With Antenna Circuit Tuning Patents (Class 455/193.1)
  • Patent number: 8639203
    Abstract: An antenna system for reception of channel signals form the UHF band by a receiver, including an electrically small antenna and, connected between the port connected to the antenna and that of the receiver, an active impedance matching device controlled by command signals depending on the quality of the signal received by the receiver to compensate for the impedance variations due to the environment associated with the antenna and to reject the frequencies of interfering channels adjacent to the reception channel without interfering with the active impedance matching of the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Robert, Philippe Minard, Brice Praho
  • Patent number: 8611829
    Abstract: A method, antenna switching integrated circuit (IC), and communications device that connect a transmitter to a selected antenna to propagate at least one transmission signal to the selected one of at least two antennas, based on feedback information associated with one or more antennas. An antenna tuning and switching (ATS) controller receives feedback information about a current status of an antenna tuner, wherein the current status of the antenna tuner is either locked or unlocked. In response to the current status of the antenna tuner being in a locked state, the ATS controller triggers an antenna selection switch to connect the antenna (that is associated with the antenna tuner) to the transmitter in order to propagate the transmission signal(s) from the transmitter to the antenna. If the antenna tuner is in an unlocked state, the ATS controller selects a different antenna that is not associated with an antenna tuner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: William P. Alberth, Amin W. Klomsdorf, Timothy D. Forrester, Robert S. Ballam
  • Patent number: 8594584
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a tuning system for a communication device having an antenna, where the tuning system includes at least one first tunable element connected with at least one radiating element of the antenna for tuning the antenna where the adjusting of the at least one first tunable element is based on at least one of a use case associated with the communication device and location information associated with the communication device, and a matching network having at least one second tunable element coupled at a feed point of the antenna, wherein the matching network receives control signals for adjusting the at least one second tunable element to tune the matching network. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Blackberry Limited
    Inventors: Matthew R. Greene, Keith R. Manssen, Gregory Mendolia
  • Patent number: 8588717
    Abstract: A radio communications device includes a headphone assembly, which includes at least one aural speaker or transducer and a headphone cable functioning as an antenna and providing electrical signals carrying audio information to the at least one aural speaker or transducer. A signal separator coupled to the headphone cable separates the electrical signals carrying audio information transmitted to the headphone cable and radio frequency (RF) signals received from the headphone cable. A radio receiver receives the RF signals from the signal separator and converts the RF signals to electrical signals carrying audio information. A tuner is provided for tuning the headphone cable to a selected operating frequency of the radio receiver. An audio amplifier amplifies electrical signals carrying audio information from the radio receiver to be transmitted through the headphone cable to the at least one aural speaker or transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Skycross, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank M. Caimi
  • Patent number: 8583065
    Abstract: A novel digitally controlled antenna tuning circuit that enables the implementation of low cost, wideband tuning circuits for antennas in receive applications. The invention is operative to switch a plurality of tuning elements into and out of a main receive signal path. Each individual tuning element is switched into or out of the receive signal path using a single PIN diode. For series connected tuning elements, the diode is connected in parallel to the tuning element. For tuning elements connected in parallel, the diode is connected in series with the tuning element. The diodes are switched in accordance with control voltages which forward bias the diodes to effectively create a low resistance path thus either inserting or removing a tuning element from the receive signal path depending on its configuration in the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.
    Inventor: David Ben-Bassat
  • Patent number: 8571503
    Abstract: A signal receiving method for receiving a signal within a predetermined bandwidth for a broadcasting system using an embedded antenna is provided, comprising: obtaining an antenna bandwidth of the embedded antenna; dividing the predetermined bandwidth into a plurality of subbands according to the antenna bandwidth; receiving a control signal; selecting one of the subbands according to the control signal; and receiving the signal using a match unit corresponding to the selected subband for matching the embedded antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Mitac International Corp.
