Patents Assigned to MONOLITH INC.
  • Publication number: 20070298733
    Abstract: A radio frequency transceiver for off-line transmit and receive calibrations includes: a transmit pre-distortion module configured to receive a transmit calibration signal during a transmit calibration mode, a transmit communication signal during a transmit communication operation mode, and one or more transmit calibration adjustment signals; a transmit channel frequency converter; and a transmit calibration module configured to provide the one or more transmit calibration adjustment signals and the transmit calibration signal to the transmit pre-distortion module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: Sierra Monolithics, Inc., A California Corporation
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Joseph Cole, David A. Rowe, Craig A. Hornbuckle
  • Patent number: 7313377
    Abstract: A circuit includes one or more first amplifiers operable to amplify an incoming signal to produce an amplified incoming signal. The incoming signal is associated with a desired signal. The circuit also includes a controller. In response to the amplified incoming signal exceeding a first threshold and the desired signal not exceeding a second threshold, the controller is operable to allow one or more second amplifiers to amplify the incoming signal and/or increase a current supplied to the one or more first amplifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: RF Monolithics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Kansy
  • Patent number: 7286572
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a serdes framer interface (SFI) circuit for receiving a first set of data channels and a reference channel, generating first logic levels for the first set of data channels, and realigning the first set of data channels relative to a reference channel. The integrated circuit further includes a multiplexing circuit for receiving a second set of data channels and for merging the second set of data channels into one or more data channels. The second set of data channels is generated based on the first set of data channels. A data rate of the one or more data channels is higher than a data rate of the second set of data channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Sierra Monolithics, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig A. Hornbuckle, David A. Rowe, Thomas W. Krawczyk, Jr., Samuel A. Steidl, Inho Kim
  • Patent number: 7260375
    Abstract: A frequency agile sequential amplifier circuit that includes first and second RF amplifiers coupled by a SAW delay line, a double balanced mixer coupling the first RF amplifier to the SAW delay line, the output of the first RF amplifier providing a signal as a first input to the double balanced mixer and a variable pulse generator coupled to both said first and second RF amplifiers to cause them to sequentially and alternately conduct, and a divide/2 circuit coupling said variable pulse generator to said double balanced mixer as a second input at ½ the rate of said RF amplifiers to cause the sequential amplifier circuit to achieve frequency agility and to substantially maintain its sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: RF Monolithics, Inc.
    Inventor: Darrell Lee Ash
  • Patent number: 7231189
    Abstract: A communication system includes a front-end multi-throw switch, a back-end multi-throw switch, multiple filters and a switch controller. The front-end multi-throw switch includes front-end throws and a front-end pole. The front-end pole is coupled to a receive channel or a transmit channel. The front-end pole is switchably coupled to one of the front-end throws. The back-end multi-throw switch includes back-end throws and a back-end pole. Each of the back-end throws is associated with a corresponding one of the front-end throws. The back-end pole is coupled to the receive channel or the transmit channel. The back-end pole is switchably coupled to one of the back-end throws. The one of the back-end throws corresponds to the one of the front-end throws. The filters are interposed between the front-end multi-throw switch and the back-end multi-throw switch. Each of the filters has a first port coupled to one of the front-end throws and a second port coupled to one of the back-end throws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Sierra Monolithics, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Rowe, Craig A. Hornbuckle, Matthew D. Pope
  • Patent number: 7199674
    Abstract: A two port, single pole SAW resonator is employed for a local oscillator to eliminate the secondary frequency responses of the prior art without adding additional inductances and capacitances within an amplifier stage. The stray capacitance which is seen within the equivalent circuit of a single pole, two port SAW resonator at a port for the SAW resonator is tuned out by coupling an appropriately sized inductance in parallel with that stray capacitance. Access to the series resonator within the SAW resonator equivalent circuit is thus provided, permitting direct tuning of the resonant frequency for the SAW resonator. The high Q of the SAW resonator ensures low phase noise/edge jitter, while direct tuning of the series resonator enables a wide tune range. The tunable SAW resonator circuit is thus well-suited for use in a low phase noise tunable oscillator employed, for instance, in clock recovery within SONET applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: RF Monolithics, Inc.
