Patents by Inventor Danilo Manstretta

Danilo Manstretta has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9490745
    Abstract: A voltage-controlled oscillator comprises a tank circuit and first and second pairs of transistors. Each transistor comprises a gate, a drain, and a source. The drains of the first pair are coupled to the tank circuit and the gates of the first pair are cross-coupled with the drains of the first pair. The drains of the second pair are coupled to the tank circuit and the gates of the second pair are cross-coupled with the drains of the second pair. The oscillator includes a first resonant filter comprising a first terminal coupled to the sources of the first pair and a second resonant filter comprising a first terminal coupled to the sources of the second pair. A method includes adjusting capacitance in a resonant filter to cause the resonant filter to resonate based on a selected frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Stefano Dal Toso, Rinaldo Castello, Marco Garampazzi, Paulo Mateus Mendes, Nicola Codega, Danilo Manstretta
  • Patent number: 8587381
    Abstract: An amplifier and a method are provided for converting a single ended signal to an amplified differential signal. The amplifier comprises an input configured to receive a single ended signal, a differential amplifier that outputs an amplified differential signal based on the single ended signal, and a compensator coupled to the differential amplifier and configured to inject an adjusted distortion compensating signal based on the even order distortion signal to compensate for a distortion in the amplified differential signal. The method comprises receiving a single ended signal, converting the single ended signal to an amplified differential signal, and generating a distortion compensating signal to substantially cancel an even order distortion signal injected to the differential signal by the converting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Danilo Manstretta, Fernando DeBernardinis
  • Patent number: 8149971
    Abstract: A wireless receiver detects signals received at two or more antennas, with each antenna coupled to an input receive chain. A switch is employed to couple selected input receive chains to one or more corresponding output receive chains during listening, coarse-detection, and fine-adjustment modes. At least one channel selection filter (CSF) is employed in each output receive chain, and the receiver employs sub-ranging. During idle mode, one antenna's input receive chain is connected to two or more CSFs to detect the packet. When the packet is detected, during a coarse-adjustment mode, the CSFs are reconfigured to couple each antenna's input receive chain to a corresponding output receive chain using low-gain signals. During fine-adjustment mode, the various gains are adjusted to be either high- or low-gain to maintain signals within the dynamic range of the corresponding CSFs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Joachim S. Hammerschmidt, Danilo Manstretta
  • Publication number: 20110299618
    Abstract: A wireless receiver detects signals received at two or more antennas, with each antenna coupled to an input receive chain. A switch is employed to couple selected input receive chains to one or more corresponding output receive chains during listening, coarse-detection, and fine-adjustment modes. At least one channel selection filter (CSF) is employed in each output receive chain, and the receiver employs sub-ranging. During idle mode, one antenna's input receive chain is connected to two or more CSFs to detect the packet. When the packet is detected, during a coarse-adjustment mode, the CSFs are reconfigured to couple each antenna's input receive chain to a corresponding output receive chain using low-gain signals. During fine-adjustment mode, the various gains are adjusted to be either high- or low-gain to maintain signals within the dynamic range of the corresponding CSFs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Joachim S. Hammerschmidt, Danilo Manstretta
  • Patent number: 8031808
    Abstract: A wireless receiver detects signals received at two or more antennas, with each antenna coupled to an input receive chain. A switch is employed to couple selected input receive chains to one or more corresponding output receive chains during listening, coarse-detection, and fine-adjustment modes. At least one channel selection filter (CSF) is employed in each output receive chain, and the receiver employs sub-ranging. During idle mode, one antenna's input receive chain is connected to two or more CSFs to detect the packet. When the packet is detected, during a coarse-adjustment mode, the CSFs are reconfigured to couple each antenna's input receive chain to a corresponding output receive chain using low-gain signals. During fine-adjustment mode, the various gains are adjusted to be either high- or low-gain to maintain signals within the dynamic range of the corresponding CSFs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Joachim S. Hammerschmidt, Danilo Manstretta
  • Patent number: 7994865
