Patents by Inventor Ichiro Aoki

Ichiro Aoki has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20080061874
    Abstract: A system for controlling amplifier power is provided. The system includes a voltage envelope detector that receives a voltage signal and generates a voltage envelope signal. A current envelope detector receives a current signal and generates a current envelope signal. A power amplifier level controller receives the greater of the voltage envelope signal and the current envelope signal, such as by connecting the output of the voltage envelope detector and the current envelope detector at a common point and conducting the high frequency current components to ground via a capacitor. A power amplifier level control signal is then generated based on the voltage drop across the capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Rahul Magoon, Scott D. Kee, Jon E. Lyu, Ichiro Aoki, Roberto Aparicio Joo, Winfried Bakalski, Thomas Bruder
  • Publication number: 20080061875
    Abstract: An architecture for detecting amplifier power is provided. The architecture includes a voltage envelope detector that receives a voltage signal and generates a voltage envelope signal. A current envelope detector receives a current signal and generates a current envelope signal. A power amplifier level controller receives the greater of the voltage envelope signal and the current envelope signal, such as by connecting the output of the voltage envelope detector and the current envelope detector at a common point and conducting the high frequency current components to ground via a capacitor. A power amplifier level control signal is then generated based on the voltage drop across the capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Rahul Magoon, Scott D. Kee, John E. Lyu, Ichiro Aoki, Roberto Aparicio Joo
  • Patent number: 7342457
    Abstract: A cross-differential amplifier is provided. The cross-differential amplifier includes an inductor connected to a direct current power source at a first terminal. A first and second switch, such as transistors, are connected to the inductor at a second terminal. A first and second amplifier are connected at their supply terminals to the first and second switch. The first and second switches are operated to commutate the inductor between the amplifiers so as to provide an amplified signal while limiting the ripple voltage on the inductor and thus limiting the maximum voltage imposed across the amplifiers and switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Seyed-Ali Hajimiri, Scott D. Kee, Ichiro Aoki
  • Patent number: 7330076
    Abstract: Reconfigurable distributed active transformers are provided. The exemplary embodiments provided allow changing of the effective number and configuration of the primary and secondary windings, where the distributed active transformer structures can be reconfigured dynamically to control the output power levels, allow operation at multiple frequency bands, maintain a high performance across multiple channels, and sustain desired characteristics across process, temperature and other environmental variations. Integration of the distributed active transformer power amplifiers and a low noise amplifier on a semiconductor substrate can also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Abbas Komijani, Seyed-Ali Hajimiri, Scott D. Kee, Ichiro Aoki
  • Publication number: 20080031382
    Abstract: A limiter for minimizing an amount of phase change caused by input amplitude variation includes a variable gain amplifier configured to receive a signal having an amplitude component and a phase component and having a gain controlled by a compensation capacitance and a variable resistance, in which the compensation capacitance minimizes an effect of parasitic capacitance and the variable resistance adjusts a gain in the variable gain amplifier such that the amplitude component at an output of the variable gain amplifier remains substantially constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventor: Ichiro Aoki
  • Publication number: 20080032639
    Abstract: A phase shifter includes a plurality of variable gain elements, each variable gain element configured to receive one of a plurality of input signals, each input signal having a phase that is shifted with respect to each other input signal; and a control signal supplied to each variable gain element, where the control signals define a phase shift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventors: Scott D. Kee, Ichiro Aoki, Weifeng Feng
  • Publication number: 20080031383
    Abstract: A power amplifier includes a power amplifier core in which a transmit signal having an amplitude-modulated (AM) component and a phase-modulated (PM) component is passed and amplified, the power amplifier comprising a forward path, and an additional amplification device configured to generate an output that is proportional to an output of the power amplifier core, such that the output of the additional amplification device indirectly controls the output of the power amplifier core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventors: Rahul Magoon, Roberto Aparicio Joo, Scott D. Kee, Ichiro Aoki
  • Publication number: 20080032634
