Abstract: A multiphase mixer using a rotary traveling wave oscillator is disclosed. In addition to the oscillator, the mixer includes first and second mixer circuits. The rotary traveling wave oscillator generates a first set of N/2 phase and a second set of N/2 phases, where each phase has a frequency that is a factor of N/2 less than the incoming radio frequency signal. The first set of phases are sine signals and the second set of phases are cosine signals. The first mixer circuit generates a first down-converted signal from the first set of phases and the incoming rf signal. The second mixer circuit generates a second down-converted signal from the second set of phases and the rf signal.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for wave reversing in a travelling wave oscillator are disclosed. The travelling wave oscillator includes a differential transmission line and regeneration elements connected along the differential transmission line. The differential transmission line can be used to propagate a wave traveling in either a counterclockwise or a clockwise direction. Each of the regeneration elements includes a first gain portion operable to degenerate a wave travelling in the counterclockwise direction and to regenerate a wave travelling the clockwise direction, and a second gain portion operable to degenerate a wave travelling in a clockwise direction and to regenerate a wave travelling in a counterclockwise direction.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a transmitter having a baseband, a multiplexer, a digital-to-analog converter unit, and/or a Chireix combiner. The baseband transmits components of an in-phase signal and a quadrature-phase signal to the multiplexer. The multiplexer generates a first signal and/or a second signal which have a phase difference which matches only a single predetermined phase difference. The single predetermined phase difference should be selected to ensure that the Chireix combiner is optimized for efficiency. Thus, a phase of the first signal or the second signal can have a phase of the in-phase signal or the quadrature-phase signal to ensure that the phase difference between the second signal and the first signal matches only the single predetermined phase difference. The Chireix combiner receives the first analog signal and the second analog signal.

Abstract: A phase interpolation circuit based on injected passive capacitances and an inductance for forming a resonator. The circuit conducts at least a first reference signal having a first phase component and a second reference signal having a second phase component shifted from the first phase component. By selectively switching the first reference signal and/or the second reference signal through one or more capacitances, an interpolated third signal having a third phase component between the first phase component and the second phase component can be generated. An inductor is connected with one or more of the capacitances for forming a resonant circuit to boost the signal level of the interpolated third signal. By utilizing resonance, an improved signal-to-noise ratio may be obtained for the interpolated third signal. An additional amplification stage, secondary to the resonant circuit, may be incorporated for further amplifying the signal level of the interpolated third signal.

Abstract: The digital RF transmitter includes a decoder for receiving the in phase (I) and quadrature (Q) digital baseband signals, a phase generator for generating eight waveforms at a carrier frequency where each phase is a multiple of 45 degrees, a first set of main amplifiers of fixed output power, a second set of auxiliary amplifiers of fixed output power such that the ratio of the voltage amplitudes at the outputs of the second set of auxiliary amplifiers to the voltage amplitudes at the outputs of the first set of main amplifiers is fixed at sqrt(2)?1, and a set of multiplexers for selecting one of the eight carrier waveforms, or an off signal, to transmit to each of the first set of main amplifiers and the second set of auxiliary amplifiers based on both the in phase (I) digital baseband signal and the quadrature (Q) digital baseband signal.

Abstract: A low cost high-efficiency all-digital transmitter using all-digital power amplifiers (“DPA”) and various mapping techniques to generate an output signal, which substantially reproduces a baseband signal at a carrier frequency. A baseband signal generator generates a baseband signal which is quantized by a signal processor using a quantization map. A DPA control mapper outputs control signals to phase selectors using the quantized signal and a quantization table. Each phase selector receives one of the control signals and outputs a waveform at a carrier frequency with a phase corresponding to the control signals, or an inactive signal. Each DPA in a DPA array has an assigned weight, receives one of the waveforms from the phase selectors, and outputs a power signal according to the weight of the DPA and the phase of the received waveform. The combined power signal substantially reproduces the baseband signal at the carrier frequency.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a transmitter having a baseband, a multiplexer, a digital-to-analog converter unit, and/or a Chireix combiner. The baseband transmits components of an in-phase signal and a quadrature-phase signal to the multiplexer. The multiplexer generates a first signal and/or a second signal which have a phase difference which matches only a single predetermined phase difference. The single predetermined phase difference should be selected to ensure that the Chireix combiner is optimized for efficiency. Thus, a phase of the first signal or the second signal can have a phase of the in-phase signal or the quadrature-phase signal to ensure that the phase difference between the second signal and the first signal matches only the single predetermined phase difference. The Chireix combiner receives the first analog signal and the second analog signal.

