Abstract: A joint design to connect tubes for a space frame, where a space frame may be a vehicle chassis, is provided. The joint may connect carbon fiber tubes and may be designed with different shapes and configurations. The joint may include acceptor ports that may mate with a tube and simultaneously contact an inner surface and outer surface of the tube for a strong connection. The joint may also include centering features which may create a space between a surface of the tube and a surface of the joint through which adhesive may flow.

Abstract: An RF electronics module includes a grounding plate, a non-conductive substrate, a number of conductive vias, RF PA circuitry, and RF power detection circuitry. The non-conductive substrate is over the grounding plate. The conductive vias extend parallel to one another from a surface of the non-conductive substrate opposite the grounding plate through the non-conductive substrate to the grounding plate. The RF PA circuitry is coupled to the grounding plate through a first one of the conductive vias. The RF power detection circuitry is coupled to a second one of the conductive vias and configured to measure a signal induced in the second one of the conductive vias due to electromagnetic coupling with the first one of conductive vias. The first one of the conductive vias is adjacent to the second one of the conductive vias.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a power amplifier controller for starting up, operating, and shutting down a power amplifier. The power amplifier controller includes current sense amplifier circuitry adapted to monitor a main current of the power amplifier. A bias generator is also included and adapted to provide a predetermined standby bias voltage and an operational bias voltage based upon a main current level sensed by the current sense amplifier circuitry. The power amplifier controller further includes a sequencer adapted to control startup and shutdown sequences of the power amplifier. In at least one embodiment, the power amplifier is a gallium nitride (GaN) device, and the main current level sensed is a drain current of the GaN device. Moreover, the bias generator is a gate bias generator provided that the power amplifier is a field effect transistor (FET) device.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a joint designed to connect tubes for a space frame, where a space frame may be a vehicle chassis, is provided. The method may generate joints with variable geometry and fine features which may reduce production costs, reduce production time, and generate joints configured for highly specific applications. The joint may include centering features which may create a space between a surface of the tube and a surface of the joint through which adhesive may flow.

Abstract: A vehicle carries an energy storage system that powers mobility of the vehicle. The vehicle further carries a direct current input coupling to be connected to a direct current (DC) electrical power source, a DC output coupling, an alternating current (AC) input coupling, an AC output coupling, and electronics carried by the vehicle to control both AC and DC voltage and power levels.

Abstract: An RF electronics module includes a grounding plate, a non-conductive substrate, a number of conductive vias, RF PA circuitry, and RF power detection circuitry. The non-conductive substrate is over the grounding plate. The conductive vias extend parallel to one another from a surface of the non-conductive substrate opposite the grounding plate through the non-conductive substrate to the grounding plate. The RF PA circuitry is coupled to the grounding plate through a first one of the conductive vias. The RF power detection circuitry is coupled to a second one of the conductive vias and configured to measure a signal induced in the second one of the conductive vias due to electromagnetic coupling with the first one of conductive vias. The first one of the conductive vias is adjacent to the second one of the conductive vias.

Abstract: Radio frequency (RF) amplification devices are disclosed along with methods of providing power to an RF signal. In one embodiment, an RF amplification device includes an RF amplification circuit and a voltage regulation circuit. The RF amplification circuit includes a plurality of RF amplifier stages coupled in cascade. The voltage regulation circuit is coupled to provide a regulated voltage to a driver RF amplifier stage. The voltage regulation circuit is configured to generate the regulated voltage so that the maximum output power of the RF amplification circuit is provided approximately at a first power level while the supply voltage is above a threshold voltage level. The first power level should be within the physical capabilities of the RF amplification circuit, and thus, the RF amplification circuit is prevented from being damaged once the supply voltage is above the threshold voltage level.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to radio frequency (RF) amplification devices and methods for amplifying an RF input signal. To set the quiescent operating level of the RF output signal, a bias signal to be applied to the RF input signal is received prior to amplifying the RF input signal. The bias signal is amplified to generate the RF output signal at the quiescent operating level and a feedback signal is received that is indicative of the quiescent operating level of the RF output signal. Prior to amplifying the RF input signal, the bias signal level of the bias signal is adjusted such that the quiescent operating level is set to a reference signal level based on the feedback signal level. This allows for adjustments to be made to the quiescent operating level and maintain the quiescent operating level at a desired value.

