Patents by Inventor Tod Paulus

Tod Paulus 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: 8224259
    Abstract: A radio-frequency (RF) receiver includes a receiver analog circuitry and a receiver digital circuitry. The receiver analog circuitry resides within a first integrated circuit and the receiver digital circuitry resides within a second integrated circuit. The second integrated circuit couples to the first integrated circuit via a one-bit digital interface. The receiver analog circuitry receives an RF signal and processes the received RF signal to generate a digital signal. The receiver analog circuitry provides the digital signal to the receiver digital circuitry. The receiver digital circuitry includes a digital down-converter circuitry that mixes the digital signal with an intermediate frequency (IF) local oscillator (LO) signal to generate a digital down-converted signal. The receiver digital circuitry also includes a digital filter circuitry that filters the digital down-converted signal to generate a filtered digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Richard T. Behrens, Tod Paulus, Mark S. Spurbeck, Vishnu S. Srinivasan, Donald A. Kerth, Jeffrey W. Scott, G. Tyson Tuttle, G. Diwakar Vishakhadatta
  • Patent number: 8150358
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for performing dual mode image rejection calibration in a receiver. A first image correction factor is acquired using a first known signal associated with a first signal band during a startup mode. The first image correction factor has a plurality of bits including most significant bits (MSBs) and least significant bits (LSBs). The LSBs of the first image correction factor are adjusted incrementally during a normal operation mode. A radio frequency (RF) signal associated with the first signal band is received using the first image correction factor during the normal operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Tod Paulus, Donald A. Kerth, Srihari Adireddy, G. Diwakar Vishakadatta
  • Publication number: 20100246995
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for performing dual mode image rejection calibration in a receiver. A first image correction factor is acquired using a first known signal associated with a first signal band during a startup mode. The first image correction factor has a plurality of bits including most significant bits (MSBs) and least significant bits (LSBs). The LSBs of the first image correction factor are adjusted incrementally during a normal operation mode. A radio frequency (RF) signal associated with the first signal band is received using the first image correction factor during the normal operation mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: SILICON LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: Tod Paulus, Donald A. Kerth, Srihari Adireddy, G. Diwakar Vishakhadatta
  • Publication number: 20100166124
    Abstract: A radio-frequency (RF) receiver includes a receiver analog circuitry and a receiver digital circuitry. The receiver analog circuitry resides within a first integrated circuit and the receiver digital circuitry resides within a second integrated circuit. The second integrated circuit couples to the first integrated circuit via a one-bit digital interface. The receiver analog circuitry receives an RF signal and processes the received RF signal to generate a digital signal. The receiver analog circuitry provides the digital signal to the receiver digital circuitry. The receiver digital circuitry includes a digital down-converter circuitry that mixes the digital signal with an intermediate frequency (IF) local oscillator (LO) signal to generate a digital down-converted signal. The receiver digital circuitry also includes a digital filter circuitry that filters the digital down-converted signal to generate a filtered digital signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Richard T. Behrens, Tod Paulus, Mark S. Spurbeck, Vishnu S. Srinivasan, Donald A. Kerth, Jeffrey W. Scott, G. Tyson Tuttle, G. Diwakar Vishakhadatta
  • Patent number: 7702362
    Abstract: A radio-frequency (RF) receiver includes a receiver analog circuitry and a receiver digital circuitry. The receiver analog circuitry resides within a first integrated circuit and the receiver digital circuitry resides within a second integrated circuit. The second integrated circuit couples to the first integrated circuit via a one-bit digital interface. The receiver analog circuitry receives an RF signal and processes the received RF signal to generate a digital signal. The receiver analog circuitry provides the digital signal to the receiver digital circuitry. The receiver digital circuitry includes a digital down-converter circuitry that mixes the digital signal with an intermediate frequency (IF) local oscillator (LO) signal to generate a digital down-converted signal. The receiver digital circuitry also includes a digital filter circuitry that filters the digital down-converted signal to generate a filtered digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Richard T. Behrens, Tod Paulus, Mark S. Spurbeck, Vishnu S. Srinivasan, Donald A. Kerth, Jeffrey W. Scott, G. Tyson Tuttle, G. Diwakar Vishakhadatta
  • Patent number: 7676210
