Abstract: An apparatus is provided. In the apparatus, there is an antenna package and an integrated circuit (IC). A circuit trace assembly is secured to the IC. A coupler (with an antenna assembly and a high impedance surface (HIS)) is secured to the circuit trace assembly. An antenna assembly has a window region, a conductive region that substantially surrounds the window region, a circular patch antenna that is in communication with the IC, and an elliptical patch antenna that is located within the window region, that is extends over at least a portion of the circular patch antenna, and that is in communication with the circular patch antenna. The HIS substantially surrounds the antenna assembly.

Abstract: A method for determining the position of a target is provided. Several emitted pulses of terahertz radiations are emitted from a phased array (which has several transceivers) in consecutive cycles (typically). These emitted pulses are generally configured to be reflected by a target so as to be received by the phased array within a scan range (which includes a digitization window with several sampling periods). Output signals from each of the transceivers are then combined to generate a combined signal for each cycle. The combined signal in each sampling period within the digitization window for emitted pulses is averaged to generate an averaged signal for each sampling period within the digitization window. These averaged signals are then digitized.

Abstract: Microelectronics have now developed to the point where radiation within the terahertz frequency range can be generated and used. Here, an integrated circuit or IC is provided that includes a phased array radar system, which uses terahertz radiation. In order to accomplish this, several features are employed; namely, a lower frequency signal is propagated to transceivers, which multiplies the frequency up to the desired frequency range. To overcome the losses from the multiplication, an injection locked voltage controlled oscillator (ILVCO) is used, and a high frequency power amplifier (PA) can then be used to amplify the signal for transmission.

Abstract: A method for providing a plurality of narrow pulses is provided. A first pulse having a first width is received by a delay line having a plurality of delay cells. This first pulse has a first width. In response to this first pulse, a plurality of second pulses is generated by the delay line, where each second pulse has a second width that is less than the first width. First and second delay pulses are also generated by the delay line, and a delay for each delay cell in the delay line can then be adjusted if a rising edge of the second delay pulse is misaligned with a falling edge of the first delay pulse.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided. A plurality of transceiver antennas are arranged to form a phased array, where each antenna include a differential transmit antenna and a differential receive antenna arranged in a first pattern. A plurality of transceivers are arranged in a second pattern that is substantially symmetrical, and each transceiver is associated with at least one of the transceiver antennas and includes a feed network. Each feed network has a power amplifier (PA), a first matching network that is coupled between the PA and its associated transmit antenna so as to translate the phase of each differential transmit signal, a low noise amplifier (LNA), and a second matching network that is coupled between the LNA and its associated receive antenna so as to translate the phase of each differential receive signal.

Abstract: An antenna is provided. This antenna is contained within a package that is secured to an IC (which allows radiation to propagated away for a printed circuit board so as to reduce interference), and this antenna includes two loop antennas that are shorted to ground and that “overlap” and includes a “via wall.” With this configuration, circular polarization can be achieved by varying the relative phases of the input signals, and the “via wall” improves efficiency by reducing surface waves.

Abstract: A loop antenna is provided. The apparatus comprises a substrate, a first metallization layer, and a second metallization layer. The substrate has first and second feed terminals and a ground terminal. The first metallization layer is disposed over the substrate and includes a first window conductive region, a first conductive region, a second conductive region, and a third conductive region. The first conductive region is disposed over and is in electrical contact with the first feed terminal; it is also is substantially circular and located within the first window region. The second conductive region is disposed over and is in electrical contact with the second feed terminal; it is also substantially circular and is located within the first window region. The a third conductive region is disposed over and is in electrical contact with the ground terminal, and the third conductive region substantially surrounds the first window region.

Abstract: A method for determining the location of an object on a touch panel is provided. Initially, a pulse of terahertz radiation is transmitted through a touch panel, which formed of a dielectric material such that the pulse generates a evanescent field in a region adjacent to a touch surface of the touch panel. A reflected pulse is generated by an object located within the region adjacent to the touch surface of the touch panel, and a position of the object on the touch surface of the touch panel is triangulated at least in part from the reflected pulse.

