Patents by Inventor Nick Cowley
Nick Cowley 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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Patent number: 8743977Abstract: Techniques for the reception and processing of wireless signals are disclosed. For instance, an apparatus may include a first hardware module (e.g., a mixed signal module) and a second hardware module (e.g., a digital signal module). The first hardware module may convert an analog signal corresponding to a received wireless signal into a digital signal having a first sampling rate. In turn, channel filtering may be performed on this digital signal. Following this, the filtered digital signal may be resampled from the first sampling rate to a second sampling rate. At this point, the resampled signal may be transferred across an interface from the first hardware module to the second hardware module. Upon receipt, the second hardware module may correct a sampling rate error in the second sampling rate, and demodulate the digital signal into one or more symbols.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2009Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Bernard Arambepola, Nick Cowley
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Patent number: 8351862Abstract: Device, system, and method of mitigating interference to digital television signals. For example, an apparatus includes a diversity-based digital television receiver having a filter controller and at least first and second channel paths, wherein the first channel path includes a first Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) reject filter, the second channel path includes a second GSM reject filter, the second channel path is parallel to the first channel path, and the filter controller is to selectively switch an operational state of the first GSM reject filter.Type: GrantFiled: January 1, 2008Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Ernest T. Tsui, Nick Cowley, Bernard Arambepola
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Patent number: 8116404Abstract: The present disclosure provides a diversity receiver. The diversity receiver includes a plurality of tuners, a plurality of demodulators operatively coupled to the plurality of tuners and a controller operatively coupled to the plurality of demodulators and the plurality of tuners. Each tuner is capable of receiving a modulated signal from a path of a plurality of distinct paths. The controller determines information for each path and computes a ratio of signal strength to an additive noise for each path based on determined information. Further, the controller adjusts power of signal in each path based on comparison of computed ratio of signal strength to additive noise with a predetermined threshold. The diversity receiver also includes a MRC circuitry operatively coupled to the plurality of demodulators and configured to combine the signal of each path for obtaining a resultant combined signal having an improved ratio of signal strength to additive noise.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2007Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Bernard Arambepola, Nick Cowley
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Patent number: 8036319Abstract: A direct conversion receiver and a method for correcting phase imbalance including applying an input signal to an in-phase channel and a quadrature channel of the receiver. The input signal is processed by the receiver to obtain an in-phase zero intermediate frequency (IF) signal in the in-phase channel and a quadrature zero-IF signal in the quadrature channel. The in-phase zero-IF signal and the quadrature zero-IF signal are filtered to obtain a fixed band signal. A phase imbalance correction value is obtained for the fixed-band quadrature zero-IF signal as a function of the frequency of the fixed-band in-phase zero-IF signal and the fixed-band quadrature zero-IF signal. The in-phase zero-IF signal and the quadrature zero-IF signal are sampled and the phase imbalance correction value is applied using an interpolation to the sampled quadrature zero-IF signal or to the sampled in-phase zero-IF signal to correct the phase imbalance in the direct conversion receiver.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2007Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Bernard Arambepola, Nick Cowley
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Publication number: 20100322326Abstract: Techniques for the reception and processing of wireless signals are disclosed. For instance, an apparatus may include a first hardware module (e.g., a mixed signal module) and a second hardware module (e.g., a digital signal module). The first hardware module may convert an analog signal corresponding to a received wireless signal into a digital signal having a first sampling rate. In turn, channel filtering may be performed on this digital signal. Following this, the filtered digital signal may be resampled from the first sampling rate to a second sampling rate. At this point, the resampled signal may be transferred across an interface from the first hardware module to the second hardware module. Upon receipt, the second hardware module may correct a sampling rate error in the second sampling rate, and demodulate the digital signal into one or more symbols.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2009Publication date: December 23, 2010Inventors: Bernard Arambepola, Nick Cowley
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Publication number: 20100165212Abstract: Techniques for the selection of signals from multiple sources are disclosed. For instance, an apparatus may include a first tuner module, a second tuner module, and a multiplexer. The first tuner module generates a first tuned signal from a first RF signal, and the second tuner module generates a second tuned signal from a second RF signal. The first RF signal corresponds to a first signal source, and the second RF signal corresponds to a second signal source. Based on a selection signal, the multiplexer selects one of the first tuned signal and the second tuned signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2008Publication date: July 1, 2010Inventors: Nick Cowley, Peter Coe