    Abstract: An amplifier and a method for converting a single ended signal to an amplified differential signal. The amplifier comprises an input configured to receive a single ended signal, a differential amplifier that outputs an amplified differential signal based on the single ended signal, and a compensator coupled to the differential amplifier and configured to inject an adjusted distortion compensating signal based on the even order distortion signal to compensate for a distortion in the amplified differential signal. The method comprises receiving a single ended signal, converting the single ended signal to an amplified differential signal, and generating a distortion compensating signal to substantially cancel an even order distortion signal injected to the differential signal by the converting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Danilo Manstretta, Fernando De Bernardinis
  • Patent number: 7724085
    Abstract: The variable gain amplifier includes a forward path that provides the amplifier variable gain, and a feedback path. The feedback path uses a switch that is turned on at low gain levels. The switch taps into the feedback resistor, shunting it to signal-ground and eliminating the feedback mechanism. This ensures that the input impedance seen at the input port does not grow excessively, using part of the feedback resistor as a passive termination at low gain levels. In this way variable gain ranges in excess of 30 dB can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Danilo Manstretta
  • Patent number: 7509110
    Abstract: A mixer produces an improved output signal during frequency translation of an input signal using a local oscillator (LO) signal. The mixer includes five component mixers connected in parallel. Each component mixer uses a phase-shifted version of the LO signal for frequency translation to produce a component output signal from the input signal. The component output signals are scaled according to corresponding gain factors and combined to form the output signal. When the mixer is used in a receiver, the phases of the component LO signals and the gain factors are configured to substantially cancel overlapping baseband versions of component input signals located at the third, fifth, seventh and ninth harmonics of the LO frequency. When used in a transmitter, the same phase and gain factor configurations substantially cancel third, fifth, seventh and ninth harmonics within the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Hayashi, Danilo Manstretta
  • Patent number: 7504813
    Abstract: A power detector having temperature compensation for improved measurement performance includes a pair of rectifier transistors coupled to a differential input signal biased by a first temperature dependent current. An output of the pair of rectifier transistors provides a first component of a differential DC output signal. The first component of the differential DC output signal includes a DC voltage proportional to an amplitude of the differential input signal plus an offset voltage. The power detector further includes a reference transistor biased by a reference current. The reference current includes a second temperature dependent current and a temperature independent offset current for temperature compensation. An output of the reference transistor provides a second component of the differential DC output signal that includes a reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Danilo Manstretta
  • Publication number: 20080130773
    Abstract: A wireless receiver detects signals received at two or more antennas, with each antenna coupled to an input receive chain. A switch is employed to couple selected input receive chains to one or more corresponding output receive chains during listening, coarse-detection, and fine-adjustment modes. At least one channel selection filter (CSF) is employed in each output receive chain, and the receiver employs sub-ranging. During idle mode, one antenna's input receive chain is connected to two or more CSFs to detect the packet. When the packet is detected, during a coarse-adjustment mode, the CSFs are reconfigured to couple each antenna's input receive chain to a corresponding output receive chain using low-gain signals. During fine-adjustment mode, the various gains are adjusted to be either high- or low-gain to maintain signals within the dynamic range of the corresponding CSFs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: AGERE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Joachim S. Hammerschmidt, Danilo Manstretta
  • Patent number: 7356322
    Abstract: A wireless receiver detects signals received at two or more antennas, with each antenna coupled to an input receive chain. A switch is employed to couple selected input receive chains to one or more corresponding output receive chains during listening, coarse-detection, and fine-adjustment modes. At least one channel selection filter (CSF) is employed in each output receive chain, and the receiver employs sub-ranging. During idle mode, one antenna's input receive chain is connected to two or more CSFs to detect the packet. When the packet is detected, during a coarse-adjustment mode, the CSFs are reconfigured to couple each antenna's input receive chain to a corresponding output receive chain using low-gain signals. During fine-adjustment mode, the various gains are adjusted to be either high- or low-gain to maintain signals within the dynamic range of the corresponding CSFs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Joachim S. Hammerschmidt, Danilo Manstretta
