Abstract: An RSSI circuit provides a relatively inexpensive technique for accurately measuring received signal strength over a wide dynamic range. A received signal is processed by a rectifier circuit that generates a series of DC offsets of increasing magnitude. The DC offsets are imposed on a first polarity of the received signal to create a series of outputs that are the first polarity of the received signal with increasing DC offsets. Each of the outputs is coupled to one input of a weighted comparator with the other input of the comparator coupled to a second and opposite polarity of the received signal with no offset. The comparators provide an inactive output so long as the amplitude of the second polarity of the received signal is greater than the amplitude of the first polarity with the DC offset. The comparators provide an active output when the amplitude of the received signal of the first polarity overcomes the offset to exceed the amplitude of the received signal of the second polarity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for frequency shift-keying (FSK) demodulation includes processing that begins by generating a charge signal, a data acquisition signal, and a reset signal from an I component and a Q component of an FSK modulated signal. The processing continues by generating a delta frequency signal based on the charge signal, the data acquisition signal, and the reset signal. The delta frequency signal is representative of the frequency difference used within the FSK modulation to indicate a logic 1 and a logic 0. The processing then continues by demodulating the delta frequency signal to recapture a stream of data.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention described and shown in the specification and drawings is a transceiver with a receiver, a transmitter, a local oscillator (LO) generator, a controller, and a self-testing unit. All of these components can be packaged for integration into a single IC including components such as filters and inductors. The controller for adaptive programming and calibration of the receiver, transmitter and LO generator. The self-testing unit generates is used to determine the gain, frequency characteristics, selectivity, noise floor, and distortion behavior of the receiver, transmitter and LO generator. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: An RSSI circuit provides a relatively inexpensive technique for accurately measuring received signal strength over a wide dynamic range. A received signal is processed by a rectifier circuit that generates a series of DC offsets of increasing magnitude. The DC offsets are imposed on a first polarity of the received signal to create a series of outputs that are the first polarity of the received signal with increasing DC offsets. Each of the outputs is coupled to one input of a weighted comparator with the other input of the comparator coupled to a second and opposite polarity of the received signal with no offset. The comparators determine when overlap occurs to indicate particular signal levels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for frequency shift-keying (FSK) demodulation includes processing that begins by generating a charge signal, a data acquisition signal, and a reset signal from an I component and a Q component of an FSK modulated signal. The processing continues by generating a delta frequency signal based on the charge signal, the data acquisition signal, and the reset signal. The delta frequency signal is representative of the frequency difference used within the FSK modulation to indicate a logic 1 and a logic 0. The processing then continues by demodulating the delta frequency signal to recapture a stream of data.

Abstract: A high output power radio frequency integrated circuit includes an up conversion module, a plurality of drivers and a plurality of integrated circuit pads. The up conversion module is operably coupled to convert a low intermediate frequency (IF) signal into a radio frequency (RF) signal. The plurality of drivers are operably coupled to receive the RF signal and to produce separate RF drive signals therefrom. The plurality of integrated circuit pads are coupled to the plurality of drivers to provide the separate RF drive signals to external components of the RFIC.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for direct tuning of a component embedded within an integrated circuit includes processing that begins by providing a plurality of frequency dependent control input signals to an input of the integrated circuit. The processing continues for each of the plurality of frequency dependent control input signals by incrementally adjusting the power level of each frequency dependent controlled input signal until the signal strength of an output of the integrated circuit is at a desired signal strength level. The corresponding power level is recorded to produce an adjusted power level for the frequency dependent control input signal. The adjusted power level of each of the plurality of frequency dependent control input signals is plotted to produce a signal strength to frequency relationship. The processing continues by comparing the signal strength to frequency relationship with a desired signal strength to frequency relationship.

Abstract: An RSSI circuit provides a relatively inexpensive technique for accurately measuring received signal strength over a wide dynamic range. A received signal is processed by a rectifier circuit that generates a series of DC offsets of increasing magnitude. The DC offsets are imposed on a first polarity of the received signal to create a series of outputs that are the first polarity of the received signal with increasing DC offsets. Each of the outputs is coupled to one input of a weighted comparator with the other input of the comparator coupled to a second and opposite polarity of the received signal with no offset. The comparators provide an inactive output so long as the amplitude of the second polarity of the received signal is greater than the amplitude of the first polarity with the DC offset. The comparators provide an active output when the amplitude of the received signal of the first polarity overcomes the offset to exceed the amplitude of the received signal of the second polarity.

Abstract: A programmable mixer includes a 1st mixing stage, a 2nd mixing stage, a coupling element, and a compensation module. The 1st mixing stage is operably coupled to mix one leg of a differential input signal with a differential local oscillation. The 2nd mixing stage is operably coupled to mix the other leg of the differential input with the differential local oscillation. The coupling element couples the 1st and 2nd mixing stages together. The compensation module is operably coupled to the 1st mixing stage and/or the 2nd mixing stage to modify the operational characteristics (e.g., current, impedance, gain, et cetera) of the 1st and/or 2nd mixing stages based on a control signal.

Abstract: A state of a programmable mixer is set during a calibration phase to minimize local oscillator feedthrough. During a calibration phase, inputs to the programmable mixer are set to zero, or to a known state and the local oscillator is set to a calibration frequency. Then, one of a plurality of known calibration states of the programmable mixer is entered and the local oscillator feedthrough is measured. For each of a plurality of operating states an amplified output of the programmable mixer is measured. In one operation, the state of the programmable mixer in which the programmable mixer operates during a next operation phase is the state that produces minimal local oscillator feedthrough. In another operation, operation continues until a state is found that produces a local oscillation feedthrough that meets an operating criteria and that state is used during the next operation phase.

Abstract: A single ended highly linear power amplifier includes a component, a 1st transistor pair, and a 2nd transistor pair. The 1st and 2nd transistor pairs are coupled in series with the component, which may be a resistor, inductor and/or linearly loaded transistor, where the node coupling the component to the 1st and 2nd transistor pairs provides the output of the single-ended highly linear power amplifier. The 1st transistors of the 1st and 2nd transistor pairs are coupled to receive an input signal. The 2nd transistors of the 1st and 2nd transistor pairs are each coupled to receive a separate enable signal. The transistor pairs are enabled via their corresponding enable signal to change the gain of the power amplifier with negligible effects on the linearity of the power amplifier. A differential power amplifier includes the single ended power amplifier and a complimentary mirror image of the single ended power amplifier.

Abstract: A programmable multi-stage amplifier includes a 1st programmable amplifier, a 2nd programmable amplifier, and a control module. The 1st and 2nd programmable amplifiers are coupled in series to amplify an input signal. Each of the 1st and 2nd programmable amplifiers is operably coupled to receive independent gain control signals from the control module. The control module generates the gain control signals by determining the overall gain desired for the programmable multi-stage amplifier and a corresponding gain for each of the 1st and 2nd programmable amplifiers. The factors in which the control module makes this determination are based on an optimization of at least one of the power level of the programmable multi-stage amplifier, the noise factor for the programmable multi-stage amplifier, and/or linearity of the programmable multi-stage amplifier.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a low-power, and high performance receiver including an IF demodulator for high data rate, frequency modulated systems, such as Bluetooth. The IF demodulator is implemented in analog domain for simplicity and lower power consumption and operates at an IF frequency.