Patents by Inventor Ronald C. Alford

Ronald C. Alford 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: 9264020
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving the timing alignment of non-overlapping waveforms are provided. In this regard, a representative system, among others, includes a waveform synthesizer that generates a plurality of input waveforms and inverters having inputs and outputs, wherein the inverters receive the input waveforms at the inputs of the inverters and invert the input waveforms, producing a plurality of inverted waveforms at the outputs of the inverters. The system also includes NOR gates having inputs and outputs, wherein the NOR gates receive the plurality of inverted waveforms at the inputs of the NOR gates and pass through one of the inverted waveforms at the outputs of the NOR gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: CSR Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald C. Alford
  • Publication number: 20140057586
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving the timing alignment of non-overlapping waveforms are provided. In this regard, a representative system, among others, includes a waveform synthesizer that generates a plurality of input waveforms and inverters having inputs and outputs, wherein the inverters receive the input waveforms at the inputs of the inverters and invert the input waveforms, producing a plurality of inverted waveforms at the outputs of the inverters. The system also includes NOR gates having inputs and outputs, wherein the NOR gates receive the plurality of inverted waveforms at the inputs of the NOR gates and pass through one of the inverted waveforms at the outputs of the NOR gates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: CSR TECHNOLOGY
    Inventor: Ronald C. Alford
  • Patent number: 8515381
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving the timing alignment of 25% duty cycle non-overlapping waveforms are provided. A representative system includes a waveform synthesizer that generates a plurality of 25% duty cycle input waveforms and inverters that receive the input waveforms at the inputs of the inverters and invert the input waveforms, producing a plurality of inverted waveforms at the outputs of the inverters. The system also includes NOR gates that receive the plurality of inverted waveforms at the inputs of the NOR gates and pass through one of the inverted waveforms at the outputs of the NOR gates responsive to three inverted waveforms of the plurality of inverted waveforms being at logic “0”; and mixers having inputs that receive the pass-through waveform and a first radio frequency (RF) signal, wherein the mixers combine the pass-through waveform and the RF signal into an output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: CSR Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald C. Alford
  • Publication number: 20130195225
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving the timing alignment of 25% duty cycle non-overlapping waveforms are provided. A representative system includes a waveform synthesizer that generates a plurality of 25% duty cycle input waveforms and inverters that receive the input waveforms at the inputs of the inverters and invert the input waveforms, producing a plurality of inverted waveforms at the outputs of the inverters. The system also includes NOR gates that receive the plurality of inverted waveforms at the inputs of the NOR gates and pass through one of the inverted waveforms at the outputs of the NOR gates responsive to three inverted waveforms of the plurality of inverted waveforms being at logic “0”; and mixers having inputs that receive the pass-through waveform and a first radio frequency (RF) signal, wherein the mixers combine the pass-through waveform and the RF signal into an output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: CSR TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Ronald C. Alford
  • Patent number: 7986925
    Abstract: A technique for calibrating a transceiver of a wireless communication device includes selectively coupling an output node of a transmitter of the transceiver to an input node of a receiver of the transceiver. A calibration signal is provided, from the output node of the transmitter, to the input node of the receiver. The calibration signal is down-converted, with the receiver, to provide a down-converted calibration signal. A discrete Fourier transform is performed on the down-converted calibration signal. Finally, one or more correction factors are determined based on an analysis of the discrete Fourier transform of the down-converted calibration signal. At least one of the correction factors is utilized to facilitate substantial cancellation of a direct current offset associated with the transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald C. Alford, Leo G. Dehner, Richard B. Meador, Christian J. Rotchford
  • Publication number: 20100041353
    Abstract: A technique for calibrating a transceiver of a wireless communication device includes selectively coupling an output node of a transmitter of the transceiver to an input node of a receiver of the transceiver. A calibration signal is provided, from the output node of the transmitter, to the input node of the receiver. The calibration signal is down-converted, with the receiver, to provide a down-converted calibration signal. A discrete Fourier transform is performed on the down-converted calibration signal. Finally, one or more correction factors are determined based on an analysis of the discrete Fourier transform of the down-converted calibration signal. At least one of the correction factors is utilized to facilitate substantial cancellation of a direct current offset associated with the transceiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Ronald C. Alford, Leo G. Dehner, Richard B. Meador, Christian J. Rotchford
  • Patent number: 7411466
    Abstract: An overtone crystal oscillator including a crystal, multiple amplifiers and an RC network. The crystal has a fundamental resonance frequency and at least one overtone resonance frequency. The amplifiers are coupled in series between terminals of the crystal and the RC network is coupled to the amplifiers. The amplifiers and the RC network are collectively configured to suppress oscillation of the crystal at the fundamental resonance frequency and to enable oscillation at an overtone resonance frequency of the crystal. The amplifiers and the RC network may be configured to cause a phase shift between the fundamental resonance frequency and the overtone resonance frequency. The overtone resonance frequency may be any odd harmonic of the fundamental frequency, such as a third overtone of the crystal. The overtone crystal oscillator may be integrated with CMOS processes and does not require an inductor to suppress the fundamental mode of oscillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald C. Alford
  • Patent number: 7411467
