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).

  • Method for making shielded capacitor structure
    Patent number: 6969680
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Susanne A. Paul, Timothy J. Dupuis, Ali M. Niknejad
  • Absolute power detector
    Publication number: 20050195037
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for detecting the output power of a power amplifier. The output power is detected by detecting the absolute values of the voltage and current at the output of the amplifier and mixing the detected voltage and current to generate a signal related to the output power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Inventors: Timothy Dupuis, David Welland, Susanne Paul, Ali Niknejad
  • RF power detector
    Patent number: 6927630
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for detecting the output power of an RF power amplifier for purposes of controlling the output power. A circuit for generating an output power control signal includes a power detector to detect the output power of an RF power amplifier. A variable gain amplifier is coupled to the power detector for amplifying the output of the power detector. The value of the generated control signal is a function of the gain of the variable gain amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Dupuis, David R. Welland, Ali M. Niknejad, Susanne A. Paul
  • RF power amplifier circuitry and method
    Publication number: 20050151591
    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: November 8, 2004
    Publication date: July 14, 2005
    Inventors: Susanne Paul, Timothy Dupuis
  • Absolute power detector
    Patent number: 6917245
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for detecting the output power of a power amplifier. The output power is detected by detecting the absolute values of the voltage and current at the output of the amplifier and mixing the detected voltage and current to generate a signal related to the output power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Dupuis, David R. Welland, Susanne A. Paul, Ali M. Niknejad
  • Circuit and method of establishing DC bias levels in an RF power amplifier
    Publication number: 20050134376
    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: December 22, 2003
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: Alan Westwick, Susanne Paul
  • Input structure for a power amplifier and associated methods
    Publication number: 20050134378
    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: December 22, 2003
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: Alan Westwick, Timothy Dupuis, Susanne Paul
  • Power amplifier input structure having a differential output
    Publication number: 20050134386
    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: December 22, 2003
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: Alan Westwick, Timothy Dupuis, Susanne Paul
  • Circuit and method of reducing noise in an RF power amplifier
    Publication number: 20050134375
    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: December 22, 2003
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: Alan Westwick, Susanne Paul
  • Stacked RF power amplifier
    Publication number: 20050068103
    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: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Inventors: Timothy Dupuis, Susanne Paul
  • Power amplifier circuitry and method
    Publication number: 20050052235
    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: March 30, 2004
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Inventors: Susanne Paul, Timothy Dupuis
  • Power amplifier circuitry and method
    Publication number: 20050052237
    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: March 30, 2004
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Inventors: Susanne Paul, Timothy Dupuis
  • Power amplifier circuitry and method
    Publication number: 20050052167
    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: March 30, 2004
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Inventors: Susanne Paul, Timothy Dupuis
  • Power amplifier circuitry and method
    Publication number: 20050052236
    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: March 30, 2004
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Inventors: Susanne Paul, Timothy Dupuis
  • Shielded capacitor structure
    Publication number: 20050030699
    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: March 31, 2004
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: Susanne Paul, Timothy Dupuis, Ali Niknejad
  • RF power amplifier and method for packaging the same
    Patent number: 6816011
    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: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Susanne A. Paul, Timothy J. Dupuis
  • Power amplifier circuitry and method
    Patent number: 6788141
    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: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Susanne A. Paul, Timothy J. Dupuis
  • Absolute power detector
    Patent number: 6756849
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for detecting the output power of a power amplifier. The output power is detected by detecting the absolute values of the voltage and current at the output of the amplifier and mixing the detected voltage and current to generate a signal related to the output power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Inventors: Timothy J. Dupuis, David R. Welland, Susanne A. Paul, Ali M. Niknejad
  • Absolute power detector
    Publication number: 20040113686
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for detecting the output power of a power amplifier. The output power is detected by detecting the absolute values of the voltage and current at the output of the amplifier and mixing the detected voltage and current to generate a signal related to the output power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Timothy J. Dupuis, David R. Welland, Susanne A. Paul, Ali M. Niknejad
  • Shielded capacitor structure
    Patent number: 6737698
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Susanne A. Paul, Timothy J. Dupuis, Ali M. Niknejad