Abstract: Circuitry for establishing a traveling wave on a rotary traveling wave oscillator is described. The circuitry includes a gain portion that establishes a wave in a preferred direction by degenerating any wave traveling opposite to the preferred direction and regenerating any wave traveling in the preferred direction. If there are two such gain portions, each having opposite preferred directions, then a wave that is presently established in one direction can be degenerated and a new wave can be established in the opposite direction, thereby achieving reversibility of the traveling wave in real time. Each of the gain portions included in a plurality of regeneration/degeneration elements present on the rotary oscillator. Each of the regeneration/degeneration elements is connected to a pair of taps on the oscillator, the taps being separated by a direction dependent phase difference.

Abstract: The digital RF transmitter includes a decoder for receiving the in phase (I) and quadrature (Q) digital baseband signals, a phase generator for generating eight waveforms at a carrier frequency where each phase is a multiple of 45 degrees, a first set of main amplifiers of fixed output power, a second set of auxiliary amplifiers of fixed output power such that the ratio of the voltage amplitudes at the outputs of the second set of auxiliary amplifiers to the voltage amplitudes at the outputs of the first set of main amplifiers is fixed at sqrt(2)?1, and a set of multiplexers for selecting one of the eight carrier waveforms, or an off signal, to transmit to each of the first set of main amplifiers and the second set of auxiliary amplifiers based on both the in phase (I) digital baseband signal and the quadrature (Q) digital baseband signal.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide method and apparatus for digital to analog conversion of a signal that may be limited to a bandpass frequency. In an exemplary embodiment, a bandpass DAC is disclosed which includes a plurality of gates. Each gate receives a carrier signal and one of a plurality of input bits of a digital data. A combiner network is provided which includes a plurality of lossless elements corresponding to each of the plurality of gates. The combiner network receives the gate outputs and provides a digitally weighted signal. A resonating element connected to the combiner network resonates the combiner network and provides a filtered output signal which is linearly combined.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide method and apparatus for digital to analog conversion of a signal that may be limited to a bandpass frequency. In an exemplary embodiment, a bandpass DAC is disclosed which includes a plurality of gates. Each gate receives a carrier signal and one of a plurality of input bits of a digital data. A combiner network is provided which includes a plurality of lossless elements corresponding to each of the plurality of gates. The combiner network receives the gate outputs and provides a digitally weighted signal. A resonating element connected to the combiner network resonates the combiner network and provides a filtered output signal which is linearly combined.

Abstract: A multiphase mixer using a rotary traveling wave oscillator is disclosed. In addition to the oscillator, the mixer includes first and second mixer circuits. The rotary traveling wave oscillator generates a first set of N/2 phase and a second set of N/2 phases, where each phase has a frequency that is a factor of N/2 less than the incoming radio frequency signal. The first set of phases are sine signals and the second set of phases are cosine signals. The first mixer circuit generates a first down-converted signal from the first set of phases and the incoming rf signal. The second mixer circuit generates a second down-converted signal from the second set of phases and the rf signal.

Abstract: An inductive element (10) of an integrated circuit, comprising at least one turn (12), which is formed by an integrated elongated track (14) made of a conductive material, wherein the interior margin of the conductive track (14) comprises at least one recess (30). The invention makes it possible in particular to increase the inductivity of the element (10) in a given available space on the substrate of an integrated circuit.

Abstract: An inductive element (10) of an integrated circuit, comprising at least one turn (12), which is formed by an integrated elongated track (14) made of a conductive material, wherein the interior margin of the conductive track (14) comprises at least one recess (30). The invention makes it possible in particular to increase the inductivity of the element (10) in a given available space on the substrate of an integrated circuit.