Abstract: A method, algorithm, circuits, and/or systems for demodulation in an amplitude modulated (AM) radio receiver are disclosed. In one embodiment, a radio receiver can include an amplifier configured to receive a radio frequency (RF) input signal and a gain control signal, and provide an amplified signal, an automatic gain control (AGC) circuit configured to receive a high threshold comparator output and provide the gain control signal, a mixer configured to combine the amplified signal and a local oscillation signal and provide a mixed output, a high threshold comparator configured to compare the mixed output with a reference level and provide the high threshold comparator output, and a low threshold comparator configured to compare the mixed output with the reference level and provide an output of the radio receiver.

Abstract: A serializer includes a first stage configured to convert m-bit-wide parallel data into n-bit-wide parallel data, where n is 2x, m?2x+y, x is an integer of at least 1, and y is an integer of at least 1, where the first stage includes a memory unit configured to store the m-bit-wide parallel in response to a timing signal and a first multiplexer configured to output the n-bit-wide parallel data in response to a frequency-multiplied derivative of the timing signal, and a current mode logic (CML) multiplexer stage configured to convert the n-bit-wide parallel data into serial data on successive transitions of n phase-shifted versions of the frequency-multiplied derivative of the timing signal.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for receiving an amplitude modulated signal in one of two modes depending on the quality of the received signal. In a first mode, the amplitude modulated signal is converted directly to a baseband signal. In a second mode, the amplitude modulated signal is converted to an intermediate frequency signal. The present invention advantageously combines direct conversion and image-rejection heterodyne receiver topologies with a relatively large degree of component reuse and relatively few additional components.

Abstract: Methods, algorithms, circuits, and/or systems for serializing parallel data are disclosed. In one embodiment, a serializer can include a first stage configured to convert m-bit-wide parallel data into n-bit-wide parallel data, where n is 2x, m?2x+y, x is an integer of at least 1, and y is an integer of at least 1, where the first stage includes a memory unit configured to store the m-bit-wide parallel in response to a timing signal and a first multiplexer configured to output the n-bit-wide parallel data in response to a frequency-multiplied derivative of the timing signal, and a current mode logic (CML) multiplexer stage configured to convert the n-bit-wide parallel data into serial data on successive transitions of n phase-shifted versions of the frequency-multiplied derivative of the timing signal.

Abstract: A method, algorithm, circuits, and/or systems for demodulation in an amplitude modulated (AM) radio receiver are disclosed. In one embodiment, a radio receiver can include an amplifier configured to receive a radio frequency (RF) input signal and a gain control signal, and provide an amplified signal, an automatic gain control (AGC) circuit configured to receive a high threshold comparator output and provide the gain control signal, a mixer configured to combine the amplified signal and a local oscillation signal and provide a mixed output, a high threshold comparator configured to compare the mixed output with a reference level and provide the high threshold comparator output, and a low threshold comparator configured to compare the mixed output with the reference level and provide an output of the radio receiver.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for receiving an amplitude modulated signal in one of two modes depending on the quality of the received signal. In a first mode, the amplitude modulated signal is converted directly to a baseband signal. In a second mode, the amplitude modulated signal is converted to an intermediate frequency signal. The present invention advantageously combines direct conversion and image-rejection heterodyne receiver topologies with a relatively large degree of component reuse and relatively few additional components.

Abstract: Circuits and methods convert parallel data into a serial data stream. A serializer according to the present invention generally includes a high speed section and a low speed section. The high speed section generally comprises a tree-based serializer configured to serialize an N-bit parallel data stream, where N is a power of two. The low speed section generally includes a data bank configured to load one or more samples of an M-bit parallel input stream, and a multiplexer configured to produce the N-bit parallel data stream from the data bank. The present invention advantageously provides high speed and relatively low power serialization of M-bit parallel data streams where M is not a power of two. In particular, the present invention advantageously provides high speed and relatively low power serialization of 10-bit parallel data streams.

