Abstract: A radar sensor includes a mixer configured to receive an radio frequency (RF) input signal to down-convert the RF input signal into a base-band or intermediate frequency (IF) band, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and a signal processing chain coupled between the mixer and the ADC. The radar sensor further includes an oscillator circuit that is configured to generate a test signal. The ADC is coupled to an output of the signal processing chain, and is configured to generate a digital signal by digitizing an output signal of the signal processing chain, the output signal being derived from the test signal. The radar sensor further includes a digital signal processing circuit coupled to the ADC downstream thereof, the digital signal processing circuit being configured to perform a spectral analysis on frequency values of the digital signal.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is described herein. According to one or more embodiments, the integrated circuit includes a local oscillator with a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) that generates a local oscillator signal. Further, the integrated circuit includes a frequency divider coupled to the VCO downstream thereof. The frequency divider provides a frequency-divided local oscillator signal by reducing the frequency of the local oscillator signal by a constant factor. A first test pad of the integrated circuit is configured to receive a reference oscillator signal. Further, the integrated circuit includes a first mixer that receives the reference oscillator signal and the frequency-divided local oscillator signal to down-convert the frequency-divided local oscillator signal.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is described herein. According to one or more embodiments, the integrated circuit includes a local oscillator with a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) that generates a local oscillator signal. Further, the integrated circuit includes a frequency divider coupled to the VCO downstream thereof. The frequency divider provides a frequency-divided local oscillator signal by reducing the frequency of the local oscillator signal by a constant factor. A first test pad of the integrated circuit is configured to receive a reference oscillator signal. Further, the integrated circuit includes a first mixer that receives the reference oscillator signal and the frequency-divided local oscillator signal to down-convert the frequency-divided local oscillator signal.

Abstract: A radar sensor includes a mixer configured to receive an radio frequency (RF) input signal to down-convert the RF input signal into a base-band or intermediate frequency (IF) band, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and a signal processing chain coupled between the mixer and the ADC. The radar sensor further includes an oscillator circuit that is configured to generate a test signal. The ADC is coupled to an output of the signal processing chain, and is configured to generate a digital signal by digitizing an output signal of the signal processing chain, the output signal being derived from the test signal. The radar sensor further includes a digital signal processing circuit coupled to the ADC downstream thereof, the digital signal processing circuit being configured to perform a spectral analysis on frequency values of the digital signal.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is described herein. According to one or more embodiments, the integrated circuit includes a local oscillator with a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) that generates a local oscillator signal. Further, the integrated circuit includes a frequency divider coupled to the VCO downstream thereof. The frequency divider provides a frequency-divided local oscillator signal by reducing the frequency of the local oscillator signal by a constant factor. A first test pad of the integrated circuit is configured to receive a reference oscillator signal. Further, the integrated circuit includes a first mixer that receives the reference oscillator signal and the frequency-divided local oscillator signal to down-convert the frequency-divided local oscillator signal.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) receive circuit is described herein. In accordance with one embodiment, the RF receive circuit includes a mixer configured to receive an RF input signal to down-convert the RF input signal into a base-band or intermediate frequency (IF) band, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and a signal processing chain coupled between the mixer and the ADC. The signal processing chain includes at least two circuit nodes. The RF receive circuit further includes an oscillator circuit that is configured to generate a test signal. The oscillator circuit is coupled to the signal processing chain and is configured to selectively feed the oscillator signal into one of the at least two circuit nodes.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is described herein. According to one or more embodiments, the integrated circuit includes a local oscillator with a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) that generates a local oscillator signal. Further, the integrated circuit includes a frequency divider coupled to the VCO downstream thereof. The frequency divider provides a frequency-divided local oscillator signal by reducing the frequency of the local oscillator signal by a constant factor. A first test pad of the integrated circuit is configured to receive a reference oscillator signal. Further, the integrated circuit includes a first mixer that receives the reference oscillator signal and the frequency-divided local oscillator signal to down-convert the frequency-divided local oscillator signal.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) receive circuit is described herein. In accordance with one embodiment, the RF receive circuit includes a mixer configured to receive an RF input signal to down-convert the RF input signal into a base-band or intermediate frequency (IF) band, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and a signal processing chain coupled between the mixer and the ADC. The signal processing chain includes at least two circuit nodes. The RF receive circuit further includes an oscillator circuit that is configured to generate a test signal. The oscillator circuit is coupled to the signal processing chain and is configured to selectively feed the oscillator signal into one of the at least two circuit nodes.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a phase shifter that includes an I/Q phase shifter and at least one LC balun. Compared to conventional phase shifters, phase shifter has primarily only LC components, thereby limiting losses relative to conventional solutions. In one embodiment, for example, a phase shifter shows a large bandwidth at 77 GHz center frequency (e.g., 1 dB amplitude error bandwidth is approximately 40 GHz; 1° phase error bandwidth is about 16.5 GHz). The inductors included in phase shifter, in contrast to the quarter wave transmission lines used in conventional phase shifters, reduces chip area compared with conventional solutions. In some embodiments, an emitter follower helps to provide a relatively constant output that is largely independent of temperature, input power, VCC, manufacturing variation, and so on.

