Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating an antenna array. The apparatus includes first and second couplers, a calibration transceiver, and a controller. The first coupler operably is connected to a first number of antennas. The second coupler is operably connected to a second number of antennas. The calibration transceiver is operably connected to the first and second couplers via a common path. The controller is configured to perform calibration on at least one or more transmit/receive paths for the second number of antennas based on at least one or more signals received from or transmitted to the first and second couplers via the common path by the calibration transceiver. The first and second numbers of antennas may each include only one antenna, or the first and second numbers of antennas may each be a group of multiple antennas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating an antenna array. The apparatus includes first and second couplers, a calibration transceiver, and a controller. The first coupler operably is connected to a first number of antennas. The second coupler is operably connected to a second number of antennas. The calibration transceiver is operably connected to the first and second couplers via a common path. The controller is configured to perform calibration on at least one or more transmit/receive paths for the second number of antennas based on at least one or more signals received from or transmitted to the first and second couplers via the common path by the calibration transceiver. The first and second numbers of antennas may each include only one antenna, or the first and second numbers of antennas may each be a group of multiple antennas.

Abstract: A multi-band radio operates in a wireless network. The multi-band radio includes a receiver configured to receive a signal. A switch in the receiver is configured to route a signal having a frequency within a first band of frequencies to a first path and a second band of frequencies to a second path. A mixer in the receiver is positioned along the second path. The mixer in the receiver configured to convert a signal having a frequency within the second band of frequencies into a signal having an intermediate frequency within the first band of frequencies.

Abstract: A power device that includes a printed circuit board having one or more dielectric and copper layers between a top and a bottom metal layer. The power device includes an area extending through all metal and dielectric layers of the printed circuit board except the bottom metal layer. A semiconductor device is positioned within the area and mounted to the bottom metal layer of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: For use in a wireless network, a tunable power amplifier circuit includes a power amplifier transistor and a plurality of laminate MEMS (microelectromechanical system) capacitors coupled to the power amplifier transistor. The laminate MEMS capacitors are arranged in a tunable matching network and configured to provide a matching impedance for the power amplifier transistor. In some embodiments, the laminate MEMS capacitors are arranged in a binary array.

Abstract: For use in a wireless network, a tunable power amplifier circuit includes a power amplifier transistor and a plurality of laminate MEMS (microelectromechanical system) capacitors coupled to the power amplifier transistor. The laminate MEMS capacitors are arranged in a tunable matching network and configured to provide a matching impedance for the power amplifier transistor. In some embodiments, the laminate MEMS capacitors are arranged in a binary array.

Abstract: A multi-band radio operates in a wireless network. The multi-band radio includes a receiver configured to receive a signal. A switch in the receiver is configured to route a signal having a frequency within a first band of frequencies to a first path and a second band of frequencies to a second path. A mixer in the receiver is positioned along the second path. The mixer in the receiver configured to convert a signal having a frequency within the second band of frequencies into a signal having an intermediate frequency within the first band of frequencies.

Abstract: A system for suppressing transmission channel noise in a signal transmission/reception device—particularly a time division duplex (TDD) wireless communications device—is provided. The system provides one or more shunt elements, instantiated at some point along the device's signal transmission channel. One or more attenuation elements are also instantiated at some point along the signal transmission channel, as are one or more disabling elements. A trigger signal indicates when the device is shifting from signal transmission operation (or mode) to signal reception operation. Responsive to assertion of the trigger signal, the shunt, attenuation and disabling elements are activated.

Abstract: A system for suppressing transmission channel noise in a signal transmission/reception device—particularly a time division duplex (TDD) wireless communications device—is provided. The system provides one or more shunt elements, instantiated at some point along the device's signal transmission channel. One or more attenuation elements are also instantiated at some point along the signal transmission channel, as are one or more disabling elements. A trigger signal indicates when the device is shifting from signal transmission operation (or mode) to signal reception operation. Responsive to assertion of the trigger signal, the shunt, attenuation and disabling elements are activated.

Abstract: A transmit-receive (T/R) switch for coupling a TDD transceiver to an antenna. The T/R switch comprises 1) a first circulator having a first port for receiving a transmit signal from the transceiver during transmit mode, a second port for sending the transmit signal to the antenna during transmit mode and receiving a received signal from the antenna during receive mode, and a third port for sending the received signal towards the transceiver during receive mode. The T/R switch further comprises 2) a second circulator having a first port for receiving the received signal from the third port of the first circulator during receive mode and a second port for sending the received signal towards the transceiver during receive mode, and 3) a termination load coupled to a third port of the second circulator. The circulators divert RF energy reflected from the antenna during transmit mode into the termination load.

Abstract: An RF transmitter having an RF power amplifier comprising: 1) a drive transistor that receives an input RF signal and generates an output RF signal; and 2) a drain bias adaptation circuit for supplying drain current to the drive transistor. The drain bias adaptation circuit comprises: i) a first switch for coupling the drive transistor drain to a system supply voltage; ii) a second switch for coupling the drive transistor drain to a high supply voltage that is greater than the system supply voltage; iii) a first bypass capacitor coupled to the first switch for reducing noise in the drain current when the first switch is closed and the second switch is open; and iv) a second bypass capacitor coupled to the second switch for reducing noise in the drain current when the second switch is closed and the first switch is open.

Abstract: An apparatus for coupling a first base transceiver subsystem (BTS) and a second base transceiver subsystem (BTS) of a wireless network to a first antenna and a second antenna associated with a to cell site of the wireless network. The apparatus comprises: 1) a first interface circuit for coupling a main receive path and a main transmit path of the first BTS to the first antenna; and 2) a second interface circuit for coupling a main receive path and a main transmit path of the second BTS to the second antenna and coupling a diversity receive path of the first BTS to the second antenna.

Abstract: There is disclosed for use in a base station power amplifier a first and second amplifier stage for amplifying a received RF signal. A controller is provided that samples the incoming signal to determine its power level. If the signal power level is below a predetermined threshold, the controller directs the signal to the first amplifier stage which provides low power amplification. If the signal is above the threshold, the controller passes the signal to the second amplifier stage for high power amplification. Power efficiency is increased and DC power is reduced by switching off the unused amplifier stage.

Abstract: There is disclosed for use in a base station power amplifier a first and second amplifier stage for amplifying a received RF signal. A controller is provided that samples the incoming signal to determine its power level. If the signal power level is below a predetermined threshold, the controller directs the signal to the first amplifier stage which provides low power amplification. If the signal is above the threshold, the controller passes the signal to the second amplifier stage for high power amplification. Power efficiency is increased and DC power is reduced by switching off the unused amplifier stage.