Patents by Inventor Johann-Peter Forstner
Johann-Peter Forstner 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).
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Publication number: 20150207532Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a circuit includes a mixer having a signal input port, a local oscillator input port and an output port, a lowpass filter circuit having an input coupled to the output port of the mixer and a terminal configured to be connected to a shunt capacitor, and a difference circuit having a first input coupled to the output port of the mixer, and a second input coupled to an output of the lowpass filter. The output of the difference circuit substantially rejects a DC signal component at the output port of the mixer.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2014Publication date: July 23, 2015Applicant: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Johann Peter Forstner, Markus Ortner
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Patent number: 8977210Abstract: A radio-frequency circuit has a signal processing unit for processing a symmetrical input signal, two signal inputs for receiving the symmetrical input signal, a connection which is used as a ground point for the symmetrical signal, and a line which connects the signal inputs and has a length which essentially corresponds to an odd-numbered multiple of half the wavelength of the input signal. A method for testing a radio-frequency circuit having a signal processing unit for processing a symmetrical input signal is additionally provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2007Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventor: Johann Peter Forstner
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Patent number: 8885768Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a phase shifter that includes an I/Q phase shifter and at least one LC balun. Compared to conventional phase shifters, phase shifter has primarily only LC components, thereby limiting losses relative to conventional solutions. In one embodiment, for example, a phase shifter shows a large bandwidth at 77 GHz center frequency (e.g., 1 dB amplitude error bandwidth is approximately 40 GHz; 1° phase error bandwidth is about 16.5 GHz). The inductors included in phase shifter, in contrast to the quarter wave transmission lines used in conventional phase shifters, reduces chip area compared with conventional solutions. In some embodiments, an emitter follower helps to provide a relatively constant output that is largely independent of temperature, input power, VCC, manufacturing variation, and so on.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2011Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Shoujun Yang, Johann Peter Forstner, Guenter Haider
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Patent number: 8860606Abstract: Radar sensor having a mixer for mixing a received signal with a reference signal and having a device for compensating interference signals which would overload the mixer, wherein the device for compensating the interference signals has an adjustable reflection point at the reference input of the mixer.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2010Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Armin Himmelstoss, Michael Klar, Johann-Peter Forstner, Thomas Binzer, Thomas Walter, Klaus-Dieter Miosga, Oliver Brueggemann, Alexander Fischer, Dirk Steinbuch, Herbert Jaeger, Erich Kolmhofer, Juergen Seiz, Elisabeth Hauk, Rahel Hauk, Manuel Hauk
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Patent number: 8791854Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a radar transmitter comprised within a single integrated chip substrate, which is capable of continuous beam steering of a transmitted radar beam as well as an option to change the physical position of the origin of the transmit radar beam. The radar transmitter has a signal generator that generates an RF signal. The RF signal is provided to a plurality of independent transmission chains, which contain independently operated vector modulators configured to introduce an individual phase adjustment to the high frequency input signal to generate separate RF output signals. A control unit is configured to selectively activate a subset of (e.g., two or more) the independent transmission chains. By activating the subset of independent transmission chains to generate RF output signals with separate phases, a beam steering functionality is enabled. Furthermore, the subset defines a changeable position of the transmitted radar beam.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Johann Peter Forstner, Udo Gerlach
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Patent number: 8471756Abstract: In one embodiment, RF front-end circuit includes a tunable matching network having an input coupled to an RF interface port, a directional coupler with a first connection coupled to an RF input of a mixer, a second connection coupled to an RF signal generation port, and a third connection coupled to an output of the tunable matching network. The directional coupler is configured to direct a signal from the RF signal generation port to the tunable matching network and to direct a signal from the tunable matching network port to the RF port of the mixer. The RF front-end circuit also has a tunable matching network control unit coupled to the tunable matching network. The control unit is configured to optimize an impedance match between the RF interface port and the output of the tunable matching network.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2012Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Andrei Grebennikov, Guenter Haider, Johann-Peter Forstner
