Abstract: A radar apparatus measures at least one characteristic of at least one object. A sweep generator generates a sweep signal to modulate an oscillator to generate a varying frequency signal. A transmitter transmits the varying frequency signal as a radar signal. A receiver receives a reflected radar signal to produce a received signal using the varying frequency signal. A compensation signal memory holds a previously stored compensation signal. A compensation circuit compensates the received signal based on the previously stored compensation signal to produce a compensated received signal. A quiet switch quiets the reflected radar signal and determines the previously stored compensation signal, during calibration of the radar apparatus, and the received signal is written into the compensation signal memory. Switched loads can be used to quiet the reflected radar signal. For field calibration, the compensated signal can be adjusted but not necessarily written back into the compensation signal memory.

Abstract: A radar apparatus measures at least one characteristic of at least one object even in a near field. A sweep generator generates a sweep signal to modulate an oscillator to generate a varying frequency signal. A transmitter transmits the varying frequency signal as a radar signal. A receiver receives a reflected radar signal to produce a received signal using the varying frequency signal. A compensation signal memory holds a previously stored compensation signal. A compensation circuit compensates the received signal based on the previously stored compensation signal to produce a compensated received signal. A frequency transformation circuit transforms the compensated received signal to produce a frequency spectrum signal. A peak detector measures the characteristic of the object based on a peak of the frequency spectrum signal. When operating in a calibration mode and the reflected radar signal is quieted, the received signal is written into the compensation signal memory.

Abstract: A radar apparatus measures at least one characteristic of at least one object. A sweep generator generates a sweep signal to modulate an oscillator to generate a varying frequency signal. A transmitter transmits the varying frequency signal as a radar signal. A receiver receives a reflected radar signal to produce a received signal using the varying frequency signal. A compensation signal memory holds a previously stored compensation signal. A compensation circuit compensates the received signal based on the previously stored compensation signal to produce a compensated received signal. A quiet switch quiets the reflected radar signal and determines the previously stored compensation signal, during calibration of the radar apparatus, and the received signal is written into the compensation signal memory. Switched loads can be used to quiet the reflected radar signal. For field calibration, the compensated signal can be adjusted but not necessarily written back into the compensation signal memory.

Abstract: A radar apparatus measures at least one characteristic of at least one object even in a near field. A sweep generator generates a sweep signal to modulate an oscillator to generate a varying frequency signal. A transmitter transmits the varying frequency signal as a radar signal. A receiver receives a reflected radar signal to produce a received signal using the varying frequency signal. A compensation signal memory holds a previously stored compensation signal. A compensation circuit compensates the received signal based on the previously stored compensation signal to produce a compensated received signal. A frequency transformation circuit transforms the compensated received signal to produce a frequency spectrum signal. A peak detector measures the characteristic of the object based on a peak of the frequency spectrum signal. When operating in a calibration mode and the reflected radar signal is quieted, the received signal is written into the compensation signal memory.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of for attaching an antenna to a mobile communication device. The apparatus can include radio frequency generation circuitry, a radio frequency feed point coupled to the radio frequency generation circuitry, a direct current voltage source coupled to the radio frequency feed point, and an antenna detection module coupled to the radio frequency feed point and the direct current voltage source. The antenna detection module is configured to detect a type of antenna coupled to the radio frequency feed point based on a detected direct current voltage. The antenna detection module can be coupled to the radio frequency feed point and a ground contact point. The apparatus can additionally include a parameter of operation adjustment module coupled to the antenna detection module. The adjustment circuitry can be configured to adjust a parameter of operation of the mobile communication device.

Abstract: This invention is a portable electronic device (100) including a display (212), an input device (210), a lighting circuit (204), a light sensor (206) and a control circuit (208). The lighting circuit (204) includes a light source (214) to illuminate the display (212) and the input device (210). The light sensor (206) determines the ambient lighting conditions about the display (212) and/or the input device (210) and generates an ambient lighting signal based on the ambient lighting conditions. The control circuit (208) is coupled to the lighting circuit (204) and the light sensor (206) and has a delayed operation mode in which a first activation of the input device (210) illuminates the display (212) without performing any other operation of the device (100) and a second activation of the input device performs an operation of the device other than illuminating the display.