    Abstract: An overtone crystal oscillator automatic calibration system including an overtone crystal oscillator with multiple programmable resistors and multiple amplifiers with supply voltage inputs and a calibration system. The calibration system adjusts the programmable resistors and the supply voltage inputs and detects oscillation of the overtone crystal oscillator. The calibration system adjusts the programmable resistors and the supply voltage input for each of multiple sequential steps to adjust the frequency bandwidth, such as from a higher bandwidth and lower gain to a lower bandwidth at higher gain. For example, each resistance level is tested for each of multiple supply voltage levels. The range of resistances and voltages is designed to ensure oscillation at a selected overtone frequency while avoiding oscillation at a fundamental frequency of the oscillator crystal. Oscillation may be detected by a counter which counts to a predetermined count value indicating successful oscillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald C. Alford, Gary A. Kurtzman, Shobak R. Kythakyapuzha
  • Publication number: 20080068106
    Abstract: An overtone crystal oscillator automatic calibration system including an overtone crystal oscillator with multiple programmable resistors and multiple amplifiers with supply voltage inputs and a calibration system. The calibration system adjusts the programmable resistors and the supply voltage inputs and detects oscillation of the overtone crystal oscillator. The calibration system adjusts the programmable resistors and the supply voltage input for each of multiple sequential steps to adjust the frequency bandwidth, such as from a higher bandwidth and lower gain to a lower bandwidth at higher gain. For example, each resistance level is tested for each of multiple supply voltage levels. The range of resistances and voltages is designed to ensure oscillation at a selected overtone frequency while avoiding oscillation at a fundamental frequency of the oscillator crystal. Oscillation may be detected by a counter which counts to a predetermined count value indicating successful oscillation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Applicant: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
    Inventors: Ronald C. Alford, Gary A. Kurtzman, Shobak R. Kythakyapuzha
  • Publication number: 20080024239
    Abstract: An overtone crystal oscillator including a crystal, multiple amplifiers and an RC network. The crystal has a fundamental resonance frequency and at least one overtone resonance frequency. The amplifiers are coupled in series between terminals of the crystal and the RC network is coupled to the amplifiers. The amplifiers and the RC network are collectively configured to suppress oscillation of the crystal at the fundamental resonance frequency and to enable oscillation at an overtone resonance frequency of the crystal. The amplifiers and the RC network may be configured to cause a phase shift between the fundamental resonance frequency and the overtone resonance frequency. The overtone resonance frequency may be any odd harmonic of the fundamental frequency, such as a third overtone of the crystal. The overtone crystal oscillator may be integrated with CMOS processes and does not require an inductor to suppress the fundamental mode of oscillation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
    Inventor: Ronald C. Alford
  • Patent number: 6222386
    Abstract: A wideband level shift circuit (200) used with low voltage ECL or CML topologies. includes a sub-Vbe voltage reference (201) whose output voltage is offset some fraction of a diode voltage drop below a supply voltage, where the fraction is held at a constant value as the diode voltage varies with temperature. A comparator circuit (203) is attached to the reference voltage circuit (201) as well as to a current sourcing transistor and differential buffer circuit (205). The comparator circuit (203) maintains the DC potential at the output of a current sourcing transistor so that the common-mode DC level of the output signal from a differential buffer is shifted down by a fraction of a diode drop from the common-mode DC level of a wideband AC input signal. The shift circuit (200) offers the advantages of a fraction of a diode DC voltage drop with little loss of AC signal bandwidth for circuits operating from low supply voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald C. Alford, Frederick L. Martin
  • Patent number: 6018261
    Abstract: A wideband level shift circuit (200) used with low voltage ECL or CML topologies includes a sub-Vbe voltage reference (201) whose output voltage is offset some fraction of a diode voltage drop below a supply voltage, where the fraction is held at a constant value as the diode voltage varies with temperature. A comparator circuit (203) is attached to the reference voltage circuit (201) as well as to a current sourcing transistor and differential buffer circuit (205). The comparator circuit (203) maintains the DC potential at the output of a current sourcing transistor so that the common-mode DC level of the output signal from a differential buffer is shifted down by a fraction of a diode drop from the common-mode DC level of a wideband AC input signal. The shift circuit (200) offers the advantages of a fraction of a diode DC voltage drop with little loss of AC signal bandwidth for circuits operating from low supply voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald C. Alford, Frederick L. Martin
  • Patent number: 6008102
    Abstract: A three-dimensional inductor coil is fabricated on top of a semiconductor substrate. The fabrication process includes the steps of depositing a first photoresist layer (406), forming a trench therein, and filling the trench with electroplated metal (404). A second photoresist layer (408) is deposited, and first and second trenches (410) are formed therein and filled with electroplated metal (412). A third photoresist layer (416) is deposited and a trench (418) formed therein, and then filled with electroplated metal (420). The first, second, and third photoresist layers (406, 408, 416) are then removed to expose a multi-loop inductor coil (500, 550).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald C. Alford, Robert E. Stengel, Douglas H. Weisman, George W. Marlin
  • Patent number: 5515004
    Abstract: An automatic gain control circuit (100) provides precision gain control for amplified signals. An offset generator (130) generates an offset signal (132) from an output signal (108) of a variable gain amplifier, shifted according to a target signal level, and another offset signal (134) according to a base signal (106). A pulse train generator (140) compares the offset signals (108, 106) and provides a pulse train signal (142) having a particular energy content. A feedback signal (172) based on the particular energy content of the pulse train signal (142) is used to adjust the gain of the variable amplifier (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald C. Alford, Frederick L. Martin