Patents by Inventor Kent Nickerson
Kent Nickerson 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).
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Patent number: 8451941Abstract: A communications device may include an In-phase (I) circuit having an In-phase modulator and mixer circuit, and an I power amplifier circuit coupled thereto, the I circuit configured to modulate and amplify a digital baseband I signal to generate an amplified I signal, and a Quadrature (Q) circuit having a Q modulator and mixer circuit, and a Q power amplifier circuit coupled thereto, the Q circuit configured to modulate and amplify a digital baseband Q signal to generate an amplified Q signal separate from the amplified I signal. The communications device may include a processor configured, for example, to selectively switch the digital baseband signal and the digital baseband Q signal between the I and Q signal inputs to provide selective phase shifting for the digital baseband I and Q signals. For example, the controller may selectively phase shift the digital baseband I and Q signals, and control the I and Q power amplifier circuits to vary an amplitude of the amplified I and Q signals.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2010Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Lizhong Zhu, George Soliman Mankaruse, Michael Stephen Corrigan, Perry Jarmuszewski, Oleksiy Kravets, Kent A. Nickerson, Nagula Tharma Sangary
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Patent number: 8362834Abstract: The disclosure relates to an electronic circuit for attenuating harmonics in a power amplifier. The circuit comprises: a printed circuit board (PCB); a first electrical track in the PCB providing a connection from a high band power input terminal of the amplifier to a battery terminal; a first capacitor connected to the first track, the high band power input terminal and a ground reference in the PCB; a first high filter choke connected to the first track and to the terminal; a second electrical track connected to a low band power input terminal of the amplifier; a circuit implemented on the PCB and connected to an output terminal of the amplifier for an output signal from the amplifier, comprising a first filter and a low pass filter, the first filter connected to a 0 ohm resistor which is connected to the low pass filter.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2012Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Lizhong Zhu, George Mankaruse, Michael Corrigan, Jun Xu, Kent Nickerson
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Publication number: 20120313699Abstract: The disclosure relates to an electronic circuit for attenuating harmonics in a power amplifier. The circuit comprises: a printed circuit board (PCB); a first electrical track in the PCB providing a connection from a high band power input terminal of the amplifier to a battery terminal; a first capacitor connected to the first track, the high band power input terminal and a ground reference in the PCB; a first high filter choke connected to the first track and to the terminal; a second electrical track connected to a low band power input terminal of the amplifier; a circuit implemented on the PCB and connected to an output terminal of the amplifier for an output signal from the amplifier, comprising a first filter and a low pass filter, the first filter connected to a 0 ohm resistor which is connected to the low pass filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2012Publication date: December 13, 2012Inventors: Lizhong ZHU, George Mankaruse, Michael Corrigan, Jun Xu, Kent Nickerson
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Publication number: 20120263213Abstract: A communications device, in one aspect as a portable wireless communications device, includes an in-phase modulator and power amplifier that receives a baseband I signal and modulates and amplifies the I signal. A quadrature modulator and power amplifier receives a baseband Q signal and modulates and amplifies the Q signal. A power combiner sums and outputs the I and Q signals. An I demodulator circuit receives a signal fed back from the I power amplifier and demodulates the fed back signal to produce demodulated I signals. A Q demodulator circuit receives a signal fed back from the Q power amplifier and demodulates the fed back signal to produce demodulated Q signals. A processor compares the digital, baseband I and Q signals with a demodulated I and Q signals to compensate for amplitude, frequency and phase modulation errors.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITEDInventors: LIZHONG ZHU, GEORGE MANKARUSE, MICHAEL CORRIGAN, PERRY JARMUSZEWSKI, OLEKSIY KRAVETS, KENT NICKERSON, NAGULA SANGARY
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Patent number: 8269554Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system and method for attenuating harmonics in a power amplifier. An electronic circuit for reducing leakage of radio frequency signals from a power amplifier of a wireless communication device is provided. The circuit comprises: a printed circuit board (PCB) having the power amplifier mounted on the PCB; a first electrical track in the PCB connecting to a power input terminal of the power amplifier; and a first capacitor connected to the first electrical track and a ground reference in the PCB, the first capacitor reducing transmission of radio frequency signals from the input terminal of the power amplifier.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2011Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Lizhong Zhu, George Mankaruse, Michael Corrigan, Jun Xu, Kent Nickerson
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Patent number: 8223885Abstract: A communications device, in one aspect as a portable wireless communications device, includes an in-phase modulator and power amplifier that receives a baseband I signal and modulates and amplifies the I signal. A quadrature modulator and power amplifier receives a baseband Q signal and modulates and amplifies the Q signal. A power combiner sums and outputs the I and Q signals. An I demodulator circuit receives a signal fed back from the I power amplifier and demodulates the fed back signal to produce demodulated I signals. A Q demodulator circuit receives a signal fed back from the Q power amplifier and demodulates the fed back signal to produce demodulated Q signals. A processor compares the digital, baseband I and Q signals with a demodulated I and Q signals to compensate for amplitude, frequency and phase modulation errors.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2009Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Lizhong Zhu, George Mankaruse, Michael Corrigan, Perry Jarmuszewski, Oleksiy Kravets, Kent Nickerson, Nagula Sangary