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for performing dual mode image rejection calibration in a receiver. A first image correction factor is acquired for use in a receiver system using a first known signal associated with a first signal band during a startup mode. The first image correction factor is adjusted incrementally during a normal operation mode. A radio frequency (RF) signal associated with the first signal band is received using the first image correction factor during the normal operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventors: Tod Paulus, Donald A. Kerth, Srihari Adireddy, G. Diwakar Vishakhadatta
  • Patent number: 7627302
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing digital image correction in a receiver. In one embodiment, a receiver circuit may include an IQ signal source configured to provide a digital signal comprising in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) components, such as an IQ mixer in combination with an analog to digital converter, for example. The receiver circuit may also include an image correction unit coupled to the IQ signal source and configured to combine the digital signal with a complex image correction factor. The image correction unit may be implemented using a digital signal processor under the control of associated program instructions, for example. In one specific implementation of the receiver circuit, the image correction unit may be configured to combine the digital signal with the complex image correction factor using a cross-accumulation operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Tod Paulus
  • Patent number: 7583946
    Abstract: A wireless communication receiver is disclosed that operates in a test mode to determine image correction information that is used to suppress undesired image signals when the receiver switches to a normal operational mode. In one embodiment, the receiver includes a frequency synthesizer coupled by a quadrature divider to an in-phase (I) mixer and a quadrature mixer. The mixers are coupled by respective analog to digital converters (ADCs) to respective I and Q channel inputs of a digital signal processor (DSP). In the test mode, a test tone is provided to the mixer inputs. The test tone is divided down further and provided to clock the frequency synthesizer, the ADCs and the DSP. This configuration locks together the mixers, frequency synthesizer, ADCs and DSP ratiometrically in frequency during the test mode while image correction information is being determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald A. Kerth, Srihari Adireddy, Brian Douglas Green, Tod Paulus, Scott D. Willingham
  • Patent number: 7242912
    Abstract: Components of a radio-frequency (RF) apparatus including transceiver circuitry and frequency modification circuitry of a crystal oscillator circuit that generates a reference signal with adjustable frequency may be partitioned in a variety of ways, for example, as one or more separate integrated circuits. The frequency modification circuitry may be implemented as part of a crystal oscillator circuit that includes digitally controlled crystal oscillator (“DCXO”) circuitry and a crystal. The frequency modification circuitry may include at least one variable capacitance device and may be employed to generate a reference signal with adjustable frequency. The adjustable reference signal may be provided to other components of the RF apparatus and/or the RF apparatus may be configured to provide the adjustable reference signal to baseband processor circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: James Maligeorgos, Augusto M. Marques, Lysander Lim, G. Tyson Tuttle, Aslamali A. Rafi, Tod Paulus, Gregory T. Uehara, Jeffrey W. Scott, Richard T. Behrens, Donald A. Kerth, G. Diwakar Vishakhadatta, Vishnu S. Srinivasan, Caiyi Wang
  • Patent number: 7228109
    Abstract: A radio-frequency receiver circuitry includes a down-converter circuitry, an analog-to-digital converter circuitry, and a DC offset reduction circuitry. The down-converter circuitry accepts a received radio-frequency signal and processes the radio-frequency signal to provide an in-phase down-converted signal and a quadrature down-converted signal to the analog-to-digital converter circuitry. The analog-to-digital converter circuitry converts the in-phase and quadrature down-converted signals to an in-phase digital output signal and a quadrature digital output signal, respectively. The DC offset reduction circuitry couples to the analog-to-digital converter circuitry, and tends to reduce a DC offset transmitted to the in-phase and quadrature digital output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Tod Paulus, Donald A. Kerth, Richard T. Behrens, Jeffrey W. Scott, G. Diwakar Vishakhadatta, G. Tyson Tuttle, Vishnu S. Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 7221921
    Abstract: Components of a radio-frequency (RF) apparatus including transceiver circuitry and frequency modification circuitry of a crystal oscillator circuit that generates a reference signal with adjustable frequency may be partitioned in a variety of ways, for example, as one or more separate integrated circuits. The frequency modification circuitry may be implemented as part of a crystal oscillator circuit that includes digitally controlled crystal oscillator (“DCXO”) circuitry and a crystal. The frequency modification circuitry may include at least one variable capacitance device and may be employed to generate a reference signal with adjustable frequency. The adjustable reference signal may be provided to other components of the RF apparatus and/or the RF apparatus may be configured to provide the adjustable reference signal to baseband processor circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories
