Abstract: A family of FE dielectric-tuned antennas and a method for frequency tuning a wireless communications antenna are provided. The method comprises: forming a radiator; forming a dielectric with ferroelectric material proximate to the radiator; applying a voltage to the ferroelectric material; in response to applying the voltage, generating a dielectric constant; and, in response to the dielectric constant, communicating electromagnetic fields at a resonant frequency. Some aspects of the method further comprise: varying the applied voltage; and, modifying the resonant frequency in response to changes in the applied voltage. Modifying the resonant frequency includes forming an antenna with a variable operating frequency responsive to the applied voltage. Alternately stated, forming an antenna with a variable operating frequency includes forming an antenna with a predetermined fixed characteristic impedance, independent of the resonant frequency.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a global positioning system (GPS) enabled antenna system are provided. The GPS enabled antenna may be used, for example, on a wireless communications device such as a wireless handset. The wireless communications device includes a GPS switching module coupled to a conventional communications antenna, including its associated circuitry. The GPS switching module is adapted to selectively couple the communications antenna to GPS matching circuitry. In this arrangement, the GPS matching circuitry adjusts impedance at approximately 1575 MHz to more closely match the communications antenna to GPS circuitry in the wireless device.

Abstract: A family of FE dielectric-tuned antennas and a method for frequency tuning a wireless communications antenna are provided. The method comprises: forming a radiator; forming a dielectric with ferroelectric material proximate to the radiator; applying a voltage to the ferroelectric material; in response to applying the voltage, generating a dielectric constant; and, in response to the dielectric constant, communicating electromagnetic fields at a resonant frequency. Some aspects of the method further comprise: varying the applied voltage; and, modifying the resonant frequency in response to changes in the applied voltage. Modifying the resonant frequency includes forming an antenna with a variable operating frequency responsive to the applied voltage. Alternately stated, forming an antenna with a variable operating frequency includes forming an antenna with a predetermined fixed characteristic impedance, independent of the resonant frequency.

Abstract: A power amplifier matching circuit is provided. The matching circuit includes a ferro-electric tunable component. A control signal is applied to the tunable component, changing the component's impedance. This changes the impedance of the matching circuit.

Abstract: A family of FE dielectric-tuned antennas and a method for frequency tuning a wireless communications antenna are provided. The method comprises: forming a radiator; forming a dielectric with ferroelectric material proximate to the radiator; applying a voltage to the ferroelectric material; in response to applying the voltage, generating a dielectric constant; and, in response to the dielectric constant, communicating electromagnetic fields at a resonant frequency. Some aspects of the method further comprise: varying the applied voltage; and, modifying the resonant frequency in response to changes in the applied voltage. Modifying the resonant frequency includes forming an antenna with a variable operating frequency responsive to the applied voltage. Alternately stated, forming an antenna with a variable operating frequency includes forming an antenna with a predetermined fixed characteristic impedance, independent of the resonant frequency.

Abstract: A MEMS planar antenna array is provided comprising a planar field of MEMSs. A lattice of parasitic elements can be formed by selectively connecting at least one MEMS in the field. An antenna active element is formed by selectively connecting MEMS in the field. Alternately, both the parasitic elements and the active elements are formed by connecting MEMS. The parasitic elements have a number, shape, length, distance from the active element, and position with respect to the active element that are formed in response to selectively connecting MEMS in the field. Further, a plurality of different parasitic element lattices can be formed in response to selectively connecting MEMS in the field. Likewise, the active element has a length, shape, and position that is formed in response to selectively connecting MEMS. Patch, monopole, and dipole antennas are among the antenna types that can be formed from the MEMS.

Abstract: A system and a device are provided for recessing a fastener on a printed wire board (PWB). The system includes a PWB having a fastener hole, a top surface, and a bottom surface. The system further comprises a recessed fastener adapter which includes a board interface for interfacing the adapter with the PWB at the fastener hole and a fastener head engaging surface for accepting and recessing a fastener head. The board interface is generally in the shape of a tube. The walls of the tube may be circular, curved or straight in a cross-section perpendicular to the long axis of the tube. The tube has an exterior surface, which is connected to the PWB at the fastener hole. The fastener head engaging surface is formed by a closed end on the tube having an opening or bore. In one version of the adapter, a flange extends radially outward from the exterior surface of the tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides for low loss tunable matching circuits at rf frequencies. Ferro-electric materials are used to produce low loss tunable capacitors and inductors for use in matching circuits.

Abstract: A crystal oscillator having tunable ferroelectric components. A first ferroelectric capacitor is coupled to an automatic frequency control line for fine tuning the reference frequency. A second ferroelectric capacitor is coupled to temperature compensation control circuitry that applies a correction voltage to the second capacitor to vary the reference frequency in response to ambient temperature changes. A third ferroelectric capacitor has a capacitance that is adjusted and fixed during manufacture to set the initial tolerance of the crystal oscillator at ambient temperature.

