Patents by Inventor Michael R. Kay

Michael R. Kay 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: 9819335
    Abstract: Circuitry, which includes a parallel amplifier and a switching supply, is disclosed. The parallel amplifier regulates a power supply output voltage based on a power supply control signal and provides a current sense signal, which is representative of a parallel amplifier output current from the parallel amplifier. The switching supply is coupled to the parallel amplifier. The switching supply provides a switching output voltage and makes an early determination of the switching output voltage using the current sense signal and the power supply control signal to at least partially compensate for delay in the switching supply. Additionally, the switching supply drives the parallel amplifier output current toward zero using the switching output voltage to increase efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Michael R. Kay
  • Publication number: 20170288612
    Abstract: An envelope tracking power supply, which includes a parallel amplifier, switching circuitry, and a parallel switching supply, is disclosed. The envelope tracking power supply provides an envelope power supply signal to a load. The parallel amplifier regulates an envelope power supply voltage of the envelope power supply signal based on a setpoint of the envelope power supply voltage. The switching circuitry at least partially provides the envelope power supply signal via a first inductive element and drives an output current from the parallel amplifier toward zero. The parallel switching supply provides an assist current to further drive the output current from the parallel amplifier toward zero based on an estimate of a current in the first inductive element and an estimate of a current in the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Baker Scott, Michael R. Kay
  • Publication number: 20170250653
    Abstract: A dual-mode envelope tracking (ET) power management circuit is provided. An ET amplifier(s) in the dual-mode ET power management circuit is capable of supporting normal-power user equipment (NPUE) mode and high-power user equipment (HPUE) mode. In the NPUE mode, the ET amplifier(s) amplifies a radio frequency (RF) signal(s) to an NPUE voltage based on a supply voltage for transmission in an NPUE output power. In the HPUE mode, the ET amplifier(s) amplifies the RF signal(s) to an HPUE voltage higher than the NPUE voltage based on a boosted supply voltage higher than the supply voltage for transmission in an HPUE output power higher than the NPUE output power. The ET amplifier(s) maintains a constant load line between the NPUE mode and the HPUE mode. By maintaining the constant load line, it is possible to maintain efficiency of the ET amplifier(s) in both the NPUE mode and the HPUE mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Andrew F. Folkmann, Michael R. Kay, Philippe Gorisse
  • Publication number: 20170207705
    Abstract: A buck-boost DC-DC converter, which includes converter control circuitry, converter switching circuitry, and a first inductive element, is disclosed. The converter control circuitry provides a buck mode timing signal and a boost mode timing signal. The converter switching circuitry provides a switching output signal. During a buck mode of the buck-boost DC-DC converter, when a buck pulse-width of the switching output signal is less than a buck pulse-width threshold, the buck pulse-width is limited based on both the buck mode timing signal and the boost mode timing signal. During a boost mode of the buck-boost DC-DC converter, when a boost pulse-width of the switching output signal is less than a boost pulse-width threshold, the boost pulse-width is limited based on both the buck mode timing signal and the boost mode timing signal. The first inductive element receives and filters the switching output signal to provide a converter output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Michael R. Kay, Manbir Singh Nag
  • Publication number: 20170179888
    Abstract: A PA power supply, which includes a first ET power supply, power supply control circuitry, a first PMOS switching element, and a second PMOS switching element, is disclosed. During a first operating mode, the power supply control circuitry selects an OFF state of the first PMOS switching element, selects an ON state of the second PMOS switching element, and adjusts a voltage of a first switch control signal to maintain the OFF state of the first PMOS switching element using a voltage at a source of the first PMOS switching element and a voltage at a drain of the first PMOS switching element; the PA power supply provides a first PA power supply signal; and the first ET power supply provides a first ET power supply signal, such that the first PA power supply signal is based on the first ET power supply signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Manbir Singh Nag, Michael R. Kay, Philippe Gorisse, Nadim Khlat
  • Patent number: 9634620
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to envelope tracking with reduced circuit area and power consumption. In one embodiment, an envelope power converter includes a switching power converter configured to receive a supply voltage and provide an output based on a switching control signal. A holding inductor is coupled between the switching power converter and envelope power supply output node. An offset capacitor is coupled between the envelope power supply output node and control node. In response to a target envelope power supply output voltage, a control circuit is configured to generate the switching control signal and a control voltage to maintain envelope power supply signal at target voltage level. The control circuit is configured to generate switching control signal and control voltage such that supply voltage is provided by switching power converter to holding inductor and offset capacitor is charged to target level without changing voltage of envelope power supply signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Michael R. Kay
  • Patent number: 9627975
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a modulated power supply system having a switching converter with an output terminal for supplying modulated power to a load. The modulated power supply system also includes a controller adapted to transition the switching converter between a buck mode and a boost mode in response to a detection of at least one predetermined condition associated with the output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Michael R. Kay
  • Patent number: 9621113
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed in the detailed description relate to a pseudo-envelope follower power management system used to manage the power delivered to a linear RF power amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Michael R. Kay
  • Patent number: 9614443
    Abstract: A buck-boost DC-DC converter, which includes converter control circuitry, converter switching circuitry, and a first inductive element, is disclosed. The converter control circuitry provides a buck mode timing signal and a boost mode timing signal. The converter switching circuitry provides a switching output signal. During a buck mode of the buck-boost DC-DC converter, when a buck pulse-width of the switching output signal is less than a buck pulse-width threshold, the buck pulse-width is limited based on both the buck mode timing signal and the boost mode timing signal. During a boost mode of the buck-boost DC-DC converter, when a boost pulse-width of the switching output signal is less than a boost pulse-width threshold, the boost pulse-width is limited based on both the buck mode timing signal and the boost mode timing signal. The first inductive element receives and filters the switching output signal to provide a converter output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Kay, Manbir Singh Nag