Abstract: Circuits and methods convert parallel data into a serial data stream. A serializer according to the present invention generally includes a high speed section and a low speed section. The high speed section generally comprises a tree-based serializer configured to serialize an N-bit parallel data stream, where N is a power of two. The low speed section generally includes a data bank configured to load one or more samples of an M-bit parallel input stream, and a multiplexer configured to produce the N-bit parallel data stream from the data bank. The present invention advantageously provides high speed and relatively low power serialization of M-bit parallel data streams where M is not a power of two. In particular, the present invention advantageously provides high speed and relatively low power serialization of 10-bit parallel data streams.

Abstract: A CML master-slave latch incorporates logic into its master latching circuitry to incorporate a multiplexing function into the flip-flop. The multiplexing logic makes use of the pull-up loads and current source of the master latching circuitry. In this manner the pull-up loads and current source typically required for a stand-alone multiplexor are eliminated. Subsequently, the size of the present hybrid master-slave latch is smaller and consumes less power than a traditional combination of an independent multiplexor and master-slave latch. Since the master latching circuitry feeds only into the slave latching circuitry, the pull-up loads and the current sources of the master latching circuitry and slave latching circuitry may be optimized separately for achieving faster performance or less power consumption.

Abstract: A differential dual-edge triggered multiplexer flip-flop configured and operated to capture a first data signal on one edge of the clock and a second data signal on the other clock edge. By so doing, the output data rate of such a flip-flop is twice that of the input data rate but clocked with half the frequency, as compared to a single-edge triggered flip-flop implementation. This reduction in clock frequency reduces power consumption, as compared to a conventional single-edge triggered flip-flop, for an identical throughput. Such a flip-flop includes two main latches that operate in complementary fashion, that is, when one is holding data, the other is providing data for sampling by the corresponding circuitry in the multiplexer of the flip-flop. In an alternate embodiment, two main latches have both data inputs tied together to accomplish the function of a regular dual-edge triggered flip-flop. In this case, a data signal is sampled and passed to the output of the multiplexer during every clock transition.

Abstract: A dual edge multiplexing flip-flop comprises a first circuit block having a first data input, a first clock signal input, a supply voltage input, and a ground connection; a second circuit block having a second data input, a second clock signal input, a supply voltage input, and a ground connection. Each circuit block is coupled to a common output node. When a common clock signal is input into the clock signal inputs, each circuit block outputs a floating voltage during one half of each clock cycle and a voltage indicative of a corresponding data input signal during the other half of each clock cycle.

Abstract: A serializer for multiplexing 2N data streams, each data stream having a frequency of f/(2N), N being a positive integer. The serializer comprises 2N?1 instances of a dual-edge multiplexer flip-flop circuit, N frequency domains including a first frequency domain having the frequency f/2N and a last frequency domain having a frequency f/2, and an output providing serialized data at frequency f clocked at half that rate. Thus, the highest clock signal frequency input into the serializer is f/2.

Abstract: A CML master-slave latch incorporates logic into its master latching circuitry to incorporate a multiplexing function into the flip-flop. The multiplexing logic makes use of the pull-up loads and current source of the master latching circuitry. In this manner the pull-up loads and current source typically required for a stand-alone multiplexor are eliminated. Subsequently, the size of the present hybrid master-slave latch is smaller and consumes less power than a traditional combination of an independent multiplexor and master-slave latch. Since the master latching circuitry feeds only into the slave latching circuitry, the pull-up loads and the current sources of the master latching circuitry and slave latching circuitry may be optimized separately for achieving faster performance or less power consumption.

Abstract: A serializer for multiplexing 2N data streams, each data stream having a frequency of f/(2N), N being a positive integer. The serializer comprises 2N-1 instances of a dual-edge multiplexer flip-flop circuit, N frequency domains including a first frequency domain having the frequency f/2N and a last frequency domain having a frequency f/2, and an output providing serialized data at frequency f clocked at half that rate. Thus, the highest clock signal frequency input into the serializer is f/2.

