Abstract: A water tank management system that connects either to a hot water tank directly or to an electric panel connected to the tank. The system comprises at least two temperature sensors, each of which is attached on the surface of the hot water tank near respective heating elements. The system comprises a control box which includes a solid-state relay that modulates the flow of electrical power to the heating elements in order to lower the energy used by the tank. The modulation is controlled by a program stored in a memory in the control box or communicated to the control box via an external controller. The system optionally comprises a third temperature sensor placed outdoors to measure the ambient outdoor temperature. With this feature, the system can activate a program to reduce energy consumption when the outdoor ambient temperature is outside a critical temperature range.

Abstract: A lightweight and compact design provides for a portable antenna device that is able to receive over the air digital broadcasts. Such a device can receive a large number of high definition digital signals, over a wide spectrum. The device can be powered by a number of approaches, including receiving power over a USB or similar connection. Such a device thus can be used with home analog or digital televisions as well as portable digital media devices. The device includes an extendable, substantially rectangular antenna element that is shaped to receive the digital signals over a wide band.

Abstract: An automatic tuning procedure can be used to allow a small, high efficiency ferrite antenna assembly to be used in various FM frequency based devices. The ferrite antenna can take the form of a rod or flat disk, for example, which can use a pick-up coil and tuning coil to provide sufficient signal strength using a small FM antenna. A balanced amplifier can be used to provide differential input in order to further reduce noise. A microcontroller can determine the strength of the FM signal at various frequencies and can automatically tune the operating frequency to optimize system performance.

Abstract: An automatic tuning procedure can be used to allow a small, high efficiency ferrite antenna assembly to be used in various FM frequency based devices. The ferrite antenna can take the form of a rod or flat disk, for example, which can use a pick-up coil and tuning coil to provide sufficient signal strength using a small FM antenna. A balanced amplifier can be used to provide differential input in order to further reduce noise. A microcontroller can determine the strength of the FM signal at various frequencies and can automatically tune the operating frequency to optimize system performance.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include an amplification system and method of controlling an amplifier. The method comprises receiving a first digital signal representing a desired amplifier signal level, receiving a portion of said amplifiers output signal, and adjusting the voltage on a body terminal of said amplifier so that the output signal is maintained in a predetermined range. The amplification system comprises an MOS amplifier wherein the body terminal is adjusted to maintain the output at desired levels. In one embodiment, the body terminal is a fine adjust, and an input attenuator is used for a coarse adjust. In another embodiment, input and output couplers are coupled to the amplifier, and portions of the input and output signals are used to adjust the body terminal to maintain a desired output level.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an amplifier circuit and method that can be used to save power or reduce distortion in an electronic system, such as a wireless communication system. In one embodiment, the present invention includes an amplifier circuit comprising a transistor having a gate terminal, drain terminal, body terminal, and a load. An input signal has different signal envelopes during different time periods. A control signal coupled to the body terminal is used to change the voltage on the body terminal when the input receives different envelopes. Accordingly, the amplifier can be biased to use less power when lower envelopes are being received. Electronic systems, such as wireless communication systems, can realize advantageous performance enhancements by utilizing the amplifier and other techniques employed by embodiments of the present invention.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include an amplification system and method of controlling an amplifier. The method comprises receiving a first digital signal representing a desired amplifier signal level, receiving a portion of said amplifiers output signal, and adjusting the voltage on a body terminal of said amplifier so that the output signal is maintained in a predetermined range. The amplification system comprises an MOS amplifier wherein the body terminal is adjusted to maintain the output at desired levels. In one embodiment, the body terminal is a fine adjust, and an input attenuator is used for a coarse adjust. In another embodiment, input and output couplers are coupled to the amplifier, and portions of the input and output signals are used to adjust the body terminal to maintain a desired output level.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an amplifier circuit and method that can be used to save power or reduce distortion in an electronic system, such as a wireless communication system. In one embodiment, the present invention includes an amplifier circuit comprising a transistor having a gate terminal, drain terminal, body terminal, and a load. An input signal has different signal envelopes during different time periods. A control signal coupled to the body terminal is used to change the voltage on the body terminal when the input receives different envelopes. Accordingly, the amplifier can be biased to use less power when lower envelopes are being received. Electronic systems, such as wireless communication systems, can realize advantageous performance enhancements by utilizing the amplifier and other techniques employed by embodiments of the present invention.