Patents by Inventor Johan Grundlingh

Johan Grundlingh 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).

  • Patent number: 9322856
    Abstract: A circuit and method are provided for detecting a power of a signal amplified in a power amplifier. A diode and a voltage bias source are used to shift a voltage of the signal taken at a base of an amplifying transistor of the power amplifier, to generate a positive signal. The positive signal is provided to a base input of an emitter follower exhibiting high input impedance to generate a power detector output which follows the positive signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: SIGE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Gordon Glen Rabjohn, Johan Grundlingh, Adrian Peter Long
  • Publication number: 20130027023
    Abstract: A circuit and method are provided for detecting a power of a signal amplified in a power amplifier. A diode and a voltage bias source are used to shift a voltage of the signal taken at a base of an amplifying transistor of the power amplifier, to generate a positive signal. The positive signal is provided to a base input of an emitter follower exhibiting high input impedance to generate a power detector output which follows the positive signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: SIGE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Gordon Glen Rabjohn, Johan Grundlingh, Adrian Peter Long
  • Patent number: 8278963
    Abstract: A circuit and method are provided for detecting a power of a signal amplified in a power amplifier. A diode and a voltage bias source are used to shift a voltage of the signal taken at a base of an amplifying transistor of the power amplifier, to generate a positive signal. The positive signal is provided to a base input of an emitter follower exhibiting high input impedance to generate a power detector output which follows the positive signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: SiGe Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon G. Rabjohn, Johan Grundlingh, Adrian Long
  • Publication number: 20110248703
    Abstract: A circuit and method are provided for detecting a power of a signal amplified in a power amplifier. A diode and a voltage bias source are used to shift a voltage of the signal taken at a base of an amplifying transistor of the power amplifier, to generate a positive signal. The positive signal is provided to a base input of an emitter follower exhibiting high input impedance to generate a power detector output which follows the positive signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: SiGe Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon G. Rabjohn, Johan Grundlingh, Adrian Long
  • Patent number: 7728663
    Abstract: A collector boost circuit is disclosed for providing a first voltage in a first mode of operation to a power amplifier, and another voltage in a second mode of operation to the power amplifier. The collector boost circuit uses an indicator signal derived by an RF detector to switch between the first and the second mode of operation. The another voltage is a boosted voltage greater than the first voltage and is provided when required during peak excursions to prevent amplifier clipping through a boost capacitor. The another voltage is continuous and varies in accordance with the detected peak signal amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: SiGe Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon G. Rabjohn, Johan Grundlingh, Edward J. Whittaker
  • Patent number: 7702301
    Abstract: A method of reducing distortion in the output of an amplifier is provided. The method comprises subtractively combining an error signals with the appropriate phase shift with input signals to be amplified. The error signal being generated by subtractively combining a fed-forward portion of the input signal with a portion of the fed-back amplified output signal, and signal processing applied to it between its generation and application to correcting the input signal in the baseband domain. The error therefore being down-converted, filtered, and up-converted in the feedback path. The filtered baseband error signal components providing inputs to a controller which adjusts active elements of the amplification and feedback path in order to minimize the distortion within the output of the amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Sige Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon G. Rabjohn, Johan Grundlingh
  • Patent number: 7689180
    Abstract: A method of reducing distortion in the output of an amplifier is provided. The method comprises subtractively combining baseband error signals with the appropriate phase shift with baseband input signals, the baseband error signals generated by subtractively combining delayed fed-forward portions of the baseband input signals with baseband converted portions of a fed-back amplified output signal, the amplified output signal being a distorted replica of combined up-converted baseband input signals. The baseband error signals being filtered prior to the combining function, and also providing inputs to a controller which adjusts active elements of the amplification and fed-back paths in order to minimize the distortion within the output of the amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: SiGe Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Johan Grundlingh, Howard James Smith, John Nisbet, Gordon G. Rabjohn
  • Patent number: 7680468
    Abstract: A method of reducing distortion in the output of an amplifier is provided. The method comprises subtractively combining an error signals with the appropriate phase shift with input signals to be amplified. The error signal being generated by subtractively combining a fed-forward portion of the input signal with a portion of the fed-back amplified output signal, and signal processing applied to it between its generation and application to correcting the input signal in the baseband domain. The error therefore being down-converted, filtered, and up-converted in the feedback path. The filtered baseband error signal components providing inputs to a controller which adjusts active elements of the amplification and feedback path in order to minimize the distortion within the output of the amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: SIGE Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon G. Rabjohn, Johan Grundlingh
  • Publication number: 20080297247
    Abstract: A method of reducing distortion in the output of an amplifier is provided. The method comprises subtractively combining an error signals with the appropriate phase shift with input signals to be amplified. The error signal being generated by subtractively combining a fed-forward portion of the input signal with a portion of the fed-back amplified output signal, and signal processing applied to it between its generation and application to correcting the input signal in the baseband domain. The error therefore being down-converted, filtered, and up-converted in the feedback path. The filtered baseband error signal components providing inputs to a controller which adjusts active elements of the amplification and feedback path in order to minimize the distortion within the output of the amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: SiGe Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon G. Rabjohn, Johan Grundlingh
  • Publication number: 20080298501
    Abstract: A method of reducing distortion in the output of an amplifier is provided. The method comprises subtractively combining an error signals with the appropriate phase shift with input signals to be amplified. The error signal being generated by subtractively combining a fed-forward portion of the input signal with a portion of the fed-back amplified output signal, and signal processing applied to it between its generation and application to correcting the input signal in the baseband domain. The error therefore being down-converted, filtered, and up-converted in the feedback path. The filtered baseband error signal components providing inputs to a controller which adjusts active elements of the amplification and feedback path in order to minimize the distortion within the output of the amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: SiGe Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon G. Rabjohn, Johan Grundlingh
