Patents by Inventor Thomas Obkircher

Thomas Obkircher 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: 8374300
    Abstract: A controller and a circuit work together to enable a selective and dynamic adjustment to correct phase and gain imbalances in quadrature signal paths of a receiver. Under select conditions, it has been determined that statistical estimates of gain and phase imbalance can be applied to adjust signals in the quadrature signal paths of a receiver. The controller validates the select conditions before updating the estimate of the gain imbalance and the estimate of the phase imbalance. The controller directs a compensator under select operating conditions such that validated dynamic estimates of the gain and phase imbalance or calibration data is applied to the quadrature signal paths. The controller disables the compensator and enables an estimator and a calculator when estimates are unavailable for the present operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Jaleh Komalil, Thomas Obkircher, William J. Domino
  • Patent number: 8374297
    Abstract: A controller and a circuit work together to enable a selective and dynamic adjustment to correct phase and gain imbalances in quadrature signal paths of a receiver. Under select conditions, it has been determined that statistical estimates of gain and phase imbalance can be applied to adjust signals in the quadrature signal paths of a receiver. The controller validates the select conditions before updating the estimate of the gain imbalance and the estimate of the phase imbalance. The controller directs a compensator under select operating conditions such that validated dynamic estimates of the gain and phase imbalance or calibration data is applied to the quadrature signal paths. The controller disables the compensator and enables an estimator and a calculator when estimates are unavailable for the present operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Jaleh Komaili, Thomas Obkircher, William J. Domino
  • Publication number: 20120319747
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for detecting a lock in a phase-locked loop (PLL) are disclosed. In one aspect, a lock detect component includes a reference multiplier and a lock detect. The reference multiplier can receive a reference signal, a divider signal, and a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) output generated by a VCO in a PLL from which the divider signal is generated. The reference multiplier can also generate a multiplied reference signal using the reference signal and the VCO output. The multiplied reference signal can have a frequency that is an integer multiple of a frequency of the reference signal. The lock detect can detect a phase lock of the reference signal and the divider signal based at least in part on comparing a signal generated from a delayed reference signal and a signal generated from a delayed divider signal for a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Ardeshir Namdar-Mehdiabadi, Yong Hee Lee, Thomas Obkircher
  • Publication number: 20120280730
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for adjusting a gain of an electronic oscillator, such as a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), are disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus for compensating for VCO gain variations includes a charge pump controller. The charge pump controller can be configured to select a VCO gain model based on a comparison of a VCO gain indicator and a threshold value stored in a memory, obtain VCO gain model parameters from the memory corresponding to the selected VCO gain model, and compute a charge pump current control value using the VCO gain model parameters. The charge pump current control value can be used to compensate for VCO gain variations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Obkircher, Bipul Agarwal, Wei-Hong Chen
  • Publication number: 20120242379
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for distributing spurious tones through the frequency domain are disclosed. One such apparatus can include a dithering circuit configured to generate a sequence of numbers that exhibit statistical randomness and a variable frequency circuit configured to adjust a frequency of an output based on the sequence of numbers so as to spread energy of spurious tones in a frequency response of the output to lower a noise floor. In one example, spurious tones can be reduced in a negative voltage generator of a radio frequency (RF) attenuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Obkircher, William J. Domino, Bipul Agarwal
  • Publication number: 20120183106
    Abstract: A controller and a circuit work together to enable a selective and dynamic adjustment to correct phase and gain imbalances in quadrature signal paths of a receiver. Under select conditions, it has been determined that statistical estimates of gain and phase imbalance can be applied to adjust signals in the quadrature signal paths of a receiver. The controller validates the select conditions before updating the estimate of the gain imbalance and the estimate of the phase imbalance. The controller directs a compensator under select operating conditions such that validated dynamic estimates of the gain and phase imbalance or calibration data is applied to the quadrature signal paths. The controller disables the compensator and enables an estimator and a calculator when estimates are unavailable for the present operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: Jaleh Komaili, Thomas Obkircher, William J. Domino
  • Patent number: 8212593
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a clock signal are provided. A frequency multiplier circuit is provided that can include a plurality of serially connected delay elements that are configured to generate a plurality of delay tap signals from an input signal. The frequency multiplier circuit can also include a phase detector configured to receive a first selected delay tap signal and the input signal. The phase detector can detect a phase shift between the first selected delay tap signal and the input signal, and can generate a phase detection signal indicative of a value of the phase shift. The frequency multiplier circuit can also include a digital logic gate configured to receive the input signal and a second selected delay tap signal. The digital logic gate can be further configured to generate an output signal responsive to the second selected delay tap signal and the input signal. The frequency multiplier circuit can also include a controller coupled to the phase detector and coupled to an output gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Obkircher
