Patents Assigned to Spreadtrum Communications USA Inc.
  • Patent number: 10476612
    Abstract: A self-calibrating transceiver includes a baseband processor, a receiver chain comprising an amplifier and a digital front end (DFE), and a transmitter chain, and a calibration control state machine. The state machine stores amplifier gain steps and is in communication with the transmitter chain, the receiver chain, and the baseband processor. The state machine can set a receiver chain frequency at a predefined frequency and set a transmitter chain frequency to be offset relative to the receiver chain frequency. For each of the amplifier gain steps, the state machine can set a gain of the receiver chain and set a power of the transmitter chain. The baseband processor can measure an RSSI and transmit the measured RSSI to the state machine. The state machine can determine a digital gain compensation value based on the one or more measured RSSIs and apply the determined digital gain compensation value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: SPREADTRUM COMMUNICATIONS USA INC.
    Inventors: David Haub, Lon Christensen, Zebin Wang
  • Patent number: 10411649
    Abstract: A low-power crystal oscillator circuit operating in Class B includes a PMOS transistor, an NMOS transistor, a step-down voltage regulator, and a bias voltage generator. A feedback mechanism includes an inverter whose input is connected to the drains of the PMOS and NMOS transistors and whose output is capacitively coupled to the gate of the PMOS transistor to provide positive feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: SPREADTRUM COMMUNICATIONS USA INC.
    Inventors: Aram Akhavan, Daniel Ralston
  • Patent number: 10103825
    Abstract: A self-calibrating transceiver includes a baseband processor, a receiver chain comprising an amplifier and a digital front end (DFE), and a transmitter chain, and a calibration control state machine. The state machine stores amplifier gain steps and is in communication with the transmitter chain, the receiver chain, and the baseband processor. The state machine can set a receiver chain frequency at a predefined frequency and set a transmitter chain frequency to be offset relative to the receiver chain frequency. For each of the amplifier gain steps, the state machine can set a gain of the receiver chain and set a power of the transmitter chain. The baseband processor can measure an RSSI and transmit the measured RSSI to the state machine. The state machine can determine a digital gain compensation value based on the one or more measured RSSIs and apply the determined digital gain compensation value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: SPREADTRUM COMMUNICATIONS USA INC.
    Inventors: David Haub, Lon Christensen, Zebin Wang
  • Patent number: 9736790
    Abstract: A self-calibrating transceiver includes a transmitter chain, a receiver chain, a base band processor, and a calibration control state machine. The state machine is in electrical communication with the transmitter chain, the receiver chain, and the base band processor, and is configured for enabling the receiver chain and setting the receiver chain and the transmitter chain to corresponding frequencies. The state machine stores one or more transmitter power and power amplifier gain mode settings, and for each setting, sets the transmitter gain and power amplifier gain mode. The transmitter chain transmits a signal, the receiver chain receives the transmitted signal, and the baseband processor measures a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of the received signal. The state machine further adjusts the transmitter output power based on the measured RSSI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Spreadtrum Communications USA, Inc.
    Inventors: David Haub, Lon Christensen, Zebin Wang
  • Patent number: 9667283
    Abstract: First and second inputs are received. The first input indicates a frequency offset of a frequency band allocated for signal transmission. The said allocated band is a subband of a total band available for transmission. The second input indicates a bandwidth of the allocated band. One or more filters of a transmitter of a communications system are controlled to operate cumulatively in a lowpass filtering mode, wherein the highest frequency in a pass band in the lowpass filtering mode is less than the highest frequency of the total band available for transmission. A signal is filtered using the filter(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: SPREADTRUM COMMUNICATIONS USA, INC.
    Inventor: David Haub
  • Patent number: 9496905
    Abstract: A receiver architecture optimizes receiver performance in the presence of interference. In various embodiments, power estimation circuits are used with variable selectivity to determine the exact nature of the interference and to optimize the performance correspondingly. The variable selectivity is achieved using stages of filtering with progressively narrower bandwidths. Also, the actual method of optimizing the receiver performance is an improvement compared to the traditional techniques in that the gain settings and the baseband filter order (stages to be used) will be optimized based on the nature of the interference as determined by the power detector measurements. For a device such as a cellular phone that operates in a dynamic and changing environment where interference is variable, embodiments advantageously provide the capability to modify the receiver's operational state depending on the interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Spreadtrum Communications USA Inc.
