: Transceivers implemented with a combination of super-heterodyne and zero intermediate frequency (ZIF) topologies are disclosed. In an exemplary design, an apparatus includes a frequency conversion circuit and a local oscillator (LO) generator. The LO generator generates a first LO signal and a second LO signal. The frequency conversion circuit performs frequency conversion (i) between intermediate frequency (IF) and baseband, based on the first LO signal, for an IF signal and (ii) between radio frequency (RF) and baseband, based on the second LO signal, for an RF signal. The frequency conversion circuit may perform frequency downconversion (i) from IF to baseband for a super-heterodyne receiver and (ii) from RF to baseband for a ZIF receiver. Alternatively or additionally, the frequency conversion circuit may perform frequency upconversion (i) from baseband to IF for a super-heterodyne transmitter and (ii) from baseband to RF for a ZIF transmitter.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are related to a dual-mode controller. A device may include a controller configured to convey a signal to a low-noise block (LNB) via a transmission line and circuitry configured to sense at least one parameter of the transmission line. The device may further include logic coupled to the circuitry and configured to determine whether the transmission line is available for transmission based on the at least one sensed parameter.

Abstract: A noise canceler for use in a transceiver is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a split amplifier to output an amplified transmit signal, the split amplifier providing a first noise attenuation factor in a receive band. The apparatus also includes a transmit antenna to transmit the amplified transmit signal, the transmit antenna being isolated from a receive antenna by an antenna isolation factor that provides a second noise attenuation factor in the receive band. The apparatus also includes a noise canceler configured to subtract a detection signal from a received signal to obtain an adjusted received signal, wherein subtraction of the detection signal provides a third noise attenuation factor in the receive band, and wherein the first, second, and third noise attenuation factors combine to provide a selected amount of noise attenuation in the receive band.

Abstract: A wireless device is described. The wireless device includes a tunable front end module. The tunable front end module includes a Tx microelectromechanical system bandpass filter. The tunable front end module also includes a first Rx microelectromechanical system bandpass filter. The wireless device also includes a power amplifier. The wireless device further includes a low noise amplifier.

Abstract: A wireless device with built-in self test (BIST) capability for testing/calibrating transmit and receive circuits is disclosed. In an exemplary design, an apparatus (e.g., a wireless device or an integrated circuit) includes a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit (e.g., a transmitter or a mixer) provides a test signal to at least one transmit path. The test signal is electro-magnetically coupled from the output of the at least one transmit path to a test signal line. For example, the test signal may be provided from the at least one transmit path via at least one antenna feed line to at least one antenna element and may be electro-magnetically coupled from the at least one antenna feed line to the test signal line. The second circuit (e.g., a buffer, a receiver, or a mixer) processes a received test signal from the test signal line.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are related to a dual-mode controller. A device may include a controller configured to convey a signal to a low-noise block (LNB) via a transmission line and circuitry configured to sense at least one parameter of the transmission line. The device may further include logic coupled to the circuitry and configured to determine whether the transmission line is available for transmission based on the at least one sensed parameter.

Abstract: Transceivers implemented with a combination of super-heterodyne and zero intermediate frequency (ZIF) topologies are disclosed. In an exemplary design, an apparatus includes a frequency conversion circuit and a local oscillator (LO) generator. The LO generator generates a first LO signal and a second LO signal. The frequency conversion circuit performs frequency conversion (i) between intermediate frequency (IF) and baseband, based on the first LO signal, for an IF signal and (ii) between radio frequency (RF) and baseband, based on the second LO signal, for an RF signal. The frequency conversion circuit may perform frequency downconversion (i) from IF to baseband for a super-heterodyne receiver and (ii) from RF to baseband for a ZIF receiver. Alternatively or additionally, the frequency conversion circuit may perform frequency upconversion (i) from baseband to IF for a super-heterodyne transmitter and (ii) from baseband to RF for a ZIF transmitter.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for QAM modulation are disclosed using dual polar modulation. QAM modulation of a signal is accomplished by translating a QAM signal into two phasors having the same or constant amplitude and then phase shifting one of the phasor by 180 degrees for a differential load. The phasors are then polar modulated such that, when differentially combined in the load through summation or superposition, a QAM modulated symbol results. The use of constant amplitude phasors when power amplified for transmission of QAM modulated signals allows amplifiers to be operated in a saturation mode with greater efficiency than conventional amplifiers used in QAM modulation, which operate in a less efficient linear mode to effect amplitude modulation. Additionally, differential combining of the phasors affords relaxation of the turns of a transformer used in amplifying the phasors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a jammer comprising sampling an input signal; downconverting and sampling the input signal to generate a sampled downconverted (SD) input signal; comparing the sampled input signal to a wideband threshold THWB, and comparing the SD input signal to a narrowband threshold THNB; generating a wideband (WB) interrupt signal based on the comparison to the THWB, and generating a narrowband (NB) interrupt signal based on the comparison to the THNB; and generating a composite interrupt signal based on at least one of WB interrupt signal and NB interrupt signal. In one aspect, the apparatus comprises a wideband jammer detector for generating a WB interrupt signal to indicate a wideband jammer; a narrowband jammer detector for generating a NB interrupt signal to indicate a narrowband jammer; and interrupt logic for generating a composite interrupt signal based on one of WB interrupt signal and NB interrupt signal.