    Abstract: A system for controlling the power output of a power amplifier includes a power amplifier through which a transmit signal having an amplitude-modulated (AM) component and a phase-modulated (PM) component is passed and amplified, the power amplifier comprising a forward path, a feedback signal comprising a portion of the output of the power amplifier, a first control loop configured to receive the feedback signal and configured to apply an amplitude modulated (AM) signal to the power amplifier and configured to control the gain of the power amplifier, a second control loop configured to receive the feedback signal and configured to correct for offsets in the forward path and to linearize the first control loop; and a third control loop configured to receive the feedback signal and configured to control the phase of the PM component of the transmit signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventors: Rahul Magoon, Morten Damgaard, Roberto Aparicio Joo, Scott D. Kee, Ichiro Aoki
  • Publication number: 20070259998
    Abstract: The present invention provides a resin film free from acetic acid generated by hydrolysis with time owing to change of environment and having high transparency. The resin film comprising ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, which has an extracted acetic acid amount of not more than 200 ppm, the extracted acetic acid amount being an acetic acid amount obtained by allowing the resin film to stand for 100 hours under the conditions of temperature of 85° C. and relative humidity of 85% and thereafter heating water containing the resin film under boiling and reflux to extract acetic acid from the resin film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tokuo Okada, Ichiro Aoki, Yorinobu Ishii
  • Patent number: 7256573
    Abstract: A distributed active transformer on a semiconducting substrate is provided. The distributed active transformer includes an outer primary, a secondary disposed adjacent to the outer primary, and an inner primary disposed adjacent to the outer primary and the secondary. A plurality of first three terminal devices is coupled to the outer primary at a plurality of locations. A plurality of second three terminal devices coupled to the inner primary at a plurality of locations, and each second three terminal device is disposed opposite from and coupled to one of the plurality of first three terminal devices. A plurality of power control actuation circuits is also provided, where each power control actuation circuit is coupled to one of the first three terminal devices and the second three terminal devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Axiom Microdevices, Inc.
    Inventors: Rahul Magoon, Scott Kee, Ichiro Aoki, Frank Carr, Hui Wu, Jerry Twomey, Seyed-Ali Hajimiri
  • Publication number: 20070096828
    Abstract: A cross-differential amplifier is provided. The cross-differential amplifier includes an inductor connected to a direct current power source at a first terminal. A first and second switch, such as transistors, are connected to the inductor at a second terminal. A first and second amplifier are connected at their supply terminals to the first and second switch. The first and second switches are operated to commutate the inductor between the amplifiers so as to provide an amplified signal while limiting the ripple voltage on the inductor and thus limiting the maximum voltage imposed across the amplifiers and switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Inventors: Seyed-Ali Hajimiri, Scott Kee, Ichiro Aoki
  • Publication number: 20070030071
    Abstract: Reconfigurable distributed active transformers are provided. The exemplary embodiments provided allow changing of the effective number and configuration of the primary and secondary windings, where the distributed active transformer structures can be reconfigured dynamically to control the output power levels, allow operation at multiple frequency bands, maintain a high performance across multiple channels, and sustain desired characteristics across process, temperature and other environmental variations. Integration of the distributed active transformer power amplifiers and a low noise amplifier on a semiconductor substrate can also be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Abbas Komijani, Seyed-Ali Hajimiri, Scott Kee, Ichiro Aoki
  • Patent number: 7157975
    Abstract: A cross-differential amplifier is provided. The cross-differential amplifier includes an inductor connected to a direct current power source at a first terminal. A first and second switch, such as transistors, are connected to the inductor at a second terminal. A first and second amplifier are connected at their supply terminals to the first and second switch. The first and second switches are operated to commutate the inductor between the amplifiers so as to provide an amplified signal while limiting the ripple voltage on the inductor and thus limiting the maximum voltage imposed across the amplifiers and switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Seyed-Ali Hajimiri, Scott D. Kee, Ichiro Aoki
  • Patent number: 7145436
    Abstract: A door opening and closing apparatus has a motor, a door latch and a power generation mechanism. When the voltage of the battery is below a level needed to drive the electric actuator, a predetermined manipulation of the power generation mechanism generates the power needed to drive the motor. Therefore, when the voltage of a battery that supplies electric power to the electric actuator is below a level needed to drive the electric actuator, the door opens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Takashi Ichikawa, Terumasa Suyama, Ichiro Aoki