    Inventors: David Haub, Zhigang Xu, Jarrett Malone
  • Patent number: 9379747
    Abstract: Embodiments include a novel receiver architecture to optimize receiver performance in the presence of interference. In various embodiments, the presence of interference is detected, and the relative frequency location of the interference is detected. The relative frequency location specifies whether the frequency of the interference is high side (above the desired signal, i.e., at a higher frequency) or low side (below the desired signal). The receiver is configured based on the detected interference and relative location thereof. For a device such as a cellular phone that operates in a dynamic and changing environment where interference is variable, embodiments advantageously provide the capability to modify the receiver's operational state depending on the interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: SPREADTRUM COMMUNICATIONS USA INC.
    Inventors: David Haub, Zhigang Xu, Jarrett Malone
  • Patent number: 9326288
    Abstract: First and second inputs are received. The first input indicates a frequency offset of a frequency band allocated for signal transmission. The said allocated band is a subband of a total band available for transmission. The second input indicates a bandwidth of the allocated band. One or more filters of a transmitter of a communications system are controlled to operate cumulatively in a lowpass filtering mode, wherein the highest frequency in a pass band in the lowpass filtering mode is less than the highest frequency of the total band available for transmission. A signal is filtered using the filter(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: SPREADTRUM COMMUNICATIONS USA INC.
    Inventor: David Haub
  • Patent number: 9191255
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for compensating for frequency mismatch between a base station and mobile station are disclosed. At a first oscillator, a fixed reference oscillation signal is generated. At a second oscillator, a baseband oscillation signal is generated. A frequency divided version of the baseband oscillation signal is locked to a frequency divided version of the first reference oscillation signal. At a third oscillator, a first RF oscillation signal is generated. A frequency divided version of the first RF oscillation signal is locked to the frequency divided version of the second reference oscillation signal. A frequency adjustment signal is inputted to the second and third oscillators. At the second and third oscillators, frequency errors of the baseband oscillation signal and first RF oscillation signal, respectively, are compensated based on the frequency adjustment signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Spreadtrum Communications USA Inc.
    Inventors: Lon Christensen, David Haub
  • Patent number: 9143246
    Abstract: A receiver architecture optimizes receiver performance in the presence of interference. In various embodiments, power estimation circuits are used with variable selectivity to determine the exact nature of the interference and to optimize the performance correspondingly. The variable selectivity is achieved using stages of filtering with progressively narrower bandwidths. Also, the actual method of optimizing the receiver performance is an improvement compared to the traditional techniques in that the gain settings and the baseband filter order (stages to be used) will be optimized based on the nature of the interference as determined by the power detector measurements. For a device such as a cellular phone that operates in a dynamic and changing environment where interference is variable, embodiments advantageously provide the capability to modify the receiver's operational state depending on the interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Spreadtrum Communications USA Inc.
    Inventors: David Haub, Zhigang Xu, Jarrett Malone
  • Patent number: 9112569
    Abstract: Embodiments include a novel receiver architecture to optimize receiver performance in the presence of interference. In various embodiments, the presence of interference is detected, and the relative frequency location of the interference is detected. The relative frequency location specifies whether the frequency of the interference is high side (above the desired signal, i.e., at a higher frequency) or low side (below the desired signal). The receiver is configured based on the detected interference and relative location thereof. For a device such as a cellular phone that operates in a dynamic and changing environment where interference is variable, embodiments advantageously provide the capability to modify the receiver's operational state depending on the interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Spreadtrum Communications USA Inc.
    Inventors: David Haub, Zhigang Xu, Jarrett Malone
  • Patent number: 9031567
    Abstract: First and second inputs are received. The first input indicates a frequency offset of a frequency band allocated for signal transmission. The said allocated band is a subband of a total band available for transmission. The second input indicates a bandwidth of the allocated band. One or more filters of a transmitter of a communications system are controlled to operate cumulatively in a lowpass filtering mode, wherein the highest frequency in a pass band in the lowpass filtering mode is less than the highest frequency of the total band available for transmission. A signal is filtered using the filter(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Spreadtrum Communications USA Inc.
