Patents by Inventor Philippe Wu

Philippe Wu 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: 8884706
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method for use in a device having a local oscillator. The method includes performing, for the local oscillator that is disciplined by an external reference signal, while locked to the external reference signal, training at least two mathematical models of the oscillator to determine a predicted correction signal for each mathematical model based at least in part on a correction signal that is a function of the external reference signal and which is used to discipline drift in the oscillator. The method also includes selecting a mathematical model of the at least two mathematical models that results in a smallest time error when disciplining the oscillator to use when the external reference signal is unavailable and an alternative correction signal is to be used to discipline drift in the oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Charles Nicholls, Philippe Wu
  • Patent number: 8847690
    Abstract: Aspects of the embodiments include a method for synchronizing a device having an oscillator to a reference signal. A correction signal can be determined based on the reference signal. A mathematical model of the oscillator can be trained based at least upon the correction signal. A predicted correction signal for the trained mathematical model can be determined. A time error using the predicted correction signal can be generated to assess suitability of the trained mathematical model for disciplining drift in the oscillator and synchronizing the device when the reference signal is not available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Charles Nicholls, Philippe Wu
  • Patent number: 8674778
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting oscillator frequency drift due to crystal aging. Correction signals that reflect a difference between an oscillator timing signal and a reference timing signal over a reference timing signal interval are modeled so that auxiliary correction signals can be generated in the event of loss of the reference timing signal. A temperature curve is generated to model how temperature variation impacts oscillator frequency drift. A rate of frequency drift due to crystal aging is also determined. During loss of a reference timing signal, auxiliary correction signals can be generated to maintain the oscillator at a desired frequency until the reference timing signal becomes available again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. T. Nicholls, Philippe Wu
  • Publication number: 20130046497
    Abstract: Aspects of the embodiments include a method for synchronizing a device having an oscillator to a reference signal. A correction signal can be determined based on the reference signal. A mathematical model of the oscillator can be trained based at least upon the correction signal. A predicted correction signal for the trained mathematical model can be determined. A time error using the predicted correction signal can be generated to assess suitability of the trained mathematical model for disciplining drift in the oscillator and synchronizing the device when the reference signal is not available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventors: Charles Nicholls, Philippe Wu
  • Publication number: 20110169577
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method for use in a device having a local oscillator. The method includes performing, for the local oscillator that is disciplined by an external reference signal, while locked to the external reference signal, training at least two mathematical models of the oscillator to determine a predicted correction signal for each mathematical model based at least in part on a correction signal that is a function of the external reference signal and which is used to discipline drift in the oscillator. The method also includes selecting a mathematical model of the at least two mathematical models that results in a smallest time error when disciplining the oscillator to use when the external reference signal is unavailable and an alternative correction signal is to be used to discipline drift in the oscillator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: NORTEL NETWORKS LIMITED
    Inventors: CHARLES NICHOLLS, PHILIPPE WU
  • Patent number: 7915962
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method for use in a device having a local oscillator. The method includes performing, for the local oscillator that is disciplined by an external reference signal, while locked to the external reference signal, training at least two mathematical models of the oscillator to determine a predicted correction signal for each mathematical model based at least in part on a correction signal that is a function of the external reference signal and which is used to discipline drift in the oscillator. The method also includes selecting a mathematical model of the at least two mathematical models that results in a smallest time error when disciplining the oscillator to use when the external reference signal is unavailable and an alternative correction signal is to be used to discipline drift in the oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Charles Nicholls, Philippe Wu
  • Publication number: 20110001567
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method for use in a device having a local oscillator. The method includes performing, for the local oscillator that is disciplined by an external reference signal, while locked to the external reference signal, training at least two mathematical models of the oscillator to determine a predicted correction signal for each mathematical model based at least in part on a correction signal that is a function of the external reference signal and which is used to discipline drift in the oscillator. The method also includes selecting a mathematical model of the at least two mathematical models that results in a smallest time error when disciplining the oscillator to use when the external reference signal is unavailable and an alternative correction signal is to be used to discipline drift in the oscillator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: NORTEL NETWORKS LIMITED
    Inventors: CHARLES NICHOLLS, PHILIPPE WU
  • Publication number: 20090278616
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting oscillator frequency drift due to crystal aging. Correction signals that reflect a difference between an oscillator timing signal and a reference timing signal over a reference timing signal interval are modeled so that auxiliary correction signals can be generated in the event of loss of the reference timing signal. A temperature curve is generated to model how temperature variation impacts oscillator frequency drift. A rate of frequency drift due to crystal aging is also determined. During loss of a reference timing signal, auxiliary correction signals can be generated to maintain the oscillator at a desired frequency until the reference timing signal becomes available again.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: NORTEL NETWORKS LIMITED
    Inventors: Charles W. T. Nicholls, Philippe Wu
  • Patent number: 7015762
    Abstract: A reference timing signal apparatus with a phase-locked loop (PLL) has a computer algorithm which adaptively models the multiple frequencies of an oscillator following a training period. The oscillator is part of a PLL and the oscillation frequency thereof is controlled in response to the phase detector output. The computer algorithm processes the control signal applied to the oscillator. The computer algorithm updates the characteristics of the model relating to the aging and temperature of the oscillator, using for example, a Kalman filter as an adaptive filter, in accordance with a cumulative phase error in the PLL calculated during a given time interval. By the algorithm, the subsequent model predicts the future frequency state of the oscillator on which it was trained. The predicted frequency of the model functions as a reference to correct the frequency of the oscillator in the event that no input reference timing signal is available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Charles Nicholls, Philippe Wu, Gregory Carleton, Steve Beaudin
  • Patent number: 6711230
    Abstract: An input reference timing signal oscillator of a phase-locked loop has a computer algorithm which adaptively models the multiple frequencies of an oscillator following a training period. The oscillator is part of a phase-locked loop and the oscillation frequency thereof is controlled in response to the phase detector output. The computer algorithm processes the control signal applied to the oscillator. The computer algorithm updates the characteristics of the model relating to the aging and temperature of the oscillator, using for example, a Kalman filter as an adaptive filter. By the algorithm, the subsequent model predicts the future frequency state of the oscillator on which it was trained. The predicted frequency of the model functions as a reference to correct the frequency of the oscillator in the event that no input reference timing signal is available. With the model updating algorithm, oscillators of low stability performance may be used as cellular base station reference oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Charles Nicholls, Gregory Carleton, Philippe Wu, Yu Yang, Eric Gagnon
  • Patent number: 6661895
    Abstract: A zero-delay structure to be used in sub-band echo cancellation systems. In telecommunications, a delay is usually introduced in sub-band decomposition and/or sub-band reconstruction. This invention will help remove this. This structure not only removes the delay but does not sacrifice the performance of the echo canceller. It is to be used in combination with any sub-band-based echo canceller or wavelet echo canceller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Zarlink Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Qu Jin, Kon Max Wong, Qiang Wu, Philippe Wu, Gordon J. Reesor