Patents by Inventor Andrew G. Zocher

Andrew G. Zocher 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).

  • Patent number: 9521405
    Abstract: A system is disclosed that may include an Automatic Gain Control (AGC) module configured to automatically adjust the gain of a receiver, which is configured to receive a signal. The signal includes a number of commands, which have a characteristic command length and a characteristic command interval. The command length may have a substantially shorter duration than the command interval. The system may also include a slicer configured to interface to a command processor. The system includes a command processor communicatively coupled with the AGC module and/or the slicer for providing a notification to the AGC module and/or the slicer associated with the ends of the commands. The AGC module is configured to adjust the gain of the receiver and the slicer threshold voltage is updated when the notification is received from the command processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew G. Zocher, Richard D. Davis, Theron L. Jones, Luiz A. Razera, Jr., Robert R. Rotzoll
  • Patent number: 9048890
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device, set forth by way of example and not limitation, includes an IC package provided with a plurality of leads and enclosing: a) a buffer amplifier, b) a switching-mode power amplifier having an input coupled to the output of the buffer amplifier and having an output coupled to at least one of the plurality of leads, and c) a digital controller. A method, set forth by way of example and not limitation, for controlling the power output of a RF transmitter circuit without the need for an attenuator includes developing a signal source, applying the signal source to a buffer amplifier to provide an amplified signal, applying the amplified signal to a switching-mode power amplifier to provide a power output signal, and controlling a gain of the switching-mode power amplifier in response to a digital command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew G. Zocher, Arman Hematy
  • Patent number: 9002308
    Abstract: A system is disclosed that may include an Automatic Gain Control (AGC) module configured to automatically adjust the gain of a receiver, which is configured to receive a signal. The signal includes a number of commands, which have a characteristic command length and a characteristic command interval. The command length may have a substantially shorter duration than the command interval. The system may also include a slicer configured to interface to a command processor. The system includes a command processor communicatively coupled with the AGC module and/or the slicer for providing a notification to the AGC module and/or the slicer associated with the ends of the commands. The AGC module is configured to adjust the gain of the receiver and the slicer threshold voltage is updated when the notification is received from the command processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew G. Zocher, Richard D. Davis, Theron L. Jones, Luiz A. Razera, Jr., Robert R. Rotzoll
  • Patent number: 8675770
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device, set forth by way of example and not limitation, includes an IC package provided with a plurality of leads and enclosing: a) a buffer amplifier, b) a switching-mode power amplifier having an input coupled to the output of the buffer amplifier and having an output coupled to at least one of the plurality of leads, and c) a digital controller. A method, set forth by way of example and not limitation, for controlling the power output of a RF transmitter circuit without the need for an attenuator includes developing a signal source, applying the signal source to a buffer amplifier to provide an amplified signal, applying the amplified signal to a switching-mode power amplifier to provide a power output signal, and controlling a gain of the switching-mode power amplifier in response to a digital command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew G. Zocher, Arman Hematy
  • Patent number: 8331486
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device, set forth by way of example and not limitation, includes an IC package provided with a plurality of leads and enclosing: a) a buffer amplifier, b) a switching-mode power amplifier having an input coupled to the output of the buffer amplifier and having an output coupled to at least one of the plurality of leads, and c) a digital controller. A method, set forth by way of example and not limitation, for controlling the power output of a RF transmitter circuit without the need for an attenuator includes developing a signal source, applying the signal source to a buffer amplifier to provide an amplified signal, applying the amplified signal to a switching-mode power amplifier to provide a power output signal, and controlling a gain of the switching-mode power amplifier in response to a digital command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew G. Zocher, Arman Hematy
  • Patent number: 6400218
    Abstract: A variable gain control circuit (125, 127) includes a programmable operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) circuit (214) and a programmable conveying circuit (544). The conveying circuit (544) has a programmable differential circuit (550) interconnected to a pair of programming inputs (564, 566). The pair of programming inputs (564, 566) is interconnected to a pair of programming inputs (238, 240) that set the gain of the OTA circuit (214). When the OTA circuit (214) is configured as an operational transconductance filter (112, 113), the programmable differential circuit (550) can adjust the gain of the conveying circuit (544) to compensate for changes in the input impedance of the filter (112, 113). The programming inputs (238, 240) that set the input impedance and bandwidth of the filter (113, 113) also control the amount of signal current transmitted by the conveying circuit (544).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew G. Zocher, Timothy K. Coffman, Joseph P. Heck