Abstract: Methods for recovering a detected signal in non-contact vital sign detection are provided. According to one embodiment, a detected reflected signal from a non-contact vital sign detection system can be received and provided along I channel and Q channel signal lines. A complex signal S(t) can then be reconstructed from the I channel and Q channel signal lines through complex signal demodulation. A Fourier transform can be used to obtain the detected signal's spectrum for spectrum analysis. Angular demodulation can be used to recover the information corresponding to original body movement. The complex signal demodulation and angular demodulation techniques used to provide information to determine original body movement are capable of avoiding the null detection point without limitations on frequency tuning or channel selection.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and a radar system incorporating multiple carrier wavelengths. A multi-carrier radar method and system according to the present invention can be used to realize sensing of complex pattern vibrations using a wavelength division sensing technique.

Abstract: A method and system for cancelling body movement effect for non-contact vital sign detection is described. The method begins with sending on a first electromagnetic wave transceiver a first electromagnetic signal with a first frequency to a first side of a body, such as a person or animal. Simultaneously using a second electromagnetic wave transceiver a second electromagnetic signal is sent with a second frequency to a second side of a body, wherein the first frequency and the second frequency are different frequencies. A first reflected electromagnetic signal reflected back in response to the first electromagnetic wave on the first transceiver is received and a first baseband complex signal is extracted. Likewise a second reflected electromagnetic signal reflected back in response to the second electromagnetic wave on the second transceiver is received and a second baseband complex signal is extracted.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide a self-powered wireless gas sensor system and a method for gas sensing using the system. The system can be used to detect and constantly track a presence of various gases including hydrogen, ozone and/or any hydrocarbon gas, and remotely transmit the sensing signal. The system can include a low power gas sensor that consumes less than about 30 nano-watts of power. As a result, the system can detect the presence of hydrogen at about 10 ppm. The sensor can also provide a fast response time of about 1-2 seconds. In various embodiments, the system can be physically small and packaged with all components assembled as a single compact unit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention pertain to a method and apparatus for planar wireless power transfer where the receiver switches off and/or performs a duty cycle. In an embodiment, the switch can be used in a system that having a high voltage/current solid state switch, without having a high voltage control signal. An embodiment provides a switch that is capable of breaking, or greatly reducing, the connection of the receiver coil and the receiver circuitry in order to enable the receiver to decouple from the power transfer system. This embodiment can allow the transmitter to put out more power to other devices without providing power to the switched device. When the switch is used for a fully charged device, the switching can prevent or reduce damage to the fully charged device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the subject invention relate to a method and apparatus for determining information regarding a load in a planar wireless power transfer system by extracting system operating parameters from one or more test points in the transmitter circuit. As shown in FIG. 1, a specific embodiment showing three test points in the transmitter circuit from which operating parameters can be extracted. The transmitter circuit is designed to produce a magnetic field, by driving the transmitter coil, which inductively couples to a receiver coil such that power is provided to a receiver. By extracting operating parameters from the transmitter circuit, the receiver does not need to incorporate sophisticated signal processing and can be manufactured with low cost.

Abstract: A wireless electronic device is provided that includes an encapsulation and a substrate enclosed within the encapsulation. The substrate has first and second opposing regions and electronic circuitry formed on or embedded in the substrate. The wireless electronic device further includes a signal chip for generating a signal under the control of the electronic circuit, the signal chip being connected to the first region of the substrate. Additionally, the wireless electronic device includes a dual-function battery antenna mounted to the second region of the substrate. The dual-function battery antenna supplies electrical power to the electronic circuitry and/or the signal chip. The dual-function battery antenna operates as an antenna for transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals conveyed from and/or received by the wireless electronic device.

Abstract: A multi-layer heatsink module for effecting temperature control in a three-dimensional integrated chip is provided. The module includes a high thermal conductivity substrate having first and second opposing sides, and a gallium nitride (GaN) layer disposed on the first side of the substrate. An integrated array of passive and active elements defining electronic circuitry is formed in the GaN layer. A metal ground plane having first and second opposing sides is disposed on the second side of the substrate, with the first side of the ground plane being adjacent to the second side of the substrate. A dielectric layer of low thermal dielectric material is deposited on the back side of the ground plane, and a metal heatsink is bonded to the dielectric layer. A via extends through the dielectric layer from the metal heatsink to the metal ground plane.

Abstract: An active 90-degree phase shifter with LC-type emitter (source) degeneration is provided, which is practiced in an integrated circuit. The phase shifter comprises a first differential amplifier, having one first signal output end and comprising an inductor, a first transistor and a second transistor, wherein the inductor is connected to the emitters (sources) of the first and the second transistors; and a second differential amplifier, having one second signal output end and comprising a capacitor, a third transistor and a fourth transistor, wherein the capacitor is connected to the emitters (sources) of the third and the fourth transistors. Wherein the bases (gates) of the first and the fourth transistors are signal input ends, and the bases (gates) of the second and the third transistors are coupled together.

Abstract: A non-contact detection technique of measuring both the frequency and the amplitude of periodic movement using a property of nonlinear phase modulation is provided. In one embodiment, the technique can utilize a 22-40 GHz radar sensor. Embodiments do not require calibration of signal amplitude for accurate measurement of movement amplitude. In addition, self-verification is possible. Furthermore, embodiments can provide measurements of frequency and amplitude using a very simple architecture. The method can be used to detect movements with amplitudes larger than 0.335 of the carrier wavelength for a fixed carrier frequency system and 0.214 of the minimum carrier wavelength for a frequency tunable system.

