Patents Assigned to National Instruments Corporation
  • Patent number: 10218549
    Abstract: A post-equalization phase tracking unit, for each signal block of a received series: computes beginning absolute phase rotation using equalized preceding pilot symbols; subdivides the block into a time sequence of groups of equalized symbols; initializes accumulated phase associated with the first-in-time group with the absolute phase rotation. For each group, the unit: computes a de-rotated version of each symbol using the previous group's accumulated phase used to blindly estimate a residual group phase; assigns the group's accumulated phase with a sum of the group's residual phase and the previous group's accumulated phase; estimates phase drift within the group by using at least the group's accumulated phase to compute a phase compensation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Löhning, Eckhard Ohlmer
  • Patent number: 10218548
    Abstract: A pre-equalization phase tracking unit, for each signal block of received series: computes autocorrelation between portion of identical-as-transmitted initial and terminal sequences and computes phase of autocorrelation; estimates start phase of block processing window using autocorrelation phase and start phase of previous signal block in series; estimates phase drift within window by interpolating using estimated start phases of at least the signal block and next signal block in series; and computes phase compensation signal using estimated phase drift. A post-equalization phase tracking unit subdivides the block into time sequence of groups of equalized symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Löhning, Eckhard Ohlmer
  • Patent number: 10219405
    Abstract: Various types of electronic devices may be mounted in a chassis in order to facilitate interfacing with the devices, containing the devices, provide cooling systems which may remove heat from the electronic devices, etc. Delivering adequate cooling air flow to each electronic device in a chassis may be an important issue for the proper functioning, lifetime, or other characteristics of electronic devices contained in a chassis. Embodiments presented herein describe a novel design for an air flow straightener that is configured for insertion within the chassis to straighten the airflow. In some embodiments, the grating is comprised of long dividers and shorter dividers that are predominantly oriented perpendicularly to each other, resulting in a rectangular grating. Including such a grating in a chassis may improve the uniformity and performance of the cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard G. Baldwin, Jr., Jared S. Harlan, D. Vance Toth
  • Patent number: 10205824
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a wireless power supply that wirelessly provides power to a cellular device having an embedded subscriber identification module (eSIM) while the cellular device is placed adjacent to the wireless power supply, a radio, and a processor programmed to control the radio to wirelessly provide a subscriber identification module (SIM) profile to a cellular device for loading into the eSIM while the wireless power supply wirelessly provides power to the cellular device. A cellular device includes an eSIM, a radio that wirelessly receives a SIM profile, a battery, and a secondary power supply configured to be wirelessly energized when placed adjacent to a wireless power supply. The secondary power supply supplies power to the radio while it receives the SIM profile and to the eSIM while the cellular device loads a SIM profile into the eSIM. The battery subsequently supplies power to the eSIM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventor: Tim Hentschel
  • Patent number: 10201020
    Abstract: A system and method for performing multi-user random access procedures in a mobile telecommunications network between a base station and a user equipment (UE) having a plurality of antennas includes transmitting a random access signal set (RASS) message using one or more antennas of the plurality of UE antennas. In response to receiving the RASS message, the base station transmitting a random access response physical downlink control channel (RAR-PDCCH) message. In response to receiving the RAR-PDCCH message, transmitting a reciprocity reference signal set (RRSS) signal using the plurality of UE antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: James Wesley McCoy, Nikhil U. Kundargi, Karl F. Nieman, Jr., Lothar Wenzel, Marcus Monroe
  • Patent number: 10181913
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed related to calibrating and operating a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) radio system. In some embodiments, a dual mode calibration may be employed to calibrate a remote transmitter (RT). During a first, Sparse Full System Calibration (SFSC) mode, the RT may be physically connected to the MIMO radio system. In some embodiments, first and second equalizers may be derived for each of the RT and a local transmitter (LT), respectively. During a subsequent, Real-time Calibration (RTC) mode, the RT may be located remotely from the MIMO radio system, and the RT may be configured to communicate with the MIMO radio system over the air via an antenna. In the RTC mode, third equalizers may be derived for the LT. The RT may then be calibrated based on an equalizer that is derived from each of the first, second, and third equalizers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tanim Mohammed Abu Taher, Ahsan Aziz, James W. McCoy
  • Patent number: 10181858
    Abstract: Sampling accuracy during sampling of analog input signals may be improved by performing an “auto-zero every sample” procedure. The ratio of input signal samples to zero input samples for the sampling time interval defined by the sampling frequency may be determined based on the sampling frequency. For sampling frequencies equal to or less than a specified frequency characteristic of the signal conditioning path of the analog input signal, the ratio may be set to unity (one). For sampling frequencies above the specified frequency, the ratio may be set to be greater than unity (one), and may be a power-of-two. A digital signal processing block may include independent digital signal processing paths for the input signal measurements and the zero input measurements. Each signal processing path may include a low-pass infinite impulse response filter, an average decimation finite impulse response filter, and a binary shifter to allow for the adjustable ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Raymundo J. Medina