Abstract: A wireless communication handset and system having improved antenna performance. The system includes a handset body (300) and multiple housing portions with different antenna loading characteristics, for example different materials or shapes, interchangeably mounted on a common portion of the handset body. The handset body (300) includes electrical communications circuitry coupled to an antenna (314), which is adjacent the interchangeable housing portions. A discrete or integrally formed antenna loading feature compensates for the different antenna loading characteristics of the different housing portions to provide optimal antenna performance regardless of the housing portions mounted on the handset body.

Abstract: A variable multi-band planar reference antenna assembly (200) has a ground plane element, a dual-bandplanar reference antenna structure element (230), and an electrically-coupled variable secondary radiator element (250) which allows tuning from one set of frequency bands to another set of frequency bands by changing the field fringing capacitances and inductances formed between the dual-band planar reference antenna element (230) and the variable secondary radiator element (250). Tuning can be performed using a variety of techniques, including changing the relative position of the dual-band planar reference antenna structure element with respect to the secondary radiator, changing the geometry of the secondary radiator, and/or coupling passive or active capacitive and inductive elements to the dual-band planar reference antenna structure element (230) and/or the secondary radiator (250).

Abstract: A variable multi-band planar reference antenna assembly (200) has a ground plane element, a dual-band planar reference antenna structure element (230), and an electrically-coupled variable secondary radiator element (250) which allows tuning from one set of frequency bands to another set of frequency bands by changing the field fringing capacitances and inductances formed between the dual-band planar reference antenna element (230) and the variable secondary radiator element (250). Tuning can be performed using a variety of techniques, including changing the relative position of the dual-band planar reference antenna structure element with respect to the secondary radiator, changing the geometry of the secondary radiator, and/or coupling passive or active capacitive and inductive elements to the dual-band planar reference antenna structure element (230) and/or the secondary radiator (250).

Abstract: An apparatus and method of for attaching an antenna to a mobile communication device. The apparatus can include radio frequency generation circuitry, a radio frequency feed point coupled to the radio frequency generation circuitry, a direct current voltage source coupled to the radio frequency feed point, and an antenna detection module coupled to the radio frequency feed point and the direct current voltage source. The antenna detection module is configured to detect a type of antenna coupled to the radio frequency feed point based on a detected direct current voltage. The antenna detection module can be coupled to the radio frequency feed point and a ground contact point. The apparatus can additionally include a parameter of operation adjustment module coupled to the antenna detection module. The adjustment circuitry can be configured to adjust a parameter of operation of the mobile communication device.

Abstract: A dual band internal antenna for a mobile wireless communication device, having a generally planar radiating element (100) with a high and low band portions, and ground and feed contacts (130, 140) extending from the radiating element. In one embodiment, the width of the ground contact is approximately twice the width of the feed contact. In another embodiment one or more radiating portions (150, 160) extend from the radiating element. In another embodiment, the low band portion has an arm (124) that extends about a tapered lobe (114) of the high band portion.

Abstract: A wireless communication handset and system having improved antenna performance. The system includes a handset body (300) and multiple housing portions with different antenna loading characteristics, for example different materials or shapes, interchangeably mounted on a common portion of the handset body. The handset body (300) includes electrical communications circuitry coupled to an antenna (314), which is adjacent the interchangeable housing portions. A discrete or integrally formed antenna loading feature compensates for the different antenna loading characteristics of the different housing portions to provide optimal antenna performance regardless of the housing portions mounted on the handset body.

Abstract: A dual band internal antenna for a mobile wireless communication device, having a generally planar radiating element (100) with a high and low band portions, and ground and feed contacts (130, 140) extending from the radiating element. In one embodiment, the width of the ground contact is approximately twice the width of the feed contact. In another embodiment one or more radiating portions (150, 160) extend from the radiating element. In another embodiment, the low band portion has an arm (124) that extends about a tapered lobe (114) of the high band portion.

Abstract: This invention is a portable electronic device (100) including a display (212), an input device (210), a lighting circuit (204), a light sensor (206) and a control circuit (208). The lighting circuit (204) includes a light source (214) to illuminate the display (212) and the input device (210). The light sensor (206) determines the ambient lighting conditions about the display (212) and/or the input device (210) and generates an ambient lighting signal based on the ambient lighting conditions. The control circuit (208) is coupled to the lighting circuit (204) and the light sensor (206) and has a delayed operation mode in which a first activation of the input device (210) illuminates the display (212) without performing any other operation of the device (100) and a second activation of the input device performs an operation of the device other than illuminating the display.