Abstract: Robotic vehicle and use thereof for displacing a holder for goods, which is for instance loaded with goods, which vehicle can be operated in an empty position and a loaded position, comprising of (1) moving the robotic vehicle to a position under the holder in a first direction, wherein the robotic vehicle is in the empty position, wherein a holding means is countersunk in a body of the vehicle; (2) lifting the holder, wherein the robotic vehicle lifts the holder by performing a vertical movement of the holding means relative to the wheels of the vehicle, such that the holding means comes into contact with an underside of the holder, wherein the robotic vehicle transfers to the loaded position; (3) rotating driven wheels of the robotic vehicle from the first direction to the second direction without the body of the vehicle being rotated, and (4) displacing the robotic vehicle in the loaded position in a second direction, wherein the first and second direction enclose a mutual angle of between 60 and 120 degre

Abstract: Apparatus, method and article of manufacture are shown for linear signal modification. An input signal is modified by providing one or more non-linear current sources and regulating at least one of the one or more current sources to output a signal based on one or more of the input signal characteristics. The modification of the output signal includes both amplification and attenuation.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture for output impedance matching in multi-band power amplification are provided, wherein an output matching configuration comprising one or more output matching sections, a multi-band diplexer and a switch are connected to an active device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for amplifying a radio frequency signal including, generating a plurality of shaped pulses utilizing a piecewise linearizer circuit, applying the plurality of shaped pulses to a first input of a radio frequency amplifier circuit, and injecting a radio frequency carrier into a second input of the radio frequency amplifier circuit. The apparatus comprises a piecewise linearizer (PWL) circuit coupled to the input of a Radio Frequency Digital to Analog Converter (RFDAC) operating as a signal amplifier.

Abstract: Inductor topologies for filters used in broadband applications are described. In one implementation, an apparatus, such as an interface module includes a printed circuit board and a filter. The filter includes a generally circular high Quality factor (Q) value spiral planar inductor etched directly into the printed circuit board. The generally circular high Q value spiral planar inductor is configured to operate in a broadband application. Other implementations involve the use of decoupling structures with respect to the planar inductors as well as a design methodology for the filters.

Abstract: A phase locked loop includes a buffer that synchronizes the transmission of the new count value to the completion of the previous count to avoid errors caused by dithering. The buffer is connected to a count input of the counter and transmits the new count upon receipt of the carryout signal from the counter. Alternatively, the transmission of the new value of N from the buffer is delayed after receipt by the buffer of a carryout signal from the counter. In another embodiment, a delayed version of the carryout signal is used to trigger the buffer to transmit the new count value to the counter. In another feature, a buffer synchronizes phase data to a reference signal before inputting it to a digital modulator of the phase locked loop.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for biasing at least one transistor of a Radio Frequency Digital to Analog Converter (RFDAC). The apparatus including a direct base current injection circuit for injecting a DC current waveform directly into a base terminal of the transistor.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture for multiband transmitter power amplification are provided wherein one or more amplifying devices, of which at least one may be one or more current sources, have impedances matched for different input and output frequencies by way of various impedance matching circuits.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for amplifying a radiofrequency signal using a main Digital to Analog Converter (RFDAC) and a subordinate Digital to Analog Converter (Sub-DAC). The main RFDAC provides a first portion of a N-bit digital output, which specifies the amplification level of the radiofrequency signal, and the sub-DAC provides a second portion of the N-bit digital word. Together, the main RFDAC and the Sub-DAC convert a complete N-bit digital word, where N specifies the resolution of the output radiofrequency signal.

Abstract: Increasing performance of planar inductors used in broadband applications is described. In one implementation, an apparatus includes a high Quality factor (Q) value spiral planar inductor etched directly into a printed circuit board. A ferrite structure is attached to the printed circuit board and located in proximity to the high Q value spiral planar inductor. The ferrite structure increases the Q of spiral planar inductors, but without the inconvenience and expense of a wire wound terroidal inductors. Various shaped ferrite structures may be used in conjuction with the spiral planar inductors. Additionally, in certain implementations, the ferrite structures are configured to rotate about axis permitting the inductors to be tuned, even after components have been installed on a printed circuit board.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for biasing at least one transistor of a Radio Frequency Digital to Analog Converter (RFDAC). The apparatus including a direct base current injection circuit for injecting a DC current waveform directly into a base terminal of the transistor.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture for output impedance matching in multi-band power amplification are provided, wherein an output matching configuration comprising one or more output matching sections, a multi-band diplexer and a switch are connected to an active device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for biasing a power amplifier circuit operating as a Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) are described. The bias circuit comprises a first transistor with a reference voltage coupled to its base terminal, a second transistor coupled to the emitter terminal of the first transistor at its collector terminal, and a third transistor with its base terminal coupled to the first and second transistors, and to an input signal.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture are shown for modifying electromagnetic waves. Through using various wave characteristics such as amplitude to regulate a current source, a current is output that may be used in any number of ways, such as driving an antenna or other load.

Abstract: Increasing performance of planar inductors used in broadband applications is described. In one implementation, an apparatus includes a high Quality factor (Q) value spiral planar inductor etched directly into a printed circuit board. A ferrite structure is attached to the printed circuit board and located in proximity to the high Q value spiral planar inductor. The ferrite structure increases the Q of spiral planar inductors, but without the inconvenience and expense of a wire wound terroidal inductors. Various shaped ferrite structures may be used in conjuction with the spiral planar inductors. Additionally, in certain implementations, the ferrite structures are configured to rotate about axis permitting the inductors to be tuned, even after components have been installed on a printed circuit board.

Abstract: A power amplifier having a first stage amplifier and a second stage amplifier, each stage of the power amplifier being configured in one of at least two power states based on a desired power output. When the first and second stages are configured in a first state, the power amplifier delivers efficient amplification in a first output power range and, when the first and second stages are configured in a second state, the power amplifier delivers efficient amplification in a second output power range. By configuring each stage in one of at least two states, a high level of power efficiency can be achieved for a broad range of power levels.

Abstract: Inductor topologies for filters used in broadband applications are described. In one implementation, an apparatus, such as an interface module includes a printed circuit board and a filter. The filter includes a generally circular high Quality factor (Q) value spiral planar inductor etched directly into the printed circuit board. The generally circular high Q value spiral planar inductor is configured to operate in a broadband application. Other implementations involve the use of decoupling structures with respect to the planar inductors as well as a design methodology for the filters.

Abstract: A tuned switching power amplifier having a switch for receiving an AC input signal. The switch controls the application of DC power to a load through a load network. The load network develops a parallel inductance and a parallel capacitance across the switch that minimizes power losses associated with the switch by creating a transient response across the switch that insures that, when the switch transitions from on to off, the voltage across the switch remains low until the current trough the switch reaches zero, and that, when the switch transitions from off to on, the voltage across the switch is zero and has a substantially zero time derivative prior to when the switch transitions from off to on. The parallel inductance is developed by a transmission line of a determined electrical length.