Abstract: A circuit is described. The circuit includes a low noise amplifier (LNA), a passive switching core (PSC), a transimpedance amplifier filter (TIA-filter) and a degenerative-impedance gain-tuning network (Zdeg network) having a first Zdeg network input lead, a second Zdeg network input lead, a first Zdeg network output lead and a second Zdeg network output lead, wherein the first Zdeg network input lead is coupled to a first output lead of the LNA and the second Zdeg network input lead is coupled to a second output lead of the LNA, and wherein the first Zdeg network output lead is coupled to a first signal input lead of the PSC and the second Zdeg network output lead is coupled to a second signal input lead of the PSC. The LNA, the Zdeg network, the PSC, and the TIA-filter together form a receiver. A receiver gain is adjusted by the Zdeg network.

Abstract: A multi-carrier receiver capable of receiving one or multiple frequency channels simultaneously is described. In one design, the multi-carrier receiver includes a single radio frequency (RF) receive chain, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and at least one processor. The RF receive chain processes a received RF signal and provides an analog baseband signal comprising multiple signals on multiple frequency channels. The ADC digitizes the analog baseband signal. The processor(s) digitally processes the samples from the ADC to obtain an input sample stream. This digital processing may include digital filtering, DC offset cancellation, I/Q mismatch compensation, coarse scaling, etc. The processor(s) digitally downconverts the input sample stream for each frequency channel to obtain a downconverted sample stream for that frequency channel. The processor(s) then digitally processes each downconverted sample stream to obtain a corresponding output sample stream.

Abstract: A digitally-controlled oscillator (DCO) of a PLL is dithered such that a DCO_OUT signal has a frequency that changes at dithered intervals. In one example, the DCO receives an undithered stream of incoming digital tuning words, and receives a dithered reference clock signal REFD, and outputs the DCO_OUT signal such that its frequency changes occur at dithered intervals. Where the PLL is employed in the local oscillator of a cellular telephone transmitter, the novel dithering of the DCO spreads digital image noise out in frequency such that less digital image noise is present at a particular frequency offset from the main local oscillator frequency. Spreading digital image noise out in frequency allows a noise specification to be met without having to increase the frequency of the PLL reference clock. By avoiding increasing the frequency of the reference clock to meet the noise specification, increases in power consumption are avoided.

Abstract: An assembly involves an integrated circuit die that is bonded, e.g., flip-chip bonded, to a non-semiconductor substrate by a plurality of low-resistance microbumps. In one novel aspect, at least a part of a novel high-frequency transformer is disposed in the non-semiconductor substrate where the non-semiconductor substrate is the substrate of a ball grid array (BGA) integrated circuit package. At least one of the low-resistance microbumps connects the part of the transformer in the substrate to a circuit in the integrated circuit die. At two gigahertz, the novel transformer has a coupling coefficient k of at least at least 0.4 and also has a transformer quality factor Q of at least ten. The novel transformer structure sees use in coupling differential outputs of a mixer to a single-ended input of a driver amplifier in a transmit chain of an RF transceiver within a cellular telephone.

Abstract: An apparatus for restricting the flow of RF energy when attached to a tester wherein test equipment is positioned within the apparatus, comprising: a lid; a base; hinges for attaching the lid to the base; EMI gasket material for sealing seams; latches for attaching the lid to the base and for applying forces between the lid and the base to provide compression of the EMI gasket material for proper sealing of the seams; a connection point for providing two axis alignment of the base to the tester; and a positioning plate for providing three axis alignment of the test equipment in relation to the tester.

Abstract: An upconverter and a downconverter having good performance are described. In one design, the upconverter includes first, second, and third sets of transistors. The first set of transistors receives baseband signals and provides an upconverted signal. The second set of transistors switches the transconductance of the transistors in the first set based on transmit (TX) local oscillator (LO) signals. The third set of transistors enables and disables the transistors in the second set based on a TX VCO signal. In one design, the downconverter includes first, second, and third sets of transistors. The first set of transistors receives a modulated signal and provides baseband signals. The second set of transistors switches the transconductance of the transistors in the first set based on receive (RX) LO signals. The third set of transistors enables and disables the transistors in the second set based on an RX VCO signal.

Abstract: Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate multiplexing unicast reference symbols and multicast transmissions in the same transmission time interval. In particular, mechanisms are provided that enable multiplexing unicast reference symbols to single frequency network transmissions that utilize a longer cyclic prefix duration. Unicast reference symbols are sent in a first symbol of a slot containing both unicast and single frequency network transmissions. The frequency utilized for the unicast reference symbols is staggered between the first symbol and a subsequent symbol in a sub-frame.

Abstract: A distributed manufacturing and distribution process for lottery tickets is disclosed. The manufacturing/vending system comprises a centralized ticket manufacturing controller located at a centralized location and one or more vending devices located at remote sites. Each vending device is operatively coupled for communication with the centralized ticket manufacturing controller, normally via a network connection. Each vending devices is further equipped with a printer and ticket media secured from potential customers, so that a customer is able to purchase on-demand tickets from vending device in communication with the centralized ticket manufacturing controller. Additionally, the vending devices may be configured as electronic aid to display the results of the purchased lottery tickets to the customer.