  • Publication number: 20120166677
    Abstract: A serial peripheral interface (SPI) controller can be configured in response to data received via the interface. The SPI controller can perform read and write operations upon registers of a register bank in response to signals received via one or more of a data signal line, a clock signal line, and a select signal line. By detecting combinations of signals on one or more of the data signal line, clock signal line and select signal line, the SPI controller can detect the initiation of data read and write operations that may be in accordance with any of several different SPI protocols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas Obkircher
  • Publication number: 20120134402
    Abstract: A system provides closed-loop gain control in a WCDMA mode and open loop control in an EDGE/GSM mode. Gain control is distributed across analog devices and a digital scaler in a wireless receiver. In the WCDMA mode, a loop filter generates an error signal that is forwarded to analog and digital control paths. The analog control path includes a first adder, a programmable hysteresis element, and a lookup table. The analog control signal is responsive to thresholds, which when used in conjunction with a previous gain value determine a new gain value. The digital control path includes a second adder, a programmable delay element, and a converter. A control word is responsive to a difference of the error signal, a calibration value, and the analog control signal. Blocker detection is provided in the WCDMA mode of operation. A controller sets system parameters using a state machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jaleh Komaili, John E. Vasa, Thomas Obkircher
  • Publication number: 20120079138
    Abstract: A serial peripheral interface (SPI) controller can be configured in response to data received via the interface. The SPI controller can perform read and write operations upon registers of a register bank in response to signals received via one or more of a data signal line, a clock signal line, and a select signal line. By detecting combinations of signals on one or more of the data signal line, clock signal line and select signal line, the SPI controller can detect the initiation of data read and write operations that may be in accordance with any of several different SPI protocols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas Obkircher
  • Patent number: 8135881
    Abstract: A serial peripheral interface (SPI) controller can be configured in response to data received via the interface. The SPI controller can perform read and write operations upon registers of a register bank in response to signals received via one or more of a data signal line, a clock signal line, and a select signal line. By detecting combinations of signals on one or more of the data signal line, clock signal line and select signal line, the SPI controller can detect the initiation of data read and write operations that may be in accordance with any of several different SPI protocols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Obkircher
  • Patent number: 8126094
    Abstract: A system provides closed-loop gain control in a WCDMA mode and open loop control in an EDGE/GSM mode. Gain control is distributed across analog devices and a digital scaler in a wireless receiver. In the WCDMA mode, a loop filter generates an error signal that is forwarded to analog and digital control paths. The analog control path includes a first adder, a programmable hysteresis element, and a lookup table. The analog control signal is responsive to thresholds, which when used in conjunction with a previous gain value determine a new gain value. The digital control path includes a second adder, a programmable delay element, and a converter. A control word is responsive to a difference of the error signal, a calibration value, and the analog control signal. Blocker detection is provided in the WCDMA mode of operation. A controller sets system parameters using a state machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaleh Komaili, John E. Vasa, Thomas Obkircher
  • Publication number: 20110298503
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for voltage-controlled oscillator selection in a multi-mode system having multiple voltage-controlled oscillators. Part of oscillator selection is a calibration operation that utilizes maximum and minimum capacitance limits for a voltage-controlled oscillator, which translates to a frequency range, to calculate overlap regions. Overlap regions comprise frequency ranges that overlap such that the overlap region may be generated by two voltage-controlled oscillators with adjacent frequency ranges. One voltage-controlled oscillator selection routine comprises a real time voltage-controlled oscillator calibration and selection routine that executes every time the system requests a new frequency. Another selection routine comprises a start-up routine that executes only at power up or periodically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas Obkircher, Bipul Agarwal, Georgi Taskov
  • Publication number: 20110235772
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a clock signal are provided. A frequency multiplier circuit is provided that can include a plurality of serially connected delay elements that are configured to generate a plurality of delay tap signals from an input signal. The frequency multiplier circuit can also include a phase detector configured to receive a first selected delay tap signal and the input signal. The phase detector can detect a phase shift between the first selected delay tap signal and the input signal, and can generate a phase detection signal indicative of a value of the phase shift. The frequency multiplier circuit can also include a digital logic gate configured to receive the input signal and a second selected delay tap signal. The digital logic gate can be further configured to generate an output signal responsive to the second selected delay tap signal and the input signal. The frequency multiplier circuit can also include a controller coupled to the phase detector and coupled to an output gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas Obkircher
