Patents by Inventor Michael W. Rawlins

Michael W. Rawlins 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: 8447248
    Abstract: Methods and systems for vector combining power amplification are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a plurality of signals are individually amplified, then summed to form a desired time-varying complex envelope signal. Phase and/or frequency characteristics of one or more of the signals are controlled to provide the desired phase, frequency, and/or amplitude characteristics of the desired time-varying complex envelope signal. In another embodiment, a time-varying complex envelope signal is decomposed into a plurality of constant envelope constituent signals. The constituent signals are amplified equally or substantially equally, and then summed to construct an amplified version of the original time-varying envelope signal. Embodiments also perform frequency up-conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Parkervision, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Gregory S. Rawlins, Michael W. Rawlins
  • Patent number: 8446994
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for reducing DC offsets in a communication system are described. In a first aspect, a feedback loop circuit reduces DC offset in a wireless local area network (WLAN) receiver channel. The frequency response of the feedback loop circuit can be variable. In a second aspect, a circuit provides gain control in a WLAN receiver channel. The stored DC offset is subtracted from the receiver channel. First and second automatic gain control (AGC) amplifiers are coupled in respective portions of the receiver channel. In a third aspect, a feedback loop circuit reduces DC offset in a WLAN receiver channel. The feedback loop circuit includes a storage element that samples and stores receiver channel DC offset. The loop is opened, and the DC offset stored in the storage element is subtracted from the receiver channel. Circuits for monitoring DC offset, and for providing control signals for controlling the frequency response of the DC offset reducing circuits are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory S. Rawlins, Kevin Brown, Michael W. Rawlins, David F. Sorrells
  • Publication number: 20130122846
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for down-converting an electromagnetic (EM) signal by aliasing the EM signal, and applications thereof are described herein. Reducing or eliminating DC offset voltages and re-radiation generated when down-converting an electromagnetic (EM) signal is also described herein. Down-converting a signal and improving receiver dynamic range is also described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: ParkerVision, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Michael J. Bultman, Robert W. Cook, Jonathan S. Jensen, Martin R. Johnson, JR., Richard C. Looke, Charley D. Moses, JR., Gregory S. Rawlins, Michael W. Rawlins, Robert T. Short, Jamison L. Young
  • Publication number: 20130109338
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for down-converting and up-converting an electromagnetic signal. In embodiments, the invention operates by receiving an electromagnetic signal and recursively operating on approximate half cycles of a carrier signal. The recursive operations can be performed at a sub-harmonic rate of the carrier signal. The invention accumulates the results of the recursive operations and uses the accumulated results to form a down-converted signal. In embodiments, up-conversion is accomplished by controlling a switch with an oscillating signal, the frequency of the oscillating signal being selected as a sub-harmonic of the desired output frequency. When the invention is being used in the frequency modulation or phase modulation implementations, the oscillating signal is modulated by an information signal before it causes the switch to gate a bias signal. The output of the switch is filtered, and the desired harmonic is output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: PARKERVISION, INC.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Michael J. Bultman, Robert W. Cook, Richard C. Looke, Charley D. Moses, JR., Gregory S. Rawlins, Michael W. Rawlins
  • Patent number: 8433264
    Abstract: Methods and systems for vector combining power amplification are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a plurality of signals are individually amplified, then summed to form a desired time-varying complex envelope signal. Phase and/or frequency characteristics of one or more of the signals are controlled to provide the desired phase, frequency, and/or amplitude characteristics of the desired time-varying complex envelope signal. In another embodiment, a time-varying complex envelope signal is decomposed into a plurality of constant envelope constituent signals. The constituent signals are amplified equally or substantially equally, and then summed to construct an amplified version of the original time-varying envelope signal. Embodiments also perform frequency up-conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Gregory S. Rawlins, Michael W. Rawlins
  • Publication number: 20130101064
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses, and combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for down-converting an electromagnetic (EM) signal are described herein. Briefly stated, in embodiments the invention operates by receiving an EM signal and recursively operating on approximate half cycles (½, 1½, 2½, etc) of the carrier signal. The recursive operations can be performed at a sub-harmonic rate of the carrier signal. The invention accumulates the results of the recursive operations and uses the accumulated results to form a down-converted signal. In an embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to an intermediate frequency (IF) signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to a basehand information signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is a frequency modulated (FM) signal, which is down-converted to a non-FM signal, such as a phase modulated (PM) signal or an amplitude modulated (AM) signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: PARKERVISION, INC.