    Inventor: Darrell Lee Ash
  • Patent number: 7167082
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a wireless warning signal. The method also includes identifying a type of warning associated with the wireless warning signal. In addition, the method includes generating at least one stimulus based on the identified type of warning and capable of being detected by a user. As particular examples, the at least one stimulus includes visual and/or tactile stimuli that differ based on the identified type of warning. The visual stimuli may be produced by a stimulator on a hardhat worn by the user. The tactile stimuli may be produced by a stimulator in a wristband worn by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: RF Monolithics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Stigall
  • Patent number: 7155193
    Abstract: A multi-channel filtering system for use with a transceiver includes a front-end multi-pole, multi-throw switch, a back-end multi-pole, multi-throw switch, and a plurality of filters. The front-end switch includes a receive pole, a transmit pole, and a plurality of switch throws. The back-end switch also includes a receive pole, a transmit pole, and a plurality of switch throws. Each of the plurality of filters has first and second ports, each first port coupled to one of the switch throws of the front-end switch, and each second port coupled to one of the switch throws of the back-end switch. Using this configuration, filters of differing bandwidths can be switched in during signal reception and/or transmission, thereby tailoring the communication rate to the particular conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Sierra Monolithics, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Rowe, Craig A. Hornbuckle, Matthew D Pope
  • Patent number: 7148794
    Abstract: A vehicle back-up alarm system includes a sensor capable of determining when a vehicle is at least one of in a reverse gear and moving backwards. The vehicle back-up alarm system also includes a transmitter module capable of transmitting a warning signal in response to the sensor determining that the vehicle is at least one of in the reverse gear and moving backwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: RF Monolithics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Stigall
  • Publication number: 20060220809
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a monitoring system capable of monitoring one or more measurable characteristics associated with the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a transceiver capable of broadcasting information associated with the one or more measurable characteristics for delivery to a controller. The transceiver is also capable of receiving information from at least one of the controller and another vehicle and broadcasting the received information for delivery to a destination other than the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Applicant: RF Monolithics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Stigall, Dan Nelson
  • Publication number: 20060209878
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a first message at a router in a mesh network and synchronizing the router to a plurality of time slots using the first message. The method also includes repeatedly incrementing a network reference value at each time slot up to a maximum value and then decrementing the network reference value at each time slot down to a minimum value. In addition, the method includes broadcasting a second message at the router when the network reference value has a specific value that is associated with a unique identifier of the router.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Publication date: September 21, 2006
    Applicant: RF Monolithics, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan Nelson
  • Publication number: 20060209720
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a request to identify any communication paths visible to a first router in a mesh network and broadcasting the request. The method also includes identifying one or more second routers that broadcast information received by the first router, where the one or more identified second routers are associated with the communication paths visible to the first router. The method further includes receiving at least one first response from at least one of the second routers, where the at least one first response identifies the communication paths visible to at least one of the second routers. In addition, the method includes broadcasting a second response at the first router, where the second response identifies the communication paths visible to at least one of the second routers and to the first router.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Publication date: September 21, 2006
    Applicant: RF Monolithics, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan Nelson
  • Patent number: 7046147
    Abstract: An asset subsystem is provided for use in a security system. The security system includes a security system controller operable to trigger an alarm. The asset subsystem includes a transceiver operable to communicate a first signal to a tag associated with an asset and to receive a second signal communicated by the tag in response to the first signal. The asset subsystem also includes a controller operable to determine whether the tag failed to communicate the second signal to the transceiver and trigger the alarm in response to determining that the tag failed to communicate the second signal to the transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: RF Monolithics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Stigall
  • Publication number: 20050208918
    Abstract: A multi-channel filtering system for use with a transceiver includes a front-end multi-pole, multi-throw switch, a back-end multi-pole, multi-throw switch, and a plurality of filters. The front-end switch includes a receive pole, a transmit pole, and a plurality of switch throws. The back-end switch also includes a receive pole, a transmit pole, and a plurality of switch throws. Each of the plurality of filters has first and second ports, each first port coupled to one of the switch throws of the front-end switch, and each second port coupled to one of the switch throws of the back-end switch. Using this configuration, filters of differing bandwidths can be switched in during signal reception and/or transmission, thereby tailoring the communication rate to the particular conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Applicant: Sierra Monolithics, Inc.
