Patents by Inventor Kenneth Barnett

Kenneth Barnett 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: 20100073027
    Abstract: A latch includes three circuits. The first circuit drives a first output (QB) to a first level when a first input (D) and a first clock phase (CK) are both low, to a second level when D and CK are both high, and provides high impedance (HI-Z) when different logic levels are applied to D and CK. The second circuit drives a second output (Q) to the first level when a third input (DB) and a complimentary clock phase (CKB) are both low, to the second level when DB and CKB are both high, and provides HI-Z when different logic levels are applied to DB and CKB. The third circuit maintains voltages of Q and QB when the first and second circuits provide HI-Z at Q and QB. Odd-number dividers constructed with such latches produce 50% duty cycle operation without restricting output pulse widths to integer multiples of input periods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Kun Zhang, Kenneth Barnett
  • Publication number: 20070229154
    Abstract: A differential amplifier, which has good linearity and noise performance, includes a first side that includes first, second, third, and fourth transistors and an inductor. The first and second transistors are coupled as a first cascode pair, and the third and fourth transistors are coupled as a second cascode pair. The third transistor has its gate coupled to the source of the second transistor, and the fourth transistor has its drain coupled to the drain of the second transistor. The first transistor provides signal amplification. The second transistor provides load isolation and generates an intermediate signal for the third transistor. The third transistor generates distortion components used to cancel third order distortion component generated by the first transistor. The inductor provides source degeneration for the first transistor and improves distortion cancellation. The sizes of the second and third transistors are selected to reduce gain loss and achieve good linearity for the amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Namsoo Kim, Kenneth Barnett, Vladimir Aparin
  • Publication number: 20070030076
    Abstract: An amplifier, which has good linearity and noise performance, includes first, second, third, and fourth transistors and an inductor. The first and second transistors are coupled as a first cascode pair, and the third and fourth transistors are coupled as a second cascode pair. The third transistor has its gate coupled to the source of the second transistor, and the fourth transistor has its drain coupled to the drain of the second transistor. The first transistor provides signal amplification. The second transistor provides load isolation and generates an intermediate signal for the third transistor. The third transistor generates distortion components used to cancel third order distortion component generated by the first transistor. The inductor provides source degeneration for the first transistor and improves distortion cancellation. The sizes of the second and third transistors are selected to reduce gain loss and achieve good linearity for the amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Namsoo Kim, Kenneth Barnett, Vladimir Aparin
  • Patent number: 7113033
    Abstract: A variable impedance load (104) is provided at the output of a radio frequency (RF) driver amplifier (102) having a variable gain. In an exemplary embodiment, the variable load (104) comprises a resistor (R) in series with a semiconductor device (M1). The semiconductor device (M1) has an impedance level determined by a drive current. The value of the drive current is related to the gain of the RF driver amplifier (102).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Qualcomm Incorporated
    Inventor: Kenneth Barnett
  • Patent number: 7106138
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) driver amplifier system and method that provides linear in decibel gain control is provided. The RF driver amplifier system comprises a linear transconductor receiving an input voltage and providing a controlled current based on input voltage received, temperature compensation circuitry for varying current from the linear transconductor according to absolute temperature, an exponential current controller receiving current varied according to temperature and providing an exponential current in response, and an inductive degeneration compensator receiving exponential current and providing a control current to driver amplifier circuitry, thereby compensating for inductive degeneration due to at least one inductor in the driver amplifier circuitry. Control current passes from the inductive degeneration compensator to the driver amplifier circuitry. Output gain from the driver amplifier circuitry varies linearly in decibels with respect to the input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Qualcomm Incorporated
    Inventors: Kenneth Barnett, Brett C. Walker, Kevin Gard
  • Publication number: 20060135079
    Abstract: A wireless device is equipped with multiple (e.g., two) antennas, which may be of different designs. Each antenna interacts with the wireless environment in a different manner and achieves different scattering effect. The wireless device has one transmit signal path for each antenna. Each transmit signal path generates an RF output signal for transmission from the associated antenna. The wireless device controls the operation of one or more transmit signal paths to achieve a larger received signal level at a receiving base station. The wireless device may (1) autonomously adjust the transmit signal path(s) without relying on any feedback from the base station or (2) adjust the transmit signal path(s) based on transmit power control (TPC) commands received from the base station. The wireless device may selectively enable and disable each transmit signal path, vary the phase and/or gain of each transmit signal path, and so on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventors: Kenneth Barnett, Charles Persico, Paul Peterzell
