Abstract: A radio receiver such as a frequency modulation (FM) receiver, for example, includes a radio frequency (RF) amplifier having an adjustable gain output. The RF amplifier may be configured to receive and amplify an incoming RF signal. The receiver also includes an intermediate frequency (IF) amplifier having an adjustable gain output. The IF amplifier may be configured to receive and amplify an IF signal that corresponds to the RF signal. The receiver also includes a gain control unit that is coupled to the RF amplifier and the IF amplifier. The gain control unit may be configured to independently adjust the gain of each of the RF amplifier and the IF amplifier, dependent upon a peak output level of both the RF amplifier and the IF amplifier.

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.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a transceiver that is adapted to communicate over a wireless communication link with a wireless device using FM band signals having a range of less than approximately fifty feet.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes an amplifier having an input to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal from an output node of a source. An input stage coupled to the amplifier input may include one or more components to aid in processing of incoming signals. One such component coupled between the source and the input of the amplifier is a coupling capacitor used to maintain a bias voltage of the amplifier at a different potential than a DC voltage of the output node. In certain applications, the amplifier and the coupling capacitor may be integrated on a single substrate.

Abstract: Interchangeable high band low-noise-amplifiers (LNAs) and low band low-noise-amplifiers (LNAs) and related methods are disclosed that greatly enhance the efficiency of designing handsets for different combinations of frequency bands. The input signals to particular pins on a receiver or transceiver integrated circuit (IC) are swappable such that multiple frequency bands can be input to the same input pins thereby allowing for simplified system design. Efficient programmable techniques are also disclosed for controlling a swap mode within communication ICs. These interchangeable or band swappable input paths, for example, can be utilized to allow interchangeability between high band (PCS, DCS) and low band (GSM, E-GSM) inputs for cellular communications.

Abstract: A method of operating a radio-frequency (RF) circuitry and a signal-processing circuitry in a mobile telephone apparatus includes operating the RF circuitry during a first time period. During the first period, the RF circuitry generates a set of data from an RF signal received by the mobile telephone apparatus. The method further includes storing the set of data in a storage device. The method also includes operating the signal-processing circuitry during a second time period to process the set of data.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for dynamically selecting high-side injection or low-side injection of local oscillator mixing signals based upon an assessment of signal power within the input signal spectrum that could cause unwanted images in the processed signal. This image rejection assessment provides an advantageous basis upon which to make dynamic high-side versus low-side injection determinations.

Abstract: An integrated low-IF (low intermediate frequency) terrestrial broadcast receiver and associated method are disclosed that provide an advantageous and cost-efficient solution. The integrated receiver includes a mixer, local oscillator generation circuitry, low-IF conversion circuitry, and DSP circuitry. And the integrated receiver is particularly suited for small, portable devices and the reception of terrestrial audio broadcasts, such as FM and AM terrestrial audio broadcast, in such portable devices.

Abstract: A ratiometric clock system for an integrated receiver and associated method are disclosed that provide an advantageous solution for combining digital signal processing (DSP) circuitry on the same integrated circuit as mixer and local oscillator (LO) generation circuitry. The generation circuitry generates an oscillation signal that is passed through a first divider to generate mixing signals for the mixer and that is passed through a second divider to generate a digital clock signal that is utilized by the DSP circuitry. This digital clock signal can be utilized by integrated analog-to-digital conversion circuitry, as well.

Abstract: A receiver for AM and FM broadcast signals is disclosed. FM signals are received from an FM antenna and then processed by receive path circuitry or an FM tuner integrated circuit (IC) to produce audio output signals, such as digital audio output signals. The AM signals are received by an AM antenna and then up-converted using a fixed-clock to a frequency range nearer to the FM signal frequencies. The up-converted AM frequencies are then processed using the receive path circuitry. A multiplexer (MUX) allows for selection of the FM signals or the up-converted AM signals to be passed through for signal processing.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a semiconductor package, a radio receiver and a processor. The radio receiver is located in the semiconductor package and includes at least one gain stage. The processor is located in the semiconductor package to execute stored instructions to control the gain stage(s).

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 interface between the receiver analog circuitry and the receiver digital circuitry includes configurable signal lines that function as a serial interface, or as a data and clock signal interface, depending on the state of a control signal.

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.

Abstract: On-chip calibration signal generation circuitry is disclosed for filter tuning for radio-frequency communications and associated methods. On-chip circuitry generates a calibration signal that is used to help set a tuning control signal that is received by a tunable front-end filter. In one embodiment, local oscillator (LO) generation circuitry is used to generate the calibration signal. In operation of this embodiment, the LO generation circuitry is tuned to the desired receive channel, or to a frequency at some offset value from the desired receive channel, and the output of the LO generation circuitry is then used as a calibration input signal for a tunable front-end filter. This calibration signal is passed through the receive path circuitry, and the resulting signal is then analyzed to help set a tuning control signal for the tunable front-end filter.