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Publication number: 20130088383Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a radar transmitter comprised within a single integrated chip substrate, which is capable of continuous beam steering of a transmitted radar beam as well as an option to change the physical position of the origin of the transmit radar beam. The radar transmitter has a signal generator that generates an RF signal. The RF signal is provided to a plurality of independent transmission chains, which contain independently operated vector modulators configured to introduce an individual phase adjustment to the high frequency input signal to generate separate RF output signals. A control unit is configured to selectively activate a subset of (e.g., two or more) the independent transmission chains. By activating the subset of independent transmission chains to generate RF output signals with separate phases, a beam steering functionality is enabled. Furthermore, the subset defines a changeable position of the transmitted radar beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2011Publication date: April 11, 2013Applicant: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Johann Peter Forstner, Udo Gerlach
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Publication number: 20130070868Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a phase shifter that includes an I/Q phase shifter and at least one LC balun. Compared to conventional phase shifters, phase shifter has primarily only LC components, thereby limiting losses relative to conventional solutions. In one embodiment, for example, a phase shifter shows a large bandwidth at 77 GHz center frequency (e.g., 1 dB amplitude error bandwidth is approximately 40 GHz; 1° phase error bandwidth is about 16.5 GHz). The inductors included in phase shifter, in contrast to the quarter wave transmission lines used in conventional phase shifters, reduces chip area compared with conventional solutions. In some embodiments, an emitter follower helps to provide a relatively constant output that is largely independent of temperature, input power, VCC, manufacturing variation, and so on.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2011Publication date: March 21, 2013Applicant: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Shoujun Yang, Johann Peter Forstner, Guenter Haider
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Publication number: 20120326919Abstract: Radar sensor having a mixer for mixing a received signal with a reference signal and having a device for compensating interference signals which would overload the mixer, wherein the device for compensating the interference signals has an adjustable reflection point at the reference input of the mixer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2010Publication date: December 27, 2012Inventors: Armin Himmelstoss, Michael Klar, Johann-Peter Forstner, Thomas Binzer, Thomas Walter, Klaus-Dieter Miosga, Oliver Brueggemann, Alexander Fischer, Joachim Hauk, Elisabeth Hauk, Rahel Hauk, Manuel Hauk, Dirk Steinbuch, Herbert Jaeger, Erick Kolmhofer, Juergen Seiz
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Publication number: 20120229330Abstract: In one embodiment, RF front-end circuit includes a tunable matching network having an input coupled to an RF interface port, a directional coupler with a first connection coupled to an RF input of a mixer, a second connection coupled to an RF signal generation port, and a third connection coupled to an output of the tunable matching network. The directional coupler is configured to direct a signal from the RF signal generation port to the tunable matching network and to direct a signal from the tunable matching network port to the RF port of the mixer. The RF front-end circuit also has a tunable matching network control unit coupled to the tunable matching network. The control unit is configured to optimize an impedance match between the RF interface port and the output of the tunable matching network.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2012Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AGInventors: Andrei Grebennikov, Guenter Haider, Johann-Peter Forstner
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Patent number: 8188904Abstract: In one embodiment, RF front-end circuit includes a tunable matching network having an input coupled to an RF interface port, a directional coupler with a first connection coupled to an RF input of a mixer, a second connection coupled to an RF signal generation port, and a third connection coupled to an output of the tunable matching network. The directional coupler is configured to direct a signal from the RF signal generation port to the tunable matching network and to direct a signal from the tunable matching network port to the RF port of the mixer. The RF front-end circuit also has a tunable matching network control unit coupled to the tunable matching network. The control unit is configured to optimize an impedance match between the RF interface port and the output of the tunable matching network.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2008Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Andrei Grebennikov, Guenter Haider, Johann-Peter Forstner