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Publication number: 20120021709Abstract: A system and method for managing battery slump in a battery-powered communications device including: an input configured for receiving battery voltage level information; an output configured for sending a signal for terminating a transmission; and a controller connected to the input and the output and configured to receive the battery voltage level information from the input; monitor the battery voltage level information; and send a signal via the output to terminate a transmission if the battery voltage level information crosses a predetermined threshold during the transmission. In particular, the system and method may further include an input connected to the controller and configured for receiving a signal indicating when a transmission is beginning or occurring and the controller is further configured to receive and monitor the battery voltage level information only when the transmission is occurring.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2011Publication date: January 26, 2012Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITEDInventors: Martin Guthrie, Richard Madter, Dusan Veselic, Christopher Book, Kent Nickerson
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Publication number: 20120007670Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system and method for attenuating harmonics in a power amplifier. An electronic circuit for reducing leakage of radio frequency signals from a power amplifier of a wireless communication device is provided. The circuit comprises: a printed circuit board (PCB) having the power amplifier mounted on the PCB; a first electrical track in the PCB connecting to a power input terminal of the power amplifier; and a first capacitor connected to the first electrical track and a ground reference in the PCB, the first capacitor reducing transmission of radio frequency signals from the input terminal of the power amplifier.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2011Publication date: January 12, 2012Inventors: Lizhong Zhu, George Mankaruse, Michael Corrigan, Jun Xu, Kent Nickerson
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Publication number: 20110255575Abstract: A communications device may include an In-phase (I) circuit having an In-phase modulator and mixer circuit, and an I power amplifier circuit coupled thereto, the I circuit configured to modulate and amplify a digital baseband I signal to generate an amplified I signal, and a Quadrature (Q) circuit having a Q modulator and mixer circuit, and a Q power amplifier circuit coupled thereto, the Q circuit configured to modulate and amplify a digital baseband Q signal to generate an amplified Q signal separate from the amplified I signal. The communications device may include a processor configured, for example, to selectively switch the digital baseband signal and the digital baseband Q signal between the I and Q signal inputs to provide selective phase shifting for the digital baseband I and Q signals. For example, the controller may selectively phase shift the digital baseband I and Q signals, and control the I and Q power amplifier circuits to vary an amplitude of the amplified I and Q signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2010Publication date: October 20, 2011Applicant: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Lizhong Zhu, George Soliman Mankaruse, Michael Stephen Corrigan, Perry Jarmuszewski, Oleksiy Kravets, Kent A. Nickerson, Nagula Tharma Sangary
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Patent number: 8032189Abstract: A system and method for managing battery slump in a battery-powered communications device including: an input configured for receiving battery voltage level information; an output configured for sending a signal for terminating a transmission; and a controller connected to the input and the output and configured to receive the battery voltage level information from the input; monitor the battery voltage level information; and send a signal via the output to terminate a transmission if the battery voltage level information crosses a predetermined threshold during the transmission. In particular, the system and method may further include an input connected to the controller and configured for receiving a signal indicating when a transmission is beginning or occurring and the controller is further configured to receive and monitor the battery voltage level information only when the transmission is occurring.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2006Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Martin Guthrie, Richard Madter, Dusan Veselic, Christopher Book, Kent Nickerson
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Patent number: 8008971Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system and method for attenuating harmonics in output signals. In the system, an electronic circuit for reducing leakage of radio frequency signals from a power amplifier of a wireless communication device is provided. The circuit comprises: a printed circuit board ‘PCB’ having the power amplifier mounted on the PCB; a first electrical track in the PCB connecting to a power input terminal of the power amplifier; and a first capacitor connected to the first electrical track and a ground reference in the PCB, the first capacitor reducing transmission of radio frequency signals from the input terminal of the power amplifier.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Research in Motion LimitedInventors: Lizhong Zhu, George Mankaruse, Michael Corrigan, Jun Xu, Kent Nickerson
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Publication number: 20100208848Abstract: A communications device, in one aspect as a portable wireless communications device, includes an in-phase modulator and power amplifier that receives a baseband I signal and modulates and amplifies the I signal. A quadrature modulator and power amplifier receives a baseband Q signal and modulates and amplifies the Q signal. A power combiner sums and outputs the I and Q signals. An I demodulator circuit receives a signal fed back from the I power amplifier and demodulates the fed back signal to produce demodulated I signals. A Q demodulator circuit receives a signal fed back from the Q power amplifier and demodulates the fed back signal to produce demodulated Q signals. A processor compares the digital, baseband I and Q signals with a demodulated I and Q signals to compensate for amplitude, frequency and phase modulation errors.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2009Publication date: August 19, 2010Applicant: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Lizhong Zhu, George Mankaruse, Michael Corrigan, Perry Jarmuszewski, Oleksiy Kravets, Kent Nickerson, Nagula Sangary
