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: A dynamic free-space-optical femto-cell (DFF) communication system is disclosed. The system operates to allow bi-directional communication between transceiver and receivers using free space optics and line of sight alignment and tracking. The system dynamically adjusts beam direction and beam shape in order to maximize power efficiency and maintain line of sight using beam steering and beam forming. The result is greatly reduced power requirement, improved security and dynamic mobility.

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: Antenna devices, antenna systems and methods of their fabrication are disclosed. One such antenna device includes a semiconductor chip and a chip package. The semiconductor chip includes at least one antenna that is integrated into a dielectric layer of the semiconductor chip and is configured to transmit electromagnetic waves. In addition, the chip package includes at least one ground plane, where the semiconductor chip is mounted on the chip package such that the ground plane(s) is disposed at a predetermined distance from the antenna to implement a reflection of at least a portion of the electromagnetic waves.

Abstract: A polarimetric transceiver front-end includes two receive paths configured to receive signals from an antenna, each receive path corresponding to a respective polarization. Each front-end includes a variable amplifier and a variable phase shifter; a first transmit path configured to send signals to the antenna, where the transmit path is connected to the variable phase shifter of one of the two receive paths and includes a variable amplifier; and a transmit/receive switch configured to select between the first transmit path and the two receive paths for signals, where the transmit/receive switch includes a quarter-wavelength transmission line that adds a high impedance to the transmit path when the transmit/receive switch is in a receiving state.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for measuring a specified parameter in a phase-locked loop frequency synthesizer (PLL). In one embodiment, the method comprises introducing multiple phase errors in the PLL, measuring a specified aspect of the introduced phase errors, and determining a value for the specified parameter using the measured aspects of the introduced phase errors. In one embodiment, the phase errors are introduced repetitively in the PLL, and these phase errors produce a modified phase difference between the reference signal and the feedback signal in the PPL. In one embodiment, crossover times, when this modified phase difference crosses over a preset value, are determined, and these crossover times are used to determine the value for the specified parameter. In an embodiment, the parameter is calculated as a mathematical function of the crossover times. The parameter may be, for example, the bandwidth of the PLL.

Abstract: Antenna devices, antenna systems and methods of their fabrication are disclosed. One such antenna device includes a semiconductor chip and a chip package. The semiconductor chip includes at least one antenna that is integrated into a dielectric layer of the semiconductor chip and is configured to transmit electromagnetic waves. In addition, the chip package includes at least one ground plane, where the semiconductor chip is mounted on the chip package such that the ground plane(s) is disposed at a predetermined distance from the antenna to implement a reflection of at least a portion of the electromagnetic waves.

Abstract: Antenna devices, antenna systems and methods of their fabrication are disclosed. One such antenna device includes a semiconductor chip and a chip package. The semiconductor chip includes at least one antenna that is integrated into a dielectric layer of the semiconductor chip and is configured to transmit electromagnetic waves. In addition, the chip package includes at least one ground plane, where the semiconductor chip is mounted on the chip package such that the ground plane(s) is disposed at a predetermined distance from the antenna to implement a reflection of at least a portion of the electromagnetic waves.

Abstract: Methods and systems for phase shifting include a hybrid quadrature coupler having an input, an output, and two termination loads. Each termination load includes multiple terminations, each termination having a varactor; and one or more transmission lines separating the terminations. A control module is configured to determine a phase shift and gain to apply to the input and to independently control a capacitance of each varactor such that the output of the hybrid quadrature coupler is shifted by the determined phase shift relative to the input with the determined gain.

Abstract: Antenna devices, antenna systems and methods of their fabrication are disclosed. One such antenna device includes a semiconductor chip and a chip package. The semiconductor chip includes at least one antenna that is integrated into a dielectric layer of the semiconductor chip and is configured to transmit electromagnetic waves. In addition, the chip package includes at least one ground plane, where the semiconductor chip is mounted on the chip package such that the ground plane(s) is disposed at a predetermined distance from the antenna to implement a reflection of at least a portion of the electromagnetic waves.

Abstract: Systems, methods, devices and apparatuses directed to transceiver devices are disclosed. In accordance with one method, a first set of antenna positions in a first section of a set of sections of a circuit layout for the circuit package is selected. The method further includes selecting another set of antenna positions in another section of the circuit layout such that an arrangement of selected antenna positions of the other set is different from an arrangement of selected antenna positions of a previously selected set of antenna positions. The selecting another set of positions in another section is iterated until selections have been made for a total number of antennas. The selecting the other set is performed such that consecutive unselected positions in the other section do not exceed a predetermined number of positions. In addition, antenna elements are formed at the selected positions to fabricate the circuit package.

