Abstract: Circuits and methods for using in parallel amplification and signal combining are described herein. A circuit uses a digitally controlled multistage cascade combiner, a digital phase and drive signal amplifier controller and a digital combiner controller circuit with N parallel signals with constant amplitudes belonging to an alphabet with M discrete values and discrete phases feeding it. The signals resulting from N power amplifiers (PAs) have also constant amplitudes belonging to an alphabet with N discrete values and discrete phases prior to being fed to the multistage combiner. A digital combiner controller circuit generates digital control information to activate, or deactivate, the outputs of the PAs, where a set of digital control signals generated in digital combiner controller are used to control sets of switches, where the signals can be activated at the combiner's inputs, according to their power and phase values.

Abstract: Circuits and methods for using in parallel amplification and signal combining are described herein. A circuit uses a digitally controlled multistage cascade combiner, a digital phase and drive signal amplifier controller and a digital combiner controller circuit with N parallel signals with constant amplitudes belonging to an alphabet with M discrete values and discrete phases feeding it. The signals resulting from N power amplifiers (PAs) have also constant amplitudes belonging to an alphabet with N discrete values and discrete phases prior to being fed to the multistage combiner. A digital combiner controller circuit generates digital control information to activate, or deactivate, the outputs of the PAs, where a set of digital control signals generated in digital combiner controller are used to control sets of switches, where the signals can be activated at the combiner's inputs, according to their power and phase values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decomposition of signals with varying envelope into offset components are disclosed here, that sample the time variant envelope of a single carrier (SC) or a multi-carrier (MC) band limited signal, quantizes the sampled value using Nb quantization bits and decomposes the sample into Nb in-phase and quadrature components that are combined in pairs and modulated to generate a set of Nb offset signals. The pulse shape applied in each offset signal is selected according to the spectral mask needed for the signal and to minimize envelope fluctuations in each offset signal from the set of Nb components.

Abstract: Methods and systems for power amplification with digital quantized power supply with multiple amplifiers are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, In one embodiment, a time-varying envelope signal is sampled, quantized and decomposed into several constituent signals that are individually amplified, and then combined to form a desired amplified version of the quantized time-varying envelope. Amplitude, phase and/or frequency characteristics of one or more of the signals and supply voltages Vdd and source current of one or more amplifiers are digital controlled based on the information provided by quantization process and slow and fast power control information. Amplitude, phase and/or frequency characteristics of one or more of the constituent signals to be amplified are controlled to provide the desired amplitude, phase, frequency, and/or spectral characteristics of the desired quantized version of the time-varying envelope signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for power amplification of time varying envelope signals are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a plurality of signals with constant envelope generated from the decomposition of the quantized version of a time varying envelope signal are individually amplified and then summed to form a desired time-varying envelope signal. Amplitude, phase and frequency characteristics of one or more of the constituent signals are controlled to provide the desired phase, frequency, and/or amplitude characteristics of the desired time varying envelope signal. In another embodiment, a time-varying envelope signal is decomposed into in-phase and quadrature components that are quantized and decomposed into a plurality of quasi constant or constant envelope constituent signals. The constituent signals are amplified, and then summed to construct an amplified version of the original time-varying envelope signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for power amplification with digital quantized power supply with multiple amplifiers are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, In one embodiment, a time-varying envelope signal is sampled, quantized and decomposed into several constituent signals that are individually amplified, and then combined to form a desired amplified version of the quantized time-varying envelope. Amplitude, phase and/or frequency characteristics of one or more of the signals and supply voltages Vdd and source current of one or more amplifiers are digital controlled based on the information provided by quantization process and slow and fast power control information. Amplitude, phase and/or frequency characteristics of one or more of the constituent signals to be amplified are controlled to provide the desired amplitude, phase, frequency, and/or spectral characteristics of the desired quantized version of the time-varying envelope signal.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a mechanical device for joint distraction of the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) comprising an upper arm (19) and lower arm (20) joined in a pivotal zone by a mechanical and pivoting component (5) and by a spring (6) or mechanical component between the arms (19) (20). Each arm has a handle (1) of the upper arm (19) and a handle (4) of the lower arm (20). Each arm has an intraoral mouth end for contact with dental surfaces: the upper arm (19) has a tray (2) with a flat support surface for the maxillary teeth flanked by a containment flap (11) of the upper tray; the lower arm (20) has a curvature until its end, with a customized surface (3) for supporting the lower teeth. It presents a mechanical component (13) that limits the extent of movement and force applied by the patient or clinician.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decomposition of signals with varying envelope into offset components are disclosed here, that sample the time variant envelope of a single carrier (SC) or a multi-carrier (MC) band limited signal, quantizes the sampled value using Nb quantization bits and decomposes the sample into Nb in-phase and quadrature components that are combined in pairs and modulated to generate a set of Nb offset signals. The pulse shape applied in each offset signal is selected according to the spectral mask needed for the signal and to minimize envelope fluctuations in each offset signal from the set of Nb components.

