Patents by Inventor Normand T. Lemay

Normand T. Lemay 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: 7184466
    Abstract: A data conveyance integrated system that can be utilized in a base station and/or end user devices in a wireless communication system. The integrated system includes first and second integrated circuits (ICs). The first IC includes a first serial-deserial (SERDES) module, a transmit radio frequency module, and a receive radio frequency module. The transmit and receive radio frequency modules provide the wireless communication between the base stations and end user devices. The second IC includes a second SERDES module and a programmable logic fabric programmed to implement one or more wireless communication functions. Accordingly, the programmable logic fabric generates outbound digital signals from data (e.g., video, audio, control, or text data) provided to the device, and/or processes inbound digital signals to recapture the originally transmitted data. Thus, base stations and/or end user devices within a wireless communication system can be readily reconfigured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian K. Seemann, Brian T. Brunn, Normand T. Lemay, Jr., Daniel J. Ferris, III, Thomas Anthony Lee, James M. Simkins, David B. Squires
  • Patent number: 7133648
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for a bidirectional transceiver cell is described. Each bidirectional transceiver cell has a transmitter and a receiver, where the transmitter and the receiver share a phase-locked loop. The bidirectional transceiver cell is configured to act as either a transmitter or a receiver. The bidirectional transceiver cell is for multi-gigabit data rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Moises E. Robinson, Normand T. Lemay, Jr., William C. Black
  • Patent number: 6417729
    Abstract: The present invention presents a closed loop system that utilizes a non-linear reference to control a power amplifier's output power in order to obtain a linear transfer function of dB per adjustment step of a reference input. The closed loop system demonstrates that each non-linear stage/step in an automatic gain control system can create a linear closed loop system when using a non-linear reference. The closed loop system of the present invention eliminates the need for a linearization circuit for the system's power detector. The closed loop system may be used with most power amplifiers when linear control in terms of dB vs. adjustment setting of the input reference signal is desired. Output power in terms of dBms can be accurately set in linear steps where power control over a wide dynamic range is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: Normand T. Lemay, Brian T. Brunn, John W. MacConnell, Eric Sadowski, Eric W. Lofstad
  • Patent number: 6392486
    Abstract: With emergence of Bluetooth™ and other wireless standards, it has become increasingly desirable and practical to use low-cost wireless links, instead of cables, between devices, such as computers, printers, and personal digital assistants. Vital to these wireless links are the amplifiers that receive transmitted signals. One amplifier form, known as a common-gate amplifier, generally includes bias circuitry that requires large areas of an integrated-circuit chip or increases power usage and adds noise. Accordingly, the inventor devised an exemplary common-gate amplifier that includes an inductor coupled between the gate and drain of an amplifying transistor. The inductor acts as a short circuit at low frequencies, forcing the transistor to function at these frequencies as a diode and thus reduces the need for further bias circuitry. Other inventive embodiments include wireless receivers, transceivers, programmable integrated circuits, and electronic devices that incorporate the exemplary amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventor: Normand T. Lemay, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6373236
    Abstract: A temperature compensated power detector generally comprises a detector circuit portion, which includes a detector diode, and a temperature compensation circuit portion, which includes a temperature compensation diode, that is operably connected to the detector circuit portion. The detector diode and the temperature compensation diode are connected in DC series with each other and develop substantially identical voltage drops. The detector circuit portion operates to detect a voltage from a power input. However, the detected voltage is subject to alteration due to temperature variations. The temperature compensation circuit portion develops a voltage that is also subject to alteration due to temperature variations. The temperature altered voltage of the temperature compensation circuit portion is used to cancel out the temperature altered voltage of the detector circuit portion allowing the power detector to produce a true voltage output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: Normand T. Lemay, Jr., Eric Sadowski
  • Patent number: 6321074
    Abstract: The invention discloses an apparatus and method for reducing frequency pulling. Further, the invention provides amplitude modulation techniques to eliminate spurious signals and injection locking of the VCO to the output transmitted carrier. The architecture includes at least one synthesizer, a plurality of frequency dividers, an output VCO, a low pass filter, a mixer, a pretransmission filter and an amplifier connected in a manner to generate an output frequency which is non-harmonically related to the synthesizer VCO and to maintain the magnitude of the output frequency at, preferably, exactly 1.5 times higher than the VCO frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventor: Normand T. Lemay
  • Patent number: 6297708
    Abstract: The oscillator of the present invention generally comprises a resonating device that is directly coupled to ground and a circuit portion. The circuit portion is operably coupled to the resonating device and includes a first transistor and a second transistor. The first transistor provides DC feedback to the second transistor and enables a temperature independent bias current through said second transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventor: Normand T. Lemay