Patents by Inventor Thinh Cat Nguyen
Thinh Cat Nguyen 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).
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Patent number: 10050586Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) using a lowered or an adjustable negative transconductance (?gm) compared to conventional VCOs. This ?gm degeneration technique suppresses the noise injected into an inductor-capacitor (LC) tank of the VCO, thereby providing lower signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for a given VCO voltage swing, lower power consumption, and decreased phase noise. One example VCO generally includes a resonant tank circuit, an active negative transconductance circuit connected with the resonant tank circuit, and a bias current circuit for sourcing or sinking a bias current through the resonant tank circuit and the active negative transconductance circuit to generate an oscillating signal. The active negative transconductance circuit includes cross-coupled transistors and an impedance connected between the cross-coupled transistors and a reference voltage.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2017Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Thinh Cat Nguyen, Jeongsik Yang, Roger Thomas Brockenbrough, Ara Bicakci, Anup Savla, Shen Wang
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LOW NOISE AND LOW POWER VOLTAGE-CONTROLLED OSCILLATOR (VCO) USING TRANSCONDUCTANCE (gm) DEGENERATION
Publication number: 20170163214Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) using a lowered or an adjustable negative transconductance (?gm) compared to conventional VCOs. This ?gm degeneration technique suppresses the noise injected into an inductor-capacitor (LC) tank of the VCO, thereby providing lower signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for a given VCO voltage swing, lower power consumption, and decreased phase noise. One example VCO generally includes a resonant tank circuit, an active negative transconductance circuit connected with the resonant tank circuit, and a bias current circuit for sourcing or sinking a bias current through the resonant tank circuit and the active negative transconductance circuit to generate an oscillating signal. The active negative transconductance circuit includes cross-coupled transistors and an impedance connected between the cross-coupled transistors and a reference voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2017Publication date: June 8, 2017Inventors: Thinh Cat NGUYEN, Jeongsik YANG, Roger Thomas BROCKENBROUGH, Ara BICAKCI, Anup SAVLA, Shen WANG -
Patent number: 9647638Abstract: A method and apparatus for minimizing transmit signal interference is provided. The method includes the steps of: receiving a signal and amplifying the received signal. The received signal is then mixed with an intermediate frequency signal to obtain a baseband modulated signal. The baseband modulated signal is first filtered in an RC filter. The resulting signal is then divided by a preselected amount and the first divided portion is sent to a main path of a biquad filter, which produces a first stage biquad filtered signal. The second portion of the divided signal is sent to an auxiliary path of the biquad filter, and produces a second filtered signal. The first and second signals are then recombined and sent to the second stage of the biquad filter, where further filtering takes place.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2014Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Mohammad Bagher Vahid Far, Cheng-Han Wang, Jesse Aaron Richmond, Thinh Cat Nguyen, Abbas Komijani, Yashar Rajavi, Alireza Khalili
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Low noise and low power voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) using transconductance (gm) degeneration
Patent number: 9634607Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) using a lowered or an adjustable negative transconductance (?gm) compared to conventional VCOs. This ?gm degeneration technique suppresses the noise injected into an inductor-capacitor (LC) tank of the VCO, thereby providing lower signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for a given VCO voltage swing, lower power consumption, and decreased phase noise. One example VCO generally includes a resonant tank circuit, an active negative transconductance circuit connected with the resonant tank circuit, and a bias current circuit for sourcing or sinking a bias current through the resonant tank circuit and the active negative transconductance circuit to generate an oscillating signal. The active negative transconductance circuit includes cross-coupled transistors and an impedance connected between the cross-coupled transistors and a reference voltage.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2014Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: QUALCOMM INCORPORATEDInventors: Thinh Cat Nguyen, Jeongsik Yang, Roger Thomas Brockenbrough, Ara Bicakci, Anup Savla, Shen Wang -
Patent number: 9543897Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a system product for mixing radio frequency signals are provided. In one aspect, the apparatus is configured to perform switching of switches based on first, second, third, and fourth phased half duty clock signals. The apparatus convolves a differential input signal on a differential input port with the first, second, third, and fourth phased half duty cycle clock signals to concurrently generate a differential in-phase output signal and a differential quadrature-phase output signal on a dual differential output port. The first, second, third, and fourth phased half duty cycle clock signals are of the same frequency and out of phase by a multiple of ninety degrees with respect to each other.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2015Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Cheng-Han Wang, Alberto Cicalini, Thinh Cat Nguyen, Mohammad Bagher Vahid Far, Jesse Aaron Richmond
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Publication number: 20160373116Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for compensating, or at least adjusting, for capacitor leakage. One example method generally includes determining a leakage voltage corresponding to a leakage current of a capacitor in a filter for a phase-locked loop (PLL), wherein the determining comprises closing a set of switches for discontinuous sampling of the leakage voltage; based on the sampled leakage voltage, generating a sourced current approximately equal to the leakage current; and injecting the sourced current into the capacitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2016Publication date: December 22, 2016Inventors: Mohammad Bagher VAHID FAR, Ara BICAKCI, Alireza KHALILI, Ashkan BORNA, Thinh Cat NGUYEN