Abstract: A method for providing common-mode feedback is provided. A common-mode current is applied to a common-gate amplifier, and the common-mode current is sensed. In response to the sensed common-mode current, a control voltage is generated. A first feedback current (which is generated in response to the control voltage) can then be applied to differential ground of the common-gate amplifier if the common-mode current is less than a predetermined threshold. Additionally, a second feedback current (which is generated in response to the control voltage) can be applied to input terminals of the common-gate amplifier if the common-mode current is greater than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus for emitting radiation is provided. The apparatus comprises an antenna formed on a substrate, and a high impedance surface (HIS). The HIS has a plurality of cells formed on the substrate that are arranged to form an array that substantially surrounds at least a portion of the antenna. Each cell generally includes a ground plane, first plate, second plate, and an interconnect. The ground plane is formed on the substrate, while the first plate (which is substantially rectangular) is formed over and coupled to the ground plane. The first plate for each cell is also arranged so as to form a first checkered pattern for the array. The second plate (which is substantially rectangular) is formed over and is substantially parallel to the first plate. The first and second plates are also substantially aligned with a central axis that extends generally perpendicular to the first and second plates hand have a interconnect formed therebetween.

Abstract: There are a variety of duty cycle systems, such as low noise amplifiers or LNAs, that have a large time varying current consumption, and parasitic inductances and resistance (usually from bondwires in the package) that can significantly affect supply currents. Thus, to compensate for these parasitics, a boost circuit is provided that allows for current to be supplied from a separate supply using a feedforward scheme to perform active decoupling.

Abstract: A method for providing common-mode feedback is provided. A common-mode current is applied to a common-gate amplifier, and the common-mode current is sensed. In response to the sensed common-mode current, a control voltage is generated. A first feedback current (which is generated in response to the control voltage) can then be applied to differential ground of the common-gate amplifier if the common-mode current is less than a predetermined threshold. Additionally, a second feedback current (which is generated in response to the control voltage) can be applied to input terminals of the common-gate amplifier if the common-mode current is greater than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method for determining the position of a target is provided. Several emitted pulses of terahertz radiations are emitted from a phased array (which has several transceivers) in consecutive cycles (typically). These emitted pulses are generally configured to be reflected by a target so as to be received by the phased array within a scan range (which includes a digitization window with several sampling periods). Output signals from each of the transceivers are then combined to generate a combined signal for each cycle. The combined signal in each sampling period within the digitization window for emitted pulses is averaged to generate an averaged signal for each sampling period within the digitization window. These averaged signals are then digitized.

Abstract: At very high frequencies, generally above 100 GHz, the performance of traditional radio frequency (RF) circuitry begins to significantly limit performance. An example is the hybrid coupler, which can have a relatively narrow 90° bandwidth in these frequency ranges. Here, however, a branch-line hybrid coupler (which has been integrated into a quadrature downconversion mixer) has been modified. Namely, an adjustable impedance network has been coupled to isolation port (which has traditionally been terminated) to substantially increase the tuning range and expand the bandwidth of the quadrature mixer within these very high frequency ranges.

Abstract: Transmission lines employing transmission line units or elements within integrated circuits (ICs) are well-known. Typically, different heights for these transmission line units can vary the characteristics of the cell (and transmission line), and there is typically a tradeoff between impedance and space (layout) specifications. Here, a transmission line is provided, which is generally comprised of elements of the same general width, but having differing or tapered heights that allow for impedance adjustments for high frequency applications (i.e., 160 GHz). For example, a transmission line that is coupled to a balun, with the transmission line units decreasing in height near the balun's center tap to adjust the impedance of the transmission line for the balun, is shown.

Abstract: Microelectronics have now developed to the point where radiation within the terahertz frequency range can be generated and used. Here, an integrated circuit or IC is provided that includes a phased array radar system, which uses terahertz radiation. In order to accomplish this, several features are employed; namely, a lower frequency signal is propagated to transceivers, which multiplies the frequency up to the desired frequency range. To overcome the losses from the multiplication, an injection locked voltage controlled oscillator (ILVCO) is used, and a high frequency power amplifier (PA) can then be used to amplify the signal for transmission.

Abstract: At very high frequencies, generally above 100 GHz, the performance of traditional radio frequency (RF) circuitry begins to significantly limit performance. An example is the hybrid coupler, which can have a relatively narrow 90° bandwidth in these frequency ranges. Here, however, a branch-line hybrid coupler (which has been integrated into a quadrature downconversion mixer) has been modified. Namely, an adjustable impedance network has been coupled to isolation port (which has traditionally been terminated) to substantially increase the tuning range and expand the bandwidth of the quadrature mixer within these very high frequency ranges.