  • Publication number: 20060038617
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) driver amplifier system and method that provides linear in decibel gain control is provided. The RF driver amplifier system comprises a linear transconductor receiving an input voltage and providing a controlled current based on input voltage received, temperature compensation circuitry for varying current from the linear transconductor according to absolute temperature, an exponential current controller receiving current varied according to temperature and providing an exponential current in response, and an inductive degeneration compensator receiving exponential current and providing a control current to driver amplifier circuitry, thereby compensating for inductive degeneration due to at least one inductor in the driver amplifier circuitry. Control current passes from the inductive degeneration compensator to the driver amplifier circuitry. Output gain from the driver amplifier circuitry varies linearly in decibels with respect to the input voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Kenneth Barnett, Brett Walker, Kevin Gard
  • Patent number: 6906592
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) driver amplifier system and method that provides linear in decibel gain control is provided. The RF driver amplifier system comprises a linear transconductor receiving an input voltage and providing a controlled current based on input voltage received, temperature compensation circuitry for varying current from the linear transconductor according to absolute temperature, an exponential current controller receiving current varied according to temperature and providing an exponential current in response, and an inductive degeneration compensator receiving exponential current and providing a control current to driver amplifier circuitry, thereby compensating for inductive degeneration due to at least one inductor in the driver amplifier circuitry. Control current passes from the inductive degeneration compensator to the driver amplifier circuitry. Output gain from the driver amplifier circuitry varies linearly in decibels with respect to the input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Qualcomm Inc
    Inventors: Kenneth Barnett, Brett C. Walker, Kevin Gard
  • Publication number: 20040155708
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) driver amplifier system and method that provides linear in decibel gain control is provided. The RF driver amplifier system comprises a linear transconductor receiving an input voltage and providing a controlled current based on input voltage received, temperature compensation circuitry for varying current from the linear transconductor according to absolute temperature, an exponential current controller receiving current varied according to temperature and providing an exponential current in response, and an inductive degeneration compensator receiving exponential current and providing a control current to driver amplifier circuitry, thereby compensating for inductive degeneration due to at least one inductor in the driver amplifier circuitry. Control current passes from the inductive degeneration compensator to the driver amplifier circuitry. Output gain from the driver amplifier circuitry varies linearly in decibels with respect to the input voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Kenneth Barnett, Brett C. Walker, Kevin Gard
  • Publication number: 20030141927
    Abstract: A variable impedance load (104) is provided at the output of a radio frequency (RF) driver amplifier (102) having a variable gain. In an exemplary embodiment, the variable load (104) comprises a resistor (R) in series with a semiconductor device (M1). The semiconductor device (M1) has an impedance level determined by a drive current. The value of the drive current is related to the gain of the RF driver amplifier (102).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Kenneth Barnett
  • Patent number: 5557214
    Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for interfacing a semiconductor test circuit and a semiconductor device under test, wherein the interface is a silicon structure test probe having conductor paths which extend along cantilevered parallelogram micro beams having contact bumps on the free ends of the beams arranged in a pattern which registers with a test pad pattern on the semiconductor device under test. The parallelogram beams provide test pad contact with substantially no scrubbing action. The silicon structure provides testing over wide environmental ranges because the test probe structure reacts to environmental conditions in the same way as the silicon semiconductor device under test. A method for fabricating the silicon structure test probe is disclosed which includes fabrication in the silicon structure of semiconductor circuit drivers and receivers for the conducting paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Inventor: C. Kenneth Barnett
  • Patent number: 4626475
    Abstract: A process for the production of a pressure sensitive adhesive comprising the interaction of a high molecular weight polyol, a polyisocyanate and a small amount of a bicyclic amide acetal wherein the process results in significant improvement in physical properties, e.g., a high degree of adhesive and cohesive strength, is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: Ashland Oil, Inc.
    Inventors: Anil Goel, Joseph Holehouse, Kenneth Barnett