  • Patent number: 10176137
    Abstract: A selectively transparent bridge facilitates a PCI device presenting itself to the host as a PCI-to-PCI bridge but selectively hiding and isolating hardware from the host bus. PCI configuration may be achieved through the standard PCI Express configuration mechanisms, but instead of configuring devices directly, a configuration processor in the selectively transparent bridge may intercept the configuration packets from the host, and create a virtual configuration to alter how the bus topology appears to the host. Devices are selectively hidden and managed by the configuration processor, resulting in simplified complexity and bus depth. Since the selectively transparent bridge appears to the host as a transparent bridge, no special drivers or resource preallocations are required, although the selectively transparent bridge fully supports special drivers and/or resource preallocations. Devices located/connected downstream of the bridge may therefore function with unmodified drivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonathan W. Hearn, Craig S. Jones, Robert D. Ross
  • Patent number: 10175334
    Abstract: Systems and methods for calibration and operation of a source-measure unit (SMU). The system may include a functional unit and output terminals coupled to the functional unit. An excitation signal may be applied to a capacitor by the SMU. The capacitor may be included in a calibration circuit. The method may include obtaining one or more of a current calibration coefficient (CCC) or a voltage calibration coefficient (VCC). The CCC may correspond to a current-range setting and the VCC may correspond to a voltage-range setting. The CCC may be obtained from a value of a first current and a value of a second current developed in the capacitor responsive to the excitation signal. The VCC may be obtained from a value of a first voltage and a value of a second voltage developed across the capacitor responsive to the excitation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher G. Regier, Pablo Limon
  • Patent number: 10164670
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for using a single receiving device, such as a single VSA, to capture and digitize multiple time-domain acquisitions of a repeating signal at different center frequencies, to create a single time-domain waveform having a bandwidth greater than the real-time instantaneous bandwidth of the receiving device. Specifically, one or more signal processing paths may process the multiple digitized acquisitions of the repeating signal, either sequentially or in parallel, such that the processed acquisitions may be aggregated into a representation of one or more repetitions of the repeating signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen L. Dark, Christopher N. White
  • Patent number: 10164793
    Abstract: Systems and methods for interoperating between real time networks. Systems may include a plurality of ports and switch circuitry coupled to the plurality of ports. At least one port may be coupled to a first real time network carrying first traffic. One or more other ports may be coupled to a second real time network carrying second traffic. Switch circuitry may route packets between the first real time network and the one or more second real time networks based on a mapping. Routing information may be inserted in packets routed from the one or more second real time networks to the first real time network and routing information may be removed from the packets routed from the first real time network to the one or more second real time networks. Packets may be routed based on the mapping to distinct queues for the first and second traffic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sundeep Chandhoke, Rodney W. Cummings, Changzhe Gao, Brian Keith Odom
  • Patent number: 10145866
    Abstract: A current measurement connector may include a first part and a second part. Each part may include a mount and a joint. The first and second part may be joined via the respective joints through a current transformer interposed between the first and second parts. The respective mounts may be configured to receive a current from a current source and pass the received current through the current transformer via the first and second parts inducing a current in the current transformer. The induced current may be useable to measure the current from the current source. Methods for fabricating the current measurement connector may include die casting the first and second parts and press fitting the first and second parts at the respective joints through the current transformer. Methods for use may include withstanding a fault current pulse and dissipating heat associated with the pulse via the first and second parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
    Inventor: David R. Pasternak
  • Patent number: 10125706
    Abstract: A boost power supply may be constructed of a number of smaller switching power supplies, each switching power supply providing a respective portion of a combined output current provided by the boost power supply to a load. A different respective control signal may be provided to each switching power supply to regulate the respective portion of the combined output current provided by the switching power supply. Each different respective control signal may be provided to the corresponding switching power supply out of phase with respect to each other different respective control signal to prevent the combined output current from exceeding a specified threshold current value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew Viele, Carroll G. Dase
  • Patent number: 10122495
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to circuitry configured to interleave data, e.g., for use to process error correcting codes for wireless data transmission. In some embodiments an apparatus includes one or more circuit elements configured to receive input data samples, a plurality of polynomial coefficients, a start index, and information indicating a window size for non-sequential traversal of interleaver indices. The polynomial coefficients may include coefficients for at least a third-order polynomial. In some embodiments, the one or more circuit elements are further configured to generate interleaved bank and address information for writing the input data samples to the plurality of memory blocks, based on an order of the polynomial, a code block length, the start index, and the information indicating the window size. In some embodiments, the apparatus also includes output circuitry configured to provide interleaved data samples from the memory blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthias Henker, Tim Taubert, Clemens Michalke
