Abstract: An integrated front-end filter for a tuner provides an array of from several to a multitude of passbands, each for passing at least one but less than all channels designated in a band of frequencies. Each passband is exclusively selectable. The integrated front end filter includes at least one active filter unit with an active reactance element in either of fixed and variable filter configurations and a decoder coupled to said at least one active filter unit and being responsive to a control signal for selecting a one of the passbands. In one example a multitude of active filter units of fixed filter configuration provide the multitude of passbands. Each data is stored at a predetermined location and reproduced in response to a corresponding control data signal from a tuner controller. Each data characterizes one of the plurality of passbands. The filter element is switchable from one passband to another in response to the control data signal.

Abstract: An integrated front-end filter for a tuner provides an array of from several to a multitude of passbands, each for passing at least one but less than all channels designated in a band of frequencies. Each passband is exclusively selectable. The integrated front end filter includes at least one active filter unit with an active reactance element in either of fixed and variable filter configurations and a decoder coupled to said at least one active filter unit and being responsive to a control signal for selecting a one of the passbands. In one example a multitude of active filter units of fixed filter configuration provide the multitude of passbands. Each data is stored at a predetermined location and reproduced in response to a corresponding control data signal from a tuner controller. Each data characterizes one of the plurality of passbands. The filter element is switchable from one passband to another in response to the control data signal.

Abstract: An integrated front-end filter for a tuner provides an array of from several to a multitude of passbands, each for passing at least one but less than all channels designated in a band of frequencies. Each passband is exclusively selectable. The integrated front end filter includes at least one active filter unit with an active reactance element in either of fixed and variable filter configurations and a decoder coupled to said at least one active filter unit and being responsive to a control signal for selecting a one of the passbands. In one example a multitude of active filter units of fixed filter configuration provide the multitude of passbands. Each data is stored at a predetermined location and reproduced in response to a corresponding control data signal from a tuner controller. Each data characterizes one of the plurality of passbands. The filter element is switchable from one passband to another in response to the control data signal.

Abstract: A cable tuner front end circuit is disclosed for receiving a radio frequency television input signal and for selectively amplifying the signal in dependence upon a predetermined level of the tuner circuit output signal. The tuner front end circuit having first and second radio frequency paths, where in dependence upon the predetermined level of the output signal, the input signal either propagating along the first path without amplification or the input signal propagating along the second path with low noise amplification. Such that, when amplification is not required the amplifier circuit is disabled thereby offering a savings in tuner circuit power consumption.

Abstract: Currently tuner circuits maintain normal power consumption while they are receiving RF signals and do not have provisions therein for disabling portions of their circuitry for reducing of power consumption. For example, during changing of channels, portions of the tuner are not used while the tuner is waiting for channel data. Thus, disabling portions of the circuit while the tuner is waiting for data serves to reduce power consumption of the tuner. Furthermore, tuner power consumption is reduced by determining whether a signal input to the tuner circuit requires amplification or not, or whether linearity in the amplifier can be sacrificed by a reduction in amplifier gain. Thus, a tuner circuit is provided that has control loop circuitry to execute control loops for controlling the gain and linearity of the tuner, as well as power consumption of circuitry therein.

Abstract: An integrated front end filter for a tuner provides an array of from several to a multitude of passbands, each for passing at least one but less than all channels designated in a band of frequencies. Each passband is exclusively selectable. The integrated front end filter can include at least one active filter unit with an active reactance element in either of fixed and variable filter configurations and a decoder coupled to said at least one active filter unit and being responsive to a control signal for selecting a one of the passbands. In one example, a multitude of active filter units of fixed filter configuration provide the multitude of passbands. In another example, a plurality of data corresponds to a like plurality of selectable passbands in combination with a filter element of the variable filter configuration. Each data is stored at a predetermined location and reproduced in response to a corresponding control data signal from a tuner controller.

Abstract: A VGA is provided that is designed to reduce or even eliminate entirely variations in phase response/shift with changes in gain. Compensation is made for parasitic capacitances of elements in the VGA that would otherwise cause variation in phase with changes in gain. An additional capacitance is introduced to the VGA to compensate for the sources of the parasitic capacitance. The technique for introducing the additional capacitance depends on the source of the parasitic capacitance being treated. The additional capacitance is introduced to one or more of transistor amplifier circuits in the VGA, wherein each transistor amplifier circuit has a different gain and one of the transistor amplifier circuits is selected depending on the desired gain of the VGA. These compensation techniques equalize the phase response of the transistor amplifier circuits (each having a different gain) so that regardless of which transistor amplifier circuit is selected, the phase shift will be substantially the same.

Abstract: Televisions, especially HDTV, require tremendous bandwidth, however a time interval to switch communication channels may result in the loss of several image frames or a large portion of a single image frame. Unfortunately, small glitches in television signals are not tolerable since this affects the quality of the entertainment. Thus, wireless television tuners are unacceptable to most users because of frequency of glitches occurring as a result of channel hopping. A novel wireless television tuner system is thus disclosed that switches—hops—between frequency channels for transmitting television data to the wireless television tuner. The novel tuner uses a fractional-N (FRAC-N) synthesizer with an improved settling time in order to reduce potential glitches occurring as a result of the channel hopping.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing elementary semiconductor devices such as a field-effect transistor, a capacitor, a resistor, an inductor, a transformer, or a diode, and devices produced by said method. According to the method, a semiconductor seed layer is applied to a substrate having regions of exposed semiconductor material and regions of exposed dielectric material. The method comprises a step of disposing the substrate in a growth chamber and nucleating the seed layer by exposing the semiconductor material and dielectric material to an atmosphere of gases presented at a predetermined flow rate, temperature and pressure selected to provide contiguous growth of the seed layer, the seed layer growing in a single crystal lattice over predetermined windows within the mixed topology substrate.

Abstract: A cable tuner front end circuit is disclosed for receiving a radio frequency television input signal and for selectively amplifying the signal in dependence upon a predetermined level of the tuner circuit output signal. The tuner front end circuit having first and second radio frequency paths, where in dependence upon the predetermined level of the output signal, the input signal either propagating along the first path without amplification or the input signal propagating along the second path with low noise amplification. Such that, when amplification is not required the amplifier circuit is disabled thereby offering a savings in tuner circuit power consumption.