Patents by Inventor Susanne A. Paul

Susanne A. Paul 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).

  • Publication number: 20070188226
    Abstract: A method and apparatus provides an input structure for a power amplifier. In one example, the input structure has an input network and a predriver circuit to provide an input signal to the power amplifier. The input network includes a transformer for helping to maintain a constant input impedance. The predriver includes a limiting amplifier that provides isolation between the power amplifier and the RF input. A DC feedback circuit is used by the predriver that maintains the DC level of the inverters to a desired level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventors: Alan Westwick, Timothy Dupuis, Susanne Paul
  • Publication number: 20070139112
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for use in power amplifiers for reducing the peak voltage that transistors are subjected to. A power amplifier is provided with first and second switching devices and an inductor connected between the switching devices. The switching devices are driven such that the switching devices are turned on and off during the same time intervals. Differential RF power amplifiers are also provided with inductive networks coupled at various nodes of the power amplifiers. In some examples, techniques are used to stabilize differential power amplifiers by stabilizing common-mode feedback loops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: Ryan Bocock, David Bockelman, Susanne Paul, Timothy Dupuis
  • Patent number: 7233199
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is used to provide DC stabilization and noise reduction in a multistage power amplifier. The invention uses various feedback techniques to stabilize DC levels, which helps to reduce noise. The invention also uses other techniques to reduce noise, and to reduce the noise transfer function in a power amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Alan L. Westwick, Susanne A. Paul
  • Publication number: 20070126505
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for use in power amplifiers for reducing the peak voltage that transistors are subjected to. A power amplifier is provided with first and second switching devices and an inductor connected between the switching devices. The switching devices are driven such that the switching devices are turned on and off during the same time intervals. Differential RF power amplifiers are also provided with inductive networks coupled at various nodes of the power amplifiers. In some examples, techniques are used to stabilize differential power amplifiers by stabilizing common-mode feedback loops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Inventors: David Bockelman, Ryan Bocock, Susanne Paul, Timothy Dupuis
  • Patent number: 7224232
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for use in power amplifiers for reducing the peak voltage that transistors are subjected to. A power amplifier is provided with first and second switching devices and an inductor connected between the switching devices. The switching devices are driven such that the switching devices are turned on and off during the same time intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Susanne A. Paul, Timothy J. Dupuis, John Blake Pavelka
  • Publication number: 20070111685
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for use in power amplifiers where multiple parallel power amplifiers provide various output power levels. By selectively enabling and disabling the parallel power amplifiers and combining their outputs, a desired output power can be realized, while choosing a combination of power amplifiers that provide a high efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Inventors: Susanne Paul, Timothy Dupuis
  • Patent number: 7215206
    Abstract: A method and apparatus provides techniques for electrically isolating switching devices in a stacked RF power amplifier, which prevents the switching devices from being subjected to high breakdown voltages. The isolation provided allows the power amplifier to be implemented on an integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Dupuis, Susanne A. Paul
  • Publication number: 20070096816
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for use in power amplifiers for reducing the peak voltage that transistors are subjected to. A power amplifier is provided with first and second switching devices and an inductor connected between the switching devices. The switching devices are driven such that the switching devices are turned on and off during the same time intervals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Inventors: Susanne Paul, Timothy Dupuis, John Pavelka
  • Patent number: 7212070
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is used to provide DC stabilization and noise reduction in a multistage power amplifier. The invention uses various feedback techniques to stabilize DC levels, which helps to reduce noise. The invention also uses other techniques to reduce noise, and to reduce the noise transfer function in a power amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Alan L. Westwick, Susanne A. Paul
  • Patent number: 7161423
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for use in power amplifiers where multiple parallel power amplifiers provide various output power levels. By selectively enabling and disabling the parallel power amplifiers and combining their outputs, a desired output power can be realized, while choosing a combination of power amplifiers that provide a high efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Susanne A. Paul, Timothy J. Dupuis