Abstract: A differential voltage controlled current source generating one or more output currents is based upon a single external resistor. The differential voltage controlled current source may generate an output current that is proportional to a received differential voltage and a bias current with the use of a single external resistor. The technique may be used to generate multiple accurate and process independent current sources. The current sources may be a zero temperature coefficient (ZTC) current, a proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) current, or an inversely proportional to absolute temperature (NTAT) current. The output of the current sources may be inversely proportional to the resistance of the external resistor.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a power amplifier controller for starting up, operating, and shutting down a power amplifier. The power amplifier controller includes current sense amplifier circuitry adapted to monitor a main current of the power amplifier. A bias generator is also included and adapted to provide a predetermined standby bias voltage and an operational bias voltage based upon a main current level sensed by the current sense amplifier circuitry. The power amplifier controller further includes a sequencer adapted to control startup and shutdown sequences of the power amplifier. In at least one embodiment, the power amplifier is a gallium nitride (GaN) device, and the main current level sensed is a drain current of the GaN device. Moreover, the bias generator is a gate bias generator provided that the power amplifier is a field effect transistor (FET) device.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of an analog multiplier may include a voltage controlled resistance circuit, a first transistor and a second transistor, where the resistance of the voltage controlled resistance circuit is based upon a first input voltage. The current passing through the voltage controlled resistance circuit is based upon a second input voltage. The first transistor and the second transistor form a current mirror to mirror the current passing through the voltage controlled resistance circuit to provide a power supply control current to a wideband code division multiple access radio frequency power amplifier.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of an analog multiplier may include a voltage controlled resistance circuit, a first transistor and a second transistor, where the resistance of the voltage controlled resistance circuit is based upon a difference between a supply voltage and a first input voltage and a constant current supply. The current passing through the voltage controlled resistance circuit is based upon a difference between the voltage supply and a second input voltage. The first transistor may be configured to mirror the current passing through the voltage controlled resistance circuit.

Abstract: A charge-pump circuit includes at least one flying capacitor stage having a capacitor with a first terminal selectively coupled between a negative voltage input through a first electronic switch and a negative voltage output through a second electronic switch. A second terminal of the capacitor is selectively coupled between a fixed voltage node through a third electronic switch and an error signal input through a fourth electronic switch. A positive voltage source is coupled to the negative voltage output through a feedback network. A feedback amplifier having an error signal output, a reference voltage input, and a feedback input is coupled to the feedback network. A switch controller having a first clock output drives the first electronic switch and the third electronic switch, while a second clock output drives the second electronic switch and the fourth electronic switch.

Abstract: A current digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is disclosed. The current DAC includes a current reference circuit coupled between a voltage source terminal and a voltage node, wherein the current reference circuit includes a feedback node. A switchable resistor network is communicably coupled to the feedback node of the current reference circuit via a first feedback network that is adapted to equalize a first voltage across the switchable resistor network voltage with a second voltage between the feedback node and the voltage node. A current mirror includes an output node communicably coupled to the switchable resistor network via a second feedback network that is adapted to equalize an output current that flows from the output node with an input current that flows into the switchable resistor network.

Abstract: A differential voltage controlled current source generating one or more output currents is based upon a single external resistor. The differential voltage controlled current source may generate an output current that is proportional to a received differential voltage and a bias current with the use of a single external resistor. The technique may be used to generate multiple accurate and process independent current sources. The current sources may be a zero temperature coefficient (ZTC) current, a proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) current, or an inversely proportional to absolute temperature (NTAT) current. The output of the current sources may be inversely proportional to the resistance of the external resistor.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to radio frequency (RF) amplification devices and methods for amplifying an RF input signal. To set the quiescent operating level of the RF output signal, a bias signal to be applied to the RF input signal is received prior to amplifying the RF input signal. The bias signal is amplified to generate the RF output signal at the quiescent operating level and a feedback signal is received that is indicative of the quiescent operating level of the RF output signal. Prior to amplifying the RF input signal, the bias signal level of the bias signal is adjusted such that the quiescent operating level is set to a reference signal level based on the feedback signal level. This allows for adjustments to be made to the quiescent operating level and maintain the quiescent operating level at a desired value.

Abstract: A charge-pump circuit for providing a regulated negative voltage is disclosed. The charge-pump circuit includes at least one flying capacitor stage having a capacitor with a first terminal selectively coupled between a negative voltage input through a first electronic switch and a negative voltage output through a second electronic switch. A second terminal of the capacitor is selectively coupled between a fixed voltage node through a third electronic switch and an error signal input through a fourth electronic switch. A positive voltage source is coupled to the negative voltage output through a feedback network. A feedback amplifier having an error signal output, a reference voltage input, and a feedback input is coupled to the feedback network. A switch controller having a first clock output drives the first electronic switch and the third electronic switch, while a second clock output drives the second electronic switch and the fourth electronic switch.

Abstract: A differential voltage controlled current source generating one or more output currents is based upon a single external resistor. The differential voltage controlled current source may generate an output current that is proportional to a received differential voltage and a bias current with the use of a single external resistor. The technique may be used to generate multiple accurate and process independent current sources. The current sources may be a zero temperature coefficient (ZTC) current, a proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) current, or an inversely proportional to absolute temperature (NTAT) current. The output of the current sources may be inversely proportional to the resistance of the external resistor.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of an analog multiplier may include a voltage controlled resistance circuit, a first transistor and a second transistor, where the resistance of the voltage controlled resistance circuit is based upon a first input voltage. The current passing through the voltage controlled resistance circuit is based upon a second input voltage. The first transistor and the second transistor form a current mirror to mirror the current passing through the voltage controlled resistance circuit to provide a power supply control current to a wideband code division multiple access radio frequency power amplifier.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of an analog multiplier may include a voltage controlled resistance circuit, a first transistor and a second transistor, where the resistance of the voltage controlled resistance circuit is based upon a difference between a supply voltage and a first input voltage and a constant current supply. The current passing through the voltage controlled resistance circuit is based upon a difference between the voltage supply and a second input voltage. The first transistor may be configured to mirror the current passing through the voltage controlled resistance circuit.