Abstract: In an example embodiment, a method for adjusting a phase of a carrier replica signal includes receiving, by a tracking loop, a digital baseband signal, generating within the tracking loop the carrier replica signal, generating within the tracking loop a sequence of samples from the digital baseband signal and the carrier replica signal, and controlling a phase of the carrier replica signal depending on the sequence of samples. The example method further includes receiving a trigger signal indicating an upcoming phase shift of the digital baseband signal, blanking the tracking loop and controlling the phase of the carrier replica signal using a constant value, determining a magnitude of the phase shift, adjusting the phase of the carrier replica signal using the determined magnitude of the phase shift, and un-blanking the tracking loop and controlling the phase of the carrier replica signal depending on the sequence of samples.

Abstract: Methods, circuits, and apparatus for calibrating an in-phase and quadrature (IQ) imbalance of a communication signal including an in-phase component and a quadrature component in a communication apparatus, the method including determining whether to calibrate the IQ imbalance of the communication signal in the communication apparatus; selecting, in response to a determination to calibrate the IQ imbalance of the communication signal, at least one of an amplitude calibration or a phase calibration; controlling, in accordance with the selected amplitude calibration or phase calibration, at least one of an in-phase delay circuit or a quadrature delay circuit to adjust a pulse of at least one of a first LO signal or a second LO signal to thereby generate at least one pulse-adjusted LO signal; and multiplying the at least one pulse-adjusted LO signal with the communication signal to thereby calibrate the IQ imbalance.

Abstract: Methods, circuits, and apparatus for calibrating an in-phase and quadrature (IQ) imbalance of a communication signal including an in-phase component and a quadrature component in a communication apparatus, the method including determining whether to calibrate the IQ imbalance of the communication signal in the communication apparatus; selecting, in response to a determination to calibrate the IQ imbalance of the communication signal, at least one of an amplitude calibration or a phase calibration; controlling, in accordance with the selected amplitude calibration or phase calibration, at least one of an in-phase delay circuit or a quadrature delay circuit to adjust a pulse of at least one of a first LO signal or a second LO signal to thereby generate at least one pulse-adjusted LO signal; and multiplying the at least one pulse-adjusted LO signal with the communication signal to thereby calibrate the IQ imbalance.

Abstract: The method concerns the reliable start-up of a crystal oscillator where the drive levels the crystal is subjected to are kept low in order to avoid over-driving the crystal. After applying a start-up value of a parameter controlling the drive level where the drive level associated with the start-up value is rather high such that reliable start-up is ensured the parameter is modified step-wise so as to reduce the drive level until the crystal oscillator ceases to operate regularly. To assess whether this is the case, the frequency of the crystal oscillator is compared with the frequency of an auxiliary oscillator. A safety margin is added to the parameter and the result stored in a non-volatile memory as an operating value. The crystal oscillator is then restarted with the start-up value and after a delay the operating value is applied.

Abstract: The method concerns the reliable start-up of a crystal oscillator where the drive levels the crystal is subjected to are kept low in order to avoid over-driving the crystal. After applying a start-up value of a parameter controlling the drive level where the drive level associated with the start-up value is rather high such that reliable start-up is ensured the parameter is modified step-wise so as to reduce the drive level until the crystal oscillator ceases to operate regularly. To assess whether this is the case, the frequency of the crystal oscillator is compared with the frequency of an auxiliary oscillator. A safety margin is added to the parameter and the result stored in a non-volatile memory as an operating value. The crystal oscillator is then restarted with the start-up value and after a delay the operating value is applied.

Abstract: A charge pump system is provided that includes at least one first pump for generating a first working voltage, a second pump for generating a second working voltage, and a third pump for generating a third working voltage. The first pump is connected to an internal supply voltage reference that can having a limited value, and has an output terminal connected to the second and third pumps so as to supplying them with the first working voltage as their supply voltage. A method is also provided for managing the generation of voltages to be used with such a charge pump system.

Abstract: A charge pump system is provided that includes at least one first pump for generating a first working voltage, a second pump for generating a second working voltage, and a third pump for generating a third working voltage. The first pump is connected to an internal supply voltage reference that can having a limited value, and has an output terminal connected to the second and third pumps so as to supplying them with the first working voltage as their supply voltage. A method is also provided for managing the generation of voltages to be used with such a charge pump system.