Abstract: An automotive radar system includes multiple radar antennas and a radar front end chip. The front end chip includes a plurality of phase rotators coupled to a local oscillator, wherein each phase rotator of the plurality of phase rotators is coupled to multiple digital phase modulators; a plurality of switches that couple selectable ones of the multiple digital phase modulators to respective amplifiers, each amplifier coupled to a respective antenna output; and a controller which provides digital control signals to the plurality of phase rotators, the multiple digital phase modulators, and the plurality of switches to synthesize transmit signals for each of the multiple radar antennas.

Abstract: An automotive radar system includes multiple radar antennas and a radar front end chip. The front end chip includes a plurality of phase rotators coupled to a local oscillator, wherein each phase rotator of the plurality of phase rotators is coupled to multiple digital phase modulators; a plurality of switches that couple selectable ones of the multiple digital phase modulators to respective amplifiers, each amplifier coupled to a respective antenna output; and a controller which provides digital control signals to the plurality of phase rotators, the multiple digital phase modulators, and the plurality of switches to synthesize transmit signals for each of the multiple radar antennas.

Abstract: A radar system that can block false echoes includes: a local oscillator configured to generate a chirp signal comprising a plurality of chirps, each having a corresponding envelope; a transmitter configured to transmit a signal corresponding to the chirp signal; and a modulation circuit configured to modulate the transmitted signal by regulating a magnitude of one or more portions of the chirp envelopes in a predetermined pattern such that the radar system can discern false echoes which do not match the pattern.

Abstract: An exemplary structure has an output stage; a driver stage; and a power stage connected between the driver stage and the output stage. The power stage includes a first transistor and a second transistor connected in series between the driver stage and the output stage. The power stage also includes a third transistor and a fourth transistor connected in series between the driver stage and the output stage. An inductor has a first terminal electrically connected to a first node between the first transistor and the second transistor and a second terminal electrically connected to a second node between the third transistor and the fourth transistor. The inductor is configured to provide impedance matching between common-gate stages of the power stage.

Abstract: An automotive radar system includes multiple radar antennas and a radar front end chip. The front end chip includes a plurality of phase rotators coupled to a local oscillator, wherein each phase rotator of the plurality of phase rotators is coupled to multiple digital phase modulators; a plurality of switches that couple selectable ones of the multiple digital phase modulators to respective amplifiers, each amplifier coupled to a respective antenna output; and a controller which provides digital control signals to the plurality of phase rotators, the multiple digital phase modulators, and the plurality of switches to synthesize transmit signals for each of the multiple radar antennas.

Abstract: A radar system that can block false echoes includes: a local oscillator configured to generate a chirp signal comprising a plurality of chirps, each having a corresponding envelope; a transmitter configured to transmit a signal corresponding to the chirp signal; and a modulation circuit configured to modulate the transmitted signal by regulating a magnitude of one or more portions of the chirp envelopes in a predetermined pattern such that the radar system can discern false echoes which do not match the pattern.

Abstract: A radar detection method that comprises receiving a signal from each of one or more receive antennas, each received signal including a plurality of chirps, each received signal corresponding to a transmit signal reflected by a reflector; obtaining a range signal by downmixing each received signal with a reference chirp signal; performing a frequency transform on the range signal to obtain, for each chirp in the plurality of chirps, a set of range coefficients; compressing each set of range coefficients to obtain a plurality of compressed coefficient sets, wherein each compressed coefficient set corresponds to a set of range coefficients; storing each compressed coefficient set in a buffer; decompressing each compressed coefficient set to obtain buffered sets of range coefficients; processing the buffered sets of range coefficients to determine a range to a reflector of the transmit signal; and reporting the range to an electronic control unit.

Abstract: An automotive radar system includes multiple radar antennas and a radar front end chip. The front end chip includes a plurality of phase rotators coupled to a local oscillator, wherein each phase rotator of the plurality of phase rotators is coupled to multiple digital phase modulators; a plurality of switches that couple selectable ones of the multiple digital phase modulators to respective amplifiers, each amplifier coupled to a respective antenna output; and a controller which provides digital control signals to the plurality of phase rotators, the multiple digital phase modulators, and the plurality of switches to synthesize transmit signals for each of the multiple radar antennas.

Abstract: A radar system that can block false echoes includes: a local oscillator configured to generate a chirp signal comprising a plurality of chirps, each having a corresponding envelope; a transmitter configured to transmit a signal corresponding to the chirp signal; and a modulation circuit configured to modulate the transmitted signal by regulating a magnitude of one or more portions of the chirp envelopes in a predetermined pattern such that the radar system can discern false echoes which do not match the pattern.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first high-pass filter having an input coupled to receive a first signal and an output coupled to a first input of a first differential pair of transistors. A second high-pass filter includes an input coupled to receive a second signal and an output coupled to a second input of the first differential pair of transistors. The second signal may be a complementary signal of the first signal. A second differential pair of transistors includes control electrodes coupled to a first voltage supply terminal. A boost circuit is coupled between the second differential pair of transistors and the first voltage supply terminal. A low-pass filter is coupled between the first differential pair of transistors and the second differential pair of transistors.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first high-pass filter having an input coupled to receive a first signal and an output coupled to a first input of a first differential pair of transistors. A second high-pass filter includes an input coupled to receive a second signal and an output coupled to a second input of the first differential pair of transistors. The second signal may be a complementary signal of the first signal. A second differential pair of transistors includes control electrodes coupled to a first voltage supply terminal. A boost circuit is coupled between the second differential pair of transistors and the first voltage supply terminal. A low-pass filter is coupled between the first differential pair of transistors and the second differential pair of transistors.