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Patent number: 9455723Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for compensating, or at least adjusting, for capacitor leakage. One example method generally includes determining a leakage voltage corresponding to a leakage current of a capacitor in a filter for a phase-locked loop (PLL), wherein the determining comprises closing a set of switches for discontinuous sampling of the leakage voltage; based on the sampled leakage voltage, generating a sourced current approximately equal to the leakage current; and injecting the sourced current into the capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2015Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: Qualcomm IncorporatedInventors: Mohammad Bagher Vahid Far, Ara Bicakci, Alireza Khalili, Ashkan Borna, Thinh Cat Nguyen
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Patent number: 9438249Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for temperature-dependent adjustment of a resonant circuit, such as that found in a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO). Such adjustment may be performed in an effort to compensate for the frequency drift of the resonant circuit due to temperature changes. One example adjustment circuit for temperature-dependent adjustment of a resonant circuit generally includes at least one varactor and two sets of semiconductor devices configured to apply, across the at least one varactor, a differential adjustment voltage based on an ambient temperature of the semiconductor devices to adjust a capacitance of the at least one varactor, wherein each device in the sets of semiconductor devices has a temperature-dependent junction and wherein the two sets of semiconductor devices are configured such that voltage changes of the temperature-dependent junctions in the two sets of semiconductor devices are added in the differential adjustment voltage.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2015Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Thinh Cat Nguyen, Jeongsik Yang, Ara Bicakci, Shen Wang, Anup Savla
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Publication number: 20160254817Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for compensating, or at least adjusting, for capacitor leakage. One example method generally includes determining a leakage voltage corresponding to a leakage current of a capacitor in a filter for a phase-locked loop (PLL), wherein the determining comprises closing a set of switches for discontinuous sampling of the leakage voltage; based on the sampled leakage voltage, generating a sourced current approximately equal to the leakage current; and injecting the sourced current into the capacitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2015Publication date: September 1, 2016Inventors: Mohammad Bagher VAHID FAR, Ara BICAKCI, Alireza KHALILI, Ashkan BORNA, Thinh Cat NGUYEN
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Publication number: 20160241192Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a system product for mixing radio frequency signals are provided. In one aspect, the apparatus is configured to perform switching of switches based on first, second, third, and fourth phased half duty clock signals. The apparatus convolves a differential input signal on a differential input port with the first, second, third, and fourth phased half duty cycle clock signals to concurrently generate a differential in-phase output signal and a differential quadrature-phase output signal on a dual differential output port. The first, second, third, and fourth phased half duty cycle clock signals are of the same frequency and out of phase by a multiple of ninety degrees with respect to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2015Publication date: August 18, 2016Inventors: Cheng-Han WANG, Alberto CICALINI, Thinh Cat NGUYEN, Mohammad Bagher VAHID FAR, Jesse Aaron RICHMOND
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Patent number: 9356768Abstract: Certain aspects of the present invention provide methods and apparatus for detecting phase shift between signals, such as local oscillating signals in adjacent transceiver paths. One example circuit for phase detection generally includes a mixer configured to mix a first input signal having a first frequency with a second input signal having a second frequency to produce an output signal having frequency components at the sum of and the difference between the first and second frequencies; a filter connected with the mixer and configured to remove one of the frequency components at the sum of the first and second frequencies, thereby leaving a DC component; and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) (e.g., a comparator) connected with the filter and configured to determine whether the first input signal is in-phase or out-of-phase with the second input signal based on a comparison between the DC component and a reference signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2014Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: Qualcomm IncorporatedInventors: David Ta-Hsiang Lin, Yongwang Ding, Young Gon Kim, Thinh Cat Nguyen, Jeongsik Yang, Sang-Oh Lee
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Publication number: 20160087783Abstract: Certain aspects of the present invention provide methods and apparatus for detecting phase shift between signals, such as local oscillating signals in adjacent transceiver paths. One example circuit for phase detection generally includes a mixer configured to mix a first input signal having a first frequency with a second input signal having a second frequency to produce an output signal having frequency components at the sum of and the difference between the first and second frequencies; a filter connected with the mixer and configured to remove one of the frequency components at the sum of the first and second frequencies, thereby leaving a DC component; and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) (e.g., a comparator) connected with the filter and configured to determine whether the first input signal is in-phase or out-of-phase with the second input signal based on a comparison between the DC component and a reference signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2014Publication date: March 24, 2016Inventors: David Ta-Hsiang LIN, Yongwang DING, Young Gon KIM, Thinh Cat NGUYEN, Jeongsik YANG, Sang-Oh LEE
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Publication number: 20160020752Abstract: A method and apparatus for minimizing transmit signal interference is provided. The method includes the steps of: receiving a signal and amplifying the received signal. The received signal is then mixed with an intermediate frequency signal to obtain a baseband modulated signal. The baseband modulated signal is first filtered in an RC filter. The resulting signal is then divided by a preselected amount and the first divided portion is sent to a main path of a biquad filter, which produces a first stage biquad filtered signal. The second portion of the divided signal is sent to an auxiliary path of the biquad filter, and produces a second filtered signal. The first and second signals are then recombined and sent to the second stage of the biquad filter, where further filtering takes place.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2014Publication date: January 21, 2016Inventors: Mohammad Bagher Vahid Far, Cheng-Han Wang, Jesse Aaron Richmond, Thinh Cat Nguyen, Abbas Komijani, Yashar Rajavi, Alireza Khalili
