Abstract: Tunable filters, cancellers, and duplexers based on passive mixers. A tunable delay cell includes passive mixers electrically coupled together for receiving an input signal and outputting a delayed signal, each passive mixer comprising a plurality of mixer switches. The tunable delay includes a control circuit for providing, to each passive mixer, a respective plurality of local oscillator (LO) signals, one to each mixer switch of each passive mixer. The control circuit is configured to vary the LO signals to cause a target frequency band of the input signal to be delayed by a target delay time in propagating through the passive mixers.

Abstract: Tunable filters, cancellers, and duplexers based on passive mixers. A tunable delay cell includes passive mixers electrically coupled together for receiving an input signal and outputting a delayed signal, each passive mixer comprising a plurality of mixer switches. The tunable delay includes a control circuit for providing, to each passive mixer, a respective plurality of local oscillator (LO) signals, one to each mixer switch of each passive mixer. The control circuit is configured to vary the LO signals to cause a target frequency band of the input signal to be delayed by a target delay time in propagating through the passive mixers.

Abstract: Tunable filters, cancellers, and duplexers based on passive mixers. A tunable delay cell includes passive mixers electrically coupled together for receiving an input signal and outputting a delayed signal, each passive mixer comprising a plurality of mixer switches. The tunable delay includes a control circuit for providing, to each passive mixer, a respective plurality of local oscillator (LO) signals, one to each mixer switch of each passive mixer. The control circuit is configured to vary the LO signals to cause a target frequency band of the input signal to be delayed by a target delay time in propagating through the passive mixers.

Abstract: Tunable filters, cancellers, and duplexers based on passive mixers. A tunable delay cell includes passive mixers electrically coupled together for receiving an input signal and outputting a delayed signal, each passive mixer comprising a plurality of mixer switches. The tunable delay includes a control circuit for providing, to each passive mixer, a respective plurality of local oscillator (LO) signals, one to each mixer switch of each passive mixer. The control circuit is configured to vary the LO signals to cause a target frequency band of the input signal to be delayed by a target delay time in propagating through the passive mixers.

Abstract: Tunable filters, cancellers, and duplexers based on passive mixers. A tunable delay cell includes passive mixers electrically coupled together for receiving an input signal and outputting a delayed signal, each passive mixer comprising a plurality of mixer switches. The tunable delay includes a control circuit for providing, to each passive mixer, a respective plurality of local oscillator (LO) signals, one to each mixer switch of each passive mixer. The control circuit is configured to vary the LO signals to cause a target frequency band of the input signal to be delayed by a target delay time in propagating through the passive mixers.

Abstract: Tunable filters, cancellers, and duplexers based on passive mixers. A tunable delay cell includes passive mixers electrically coupled together for receiving an input signal and outputting a delayed signal, each passive mixer comprising a plurality of mixer switches. The tunable delay includes a control circuit for providing, to each passive mixer, a respective plurality of local oscillator (LO) signals, one to each mixer switch of each passive mixer. The control circuit is configured to vary the LO signals to cause a target frequency band of the input signal to be delayed by a target delay time in propagating through the passive mixers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to control signal phase in a radio device includes a phase rotator configured to control a phase of a local oscillator. A phase error determination module is configured to determine phase error information based on received in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) (IQ) signal values. A phase correction module is configured to derive from the received IQ signal values a correction signal and apply the correction signal to the phase rotator in a path of the local oscillator.

Abstract: A circuit device includes a multilayer circuit carrier, a first signal transmission line, a second signal transmission line, a signal line transition element, a first impedance transformer, and a second impedance transformer. The multilayer circuit carrier includes a first layer and a second layer. The first signal transmission line is on the surface of the first layer. The second signal transmission line is on the surface of the second layer. The signal line transition element passes through the first layer and the second layer, and has a first signal terminal and a second signal terminal. The first impedance transformer is on the surface of the first layer and electrically connected between the first signal transmission line and the first signal terminal. The second impedance transformer is on the surface of the second layer and electrically connected between the second signal transmission line and the second signal terminal.

Abstract: A differential cross-coupled power combiner in one aspect comprises a plurality of inputs, an output, a plurality of differential transmission lines each coupled between a corresponding one of the inputs and the output, and at least one set of additional differential transmission lines arranged in series between any two of the inputs. First and second ones of the additional differential transmission lines in the set are coupled to one another using a cross-coupling arrangement. Other aspects of the invention provide a differential cross-coupled power divider, communication system receivers and transmitters incorporating respective power combiners and dividers, and integrated circuit implementations of power combiners and dividers.

Abstract: Radio frequency integrated circuits with on-chip noise source for use in the performance of tests and/or calibrations. A radio frequency integrated circuit includes at least one noise source residing on the radio frequency integrated circuit, the noise source being controllable by a digital input, and a radio frequency circuit residing on the radio frequency integrated circuit and being coupled to the noise source, wherein at least one attribute of the radio frequency circuit is determinable by controlling the noise source via the digital input.