Abstract: A sensing system (100) is provided that includes a transceiver (102). The transceiver includes a transmitter chain that transmits a double-sideband electromagnetic wave having first and second frequency components, and a receiving chain that receives the double-sideband electromagnetic wave after it is reflected by a target. The system (100) further includes a baseband circuit (104) for extracting information content from the double sideband electromagnetic wave. A separation between the first and second frequency components causes a spike in a signal response generated by one sideband of the double-sideband electromagnetic wave to substantially overlap a null point of a signal response generated by the other sideband of the double-sideband electromagnetic wave.

Abstract: An active 90-degree phase shifter with LC-type emitter (source) degeneration is provided, which is practiced in an integrated circuit. The phase shifter comprises a first differential amplifier, having one first signal output end and comprising an inductor, a first transistor and a second transistor, wherein the inductor is connected to the emitters (sources) of the first and the second transistors; and a second differential amplifier, having one second signal output end and comprising a capacitor, a third transistor and a fourth transistor, wherein the capacitor is connected to the emitters (sources) of the third and the fourth transistors. Wherein the bases (gates) of the first and the fourth transistors are signal input ends, and the bases (gates) of the second and the third transistors are coupled together.

Abstract: An active balun circuit is provided for single-ended to differential RF signal conversion with enhanced common-mode rejection which suppresses common mode signal and which achieves phase and amplitude balance without sophisticated tuning or compensation methods. The circuit has a single-ended input and balanced output with phase and amplitude balance error less than 2° and 1.2 dB, respectively, measured from 1.5 GHz to 1.8 GHz at 5V supply. When supply voltage drops down to 1.5V, its phase and amplitude balance error remains within 5° and 2 dB, respectively. The circuit achieves a balanced output via an output network which behaves as an impedance matching network for differential mode signal and is grounded for common mode signal. As a result, common mode signal is suppressed and 180-degree phase balance at output is achieved. The circuit has high-linearity (P1 dBin=5 dBm, IIP3=16.

Abstract: An active balun circuit is provided for single-ended to differential RF signal conversion with enhanced common-mode rejection which suppresses common mode signal and which achieves phase and amplitude balance without sophisticated tuning or compensation methods. The circuit has a single-ended input and balanced output with phase and amplitude balance error less than 2° and 1.2 dB, respectively, measured from 1.5 GHz to 1.8 GHz at 5V supply. When supply voltage drops down to 1.5V, its phase and amplitude balance error remains within 5° and 2 dB, respectively. The circuit achieves a balanced output via an output network which behaves as an impedance matching network for differential mode signal and is grounded for common mode signal. As a result, common mode signal is suppressed and 180-degree phase balance at output is achieved. The circuit has high-linearity (P1 dBin=5 dBm, IIP3=16.

Abstract: A circuit that increases the efficiency of a radio frequency mobile telephone unit is disclosed. When the signal strength between the base station and the mobile unit is below a predetermined signal strength level, the power amplifier is turned on and the transmitter circuit of the mobile unit fully amplifies the RF signal. However, when the signal strength between the mobile telephone unit and the base station is above a predetermined signal strength level, the power amplifier is deactivated and bypassed from the transmitter circuitry, thereby conserving the battery power of the mobile unit.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present intention, an adaptive feedback controller is configured to substantially reduce an error control signal defined by the difference between a command signal and the output signal of a controlled device. The adaptive controller comprises a step generator circuit configured to provide a control signal which is employed to vary the input signal received by the controlled device, The control signal is substantially in the shape of a ramp signal having a given slew rate. An adaptive slew rate computation circuit is coupled to the step generator so as to provide a slew rate compensation signal to the step generator to increase the slew rate of the control signal, when the controlled device is responding to a substantially fast varying input signal. The slew rate compensation circuit decreases the slew rate of the control signal, when the controlled device is responding to a slow varying input signal.

Abstract: An indoor wireless communications system using two-way active-antenna repeaters to distribute signals received from external signal sources within an office, and to extend the range of cordless phone units in use there, is disclosed. The repeaters provide menu-selectable phase-shifting, selectable receiver sensitivity and transmitter power, and selectable signal format conversion to provide added privacy and to prevent interference with communication links in use by third parties within the building. Pattern selection is done by empirical adjustment of an antenna pattern suited to the general floor plan of the area served.

Abstract: A dynamic power amplifier advantageously employed in a wireless terminal for transferring and receiving signals from a base terminal includes an input amplifier adapted to receive an input signal having a given power signal level corresponding to the distance of said wireless terminal to the terminal and adapted to provide an amplifier output signal having a given power output signal level. The dynamic amplifier further includes a power sensor configured to receive the power output signal and to generate a power indication signal corresponding to the power output signal, and a converter adapted to receive the power indication signal in order to generate a biasing signal corresponding to the power indication signal. The biasing signal is applied to the input amplifier so that the operating bias point of the power amplifier varies as a function of the power indication signal.

Abstract: A thin conformal passivating dielectric film is deposited by ECR-CVD on an IC chip comprising semiconductor devices each of which includes a sub-micron-width irregularly shaped gate electrode. A protective layer of patterned resist is formed overlying each passivated device. Additional dielectric material is then deposited by ECP-CVD, at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the resist, on the surface of the chip. Subsequently, in a lift-off step, the patterned resist together with the additional dielectric material overlying the resist is removed from the chip.