Abstract: Techniques and apparatus for transitioning between various operating modes for a switched-mode power supply (SMPS) in a wireless local area network (WLAN) device powered by a coin cell battery in an effort to maintain performance and functionality of the WLAN device and efficiency of the SMPS. One example apparatus is an integrated circuit (IC) for power management. The IC generally includes: a first port for coupling to a battery and a first terminal of a capacitive element; a second port for coupling to a second terminal of the capacitive element; a SMPS having an input coupled to the first port; and a switch coupled between the second port and a reference potential node for the IC.

Abstract: An amplifier may include a first transistor. The amplifier may also include a second transistor coupled to the first transistor in an output stage of the amplifier. The amplifier may also include a level shift resistor coupled between a gate of the first transistor and a gate of the second transistor. The amplifier may further include a feedback bias circuit coupled to the gate of the first transistor and the gate of the second transistor through the level shift resistor. The feedback bias circuit may be configured to sense a common mode voltage of the output stage of the amplifier, and to compare the common mode voltage with a reference voltage to control a resistor bias current conducted by the level shift resistor.

Abstract: An amplifier may include a first transistor. The amplifier may also include a second transistor coupled to the first transistor in an output stage of the amplifier. The amplifier may also include a level shift resistor coupled between a gate of the first transistor and a gate of the second transistor. The amplifier may further include a feedback bias circuit coupled to the gate of the first transistor and the gate of the second transistor through the level shift resistor. The feedback bias circuit may be configured to sense a common mode voltage of the output stage of the amplifier, and to compare the common mode voltage with a reference voltage to control a resistor bias current conducted by the level shift resistor.

Abstract: Techniques for improving coverage of an antenna system are disclosed. In an aspect, a wireless device includes a 3-D antenna system to improve coverage and enhance performance. The 3-D antenna system includes antenna elements formed on multiple planes pointing in different spatial directions. Antenna elements formed on the multiple planes are associated with different antenna beams, which can provide a larger line-of-sight (LOS) coverage for the wireless device. Beamforming may be performed for the antennas on a given plane to further improve LOS coverage. Non-LOS (NLOS) coverage may also improve since antenna beams pointing in different spatial directions may result in reflected signals of higher power levels due to better signal reflection for some antenna beams.

Abstract: A method for inductively coupled communication is described. The method includes generating a first signal. The first signal frequency is a first integer multiple of a carrier frequency for inductively coupled communication. The method also includes selecting between a standalone mode and a coexistence mode. The method further includes dividing the first signal to obtain a second signal when in standalone mode. The second signal frequency is a second integer multiple of the carrier frequency. The method additionally includes dividing the first signal to obtain a third signal when in coexistence mode. The third signal frequency is a third integer multiple of the carrier frequency. The method also includes generating an inductively coupled communication signal using at least one of the second signal and the third signal.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for inductive communication are provided in connection with providing mechanisms for detecting a remote NFC device without excessive power consumption. In one example, a communications device is equipped to monitor frequency oscillations associated with a NFC antenna using a calibrated LPO, determine that a number of occurrences of the frequency oscillations from a reference frequency is greater than a frequency deviation threshold, and perform a NFC polling procedure in response to the determination.

Abstract: A method calibrates a spread spectrum receiver having a received signal strength below a noise floor. The method includes estimating an input noise power, and measuring a noise power output from the receiver. The method also includes comparing the estimated input noise power with the measured output noise power to determine at least one calibration value. The method further includes calibrating the receiver based upon the at least one calibration value.

Abstract: A phased array architecture configured for current reuse is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a current mode phase rotator (PR) module configured to generate phase shifted in-phase (I) and quadrature-phase (Q) current signals, and a current mode residual sideband (RSB) correction module configured to correct residual sideband error associated with the phase shifted I and Q current signals. The RSB correction module and the PR module form a phased array element configured to reuse a DC supply current.

Abstract: A method for inductively coupled communication is described. The method includes generating a first signal. The first signal frequency is a first integer multiple of a carrier frequency for inductively coupled communication. The method also includes selecting between a standalone mode and a coexistence mode. The method further includes dividing the first signal to obtain a second signal when in standalone mode. The second signal frequency is a second integer multiple of the carrier frequency. The method additionally includes dividing the first signal to obtain a third signal when in coexistence mode. The third signal frequency is a third integer multiple of the carrier frequency. The method also includes generating an inductively coupled communication signal using at least one of the second signal and the third signal.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless and/or inductive communications are provided in connection with improving remote NFC device detection through use of an oscillator circuit connected to an NFC antenna and matching network. In one example, a communications device is equipped to monitor frequency oscillations generated by an oscillator circuit associated with a transmitter path of a NFC antenna and matching network, determine that a number of occurrences of the frequency oscillations from a reference frequency is greater than a frequency deviation threshold, and perform a NFC polling procedure in response to the determination.