    Inventors: David F. SORRELLS, Michael J. BULTMAN, Robert W. COOK, Richard C. LOOKE, Charley D. MOSES, JR., Gregory S. RAWLINS, Michael W. RAWLINS
  • Patent number: 8428527
    Abstract: Methods and systems for vector combining power amplification are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a plurality of signals are individually amplified, then summed to form a desired time-varying complex envelope signal. Phase and/or frequency characteristics of one or more of the signals are controlled to provide the desired phase, frequency, and/or amplitude characteristics of the desired time-varying complex envelope signal. In another embodiment, a time-varying complex envelope signal is decomposed into a plurality of constant envelope constituent signals. The constituent signals are amplified equally or substantially equally, and then summed to construct an amplified version of the original time-varying envelope signal. Embodiments also perform frequency up-conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Gregory S. Rawlins, Michael W. Rawlins
  • Patent number: 8406711
    Abstract: Methods and systems for vector combining power amplification are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a plurality of signals are individually amplified, then summed to form a desired time-varying complex envelope signal. Phase and/or frequency characteristics of one or more of the signals are controlled to provide the desired phase, frequency, and/or amplitude characteristics of the desired time-varying complex envelope signal. In another embodiment, a time-varying complex envelope signal is decomposed into a plurality of constant envelope constituent signals. The constituent signals are amplified equally or substantially equally, and then summed to construct an amplified version of the original time-varying envelope signal. Embodiments also perform frequency up-conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Gregory S. Rawlins, Michael W. Rawlins
  • Publication number: 20130038389
    Abstract: Methods and systems for vector combining power amplification are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a plurality of signals are individually amplified, then summed to form a desired time-varying complex envelope signal. Phase and/or frequency characteristics of one or more of the signals are controlled to provide the desired phase, frequency, and/or amplitude characteristics of the desired time-varying complex envelope signal. In another embodiment, a time-varying complex envelope signal is decomposed into a plurality of constant envelope constituent signals. The constituent signals are amplified equally or substantially equally, and then summed to construct an amplified version of the original time-varying envelope signal. Embodiments also perform frequency up-conversion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: ParkerVision, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. SORRELLS, Gregory S. RAWLINS, Michael W. RAWLINS
  • Publication number: 20130033313
    Abstract: Methods and systems for vector combining power amplification are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a plurality of signals are individually amplified, then summed to form a desired time-varying complex envelope signal. Phase and/or frequency characteristics of one or more of the signals are controlled to provide the desired phase, frequency, and/or amplitude characteristics of the desired time-varying complex envelope signal. In another embodiment, a time-varying complex envelope signal is decomposed into a plurality of constant envelope constituent signals. The constituent signals are amplified equally or substantially equally, and then summed to construct an amplified version of the original time-varying envelope signal. Embodiments also perform frequency up-conversion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: Parker Vision, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. SORRELLS, Gregory S. Rawlins, Michael W. Rawlins
  • Publication number: 20130027128
    Abstract: Methods and systems for vector combining power amplification are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a plurality of signals are individually amplified, then summed to form a desired time-varying complex envelope signal. Phase and/or frequency characteristics of one or more of the signals are controlled to provide the desired phase, frequency, and/or amplitude characteristics of the desired time-varying complex envelope signal. In another embodiment, a time-varying complex envelope signal is decomposed into a plurality of constant envelope constituent signals. The constituent signals are amplified equally or substantially equally, and then summed to construct an amplified version of the original time-varying envelope signal. Embodiments also perform frequency up-conversion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: ParkerVision, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Gregory S. Rawlins, Michael W. Rawlins
  • Patent number: 8351870
    Abstract: Methods and systems for vector combining power amplification are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a plurality of signals are individually amplified, then summed to form a desired time-varying complex envelope signal. Phase and/or frequency characteristics of one or more of the signals are controlled to provide the desired phase, frequency, and/or amplitude characteristics of the desired time-varying complex envelope signal. In another embodiment, a time-varying complex envelope signal is decomposed into a plurality of constant envelope constituent signals. The constituent signals are amplified equally or substantially equally, and then summed to construct an amplified version of the original time-varying envelope signal. Embodiments also perform frequency up-conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Gregory S. Rawlins, Michael W. Rawlins
  • Patent number: 8340618
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses, and combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for down-converting an electromagnetic (EM) signal are described herein. Briefly stated, in embodiments the invention operates by receiving an EM signal and recursively operating on approximate half cycles (½, 1½, 2½, etc.) of the carrier signal. The recursive operations can be performed at a sub-harmonic rate of the carrier signal. The invention accumulates the results of the recursive operations and uses the accumulated results to form a down-converted signal. In an embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to an intermediate frequency (IF) signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to a baseband information signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is a frequency modulated (FM) signal, which is down-converted to a non-FM signal, such as a phase modulated (PM) signal or an amplitude modulated (AM) signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Michael J. Bultman, Robert W. Cook, Richard C. Looke, Charley D. Moses, Gregory S. Rawlins, Michael W. Rawlins