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Publication number: 20160006422Abstract: A dynamic latch is disclosed that may reduce power consumption in frequency dividers while widening their frequency operation ranges. The dynamic latch includes a sense component to detect an input voltage in response to a first state of a mode select signal, and to generate an output voltage based, at least in part, on the input voltage; a hold component to retain the output voltage in response to a second state of the mode select signal; and a first transistor, coupled between the sense component and ground potential, including a gate responsive to the mode select signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2014Publication date: January 7, 2016Inventors: Thinh Cat Nguyen, Jeongsik Yang, Shen Wang, Ara Bicakci, Anup Savla, Babak Vakili-Amini
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Publication number: 20150318860Abstract: Aspects of circuits and methods for generating an oscillating signal are disclosed. The circuit includes a phase detector configured to output first and second signals responsive to a phase difference between two input signals. The phase detector is further configured to disable the first signal when outputting the second signal and to disable the second signal when outputting the first signal. The circuit further includes a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) configured to generate an oscillating signal having a tunable frequency responsive to the first and second signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2014Publication date: November 5, 2015Applicant: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Shen WANG, Jeongsik YANG, Thinh Cat NGUYEN, Ara BICAKCI, Anup SAVLA
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LOW NOISE AND LOW POWER VOLTAGE-CONTROLLED OSCILLATOR (VCO) USING TRANSCONDUCTANCE (gm) DEGENERATION
Publication number: 20150263671Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) using a lowered or an adjustable negative transconductance (?gm) compared to conventional VCOs. This ?gm degeneration technique suppresses the noise injected into an inductor-capacitor (LC) tank of the VCO, thereby providing lower signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for a given VCO voltage swing, lower power consumption, and decreased phase noise. One example VCO generally includes a resonant tank circuit, an active negative transconductance circuit connected with the resonant tank circuit, and a bias current circuit for sourcing or sinking a bias current through the resonant tank circuit and the active negative transconductance circuit to generate an oscillating signal. The active negative transconductance circuit includes cross-coupled transistors and an impedance connected between the cross-coupled transistors and a reference voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2014Publication date: September 17, 2015Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATEDInventors: Thinh Cat NGUYEN, Jeongsik YANG, Roger Thomas BROCKENBROUGH, Ara BICAKCI, Anup SAVLA, Shen WANG -
Patent number: 6972625Abstract: Continuously tuning a transconductance. Coupling a degeneration resistance from a first source of a first transistor in a differential pair of transistors to a second source of a second transistor in the differential pair of transistors. Applying a second variable degeneration resistance in parallel to the first degeneration resistance in response to the application of a first variable control voltage. And applying a third variable degeneration resistance in parallel to the first degeneration resistance and the second degeneration resistance in response to the application of a second variable control voltage having a fixed voltage offset from the first variable control voltage.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2004Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Thinh Cat Nguyen, Arnoldus Venes
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Publication number: 20040189388Abstract: Continuously tuning a transconductance. Coupling a degeneration resistance from a first source of a first transistor in a differential pair of transistors to a second source of a second transistor in the differential pair of transistors. Applying a second variable degeneration resistance in parallel to the first degeneration resistance in response to the application of a first variable control voltage. And applying a third variable degeneration resistance in parallel to the first degeneration resistance and the second degeneration resistance in response to the application of a second variable control voltage having a fixed voltage offset from the first variable control voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2004Publication date: September 30, 2004Applicant: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Thinh Cat Nguyen, Arnoldus Venes
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Patent number: 6744320Abstract: Continuously tuning a transconductance. Coupling a degeneration resistance from a first source of a first transistor in a differential pair of transistors to a second source of a second transistor in the differential pair of transistors. Applying a second variable degeneration resistance in parallel to the first degeneration resistance in response to the application of a first variable control voltage. And applying a third variable degeneration resistance in parallel to the first degeneration resistance and the second degeneration resistance in response to the application of a second variable control voltage having a fixed voltage offset from the first variable control voltage.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Thinh Cat Nguyen, Arnoldus Venes
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Publication number: 20030128071Abstract: Continuously tuning a transconductance. Coupling a degeneration resistance from a first source of a first transistor in a differential pair of transistors to a second source of a second transistor in the differential pair of transistors. Applying a second variable degeneration resistance in parallel to the first degeneration resistance in response to the application of a first variable control voltage. And applying a third variable degeneration resistance in parallel to the first degeneration resistance and the second degeneration resistance in response to the application of a second variable control voltage having a fixed voltage offset from the first variable control voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2002Publication date: July 10, 2003Inventors: Thinh Cat Nguyen, Arnoldus Venes