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Publication number: 20100188145Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system and method for attenuating harmonics in output signals. In the system, an electronic circuit for reducing leakage of radio frequency signals from a power amplifier of a wireless communication device is provided. The circuit comprises: a printed circuit board ‘PCB’ having the power amplifier mounted on the PCB; a first electrical track in the PCB connecting to a power input terminal of the power amplifier; and a first capacitor connected to the first electrical track and a ground reference in the PCB, the first capacitor reducing transmission of radio frequency signals from the input terminal of the power amplifier.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2010Publication date: July 29, 2010Inventors: Lizhong ZHU, George Mankaruse, Michael Corrigan, Jun Xu, Kent Nickerson
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Patent number: 7724084Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for attenuating harmonics in output signals. In the system, an electronic circuit for reducing harmonics of an output signal from a power amplifier in a transmission circuit for a wireless communication device is provided. The circuit comprises: a printed circuit board (PCB); a power amplifier for generating an output signal; and a circuit implemented on the PCB connected to an output terminal of the power amplifier for the output signal. The circuit comprises a first filtering stage; a delay element; and a harmonic filter. The delay element is located between the harmonic filter and the output terminal and the delay element provides a timing delay in the output signal through at least one 0 ohm-rated component. Also, the harmonic filter is a low pass filter having a frequency cut-off point that attenuates first order harmonics of the output signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2007Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: Research in Motion LimitedInventors: Lizhong Zhu, George Mankaruse, Michael Corrigan, Jun Xu, Kent Nickerson
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Publication number: 20080180170Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for attenuating harmonics in output signals. In the system, an electronic circuit for reducing harmonics of an output signal from a power amplifier in a transmission circuit for a wireless communication device is provided. The circuit comprises: a printed circuit board (PCB); a power amplifier for generating an output signal; and a circuit implemented on the PCB connected to an output terminal of the power amplifier for the output signal. The circuit comprises a first filtering stage; a delay element; and a harmonic filter. The delay element is located between the harmonic filter and the output terminal and the delay element provides a timing delay in the output signal through at least one 0 ohm-rated component. Also, the harmonic filter is a low pass filter having a frequency cut-off point that attenuates first order harmonics of the output signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2007Publication date: July 31, 2008Inventors: Lizhong Zhu, George Mankaruse, Michael Corrigan, Jun Xu, Kent Nickerson
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Publication number: 20080014997Abstract: A system and method for managing battery slump in a battery-powered communications device including: an input configured for receiving battery voltage level information; an output configured for sending a signal for terminating a transmission; and a controller connected to the input and the output and configured to receive the battery voltage level information from the input; monitor the battery voltage level information; and send a signal via the output to terminate a transmission if the battery voltage level information crosses a predetermined threshold during the transmission. In particular, the system and method may further include an input connected to the controller and configured for receiving a signal indicating when a transmission is beginning or occurring and the controller is further configured to receive and monitor the battery voltage level information only when the transmission is occurring.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2006Publication date: January 17, 2008Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITEDInventors: Martin GUTHRIE, Richard Madter, Dusan Veselic, Christopher Book, Kent Nickerson
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Patent number: 6856654Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed which allow a limited energy source (such as a low voltage battery stack or a low current computer auxiliary device power connection) to charge a high performance capacitive device, which in turn powers a low duty-cycle, high power load circuit (such as a packet-switched radio data transmitter).Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2000Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Steven Carkner, Robert J. Lowles, Kent Nickerson, Carl Schaaff
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Patent number: 6104759Abstract: An improved power supply system involves load-leveling the large transient currents drawn by a high power, low duty-cycle load application circuit by means of a high performance capacitive charge storage device, such as a super-capacitor or a network of super-capacitors. The improved power supply system allows the high power load application circuit to be driven by a limited energy power source, such as a battery or the power supplied to a PCMCIA slot by a host computer. When the input voltage source is a battery, the improved power supply system allows for a substantial increase in the battery's operational life. The inventive system is particularly useful for managing power supply requirements for miniaturized wireless transmission systems, such as two-way pagers or radio modems, which employ low duty-cycle packet-switched RF transmitters.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1997Date of Patent: August 15, 2000Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Steve Carkner, Robert Lowles, Carl Schaaff, Kent Nickerson