Abstract: The pulse generator comprises: a delay line arranged to receive a digital input signal and to produce a plurality of delay line output signals; first and second pulse generator blocks comprising logic circuitry arranged to generate a plurality of successive first output pulses in response to said different delay line output signals; and pulse combiner circuitry arranged to combine said first output pulses to produce second output pulses. The first pulse generator block is arranged to be responsive to rising edges of said input signal, and the second pulse generator blocks is responsive to falling edges of said input signal. Thus, both rising and falling edges of said input signal are used to create pulses. The device can be used in impulse radio transmitters and receivers.

Abstract: The present invention is related to low power low noise amplifiers (LNA) including on/off switching capability, which are preferably used for impulse radio (IR) ultra-wideband (UWB) receivers. In the invention a very low power and high-gain Common-Gate Capacitive Cross Coupling Cascaded LNA is proposed, to provide an optimum gain for large ON times. The invention provides also a Common-Source Cascoded LNA for shorter received pulse widths, with the aim of implementing a fast ON/OFF switching. An input signal is applied to a first amplifying stage and the switching means are coupled to a second amplifying stage so that they do not interfere with the matching network of the first stage. The invention is also related to a method of amplifying a radio frequency signal using a plurality of low noise amplifying elements.

Abstract: The bandpass filter comprises transmission line comprising a conductor strip (2), and, in said transmission line, at least one bandpass filter cell, comprising at least one split-rings resonator (6, 7), inductive element (4, 41) and capacitive element (3). The bandpass filter has a frequency response in which at least one passband can be identified. The conductor strip, split-rings resonator(s), inductive element(s) and capacitive element(s) are dimensioned and arranged so that the bandpass filter, for frequencies within said passband, behaves as a left-handed transmission line for at least one range of frequencies within said passband, and as a right-handed transmission line for at least another range of frequencies within said passband, thus providing for a large bandwidth. The invention also relates to an electronic device including the filter, and to a method of producing it.

Abstract: A system for the coherent demodulation of Binary Phase Shift keying (BPSK) signal at a frequency f, includes recovering a carrier signal (C) at a frequency 2f from the BPSK signal; injecting the signal having a frequency 2f in an injection locking oscillator (ILO), which has a natural resonant frequency fr which is substantially equal to f, to provide differential output (Op, On) signals which recover the original carrier with a phase shift of (?e?k)/2, where ?e=arcsin ((fr?f)/(?Aif)) where ? and k are parameters that depend on the type of predominant non-linearity in the injection locking oscillator (ILO), and Ai is the amplitude of the recovered carrier signal at a frequency of 2f, and combining the differential output (Op, On) signals with a copy of the incoming BPSK signal to generate a demodulated signal (DEMOD).

Abstract: The bandpass filter comprises transmission line comprising a conductor strip (2), and, in said transmission line, at least one bandpass filter cell, comprising at least one split-rings resonator (6, 7), inductive element (4, 41) and capacitive element (3). The bandpass filter has a frequency response in which at least one passband can be identified. The conductor strip, split-rings resonator(s), inductive element(s) and capacitive element(s) are dimensioned and arranged so that the bandpass filter, for frequencies within said passband, behaves as a left-handed transmission line for at least one range of frequencies within said passband, and as a right-handed transmission line for at least another range of frequencies within said passband, thus providing for a large bandwidth. The invention also relates to an electronic device including the filter, and to a method of producing it.

Abstract: The present invention is related to low power low noise amplifiers (LNA) including on/off switching capability, which are preferably used for impulse radio (IR) ultra-wideband (UWB) receivers. In the invention a very low power and high-gain Common-Gate Capacitive Cross Coupling Cascaded LNA is proposed, to provide an optimum gain for large ON times. The invention provides also a Common-Source Cascoded LNA for shorter received pulse widths, with the aim of implementing a fast ON/OFF switching. An input signal is applied to a first amplifying stage and the switching means are coupled to a second amplifying stage so that they do not interfere with the matching network of the first stage. The invention is also related to a method of amplifying a radio frequency signal using a plurality of low noise amplifying elements.

Abstract: The pulse generator comprises: a delay line arranged to receive a digital input signal and to produce a plurality of delay line output signals; first and second pulse generator blocks comprising logic circuitry arranged to generate a plurality of successive first output pulses in response to said different delay line output signals; and pulse combiner circuitry arranged to combine said first output pulses to produce second output pulses. The first pulse generator block is arranged to be responsive to rising edges of said input signal, and the second pulse generator blocks is responsive to falling edges of said input signal. Thus, both rising and falling edges of said input signal are used to create pulses. The device can be used in impulse radio transmitters and receivers.

Abstract: A coupling device for coupling an electronic circuit for at least one antenna unit to exchange electrical signals between the electronic circuit and the at least one antenna unit comprises a first input/output signal path, a matching unit coupled to the first input/output signal path, a filter unit coupled to the output of the matching unit by means of a second signal path and a second input/output signal path for connecting the filter unit to the at least one antenna unit, wherein the signal path arranged between the electronic circuit and the at least one antenna unit are provided completely differential.

Abstract: A coupling device for coupling an electronic circuit for at least one antenna unit to exchange electrical signals between the electronic circuit and the at least one antenna unit comprises a first input/output signal path, a matching unit coupled to the first input/output signal path, a filter unit coupled to the output of the matching unit by means of a second signal path and a second input/output signal path for connecting the filter unit to the at least one antenna unit, wherein the signal path arranged between the electronic circuit and the at least one antenna unit are provided completely differential.

Abstract: An amplifier for use in a mobile phone for supplying a signal (Io) to a load (ZL) comprises a first transistor (T1) having a first main terminal coupled to a reference terminal (GND), a control terminal, and a second main terminal for supplying the signal (Io) to the load (ZL), and sensing means for determining the value of the signal (I0). The sensing means comprises a second transistor (T2) having a first main terminal coupled to the first main terminal of the first transistor (T1), a control terminal coupled to the control terminal of the first transistor (T1), and a second main terminal for supplying a further signal (IF) which is a representation of the signal (Io). The amplifier comprises detection means (DMNS) for supplying a DC-component (IDC2) of the further signal (IF).