Abstract: Polarimetric transceiver front-ends and polarimetric phased array transceivers include two receive paths configured to receive signals from an antenna, each including a respective variable phase shifter. A first transmit path is connected to the variable phase shifter of one of the two receive paths and is configured to send signals to the antenna. A transmit/receive switch is configured to select between the first transmit path and the two receive paths for signals. The transmit/receive switch has an element that adds a high impedance to the transmit path when the transmit/receive switch is in a receiving state.

Abstract: While a radar waveform generator coupled to a phased antenna array is inactive, a beam steering command is provided to the phased antenna array to cause the phased antenna array be configured for a given transmit and receive direction. While the radar waveform generator is active, received radar results are assigned to the given transmit and receive direction. the providing of the command and the assigning are repeated for a plurality of additional transmit and receive directions corresponding to a desired scan area.

Abstract: An array of antenna elements are located in relation with a plurality of pre-characterized reference detectors. At baseband frequencies, a transmit radiation pattern of the array of antenna elements is sensed with the plurality of pre-characterized reference detectors, at a plurality of phase and gain settings, to detect mismatch among two or more elements of the array of antenna elements. Phase and gain settings for the array of antenna elements are updated to correct the mismatch.

Abstract: Techniques regarding a scalable phased array are provided. For example, various embodiments described herein can comprise a plurality of integrated circuits having respective flip chip pads, and an antenna-in-package substrate having a ball grid array terminal and a plurality of transmission lines. The plurality of transmission lines can be embedded within the antenna-in-package substrate and can operatively couple the respective flip chip pads to the ball grid array terminal. In one or more embodiments, a die can comprise the plurality of integrated circuits. Further, in one or more embodiments a combiner can also be embedded in the antenna-in-package substrate. The combiner can join the plurality of transmission lines.

Abstract: An antenna that can be embedded in a computer system or device is described. In an example, the antenna includes a feed operable to transmit and receive power. The antenna includes a first arm being extended from the feed towards a first direction to form a first partial loop. The antenna further includes a second arm being extended from the feed towards a second direction to form a second partial loop. The second direction is different from the first direction.

Abstract: Techniques regarding a scalable phased array are provided. For example, various embodiments described herein can comprise a plurality of integrated circuits having respective flip chip pads, and an antenna-in-package substrate having a ball grid array terminal and a plurality of transmission lines. The plurality of transmission lines can be embedded within the antenna-in-package substrate and can operatively couple the respective flip chip pads to the ball grid array terminal. In one or more embodiments, a die can comprise the plurality of integrated circuits. Further, in one or more embodiments a combiner can also be embedded in the antenna-in-package substrate. The combiner can join the plurality of transmission lines.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) system. An RFID tag may include multiple antennas connected with associated circuitry. An RFID tag's multiple antennas and associated circuitry are connected in parallel, and output power of the multiple associated circuitry can be combined. Each of the multiple antennas can be tuned for a different operating property or region. An RFID reader can include multiple antennas connected with associated circuitry. RFID reader's multiple antenna interfaces connect with a baseband processor, which can integrate resources of the reader's multiple antennas and associated circuitry. RFID tag and/or reader can be configured to support wireless channel diversity in enhancing at least one of power delivery and communication link budget.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) system may include a plurality of RFID readers and RFID tags. A RFID reader may include an antenna configured to operate at a first frequency and transmit a first beam of a first beam width to the plurality of RFID tags. The RFID antenna may further include an antenna array including a plurality of antennas configured to operate at a second frequency. The antenna array may be configured to transmit a second beam of a second beam width to the plurality of RFID tags. The RFID reader may receive backscatter signals and tag data from the plurality of RFID tags. The RFID reader may locate the plurality of RFID tags based on the backscatter signals and a direction of the second beam. The RFID reader may generate a 3D map of the tag data based on the locations of the plurality of RFID tags.

Abstract: Variable gain amplifiers and methods of designing the same include a first amplifying transistor configured to receive a first input signal and to provide a first amplified output signal based on the first input signal. A phase compensating resistor is connected to the first amplifying transistor and has a resistance calibrated as: R e = ? b C be , par where ?b is the base transit time of the first amplifying transistor and Cbe,par is the gain-independent part of the base-emitter capacitance of the first amplifying transistor.

Abstract: An oscillator includes a first output node and a second output node. There is a tank circuit coupled between the first output node and the second output node. There is a first transistor having a first node, a second node coupled to a current source, and a control node coupled to the second output node. There is a second transistor having a first node, a second node coupled to the current source, and a control node coupled to the first output node. There is a first inductor coupled in series between the first node of the first transistor and the first output node. There is a second inductor coupled in series between the first node of the second transistor and the second output node.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for a portable imager by capturing several radar readings related to an object in an environment over several times from several of Points of View (POV), wherein each radar reading indicates a distance to and reflectivity of the object relative to the imager; capturing several camera images of the environment over the several of times from the several POVs; determining positional shifts of the imager over the several times based on photogrammetrical differences between subsequent camera images of the several camera images; determining, based on accelerometer data, a trajectory that the imager moves in the environment over the several times; determining positions of the imager in the environment over the several times based on the positional shifts and the trajectory; combining the several radar readings based on the positions to produce a synthetic aperture radar image of the object; and outputting the synthetic aperture radar image.

Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), a method of designing a voltage controlled oscillator, and a design structure comprising a semiconductor substrate including a voltage controlled oscillator are disclosed. In one embodiment, the VCO comprises an LC tank circuit for generating an oscillator output at an oscillator frequency, and an oscillator core including cross-coupled semiconductor devices to provide feedback to the tank circuit. The VCO further comprises a supply node, a tail node, and a noise by-pass circuit connected to the supply and tail nodes, in parallel with the tank circuit and the oscillator core. The by-pass circuit forms a low-impedance path at a frequency approximately twice the oscillator frequency to at least partially immunize the oscillator core from external noise and to reduce noise contribution from the cross-coupled semiconductor devices.

Abstract: Techniques that facilitate reconfigurable transmission of a radar frequency signal are provided. In one example, a system includes a signal generator and a power modulator. The signal generator provides a radar waveform signal from a set of radar waveform signals. The power modulator divides a local oscillator signal associated with a first frequency and a first amplitude into a first local oscillator signal and a second local oscillator signal. The power modulator also generates a radio frequency signal associated with a second frequency and a second amplitude based on the radar waveform signal, the first local oscillator signal and the second local oscillator signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for phased array tapering include setting a gain at a phase-invariant variable gain amplifier in each of a set of front-ends of a phased array transceiver, to perform tapering of beam pattern side lobes. Setting the gain includes setting a first gain at a first stage of the phase-invariant variable gain amplifier and setting a second gain at a second stage of the phase-invariant variable gain amplifier. A dependency of a phase shift of the first stage on the gain of the first stage is equal to and opposite a dependency of a phase shift of the second stage on the gain of the second stage.

Abstract: An apparatus includes first and second electronically tunable transmission lines configured to transmit or receive a signal pair and provide a selected phase delay difference to the signal pair corresponding to a selected polarization, a first attenuation element connected to the first electronically tunable transmission line and a second attenuation element connected to the second electronically tunable transmission line. The first and second attenuation elements may each be configured to selectively attenuate signals carried on the electronically tunable transmission line to which they are connected according to a selected attenuation setting of a plurality of selectable attenuation settings provided by one or more attenuation control signals and thereby provide a selected attenuation to the signal pair that corresponds to the selected polarization. A corresponding method is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), a method of designing a voltage controlled oscillator, and a design structure comprising a semiconductor substrate including a voltage controlled oscillator are disclosed. In one embodiment, the VCO comprises an LC tank circuit for generating an oscillator output at an oscillator frequency, and an oscillator core including cross-coupled semiconductor devices to provide feedback to the tank circuit. The VCO further comprises a supply node, a tail node, and a noise by-pass circuit connected to the supply and tail nodes, in parallel with the tank circuit and the oscillator core. The by-pass circuit forms a low-impedance path at a frequency approximately twice the oscillator frequency to at least partially immunize the oscillator core from external noise and to reduce noise contribution from the cross-coupled semiconductor devices.

Abstract: Antenna package structures are provided to implement wireless communications packages. For example, an antenna package includes multilayer package substrate, a planar antenna array, antenna feed lines, and resistive transmission lines. The planar antenna array includes an array of active antenna elements and dummy antenna elements surrounding the array of active antenna elements. Each active antenna element is coupled to a corresponding one of the antenna feed lines, and each dummy antenna element is coupled to a corresponding one of the resistive transmission lines. Each resistive transmission line extends through the multilayer package substrate and is terminated in a same metallization layer of the multilayer package substrate.

Abstract: A plate varactor includes a dielectric substrate and a first electrode embedded in a surface of the substrate. A capacitor dielectric layer is disposed over the first electrode, and a layer of graphene is formed over the dielectric layer to contribute a quantum capacitance component to the dielectric layer. An upper electrode is formed on the layer of graphene. Other embodiments and methods for fabrication are also included.

Abstract: An apparatus includes first and second electronically tunable transmission lines configured to receive a signal pair and provide a selected phase delay difference to the signal pair, a first shunting element connected to the first electronically tunable transmission line and a second shunting element connected to the second electronically tunable transmission line. The first and second shunting elements may each be configured to selectively shunt the electronically tunable transmission line to which they are connected according to one or more shunting control signals. A corresponding method is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Antenna package structures are provided to implement wireless communications packages. For example, an antenna package includes multilayer package substrate, a planar antenna array, antenna feed lines, and resistive transmission lines. The planar antenna array includes an array of active antenna elements and dummy antenna elements surrounding the array of active antenna elements. Each active antenna element is coupled to a corresponding one of the antenna feed lines, and each dummy antenna element is coupled to a corresponding one of the resistive transmission lines. Each resistive transmission line extends through the multilayer package substrate and is terminated in a same metallization layer of the multilayer package substrate.