Patents Assigned to SiGe Semiconductor (Europe) Limited
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Patent number: 9482759Abstract: A receiver receiving global positioning data from one or more satellites above the Earth's surface detects a change in at least one parameter associated with the receiver and determines if the change is to be treated as erroneous. As a result of determining if the change in the at least one parameter is to be treated as erroneous, a further action may be performed. Determining if the change is to be treated as erroneous may include, for example, detecting changes in more than one parameter and determining if the changes are coincident. Detecting the change may also enable the receiver to predict the presence and magnitude of multipath components of signals, predict changes in an environment local to the receiver, predict large errors in position estimates determined by the receiver and modify an acquisition and tracking strategy used by the receiver.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2013Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: SIGE Semiconductor (Europe) LimitedInventor: Ben J Tarlow
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Publication number: 20140225772Abstract: A receiver receiving global positioning data from one or more satellites above the Earth's surface detects a change in at least one parameter associated with the receiver and determines if the change is to be treated as erroneous. As a result of determining if the change in the at least one parameter is to be treated as erroneous, a further action may be performed. Determining if the change is to be treated as erroneous may include, for example, detecting changes in more than one parameter and determining if the changes are coincident. Detecting the change may also enable the receiver to predict the presence and magnitude of multipath components of signals, predict changes in an environment local to the receiver, predict large errors in position estimates determined by the receiver and modify an acquisition and tracking strategy used by the receiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2013Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: SIGE Semiconductor (Europe) LimitedInventor: SIGE Semiconductor (Europe) Limited
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Publication number: 20140156179Abstract: Embodiments of the invention involve providing assistance data to a global position and navigation receiver, for example topographical data, such that the receiver can decide on a specific action depending on that data. The topographical data may include one or both of geographical data and architectural data. Geographical data may include information about natural formations, such as hills, valleys, forests, etc. Architectural data may include manmade formations, such as streets, buildings, bridges, etc. The receiver may then interpret and decide on a course of action for controlling the receiver base on the assistance data.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2014Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: SiGe Semiconductor (Europe) LimitedInventors: Ben J. Tarlow, Stuart Walker Strickland
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Patent number: 8692710Abstract: Embodiments of the invention involve providing assistance data to a global position and navigation receiver, for example topographical data, such that the receiver can decide on a specific action depending on that data. The topographical data may include one or both of geographical data and architectural data. Geographical data may include information about natural formations, such as hills, valleys, forests, etc. Architectural data may include manmade formations, such as streets, buildings, bridges, etc. The receiver may then interpret and decide on a course of action for controlling the receiver base on the assistance data.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2007Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: SiGe Semiconductor (Europe) LimitedInventors: Ben Tarlow, Stuart Strickland
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Patent number: 8588338Abstract: A circuit for providing AM/PM modulation is described. The circuit includes a signal generator, which provides two phase modulated (PM) signals used to form two drive signals which are later combined in a constructive/destructive fashion. The combination of the two phase modulated signals form a signal for driving a load. When the load is driven, the resulting signal is AM/PM modulated.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2013Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: SiGe Semiconductor (Europe) LimitedInventor: Jeffrey Wojtiuk
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Publication number: 20130121444Abstract: A circuit for providing AM/PM modulation is described. The circuit includes a signal generator, which provides two phase modulated (PM) signals used to form two drive signals which are later combined in a constructive/destructive fashion. The combination of the two phase modulated signals form a signal for driving a load. When the load is driven, the resulting signal is AM/PM modulated.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2013Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: SiGe Semiconductor (Europe) LimitedInventor: SiGe Semiconductor (Europe) Limited
