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).
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Publication number: 20140097895Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2013Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: RF Micro Devices, Inc.Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Michael R. Kay, Philippe Gorisse
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Publication number: 20140062590Abstract: A switch mode power supply converter and a parallel amplifier are disclosed. The switch mode power supply converter is coupled to a modulated power supply output and the parallel amplifier has a parallel amplifier output coupled to the modulated power supply output. Further, the parallel amplifier has a group of output stages, such that each output stage is directly coupled to the parallel amplifier output and each output stage receives a separate supply voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2013Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: RF Micro Devices, Inc.Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Michael R. Kay, Philippe Gorisse
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Publication number: 20140055197Abstract: A power management system, which includes a parallel amplifier circuit and a switch mode power supply converter, is disclosed. The switch mode power supply converter cooperatively operates with the parallel amplifier circuit to form the power management system. The power management system operates in one of a high power modulation mode, a medium power modulation mode, and a low power average power tracking mode. Further, during the high power modulation mode and the medium power modulation mode, the power management system controls a power amplifier supply voltage to a radio frequency power amplifier to provide envelope tracking. During the low power average power tracking mode, the power management system controls the power amplifier supply voltage to the radio frequency power amplifier to provide average power tracking.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2013Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: RF Micro Devices, Inc.Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Michael R. Kay, Phillippe Gorisse, Christopher Truong Ngo
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Patent number: 8633766Abstract: Embodiments disclosed in the detailed description relate to a pseudo-envelope follower power management system including a parallel amplifier and a switch mode power supply converter cooperatively coupled to generate a power supply voltage at a power supply output coupled to a linear RF power amplifier. The parallel amplifier output is in communication with the power amplifier supply output. The parallel amplifier governs operation of the switch mode power supply converter and regulates the power amplifier supply voltage base on a VRAMP signal. The parallel amplifier circuit includes an open loop high frequency compensation assist circuit that generates a high frequency ripple compensation current based on an estimate of the high frequency ripple currents contained in a ripple current of the power inductor. The high frequency ripple compensation current is injected into the parallel amplifier circuit output to cancel out high frequency ripple currents at the power amplifier supply output.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2011Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Michael R. Kay, Philippe Gorisse
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Publication number: 20140009200Abstract: Programmable delay circuitry, which includes an input buffer circuit and variable delay circuitry, is disclosed. The variable delay circuitry includes an input stage, a correction start voltage circuit, and a variable delay capacitor. The input buffer circuit is coupled to the input stage, the correction start voltage circuit is coupled to the input stage, and the variable delay capacitor is coupled to the input stage. The programmable delay circuitry is configured to provide a fixed time delay and a variable time delay.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2013Publication date: January 9, 2014Applicant: RF Micro Devices, Inc.Inventors: Michael R. Kay, Philippe Gorisse, Nadim Khlat
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Publication number: 20140009227Abstract: A switch mode power supply converter, a parallel amplifier, and a parallel amplifier output impedance compensation circuit are disclosed. The switch mode power supply converter provides a switching voltage and generates an estimated switching voltage output, which is indicative of the switching voltage. The parallel amplifier generates a power amplifier supply voltage at a power amplifier supply output based on a compensated VRAMP signal. The parallel amplifier output impedance compensation circuit provides the compensated VRAMP signal based on a combination of a VRAMP signal and a high frequency ripple compensation signal. The high frequency ripple compensation signal is based on a difference between the VRAMP signal and the estimated switching voltage output.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2013Publication date: January 9, 2014Applicant: RF Micro Devices, Inc.Inventors: Michael R. Kay, Nadim Khlat
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Publication number: 20130328613Abstract: Circuitry, which includes a first switching transistor element having a first gate, a second switching transistor element having a second gate, a third switching transistor element having a third gate, and a fourth switching transistor element having a fourth gate, is disclosed. The first switching transistor element and the third switching transistor element are coupled in series between a first power source and a first downstream circuit. The second switching transistor element and the fourth switching transistor element are coupled in series between a second power source and the first downstream circuit. A voltage swing at the first gate and a voltage swing at the second gate are both about equal to a first voltage magnitude. A voltage swing at the third gate and a voltage swing at the fourth gate are both about equal to a second voltage magnitude.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2013Publication date: December 12, 2013Inventors: Michael R. Kay, Manbir Singh Nag, Philippe Gorisse
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Publication number: 20130307617Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2013Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: RF Micro Devices, Inc.Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Michael R. Kay
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Publication number: 20130234793Abstract: An envelope tracking power supply and transmitter control circuitry are disclosed. The transmitter control circuitry receives a first envelope power supply control signal and a second envelope power supply control signal. The envelope tracking power supply operates in one of a group of operating modes, which includes a first operating mode and a second operating mode. During both the first operating mode and the second operating mode, a first envelope power supply signal is provided to a driver stage based on the first envelope power supply control signal. During the first operating mode, a second envelope power supply signal is provided to a final stage based on the first envelope power supply control signal. However, during the second operating mode, the second envelope power supply signal is provided to the final stage based on the second envelope power supply control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2012Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicant: RF MICRO DEVICES, INC.Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Michael R. Kay, Philippe Gorisse
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Patent number: 8493141Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 19, 2011Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Michael R. Kay
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Publication number: 20130183916Abstract: Radio frequency (RF) transmitter circuitry, which includes an RF power amplifier (PA) and an envelope tracking power supply, is disclosed. The RF PA receives and amplifies an RF input signal to provide an RF transmit signal using an envelope power supply signal. The envelope tracking power supply provides the envelope power supply signal, which has switching ripple. Further, the envelope tracking power supply operates in either a normal switching ripple mode or a modified switching ripple mode, such that during the normal switching ripple mode, the envelope power supply signal has normal switching ripple, and during the modified switching ripple mode, the envelope power supply signal has modified switching ripple. When the modified switching ripple is required, the envelope tracking power supply operates in the modified switching ripple mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2012Publication date: July 18, 2013Applicant: RF MICRO DEVICES, INC.Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Michael R. Kay
