Abstract: A frequency synthesizer is disclosed that includes an oscillator having an output to deliver a signal of a controllable frequency. The oscillator includes a capacitor bank responsive to an N-bit control signal to exhibit a capacitance. The oscillator output frequency is based on the capacitance. Control logic generates the N-bit control signal and determines each bit of the N-bit control signal through a binary search step and a modulation of a least-significant-bit (LSB) of the N-bit control signal. The LSB modulation, combined with the binary search for each bit, results in a higher accuracy frequency estimation.

Abstract: An oscillator is disclosed that can generate an oscillation signal using a latch and two delay elements. For some embodiments, the oscillator includes an SR latch, a first delay element, and a second delay element. The SR latch has a first input, a second input, a first output, and a second output. The first delay element is coupled between the first output and the first input of the SR latch. The second delay element is coupled between the second output and the second input of the SR latch. For some embodiments, the first and second delay elements include a programmable pull-up circuit that allows the charging current to be adjusted in discrete amounts, and include a programmable capacitor circuit that allows the capacitance value to be adjusted in discrete amounts.

Abstract: Embodiments of a communication circuit are described. This communication circuit includes an input node to receive a set of data symbols and a partitioner coupled to the input node. This partitioner is to divide the set of data symbols into M irregular subgroups of data symbols, a given one of which includes non-consecutive data symbols in the set of data symbols. Moreover, this given irregular subgroup of data symbols includes at least two pairs of adjacent data symbols having different inter-data-symbol spacings in the set of data symbols. This communication circuit also includes M modulators coupled to the partitioner, where the given irregular subgroup of data symbols is coupled to a given modulator in the M modulators. Furthermore, the communication circuit includes M output nodes, where a given output node in the M output nodes is coupled to the given modulator and is to couple to an antenna element in M antenna elements.

Abstract: An oscillator is disclosed that can generate an oscillation signal using a latch and two delay elements. For some embodiments, the oscillator includes an SR latch, a first delay element, and a second delay element. The SR latch has a first input, a second input, a first output, and a second output. The first delay element is coupled between the first output and the first input of the SR latch. The second delay element is coupled between the second output and the second input of the SR latch. For some embodiments, the first and second delay elements include a programmable pull-up circuit that allows the charging current to be adjusted in discrete amounts, and include a programmable capacitor circuit that allows the capacitance value to be adjusted in discrete amounts.

Abstract: A frequency synthesizer is disclosed that includes an oscillator having an output to deliver a signal of a controllable frequency. The oscillator includes a capacitor bank responsive to an N-bit control signal to exhibit a capacitance. The oscillator output frequency is based on the capacitance. Control logic generates the N-bit control signal and determines each bit of the N-bit control signal through a binary search step and a modulation of a least-significant-bit (LSB) of the N-bit control signal. The LSB modulation, combined with the binary search for each bit, results in a higher accuracy frequency estimation.

Abstract: Embodiments of a communication circuit are described. This communication circuit includes an input node (212) to receive a set of data symbols and a partitioner (216) coupled to the input node. The partitioner is to divide the set of data symbols into M irregular subgroups of data symbols, a given one of which includes non-consecutive data symbols in the set of data symbols. Moreover, this given irregular subgroup of data symbols includes at least two pairs of adjacent data symbols having different inter-data-symbol spacings in the set of data symbols. This communication circuit also includes M modulators (218-1, 218-N1) coupled to the partitioner, where the given irregular subgroup of data symbols is coupled to a given modulator in the M modulators. Furthermore, the communication circuit includes M output nodes, where a given output node in the M output nodes is coupled to the given modulator and is to couple to an antenna element in M antenna elements (226).

Abstract: Embodiments in the present disclosure pertain to a multi-antenna beam-forming system for transmitting constant envelope signals decomposed from a variable envelope signal. The variable envelope signal is decomposed into two constant envelope signals. Each of the constant envelope signals are separately amplified by power amplifiers and transmitted over separate antennas. Beam steering delays can be added to the transmit paths of the constant envelope signals to direct the beam to the location of a receiver. The transmitted constant envelope signals combine through spatial out-phasing such that a receiving antenna receives a variable envelope signal.

Abstract: A power amplifier circuit comprising a scalable power amplifier including an input and an output, and a plurality of activated amplifier elements operative to produce an output signal at the output, and operative to dynamically vary a power output level of the output signal. A variable impedance circuit operatively responsive to dynamically load the output of the scalable power amplifier. Wherein the scalable power amplifier further includes an amplifier configuration circuit operatively responsive to selectively activate the selectively activated amplifier elements by at least reducing power to at least one of the selectively activated amplifier elements.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include circuits and methods for improving the spectral purity of mixer circuits. In one embodiment the present invention includes a mixer circuit comprising a first transistor having a gate, a source and a drain, a second transistor having a gate, a source and a drain, a first capacitance coupled between the source of the first transistor and the source of the second transistor and a bias circuit having an input, a first output coupled to the source of the first transistor and a second output coupled to the source of the second transistor. The present invention may be advantageously used in a wireless transmitter application.

Abstract: Reconfigurable distributed active transformers are provided. The exemplary embodiments provided allow changing of the effective number and configuration of the primary and secondary windings, where the distributed active transformer structures can be reconfigured dynamically to control the output power levels, allow operation at multiple frequency bands, maintain a high performance across multiple channels, and sustain desired characteristics across process, temperature and other environmental variations. Integration of the distributed active transformer power amplifiers and a low noise amplifier on a semiconductor substrate can also be provided.

