Patents by Inventor Michael E Butenhoff

Michael E Butenhoff 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: 7626467
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an automatic level control technique for RF amplifiers in a communication system, such as a wireless communication system. The invention provides an automatic level control technique to compensate for variations in the gain of an RF amplifier, which may be a transmitter amplifier or a receiver amplifier. In accordance with the invention, the gain of the RF amplifier can be controlled as a function of the output of a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) circuit provided in the communication system. A VCO typically includes a buffer amplifier with a structure similar to that of the RF amplifier used in the transmit or receive side of the RF front-end. By tracking changes in the output of the VCO buffer amplifier, an automatic level control (ALC) input to the RF amplifier can be adjusted to compensate for process- and temperature-based variations in amplifier gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: DSP Group Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Butenhoff, Yongwang Ding
  • Patent number: 7610019
    Abstract: An apparatus for dynamic diversity signal reception based upon receiver-side link quality assessments includes two or more antennae. At least one switch is connected to the two or more antennae. A dynamic diversity controller is connected to the at least one switch. The dynamic diversity controller includes a link quality assessor to assess link quality and generate a link characterization value. A diversity configuration selector, responsive to the link characterization value, selectively activates the at least one switch to implement a dynamic diversity configuration. The link quality assessor includes a signal strength analyzer, a modem detector, and/or a MAC layer analyzer to assess the received signal and generate the link characterization value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: DSP Group Inc.
    Inventors: Jaekyun Moon, Younggyun Kim, Barrett J. Brickner, Paul C. Edwards, Michael E. Butenhoff
  • Patent number: 7271674
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an automatic level control technique for RF amplifiers in a communication system, such as a wireless communication system. The invention provides an automatic level control technique to compensate for variations in the gain of an RF amplifier, which may be a transmitter amplifier or a receiver amplifier. In accordance with the invention, the gain of the RF amplifier can be controlled as a function of the output of a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) circuit provided in the communication system. A VCO typically includes a buffer amplifier with a structure similar to that of the RF amplifier used in the transmit or receive side of the RF front-end. By tracking changes in the output of the VCO buffer amplifier, an automatic level control (ALC) input to the RF amplifier can be adjusted to compensate for process- and temperature-based variations in amplifier gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: DSP Group Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Butenhoff, Yongwang Ding
  • Patent number: 7196573
    Abstract: Various devices, circuits and systems including filter sections for creating complex poles are described herein. For example, various circuits including transistors, tuning capacitors and resistors are described. In the circuits, the tuning capacitor is electrically coupled between the gate and source of the transistor, and the resistor is electrically coupled to the gate of the transistor. In one configuration, the circuit input is applied to the gate of the transistor via the resistor, and the output is taken from the source of the transistor. In another configuration, the input is applied to the source of the transistor, and the output is taken from the same source. In yet another configuration, the input is applied at the source of the transistor and the output is taken from the drain of the transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Bailey, Michael E. Butenhoff, Raymond Chik, Angus McLaren, William Martin Snelgrove
  • Patent number: 7146134
    Abstract: An apparatus for dynamic diversity signal reception based upon receiver-side link quality assessments includes two or more antennae. At least one switch is connected to the two or more antennae. A dynamic diversity controller is connected to the at least one switch. The dynamic diversity controller includes a link quality assessor to assess link quality and generate a link characterization value. A diversity configuration selector, responsive to the link characterization value, selectively activates the at least one switch to implement a dynamic diversity configuration. The link quality assessor includes a signal strength analyzer, a modem detector, and/or a MAC layer analyzer to assess the received signal and generate the link characterization value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: DSP Group Inc.
    Inventors: Jaekyun Moon, Younggyun Kim, Barrett J Brickner, Paul C Edwards, Michael E Butenhoff
  • Publication number: 20030153358
    Abstract: An apparatus for dynamic diversity signal reception based upon receiver-side link quality assessments includes two or more antennae. At least one switch is connected to the two or more antennae. A dynamic diversity controller is connected to the at least one switch. The dynamic diversity controller includes a link quality assessor to assess link quality and generate a link characterization value. A diversity configuration selector, responsive to the link characterization value, selectively activates the at least one switch to implement a dynamic diversity configuration. The link quality assessor includes a signal strength analyzer, a modem detector, and/or a MAC layer analyzer to assess the received signal and generate the link characterization value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventors: Jaekyun Moon, Younggyun Kim, Barrett J. Brickner, Paul C. Edwards, Michael E. Butenhoff