  • Patent number: 7143857
    Abstract: A drive system operation apparatus that is easy to operate and improves the level of security in a vehicle. A gearshift operator and an engine switch are located near each other. A cover covers the gearshift operator and the engine switch. The cover is opened when predetermined conditions, including establishment of wireless communication with an authorized key, are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Takashi Ichikawa, Terumasa Suyama, Kouichi Ohno, Ichiro Aoki
  • Publication number: 20060250187
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a distributed power amplifier topology and device that efficiently and economically enhances the power output of an RF signal to be amplified. The power amplifier comprises a plurality of push-pull amplifiers interconnected in a novel circular geometry that preferably function as a first winding of an active transformer having signal inputs of adjacent amplification devices driven with an input signal of equal magnitude and opposite phase. The topology also discloses the use of a secondary winding that matches the geometry of primary winding and variations thereof that serve to efficiently combine the power of the individual power amplifiers. The novel architecture enables the design of low-cost, fully-integrated, high-power amplifiers in the RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventors: Ichiro Aoki, Seyed-Ali Hajimiri, David Rutledge, Scott Kee
  • Patent number: 7095283
    Abstract: An integrated power combiner is disclosed. The power combiner includes a first circular geometry primary winding having one or more inductive elements, such as an active winding with one or more driver stages. A circular geometry secondary winding is disposed adjacent to the first primary winding, such as an active winding with one or more driver stages. A second circular geometry primary winding is disposed adjacent to the secondary winding and has one or more inductive elements. One or more connections are provided between one or more of the inductive elements of the first circular geometry primary winding and one or more of the inductive elements of the second circular geometry primary winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Axiom Microdevices, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott D. Kee, Ichiro Aoki, Hui Wu, Seyed-Ali Hajimiri, Frank Carr, Rabul Magoon, Alexandre Kral, Afshin Mellati, Florian Bohn, Donald McClymont
  • Patent number: 7075371
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a distributed power amplifier topology and device that efficiently and economically enhances the power output of an RF signal to be amplified. The power amplifier comprises a plurality of push-pull amplifiers interconnected in a novel circular geometry that preferably function as a first winding of an active transformer having signal inputs of adjacent amplification devices driven with an input signal of equal magnitude and opposite phase. The topology also discloses the use of a secondary winding that matches the geometry of primary winding and variations thereof that serve to efficiently combine the power of the individual power amplifiers. The novel architecture enables the design of low-cost, fully-integrated, high-power amplifiers in the RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ichiro Aoki, Seyed-Ali Hajimiri, David B. Rutledge, Scott David Kee
  • Publication number: 20060017538
    Abstract: A distributed active transformer on a semiconducting substrate is provided. The distributed active transformer includes an outer primary, a secondary disposed adjacent to the outer primary, and an inner primary disposed adjacent to the outer primary and the secondary. A plurality of first three terminal devices is coupled to the outer primary at a plurality of locations. A plurality of second three terminal devices coupled to the inner primary at a plurality of locations, and each second three terminal device is disposed opposite from and coupled to one of the plurality of first three terminal devices. A plurality of power control actuation circuits is also provided, where each power control actuation circuit is coupled to one of the first three terminal devices and the second three terminal devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Inventors: Rahul Magoon, Scott Kee, Ichiro Aoki, Frank Carr, Hui Wu, Jerry Twomey, Seyed-Ali Hajimiri
  • Publication number: 20050275454
    Abstract: A cross-differential amplifier is provided. The cross-differential amplifier includes an inductor connected to a direct current power source at a first terminal. A first and second switch, such as transistors, are connected to the inductor at a second terminal. A first and second amplifier are connected at their supply terminals to the first and second switch. The first and second switches are operated to commutate the inductor between the amplifiers so as to provide an amplified signal while limiting the ripple voltage on the inductor and thus limiting the maximum voltage imposed across the amplifiers and switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventors: Seyed-Ali Hajimiri, Scott D. Kee, Ichiro Aoki