  • Patent number: 10120405
    Abstract: A single semiconductor-based junction may be used to create a voltage reference, and temperature compensate the voltage reference, by time-multiplexing the voltage reference between different current drive levels. That is, the value of the current driven through the single junction may be repeatedly varied in a recurring manner. In case the junction is a zener diode, the current may be repeatedly switched between forward and reverse directions. As long as the temperature coefficients (in ppm/° C.) of the different voltages developed responsive to the different currents across the junction are different, a weighting of the different voltage values yield a zero temperature coefficient voltage reference value. To implement a bandgap reference, a single diode-connected bipolar junction transistor may alternately be forward-biased using a first current and at least a second current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Christopher G. Regier
  • Patent number: 10110679
    Abstract: Generating a schedule for a distributed real time system. At least one schedule generator may receive temporal properties from respective timed functions executing on master devices, where each master device is connected to a respective plurality of slave devices. Each master includes one or more timed functions configured to control timing of physical input and/or output operations for the respective plurality of slave devices, and streams between the master device and the respective plurality of slave devices. The schedule generator may receive associations between the timed functions and streams between master devices, and generate respective schedules for the masters based at least in part on the temporal properties and the associations. The respective schedules may be distributed to the master devices, and are useable by the master devices to control execution of the timed functions and the streams between the master devices in real time in a coordinated manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sundeep Chandhoke, Aljosa Vrancic
  • Patent number: 10103928
    Abstract: Nyquist filters for pulse shaping and related matched filters in wireless communications are disclosed that provide improved performance. The disclosed embodiments recognize that the second derivative of the raised cosine function is discontinuous in the frequency domain and that the first derivative of the square root raised cosine is discontinuous in the frequency domain. As such, a generalization for the raised cosine filter is applied, and improvements can be made to the raised cosine function time-frequency localization and ultimately to tradeoffs between inter-symbol interference and adjacent channel interference by introducing smoothness to the higher order derivatives of the frequency response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: James Wesley McCoy, Lothar Wenzel
  • Patent number: 10089157
    Abstract: An Autonomous Concurrency Management (ACM) subsystem enables test instruments (operating as servers) to reliably and efficiently handle a variety of seamless multi-device-under-test (multi-DUT) scenarios and with minimal cooperation from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) client software (e.g. test plans, hardware abstraction layer, etc.). Concurrency capability is built directly into the test instruments. Making the instrument based concurrency autonomous means the OEM software code base need not be specifically implemented for concurrency, potentially saving thousands of lines of OEM software code. To support basic concurrency scenarios where clients asynchronously share the instrument, as well as advanced concurrency scenarios such as a broadcast scenario, the ACM includes software lock, client separator, client rendezvous, and client observer functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mark R. DeWitt
  • Patent number: 10091027
    Abstract: Systems and methods for interoperating between networks. A first network may be configured to operate according to a first real time network protocol and each of one or more second networks may be configured to operate according to respective second real time traffic protocols. A mapping may specify data routing between a plurality of ports and the routing may maintain real time behavior between the first network and the one or more second networks. Additionally, routing information may be inserted in packets routed from the one or more second networks to the first network and removed from packets routed from the first network to the one or more second networks. The packets may be routed, based on the mapping, to distinct queues for the first network and the one or more second networks for processing by an application executing on at least one device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sundeep Chandhoke, Rodney W. Cummings, Changzhe Gao, Brian Keith Odom
  • Patent number: 10078456
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to resolving memory access hazards. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a memory and circuitry coupled to or comprised in the memory. In this embodiment, the circuitry is configured to receive a sequence of memory access requests for the memory, where the sequence of memory access requests is configured to access locations associated with entries in a matrix. In this embodiment, the circuitry is configured with memory access constraints for the sequence of memory access requests. In this embodiment, the circuitry is configured to grant the sequence of memory access requests subject to the memory access constraints, thereby avoiding memory access hazards for a sequence of memory accesses corresponding to the sequence of memory access requests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tai A. Ly, Swapnil D. Mhaske, Hojin Kee, Adam T. Arnesen, David C. Uliana, Newton G. Petersen