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Patent number: 8400353Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for use in a receiver that receives global positioning data from one or more satellites above the Earth's surface. The apparatus and methods involve detecting a change in at least one parameter associated with the receiver and determining if the change in the at least one parameter is to be treated as erroneous. As a result of determining if the change in the at least one parameter is to be treated as erroneous, a further action may be performed. Determining if the change is to be treated as erroneous may include, for example, detecting changes in more than one parameter and determining if the changes are coincident. Detecting a change in at least one parameter may also enable the receiver to predict the presence and magnitude of multipath components of signals, predict changes in an environment local to the receiver, predict large errors in position estimates determined by the receiver and modify an acquisition and tracking strategy used by the receiver.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2007Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: SiGe Semiconductor (Europe) LimitedInventor: Ben Tarlow
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Patent number: 8355465Abstract: A circuit for providing AM/PM modulation is described. The circuit includes a signal generator, which provides two phase modulated (PM) signals used to form two drive signals which are later combined in a constructive/destructive fashion. The combination of the two phase modulated signals form a signal for driving a load. When the load is driven, the resulting signal is AM/PM modulated.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2004Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: SiGe Semiconductor (Europe) LimitedInventor: Jeffrey Wojtiuk
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Patent number: 7893761Abstract: A method and circuit are provided wherein the magnitude of an RF signal provided by RF circuit is used to derive a control set point of the RF circuit via an intermediate controller circuit. This controller circuit having the specific function of providing the actual voltage applied to the control point of the RF circuit, via the use of a charge pump, regulator or combination thereof. In this manner the controller limits the maximum applicable voltage set by the limiting characteristics of the charge pump, voltage regulator, or combination thereof. Such limiting characteristics allow the control of the RF circuit to be stabilized against a variety of external factors such as ambient temperature, battery voltage, circuit aging, amongst other factors in a manner exploiting a minimum of additional electronics thereby providing for such performance enhancements with minimum additional die footprint and power consumption.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2006Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: SiGe Semiconductor (Europe) LimitedInventor: Stefan Fulga
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Publication number: 20100248674Abstract: A method of extracting predetermined narrowband microwave signals having common transmission center frequency is presented through the teachings of the invention. In an embodiment of the invention a software based signal processing approach is employed to identify the microwave signals present and control an adaptive bandwidth filter to provide an approximately optimal transmission bandwidth of the adaptive bandwidth filter for the selected microwave signal and minimized noise into the correlation process.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2007Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: Sige Semiconductor (Europe) LimitedInventors: Howard Smith, Stuart Strickland, Stefan Fulga
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Patent number: 7761072Abstract: GPS signals are typically weak and thus easily interfered with by other radio transmissions in the same or adjacent frequency bands. Interference can be especially problematic when the GPS receiver is co-located with a communications device that includes a radio transmitter, such as a cellular telephone. The transmitted signal from the co-located communication device can overload (or saturate) the GPS receiver front-end designed to receive weak GPS signals. In such a situation no useful information can be extracted from the received GPS signals originating from the GPS satellites. Described herein is a novel apparatus and method that can be used to minimize the effect of co-located interference on a GPS receiver.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2005Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Sige Semiconductor (Europe) LimitedInventors: Dennis Arthur Fielder, Anne Fielder, legal representative, Stefan Fulga
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Patent number: 7649958Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for amplitude modulation of an RF transmit signal using pulse width modulation to control an amount of energy within each period. The apparatus includes a signal processing circuit with an input port for receiving of information indicative of a carrier frequency and modulation data. The signal processing circuit has a first output port and a second output port for providing of output signals having a phase relationship therebetween. A power amplifier is provided for receiving the output signals and for generating a pulse width modulated signal in dependence thereon.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2004Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Assignee: SiGe Semiconductor (Europe) LimitedInventors: Philip Macphail, Jeremy Loraine
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Patent number: 7616934Abstract: A method of providing an impedance match for an integrated semiconductor circuit to other microwave elements is provided by allowing the selection of one of a plurality of impedance matching ratios between the circuit and other elements. The tunable impedance match comprises a microwave impedance transformer with at least a single primary winding, and a plurality of secondary windings, wherein the winding configuration is determined by an electrical switching apparatus allowing the secondary windings to be connected in series, parallel and combinations thereof to provide the required impedance matching. The method allows for both dynamic matching of an integrated semiconductor circuit for increased efficiency, and hence reduced power consumption, and directly matching said circuit to high impedance antennae etc.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2006Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: SiGe Semiconductor (Europe) LimitedInventor: Philip Macphail