Abstract: A method includes providing a first local oscillator signal having a first duty cycle to a first mixer unit and providing a second local oscillator signal having a second duty cycle to a second mixer unit. At least one of the first duty cycle or the second duty cycle is greater than fifty percent. A frequency of the first local oscillator signal approximately equals a frequency of the second local oscillator signal. The method may also include generating a modulated output signal based on an output signal of the first mixer unit and based on an output signal of the second mixer unit.

Abstract: A device includes a first hybrid, where a first input of the first hybrid is coupled to an output of a first amplifier configured to receive a first input signal. A first input of a second hybrid is coupled to an output of a second amplifier configured to receive a second input signal. The device includes a first phase shifter configured to receive the first input signal and a second phase shifter configured to receive the second input signal. An output of the first phase shifter is coupled to an input of a third amplifier, and an output of the third amplifier is coupled to a second input of the second hybrid. An output of the second phase shifter is coupled to an input of a fourth amplifier, and an output of the fourth amplifier is coupled to a second input of the first hybrid.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a method of generating in-phase (I) and quadrature-phase (Q) signals includes generating a first I output signal based on a first I input signal, a second I input signal, a first Q input signal, and a second Q input signal. The method further includes generating a second I output signal based on the first I input signal, the second I input signal, the first Q input signal, and the second Q input signal. A first Q output signal is generated based on the first I input signal, the second I input signal, the first Q input signal, and the second Q input signal. A second Q output signal is generated based on the first I input signal, the second I input signal, the first Q input signal, and the second Q input signal. According to further embodiments, an apparatus is disclosed.

Abstract: A novel Doherty amplifier with improved efficiency is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment an apparatus includes a phase shifter configured to generate a phase shifted first millimeter (MM) wave signal based on a selected phase shift, and a hybrid plus coupler comprising output terminals and configured to adjust output power levels at the output terminals based on combinations of the phase shifted first MM wave signal and a second MM wave signal.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to beamforming. A device may include a plurality of inputs for receiving differential in-phase and quadrature data. The device may further include a plurality of switching elements coupled to the plurality of inputs and configured to enable for rotation of the differential in-phase and quadrature data at baseband.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for inductive communication are provided in connection with providing mechanisms for detecting a remote NFC device without excessive power consumption. In one example, a communications device is equipped to monitor frequency oscillations associated with a NFC antenna using a calibrated LPO, determine that a number of occurrences of the frequency oscillations from a reference frequency is greater than a frequency deviation threshold, and perform a NFC polling procedure in response to the determination.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless and/or inductive communications are provided in connection with improving remote NFC device detection through use of an oscillator circuit connected to an NFC antenna and matching network. In one example, a communications device is equipped to monitor frequency oscillations generated by an oscillator circuit associated with a transmitter path of a NFC antenna and matching network, determine that a number of occurrences of the frequency oscillations from a reference frequency is greater than a frequency deviation threshold, and perform a NFC polling procedure in response to the determination.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a method of generating in-phase (I) and quadrature-phase (Q) signals includes generating a first I output signal based on a first I input signal, a second I input signal, a first Q input signal, and a second Q input signal. The method further includes generating a second I output signal based on the first I input signal, the second I input signal, the first Q input signal, and the second Q input signal. A first Q output signal is generated based on the first I input signal, the second I input signal, the first Q input signal, and the second Q input signal. A second Q output signal is generated based on the first I input signal, the second I input signal, the first Q input signal, and the second Q input signal. According to further embodiments, an apparatus is disclosed.

Abstract: A method includes providing a first local oscillator signal having a first duty cycle to a first mixer unit and providing a second local oscillator signal having a second duty cycle to a second mixer unit. At least one of the first duty cycle or the second duty cycle is greater than fifty percent. A frequency of the first local oscillator signal approximately equals a frequency of the second local oscillator signal. The method may also include generating a modulated output signal based on an output signal of the first mixer unit and based on an output signal of the second mixer unit.

Abstract: A device includes a first hybrid, where a first input of the first hybrid is coupled to an output of a first amplifier configured to receive a first input signal. A first input of a second hybrid is coupled to an output of a second amplifier configured to receive a second input signal. The device includes a first phase shifter configured to receive the first input signal and a second phase shifter configured to receive the second input signal. An output of the first phase shifter is coupled to an input of a third amplifier, and an output of the third amplifier is coupled to a second input of the second hybrid. An output of the second phase shifter is coupled to an input of a fourth amplifier, and an output of the fourth amplifier is coupled to a second input of the first hybrid.