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Patent number: 7672653Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to removing interfering signals in a broadband radio frequency (RF) receiver by implementing a silicon tuner arranged to replicate high quality factor (Q) performance without the advantages of using high Q components available for module tuners. In one or more embodiments, tuned filter elements within a broadband silicon tuner are reused to maximize the attenuation of unwanted signals while minimizing induced undesirable channel ripple. In various implementations, a number of tuned passive inductor/capacitor filter elements are combined as required such that filter elements for an unused frequency band are reconfigured to provide attenuation of and enhanced immunity to unwanted signals. Other embodiments are described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2007Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Nick Cowley, Sawyer Albert David, Mark Mudd, Richard Goldman, Colin Perry, Ruiyan Zhao
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Patent number: 7672657Abstract: Embodiments of an active bandpass filter are described. Such a filter includes a transistor; a series-tuned inductive-capacitive (LC) network (STLCN) in a common source circuit associated with the transistor to produce a tuned degenerative filtering of at least one interfering signal; and a first, variable resistance associated with the STLCN to provide a first control of a resonance quality factor (Q) associated with the filter. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2006Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Nick Cowley, David Albert Sawyer
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Patent number: 7626457Abstract: An Automatic Gain Control (AGC) module for controlling Noise Figure (NF) and IM characteristics therein is disclosed. The AGC module comprises a plurality of AGC stages. Each AGC stage comprises a differential amplifier circuit, an input signal transistor and a current-steering circuit. Differential amplifier circuits of the plurality of AGC stages receive control signals at their differential inputs and their output is connected to a common load. The input signal transistors of the plurality of AGC stages receive a common input signal and is further coupled to the differential amplifier circuit and the current-steering circuit. The current-steering circuits and the control signals at the differential amplifier circuits control gain of the each AGC stage of the plurality of AGC stage, which is used to control the NF and the IM characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2007Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Mark Mudd, Isaac Ali, Ruiyan Zhao, Nick Cowley, Colin Perry, Richard Goldman
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Publication number: 20090268101Abstract: A direct conversion television receiver may include a phase de-rotator which substantially undoes the phase rotation of a phase rotator. The phase de-rotator takes the low pass filtered signal and substantially removes the rotation caused by the phase rotator. As a result, it is easier to estimate the phase and gain imbalance and to make a correction for the phase and gain imbalance, via a feedback loop, without the effects of phase rotation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2008Publication date: October 29, 2009Inventors: Parveen Shukla, Bernard Arambepola, Thushara Hewavithana, Nick Cowley
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Publication number: 20090167945Abstract: Device, system, and method of mitigating interference to digital television signals. For example, an apparatus includes a diversity-based digital television receiver having a filter controller and at least first and second channel paths, wherein the first channel path includes a first Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) reject filter, the second channel path includes a second GSM reject filter, the second channel path is parallel to the first channel path, and the filter controller is to selectively switch an operational state of the first GSM reject filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 1, 2008Publication date: July 2, 2009Inventors: Ernest T. Tsui, Nick Cowley, Bernard Arambepola
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Patent number: 7532070Abstract: An automatic gain control (AGC) system and method for implementing a wide dynamic range automatic gain control (AGC) are disclosed. The AGC system features a large gain adjustment suitable for integration in silicon tuners. The AGC structure employs a pair of classical current steering stages, architecturally arranged to share the gain back-off characteristic in a novel “ping-pong” arrangement. The AGC system and method deliver a wide dynamic range at low power dissipation in radio frequency (RF) systems, but may be implemented as well in other applications.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2007Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Nick Cowley, Ruiyan Zhao
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Publication number: 20090116586Abstract: A direct conversion receiver and a method for correcting phase imbalance therein is disclosed. An input signal is applied to an in-phase channel and a quadrature channel of the receiver. The input signal is processed by the direct conversion receiver to obtain an in-phase zero intermediate frequency (IF) signal in the in-phase channel and a quadrature zero-IF signal in the quadrature channel. The in-phase zero-IF signal and the quadrature zero-IF signal are filtered to obtain a fixed band signal. A phase imbalance correction value is obtained for the fixed-band quadrature zero-IF signal as a function of the frequency of the fixed-band in-phase zero-IF signal and the fixed-band quadrature zero-IF signal. The in-phase zero-IF signal and the quadrature zero-IF signal are sampled and the phase imbalance correction value is applied using an interpolation to the sampled quadrature zero-IF signal or to the sampled in-phase zero-IF signal to correct the phase imbalance in the direct conversion receiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2007Publication date: May 7, 2009Applicant: INTEL CORPORATIONInventors: Bernard Arambepola, Nick Cowley