  • Patent number: 8334722
    Abstract: Methods and systems for vector combining power amplification are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a plurality of signals are individually amplified, then summed to form a desired time-varying complex envelope signal. Phase and/or frequency characteristics of one or more of the signals are controlled to provide the desired phase, frequency, and/or amplitude characteristics of the desired time-varying complex envelope signal. In another embodiment, a time-varying complex envelope signal is decomposed into a plurality of constant envelope constituent signals. The constituent signals are amplified equally or substantially equally, and then summed to construct an amplified version of the original time-varying envelope signal. Embodiments also perform frequency up-conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Gregory S. Rawlins, Michael W. Rawlins
  • Patent number: 8315336
    Abstract: Methods and systems for vector combining power amplification are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a plurality of signals are individually amplified, then summed to form a desired time-varying complex envelope signal. Phase and/or frequency characteristics of one or more of the signals are controlled to provide the desired phase, frequency, and/or amplitude characteristics of the desired time-varying complex envelope signal. In another embodiment, a time-varying complex envelope signal is decomposed into a plurality of constant envelope constituent signals. The constituent signals are amplified equally or substantially equally, and then summed to construct an amplified version of the original time-varying envelope signal. Embodiments also perform frequency up-conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Gregory S. Rawlins, Michael W. Rawlins
  • Patent number: 8295800
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for down-converting and up-converting an electromagnetic signal. In embodiments, the invention operates by receiving an electromagnetic signal and recursively operating on approximate half cycles of a carrier signal. The recursive operations can be performed at a sub-harmonic rate of the carrier signal. The invention accumulates the results of the recursive operations and uses the accumulated results to form a down-converted signal. In embodiments, up-conversion is accomplished by controlling a switch with an oscillating signal, the frequency of the oscillating signal being selected as a sub-harmonic of the desired output frequency. When the invention is being used in the frequency modulation or phase modulation implementations, the oscillating signal is modulated by an information signal before it causes the switch to gate a bias signal. The output of the switch is filtered, and the desired harmonic is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Michael J. Bultman, Robert W. Cook, Richard C. Looke, Charley D. Moses, Jr., Gregory S. Rawlins, Michael W. Rawlins
  • Publication number: 20120256684
    Abstract: Methods and systems for vector combining power amplification are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a plurality of signals is individually amplified, then summed to form a desired time-varying complex envelope signal. Phase and/or frequency characteristics of one or more of the signals are controlled to provide the desired phase, frequency, and/or amplitude characteristics of the desired time-varying complex envelope signal. In another embodiment, a time-varying complex envelope signal is decomposed into a plurality of constant envelope constituent signals. The constituent signals are amplified equally or substantially equally, and then summed to construct an amplified version of the original time-varying envelope signal. Embodiments also perform frequency up-conversion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: ParkerVision, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Gregory S. Rawlins, Michael W. Rawlins
  • Patent number: 8280321
    Abstract: Methods and systems for vector combining power amplification are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a plurality of signals are individually amplified, then summed to form a desired time-varying complex envelope signal. Phase and/or frequency characteristics of one or more of the signals are controlled to provide the desired phase, frequency, and/or amplitude characteristics of the desired time-varying complex envelope signal. In another embodiment, a time-varying complex envelope signal is decomposed into a plurality of constant envelope constituent signals. The constituent signals are amplified equally or substantially equally, and then summed to construct an amplified version of the original time-varying envelope signal. Embodiments also perform frequency up-conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Gregory S. Rawlins, Michael W. Rawlins
  • Publication number: 20120243637
    Abstract: Methods and systems for vector combining power amplification are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a plurality of signals are individually amplified, then summed to form a desired time-varying complex envelope signal. Phase and/or frequency characteristics of one or more of the signals are controlled to provide the desired phase, frequency, and/or amplitude characteristics of the desired time-varying complex envelope signal. In another embodiment, a time-varying complex envelope signal is decomposed into a plurality of constant envelope constituent signals. The constituent signals are amplified equally or substantially equally, and then summed to construct an amplified version of the original time-varying envelope signal. Embodiments also perform frequency up-conversion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: ParkerVision, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Gregory S. Rawlins, Michael W. Rawlins
  • Publication number: 20120243643
    Abstract: A balanced transmitter up-converts I and Q baseband signals directly from baseband-to-RF. The up-conversion process is sufficiently linear that no IF processing is required, even in communications applications that have stringent requirements on spectral growth. In operation, the balanced modulator sub-harmonically samples the I and Q baseband signals in a balanced and differential manner, resulting in harmonically rich signal. The harmonically rich signal contains multiple harmonic images that repeat at multiples of the sampling frequency, where each harmonic contains necessary information to reconstruct the I and Q baseband signals. The differential sampling is performed according to control signals that are phase shifted with respect to each other. The control signals may have pulse widths (or apertures) that operate to improve energy transfer to a desired harmonic in the harmonically rich signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: ParkerVision, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. SORRELLS, Michael J. Bultman, Robert W. Cook, Richad C. Looke, Charley D. Moses, JR., Gregory S. Rawlins, Michael W. Rawlins