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Patent number: 8463209Abstract: The described devices, systems and methods include an integrator circuit having two separate operational modes to control a power output level delivered by the power amplifier to an antenna during start of a transmission burst. The first operational mode utilizes a wide bandwidth control loop to pre-charge a capacitor of the integrator circuit, which generates a pedestal voltage delivered to the power amplifier control input. The second operational mode utilizes a lower bandwidth control loop to ensure stable operation of the control loop during normal operation of the power amplifier.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2010Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.Inventors: Michael R. Kay, Alexander Wayne Hietala, Jeffery Peter Ortiz
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Publication number: 20120313701Abstract: Embodiments disclosed in the detailed description relate to a pseudo-envelope follower power management system including a parallel amplifier and a switch mode power supply converter cooperatively coupled to generate a power supply voltage at a power supply output coupled to a linear RF power amplifier. The parallel amplifier output is in communication with the power amplifier supply output. The parallel amplifier governs operation of the switch mode power supply converter and regulates the power amplifier supply voltage base on a VRAMP signal. The parallel amplifier circuit includes an open loop high frequency compensation assist circuit that generates a high frequency ripple compensation current based on an estimate of the high frequency ripple currents contained in a ripple current of the power inductor. The high frequency ripple compensation current is injected into the parallel amplifier circuit output to cancel out high frequency ripple currents at the power amplifier supply output.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2011Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: RF MICRO DEVICES, INC.Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Michael R. Kay, Philippe Gorisse
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Publication number: 20120293253Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2011Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: RF MICRO DEVICES, INC.Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Michael R. Kay
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Patent number: 7557551Abstract: The present invention is a high efficiency AM switching voltage regulator used to provide an AM output signal to an AM RF power amplifier, wherein the AM output signal is proportional to an AM input signal. The AM output signal includes an AM output voltage and an AM supply current, which represents a sum of an AM output current and a shunt current The AM output voltage provides an envelope supply voltage to the AM RF power amplifier. The switching voltage regulator includes a switching current regulator coupled to a linear shunt voltage regulator. The switching current regulator provides AM output current for the AM RF power amplifier and a small amount of shunt current for the linear shunt voltage regulator, which regulates the AM output voltage by controlling the shunt current. The switching current regulator regulates the AM supply current in proportion to a time-averaged value of shunt current.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2006Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.Inventors: Thomas A. Somerville, Michael R. Kay, David C. Dening
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Patent number: 7233130Abstract: A system and method are provided for actively reducing ripple in a supply voltage provided by a switched mode power supply. In general, active ripple reduction circuitry operates to sense the ripple in the supply voltage to provide a signal indicative of the ripple. The signal indicative of the ripple is inverted and provided to the output of the switched mode power supply to substantially reduce or eliminate the ripple in the supply voltage.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2005Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.Inventor: Michael R. Kay
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Patent number: 7167054Abstract: Power control circuitry that is configurable as either a Low Dropout (LDO) voltage regulator or a switching DC—DC converter for controlling a variable supply voltage provided to a power amplifier of a mobile terminal is provided. The power control circuitry includes an output stage including first and second output transistors, an analog control system, and a digital control system. When in LDO voltage regulator mode, the analog control system provides an analog control signal to the first transistor based on an adjustable power control signal and a feedback signal indicative of the variable supply voltage, and the digital control system operates to disable the second output transistor. When in DC—DC converter mode, an output stage of the analog control system is disabled, and the digital control system provides binary control signals to the first and second transistors based on the adjustable power control signal and the feedback signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2004Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.Inventors: David Dening, Craig Andrews, Michael R. Kay, Jackie Johnson, Ulrik Riis Madsen
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Patent number: 7132891Abstract: A system is provided for adjusting an output power of a multi-stage power amplifier by controlling a supply voltage provided to one or more output amplifier stages of the power amplifier using a switching DC—DC converter. In general, the system includes a power amplifier including an input amplifier stage and one or more output amplifier stages coupled in series with the input amplifier stage. The one or more output amplifier stages receive a variable supply voltage from switching DC—DC conversion circuitry. The switching DC—DC conversion circuitry provides the variable supply voltage based on an adjustable power control signal. By controlling the variable supply voltage provided to the one or more output stages, the switching DC—DC conversion circuitry controls an output power of the power amplifier based on the adjustable power control signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2004Date of Patent: November 7, 2006Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.Inventors: David Dening, Ulrik R. Madsen, Victor E. Steel, Jon D. Jorgenson, Michael R. Kay
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Patent number: 6819093Abstract: The multiplication circuitry of the present invention operates to generate multiple monolithic electrical currents, all referenced to a single external resistor. A first current referenced to a first monolithic resistor, a second current referenced to a second monolithic resistor, and a third current referenced to an external resistor are used to generate an output current, which is also referenced to the external resistor. The present invention accurately generates two currents each being referenced to the single external resistor, while simultaneously minimizing the number of external connections and overall cost of producing the circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2003Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.Inventor: Michael R. Kay
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Patent number: 6683905Abstract: A common dual-mode physical layer architecture for a communications receiver is capable of receiving either frequency hopping spread spectrum signals or direct sequence spread spectrum signals. A delta-sigma modulator is configured as an oversampling A/D converter with predetermined quantization noise shaping characteristics. The respective spread spectrum signal is processed by the delta-sigma modulator and then filtered via a decimation filter such as a (sin(x))/x filter to generate a quadrature signal having sufficient resolution to meet industry standards.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2000Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.Inventors: Eric J. King, Michael R. Kay