    Inventor: Junqin Chen
  • Publication number: 20130281037
    Abstract: A method for wireless communication includes adding a received DVB-H signal with a reference oscillator signal to generate an added DVB-H signal. The reference oscillator signal may be added at an input of a matching load. The matching load may be used to tune a wireless antenna that receives the received DVB-H signal based on a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) associated with the added DVB-H signal. The reference oscillator signal may be generated, and the generated reference oscillator signal may be amplified. The added DVB-H signal may be amplified subsequent to the adding. The RSSI associated with the added DVB-H signal may be determined. The tuning may occur during receiving of a preamble of a packet for the received DVB-H signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventor: Ahmadreza Rofougaran
  • Patent number: 8509720
    Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for LNA adjustment to compensate for dynamic impedance matching are provided. In this regard, an antenna matching network may be configured to maximize received signal strength for a determined frequency and an amplifier gain may be adjusted based on the maximized signal strength such that output levels of the amplifier are between specified limits. The antenna matching network may be programmatically controlled via one or more switching elements. The amplifier gain may be programmatically controlled via one or more bias points. The antenna matching network may be configured for a plurality of frequencies in a frequency band, such as an FM broadcast band, and a configuration for each frequency may be stored. Accordingly, when the receiver is tuned to a frequency, a corresponding configuration may be retrieved from memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Ahmadreza Rofougaran, Maryam Rofougaran
  • Patent number: 8509718
    Abstract: An antenna tuner unit (ATU) that provides broadband tuning is disclosed. The disclosed ATU includes a radio frequency (RF) switch circuit having an N number of switch inputs, wherein N is a natural number equal to 2 or greater. An N number of reactance elements are coupled in series between an RF input and one of the N number of switch inputs. Taps between adjacent pairs of the N number of reactance elements, wherein each of the taps is coupled to a corresponding one of the N number of switch inputs. The ATU further includes a capacitive element for each of the taps, wherein each capacitive element is coupled between a corresponding one of the taps and a voltage node. In at least one embodiment, each of the capacitive elements is made up of a programmable capacitor array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadim Khlat Khlat, Marcus Granger-Jones
  • Publication number: 20130196610
    Abstract: A first communication apparatus and a second communication apparatus are capable of wireless communication with each other. The first communication apparatus has a normal operation mode and a tuning mode that differs from the normal operation mode and allows a variable matching portion to adjust a matching state. When the tuning mode is selected, the first transmission portion transmits an operation mode transition request signal to the second communication apparatus. A first reception portion receives a tuning reference signal transmitted from the second communication apparatus in response to the operation mode transition request signal. A reception signal intensity measurement portion measures a reception signal intensity of the received tuning reference signal. The variable matching portion adjusts a matching state based on the measured reception signal intensity of the tuning reference signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicants: Nippon Soken, Inc., DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: DENSO CORPORATION, Nippon Soken, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8494601
    Abstract: The communication device includes: a first body; a second body; a connecting portion that connects the first body and the second body, so as to be capable of switching between a closed state in which the first body and the second body are superimposed with each other, and an opened state in which a degree of mutual superimposition is smaller than that of the closed state; a first conductive portion that is disposed in the first body; a second conductive portion that is disposed in the second body; a signal line that electrically connects the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion via the inside of the connecting portion; a first antenna, which is disposed in at least one of the first body and the second body, and which is electrically connected to the first conductive portion or the second conductive portion; and a second antenna, which is disposed in at least one of the first body and the second body, and which is capacitively coupled with the first conductive portion or the second conduc
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Nishizono, Shin Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8489109