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Patent number: 7516428Abstract: A method and circuit are outlined allowing the performance of an RF circuit to be established through the use of digital calibration data, which is stored within a programmable memory store and used to establish the control signal inputs of the RF circuit elements.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2006Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: Sige Semiconductor (Europe) LimitedInventors: Stefan Fulga, Paul Wallis
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Publication number: 20080139131Abstract: A method of providing an impedance match for an integrated semiconductor circuit to other microwave elements is provided by allowing the selection of one of a plurality of impedance matching ratios between the circuit and other elements. The tunable impedance match comprises a microwave impedance transformer with at least a single primary winding, and a plurality of secondary windings, wherein the winding configuration is determined by an electrical switching apparatus allowing the secondary windings to be connected in series, parallel and combinations thereof to provide the required impedance matching. The method allows for both dynamic matching of an integrated semiconductor circuit for increased efficiency, and hence reduced power consumption, and directly matching said circuit to high impedance antennae etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2006Publication date: June 12, 2008Applicant: SiGe Semiconductor (Europe) LimitedInventor: Philip Macphail
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Publication number: 20080094138Abstract: A method and circuit are provided wherein the magnitude of an RF signal provided by RF circuit is used to derive a control set point of the RF circuit via an intermediate controller circuit. This controller circuit having the specific function of providing the actual voltage applied to the control point of the RF circuit, via the use of a charge pump, regulator or combination thereof. In this manner the controller limits the maximum applicable voltage set by the limiting characteristics of the charge pump, voltage regulator, or combination thereof. Such limiting characteristics allow the control of the RF circuit to be stabilized against a variety of external factors such as ambient temperature, battery voltage, circuit aging, amongst other factors in a manner exploiting a minimum of additional electronics thereby providing for such performance enhancements with minimum additional die footprint and power consumption.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2006Publication date: April 24, 2008Applicant: SiGe Semiconductor (Europe) LimitedInventor: Stefan Fulga
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Publication number: 20070266350Abstract: A method and circuit are outlined allowing the performance of an RF circuit to be established through the use of digital calibration data, which is stored within a programmable memory store and used to establish the control signal inputs of the RF circuit elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2006Publication date: November 15, 2007Applicant: SiGe Semiconductor (Europe) LimitedInventors: Stefan Fulga, Paul Wallis
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Patent number: 7250899Abstract: A method and apparatus for limiting the effect of interfering transmission on a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver is disclosed. A first mode of operation of the GPS receiver is provided wherein the AGC of the receiver is operated in a linear state. A second mode of operation of the GPS receiver is provided wherein the AGC of the receiver is operated in a non-linear state. A first signal is provided indicating a presence of a jamming signal. In response to the first signal the GPS receiver is switched from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2005Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: SiGe Semiconductor (Europe) LimitedInventors: Howard James Smith, Stefan Fulga, Paul Wallis
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Publication number: 20070126504Abstract: A circuit is disclosed having a first series circuit path including a first switching transistor, a cascode transistor disposed in cascode arrangement with the first switching transistor, a transformer, and a fourth switching transistor. The circuit also has a second series circuit path having a second switching transistor, the transformer, and a third switching transistor. Both the first series circuit path and the second series circuit path are coupled between a first voltage source and a second voltage source. The cascode transistor has a bias applied to a port thereof for limiting current flowing therethrough.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2005Publication date: June 7, 2007Applicant: SiGe Semiconductor (Europe) LimitedInventor: Philip Macphail
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Publication number: 20070008215Abstract: A method and apparatus for limiting the effect of interfering transmission on a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver is disclosed. A first mode of operation of the GPS receiver is provided wherein the AGC of the receiver is operated in a linear state. A second mode of operation of the GPS receiver is provided wherein the AGC of the receiver is operated in a non-linear state. A first signal is provided indicating a presence of a jamming signal. In response to the first signal the GPS receiver is switched from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2005Publication date: January 11, 2007Applicant: SiGe Semiconductor (Europe) LimitedInventors: Howard Smith, Stefan Fulga, Paul Wallis