  • Patent number: 9553547
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed in the detailed description relate to a pseudo-envelope follower power management system used to manage the power delivered to a linear RF power amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Michael R. Kay
  • Publication number: 20170006544
    Abstract: Dual-output power converter circuitry includes an input node, a first output node, a second output node, a number of capacitive elements, and a number of switching elements. The switching elements are coupled between the input node, the first output node, the second output node, and the capacitive elements. In operation, the switching elements charge and discharge the capacitive elements such that a power supply output voltage is provided asynchronously to the first output node and the second output node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Michael R. Kay
  • Publication number: 20160365836
    Abstract: Circuitry, which includes a parallel amplifier and a switching supply, is disclosed. The parallel amplifier regulates a power supply output voltage based on a power supply control signal and provides a current sense signal, which is representative of a parallel amplifier output current from the parallel amplifier. The switching supply is coupled to the parallel amplifier. The switching supply provides a switching output voltage and makes an early determination of the switching output voltage using the current sense signal and the power supply control signal to at least partially compensate for delay in the switching supply. Additionally, the switching supply drives the parallel amplifier output current toward zero using the switching output voltage to increase efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Michael R. Kay
  • Patent number: 9516693
    Abstract: Envelope power supply circuitry is operated in one of an off-state, a standby-state, and a transmit-state. In the standby-state, select components in envelope power converter circuitry in the envelope power supply circuitry are turned on in order to charge one or more inductive and/or capacitive elements therein to a maximum value necessary for supporting transmission of signals about a maximum output power. Accordingly, the envelope power supply circuitry is able to prepare to support transmission about any output power without knowing the output power ahead of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Michael R. Kay
  • Patent number: 9515612
    Abstract: A parallel amplifier and an offset capacitance voltage control loop are disclosed. The parallel amplifier has a parallel amplifier output, which is coupled to an envelope tracking power supply output via an offset capacitive element. The offset capacitive element has an offset capacitive voltage. The offset capacitance voltage control loop regulates the offset capacitive voltage, which is adjustable on a communications slot-to-communications slot basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Michael R. Kay, Manbir Singh Nag
  • Patent number: 9494962
    Abstract: Embodiments of circuitry, which includes power supply switching circuitry and a first inductive element, are disclosed. The power supply switching circuitry has a first switching output and a second switching output. The first inductive element is coupled between the first switching output and a power supply output. The power supply switching circuitry operates in one of a first operating mode and a second operating mode. During the first operating mode, the first switching output is voltage compatible with the second switching output. During the second operating mode, the first switching output is allowed to be voltage incompatible with the second switching output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Michael R. Kay
  • Patent number: 9479118
    Abstract: Power supply circuitry, which includes a parallel amplifier and a parallel amplifier power supply, is disclosed. The power supply circuitry operates in either an average power tracking mode or an envelope tracking mode. The parallel amplifier power supply provides a parallel amplifier power supply signal. The parallel amplifier regulates an envelope power supply voltage based on an envelope power supply control signal using the parallel amplifier power supply signal, which provides power for amplification. During the envelope tracking mode, the envelope power supply voltage at least partially tracks an envelope of an RF transmit signal and the parallel amplifier power supply signal at least partially tracks the envelope power supply control signal. During the average power tracking mode, the envelope power supply voltage does not track the envelope of the RF transmit signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Baker Scott, Michael R. Kay
  • Patent number: 9459645
    Abstract: Embodiments of circuitry, which includes power supply switching circuitry and a first inductive element, are disclosed. The power supply switching circuitry has a first switching output and a second switching output. The first inductive element is coupled between the first switching output and a power supply output. The power supply switching circuitry operates in one of a first operating mode and a second operating mode. During the first operating mode, the first switching output is voltage compatible with the second switching output. During the second operating mode, the first switching output is allowed to be voltage incompatible with the second switching output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Michael R. Kay
  • Patent number: 9450539
    Abstract: A parallel amplifier and an offset capacitance voltage control loop are disclosed. The parallel amplifier has a parallel amplifier output, which is coupled to an envelope tracking power supply output via an offset capacitive element. The offset capacitive element has an offset capacitive voltage. The offset capacitance voltage control loop regulates the offset capacitive voltage, which is adjustable on a communications slot-to-communications slot basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Michael R. Kay, Manbir Singh Nag
  • Patent number: 9444407
    Abstract: Power supply circuitry, which includes a parallel amplifier and a parallel amplifier power supply, is disclosed. The power supply circuitry operates in either an average power tracking mode or an envelope tracking mode. The parallel amplifier power supply provides a parallel amplifier power supply signal. The parallel amplifier regulates an envelope power supply voltage based on an envelope power supply control signal using the parallel amplifier power supply signal, which provides power for amplification. During the envelope tracking mode, the envelope power supply voltage at least partially tracks an envelope of an RF transmit signal and the parallel amplifier power supply signal at least partially tracks the envelope power supply control signal. During the average power tracking mode, the envelope power supply voltage does not track the envelope of the RF transmit signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Baker Scott, Michael R. Kay
  • Patent number: 9431974
    Abstract: A switch mode power supply converter and a feedback delay compensation circuit are disclosed. The switch mode power supply converter has a switching voltage output and provides a switching voltage at the switching voltage output, such that a target voltage for a power amplifier supply voltage at a power amplifier supply output is based on the switching voltage. Further, the switching voltage is based on an early indication of a change of the target voltage. The feedback delay compensation circuit provides the early indication of the change of the target voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Michael R. Kay, Philippe Gorisse