Patents Examined by Steven J. Mottola
  • Patent number: 10778151
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a multi-mode power management system supporting fifth-generation new radio (5G-NR). The multi-mode power management system includes first tracker circuitry and second tracker circuitry each capable of supplying an envelope tracking (ET) modulated or an average power tracking (APT) modulated voltage. In examples discussed herein, the first tracker circuitry and the second tracker circuitry have been configured to support third-generation (3G) and fourth-generation (4G) power amplifier circuits in various 3G/4G operation modes. The multi-mode power management system is adapted to further support a 5G-NR power amplifier circuit(s) in various 5G-NR operation modes based on the existing first tracker circuitry and/or the existing second tracker circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc.
    Inventor: Nadim Khlat
  • Patent number: 10778155
    Abstract: A dynamic differential amplifier includes: gain transistors to drive with differential input voltage levels; sample capacitors having first terminals to ramp from an initial voltage level to differential amplified voltage levels of the input voltage levels in response to the driven gain transistors; and adjustment circuits to adjust the amplified voltage levels in the direction of the initial voltage level by an offset voltage level. In some cases, second terminals of the sample capacitors are a common-mode node to maintain a common-mode voltage level midway between the ramping voltage levels of the first terminals. In some cases, the dynamic differential amplifier further includes a comparison circuit to compare the maintained common-mode voltage level to a threshold voltage level, wherein the first terminals of the sample capacitors stop ramping and the adjustment circuits adjust the amplified voltage levels in response to the compared common-mode voltage level reaching the threshold voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventor: Randall M. White
  • Patent number: 10778152
    Abstract: Systems and methods related to linear load modulated power amplifiers. A power amplifier (PA) system can include a divider that splits a signal into two portions, a first portion directed to an attenuator that attenuates the first portion so that the first portion and the second portion have different powers and a second portion directed to a phase shift component that shifts a phase of the second portion so that the first portion and the second portion have different phases. The PA system can also include a Doherty amplifier circuit where a carrier amplifier amplifies the attenuated first portion and a peaking amplifier amplifies the phase-shifted second portion. The carrier amplifier includes a Class AB driver stage and a Class B output. The peaking amplifier includes a Class B driver stage a Class B output stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Aleksey A. Lyalin, Russ Alan Reisner, Ramon Antonio Beltran Lizarraga
  • Patent number: 10778150
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are signal amplifiers having a plurality of amplifier cores. Individual amplifier cores can be designed for particular gain modes to enhance particular advantages while reducing other disadvantages. The signal amplifier can then switch between amplifier cores when switching gain modes to achieve desired performance characteristics (e.g., improving noise figure or linearity). Examples of signal amplifiers disclosed herein include amplifier architectures with a high gain amplifier core that reduces the noise figure and a linearity boost amplifier core that increases linearity (e.g., for lower gain modes). The disclosed signal amplifiers have a first active core with amplification chains for each of a plurality of inputs and a second active core with a single amplification chain to amplify signals received at the plurality of inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Junhyung Lee, Johannes Jacobus Emile Maria Hageraats, Joshua Haeseok Cho, Aravind Kumar Padyana, Bipul Agarwal
  • Patent number: 10778163
    Abstract: An amplification circuit configured to generate an output signal by differentially amplifying first and second input signals. The first and second input signals are a differential signal pair. Alternatively, the first input signal is a single-ended signal, and the second input signal is a reference signal. The amplification circuit is configured to perform a differential amplification operation by increasing a gain for generating an output signal based on the first input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Hyun Bae Lee
  • Patent number: 10771027
    Abstract: An operational amplifier circuit includes a potential control circuit connected between a current sense semiconductor element connected in parallel with a main semiconductor element and a current detection resistor. The potential control circuit controls an output potential of the current sense semiconductor element to be equal to that of the main semiconductor element. The potential control circuit includes a current control element controlling an output current of the current sense semiconductor element and an operational amplifier outputting a signal corresponding to an output potential difference between the current sense semiconductor element and the main semiconductor element to the current control element. An input offset voltage polarity determination unit determines a polarity of an input offset voltage of the operational amplifier according to the output potential difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Motomitsu Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 10771029