    Abstract: A mobile wireless device enables effective use of space in a case while reducing degradation of antenna gain and maintaining communication quality even if a plurality of antennas having different frequency bands are arranged close to one another. A magnetic antenna has a first switch unit, a second switch unit, and a concentrated constant circuit which are added to a wiring pattern at the side near to a main antenna, so that a first path and a second path can be selected. Under a predetermined condition, a CPU controls the first switch and the second switch to electrically connect terminal (A1) to terminal (B1) and electrically connect terminal (A2) to terminal (B2), thereby forming the first path; and electrically connect terminal (A1) to terminal (C1) and electrically connect terminal (A2) to terminal (C2), thereby forming the second path connected via the concentrated constant circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Waku, Tadashi Koyama, Kunihiko Watanabe, Mitsuhiro Nishizono, Katsuji Morishita, Takeshi Iwanaga, Daisuke Togashi
  • Publication number: 20130165064
    Abstract: A reception device includes first and second antennas that receive the same kind of electric wave; a third antenna that receives a different kind of electric waves from that of the first and the second antennas; an antenna switching switch that switches a first input mode of inputting the electric waves received by the first and second antennas and a second input mode of inputting the electric wave received by the third antenna; a first tuner circuit that receives the electric wave in each of the first and second input modes; and a second tuner circuit that receives the electric wave in the first input mode, wherein diversity reception for the first and second antennas is performed based on the signals output from the first and second tuner circuits in the first input mode, and wherein a signal is output from the first tuner circuit in the second input mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: SONY CORPORATION
  • Patent number: 8472904
    Abstract: In various embodiments, systems and methods for automatically tuning an antenna to a desired frequency utilize a tuning detection element that sends or receives a signal in accordance with one mode of the antenna and that is separated from the antenna by a gap and outside of a signal path of the antenna. In various system implementations, a processor communicates with the tuning detection element and antenna and monitors the amplitude of a signal transmitted to or from the tuning detection element. A resonant frequency of the antenna may be tuned to the desired frequency by a tuning element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas W. White
  • Patent number: 8472905
    Abstract: A method for wireless communication includes adding a received DVB-H signal with a reference oscillator signal to generate an added DVB-H signal. The reference oscillator signal may be added at an input of a matching load. The matching load may be used to tune a wireless antenna that receives the received DVB-H signal based on a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) associated with the added DVB-H signal. The reference oscillator signal may be generated, and the generated reference oscillator signal may be amplified. The added DVB-H signal may be amplified subsequent to the adding. The RSSI associated with the added DVB-H signal may be determined. The tuning may occur during receiving of a preamble of a packet for the received DVB-H signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Ahmadreza Rofougaran
  • Patent number: 8463200
    Abstract: In a wireless communication apparatus, when a first switch electrically connects a second antenna to an impedance matching circuit and a second switch electrically connects a first antenna to a reception circuit, a frequency signal output from an oscillator of the reception circuit is received by the second antenna and applied to the impedance matching circuit. Then, a controller controls the impedance of the impedance matching circuit so as to bring a RSSI voltage output from a signal strength detection circuit of the reception circuit into agreement with a reference RSSI voltage, thereby bringing the reference frequency of the first antenna into agreement with a reference frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuuji Kakuya, Akira Takaoka, Munenori Matsumoto, Tomotsugu Sekine
  • Patent number: 8457697
    Abstract: An antenna arrangement comprising an input/output connection and a first and a second tuning network with different transfer functions. The arrangement additionally comprises an antenna and a switch for connecting the input/output connection of the arrangement to one of said tuning networks, with a second switch for connecting the antenna of the arrangement to the tuning network to which the input/output connection of the arrangement has been connected. The arrangement comprises a sensor for sensing a form factor of the arrangement or of an apparatus in which the arrangement is used, and said sensor can be used for influencing said first and second switches, so that a device which has been connected to the arrangement may be connected to the antenna via a tuning network optimal for the current form factor of the arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (Publ)
    Inventors: Martin Johansson, Patrik Persson, Jonas Fridén, Sven Anders Gösta Derneryd, Anders Stjernman
  • Patent number: 8457569
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising a transceiver, an antenna tuner connecting said transceiver to an antenna, a power sensor adapted to acquire measurements about transmit power, a receive signal strength indicator (RSSI) adapted to acquire measurements about receive power and wherein said tuner tunes said antenna based upon said transmit and receive measurements to optimize said antenna in both the receive and transmit bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion RF, Inc.