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Publication number: 20090097600Abstract: The present disclosure provides a diversity receiver. The diversity receiver includes a plurality of tuners, a plurality of demodulators operatively coupled to the plurality of tuners and a controller operatively coupled to the plurality of demodulators and the plurality of tuners. Each tuner is capable of receiving a modulated signal from a path of a plurality of distinct paths. The controller determines information for each path and computes a ratio of signal strength to an additive noise for each path based on determined information. Further, the controller adjusts power of signal in each path based on comparison of computed ratio of signal strength to additive noise with a predetermined threshold. The diversity receiver also includes a MRC circuitry operatively coupled to the plurality of demodulators and configured to combine the signal of each path for obtaining a resultant combined signal having an improved ratio of signal strength to additive noise.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2007Publication date: April 16, 2009Applicant: INTEL CORPORATIONInventors: Bernard Arambepola, Nick Cowley
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Publication number: 20090085660Abstract: An Automatic Gain Control (AGC) module for controlling Noise Figure (NF) and IM characteristics therein is disclosed. The AGC module comprises a plurality of AGC stages. Each AGC stage comprises a differential amplifier circuit, an input signal transistor and a current-steering circuit. Differential amplifier circuits of the plurality of AGC stages receive control signals at their differential inputs and their output is connected to a common load. The input signal transistors of the plurality of AGC stages receive a common input signal and is further coupled to the differential amplifier circuit and the current-steering circuit. The current-steering circuits and the control signals at the differential amplifier circuits control gain of the each AGC stage of the plurality of AGC stage, which is used to control the NF and the IM characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2007Publication date: April 2, 2009Applicant: INTEL CORPORATIONInventors: Mark Mudd, Isaac Ali, Ruiyan Zhao, Nick Cowley, Colin Perry, Richard Goldman
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Publication number: 20090079500Abstract: An automatic gain control (AGC) system and method for implementing a wide dynamic range automatic gain control (AGC) are disclosed. The AGC system features a large gain adjustment suitable for integration in silicon tuners. The AGC structure employs a pair of classical current steering stages, architecturally arranged to share the gain back-off characteristic in a novel “ping-pong” arrangement. The AGC system and method deliver a wide dynamic range at low power dissipation in radio frequency (RF) systems, but may be implemented as well in other applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2007Publication date: March 26, 2009Inventors: Nick Cowley, Ruiyan Zhao
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Patent number: 7492222Abstract: A compound automatic gain control (AGC) circuit includes multiple AGC stages coupled with signal input nodes and signal output nodes in parallel. Each of the AGC stages has separate, individually controllable, control inputs. During gain back off, the AGC stages are backed off in sequence.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2006Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Nick Cowley, Mark Mudd
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Publication number: 20080231759Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to removing interfering signals in a broadband radio frequency (RF) receiver by implementing a silicon tuner arranged to replicate high quality factor (Q) performance without the advantages of using high Q components available for module tuners. In one or more embodiments, tuned filter elements within a broadband silicon tuner are reused to maximize the attenuation of unwanted signals while minimizing induced undesirable channel ripple. In various implementations, a number of tuned passive inductor/capacitor filter elements are combined as required such that filter elements for an unused frequency band are reconfigured to provide attenuation of and enhanced immunity to unwanted signals. Other embodiments are described and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2007Publication date: September 25, 2008Inventors: Nick Cowley, Sawyer Albert David, Mark Mudd, Richard Goldman, Colin Perry, Ruiyan Zhao
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Publication number: 20080171517Abstract: In some embodiments, a radio transmitter assembly comprises a test signal generator module to generate a first instance of a test signal, the test signal comprising a code, a test signal receiver module which receives the code, a signal combiner to combine the first instance of the test signal with a real signal to create a combined signal, a radio signal generator to generate a radio signal from the combined signal, a signal separator to separate a second instance of the test signal from the radio signal, and comparator logic in the test signal receiver module to compare the code with a code embedded in the second instance of the test signal in the test signal receiver module.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2006Publication date: July 17, 2008Inventors: Isaac Ali, David Albert Sawyer, Nick Cowley
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Publication number: 20080049875Abstract: Embodiments of a zero intermediate frequency (ZIF) tuner are described generally herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2006Publication date: February 28, 2008Inventors: Nick Cowley, David Albert Sawyer, Isaac Ali