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are signal amplifiers that provide impedance adjustments for different gain modes. The impedance adjustments are configured to result in a constant real impedance for an input signal at the amplifier. The amplifiers include a scalable impedance adjustment circuit that adjusts inductance and/or a device width to compensate for changes in the total impedance presented to an input signal. By providing impedance adjustments, the amplifiers reduce losses and improve performance by improving impedance matching over a range of gain modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Junhyung Lee
  • Patent number: 10763796
    Abstract: A Miller compensation circuit includes: a differential amplifier having an inverse input end configured to receive an input signal; an output transistor having an output end connected to a positive input end of the differential amplifier, a first end connected to a first power supply, a second end connected to an output end of the differential amplifier, and a third end being a voltage output end and connected to the positive input end and a load; a Miller capacitor connected to the output end of the differential amplifier; a follower; and a current sampling circuit configured to sample a first current of the output transistor. The load is also connected to a second power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: SMARTER MICROELECTRONICS (GUANG ZHOU) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Qiang Su, Jiangtao Yi
  • Patent number: 10756688
    Abstract: A broadband amplifier assembly is provided that includes a fixed gain amplifier coupled to an adjustable attenuator which is further coupled to a power amplifier. The adjustable attenuator includes a plurality of attenuation cells directly coupled in series between the input and the output of the adjustable attenuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Adrian John Bergsma
  • Patent number: 10742182
    Abstract: A receiving circuit may include an amplifier. The amplifier may include a first amplification circuit and a second amplification circuit. The first amplification circuit may be configured to differentially amplify a first input signal and a reference signal and configured to generate output signals. The second amplification circuit may be configured to differentially amplify a second input signal and the reference signal and configured to generate the output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Sun Ki Cho, Dae Han Kwon
  • Patent number: 10727794
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an amplifier, an input port, a first modulator circuit connected to the input port, and a correction circuit. The correction circuit is configured to determine a common mode voltage of the input port and receive a first clock signal. The correction circuit is further configured to manipulate, based at least in part upon the common mode voltage of the input port, the first clock signal to generate a second clock signal. The second clock signal is produced for the first modulator circuit. The correction circuit is further configured to determine whether the second clock signal is out of phase with a third clock signal, and, based upon a determination that the second clock signal is out of phase with the third clock signal, reset the second clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Serban Motoroiu, James Nolan
  • Patent number: 10727797
    Abstract: A circuit includes a first signal swapper including a first terminal coupled to a first current source, a second terminal coupled to a second current source, a third terminal coupled to a first current terminal of a first transistor, and a fourth terminal coupled to a third current terminal of a second transistor. The first signal swapper couples the first and second terminals to the third and fourth terminals responsive to a first control signal. First and second switches couple to a gate of the first transistor. The first switch receives the input oscillation signal and the second switch receives a first reference voltage. Third and fourth switches couple to a gate of the second transistor. The third switch receives the input oscillation signal and the fourth switch receives the first reference voltage. A second signal swapper couples to the first signal swapper and to the first and second transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: George Reitsma
  • Patent number: 10720891
    Abstract: The present invention addresses method, apparatus and computer program product for stabilization of the direct learning algorithm for wideband signals. Thereby, a signal to be amplified is input to a pre-distorter provided for compensating for non-linearity of the power amplifier, and the pre-distorted output signal from the pre-distorter is forwarded to the power amplifier. Parameters of the pre-distorter are adapted based on an error between the linearized signal output from the power amplifier and the signal to be amplified using an adaptive direct learning algorithm, and the linear system of equations formed by the direct learning algorithm are solved using a conjugate gradient algorithm, wherein, once per direct learning algorithm adaptation, at least one of the initial residual and the initial direction of the conjugate gradient algorithm are set based on the result of the previous adaptation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Nokia Solutions And Networks GMBH And Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Reichl, Shavantha Kularatna, Rene Roeschke, Bjoern Jelonnek
  • Patent number: 10720937