    Inventor: Guillaume Blin
  • Publication number: 20130122838
    Abstract: An information handling system includes a capacitor, an antenna, a wireless wide area network card, an embedded display port interface, and a digital-to-analog converter. The capacitor has a variable capacitance that varies based on a voltage applied to the capacitor. The antenna is coupled to the capacitor, and has a variable resonance frequency that is based on the variable capacitance. The wireless wide area network card is in communication with the antenna, and is configured to set the variable resonance frequency to a specific frequency based on a control signal. The embedded display port interface is configured to transmit the control signal from the wireless wide area network card to a display control circuit via an auxiliary channel of the embedded display port interface. The digital-to-analog converter is in communication with the display control circuit, and is configured to provide the voltage to the capacitor in response to a signal from the display control circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS, LP
    Inventor: DELL PRODUCTS, LP
  • Publication number: 20130115903
    Abstract: A radio receiver includes a first signal path including a first tuner configured to receive a first signal from a first antenna, and a first demodulator configured to demodulate symbols from an output of the first tuner to produce first branch metrics derived from the demodulated symbols; a second signal path including a second tuner configured to receive a second signal from a second antenna, and a second demodulator configured to demodulate symbols from an output of the second tuner to produce second branch metrics derived from the demodulated symbols; a combiner for maximum ratio combining the first branch metrics and the second branch metrics; and processing circuitry to process the combined first and second branch metrics to produce an output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: iBiquity Digital Corporation
    Inventors: Brian W. Kroeger, Paul J. Peyla, Jeffrey S. Baird
  • Patent number: 8437314
    Abstract: Radio frequency (RF) architectures for spectrum access networks are provided. Embodiments of the invention generally provide a radio frequency (RF) architecture for customer premise equipment (CPE) for use in, for example, IEEE 802.22 wireless regional area networks (WRANs). In some embodiments, the CPE RF architecture includes two receive chains with a directional antenna and an omni-directional antenna, respectively. The CPE RF architecture facilitates opportunistic out-of-band spectrum sensing and WRAN signal receiving that are performed in parallel with data transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Vlantis, Wendong Hu
  • Patent number: 8437716
    Abstract: A broadcast receiver includes a tuner circuit and a demodulator circuit. The tuner circuit tunes a radio frequency (RF) signal to output an intermediate frequency (IF) signal. The demodulator circuit demodulates the IF signal from the tuner circuit and outputs a command signal based on the quality of the IF signal, for changing a take over point (TOP) value, preset in the tuner circuit, at which one amplitude gain control (AGC) stopping and another taking over. A method for regulating a broadcast receiver is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Himax Media Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Shin-Shiuan Cheng, Guo-Hau Gau, Shan-Tsung Wu, Shih-Chuan Lu, Tien-Ju Tsai
  • Patent number: 8428531
    Abstract: A radio wave receiver including an antenna for receiving a radio wave; a tuning unit that can discretely changing a frequency characteristic of the antenna; an oscillation generator that can oscillate the antenna and a circuit portion of the tuning unit; a reception processing section for extracting a signal of a desired wave out of a reception signal received from the antenna; a controller for generating an oscillation signal at the circuit portion by the oscillation generator, and switching a setting of the tuning unit to search a setting state of the tuning unit under which the oscillation signal is extracted by the reception processing section; and a compensator for applying a variation to a frequency characteristic of the oscillation signal or a frequency characteristic associated with signal extraction of the reception processing section when the controller searches the setting state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kaoru Someya
  • Patent number: 8428528
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods by which radio signals can be transmitted to, and received by, a radio receiver such that the receiver consumes very little power from a battery or energy source. The invention also relates to methods by which radio signals, modulated with data information, can be produced by a transmitter that consumes very little power. The invention is applicable not only to medical implants, but any application requiring a radio receiver to operate with very low power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Biotronik CRM Patent AG
    Inventors: Brian P. Sutton, Jim Nelson, Paul Stadnik, Gary Rolison, Richard Berthelsdorf
  • Publication number: 20130059555
    Abstract: A car audio system having a tuner unit and an active antenna integrated into a single module, the car audio system being connected to an antenna for a vehicle and receiving broadcast signals, is provided. The car audio system includes an antenna-tuner integration module, in which the active antenna for receiving and amplifying the broadcast signals and the tuner unit for selecting a broadcast signal corresponding to a specific frequency among the received broadcast signals are formed as a single module; and a car audio device connected to the antenna-tuner integration module using a data cable of a certain length corresponding to a spaced distance for preventing effects of electrical noise generated by the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: KWANG SUNG ELECTRONICS KOREA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kyu Young Lee
