Abstract: A monolithic radio integrated circuit includes a substrate, a set of one or more analog subcircuits on the substrate, a programmable bias current supply on the substrate coupled to the set to provide bias currents to the analog subcircuits of the set including programmable bias currents to one or more analog subcircuits forming a first subset of the set, and a digital subsection coupled to the programmable bias supply to determine the bias currents supplied to the analog subcircuits of the first subset, such that one or more characteristics of the radio integrated circuit are modifiable by programming the programmable bias supply.

Abstract: A monolithic radio integrated circuit includes a substrate, a set of one or more analog subcircuits on the substrate, a programmable bias current supply on the substrate coupled to the set to provide bias currents to the analog subcircuits of the set including programmable bias currents to one or more analog subcircuits forming a first subset of the set, and a digital subsection coupled to the programmable bias supply to determine the bias currents supplied to the analog subcircuits of the first subset, such that one or more characteristics of the radio integrated circuit are modifiable by programming the programmable bias supply.

Abstract: A frequency synthesizer, a calibrator thereof, and an operating controller thereof are described. The synthesizer comprises a main charge pump that drives a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) through a loop filter. The calibrator includes a second, replica charge pump that can also drive the VCO, but is set up to output only its maximum or minimum analog output control voltage. Since the construction and characteristics of the replica charge pump duplicate the main charge pump, the main charge pump's minimum and maximum analog control outputs can be cloned out to the VCO on demand. A VCO calibration procedure therefore includes switching the VCO to each of its ranges set by a bank of fixed capacitors, and using the replica charge pump to drive the VCO to its minimum and maximum frequency for each range setting.

Abstract: A frequency synthesizer, a calibrator thereof, and an operating controller thereof are described. The synthesizer comprises a main charge pump that drives a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) through a loop filter. The calibrator includes a second, replica charge pump that can also drive the VCO, but is set up to output only its maximum or minimum analog output control voltage. Since the construction and characteristics of the replica charge pump duplicate the main charge pump, the main charge pump's minimum and maximum analog control outputs can be cloned out to the VCO on demand. A VCO calibration procedure therefore includes switching the VCO to each of its ranges set by a bank of fixed capacitors, and using the replica charge pump to drive the VCO to its minimum and maximum frequency for each range setting.

Abstract: A frequency synthesizer, a calibrator thereof, and an operating controller thereof are described. The synthesizer comprises a main charge pump that drives a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) through a loop filter. The calibrator includes a second, replica charge pump that can also drive the VCO, but is set up to output only its maximum or minimum analog output control voltage. Since the construction and characteristics of the replica charge pump duplicate the main charge pump, the main charge pump's minimum and maximum analog control outputs can be cloned out to the VCO on demand. A VCO calibration procedure therefore includes switching the VCO to each of its ranges set by a bank of fixed capacitors, and using the replica charge pump to drive the VCO to its minimum and maximum frequency for each range setting.