Abstract: In one embodiment, RF front-end circuit includes a tunable matching network having an input coupled to an RF interface port, a directional coupler with a first connection coupled to an RF input of a mixer, a second connection coupled to an RF signal generation port, and a third connection coupled to an output of the tunable matching network. The directional coupler is configured to direct a signal from the RF signal generation port to the tunable matching network and to direct a signal from the tunable matching network port to the RF port of the mixer. The RF front-end circuit also has a tunable matching network control unit coupled to the tunable matching network. The control unit is configured to optimize an impedance match between the RF interface port and the output of the tunable matching network.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a phase shifter that includes an I/Q phase shifter and at least one LC balun. Compared to conventional phase shifters, phase shifter has primarily only LC components, thereby limiting losses relative to conventional solutions. In one embodiment, for example, a phase shifter shows a large bandwidth at 77 GHz center frequency (e.g., 1 dB amplitude error bandwidth is approximately 40 GHz; 1° phase error bandwidth is about 16.5 GHz). The inductors included in phase shifter, in contrast to the quarter wave transmission lines used in conventional phase shifters, reduces chip area compared with conventional solutions. In some embodiments, an emitter follower helps to provide a relatively constant output that is largely independent of temperature, input power, VCC, manufacturing variation, and so on.

Abstract: In one embodiment, RF front-end circuit includes a tunable matching network having an input coupled to an RF interface port, a directional coupler with a first connection coupled to an RF input of a mixer, a second connection coupled to an RF signal generation port, and a third connection coupled to an output of the tunable matching network. The directional coupler is configured to direct a signal from the RF signal generation port to the tunable matching network and to direct a signal from the tunable matching network port to the RF port of the mixer. The RF front-end circuit also has a tunable matching network control unit coupled to the tunable matching network. The control unit is configured to optimize an impedance match between the RF interface port and the output of the tunable matching network.

Abstract: In one embodiment, RF front-end circuit includes a tunable matching network having an input coupled to an RF interface port, a directional coupler with a first connection coupled to an RF input of a mixer, a second connection coupled to an RF signal generation port, and a third connection coupled to an output of the tunable matching network. The directional coupler is configured to direct a signal from the RF signal generation port to the tunable matching network and to direct a signal from the tunable matching network port to the RF port of the mixer. The RF front-end circuit also has a tunable matching network control unit coupled to the tunable matching network. The control unit is configured to optimize an impedance match between the RF interface port and the output of the tunable matching network.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to a mixer for providing a mixed output signal. The mixer includes a radio-frequency (RF) stage, first and second power dividers, and first and second frequency-conversion stages. The RF stage includes a first differential pair. The first power divider is coupled to a first transistor of the first differential pair, and the second power divider is coupled to a second transistor of the first differential pair. The first frequency-conversion stage, which is adapted to provide a first converted-frequency signal, includes a second differential pair coupled to the second power divider and a third differential pair coupled to the first power divider. The second frequency-conversion stage, which is adapted to provide a second converted-frequency signal, includes a fourth differential pair coupled to the second power divider and a fifth differential pair coupled to the first power divider. Other techniques are also provided.