  • Publication number: 20080290939
    Abstract: A method of reducing distortion in the output of an amplifier is provided. The method comprises subtractively combining baseband error signals with the appropriate phase shift with baseband input signals, the baseband error signals generated by subtractively combining delayed fed-forward portions of the baseband input signals with baseband converted portions of a fed-back amplified output signal, the amplified output signal being a distorted replica of combined up-converted baseband input signals. The baseband error signals being filtered prior to the combining function, and also providing inputs to a controller which adjusts active elements of the amplification and fed-back paths in order to minimize the distortion within the output of the amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: SiGe Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Johan Grundlingh, Howard James Smith, John Nisbet, Gordon G. Rabjohn
  • Publication number: 20080287077
    Abstract: A method of reducing distortion in the output of an amplifier is provided. The method comprises subtractively combining baseband error signals with the appropriate phase shift with baseband input signals, the baseband error signals generated by subtractively combining delayed fed-forward portions of the baseband input signals with baseband converted portions of a fed-back amplified output signal, the amplified output signal being a distorted replica of combined up-converted baseband input signals. The baseband error signals being filtered prior to the combining function, and also providing inputs to a controller which adjusts active elements of the amplification and fed-back paths in order to minimize the distortion within the output of the amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: SiGe Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Johan Grundlingh, Howard James Smith, John Nisbet, Gordon G. Rabjohn
  • Patent number: 7391259
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise methods and devices for amplifying a signal by amplifying a first signal and by then amplifying a second signal only if the first signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. The first and second amplified signals are then combined, and the combination is fed back to a signal source and used to control the values of the first and second signal. The combination is further transmitted to a load. In the preferred embodiment, the first amplified signal is transmitted through an impedance inverter before it is combined with the second amplified signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Zarbana Digital Fund LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Parker, Johan Grundlingh
  • Publication number: 20080079489
    Abstract: Improved methods and systems for amplifying a signal are provided. Specifically, systems and methods for amplifying a signal through a lossy switch element tied to two or more voltage sources are provided. In the preferred embodiment, envelope information from the signal is used to smoothly transition between the two or more voltage sources to provide signal amplification over an increased range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: Zarbana Digital Fund LLC
    Inventor: Johan Grundlingh
  • Publication number: 20080001683
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of electronics, more particularly to the wire bonds incorporated into an integrated circuit package such as a quad flat pack. a ball grid array or hybrid style module. The present invention takes the normally undesirable wire bond inductance and uses it in an operational circuit where positive inductance is required. The circuit in which the wire bond inductance is used is located primarily in the integrated circuit die housed in the integrated circuit package, but may also include off-die components. In one example, a wire bond is used as the required series inductance in a discrete circuit impedance inverter which consists of two shunt-to-ground negative inductances and one series positive inductance. One of the negative inductances is located on-die, while the other is located off-die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: James Wight, Johan Grundlingh
  • Publication number: 20070296504
    Abstract: A collector boost circuit is disclosed for providing a first voltage in a first mode of operation to a power amplifier, and another voltage in a second mode of operation to the power amplifier. The collector boost circuit uses an indicator signal derived by an RF detector to switch between the first and the second mode of operation. The another voltage is a boosted voltage greater than the first voltage and is provided when required during peak excursions to prevent amplifier clipping through a boost capacitor. The another voltage is continuous and varies in accordance with the detected peak signal amplitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: SiGe Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon G. Rabjohn, Johan Grundlingh, Edward J.W. Whittaker
  • Publication number: 20070205828
    Abstract: A switched-mode Class F power amplifier is provided for parallel connection with at least one other like amplifier, within a Chireix architecture, for combining the signals output therefrom. An input component includes at least one active device configured to be alternately switched by a signal input thereto to present an amplified signal corresponding to the input signal and constituting a low output impedance voltage source. A lumped element impedance inverter is provided between the input component and an output resonator component, the impedance inverter being configured for transforming the low output impedance voltage source to instead constitute a high output impedance current source configured for said parallel connection. In accordance with the invention, the negative reactive component values required by the impedance inverter are eliminated and effectively provided by incorporating those values into pre-selected reactive components of the input and output components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventor: Johan Grundlingh
  • Publication number: 20060255857
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise methods and devices for amplifying a signal by amplifying a first signal and by then amplifying a second signal only if the first signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. The first and second amplified signals are then combined, and the combination is fed back to a signal source and used to control the values of the first and second signal. The combination is further transmitted to a load. In the preferred embodiment, the first amplified signal is transmitted through an impedance inverter before it is combined with the second amplified signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Inventors: Kevin Parker, Johan Grundlingh
  • Publication number: 20060238244
    Abstract: Improved methods and systems for amplifying a signal are provided. Specifically, systems and methods for amplifying a signal through a lossy switch element tied to two or more voltage sources are provided. In the preferred embodiment, envelope information from the signal is used to smoothly transition between the two or more voltage sources to provide signal amplification over an increased range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Inventor: Johan Grundlingh
  • Publication number: 20060001485
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise methods and devices for amplifying a signal by amplifying a first signal and by then amplifying a second signal only if the first signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. The first and second amplified signals are then combined, and the combination is fed back to a signal source and used to control the values of the first and second signal. The combination is further transmitted to a load. In the preferred embodiment, the first amplified signal is transmitted through an impedance inverter before it is combined with the second amplified signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Applicant: IceFyre Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Parker, Johan Grundlingh