Abstract: An active ring mixer circuit for use in a receive or transmit channel of an RF radio. The circuit comprises plural transistor pairs arranged in a ring and biased into an active or saturation region. A first input is adapted to receive an RF signal. The first input is electrically combined with the plural transistor pairs to provide negative feedback to the plural transistor pairs. A second input electrically combined with the plural transistor pairs is adapted to receive a local oscillator signal. An output of the mixer is adapted to provide a mixed signal from the plural transistor pairs. Advantageously, the mixer circuit induces little low frequency spurs that may interfere with radio operation and has significantly reduced power consumption, lower noise figure, and good balance.

Abstract: A system, method, apparatus, and computer program product for fraud-resistant electronic processing of a rent-to-own lease transaction are disclosed. A method may include receiving a lease application including customer information and an indication of an item to be purchased in a brick and mortar store. The method may further include determining, based on the customer information and the indication of the item, a lease amount for which the customer is eligible. The method may additionally include providing a lease offer generated based on the lease amount to a mobile communication device associated with the customer. The method may also include receiving an electronic acceptance of the lease offer. The method may further include generating a virtual payment card for at least a portion of the lease amount that is usable for purchase of the item in the store and providing the virtual payment card to the mobile communication device.

Abstract: Emitter-coupled logic circuits and systems that include such circuits are provided. Some emitter-coupled logic circuits include a plurality of fT-doubler circuits. Each fT-doubler circuit includes a plurality of transistors coupled to one another in an arrangement such that the plurality of transistors are configured to behave as a single enhanced transistor that has an effective unity current gain frequency that is higher than if a single transistor were used in its place. The fT-doubler circuits are configured to increase an operating frequency capability of the emitter-coupled logic circuit. Some emitter-coupled logic circuits include a plurality of cascode amplifier circuits. Each cascode amplifier circuit includes multiple transistors. An emitter of at least one first transistor of the plurality of transistors is coupled to a collector of at least one second transistor of the plurality of transistors Some emitter-coupled logic circuits may include both fT-doubler circuits and cascode amplifier circuits.

Abstract: A receiver or spectrum determiner includes stages, Fourier transforms, phase delays and a summer. The stages are coupled are in pipelined fashion along a signal path. Each of the stages has a respective output for providing at least one respective demodulated signal for the stage. The Fourier transforms are for receiving the respective demodulated signal and providing a respective Fourier transform. The phase delays each have a delay associated with the respective stage. Each phase delay is for receiving the respective Fourier transform and providing a respective phase delayed transform in accordance with the respective stage. The summer is for summing the respective phase delayed Fourier transform from each phase delay. The receiver can be an electronic intelligence (ELINT) receiver.

Abstract: A method of separating individual channels from a composite or broadband RF signal that carries the channels on respective frequencies. An RF signal is received from an antenna at a high impedance input port of a plurality of mixers. A local oscillator (LO) signal is received at a high impedance port of the plurality of mixers. The plurality of mixers separately mix the RF signal to produce a plurality of common intermediate frequency (IF) signals. The plurality of common IF signals are output to filters corresponding to the individual isolated channels then processed to derive their information content.

Abstract: An auto leveling circuit suitable for use in an RF receiver. The auto leveling circuit comprises a plurality of automatic gain control (AGC) circuits each having at least one amplifier stage to amplify an RF signal according to at least two incrementally discrete levels. In order to selectively control gain, the AGC circuits further comprise peak detectors to detect the amplitude of the amplified RF signal and comparators to compare the amplitude of the RF signal with a threshold value indicative of a saturation point of the amplifiers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to antenna system embodiments which allow for hand-held, ultra-wideband (UWB) multi-antenna operation to be realized within the severe size constraints necessary for Department of Defense (DOD) hand-held missions. Further, the antenna system embodiments disclosed herein provide a miniature UWB multiple antenna solution for multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) and radiation pattern null steering suitable for hand-held soldier radios.