Patents by Inventor Erich Kolmhofer

Erich Kolmhofer 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: 20210288725
    Abstract: A system includes a movable part that is rotatably movable, the movable part comprising a first portion and a second portion; transceiver circuitry configured to transmit a radio signal towards the movable part and to receive a receive radio signal from the movable part; and evaluation circuitry configured to determine a rotational position of the movable part based on the receive radio signal. The first portion of the movable part has a first electromagnetic reflectivity for the radio signal and the second portion of the movable part has a second electromagnetic reflectivity for the radio signal. The first electromagnetic reflectivity differs from the second electromagnetic reflectivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Dirk HAMMERSCHMIDT, Erich Kolmhofer, Rudolf Lachner
  • Patent number: 11063677
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to machines comprising a movable part, transceiver circuitry configured to transmit a radio signal towards the movable part and to receive a reflection of the radio signal from the movable part, evaluation circuitry configured to determine a position or a speed of the movable part based on at least the received radio signal. A distance between an antenna of the transceiver circuitry and the movable part is less than 5 cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Dirk Hammerschmidt, Erich Kolmhofer, Rudolf Lachner
  • Patent number: 10656260
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to machines including a movable part. A transmitter circuit is configured to generate a radio signal and to transmit the radio signal towards the movable part via a transmit waveguide. A reflection of the radio signal from the movable part is received by a receive waveguide and guided through the receive waveguide to a receiver circuit, which is configured to determine a position and/or a speed of the movable part based on at least the received radio signal. The transmitter circuit and the receiver circuit may be comprised by a radar sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Dirk Hammerschmidt, Farhan Bin Khalid, Frank Heinrichs, Erich Kolmhofer, Christof Michenthaler, Andreas Miller
  • Publication number: 20170336503
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to machines including a movable part. A transmitter circuit is configured to generate a radio signal and to transmit the radio signal towards the movable part via a transmit waveguide. A reflection of the radio signal from the movable part is received by a receive waveguide and guided through the receive waveguide to a receiver circuit, which is configured to determine a position and/or a speed of the movable part based on at least the received radio signal. The transmitter circuit and the receiver circuit may be comprised by a radar sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Dirk Hammerschmidt, Farhan Bin Khalid, Frank Heinrichs, Erich Kolmhofer, Christof Michenthaler, Andreas Miller
  • Publication number: 20170222738
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to machines comprising a movable part, transceiver circuitry configured to transmit a radio signal towards the movable part and to receive a reflection of the radio signal from the movable part, evaluation circuitry configured to determine a position or a speed of the movable part based on at least the received radio signal. A distance between an antenna of the transceiver circuitry and the movable part is less than 5 cm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Dirk Hammerschmidt, Erich Kolmhofer, Rudolf Lachner
  • Patent number: 8860606
    Abstract: Radar sensor having a mixer for mixing a received signal with a reference signal and having a device for compensating interference signals which would overload the mixer, wherein the device for compensating the interference signals has an adjustable reflection point at the reference input of the mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Armin Himmelstoss, Michael Klar, Johann-Peter Forstner, Thomas Binzer, Thomas Walter, Klaus-Dieter Miosga, Oliver Brueggemann, Alexander Fischer, Dirk Steinbuch, Herbert Jaeger, Erich Kolmhofer, Juergen Seiz, Elisabeth Hauk, Rahel Hauk, Manuel Hauk
  • Patent number: 8854264
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to two-dimensional antenna arrays. In one embodiment, an antenna array includes single-ended fed patch antennas and differentially fed patches. Field polarization of the radiated and/or received EM waves is different by 90 degrees for each different antenna type. Thus, an aligned polarization pattern can be achieved using orthogonal feeding direction for single-ended and differential patches. Embodiments can be used in radar or virtually any other 2D array antenna system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Reinhard Feger, Stefan Scheiblhofer, Christoph Wagner, Christian Michael Schmid, Andreas Stelzer, Erich Kolmhofer, Ziqiang Tong
  • Patent number: 8552906
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventors: Erich Kolmhofer, Dietmar Kissinger, Florian Starzer
  • Publication number: 20130050022
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to two-dimensional antenna arrays. In one embodiment, an antenna array includes single-ended fed patch antennas and differentially fed patches. Field polarization of the radiated and/or received EM waves is different by 90 degrees for each different antenna type. Thus, an aligned polarization pattern can be achieved using orthogonal feeding direction for single-ended and differential patches. Embodiments can be used in radar or virtually any other 2D array antenna system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Reinhard Feger, Stefan Scheiblhofer, Christoph Wagner, Christian Michael Schmid, Andreas Stelzer, Erich Kolmhofer, Ziqiang Tong