  • Patent number: 7956656
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a clock signal are provided. A frequency multiplier circuit is provided that can include a plurality of serially connected delay elements that are configured to generate a plurality of delay tap signals from an input signal. The frequency multiplier circuit can also include a phase detector configured to receive a first selected delay tap signal and the input signal. The phase detector can detect a phase shift between the first selected delay tap signal and the input signal, and can generate a phase detection signal indicative of a value of the phase shift. The frequency multiplier circuit can also include a digital logic gate configured to receive the input signal and a second selected delay tap signal. The digital logic gate can be further configured to generate an output signal responsive to the second selected delay tap signal and the input signal. The frequency multiplier circuit can also include a controller coupled to the phase detector and coupled to an output gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Obkircher
  • Patent number: 7919997
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a clock signal are provided. A frequency multiplier circuit is provided that can include a plurality of serially connected delay elements that are configured to generate a plurality of delay tap signals from an input signal. The frequency multiplier circuit can also include a phase detector configured to receive a first selected delay tap signal and the input signal. The phase detector can detect a phase shift between the first selected delay tap signal and the input signal, and can generate a phase detection signal indicative of a value of the phase shift. The frequency multiplier circuit can also include a digital logic gate configured to receive the input signal and a second selected delay tap signal. The digital logic gate can be further configured to generate an output signal responsive to the second selected delay tap signal and the input signal. The frequency multiplier circuit can also include a controller coupled to the phase detector and coupled to an output gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Obkircher
  • Publication number: 20100172450
    Abstract: A system provides closed-loop gain control in a WCDMA mode and open loop control in an EDGE/GSM mode. Gain control is distributed across analog devices and a digital scaler in a wireless receiver. In the WCDMA mode, a loop filter generates an error signal that is forwarded to analog and digital control paths. The analog control path includes a first adder, a programmable hysteresis element, and a lookup table. The analog control signal is responsive to thresholds, which when used in conjunction with a previous gain value determine a new gain value. The digital control path includes a second adder, a programmable delay element, and a converter. A control word is responsive to a difference of the error signal, a calibration value, and the analog control signal. Blocker detection is provided in the WCDMA mode of operation. A controller sets system parameters using a state machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaleh Komaili, John E. Vasa, Thomas Obkircher
  • Publication number: 20100156476
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a clock signal are provided. A frequency multiplier circuit is provided that can include a plurality of serially connected delay elements that are configured to generate a plurality of delay tap signals from an input signal. The frequency multiplier circuit can also include a phase detector configured to receive a first selected delay tap signal and the input signal. The phase detector can detect a phase shift between the first selected delay tap signal and the input signal, and can generate a phase detection signal indicative of a value of the phase shift. The frequency multiplier circuit can also include a digital logic gate configured to receive the input signal and a second selected delay tap signal. The digital logic gate can be further configured to generate an output signal responsive to the second selected delay tap signal and the input signal. The frequency multiplier circuit can also include a controller coupled to the phase detector and coupled to an output gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas Obkircher
  • Publication number: 20100067622
    Abstract: A controller and a circuit work together to enable a selective and dynamic adjustment to correct phase and gain imbalances in quadrature signal paths of a receiver. Under select conditions, it has been determined that statistical estimates of gain and phase imbalance can be applied to adjust signals in the quadrature signal paths of a receiver. The controller validates the select conditions before updating the estimate of the gain imbalance and the estimate of the phase imbalance. The controller directs a compensator under select operating conditions such that validated dynamic estimates of the gain and phase imbalance or calibration data is applied to the quadrature signal paths. The controller disables the compensator and enables an estimator and a calculator when estimates are unavailable for the present operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaleh Komaili, Thomas Obkircher, William J. Domino
  • Publication number: 20080278203
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a clock signal are provided. A frequency multiplier circuit is provided that can include a plurality of serially connected delay elements that are configured to generate a plurality of delay tap signals from an input signal. The frequency multiplier circuit can also include a phase detector configured to receive a first selected delay tap signal and the input signal. The phase detector can detect a phase shift between the first selected delay tap signal and the input signal, and can generate a phase detection signal indicative of a value of the phase shift. The frequency multiplier circuit can also include a digital logic gate configured to receive the input signal and a second selected delay tap signal. The digital logic gate can be further configured to generate an output signal responsive to the second selected delay tap signal and the input signal. The frequency multiplier circuit can also include a controller coupled to the phase detector and coupled to an output gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas Obkircher