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).

  • Patent number: 8451941
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Lizhong Zhu, George Soliman Mankaruse, Michael Stephen Corrigan, Perry Jarmuszewski, Oleksiy Kravets, Kent A. Nickerson, Nagula Tharma Sangary
  • Patent number: 8362834
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Lizhong Zhu, George Mankaruse, Michael Corrigan, Jun Xu, Kent Nickerson
  • Publication number: 20120313699
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Lizhong ZHU, George Mankaruse, Michael Corrigan, Jun Xu, Kent Nickerson
  • Publication number: 20120263213
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: LIZHONG ZHU, GEORGE MANKARUSE, MICHAEL CORRIGAN, PERRY JARMUSZEWSKI, OLEKSIY KRAVETS, KENT NICKERSON, NAGULA SANGARY
  • Patent number: 8269554
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Lizhong Zhu, George Mankaruse, Michael Corrigan, Jun Xu, Kent Nickerson
  • Patent number: 8223885
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Lizhong Zhu, George Mankaruse, Michael Corrigan, Perry Jarmuszewski, Oleksiy Kravets, Kent Nickerson, Nagula Sangary
  • Publication number: 20120021709
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Martin Guthrie, Richard Madter, Dusan Veselic, Christopher Book, Kent Nickerson
  • Publication number: 20120007670
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Lizhong Zhu, George Mankaruse, Michael Corrigan, Jun Xu, Kent Nickerson
  • Publication number: 20110255575
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Lizhong Zhu, George Soliman Mankaruse, Michael Stephen Corrigan, Perry Jarmuszewski, Oleksiy Kravets, Kent A. Nickerson, Nagula Tharma Sangary
  • Patent number: 8032189
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Martin Guthrie, Richard Madter, Dusan Veselic, Christopher Book, Kent Nickerson
  • Patent number: 8008971
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Research in Motion Limited
    Inventors: Lizhong Zhu, George Mankaruse, Michael Corrigan, Jun Xu, Kent Nickerson
  • Publication number: 20100208848
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Lizhong Zhu, George Mankaruse, Michael Corrigan, Perry Jarmuszewski, Oleksiy Kravets, Kent Nickerson, Nagula Sangary
  • Publication number: 20100188145
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Lizhong ZHU, George Mankaruse, Michael Corrigan, Jun Xu, Kent Nickerson
  • Patent number: 7724084
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Research in Motion Limited
    Inventors: Lizhong Zhu, George Mankaruse, Michael Corrigan, Jun Xu, Kent Nickerson
  • Publication number: 20080180170
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Lizhong Zhu, George Mankaruse, Michael Corrigan, Jun Xu, Kent Nickerson
  • Publication number: 20080014997
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Martin GUTHRIE, Richard Madter, Dusan Veselic, Christopher Book, Kent Nickerson
  • Patent number: 6856654
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Steven Carkner, Robert J. Lowles, Kent Nickerson, Carl Schaaff
  • Patent number: 6104759
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Steve Carkner, Robert Lowles, Carl Schaaff, Kent Nickerson