    Inventors: David Rowe, Craig Hornbuckle, Matt Pope
  • Patent number: 6914493
    Abstract: To secure the benefits of a low phase noise, wide tune range SAW oscillator in noisy environments, the tunable two port SAW resonator circuit within the oscillator is employed in differential mode, connected to a differential amplifier circuit to create a differential oscillator. In the absence of any need for ground or power supply voltage level references, low phase noise/edge jitter is maintained even in hostile environments while providing sufficient tune range to track small frequency changes. The resulting differential mode SAW oscillator is thus well-suited for use, for instance, in clock recovery within SONET applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: RF Monolithics, Inc.
    Inventor: Darrell Lee Ash
  • Patent number: 6909334
    Abstract: A two port, single pole SAW resonator is employed for a local oscillator to eliminate the secondary frequency responses of the prior art without adding additional inductances and capacitances within an amplifier stage. The stray capacitance which is seen within the equivalent circuit of a single pole, two port SAW resonator at a port for the SAW resonator is tuned out by coupling an appropriately sized inductance in parallel with that stray capacitance. Access to the series resonator within the SAW resonator equivalent circuit is thus provided, permitting direct tuning of the resonant frequency for the SAW resonator. The high Q of the SAW resonator ensures low phase noise/edge jitter, while direct tuning of the series resonator enables a wide tune range. The tunable SAW resonator circuit is thus well-suited for use in a low phase noise tunable oscillator employed, for instance, in clock recovery within SONET applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: RF Monolithics, Inc.
    Inventor: Darrell Lee Ash
  • Publication number: 20050079871
    Abstract: A system includes a database, a controller, and multiple nodes. The database is capable of storing information. The controller is capable of facilitating access to the database. The controller is also capable of detecting a new node in the network and, if necessary, communicating a network protocol to the new node to allow the new node to participate in the network. The information in the database could represent medical-related information. The nodes could include fixed nodes and portable nodes. The network could represent a mesh network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Applicant: RF Monolithics, Inc.
    Inventors: David Kirk, Frank Perkins, Terry Hinkle
  • Publication number: 20050046560
    Abstract: A vehicle back-up alarm system includes a sensor capable of determining when a vehicle is at least one of in a reverse gear and moving backwards. The vehicle back-up alarm system also includes a transmitter module capable of transmitting a warning signal in response to the sensor determining that the vehicle is at least one of in the reverse gear and moving backwards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Publication date: March 3, 2005
    Applicant: RF Monolithics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Stigall
  • Publication number: 20050046562
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a wireless warning signal. The method also includes identifying a type of warning associated with the wireless warning signal. In addition, the method includes generating at least one stimulus based on the identified type of warning and capable of being detected by a user. As particular examples, the at least one stimulus includes visual and/or tactile stimuli that differ based on the identified type of warning. The visual stimuli may be produced by a stimulator on a hardhat worn by the user. The tactile stimuli may be produced by a stimulator in a wristband worn by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Publication date: March 3, 2005
    Applicant: RF Monolithics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Stigall
  • Publication number: 20040209586
    Abstract: A circuit includes one or more first amplifiers operable to amplify an incoming signal to produce an amplified incoming signal. The incoming signal is associated with a desired signal. The circuit also includes a controller. In response to the amplified incoming signal exceeding a first threshold and the desired signal not exceeding a second threshold, the controller is operable to allow one or more second amplifiers to amplify the incoming signal and/or increase a current supplied to the one or more first amplifiers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: RF Monolithics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Kansy