Patents by Inventor Donald Kerth

Donald Kerth has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20050143043
    Abstract: A chopped intermediate frequency (IF) wireless receiver is disclosed. The wireless receiver includes a local oscillator (LO), a first and a second mixers, an LO frequency control module, an IF filter, a digital down converter and a down conversion controller. The LO provides a local oscillating signal to the first and second mixers. The first and second mixers-converts a received radio frequency signal to an in-phase IF signal and a quadrature IF signal, respectively. The LO frequency control module alternately down converts a channel frequency by changing an oscillation frequency of the LO. Coupled to the digital down converter, the down conversion controller adjusts a complex sine wave within the digital down converter while the in-phase IF signal and the quadrature IF signal are being down-converted by the digital down converter to a baseband signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Applicant: Silicon Laboratories
    Inventor: Donald Kerth
  • Publication number: 20050143040
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing signal quality within a wireless receiver are disclosed. An image of a desired signal is down-converted to a baseband signal by a digital down converter. The energy of the baseband signal is subsequently determined. If the energy of the baseband signal is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, then the IF is swapped for any incoming signals. If the energy of the baseband signal is less than the predetermined threshold, then the IF is maintained for any incoming signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Applicant: Silicon Laboratories
    Inventors: Donald Kerth, G. Tuttle
  • Publication number: 20050003762
    Abstract: Radio-frequency (RF) apparatus includes receiver analog circuitry that receives an RF signal and provides at least one digital signal to receiver digital circuitry that functions in cooperation with the receiver analog circuitry. The receiver analog circuitry and the receiver digital circuitry are partitioned so that interference effects between the receiver analog circuitry and the receiver digital circuitry tend to be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Inventors: Donald Kerth, Richard Behrens, Jeffrey Scott, G. Vishakhadatta, G. Tuttle, Vishnu Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 6804497
    Abstract: Radio-frequency (RF) apparatus includes receiver analog circuitry that receives an RF signal and provides at least one digital signal to receiver digital circuitry that functions in cooperation with the receiver analog circuitry. The receiver analog circuitry and the receiver digital circuitry are partitioned so that interference effects between the receiver analog circuitry and the receiver digital circuitry tend to be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald A. Kerth, Richard T. Behrens, Jeffrey W. Scott, G. Diwakar Vishakhadatta, G. Tyson Tuttle, Vishnu Shankar Srinivasan
  • Publication number: 20040166815
    Abstract: Components of a radio-frequency (RF) apparatus including transceiver circuitry and frequency modification circuitry of a crystal oscillator circuit that generates a reference signal with adjustable frequency may be partitioned in a variety of ways, for example, as one or more separate integrated circuits. The frequency modification circuitry may be implemented as part of a crystal oscillator circuit that includes digitally controlled crystal oscillator (“DCXO”) circuitry and a crystal. The frequency modification circuitry may include at least one variable capacitance device and may be employed to generate a reference signal with adjustable frequency. The adjustable reference signal may be provided to other components of the RF apparatus and/or the RF apparatus may be configured to provide the adjustable reference signal to baseband processor circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: James Maligeorgos, Augusto M. Marques, Lysander Lim, G. Tyson Tuttle, Aslamali A. Rafi, Tod Paulus, Gregory T. Uehara, Jeffery W. Scott, Richard T. Behrens, Donald A. Kerth, G. Diwakar Vishakhadatta, Vishnu S. Srinivasan, Caiyi Wang
  • Publication number: 20040121732
    Abstract: A converter in a radio-frequency (RF) apparatus includes a feedback circuitry. The feedback circuitry has a shielded input and a shielded output. The shielded input and the shielded output of the feedback circuitry tend to reduce interference in the converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Donald A. Kerth, G. Diwakar Vishakhadatta
  • Publication number: 20040042539
    Abstract: A radio-frequency apparatus includes an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit includes receiver analog circuitry, receiver digital circuitry, a digital-to-analog converter, and a signal selector. The receiver analog circuitry receives radio-frequency signals, and provides a first digital signal. The receiver digital circuitry receives the first digital signal, and provides a second digital signal. The digital-to-analog converter converts the second digital signal into a first analog signal. The signal selector receives the second digital signal and the first analog signal, and selectively provides one of the second digital signal and the first analog signal as an output signal of the integrated circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: G. Diwakar Vishakhadatta, Donald A. Kerth, Jeffrey W. Scott, Richard T. Behrens, G. Tyson Tuttle, Vishnu S. Srinivasan
  • Publication number: 20040002318
