Abstract: Various aspects of this disclosure provide a receiver. The receiver may include a down-converter configured to down-convert a received communication signal at a predefined carrier frequency, with a reference signal received from a reference signal generator, and a processor configured to perform a signal quality detection to identify a signal quality metric of the received communication signal at the predefined carrier frequency, and to provide a frequency adjusting signal to the reference signal generator to change the frequency of the reference signal based on the performed signal quality detection to identify the signal quality metric of the received communication signal at the predefined carrier frequency.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure include adaptively generating a bias current for a switched-capacitor circuit. An exemplary apparatus includes a first phase signal and a second phase signal operating at a sampling rate. An asserted time of the first phase signal and an asserted time of the second phase signal are separated by a predefined non-overlap time. The apparatus also includes a switched-capacitor circuit with a plurality of switched capacitors operably coupled to the first phase signal and the second phase signal. An amplifier is operably coupled to the switched-capacitor circuit and has a response time inversely proportional to an adaptive bias current. A bias generator is coupled to the amplifier and operates to modify the adaptive bias current responsive to the asserted time of the first phase signal.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure include adaptively generating a bias current for a switched-capacitor circuit. An exemplary apparatus includes a first phase signal and a second phase signal operating at a sampling rate. An asserted time of the first phase signal and an asserted time of the second phase signal are separated by a predefined non-overlap time. The apparatus also includes a switched-capacitor circuit with a plurality of switched capacitors operably coupled to the first phase signal and the second phase signal. An amplifier is operably coupled to the switched-capacitor circuit and has a response time inversely proportional to an adaptive bias current. A bias generator is coupled to the amplifier and operates to modify the adaptive bias current responsive to the asserted time of the first phase signal.

Abstract: An antenna composed of an array of helical radiators has, in accordance with a methodology of the invention, a physical structure for reducing mutual coupling between closely spaced radiators so as to permit a reduction in spacing of the radiators. The radiators are mounted upon a mounting base, such as a ground plane element, with the helical radiators extending forward of the mounting base. Distances between the radiators and the mounting base are staggered in an amount approximately equal to one turn of a helix. The stagger distance corresponds approximately to one quarter of a free-space wavelength. The staggering significantly reduces the mutual coupling so as to permit closer spacing of the helical radiators such as, by way of example, in the formation of a feed directing radiant energy to a reflector of the antenna.

Abstract: A bag support frame that comprises a collapsible and adjustable multi-leg stand, and an adjustable bag mouth frame connected to the stand. The stand is vertically adjustable relative to ground level to support the bag by resting it on the ground at all times, and is designed to support the bag mouth frame in a generally horizontal plane above ground level. The bag mouth frame is vertically adjustable relative to the hook connected to the top of the stand to fit the size of a lawn mower's grass bag or the like, and is also horizontally adjustable for varying the frame's mouth size as desired to fit the mouth size of the bag resting on the ground.