Abstract: In one embodiment a universal front end module for network communications is disclosed. The module can include a mode controller coupled to components of a transmission path. A first tunable filter on a transmit path can receive a mode control signal from the mode controller and receive a signal to be transmitted and provide a filtered output signal responsive to the mode control signal and the signal to be transmitted. The mode control signal can be associated with a predetermined network protocol such as WiMax, a WiFi, a 3G LTE and a cellular standard where each standard has a predetermined operating frequency and protocol. The module can also include a tunable power amplifier to provide an amplified transmittable signal over a single transmit path can be utilized to transmit the transmittable signal in at least two different modes responsive to the mode controller.

Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods for fine control of beam steering for wide band wireless applications using a phased array of antenna elements. In one embodiment, a digitally controlled delay line delays the signal output from a modulator in each branch of multiple branches feeding multiple antennas in an array. An output of the digital delay line is input to a digital to analog converter. A second digital delay line also delays the signal within the digital to analog converter. The manner of implementation of the delays enables accurate production of a steered beam at a high data rate.

Abstract: A self-configurable amplifier and method of amplification, including an RF signal level detector having an input connected to an RF signal, and an output configured to produce a control signal responsive to a power level of the RF signal. The control signal is supplied to a parametric adjustment circuit that includes an input connected to the control signal, and an output configured to provide a negative feedback responsive to the control signal. The negative feedback is supplied to an RF amplifier that includes an input forming an input of the self-configurable amplifier, an output forming an output of the self-configurable amplifier, and a control port connected to the output of the parametric adjustment circuit, such that one or more parameters of the RF amplifier is responsive to the negative feedback.

Abstract: A self-configurable amplifier and method of amplification, including an RF signal level detector having an input connected to an RF signal, and an output configured to produce a control signal responsive to a power level of the RF signal. The control signal is supplied to a parametric adjustment circuit that includes an input connected to the control signal, and an output configured to provide a negative feedback responsive to the control signal. The negative feedback is supplied to an RF amplifier that includes an input forming an input of the self-configurable amplifier, an output forming an output of the self-configurable amplifier, and a control port connected to the output of the parametric adjustment circuit, such that one or more parameters of the RF amplifier is responsive to the negative feedback.

Abstract: An integrated balun includes a low pass filter and a high pass filter that are formed on a semiconductor chip using tunable reactive elements. The outputs of the low pass filter and the high pass filter are tied together to form the single ended output of the balun. The inputs of the low pass filter and the high pass filter form the differential inputs of the balun. The low pass filter and the high pass filter each include a number of tunable networks for achieving the tunable reactive elements. Each tunable network includes at least one switching transistor and at least one fixed value reactive elements. In at least one embodiment, dynamic biasing circuitry may be provided to improve the linearity and reduce the insertion loss of the balun.

Abstract: An integrated, multi-band radio frequency (RF) filter is capable of modifying a filter response thereof in response to control information. Switching elements within the filter can be changed between on and off conditions to modify the filter response. In one implementation, the integrated, multi-band filter is integrated on a front end module chip to be used within a multi-radio wireless device. In at least one embodiment, linearity enhancement circuitry is provided within a multi-band filter to improve linearity and reduce insertion loss.

Abstract: A flexible power amplifier can be adapted during operation for use in connection with two or more different wireless standards. In at least one embodiment, adaptations to power transistor size, RF bias current, and matching are made when a corresponding multi-standard wireless device changes the wireless standard under which it is currently operating.

Abstract: Dynamic biasing techniques are used to enhance both linearity and efficiency within a transistor power amplifier. In at least one embodiment, as the power level being processed by a transistor increases toward a saturation point, a transistor is moved from class B or class AB operation toward class A operation. This increases the linearity of operation (because class A operation is typically highly linear) without a corresponding decrease in efficiency (because efficiency typically peaks near saturation). Similarly, as the power level decreases from the saturation point, the transistor is moved from class A or class AB operation toward class B operation. This increases the efficiency (because class B operation is more efficient than class A or AB), while having little effect on linearity (because operation is moving away from saturation).

Abstract: An integrated balun includes a low pass filter and a high pass filter that are formed on a semiconductor chip using tunable reactive elements. The outputs of the low pass filter and the high pass filter are tied together to form the single ended output of the balun. The inputs of the low pass filter and the high pass filter form the differential inputs of the balun. The low pass filter and the high pass filter each include a number of tunable networks for achieving the tunable reactive elements. Each tunable network includes at least one switching transistor and at least one fixed value reactive elements. In at least one embodiment, dynamic biasing circuitry may be provided to improve the linearity and reduce the insertion loss of the balun.