  • Patent number: 7161427
    Abstract: A method and apparatus provides an input structure for a power amplifier. In one example, the input structure has an input network and a predriver circuit to provide an input signal to the power amplifier. The input network includes a transformer for helping to maintain a constant input impedance. The predriver includes a limiting amplifier that provides isolation between the power amplifier and the RF input. A DC feedback circuit is used by the predriver that maintains the DC level of the inverters to a desired level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Alan L. Westwick, Timothy J. Dupuis, Susanne A. Paul
  • Publication number: 20070004198
    Abstract: A method and apparatus if provided for shielding a capacitor structure formed in a semiconductor device. In a capacitor formed in an integrated circuit, one or more shields are disposed around layers of conductive strips to shield the capacitor. The shields confine the electric fields between the limits of the shields.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventors: Susanne Paul, Timothy Dupuis, Ali Niknejad
  • Publication number: 20060244525
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is used to provide DC stabilization and noise reduction in a multistage power amplifier. The invention uses various feedback techniques to stabilize DC levels, which helps to reduce noise. The invention also uses other techniques to reduce noise, and to reduce the noise transfer function in a power amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventors: Alan Westwick, Susanne Paul
  • Publication number: 20060244529
    Abstract: A method and apparatus provides an input structure for a power amplifier. In one example, the input structure has an input network and a predriver circuit to provide an input signal to the power amplifier. The input network includes a transformer for helping to maintain a constant input impedance. The predriver includes a limiting amplifier that provides isolation between the power amplifier and the RF input. A DC feedback circuit is used by the predriver that maintains the DC level of the inverters to a desired level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventors: Alan Westwick, Timothy Dupuis, Susanne Paul
  • Publication number: 20060226905
    Abstract: A method and apparatus provides techniques for electrically isolating switching devices in a stacked RF power amplifier, which prevents the switching devices from being subjected to high breakdown voltages. The isolation provided allows the power amplifier to be implemented on an integrated circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Inventors: Timothy Dupuis, Susanne Paul
  • Patent number: 7113045
    Abstract: A method and apparatus provides an input structure for a power amplifier. In one example, the input structure has an input network and a predriver circuit to provide an input signal to the power amplifier. The input network includes a transformer for helping to maintain a constant input impedance. The predriver includes a limiting amplifier that provides isolation between the power amplifier and the RF input. A DC feedback circuit is used by the predriver that maintains the DC level of the inverters to a desired level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Alan L. Westwick, Timothy J. Dupuis, Susanne A. Paul
  • Publication number: 20060208799
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for use in power amplifiers for reducing the peak voltage that transistors are subjected to. A power amplifier is provided with first and second switching devices and an inductor connected between the switching devices. The switching devices are driven such that the switching devices are turned on and off during the same time intervals. Differential RF power amplifiers are also provided with inductive networks coupled at various nodes of the power amplifiers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Publication date: September 21, 2006
    Inventors: Susanne Paul, Alan Westwick, Timothy Dupuis
  • Patent number: 7064605
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is used to provide DC stabilization and noise reduction in a multistage power amplifier. The invention uses various feedback techniques to stabilize DC levels, which helps to reduce noise. The invention also uses other techniques to reduce noise, and to reduce the noise transfer function in a power amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Alan L. Westwick, Susanne A. Paul
  • Patent number: 7053718
    Abstract: A method and apparatus provides techniques for electrically isolating switching devices in a stacked RF power amplifier, which prevents the switching devices from being subjected to high breakdown voltages. The isolation provided allows the power amplifier to be implemented on an integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Dupuis, Susanne A. Paul
  • Publication number: 20060001484
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for use in power amplifiers where multiple parallel power amplifiers provide various output power levels. By selectively enabling and disabling the parallel power amplifiers and combining their outputs, a desired output power can be realized, while choosing a combination of power amplifiers that provide a high efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: Susanne Paul, Timothy Dupuis