Patents by Inventor Alisdair Muir

Alisdair Muir has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Delta-sigma modulator approach to increased amplifier gain resolution
    Patent number: 8324969
    Abstract: A variable gain amplifier device (100) with improved gain resolution is achieved. The device includes a programmable gain amplifier (PGA) (110), an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) (160), an automatic level control (ALC) algorithm means (176), and a delta-sigma modulator (180). The PGA (110) is capable to receive and to amplify an analog input signal (154) to thereby generate an analog output signal (164). The PGA (110) includes an amplifier (160) and a switchable resistor network (120). The ADC (170) is coupled to the PGA (110) and is capable to convert the analog output signal (164) to a digital signal (174). The ALC algorithm means (176) is coupled to the ADC (170) and is capable to generate a control code (178) by processing the digital signal (174). The delta-sigma modulator (186) is coupled to the ALC algorithm means (186) and is capable to generate a pulse-density modulated (PDM) signal (182) by processing the control code (178).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Loeda, Alisdair Muir
  • Delta-sigma modulator approach to increased amplifier gain resolution
    Publication number: 20120229316
    Abstract: A variable gain amplifier device (100) with improved gain resolution is achieved. The device includes a programmable gain amplifier (PGA) (110), an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) (160), an automatic level control (ALC) algorithm means (176), and a delta-sigma modulator (180). The PGA (110) is capable to receive and to amplify an analog input signal (154) to thereby generate an analog output signal (164). The PGA (110) includes an amplifier (160) and a switchable resistor network (120). The ADC (170) is coupled to the PGA (110) and is capable to convert the analog output signal (164) to a digital signal (174). The ALC algorithm means (176) is coupled to the ADC (170) and is capable to generate a control code (178) by processing the digital signal (174). The delta-sigma modulator (186) is coupled to the ALC algorithm means (186) and is capable to generate a pulse-density modulated (PDM) signal (182) by processing the control code (178).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Sebastian Loeda, Alisdair Muir