Abstract: A circuit device includes a multilayer circuit carrier, a first signal transmission line, a second signal transmission line, a signal line transition element, a first impedance transformer, and a second impedance transformer. The multilayer circuit carrier includes a first layer and a second layer. The first signal transmission line is on the surface of the first layer. The second signal transmission line is on the surface of the second layer. The signal line transition element passes through the first layer and the second layer, and has a first signal terminal and a second signal terminal. The first impedance transformer is on the surface of the first layer and electrically connected between the first signal transmission line and the first signal terminal. The second impedance transformer is on the surface of the second layer and electrically connected between the second signal transmission line and the second signal terminal.

Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes at least one antenna structure located on a first surface of a first substrate; at least one pad located on the first surface of the first substrate; and at least one via traversing the first substrate and thereby connecting the at least one pad located on the first surface of the first substrate to at least one pad located on a second surface. The at least one pad located on the first surface of the first substrate is operatively coupleable to at least one pad located on a surface of an integrated circuit and the at least one pad located on the second surface is operatively coupleable to at least one pad located on a surface of a printed circuit board. The at least one via is thereby operative to couple the at least one pad located on the surface of the integrated circuit and the at least one pad located on the surface of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A differential cross-coupled power combiner in one aspect comprises a plurality of inputs, an output, a plurality of differential transmission lines each coupled between a corresponding one of the inputs and the output, and at least one set of additional differential transmission lines arranged in series between any two of the inputs. First and second ones of the additional differential transmission lines in the set are coupled to one another using a cross-coupling arrangement. Other aspects of the invention provide a differential cross-coupled power divider, communication system receivers and transmitters incorporating respective power combiners and dividers, and integrated circuit implementations of power combiners and dividers.

Abstract: Improved phased array techniques and architectures are provided. For example, a linear phased array includes N discrete phase shifters and N?1 variable phase shifters, wherein the N?1 variable phase shifters are respectively coupled between adjacent output nodes of the N discrete phase shifters such that the N discrete phase shifters reduce an amount of continuous phase shift provided by the N?1 variable phase shifters. Each of the N discrete phase shifters may select between two or more discrete phase shifts. The N discrete phase shifters also preferably eliminate a need for a variable termination impedance in the linear phased array.

Abstract: A variable-gain amplifier includes an intermediate node operative to receive an electric current from a current source. A common-emitter amplifier has a collector electrically connected to the intermediate node. A first common-base amplifier has an emitter electrically connected to the intermediate node and a collector electrically connected to an output node. A base-degenerated amplifier has an emitter electrically connected to the intermediate node and a collector electrically connected to the output node. A second common-base amplifier has an emitter electrically connected to the intermediate node and a collector electrically connected to small-signal ground.

Abstract: Radio frequency integrated circuits with on-chip noise source for use in the performance of tests and/or calibrations. For example, a radio frequency integrated circuit comprises at least one noise source residing on the radio frequency integrated circuit, the noise source being controllable by a digital input, and a radio frequency circuit residing on the radio frequency integrated circuit and being coupled to the noise source, wherein at least one attribute of the radio frequency circuit is determinable by controlling the noise source via the digital input.

Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes at least one antenna structure located on a first surface of a first substrate; at least one pad located on the first surface of the first substrate; and at least one via traversing the first substrate and thereby connecting the at least one pad located on the first surface of the first substrate to at least one pad located on a second surface. The at least one pad located on the first surface of the first substrate is operatively coupleable to at least one pad located on a surface of an integrated circuit and the at least one pad located on the second surface is operatively coupleable to at least one pad located on a surface of a printed circuit board. The at least one via is thereby operative to couple the at least one pad located on the surface of the integrated circuit and the at least one pad located on the surface of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A variable-gain amplifier includes an intermediate node operative to receive an electric current from a current source. A common-emitter amplifier has a collector electrically connected to the intermediate node. A first common-base amplifier has an emitter electrically connected to the intermediate node and a collector electrically connected to an output node. A base-degenerated amplifier has an emitter electrically connected to the intermediate node and a collector electrically connected to the output node. A second common-base amplifier has an emitter electrically connected to the intermediate node and a collector electrically connected to small-signal ground.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to control signal phase in a radio device includes a phase rotator configured to control a phase of a local oscillator. A phase error determination module is configured to determine phase error information based on received in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) (IQ) signal values. A phase correction module is configured to derive from the received IQ signal values a correction signal and apply the correction signal to the phase rotator in a path of the local oscillator.

Abstract: Improved phased array techniques and architectures are provided. For example, a linear phased array includes N discrete phase shifters and N?1 variable phase shifters, wherein the N?1 variable phase shifters are respectively coupled between adjacent output nodes of the N discrete phase shifters such that the N discrete phase shifters reduce an amount of continuous phase shift provided by the N?1 variable phase shifters. Each of the N discrete phase shifters may select between two or more discrete phase shifts. The N discrete phase shifters also preferably eliminate a need for a variable termination impedance in the linear phased array.