Abstract: A wireless device is described. The wireless device includes a tunable front end module. The tunable front end module includes a Tx microelectromechanical system bandpass filter. The tunable front end module also includes a first Rx microelectromechanical system bandpass filter. The wireless device also includes a power amplifier. The wireless device further includes a low noise amplifier.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a dual antenna distributed radio frequency front end (RFFE). RFFE topologies described herein may provide lower insertion loss (IL), reduced emission mask, decreased power consumption, and/or lower noise figure (NF) compared to conventional RFFE topologies. One example apparatus for wireless communications generally includes first and second power amplifiers (PAs) for amplifying signals for transmission, a transmit antenna for transmitting the amplified signals, a receive antenna for receiving other signals to be processed in a receive path, and a first transmit filter configured to filter the amplified signals from the first PA before amplification by the second PA. For certain aspects, a divided inter-stage filter providing overlapping frequency bands may be utilized. For certain aspects, the RFFE may support frequency-division duplexing (FDD)/TDD (time-division duplexing) coexistence, including support for FDD/TDD MIMO (multiple input multiple output).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for QAM modulation are disclosed using dual polar modulation. QAM modulation of a signal is accomplished by translating a QAM signal into two phasors having the same or constant amplitude and then phase shifting one of the phasor by 180 degrees for a differential load. The phasors are then polar modulated such that, when differentially combined in the load through summation or superposition, a QAM modulated symbol results. The use of constant amplitude phasors when power amplified for transmission of QAM modulated signals allows amplifiers to be operated in a saturation mode with greater efficiency than conventional amplifiers used in QAM modulation, which operate in a less efficient linear mode to effect amplitude modulation. Additionally, differential combining of the phasors affords relaxation of the turns of a transformer used in amplifying the phasors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for toggling between a first mode and a second mode of a receiver based on an input signal level comprising comparing a gain state of the receiver to at least one gain state thresholds; determining the presence of a jammer; and switching a current mode of the receiver to a new mode based on the presence of the jammer and the comparison of the gain state. In one aspect, the apparatus comprises two LNAs operating in different modes; a jammer detector to provide a jammer interrupt bit to indicate the presence of a jammer; and an automatic gain control (AGC) circuit coupled to the jammer detector for receiving the jammer interrupt bit, wherein the AGC circuit selects between the two LNAs based on the jammer interrupt bit and a gain state comparison.

Abstract: Jammer detection is operable in both continuous and burst modes, managing a jammer attack in both cases. Whether in continuous or burst mode, jammer presence is detected according to a burst jammer environment. Results of jammer presence detection are stored to create a history of the jammer presence, and the history is used to manage the jammer attack.

Abstract: Jammer detection is operable in both continuous and burst modes, managing a jammer attack in both cases. Whether in continuous or burst mode, jammer presence is detected according to a burst jammer environment. Results of jammer presence detection are stored to create a history of the jammer presence, and the history is used to manage the jammer attack. Jammer detector thresholds are implemented with hysteresis, and a hysteresis pinch-off characteristic is mitigated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a jammer comprising sampling an input signal; downconverting and sampling the input signal to generate a sampled downconverted (SD) input signal; comparing the sampled input signal to a wideband threshold THWB, and comparing the SD input signal to a narrowband threshold THNB; generating a wideband (WB) interrupt signal based on the comparison to the THWB, and generating a narrowband (NB) interrupt signal based on the comparison to the THNB; and generating a composite interrupt signal based on at least one of WB interrupt signal and NB interrupt signal. In one aspect, the apparatus comprises a wideband jammer detector for generating a WB interrupt signal to indicate a wideband jammer; a narrowband jammer detector for generating a NB interrupt signal to indicate a narrowband jammer; and interrupt logic for generating a composite interrupt signal based on one of WB interrupt signal and NB interrupt signal.