Abstract: Methods and systems for power amplification of time varying envelope signals are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a plurality of signals with constant envelope generated from the decomposition of the quantized version of a time varying envelope signal are individually amplified and then summed to form a desired time-varying envelope signal. Amplitude, phase and frequency characteristics of one or more of the constituent signals are controlled to provide the desired phase, frequency, and/or amplitude characteristics of the desired time varying envelope signal. In another embodiment, a time-varying envelope signal is decomposed into in-phase and quadrature components that are quantized and decomposed into a plurality of quasi constant or constant envelope constituent signals. The constituent signals are amplified, and then summed to construct an amplified version of the original time-varying envelope signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for RSS/AoA target 3-D localization in wireless networks and wireless sensor networks (WSNs), utilizing combined measurements of received signal strength (RSS) and angle of arrival (AoA) are disclosed herein. By using the spherical coordinate conversion and available AoA observations to establish new relationships between the measurements and the unknown target location, a simple closed-form solution is developed. The method disclosed herein has a straightforward adaptation to the case where the target's transmit power is also not known. A representative set of simulations and experiments verify the potential performance improvement realized with embodiments of the method for RSS/AoA target 3-D localization in wireless networks.

Abstract: An apparatus for quantized linear amplification with nonlinear amplifiers that performs a linear amplification of variable-envelope single carrier (SC) or multi-carrier (MC) bandpass signals, based on sampled and quantized versions of its complex envelope, where the quantizer generates Nb bits that are mapped into Nm?Nb polar components, in which the quantized symbol can be decomposed, that are modulated as Nm constant or quasi constant envelope signals and where each one is amplified by a nonlinear amplifier.

Abstract: An apparatus for quantized linear amplification with nonlinear amplifiers that performs a linear amplification of variable-envelope single carrier (SC) or multi-carrier (MC) bandpass signals, based on sampled and quantized versions of its complex envelope, where the quantizer generates Nb bits that are mapped into Nm?Nb polar components, in which the quantized symbol can be decomposed, that are modulated as Nm constant or quasi constant envelope signals and where each one is amplified by a nonlinear amplifier.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for RSS/AoA target 3-D localization in wireless networks and wireless sensor networks (WSNs), utilizing combined measurements of received signal strength (RSS) and angle of arrival (AoA) are disclosed herein. By using the spherical coordinate conversion and available AoA observations to establish new relationships between the measurements and the unknown target location, a simple closed-form solution is developed. The method disclosed herein has a straightforward adaptation to the case where the target's transmit power is also not known. A representative set of simulations and experiments verify the potential performance improvement realized with embodiments of the method for RSS/AoA target 3-D localization in wireless networks.

Abstract: To anchor a fixture in a jaw bone, the fixture is applied in a hole which is substantially smaller than the diameter of the fixture. The fixture has a front portion which from the point of view of diameter grows very much narrower and which is arranged with both a cutting function and a threading function. The fixture is provided with a thread, with one, two or more thread turns extending down along the greatly narrowing portion while substantially maintaining their thread profile. One or more porous layers arranged on the thread turns can also be included. In this way the fixture can exploit the clamping effect from the soft parts of the jaw bone and still effectively penetrate through any hard parts possibly present in the jaw bone, without these hard parts being pressed inward upon fixture application. An effective fusion of the fixture in the jaw bone is achieved with the aid of said porous outer layers.