  • Patent number: 8391817
    Abstract: A method of tuning an antenna is provided, wherein the method comprises receiving a first signal strength indicator indicating a signal strength of a first data signal transmitted by an antenna on a first frequency, receiving a second signal strength indicator indicating a signal strength of a second data signal transmitted by the antenna on a second frequency different to the first frequency, determining a tuning control signal based on the first signal strength indicator and the second signal strength indicator, and tuning the antenna based on the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Denis Noel
  • Publication number: 20130035050
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an antenna including: a substrate; a conductive layer formed on a portion of a top surface of the substrate; a first slot formed within the conductive layer; a conductive stub disposed within the first slot, the conductive stub tuned to reject a first frequency band; and a second slot formed within the conductive layer, the second slot tuned to reject a second frequency band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: Agency for Science, Technology and Research
    Inventors: Yuan Gao, Nair Murli, Yuanjin Zheng
  • Patent number: 8369808
    Abstract: An information handling system includes a capacitor, an antenna, a wireless wide area network card, an embedded display port interface, and a digital-to-analog converter. The capacitor has a variable capacitance that varies based on a voltage applied to the capacitor. The antenna is coupled to the capacitor, and has a variable resonance frequency that is based on the variable capacitance. The wireless wide area network card is in communication with the antenna, and is configured to set the variable resonance frequency to a specific frequency based on a control signal. The embedded display port interface is configured to transmit the control signal from the wireless wide area network card to a display control circuit via an auxiliary channel of the embedded display port interface. The digital-to-analog converter is in communication with the display control circuit, and is configured to provide the voltage to the capacitor in response to a signal from the display control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Dell Products, LP
    Inventors: Joel Adams, David Douglas, Eugen Munteanu
  • Patent number: 8369268
    Abstract: A multiple device to one-antenna combining circuit for transferring wireless communication signals from a first and second wireless communication device connected to a donor antenna is described. The circuit comprises a first single-stage circulator configured to be coupled to a transmission-reception path of the first wireless communications device; a two-stage circulator coupled to the first single-stage circulator and configured to be coupled a transmission-reception path of the second wireless communications device; a two-way splitter coupled to the two-stage circulator and configured to be coupled a transmission-reception path of the donor antenna; and a second single-stage circulator coupled between the two-way splitter and the first single stage circulator. The wireless transmissions of the first wireless communications device travel from the first signal stage circulator to the two-stage circulator to the two-way splitter to the donor antenna. The first wireless device can be a repeater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Clearwire IP Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Walter F. Rausch
  • Publication number: 20130023220
    Abstract: A signal receiving apparatus includes a first base member, a first coil, and a tuning circuit. The first coil is coiled around the first base member to from a first loop antenna having a plurality of parallel and spaced coil portions and two signal output terminals. The tuning circuit includes a first variable capacitor connected between the two signal output terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicants: CHI MEI COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, INC., SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: HAO CHEN
  • Patent number: 8358989
    Abstract: A matching circuit, connected to a receiving antenna and to the input of a receiving circuit, incorporates a variable capacitor that is adjustable for tuning the resonance frequency of the antenna to a desired reception frequency. In an automatic tuning mode of operation, an oscillator signal of different frequency from the reception frequency is applied to induce resonance of the antenna and matching circuit, and the variable capacitor is adjusted until an output signal level from the receiving circuit attains a predetermined value which has been stored beforehand in a memory and which corresponds to a condition whereby the antenna resonance frequency corresponds to the reception frequency and impedance matching exists between the antenna and receiving circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignees: Nippon Soken, Inc., Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yuuji Kakuya, Akira Takaoka, Munenori Matsumoto, Tomotsugu Sekine
  • Patent number: 8340714