Abstract: A screw centrifuge for the continuous separation of flowable substances of different densities includes a rotor drum having discharge openings for the heavy phase that are arranged in a conical portion of the rotor wall, and weir openings for the light phase that are provided on an end wall of the rotor drum. A conveyor screw is rotatable inside the rotor drum and has a screw blade mounted on a hollow shaft for transporting the heavy phase to the discharge openings. A mixture inflow tube is arranged coaxially inside the hollow shaft and leads to a feed chamber in the hollow shaft that is in flow communication with the screw blade. An air extraction member is provided before the feed chamber and generates, in the annular space enclosing the inflow tube, a suction flow co-directional with the delivery direction in the inflow tube.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to a mixer for providing a mixed output signal. The mixer includes a radio-frequency (RF) stage, first and second power dividers, and first and second frequency-conversion stages. The RF stage includes a first differential pair. The first power divider is coupled to a first transistor of the first differential pair, and the second power divider is coupled to a second transistor of the first differential pair. The first frequency-conversion stage, which is adapted to provide a first converted-frequency signal, includes a second differential pair coupled to the second power divider and a third differential pair coupled to the first power divider. The second frequency-conversion stage, which is adapted to provide a second converted-frequency signal, includes a fourth differential pair coupled to the second power divider and a fifth differential pair coupled to the first power divider. Other techniques are also provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, RF front-end circuit includes a tunable matching network having an input coupled to an RF interface port, a directional coupler with a first connection coupled to an RF input of a mixer, a second connection coupled to an RF signal generation port, and a third connection coupled to an output of the tunable matching network. The directional coupler is configured to direct a signal from the RF signal generation port to the tunable matching network and to direct a signal from the tunable matching network port to the RF port of the mixer. The RF front-end circuit also has a tunable matching network control unit coupled to the tunable matching network. The control unit is configured to optimize an impedance match between the RF interface port and the output of the tunable matching network.

Abstract: A screw centrifuge for the continuous separation of flowable substances of different densities includes a rotor drum having discharge openings for the heavy phase that are arranged in a conical portion of the rotor wall, and weir openings for the light phase that are provided on an end wall of the rotor drum. A conveyor screw is rotatable inside the rotor drum and has a screw blade mounted on a hollow shaft for transporting the heavy phase to the discharge openings. A mixture inflow tube is arranged coaxially inside the hollow shaft and leads to a feed chamber in the hollow shaft that is in flow communication with the screw blade. An air extraction member is provided before the feed chamber and generates, in the annular space enclosing the inflow tube, a suction flow co-directional with the delivery direction in the inflow tube.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to a radar system. In one embodiment, an automotive radar system comprises a power amplifier configured to provide first and second anti-phase transmission signals to respective first and second differential couplers which are individually connected to respective first and second transceiving antennas. A first portion of the first anti-phase transmission signal is coupled to the first antenna and a second portion of the first anti-phase transmission signal is coupled to a third transceiving antenna by way of a third differential coupler. A first portion of the second anti-phase transmission signal is coupled to the second antenna and a second portion of the second anti-phase transmission signal is coupled to the third antenna by way of the third differential coupler. Configured in this manner, the radar system is operable to transmit and receive from the multiple antennas with high efficiency, while maintaining low-cost and reduced overall size.

Abstract: A screw centrifuge for the wet-mechanical separation of a mixture of solids in a carrier liquid to produce sinks and floats, including a rotor which rotates about a horizontal axis, the rotor having a cylindrical wall and two conical walls, and a conveyor screw which is mounted for rotation coaxially inside the rotor, the conveyor screw including a shaft and a pair of helical blades which are pitched in opposite directions. At least one feed opening is provided in the shaft for feeding a mixture of solids radially into a space between the shaft and the rotor, and discharge openings for respective sinks and floats are provided in the rotor at respective ends of respective conical drums. A baffle device extends radially inward from the rotor for producing a first liquid level for the sinks and a second liquid level for the floats.