Abstract: The invention relates to a gain-control stage (100) for generating gain-control signals (Vc+, Vc?) for controlling an external variable-gain amplifying unit (101). The gain-control stage comprises a first (102) and a second differential amplifier unit (112) that receive, at a respective input interface (104,114) a reference voltage signal (VRef) and a variable gain-control voltage signal (VGC). The second differential amplifier unit is configured to provide, via a second output interface (120), a control voltage signal (V1) to a controllable first current source (106) of the first differential amplifier unit (102). The first differential amplifier unit (102) is configured to provide, via a first output interface (110), the first and the second gain-control signal (VC+, VC?) in dependence on the variable gain-control voltage signal (VGC), the reference voltage signal (VRef) and a first biasing current (IB1) that depends on the control voltage signal.

Abstract: An electromagnetic wave sensor for determining a hydration status of a body tissue in vivo includes an electromagnetic wave transmitter, a waveguide, and an electromagnetic wave receiver. The electromagnetic wave transmitter is configured to emit an electromagnetic wave signal in a frequency range between 1 Hz and 1 THz. The waveguide is coupled to the electromagnetic wave transmitter. The waveguide is adapted to be arranged next to the body tissue such that a fringe field of the electromagnetic wave signal guided by the waveguide penetrates the body tissue. The electromagnetic wave receiver is coupled to the waveguide. The electromagnetic wave receiver is configured to receive the electromagnetic wave signal modified by the body tissue in dependence of a hydration status of the body tissue.

Abstract: Novel phase locked loop architectures that can overcome the limitation of the maximum operating frequency of the fractional-N phase-locked loop (PLL) for fast-chirp frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radars are suggested. Several phase frequency detector and charge pumps (PFD&CPs) are put in parallel and are operated with reference signals that are generated by using a delay-locked loop (DLL) instead of further increasing the operating frequency of the PFD&CP. The proposed DLL supported parallel PLL architectures enable further speeding up the FMCW chirp as well as improving its linearity and the performance of Range Doppler Radars based on fast-chirp FMCW radar. Methods for operating the parallel fractional N phase locked loop are proposed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gain-control stage (100) for generating gain-control signals (Vc+, Vc?) for controlling an external variable-gain amplifying unit (101). The gain-control stage comprises a first (102) and a second differential amplifier unit (112) that receive, at a respective input interface (104,114) a reference voltage signal (VRef) and a variable gain-control voltage signal (VGC). The second differential amplifier unit is configured to provide, via a second output interface (120), a control voltage signal (V1) to a controllable first current source (106) of the first differential amplifier unit (102). The first differential amplifier unit (102) is configured to provide, via a first output interface (110), the first and the second gain-control signal (VC+, VC?) in dependence on the variable gain-control voltage signal (VGC), the reference voltage signal (VRef) and a first biasing current (IB1) that depends on the control voltage signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to an amplification circuit (100), comprising: a VGA (2), an AGC loop (10) for automatically controlling the gain of the VGA (2), a switching circuit (14) for switching between an AGC mode, in which the gain of the VGA (2) is automatically controlled by an output signal of the AGC loop (10) and a manual gain control, MGC, mode, in which the gain of the VGA (2) can be manually controlled by an input signal, and a read/write circuit (30) with a contact (31) for connection to a peripheral system, wherein the read/write circuit (30) is configured, in the MGC mode, to provide the input signal from the contact (31) via a write-mode path (32) to the VGA (2), and, in the AGC mode, to provide the output signal of the AGC loop (10) via a read-mode path (33) on the contact (31).

Abstract: Novel phase locked loop architectures that can overcome the limitation of the maximum operating frequency of the fractional-N phase-locked loop (PLL) for fast-chirp frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radars are suggested. Several phase frequency detector and charge pumps (PFD&CPs) are put in parallel and are operated with reference signals that are generated by using a delay-locked loop (DLL) instead of further increasing the operating frequency of the PFD&CP. The proposed DLL supported parallel PLL architectures enable further speeding up the FMCW chirp as well as improving its linearity and the performance of Range Doppler Radars based on fast-chirp FMCW radar. Methods for operating the parallel fractional N phase locked loop are proposed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an amplification circuit (100), comprising: a VGA (2), an AGC loop (10) for automatically controlling the gain of the VGA (2), a switching circuit (14) for switching between an AGC mode, in which the gain of the VGA (2) is automatically controlled by an output signal of the AGC loop (10) and a manual gain control, MGC, mode, in which the gain of the VGA (2) can be manually controlled by an input signal, and a read/write circuit (30) with a contact (31) for connection to a peripheral system, wherein the read/write circuit (30) is configured, in the MGC mode, to provide the input signal from the contact (31) via a write-mode path (32) to the VGA (2), and, in the AGC mode, to provide the output signal of the AGC loop (10) via a read-mode path (33) on the contact (31).

Abstract: An electromagnetic wave sensor for determining a hydration status of a body tissue in vivo includes an electromagnetic wave transmitter, a waveguide, and an electromagnetic wave receiver. The electromagnetic wave transmitter is configured to emit an electromagnetic wave signal in a frequency range between 1 Hz and 1 THz. The waveguide is coupled to the electromagnetic wave transmitter. The waveguide is adapted to be arranged next to the body tissue such that a fringe field of the electromagnetic wave signal guided by the waveguide penetrates the body tissue. The electromagnetic wave receiver is coupled to the waveguide. The electromagnetic wave receiver is configured to receive the electromagnetic wave signal modified by the body tissue in dependence of a hydration status of the body tissue.

Abstract: A mixer for mixing a received signal and a local oscillator signal is provided. The local oscillator signal is modulated by means of a modulation signal and the modulated local oscillator signal is injected into the received signal.

Abstract: A mixer for mixing a received signal and a local oscillator signal is provided. The local oscillator signal is modulated by means of a modulation signal and the modulated local oscillator signal is injected into the received signal.