Abstract: Embodiments of a SAW-less RF receiver front-end that includes a frequency translated notch filter (FTNF) are presented. An FTNF includes a passive mixer and a baseband impedance. The baseband impedance includes capacitors that form a low-Q band-stop filter. The passive mixer is configured to translate the baseband impedance to a higher frequency. The translated baseband impedance forms a high-Q notch filter and is presented at the input of the FTNF. In an embodiment, the capacitors are implemented using MOS capacitors. In another embodiment, the capacitors are partially formed from MOS capacitors and fringe capacitors. The FTNF can be fully integrated in CMOS IC technology (or others, e.g., Bipolar, BiCMOS, and SiGe) and applied in wireless receiver systems including EDGE/GSM, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Bluetooth, and wireless LANs (e.g., IEEE 802.11).
Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for utilizing tone grouping with Givens rotations to reduce overhead associated with explicit feedback information are presented. In one aspect of the invention, Givens matrices may be utilized to reduce a quantity of information communicated in explicit feedback information via an uplink RF channel. The explicit feedback information may include specifications for a feedback beamforming matrix that may be utilized when transmitting signals via a corresponding downlink RF channel. The feedback beamforming matrix may represent a rotated version of an un-rotated matrix. The Givens matrices may be utilized to apply one or more Givens rotations to un-rotated matrix. The rotated matrix may reduce the quantity of information communicated in the explicit feedback information. The quantity of information communicated in the explicit feedback information may be further reduced by utilizing tone grouping.
Abstract: Crystal oscillator control and calibration is disclosed. Temperature and frequency control circuits included on a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising a crystal oscillator are used to determine, for each of a plurality of set points in a range of sensed internal temperatures sensed by an internal temperature sensing circuit or device located adjacent to the oscillator in a thermally insulated region of the PCB, a corresponding compensation required to be applied to maintain a desired oscillator output frequency. The PCB is configured to use at least the determined compensation values and a sensed internal temperature to determine during operation of the PCB a compensation, if any, to be applied to maintain the desired oscillator output frequency.
Abstract: A method and system for programmable breakpoints in an integrated embedded image and video accelerator are described. Aspects of the system may include circuitry that enables generation of control signals for pipeline processing of video data within a single chip by at least selecting a target location of the video data and generating an interrupt at a time instant corresponding to the pipeline processing of the target location. The system may enable programmable breakpoints to be set and/or triggered based on policies determined in executable software. The ability to set programmable breakpoints may enable flexible utilization of system memory resources.
Abstract: A wireless device includes at least one antenna, an RF interface, and processing circuitry coupled to the RF interface and indirectly to the at least one antenna. The wireless device identifies other wireless devices that service based upon transmission characteristics of wireless signals received from other wireless devices and/or relative positions of the other wireless devices with respect to itself. In a first operational period, the wireless device determines transmission characteristics of the other wireless devices. Then, during a second operational period, without further interaction with the other wireless devices, the wireless device determines communication link characteristics based simply upon transmission characteristics of the other wireless devices.
Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for selecting alternate channels for broadcast radio channels, and for tracking alternate channel selections, are provided. Some radio systems provide alternate frequencies for tuned radio frequencies to use when the tuned radio frequency signal is no longer receivable. In aspects of the present invention, historical information is generated from alternate channel switching attempts. In further aspects, the generated historical information is used to aid in making a subsequent switch to an alternate channel.
Abstract: Provided is a method and system for designing an integrated circuit (IC) substrate, the substrate being formed to include at least one die. The method includes providing at least portions of IC power and a grounding function on a metal 2 substrate layer and utilizing all of a metal 3 substrate layer for the grounding function. Portions of the metal 2 layer and a metal 4 layer are utilized for the IC power, wherein all of the IC power is centralized underneath the die.
Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for transmitter linearization are provided. A signal may be amplified via one or more circuits comprising a first transistor having a first bias voltage applied to its gate via a resistor, and a second transistor having its source coupled to a first terminal of the resistor, its drain coupled to a second terminal of the resistor, and its gate coupled to a second bias voltage. The signal may be AC-coupled, via one or more capacitors, for example, to the gate of the first transistor. The first bias voltage and the second bias voltage may be such that the first transistor operates in the active region the second transistor operates in the subthreshold region. The effective channel width of the second transistor may be configurable during operation of the one or more circuits.
Abstract: Disclosed is a switching amplifier having an enhanced supply rejection. The switching amplifier comprises a digital modulator that provides a modulated signal. The switching amplifier further comprises a closed-loop analog driver that is coupled to the digital modulator. As disclosed, the closed-loop analog driver is configured to re-modulate a modulation signal that corresponds to the modulated signal. An output stage of the switching amplifier is driven by the re-modulated signal, thereby providing enhanced supply rejection. In one embodiment, the modulated signal is produced by a digital pulse-width modulator (PWM) circuit of a Class-D amplifier, and has a pulse rate substantially less than a clock rate of the digital PWM circuit. In one embodiment, the switching amplifier is implemented as an audio amplifier in a mobile communication device such as a cellular telephone.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 29, 2010
Date of Patent:
August 7, 2012
Assignee:
Broadcom Corporation
Inventors:
Xicheng Jiang, Jungwoo Song, Minsheng Wang, Todd L. Brooks
Abstract: Systems and methods that provide personal video recording trick modes are provided. In one example, a method that provides a trick mode in a personal video recording system may include the steps of receiving a transport stream; storing data from the transport stream in a data storage; generating index table using the data from the transport stream; receiving a trick mode command; and accessing, based on the trick mode command, particular data in the data storage using the index table.
