Abstract: A method and apparatus taught herein provide a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for use in a conversion feedback path of a sigma-delta type analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The DAC uses current pulse shaping to generate a conversion feedback signal in each feedback cycle of the ADC that provides a consistent charge transfer for accurate digital conversion and has a controlled current pulse shape. In one or more embodiments, the DAC includes a capacitor circuit for charge storage and transfer and a (series) resistive circuit having variable resistance for current pulse shape control. In at least one embodiment, current pulse control limits a peak current of the conversion feedback signal, thereby reducing DC power consumption and gain-bandwidth (GBW) and slew rate requirements of the ADC's integration amplifier, and limiting residual (ending) current in each feedback cycle, which yields commensurate gains in (feedback cycle) clock jitter insensitivity.

Abstract: In communication systems where the channel is expected to vary during a communication burst, gain adjustments during the communication burst can be implemented by automatic gain control (AGC) in the receiver, with minimal performance degradation. These gain adjustments are successfully accommodated by virtue of suitable information-sharing between an AGC unit and a digital baseband part. The digital baseband part can direct the AGC unit appropriately to ensure that gain adjustments are implemented during time intervals that do not carry substantive communication information (e.g., guard intervals). In receivers that perform channel estimation in the digital baseband part, the AGC unit supports channel estimation by informing the digital baseband part about the timing of the gain adjustment. The AGC unit can also support channel estimation by informing the digital baseband part about the size of the gain adjustment.

Abstract: A polar modulation transmitter offers a split architecture for determining amplitude modulation path delay of the transmitter and comprises a split supply modulation circuit and a split power amplifier circuit. The split supply modulation circuit includes a common supply input and is configured to receive a common amplitude-modulation signal at respective signal inputs and output first and second modulated supply signals responsive to the common amplitude-modulation signal.

Abstract: Coupler-based amplifiers provide a measure of load mismatch based on the difference between the two output signal amplitudes from the amplifiers. This measure can be used to control variable matching networks (VMNs) or amplifier supply voltages to maintain constant distortion levels and high power transfer/efficiency and even to control output power. Load mismatch is measured by comparing the amplifier device output amplitudes and adjusting the circuit based on the comparison to counteract undesired behavior, such as increasing distortion levels.

Abstract: Coupler-based amplifiers provide a measure of load mismatch based on the difference between the two output signal amplitudes from the amplifiers. This measure can be used to control variable matching networks (VMNs) or amplifier supply voltages to maintain constant distortion levels and high power transfer/efficiency and even to control output power. Load mismatch is measured by comparing the amplifier device output amplitudes and adjusting the circuit based on the comparison to counteract undesired behavior, such as increasing distortion levels.

Abstract: Compounds of the general formula (I): are useful in treating chronic neurodegenerative diseases or conditions in mammals, such as Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Huntington's Chorea and Multiple Sclerosis. In formula (I), a=3 or 4; b=3 or 4 provided that a+b?7; c is an integer from 1 to 5; d is 0 or 1.

Abstract: An electronic device has digital circuitry partitioned into digital circuit blocks, which are connected in series across a power supply, thereby sharing the available supply voltage between them. The device may be a battery-powered wireless communications device, including analog and digital circuitry, wherein the device includes a power supply, which provides a supply voltage which is supplied to the analog circuitry, and wherein the digital circuitry is separated into at least two blocks, which are connected in series across the power supply voltage.

Abstract: An amplifier configuration and method of amplifying a signal are provided for automatic optimization of linearity of power amplifier input/output characteristics. The amplifier configuration utilizes a feedback loop that includes detecting envelopes of signals that are input and output from a power amplifier. The amplifier configuration includes an offset parameter determined in a second feedback loop that adapts to values for optimizing the linearity of the power amplifier output when input signal amplitudes are within a predetermined range of small signal values, thereby producing a substantially reduced distortion and thus linearized output over the entire input signal amplitude range.