Abstract: A time-to-digital converter is provided. The time-to-digital converter includes a delay circuit configured to iteratively delay a reference signal for generating a plurality of delayed reference signals. Further, the time-to-digital converter includes a plurality of sample circuits each configured to sample an oscillation signal based on one of the plurality of delayed reference signals. The time-to-digital converter additionally includes a control circuit configured to de-activate at least one of the plurality of sample circuits based on a predicted value of the phase of the oscillation signal.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and circuitries are disclosed for controlling an adaptive time-to-digital converter (TDC) that determines a phase difference between a reference signal and a phase locked loop (PLL) feedback signal. Adaptive TDC circuitry includes a chain of n delay elements each characterized by a delay. Gate circuitry generates a gated PLL feedback signal while a gating enable signal has an enable value. N sampling elements, each associated with a delay element, are enabled by the reference signal arriving at the input of the associated delay element to store a value of the gated PLL feedback signal. Adaptive gating circuitry is configured to generate the gating enable signal based on the delay and a period of the PLL feedback signal. A supply voltage for the delay elements may be controlled to cause the delay elements to exhibit a desired delay.

Abstract: A phase locked loop (PLL) system for mitigating non-linear phase errors stemming from time-variant integral non-linearity of the LO feedback phase quantizer (TDC) is disclosed. The system includes a phase modulation circuit which is configured to generate a plurality of phase shifts for a reference signal; select a phase shift of the plurality of phase shifts and introduce the selected phase shift into the reference signal, thereby modulating the phase difference between the feedback and the reference signal. Alternatively, the above phase modulation can be applied on the feedback signal path, attaining equivalent results. TDC is configured to quantize the phase of the LO feedback signal relative to the shifted reference signal to generate a phase detection signal, effectively modulating the non-linearity contributed error away from the LO center frequency.

Abstract: A time-to-digital converter is provided. The time-to-digital converter includes a delay circuit configured to iteratively delay a reference signal for generating a plurality of delayed reference signals. Further, the time-to-digital converter includes a plurality of sample circuits each configured to sample an oscillation signal based on one of the plurality of delayed reference signals. The time-to-digital converter additionally includes a control circuit configured to de-activate at least one of the plurality of sample circuits based on a predicted value of the phase of the oscillation signal.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and circuitries are disclosed for controlling an adaptive time-to-digital converter (TDC) that determines a phase difference between a reference signal and a phase locked loop (PLL) feedback signal. Adaptive TDC circuitry includes a chain of n delay elements each characterized by an incremental delay. Gate circuitry outputs a gated PLL feedback signal while a gating enable signal has an enable value. N sampling elements, each associated with a delay element, are enabled by the reference signal arriving at the input of the associated delay element to store a value of the gated PLL feedback signal. Adaptive gating circuitry is configured to generate the gating enable signal based on the incremental delay and a period of the PLL feedback signal. A supply voltage for the delay elements may be controlled to cause the delay elements to exhibit a desired incremental delay.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and circuitries for synchronizing a first phase locked loop (PLL) with a second PLL are provided. In one example a PLL system includes a first PLL configured to generate a first signal; a second PLL configured to generate a second signal; and phase calculation circuitry. The phase calculation circuitry is configured to calculate a phase of the first signal at a given time; and provide the calculated phase to the second PLL for use by the second PLL in synchronizing a phase of the second with the phase of the first signal.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and circuitries for synchronizing a first phase locked loop (PLL) with a second PLL are provided. In one example a PLL system includes a first PLL configured to generate a first signal; a second PLL configured to generate a second signal; and phase calculation circuitry. The phase calculation circuitry is configured to calculate a phase of the first signal at a given time; and provide the calculated phase to the second PLL for use by the second PLL in synchronizing a phase of the second with the phase of the first signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a difference between signal edges in two signals includes a multiple stage converter where each stage determines which of the two signals has an earlier signal edge, outputs a value corresponding to that determination, and then applies a delay to the earlier signal that is equal to half of the delay applied by the next previous stage. The stages examine smaller and smaller intervals to the sought-after signal edge. Each stage includes a plurality of logic elements. If all logic elements in the stage output the same signal, the edge position is clear. If some of the logic elements in the stage vote differently than others in the state due to differences in setup time for the different elements, the edge location has been found within the sensing band of the stage.

Abstract: An apparatus providing a direct chip to waveguide transition, comprising: one or more waveguides, a chip partially embedding each of the waveguides at a transition area positioned at a narrow side of each waveguide, and a transmitting element disposed at each of the transition areas, thereby providing one or more simultaneous, direct transitions between the chip and the waveguides.

Abstract: An apparatus providing a direct chip to waveguide transition, comprising: one or more waveguides, a chip partially embedding each of the waveguides at a transition area positioned at a narrow side of each waveguide, and a transmitting element disposed at each of the transition areas, thereby providing one or more simultaneous, direct transitions between the chip and the waveguides.

Abstract: An apparatus providing a direct chip to waveguide transition, comprising: one or more waveguides, a chip partially embedding each of the waveguides at a transition area positioned at a narrow side of each waveguide, and a transmitting element disposed at each of the transition areas, thereby providing one or more simultaneous, direct transitions between the chip and the waveguides.

Abstract: An apparatus providing a direct chip to waveguide transition, comprising: one or more waveguides, a chip partially embedding each of the waveguides at a transition area positioned at a narrow side of each waveguide, and a transmitting element disposed at each of the transition areas, thereby providing one or more simultaneous, direct transitions between the chip and the waveguides.

Abstract: A mmWave electronics package constructed from common Printed Circuit Board (PCB) technology and a metal cover. Assembly of the package uses standard pick and place technology and heat is dissipated directly to a pad on the package. Input/output of mmWave signal(s) is achieved through a rectangular waveguide. Mounting of the electronic package to an electrical printed circuit board (PCB) is performed using conventional reflow soldering processes and includes a waveguide I/O connected to an mmWave antenna. The electronic package provides for transmission of low frequency, dc and ground signals from the semiconductor chip inside the package to the PCB it is mounted on. An impedance matching scheme matches the chip to high frequency board transition by altering the ground plane within the chip. A ground plane on the high frequency board encircles the high frequency signal bump to confine the electromagnetic fields to the bump region reducing radiation loss.

Abstract: A hybrid mm-wave imaging system which increases the probability of detection and reduces false alarm rate. The system includes a large array of passive sensors (pixels) to provide an initial coarse picture of the environment and a small array of active sensors in the center of the large array, which is activated only when the initial passive scan detection is positive. The active array, without any mechanical scanning, illuminates the area to detect edges to provide clarity to the detected image, thereby increasing the probability of detection and reducing the false alarm rate.

Abstract: A hybrid mm-wave imaging system which increases the probability of detection and reduces false alarm rate. The system includes a large array of passive sensors (pixels) to provide an initial coarse picture of the environment and a small array of active sensors in the center of the large array, which is activated only when the initial passive scan detection is positive. The active array, without any mechanical scanning, illuminates the area to detect edges to provide clarity to the detected image, thereby increasing the probability of detection and reducing the false alarm rate.