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for image rejection correction in a radio frequency (RF) receiver (100). The RF receiver (100) receives an RF input signal and converts the RF input signal to an input signal at another frequency. A tone signal is generated at an image frequency. The tone signal is mixed with an RF tuning signal to provide an image signal. The image signal is corrected using an image correction network (202) having first and second coefficients to provide a corrected signal. A wanted energy level of the corrected signal is determined. Best values of the first and second coefficients are determined in response to the wanted energy level of the filtered signal. The input signal is corrected using the best values in the image correction network (202).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventors: Donald A. Kerth, G. Diwakar Vishakhadatta
  • Publication number: 20030232613
    Abstract: A radio-frequency (RF) apparatus, which may reside in a receiver or transceiver, includes receive-path circuitry. The receive-path circuitry includes a poly-phase filter and a harmonic filter. The poly-phase filter accepts an input signal and generates two output signals. One output signal of the poly-phase filter constitutes an in-phase (I) signal. The other output signal of the poly-phase filter constitutes a quadrature (Q) signal. The a harmonic filter couples to the poly-phase filter. The harmonic filter accepts as input signals the in-phase and quadrature output signals of the poly-phase filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventor: Donald A. Kerth
  • Patent number: 6650264
    Abstract: Quadrature sampling architecture and method are disclosed for analog-to-digital converters that provide improved digital output signals over prior quadrature mixing implementations. Sampling circuitry according to the present invention samples an input signal with a first and second sampling signals to produce real and imaginary sampled output signals. The first sampling signal, which is associated with the real sampled output signal, is delayed by one-fourth cycle with respect to the second sampling signal, which is associated with the imaginary sampled output signal. This one-fourth cycle sampling signal difference allows for simplified construction of the sampling circuitry. In addition, filter circuitry according to the present invention processes the real and imaginary digital data output signals so that the imaginary digital data output signal is advanced by one-fourth cycle with respect to the real digital data output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian P. Lum Shue Chan, Brian D. Green, Donald A. Kerth
  • Publication number: 20030063690
    Abstract: A radio-frequency receiver circuitry includes a down-converter circuitry, an analog-to-digital converter circuitry, and a DC offset reduction circuitry. The down-converter circuitry accepts a received radio-frequency signal and processes the radio-frequency signal to provide an in-phase down-converted signal and a quadrature down-converted signal to the analog-to-digital converter circuitry. The analog-to-digital converter circuitry converts the in-phase and quadrature down-converted signals to an in-phase digital output signal and a quadrature digital output signal, respectively. The DC offset reduction circuitry couples to the analog-to-digital converter circuitry, and tends to reduce a DC offset transmitted to the in-phase and quadrature digital output signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Tod Paulus, Donald A. Kerth, Richard T. Behrens, Jeffrey W. Scott, G. Diwakar Vishakhadatta, G. Tyson Tuttle, Vishnu S. Srinivasan
  • Publication number: 20030017809
    Abstract: A radio-frequency (RF) apparatus includes front-end circuitry. The front-end circuitry includes a filter circuitry and an impedance matching circuitry. The filter circuitry has a differential output that has an output impedance. The filter circuitry filters signals outside a signal band of interest. The impedance matching network has a differential input coupled to the output of the filter circuitry. The impedance matching network also has a differential output coupled to a signal processing circuitry. The signal processing circuitry has an input impedance. The impedance matching network matches the input impedance of the signal processing circuitry to the output impedance of the filter circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventors: Eric R. Garlepp, Donald A. Kerth, Richard T. Behrens, Jeffrey W. Scott, G. Diwakar Vishakhadatta, G. Tyson Tuttle, Vishnu S. Srinivasan
  • Publication number: 20030013428
    Abstract: A buffer circuitry buffers a radio-frequency (RF) signal. The buffer circuitry includes a complementary pair of switches and a power source. The a complementary pair of switches has an input terminal and output terminal. The input terminal of the complementary pair of switches responds to the RF signal. The output terminal of the complementary pair of switches couples to an output of the buffer circuitry. The power source includes a capacitor coupled to a current source. The power source couples to the complementary pair of switches. The power source supplies power to the complementary pair of switches in a manner that the buffer circuitry supplies a substantially constant power level at its output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Augusto M. Marques, Donald A. Kerth, Richard T. Behrens, Jeffrey W. Scott, G. Diwakar Vishakhadatta, G. Tyson Tuttle, Vishnu S. Srinivasan
  • Publication number: 20030003887
    Abstract: A voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) generates an output signal with adjustable frequency. The VCO circuitry includes a variable capacitor circuitry and a voltage-generator circuitry. In response to a plurality of control signals, the variable capacitor circuitry adjusts the frequency of an output signal of the VCO circuitry. The voltage-generator circuitry generates the plurality of control signals and provides them to the variable capacitor circuitry. The voltage level of each of the plurality of the control signals differs by an offset voltage from the voltage level of the remaining signals in the plurality of signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Lysander Lim, Caiyi Wang, David R. Welland, Donald A. Kerth, Richard T. Behrens, Jeffrey W. Scott, G. Diwakar Vishakhadatta, G. Tyson Tuttle, Vishnu S. Srinivasan