Abstract: A media player implements an integrated parallel source download technology to receive a media file from streamed and segmented media file sources. A first source streams delivery of streamed media packets of the media file in sequential packet number order to the media player, while a second source provides segmented delivery of segmented media packets of the media file in random order to the media player. The media player combines the streamed media packets and the segmented media packets to produce the media file.
Abstract: A method for regulating power in a front-end circuit, the method includes determining, along a first communication path, an envelope of a baseband signal; generating at least one voltage control signal based on the determined envelope of the baseband signal; and adjusting one or both of power and/or gain of the front-end circuit using the generated at least one voltage control signal. The baseband signal is communicated to the front-end circuit using a second communication path. Signal delay along the second communication path is matched with signal delay along the first communication path. The at least one voltage control signal comprises a supply voltage signal and a bias voltage signal. The power of the front-end circuit may be adjusted using the supply voltage signal. The gain of the front-end circuit may be adjusted using the bias voltage signal.
Abstract: Methods and systems for an on-chip and/or on-package T/R switch and antenna are disclosed and may include selectively coupling one or more low noise amplifiers (LNAs) and/or one or more power amplifiers (PAs) to one or more ports of a multi-port distributed antenna utilizing configurable transmit/receive (T/R) switches integrated on a chip with the LNAs and PAs. The LNAs and PAs may be impedance matched to the antenna by coupling them to a port based on a characteristic impedance at the port. The T/R switches may be integrated on a package to which the chip may be coupled. The signals transmitted and received by the antenna may be time division duplexed. The antenna, which may include a microstrip antenna, may be integrated on the chip or the package. The LNA and the PA may be coupled to different ports on the antenna via the T/R switches.
Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) includes a processing module and main memory. The processing module includes a processing core and a first processing module millimeter wave (MMW) transceiver coupled to the processing core. The main memory includes memory and a first memory MMW transceiver coupled to the memory. At least one of an instruction and data is conveyed between the processing core and the memory via the first processing module MMW transceiver and the first memory MMW transceiver.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 30, 2008
Date of Patent:
August 7, 2012
Assignee:
Broadcom Corporation
Inventors:
Ahmadreza (Reza) Rofougaran, Timothy W. Markison
Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing the latency and for increasing throughput for MoCA devices that are connected via a coax network are provided. One method according to the invention includes, in a network having a plurality of network modules, each of the plurality of network modules being connected to a coax backbone, communicating over the coax backbone between the plurality of network modules. The method further includes a requesting the use of short burst messages. The method further includes responding to the requesting by constructing a short burst message with a single channel equalization section and reducing the number of bits per hertz in the transmission constellation. The resulting messages can be received with an acceptable error rate while making more efficient use of the MoCA network.
Abstract: A system and method support the exchange of media between friends, family members, and 3rd party media providers over a closed and secure media exchange network. The media may include, for example, digital video, digital audio, digital images, digital data, or any form of digital information.
Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a physical layer device (“PHY”) in an Ethernet network include methods and systems for detecting active link partners and for selecting a mode of operation based on detected active link partners, without user intervention. The PHY monitors fiber link media and copper link media for active link partners. The PHY selects a mode of operation according to detected active link partners. For example, a serial gigabit media independent (“SGMII”) mode of operation is selected when an active copper link partner is detected and an active fiber link partner is not detected. Similarly, a serialize/deserialize (“SerDes”) pass-through mode of operation is selected when an active fiber link partner is detected and an active copper link partner is not detected. The PHY interfaces with the active copper link partner when the SGMII mode of operation is selected. Conversely, the PHY interfaces with the active fiber link partner when the SerDes pass-through mode of operation is selected.
Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) includes an RF receiver having an AGC module that generates an automatic gain control (AGC) signal based on a strength of a received signal, and a low noise amplifier that amplifies the received signal based on the AGC signal. A processing module generates a power mode signal based on the AGC signal, the power mode signal for adjusting a power consumption parameter of the IC based on the power mode signal.
Abstract: Aspects of a system for improving efficiency over power control for linear and class AB power amplifiers may include a current source circuit that enables determination of a bias current level for a PA circuit within an IC die based on an amplitude of an input modulation signal. The PA circuit may enable generation of an output signal based on a differential input signal and the input modulation signal to the current source circuit. A generated bias voltage may be applied to a transformer external to the IC die, but internal to an IC package containing the IC die and/or a circuit board containing the IC package. One or more amplifier bias voltage levels may be applied to the PA circuit wherein the amplifier bias voltage levels may be derived from the generated bias voltage level and/or the determined bias current level.
Abstract: Disclosed is a high efficiency amplifier operable to substantially reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI). The high efficiency amplifier comprises an output stage to provide a high powered signal to a load. The high efficiency amplifier further comprises an overlap protection circuit to produce a timing non-overlap in a control signal for the output stage, and an edge control circuit to reduce a transient portion of the high powered signal to substantially reduce the EMI. The overlap protection circuit and the edge control circuit may be implemented with resistive source degeneration. Also disclosed is a related method. In one embodiment, the high efficiency amplifier and the related method may be incorporated into a cellular telephone or a mobile audio device.