    Abstract: A circuit includes an operational amplifier and a resistor network coupled to an output of the operational amplifier. The resistor network includes a first set of resistors coupled between the output of the operational amplifier and a first node of the resistor network, wherein the resistors of the first set are electrically connected in series with each other, a second set of resistors coupled between the first node and a second node of the resistor network, wherein the resistors of the second set are electrically connected in series with each other and include a first number of resistors, a third set of resistors coupled between the second node and a third node of the resistor network, wherein the third node is coupled to a first voltage, and wherein the resistors of the third set are electrically connected in parallel with each other and include a second number of resistors, and a resistor coupled between the first node and the second node and arranged in parallel with the second set of resistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Jun Zhang
  • Patent number: 10715088
    Abstract: A low noise amplifier has integral noise cancellation to provide a low noise figure and operation over a frequency range of 0.5 GHz-50 GHz. An amplifier amplifies an input signal as well as noise present with the amplified signal and amplified noise being out of phase and in phase, respectively, with the corresponding inputs. A feedback circuit that is non-linear with frequency enables a constant amplification. A summation circuit combines amplified signals with the noise being cancelled since two combined noise signals being summed are 180 degrees out of phase to each other. An optional secondary amplification stage provides additional amplification. Preferably, the amplifier, auxiliary amplifier and the summation device utilize CMOS transistors disposed on an SOI substrate with impedance stabilization over the frequency range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Manouchehr Ghanevati, Timothy R. LaRocca
  • Patent number: 10712304
    Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for operating MEMS sensors, in particular MEMS capacitive sensors (CMEMS) such as a microphones. An amplifier apparatus is arranged to amplify an input signal (VINP) received at a sense node from the MEMS capacitive sensor. An antiphase signal generator generates a second signal (VINN) which is in antiphase with the input signal (VINP) and an amplifier arrangement is configured to receive the input signal (VINP) at a first input and the second signal (VINN) at a second input and to output corresponding amplified first and second output signals. This converts a single ended input signal effectively into a differential input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Wilson, Karthikeya Kodur
  • Patent number: 10700647
    Abstract: A source follower with an input node and an output node includes a first transistor, a second transistor, and a DC (Direct Current) tracking circuit. The first transistor has a control terminal, a first terminal coupled to a first node, and a second terminal coupled to a second node. The second transistor has a control terminal, a first terminal coupled to a ground voltage, and a second terminal coupled to the first node. The DC tracking circuit sets the second DC voltage at the second node to a specific level. The specific level is determined according to the first DC voltage at the first node. The output node of the source follower is coupled to the first node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventor: Che-Hsun Kuo
  • Patent number: 10700652
    Abstract: Some aspects of the disclosure provide for a circuit. In an example, the circuit includes an amplifier, a first transistor network, a second transistor network, a first resistor, a second resistor, and a third resistor. The amplifier has first and second inputs and first, second, third, and fourth outputs. The first transistor network is coupled to the first output of the amplifier and the second output of the amplifier. The second transistor network is coupled to the third output of the amplifier and the fourth output of the amplifier. The first resistor is coupled between the first transistor network and the second transistor network. The second resistor is coupled between the first transistor network and the first input of the amplifier. The third resistor is coupled between the second transistor network and the second input of the amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Vikram Sharma, Gokul Koraganji
  • Patent number: 10700645
    Abstract: Power amplification system with adaptive bias control. In some embodiments a power amplification system includes a power amplifier including a radio-frequency (RF) input terminal for receiving an RF signal, an RF output terminal for providing an amplified RF signal, a supply voltage terminal for receiving a power amplifier supply voltage to power the power amplifier, and one or more bias terminals for receiving one or more bias signals. The power amplification system also includes a bias controller configured to provide the one or more bias signals to the one or more bias terminals, at least one of the one or more bias signals being based on the power amplifier supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Lee Banowetz, Philip H. Thompson
  • Patent number: 10693426
    Abstract: An integrated amplifier device includes a main amplifier configured to be coupled to an input source. A replica amplifier is coupled to the main amplifier to provide a bias to the main amplifier. A transconductance biasing cell to the main amplifier and the replica amplifier. The transconductance biasing cell is configured to bias both the main amplifier and the replica amplifier. A method of making an integrated amplifier device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: INTRINSIX CORP.
    Inventor: Daniel J. Segarra