Abstract: An inverted-F ferroelectric antenna is provided. The antenna comprises a counterpoise, or groundplane, and a radiator structure having a first end and a second end. A capacitor, formed from a ferroelectric dielectric is interposed between the second end of the radiator and the counterpoise. The capacitor has a variable dielectric constant, and the antenna is resonant at a frequency responsive to the dielectric constant of the capacitor ferroelectric material. Typically, the capacitor includes a dielectric formed from a fixed constant dielectric, together with a ferroelectric dielectric with a variable dielectric constant. A bias voltage feed is used to apply a voltage to the capacitor ferroelectric dielectric. The ferroelectric dielectric has a dielectric constant that varies in response to the applied voltage.

Abstract: A ferro-electric tunable duplexer is provided, integrated with one or more of the following parts: a power amplifier, an isolator, a diplexer, a low noise amplifier and an antenna matching circuit. More specifically, in addition to adding F-E tunability, one or more of the above components is integrated with the duplexer on one substrate. The components are integrated on one substrate either by placing each component, with the appropriate matching circuit directly on the substrate, or by direct fabrication of the component and matching circuit into or onto the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved wireless communication device capable of detecting the presence of an external device and dynamically updating its communication abilities to facilitate communication with the external device. The wireless communication device, upon detecting a wired or wireless connection from an external device, queries the external device to obtain summary profile information about the external device. The wireless device next formulates a query comprising at least a portion of the summary profile information and sends the query to a remote server to request an appropriate communication interface. The remote server responds with the appropriate communication interface. Upon receipt of the interface, the wireless communication device installs the interface and then proceeds to establish communication with the external device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamic installation of modular software applications and operating system components are provided. A wireless communication device sends a request to a software module server identifying a requested software module. The software module server responds with an instruction set for installing the software module and the software module itself. Upon receipt, the handset executes the instruction set to install the software module, making any necessary adjustments or deletions to data in persistent storage in order to accommodate the new software module. Subsequently, the wireless communication device is reconfigured or rebooted to complete the installation and configuration.

Abstract: Systems and methods for interchangeable hardware components on a wireless communication device are provided. When a handset is powered up after having a hardware component replaced, the handset recognizes the presence of a new component. The handset then queries the component to obtain profile information about the component. The handset next queries an update server over a wireless communication network and requests an optimized device driver that will allow the handset to utilize the complete functionality of the new component. The update server responds with the executable device driver itself and an instruction set for installing the device driver. Upon receipt, the handset installs the device driver and reconfigures or reboots to complete the installation and configuration process.

Abstract: A ferro-electric filter and method of tuning same. The filter includes a switch for switching between quarter wave resonator and half wave resonator modes. The filter also includes a ferro-electric component for tuning the resonant frequency. The method includes applying a switching control signal to the switch for switching between resonant frequencies and applying a tuning control signal for tuning the resonant frequency.

Abstract: A system and method for wireless communications includes a wireless communications device. The wireless communications device includes a microstrip, line or trace that has been structured to electrically connect to electrical circuitry and electrical components of the wireless communications device and has been adapted to transmit and to receive wirelessly a short-range wireless communications signal. The microstrip, line or trace is formed from branches of conducting material. One or more of the branches may include a specific absorption rate element, such as a specific absorption rate bracket.

Abstract: A tri-band antenna and method for forming the same are disclosed. The antenna comprises a meander line radiator, a tapered line radiator coupled to the meander line radiator, a straight line radiator coupled to the tapered line radiator, and a dielectric layer. Exemplary meander line, tapered line, and straight line radiators are formed as microstrip structures overlying the dielectric layer surfaces. According to one embodiment, the meander line radiator is formed on the dielectric top surface and is connected to the tapered line radiator on the dielectric bottom surface through a via. The straight line radiator is connected to the tapered line radiator output on the bottom surface, and is unterminated. In one aspect, the combination of the meander line radiator, tapered line radiator, and straight line radiator forms effective electrical lengths corresponding to the cellular frequency band, the GPS frequency band, and the PCS frequency band.

Abstract: A tunable antenna matching circuit is provided. The matching circuit includes a ferro-electric tunable component. A control signal is applied to the tunable component, changing the component's impedance. This changes the impedance of the matching circuit.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for bi-directional power conversion in a portable device. The system uses a single inductor to perform both buck and boost power conversion operations and a controller to supply signals to two switches, enabling electric current paths. The system includes a battery connected to ground and to an inductor terminal. The first switch has a terminal connected to a portable device power bus, a second terminal connected to a second inductor terminal, and an input to accept a control signal. The second switch has a terminal connected to the second inductor terminal, a second terminal connected to a portable device ground, and an input to accept a control signal. Controller inputs accept the bus voltage and the battery voltage and outputs supply power conversion control signals to the switches in response to evaluating the bus and battery voltages.

Abstract: An LO leakage canceller for a direct conversion receiver is disclosed. The canceller includes an RF input stage operating to provide at least two input signals, a local oscillator, an in-phase processor, and a quadrature processor. The local oscillator is configured to produce at least two reference signals for modulating the two input signals. Each of the in-phase and quadrature processors includes two consecutive quadrature splitters operating to substantially reduce leakage of the reference signal from the local oscillator to the RF input stage.