    Abstract: A computing device with a configurable antenna. The antenna is configured through a switching circuit operating under software control. Operating characteristics of the antenna are configured based on connections between conducting segments established by the switching circuit, allowing the nominal frequency, bandwidth or other characteristics of the antenna to be configured. Because the switching is software controlled, the configurable antenna may be integrated with a software defined radio. The radio and antenna can be reconfigured to support communication according to different wireless technologies at different times or to interleave packets according to different wireless technologies to support concurrent sessions using different wireless technologies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Amer A. Hassan, Christian Huitema
  • Patent number: 8306489
    Abstract: A circuit for a loop antenna having a first antenna terminal and a second antenna terminal with an antenna impedance, and method for tuning an overall impedance that has an antenna impedance of a loop antenna and a tuning impedance, with an output amplifier for amplifying a transmit signal that has an output for connection to the first antenna terminal of the loop antenna, with a tuning device designed for automatic tuning that has a terminal, which is separated from the output of the output amplifier for connection to the second antenna terminal, in which the tuning device has an adjustable tuning impedance that is connected to the terminal, in which the tuning device has a measurement device that is connected to the tuning impedance in order to measure a voltage amplitude across the tuning impedance, in which the tuning device has a computing unit that is connected to the measurement device and the adjustable tuning impedance, and in which the computing unit is designed for automatic adjustment of the tunin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Marco Schwarzmueller, Holger Schulz, Werner Blatz, Uwe Erben
  • Patent number: 8285235
    Abstract: A wireless communication apparatus includes: an antenna; a communication unit for receiving a radio signal via the antenna; a tuning unit for tuning an impedance of the antenna; an impedance controller for controlling the tuning unit to match the impedance of the antenna with an impedance of the communication unit; and a halting unit for halting controlling the impedance of the antenna in accordance with an intensity of the received radio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Egawa, Masahiko Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8270922
    Abstract: Disclosed is a radio wave receiver including an antenna to receive a radio wave, a tuning unit to switch a frequency characteristic of the antenna in a stepwise fashion, an oscillation unit to oscillate the antenna and a circuit section of the tuning unit, a receiving process unit to carry out a signal process by extracting a signal of a desired wave among received signals which are received from the antenna, a search control unit in which the oscillation unit is made to generate an oscillation signal at the circuit section and in which the oscillation signal searches a setting condition of the tuning unit which is extracted in the receiving process unit by switching a setting of the tuning unit and a search range deciding unit to selectively decide an adjustable range in which the switching of the setting of the tuning unit is carried out by the search control unit so as to be a specific adjustable range which is a portion of an entire adjustable range of the tuning unit corresponding to a frequency of the d
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuaki Abe, Hideo Abe
  • Patent number: 8270921
    Abstract: Systems and methods for tuning an antenna for a frequency modulation (FM) transceiver are provided. A representative system includes: a network of electrical adjustable passive components that receives and sends radio frequency (RF) signals to a receiver circuitry via the network of electrical adjustable passive components. The receiver circuitry determines the received signal strength indication (RSSI) of the RF signal. The system further includes a transmitter circuitry that transmits RF signals via the network of electrical adjustable passive components, and a peak detector circuitry that receives and determines a voltage output of the RF signals from the variable capacitors. An auto-tune circuitry receives the RSSI and output value from the receiver circuitry and the peak detector circuitry, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: CSR Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Noshir Dubash, Thomas E. Ricks, Jr., Richard J. McConnell
  • Patent number: 8265577
    Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamically tuning and calibrating an antenna using antenna hopping are disclosed. In this regard, in a wireless device comprising an antenna that is configurable into a plurality of configurations, determining a subset of the configurations, where each configuration of the subset enables received signal strength above a threshold for a wireless channel, may be determined. During a time interval in which the wireless device is receiving signals on the wireless channel, the antenna may be configured to sequentially utilize each configuration of the subset. During the time interval, a plurality of samples of the wireless channel may be generated, where each of the samples corresponds to a different one of the configurations of the subset. The plurality of samples may be aggregated. The aggregated samples may be processed to recover information communicated on the wireless channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Ahmadreza Rofougaran
  • Publication number: 20120225630