Abstract: Reconfigurable distributed active transformers are provided. The exemplary embodiments provided allow changing of the effective number and configuration of the primary and secondary windings, where the distributed active transformer structures can be reconfigured dynamically to control the output power levels, allow operation at multiple frequency bands, maintain a high performance across multiple channels, and sustain desired characteristics across process, temperature and other environmental variations. Integration of the distributed active transformer power amplifiers and a low noise amplifier on a semiconductor substrate can also be provided.

Abstract: A phased array mm-wave device includes a substrate, a mm-wave transmitter integrated onto the substrate configured to transmit a mm-wave signal and/or a mm-wave receiver integrated onto the substrate and configured to receive a mm-wave signal. The mm-wave device also includes a phased array antenna system integrated onto the substrate and including two or more antenna elements. The phased array mm-wave device also includes one or more dielectric lenses. A distributed mm-wave distributed combining tree circuit includes at least two pairs of differential transconductors with regenerative degeneration and accepts at least two differential input signals. Two mm-wave loopback methods measure the phased array antenna patterns and the performance of an integrated receiver transmitter system.

Abstract: Reconfigurable distributed active transformers are provided. The exemplary embodiments provided allow changing of the effective number and configuration of the primary and secondary windings, where the distributed active transformer structures can be reconfigured dynamically to control the output power levels, allow operation at multiple frequency bands, maintain a high performance across multiple channels, and sustain desired characteristics across process, temperature and other environmental variations. Integration of the distributed active transformer power amplifiers and a low noise amplifier on a semiconductor substrate can also be provided.

Abstract: A phased array mm-wave device includes a substrate, a mm-wave transmitter integrated onto the substrate configured to transmit a mm-wave signal and/or a mm-wave receiver integrated onto the substrate and configured to receive a mm-wave signal. The mm-wave device also includes a phased array antenna system integrated onto the substrate and including two or more antenna elements. The phased array mm-wave device also includes one or more dielectric lenses. A distributed mm-wave distributed combining tree circuit includes at least two pairs of differential transconductors with regenerative degeneration and accepts at least two differential input signals. Two mm-wave loopback methods measure the phased array antenna patterns and the performance of an integrated receiver transmitter system.

Abstract: Embodiments of a communication circuit are described. This communication circuit includes an input node (212) to receive a set of data symbols and a partitioner (216) coupled to the input node. The partitioner is to divide the set of data symbols into M irregular subgroups of data symbols, a given one of which includes non-consecutive data symbols in the set of data symbols. Moreover, this given irregular subgroup of data symbols includes at least two pairs of adjacent data symbols having different inter-data-symbol spacings in the set of data symbols. This communication circuit also includes M modulators (218-1, 218-N1) coupled to the partitioner, where the given irregular subgroup of data symbols is coupled to a given modulator in the M modulators. Furthermore, the communication circuit includes M output nodes, where a given output node in the M output nodes is coupled to the given modulator and is to couple to an antenna element in M antenna elements (226).

Abstract: Embodiments in the present disclosure pertain to a multi-antenna beam-forming system for transmitting constant envelope signals decomposed from a variable envelope signal. The variable envelope signal is decomposed into two constant envelope signals. Each of the constant envelope signals are separately amplified by power amplifiers and transmitted over separate antennas. Beam steering delays can be added to the transmit paths of the constant envelope signals to direct the beam to the location of a receiver. The transmitted constant envelope signals combine through spatial out-phasing such that a receiving antenna receives a variable envelope signal.

Abstract: Reconfigurable distributed active transformers are provided. The exemplary embodiments provided allow changing of the effective number and configuration of the primary and secondary windings, where the distributed active transformer structures can be reconfigured dynamically to control the output power levels, allow operation at multiple frequency bands, maintain a high performance across multiple channels, and sustain desired characteristics across process, temperature and other environmental variations. Integration of the distributed active transformer power amplifiers and a low noise amplifier on a semiconductor substrate can also be provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include circuits and methods with wide bandwidths. In one embodiment, parasitic capacitances of the output of a first stage and the input of a second stage are included in a network. The output of the first stage is coupled to the input of the network, and the input of the second stage is coupled to an intermediate node of the network. In one embodiment, the parasitic capacitance of the second stage is the largest capacitance in the network. In another embodiment, passive networks are coupled to the outputs of a stage, and one or more current injection circuits may be used to extend the bandwidth of the circuit.

Abstract: A fully integrated CMOS multi-element phased-array transmitter (transmitter) includes, in part, on-chip power amplifiers (PA), with integrated output matching. The transmitter is adapted to be configured as a two-dimensional 2-by-2 array or as a one dimensional 1-by-4 array. The transmitter uses a two step up-conversion architecture with an IF frequency of 4.8 GHz. Double-quadrature architecture for the up-conversion stages attenuates the signal at image frequencies. The phase selectors in each transmitter path have independent access to all the phases of the VCO. The double quadrature architecture results in two sets of phase selectors for each path, one for the in-phase (I) and one for the quadrature phase (Q) of the LO signal. The phase selection is done in two stages, with the first stage determining the desired VCO differential phase pair and the next stage selecting the appropriate polarity. An on-chip Balun is used for differential to single-ended conversion.

Abstract: Reconfigurable distributed active transformers are provided. The exemplary embodiments provided allow changing of the effective number and configuration of the primary and secondary windings, where the distributed active transformer structures can be reconfigured dynamically to control the output power levels, allow operation at multiple frequency bands, maintain a high performance across multiple channels, and sustain desired characteristics across process, temperature and other environmental variations. Integration of the distributed active transformer power amplifiers and a low noise amplifier on a semiconductor substrate can also be provided.