  • Patent number: 8237603
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to apparatuses, systems and methods for testing high-frequency receivers. In an embodiment, a method includes integrating a pulse train generator and a receiver in an integrated circuit; generating a pulse train by the pulse train generator and applying the pulse train to an input of the receiver; measuring at least one property of the pulse train; and determining at least one characteristic of the receiver using the at least one property of the pulse train. In an embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a receiver, and a pulse train generator configured to generate a pulse train and apply the pulse train to an input of the receiver, wherein at least one characteristic of the receiver can be determined using at least one measured property of the pulse train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Herbert Knapp, Erich Kolmhofer
  • Publication number: 20110187587
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to apparatuses, systems and methods for testing high-frequency receivers. In an embodiment, a method includes integrating a pulse train generator and a receiver in an integrated circuit; generating a pulse train by the pulse train generator and applying the pulse train to an input of the receiver; measuring at least one property of the pulse train; and determining at least one characteristic of the receiver using the at least one property of the pulse train. In an embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a receiver, and a pulse train generator configured to generate a pulse train and apply the pulse train to an input of the receiver, wherein at least one characteristic of the receiver can be determined using at least one measured property of the pulse train.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Herbert Knapp, Erich Kolmhofer
  • Patent number: 7806249
    Abstract: The invention is related to radar system characterization. In one embodiment, a radar module characterization system comprises a target, a conveyor comprising at least one connector configured to removably couple a radar module to the conveyor and to linearly displace the radar module relative to the target, and a control system communicatively coupled to the conveyor. In another embodiment, a method comprises linearly displacing a radar module relative to a target, transmitting a signal from the radar module toward the target, and determining a characteristic of the radar module based on a reflection of the signal from the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Erich Kolmhofer
  • Publication number: 20100233981
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Erich KOLMHOFER, Dietmar KISSINGER, Florian STARZER
  • Patent number: 7795889
    Abstract: A probe device for testing a semiconductor chip includes a substrate and a balun formed on the substrate. The balun includes first and second differential ports and a single-ended port. The probe device includes first and second probe tips respectively coupled to the first and second differential ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Erich Kolmhofer
  • Patent number: 7773026
    Abstract: One embodiment relates to a transceiver. The transceiver includes first and second phase-locked loops. The first phase-locked loop is adapted to receive a reference signal and output a transmission signal based on the reference signal. The second phase-locked loop is adapted to receive the reference signal and output a local oscillator (LO) signal based on the reference signal. The frequency of the LO signal is shifted relative to the frequency of the transmission signal. Other methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Erich Kolmhofer
  • Publication number: 20100066591
    Abstract: The invention is related to radar system characterization. In one embodiment, a radar module characterization system comprises a target, a conveyor comprising at least one connector configured to removably couple a radar module to the conveyor and to linearly displace the radar module relative to the target, and a control system communicatively coupled to the conveyor. In another embodiment, a method comprises linearly displacing a radar module relative to a target, transmitting a signal from the radar module toward the target, and determining a characteristic of the radar module based on a reflection of the signal from the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventor: Erich KOLMHOFER
  • Publication number: 20100026564
    Abstract: One embodiment relates to a transceiver. The transceiver includes first and second phase-locked loops. The first phase-locked loop is adapted to receive a reference signal and output a transmission signal based on the reference signal. The second phase-locked loop is adapted to receive the reference signal and output a local oscillator (LO) signal based on the reference signal. The frequency of the LO signal is shifted relative to the frequency of the transmission signal. Other methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Erich Kolmhofer
  • Publication number: 20090189621
    Abstract: A probe device for testing a semiconductor chip includes a substrate and a balun formed on the substrate. The balun includes first and second differential ports and a single-ended port. The probe device includes first and second probe tips respectively coupled to the first and second differential ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventor: Erich Kolmhofer