Abstract: An antenna for a radio frequency identification (RFID) system and a method for communicating in an RFID system are provided. The antenna includes a first port configured to provide RFID communication in a first polarization plane and a second port configured to provide RFID communication in a second polarization plane. The first polarization plane is orthogonal to the second polarization plane.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating short electronic pulses using a modified differential trigger that is partly an analogue sinusoidal voltage and partly a selectable, DC voltage. The differential trigger is applied to a differential base band pulse generator having a NAND gate and AND gate. The trigger is applied to both NAND inputs and to one AND input. The NAND output is applied the other AND input. Such a circuit is an OFF state for all input states. However, as the input switches state, the NAND gate delay causes the AND gate to be ON briefly, generating a short pulse. The timing of this pulse can be controlled by varying the constant DC voltage. By using fast switching SiGe CML gates, short pulses with a controllable time off-set can be generated that are suitable for use in automotive radar applications, using only sub-GHz clocks.

Abstract: A receiver circuit including an oscillator, a mixer coupled to the oscillator, a switch coupled to an output of the mixer, and an envelope detector coupled to the oscillator, such that the envelope detector generates a timing signal for actuating the switch based on the envelope of a signal produced by the oscillator. In one exemplary embodiment, the receiver circuit may be used as part of a radar based sensor system.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a system for electromagnetic communications that includes a semiconductor die; at least one amplifier on the die to amplify an input signal and generate an output signal; and an active bias control component on the die for adjusting biasing of the amplifier so that the amplifier is operable in a plurality of frequency bands. In one embodiment, a PCS band and W-CDMA power amplifier may be integrated on the same power amplifier die, and different output power requirements may be addressed by the use of an Si DC-DC converter. Such a converter may provide efficiency enhancements to the overall system through the use of dynamic bias control under active power control situations from the network. In addition, the converter may be used in a voltage up-converter state that allows a W-CDMA optimized power amplifier to operate at PCS frequencies and output power levels.

Abstract: A wave device for supporting electromagnetic waves, the device including a first pair of inputs for setting up a first standing wave therebetween a second pair of inputs for setting up a second standing wave therebetween and positioned such that the input signal of each of the first and second pairs of inputs is unaffected by the other of the first and second pairs of inputs and an output positioned so as to receive power from both the first and second standing waves.

Abstract: An antenna element comprises a housing (2) having a base (4) adapted for attachment to a vehicle windscreen. Antenna elements are provided on printed circuit boards (7a, 7b) and form a dipole, the elements defining an included angle (A) of approximately 140°. When mounted on the inside surface of a vehicle windscreen, an improved radiation pattern is exhibited compared with a planar antenna. A coaxial cable (13) having inner and outer conductors coupled to the boards (7a, 7b) at their apex is routed in spaced relation to the element (7a) connected to the inner conductor. In such a manner that currents tending to be induced in the outer conductor of the coaxial cable are cancelled as a result of the proximity of the cable (13) to the element (7a). This enables the coaxial cable to be matched to the impedance of the antenna without the need for a balun.