Abstract: A phased-array receiver that may be effectively implemented on a silicon substrate. A receiver includes multiple radio frequency (RF) front-ends, each configured to receive a signal with a given delay relative to the others such that the gain of the received signal is highest in a given direction. The receiver also includes a power combination network configured to accept an RF signal from each of the RF front-ends and to pass a combined RF signal to a down-conversion element, where the power distribution network includes a combination of active and passive components. Each RF front-end includes a phase shifter configured to delay the signal in accordance with the given direction and a variable amplifier configured to adjust the gain of the signal.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for measuring a specified parameter in a phase-locked loop frequency synthesizer (PLL). In one embodiment, the method comprises introducing multiple phase errors in the PLL, measuring a specified aspect of the introduced phase errors, and determining a value for the specified parameter using the measured aspects of the introduced phase errors. In one embodiment, the phase errors are introduced repetitively in the PLL, and these phase errors produce a modified phase difference between the reference signal and the feedback signal in the PPL. In one embodiment, crossover times, when this modified phase difference crosses over a preset value, are determined, and these crossover times are used to determine the value for the specified parameter. In an embodiment, the parameter is calculated as a mathematical function of the crossover times. The parameter may be, for example, the bandwidth of the PLL.

Abstract: A polarimetric transceiver front-end includes two receive paths configured to receive signals from an antenna, each receive path corresponding to a respective polarization. Each front-end includes a variable amplifier and a variable phase shifter; a first transmit path configured to send signals to the antenna, where the transmit path is connected to the variable phase shifter of one of the two receive paths and includes a variable amplifier; and a transmit/receive switch configured to select between the first transmit path and the two receive paths for signals, where the transmit/receive switch includes a quarter-wavelength transmission line that adds a high impedance to the transmit path when the transmit/receive switch is in a receiving state.

Abstract: Systems, methods, devices and apparatuses directed to transceiver devices are disclosed. In accordance with one method, a first set of antenna positions in a first section of a set of sections of a circuit layout for the circuit package is selected. The method further includes selecting another set of antenna positions in another section of the circuit layout such that an arrangement of selected antenna positions of the other set is different from an arrangement of selected antenna positions of a previously selected set of antenna positions. The selecting another set of positions in another section is iterated until selections have been made for a total number of antennas. The selecting the other set is performed such that consecutive unselected positions in the other section do not exceed a predetermined number of positions. In addition, antenna elements are formed at the selected positions to fabricate the circuit package.

Abstract: A polarimetric transceiver front-end includes two receive paths configured to receive signals from an antenna, each receive path corresponding to a respective polarization. Each front-end includes a variable amplifier and a variable phase shifter; a first transmit path configured to send signals to the antenna, where the transmit path is connected to the variable phase shifter of one of the two receive paths and includes a variable amplifier; and a transmit/receive switch configured to select between the first transmit path and the two receive paths for signals, where the transmit/receive switch includes a quarter-wavelength transmission line that adds a high impedance to the transmit path when the transmit/receive switch is in a receiving state.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for measuring a specified parameter in a phase-locked loop frequency synthesizer (PLL). In one embodiment, the method comprises introducing multiple phase errors in the PLL, measuring a specified aspect of the introduced phase errors, and determining a value for the specified parameter using the measured aspects of the introduced phase errors. In one embodiment, the phase errors are introduced repetitively in the PLL, and these phase errors produce a modified phase difference between the reference signal and the feedback signal in the PPL. In one embodiment, crossover times, when this modified phase difference crosses over a preset value, are determined, and these crossover times are used to determine the value for the specified parameter. In an embodiment, the parameter is calculated as a mathematical function of the crossover times. The parameter may be, for example, the bandwidth of the PLL.

Abstract: Antenna devices, antenna systems and methods of their fabrication are disclosed. One such antenna device includes a semiconductor chip and a chip package. The semiconductor chip includes at least one antenna that is integrated into a dielectric layer of the semiconductor chip and is configured to transmit electromagnetic waves. In addition, the chip package includes at least one ground plane, where the semiconductor chip is mounted on the chip package such that the ground plane(s) is disposed at a predetermined distance from the antenna to implement a reflection of at least a portion of the electromagnetic waves.

Abstract: Systems, methods, devices and apparatuses directed to transceiver devices are disclosed. In accordance with one method, a first set of antenna positions in a first section of a set of sections of a circuit layout for the circuit package is selected. The method further includes selecting another set of antenna positions in another section of the circuit layout such that an arrangement of selected antenna positions of the other set is different from an arrangement of selected antenna positions of a previously selected set of antenna positions. The selecting another set of positions in another section is iterated until selections have been made for a total number of antennas. The selecting the other set is performed such that consecutive unselected positions in the other section do not exceed a predetermined number of positions. In addition, antenna elements are formed at the selected positions to fabricate the circuit package.

Abstract: A system and method is shown for receiving microwave/millimeter-wave signals. The system and method are balanced and can be effectively implemented on a silicon substrate using single pole double throw switches.