  • Publication number: 20080068076
    Abstract: The variable gain amplifier includes a forward path that provides the amplifier variable gain, and a feedback path. The feedback path uses a switch that is turned on at low gain levels. The switch taps into the feedback resistor, shunting it to signal-ground and eliminating the feedback mechanism. This ensures that the input impedance seen at the input port does not grow excessively, using part of the feedback resistor as a passive termination at low gain levels. In this way variable gain ranges in excess of 30 dB can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Danilo Manstretta
  • Patent number: 7301394
    Abstract: The variable gain amplifier includes a forward path that provides the amplifier variable gain, and a feedback path. The feedback path uses a switch that is turned on at low gain levels. The switch taps into the feedback resistor, shunting it to signal-ground and eliminating the feedback mechanism. This ensures that the input impedance seen at the input port does not grow excessively, using part of the feedback resistor as a passive termination at low gain levels. In this way variable gain ranges in excess of 30 dB can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Danilo Manstretta
  • Publication number: 20060205370
    Abstract: A mixer produces an improved output signal during frequency translation of an input signal using a local oscillator (LO) signal. The mixer includes five component mixers connected in parallel. Each component mixer uses a phase-shifted version of the LO signal for frequency translation to produce a component output signal from the input signal. The component output signals are scaled according to corresponding gain factors and combined to form the output signal. When the mixer is used in a receiver, the phases of the component LO signals and the gain factors are configured to substantially cancel overlapping baseband versions of component input signals located at the third, fifth, seventh and ninth harmonics of the LO frequency. When used in a transmitter, the same phase and gain factor configurations substantially cancel third, fifth, seventh and ninth harmonics within the output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Hayashi, Danilo Manstretta
  • Publication number: 20060125557
    Abstract: The variable gain amplifier includes a forward path that provides the amplifier variable gain, and a feedback path. The feedback path uses a switch that is turned on at low gain levels. The switch taps into the feedback resistor, shunting it to signal-ground and eliminating the feedback mechanism. This ensures that the input impedance seen at the input port does not grow excessively, using part of the feedback resistor as a passive termination at low gain levels. In this way variable gain ranges in excess of 30 dB can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Danilo Manstretta
  • Publication number: 20060125453
    Abstract: A power detector having temperature compensation for improved measurement performance includes a pair of rectifier transistors coupled to a differential input signal biased by a first temperature dependent current. An output of the pair of rectifier transistors provides a first component of a differential DC output signal. The first component of the differential DC output signal includes a DC voltage proportional to an amplitude of the differential input signal plus an offset voltage. The power detector further includes a reference transistor biased by a reference current. The reference current includes a second temperature dependent current and a temperature independent offset current for temperature compensation. An output of the reference transistor provides a second component of the differential DC output signal that includes a reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Danilo Manstretta
  • Publication number: 20050255815
    Abstract: A wireless receiver detects signals received at two or more antennas, with each antenna coupled to an input receive chain. A switch is employed to couple selected input receive chains to one or more corresponding output receive chains during listening, coarse-detection, and fine-adjustment modes. At least one channel selection filter (CSF) is employed in each output receive chain, and the receiver employs sub-ranging. During idle mode, one antenna's input receive chain is connected to two or more CSFs to detect the packet. When the packet is detected, during a coarse-adjustment mode, the CSFs are reconfigured to couple each antenna's input receive chain to a corresponding output receive chain using low-gain signals. During fine-adjustment mode, the various gains are adjusted to be either high- or low-gain to maintain signals within the dynamic range of the corresponding CSFs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Publication date: November 17, 2005
    Inventors: Joachim Hammerschmidt, Danilo Manstretta