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Patent number: 7880477Abstract: An integrated circuit arrangement has a signal input 20 and a signal output 60, a signal processing unit 100 which is connected to the signal input 20 and to the signal output 60, a noise source 50 for generating a noise signal, and a noise line 55 which connects the noise source 50 to the signal input 20.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2007Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventor: Johann Peter Forstner
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Publication number: 20100312518Abstract: An integrated circuit arrangement has a signal input 20 and a signal output 60, a signal processing unit 100 which is connected to the signal input 20 and to the signal output 60, a noise source 50 for generating a noise signal, and a noise line 55 which connects the noise source 50 to the signal input 20.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2010Publication date: December 9, 2010Applicant: Infineon Technologies AGInventor: Johann Peter Forstner
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Patent number: 7741863Abstract: A circuit structure has a circuit portion with negative resistance and a test resonator structure. Furthermore, the circuit structure has a unit for coupling the test resonator structure to the circuit portion with negative resistance during testing and for decoupling the test resonator structure from the circuit portion with negative resistance after testing.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2008Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventor: Johann Peter Forstner
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Patent number: 7576687Abstract: An RF front-end circuit includes a directional coupler, a mixer, and a reflection circuit. The directional coupler is adapted to receive an antenna signal and an oscillator signal. The mixer is coupled to the directional coupler to receive the antenna signal and is further adapted to receive a mixer signal and to generate an output signal related to the antenna signal and the mixer signal. The reflection circuit is coupled to the directional coupler to receive the oscillator signal and is adapted to reflect at least a portion of the oscillator signal to the mixer via the directional coupler to counteract a parasitic portion of the oscillator signal received at the mixer.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2007Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventor: Johann Peter Forstner
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Publication number: 20090096477Abstract: A circuit structure has a circuit portion with negative resistance and a test resonator structure. Furthermore, the circuit structure has a unit for coupling the test resonator structure to the circuit portion with negative resistance during testing and for decoupling the test resonator structure from the circuit portion with negative resistance after testing.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2008Publication date: April 16, 2009Applicant: Infineon Technologies AGInventor: Johann Peter Forstner
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Patent number: 7492180Abstract: A circuit structure has a circuit portion with negative resistance and a test resonator structure. Furthermore, the circuit structure has a unit for coupling the test resonator structure to the circuit portion with negative resistance during testing and for decoupling the test resonator structure from the circuit portion with negative resistance after testing.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2006Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventor: Johann Peter Forstner
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Patent number: 7482972Abstract: An integrated circuit has an input terminal, a first circuit portion having a first coupler coupled to the input terminal and a first mixer coupled to the first coupler. A first antenna terminal is coupled to the first coupler. A second circuit portion has a second coupler coupled to the input terminal and a second mixer coupled to the second coupler, and a second antenna terminal is coupled to the second coupler.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2006Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Johann Peter Forstner, Bernhard Dehlink
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Publication number: 20090023405Abstract: An RF front-end circuit includes a directional coupler, a mixer, and a reflection circuit. The directional coupler is adapted to receive an antenna signal and an oscillator signal. The mixer is coupled to the directional coupler to receive the antenna signal and is further adapted to receive a mixer signal and to generate an output signal related to the antenna signal and the mixer signal. The reflection circuit is coupled to the directional coupler to receive the oscillator signal and is adapted to reflect at least a portion of the oscillator signal to the mixer via the directional coupler to counteract a parasitic portion of the oscillator signal received at the mixer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2007Publication date: January 22, 2009Inventor: Johann Peter Forstner
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Publication number: 20080191710Abstract: An integrated circuit arrangement has a signal input 20 and a signal output 60, a signal processing unit 100 which is connected to the signal input 20 and to the signal output 60, a noise source 50 for generating a noise signal, and a noise line 55 which connects the noise source 50 to the signal input 20.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2007Publication date: August 14, 2008Inventor: Johann Peter Forstner