    Inventor: David Haub
  • Publication number: 20140302809
    Abstract: Embodiments include a novel receiver architecture to optimize receiver performance in the presence of interference. In various embodiments, the presence of interference is detected, and the relative frequency location of the interference is detected. The relative frequency location specifies whether the frequency of the interference is high side (above the desired signal, i.e., at a higher frequency) or low side (below the desired signal). The receiver is configured based on the detected interference and relative location thereof. For a device such as a cellular phone that operates in a dynamic and changing environment where interference is variable, embodiments advantageously provide the capability to modify the receiver's operational state depending on the interference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Spreadtrum Communications USA Inc.
    Inventors: David Haub, Zhigang Xu, Jarrett Malone
  • Publication number: 20140270004
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for compensating for frequency mismatch between a base station and mobile station are disclosed. At a first oscillator, a fixed reference oscillation signal is generated. At a second oscillator, a baseband oscillation signal is generated. A frequency divided version of the baseband oscillation signal is locked to a frequency divided version of the first reference oscillation signal. At a third oscillator, a first RF oscillation signal is generated. A frequency divided version of the first RF oscillation signal is locked to the frequency divided version of the second reference oscillation signal. A frequency adjustment signal is inputted to the second and third oscillators. At the second and third oscillators, frequency errors of the baseband oscillation signal and first RF oscillation signal, respectively, are compensated based on the frequency adjustment signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Spreadtrum Communications USA Inc.
    Inventors: Lon Christensen, David Haub
  • Patent number: 8761702
    Abstract: Embodiments include a novel receiver architecture to optimize receiver performance in the presence of interference. In various embodiments, the presence of interference is detected, and the relative frequency location of the interference is detected. The relative frequency location specifies whether the frequency of the interference is high side (above the desired signal, i.e., at a higher frequency) or low side (below the desired signal). The receiver is configured based on the detected interference and relative location thereof. For a device such as a cellular phone that operates in a dynamic and changing environment where interference is variable, embodiments advantageously provide the capability to modify the receiver's operational state depending on the interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Spreadtrum Communications USA Inc.
    Inventors: David Haub, Zhigang Xu, Jarrett Malone
  • Patent number: 8737992
    Abstract: In a signal processing method, an input signal is provided at an input to a receiver. A bandwidth of the receiver is controlled to a predetermined wideband setting. For band in a plurality of frequency bands, the input signal is processed at the receiver with a mixer, an amplifier, and a filter, to generate a first processed signal, and a power spectral density of the processed signal is generated over that frequency band, to provide a frequency domain signal for that frequency band. Based on the frequency domain signals corresponding to each frequency band in the plurality of frequency bands, a frequency domain representation of the processed signal is reconstructed over a reconstruction band having a bandwidth larger than the predetermined wideband setting. Based on the reconstructed frequency domain representation, a spectral component is identified corresponding to at least one cellular telephony access mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Spreadtrum Communication USA Inc.
    Inventors: David Haub, Zhigang Xu
  • Publication number: 20140004812
    Abstract: Embodiments include a novel receiver architecture to optimize receiver performance in the presence of interference. In various embodiments, the presence of interference is detected, and the relative frequency location of the interference is detected. The relative frequency location specifies whether the frequency of the interference is high side (above the desired signal, i.e., at a higher frequency) or low side (below the desired signal). The receiver is configured based on the detected interference and relative location thereof. For a device such as a cellular phone that operates in a dynamic and changing environment where interference is variable, embodiments advantageously provide the capability to modify the receiver's operational state depending on the interference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Spreadtrum Communications USA Inc.
    Inventors: David Haub, Zhigang Xu, Jarrett Malone
  • Patent number: 8494469
    Abstract: Embodiments include a novel receiver architecture to optimize receiver performance in the presence of interference. In various embodiments, power estimation circuits are used to determine the exact nature of the interference and to optimize the performance correspondingly. Variable selectivity of at least one power estimation circuit is achieved using a filter with variable bandwidth, with power measurements taken using different bandwidth settings. Also, the actual method of optimizing the receiver performance is novel compared to the prior art in that the gain settings and the baseband filter order (stages to be used) will be optimized based on the nature of the interference as determined by the power detector measurements. For a device such as a cellular phone that operates in a dynamic and changing environment where interference is variable, embodiments advantageously provide the capability to modify the receiver's operational state depending on the interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Spreadtrum Communications USA Inc.
    Inventors: David Haub, Zhigang Xu, Jarrett Malone