    Abstract: A system is described for tuning an antenna in a mobile device. The system comprises a detection module configured to interface with an accessory and identify the accessory. The system further comprises a tuner configured to retrieve one or more parameters according to the identified accessory, where the tuner is further configured to tune the antenna according to the one or more parameters. The one or more parameters are based on previously-derived information regarding tuning impairment characteristics of the accessory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: HTC
    Inventor: Gregory A. Dunko
  • Patent number: 8260213
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a method involving a step to tune a plurality of tunable reactive elements by measuring a drift in reactance of at least one of the plurality of tunable reactive elements away from a desired reactance. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Research In Motion RF, Inc
    Inventors: Shamsuddin H. Chasmawala, Matthew R. Greene
  • Patent number: 8260200
    Abstract: A non-contact wireless communication apparatus and a mobile terminal apparatus are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Mobile Communications Japan, Inc.
    Inventors: Kanjiro Shimizu, Toshiyuki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8233864
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a signal receiving apparatus including: a resonance section configured to receive an input signal at a variable resonance frequency; a signal supplying section configured to supply an electrical signal having a desired reception frequency to the resonance section; a mixture section configured to mix a resonance signal, which is output by the resonance section when the resonance section receives the electrical signal from the signal supplying section, with a switching signal having the desired reception frequency; and a control section configured to change a resonance characteristic of the resonance section and measure the phases of mixed signals output by the mixture section before and after the resonance characteristic changing operation to control the resonance frequency of the resonance section in order to change the resonance frequency in a direction to reduce a difference between the phases of the mixed signals before and after the resonance characteristic changing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hitoshi Tomiyama
  • Patent number: 8229380
    Abstract: A radio wave receiving apparatus includes: an antenna to receive a radio wave; a tuning member to allow a reception frequency of the antenna to be tuned to an intended frequency, in which tuning member a frequency characteristic is variable; a receiving member to receive a reception signal from the antenna to demodulate a modulation wave; a positive feedback member to perform a positive feedback in a signal path including the tuning member; and a switching member to turn on/off a feedback operation of the positive feedback member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kaoru Someya
  • Patent number: 8219053
    Abstract: A system and method of automatically tuning a reading device that remotely monitors RFID tags or transponders. The reading device utilizes the phase signal of an antenna signal wherein the harmonic of the antenna signal is filtered through a signal coupling transformer and utilizes the antenna current reading to determine the optimal capacitance setting for the reader by adjusting capacitors and storing the relative phase signal and level of current in a processor. In one embodiment, the method comprises supplying power to the reading device, monitoring the power supply, storing data related to the monitored power supply, emitting a signal from an antenna, filtering the harmonic of such signal, outputting the phase signal to a processor and adjusting capacitors based on the phase signal and monitored current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Destron Fearing Corporation
    Inventors: Ezequiel Mejia, Yuri Smirnov
  • Publication number: 20120171976
    Abstract: A radio communications device includes a headphone assembly, which includes at least one aural speaker or transducer and a headphone cable functioning as an antenna and providing electrical signals carrying audio information to the at least one aural speaker or transducer. A signal separator coupled to the headphone cable separates the electrical signals carrying audio information transmitted to the headphone cable and radio frequency (RF) signals received from the headphone cable. A radio receiver receives the RF signals from the signal separator and converts the RF signals to electrical signals carrying audio information. A tuner is provided for tuning the headphone cable to a selected operating frequency of the radio receiver. An audio amplifier amplifies electrical signals carrying audio information from the radio receiver to be transmitted through the headphone cable to the at least one aural speaker or transducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: SkyCross, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank M. Caimi
  • Patent number: 8213886
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising a transceiver, an antenna tuner connecting the transceiver to an antenna, a power sensor adapted to acquire measurements about transmit power, a receive signal strength indicator (RSSI) adapted to acquire measurements about receive power and wherein the tuner tunes the antenna based upon the transmit and receive measurements to optimize the antenna in both the receive and transmit bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Paratek Microwave, Inc.