Abstract: A dual edge multiplexing flip-flop comprises a first circuit block having a first data input, a first clock signal input, a supply voltage input, and a ground connection; a second circuit block having a second data input, a second clock signal input, a supply voltage input, and a ground connection. Each circuit block is coupled to a common output node. When a common clock signal is input into the clock signal inputs, each circuit block outputs a floating voltage during one half of each clock cycle and a voltage indicative of a corresponding data input signal during the other half of each clock cycle.

Abstract: A fully differential phase and frequency detector utilizes a multi-function differential logic gate to implement a differential AND gate operation and provides a fully differential D-flip-flop. The multi-function differential logic gate has four inputs, which can be grouped into two pairs of true and complement signals. By selectively re-assigning the inputs to different signal pairs, the differential logic gate can be made to provide one of either simultaneous AND/NAND logic operations or simultaneous OR/NOR logic operations. The differential D-flip-flop is implemented following a master/slave configuration and is response to the true and complement forms of an input clock signal, an input reset input, and input data signal, and also provides true and complement forms of an output signal. All components within the phase and frequency detector are exemplified in CML circuit configuration.

Abstract: A fully differential phase and frequency detector utilizes a multi-function differential logic gate to implement a differential AND gate operation and provides a fully differential D-flip-flop. The multi-function differential logic gate has four inputs, which can be grouped into two pairs of true and complement signals. By selectively re-assigning the inputs to different signal pairs, the differential logic gate can be made to provide one of either simultaneous AND/NAND logic operations or simultaneous OR/NOR logic operations. The differential D-flip-flop is implemented following a master/slave configuration and is response to the true and complement forms of an input clock signal, an input reset input, and input data signal, and also provides true and complement forms of an output signal. All components within the phase and frequency detector are exemplified in CML circuit configuration.

Abstract: A fully differential phase and frequency detector utilizes a multi-function differential logic gate to implement a differential AND gate operation and provides a fully differential D-flip-flop. The multi-function differential logic gate has four inputs, which can be grouped into two pairs of true and complement signals. By selectively re-assigning the inputs to different signal pairs, the differential logic gate can be made to provide one of either simultaneous AND/NAND logic operations or simultaneous OR/NOR logic operations. The differential D-flip-flop is implemented following a master/slave configuration and is response to the true and complement forms of an input clock signal, an input reset input, and input data signal, and also provides true and complement forms of an output signal. All components within the phase and frequency detector are exemplified in CML circuit configuration.

Abstract: A fully differential phase and frequency detector utilizes a multi-function differential logic gate to implement a differential AND gate operation and provides a fully differential D-flip-flop. The multi-function differential logic gate has four inputs, which can be grouped into two pairs of true and complement signals. By selectively re-assigning the inputs to different signal pairs, the differential logic gate can be made to provide one of either simultaneous AND/NAND logic operations or simultaneous OR/NOR logic operations. The differential D-flip-flop is implemented following a master/slave configuration and is response to the true and complement forms of an input clock signal, an input reset input, and input data signal, and also provides true and complement forms of an output signal. All components within the phase and frequency detector are exemplified in CML circuit configuration.

Abstract: A fully differential phase and frequency detector utilizes a multi-function differential logic gate to implement a differential AND gate operation and provides a fully differential D-flip-flop. The multi-function differential logic gate has four inputs, which can be grouped into two pairs of true and complement signals. By selectively re-assigning the inputs to different signal pairs, the differential logic gate can be made to provide one of either simultaneous AND/NAND logic operations or simultaneous OR/NOR logic operations. The differential D-flip-flop is implemented following a master/slave configuration and is response to the true and complement forms of an input clock signal, an input reset input, and input data signal, and also provides true and complement forms of an output signal. All components within the phase and frequency detector are exemplified in CML circuit configuration.