  • Publication number: 20020193140
    Abstract: A radio-frequency (RF) receiver includes a receiver analog circuitry and a receiver digital circuitry. The receiver analog circuitry resides within a first integrated circuit and the receiver digital circuitry resides within a second integrated circuit. The second integrated circuit couples to the first integrated circuit via a one-bit digital interface. The receiver analog circuitry receives an RF signal and processes the received RF signal to generate a digital signal. The receiver analog circuitry provides the digital signal to the receiver digital circuitry. The receiver digital circuitry includes a digital down-converter circuitry that mixes the digital signal with an intermediate frequency (IF) local oscillator (LO) signal to generate a digital down-converted signal. The receiver digital circuitry also includes a digital filter circuitry that filters the digital down-converted signal to generate a filtered digital signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Richard T. Behrens, Tod Paulus, Mark S. Spurbeck, Vishnu S. Srinivasan, Donald A. Kerth, Jeffrey W. Scott, G. Tyson Tuttle, G. Diwaker Vishakhadatta
  • Publication number: 20020193084
    Abstract: A radio-frequency (RF) apparatus capable of transmitting RF signals includes transmitter path circuitry. The transmitter path circuitry includes a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) circuitry. The VCO circuitry generates a first signal that has a first frequency. A divider circuitry couples to the VCO circuitry and, in response to the first signal, the divider circuitry generates a second signal that has a second frequency. The frequency of the second signal equals the frequency of the first signal divided by a number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Lysander Lim, Caiyi Wang, David R. Welland, Donald A. Kerth, Richard T. Behrens, Jeffrey W. Scott, G. Diwakar Vishakhadatta, G. Tyson Tuttle, Vishnu S. Srinivasan
  • Publication number: 20020187763
    Abstract: A radio-frequency (RF) apparatus capable of transmitting RF signals includes transmitter path circuitry. The transmitter path circuitry includes a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) that generates an output signal. The frequency of the output signal of the VCO circuitry is adjustable in response to a first control signal and a second control signal. The transmitter path circuitry also includes a first feedback circuitry and a second feedback circuitry that are responsive to the output signal of the VCO circuitry. The first feedback circuitry provides the first control signal to the VCO circuitry. The first control signal coarsely adjusts the frequency of the output signal of the VCO circuitry to a desired frequency. The second feedback circuitry supplies the second control signal to the VCO circuitry. The second control signal fine tunes the frequency of the output signal of the voltage-controlled oscillator circuitry to the desired frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: Lysander Lim, Caiyi Wang, David R. Welland, Donald A. Kerth, Richard T. Behrens, Jeffrey W. Scott, G. Diwakar Vishakhadatta, G. Tyson Tuttle, Vishnu S. Srinivasan
  • Publication number: 20020168952
    Abstract: A calibration circuitry includes an adjustable capacitor, a voltage generator, a reference voltage generator, and a controller. The reference voltage generator provides a reference voltage. The voltage generator provides a measurement voltage that depends on the capacitance of the adjustable capacitor. The capacitance of the adjustable capacitor varies in response to a control signal. The controller provides the control signal based on the relative values of the reference voltage and the measurement voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: G. Diwakar Vishakhadatta, Donald A. Kerth, Russell Croman, Jeffrey W. Scott, Richard T. Behrens, G. Tyson Tuttle, Vishnu S. Srinivasan
  • Publication number: 20020168951
    Abstract: A radio-frequency (RF) receiver includes a receiver analog circuitry and a receiver digital circuitry coupled together. The receiver analog circuitry receives an RF signal. The receiver analog circuitry processes the received RF signal and generates a digital signal that it provides to the receiver digital circuitry. The receiver digital circuitry includes a digital down-converter circuitry that mixes the digital signal provided by a receiver analog circuitry with a digital intermediate frequency (IF) local oscillator signal to generate a digital down-converted signal. The receiver digital circuitry also includes a digital filter circuitry that filters the digital down-converted signal to generate a filtered digital signal. The digital filter circuitry provides a notch at a frequency that corresponds to a residual DC offset of the receiver analog circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Tod Paulus, Richard T. Behrens, Vishnu S. Srinivasan, Mark S. Spurbeck, Donald A. Kerth, Jeffrey W. Scott, G. Tyson Tuttle, G. Diwakar Vishakhadatta
  • Publication number: 20020168942
    Abstract: A low-noise current reference circuitry includes a voltage source, a current source, and a controller. The voltage source generates a reference voltage. The current source provides a low-noise output current in response to a control signal. The controller provides the control signal based at least in part on the relative magnitudes of the reference voltage and a voltage derived from the output current. A low-noise voltage reference circuitry includes a reference voltage source, a voltage source, and a controller. The reference voltage source generates a reference voltage. The voltage source provides a low-noise output voltage in response to a control signal. The controller provides the control signal based at least in part on the relative magnitudes of the output voltage and the reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Scott, G. Diwakar Vishakhadatta, Donald A. Kerth, Richard T. Behrens, G. Tyson Tuttle, Vishnu S. Srinivasan