    Inventor: Guillaume Blin
  • Publication number: 20120157026
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention an apparatus, comprising an apparatus, comprising an adaptively-tuned antenna including a variable reactance network connected to the antenna, an RF field probe located near the antenna, an RF detector to sense voltage from the field probe, a controller that monitors the RF voltage and supplies control signals to a driver circuit and wherein the driver circuit converts the control signals to bias signals for the variable reactance network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Paratek Microwave, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. McKinzie, Greg Mendolia, Keith Manssen
  • Patent number: 8204446
    Abstract: Embodiments include antenna tuning systems and methods of tuning an antenna of a wireless device with an antenna, a circuit with at least one tunable component, and a processing system. The processing system determines tuning selection inputs during a communication session. Based on the tuning selection inputs, the processing system determines one or more component values for one or more tunable components. In an embodiment, the component value(s) are determined from a set of pre-defined component values. The tunable component(s) are controlled to have the determined component value(s). The circuit may be an impedance matching circuit that includes at least one tunable reactive component. Alternatively, the circuit may be an antenna tuning circuit that includes at least one variable component. In an embodiment, both an impedance matching circuit and an antenna tuning circuit may be implemented, with each type of circuit having one or more tunable components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Scheer, Eric Krenz, Istvan Szini
  • Publication number: 20120129477
    Abstract: A radio wave receiving apparatus includes: an antenna to receive a radio wave; a tuning member to allow a reception frequency of the antenna to be tuned to an intended frequency, in which tuning member a frequency characteristic is variable; a receiving member to receive a reception signal from the antenna to demodulate a modulation wave; a positive feedback member to perform a positive feedback in a signal path including the tuning member; and a switching member to turn on/off a feedback operation of the positive feedback member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kaoru SOMEYA
  • Patent number: 8175560
    Abstract: Method and system for tuning a tunable antenna uses a comparison between a signal response at two different tuning frequencies to determine how or if the tuning needs to be further adjusted. With the approach, the method and system arrive at a frequency shift that is centered about the desired antenna frequency, which point there is no net change in the signal response. In a further aspect, a frequency to which a tuned antenna is tuned is shifted to verify whether the antenna is still in tune. Modifications to minimize disturbance of the output received signal that would otherwise be caused by the frequency shifting are contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: John Shepherd
  • Publication number: 20120088463
    Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamically tuning and calibrating an antenna using on-chip digitally controlled array of capacitors are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include dynamically tuning a mobile terminal antenna (MTA) using on-chip arrays of capacitive devices. The tuning may be, for example, to compensate for center frequency drift during operation of the mobile terminal. The tuning may be accomplished by selecting capacitive devices in the on-chip arrays of capacitive devices to use in conjunction with an inductive circuit coupled to the MTA, where the inductive circuit may be either off the chip or on the chip. Accordingly, an impedance of the circuit formed by the capacitive devices in the on-chip arrays of capacitive devices and the inductive circuit may be adjusted with respect to the MTA. A valid circuit configuration may include a configuration where no capacitive device may be selected for use with the inductive circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventor: Ahmadreza Rofougaran