    Inventors: James Maligeorgos, Augusto M. Marques, Lysander Lim, G. Tyson Tuttle, Aslamali A. Rafi, Tod Paulus, Gregory T. Uehara, Jeffrey W. Scott, Richard T. Behrens, Donald A. Kerth, G. Diwakar Vishakhadatta, Vishnu S. Srinivasan, Caiyi Wang
  • Publication number: 20070054629
    Abstract: Components of a radio-frequency (RF) apparatus including transceiver circuitry and frequency modification circuitry of a crystal oscillator circuit that generates a reference signal with adjustable frequency may be partitioned in a variety of ways, for example, as one or more separate integrated circuits. The frequency modification circuitry may be implemented as part of a crystal oscillator circuit that includes digitally controlled crystal oscillator (“DCXO”) circuitry and a crystal. The frequency modification circuitry may include at least one variable capacitance device and may be employed to generate a reference signal with adjustable frequency. The adjustable reference signal may be provided to other components of the RF apparatus and/or the RF apparatus may be configured to provide the adjustable reference signal to baseband processor circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventors: James Maligeorgos, Augusto Marques, Lysander Lim, G. Tuttle, Aslamali Rafi, Tod Paulus, Gregory Uehara, Jeffrey Scott, Richard Behrens, Donald Kerth, G. Vishakhadatta, Vishnu Srinivasan, Caiyi Wang
  • Patent number: 7151917
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for deriving a digital image correction factor in a receiver. In one embodiment, a receiver circuit may include an error detection circuit configured to receive a digital signal comprising in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) components and to detect an error in a complex image correction factor, and an error correction circuit coupled to the error detection circuit and configured to modify the complex image correction factor dependent upon the detected error. In one specific implementation of the receiver circuit, the error detection circuit and the error correction circuit may be coupled in a feedback loop, where the error detection circuit may be configured to iteratively detect the error in the complex image correction factor, and where the error correction circuit may be configured to iteratively correct the error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Tod Paulus
  • Patent number: 7142835
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing digital image correction in a receiver. In one embodiment, a receiver circuit may include an IQ signal source configured to provide a digital signal comprising in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) components, such as an IQ mixer in combination with an analog to digital converter, for example. The receiver circuit may also include an image correction unit coupled to the IQ signal source and configured to combine the digital signal with a complex image correction factor. The image correction unit may be implemented using a digital signal processor under the control of associated program instructions, for example. In one specific implementation of the receiver circuit, the image correction unit may be configured to combine the digital signal with the complex image correction factor using a cross-accumulation operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Tod Paulus
  • Publication number: 20060252399
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing digital image correction in a receiver. In one embodiment, a receiver circuit may include an IQ signal source configured to provide a digital signal comprising in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) components, such as an IQ mixer in combination with an analog to digital converter, for example. The receiver circuit may also include an image correction unit coupled to the IQ signal source and configured to combine the digital signal with a complex image correction factor. The image correction unit may be implemented using a digital signal processor under the control of associated program instructions, for example. In one specific implementation of the receiver circuit, the image correction unit may be configured to combine the digital signal with the complex image correction factor using a cross-accumulation operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventor: Tod Paulus
  • Publication number: 20060141973
    Abstract: A radio-frequency (RF) receiver includes a receiver analog circuitry and a receiver digital circuitry. The receiver analog circuitry resides within a first integrated circuit and the receiver digital circuitry resides within a second integrated circuit. The second integrated circuit couples to the first integrated circuit via a one-bit digital interface. The receiver analog circuitry receives an RF signal and processes the received RF signal to generate a digital signal. The receiver analog circuitry provides the digital signal to the receiver digital circuitry. The receiver digital circuitry includes a digital down-converter circuitry that mixes the digital signal with an intermediate frequency (IF) local oscillator (LO) signal to generate a digital down-converted signal. The receiver digital circuitry also includes a digital filter circuitry that filters the digital down-converted signal to generate a filtered digital signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Richard Behrens, Tod Paulus, Mark Spurbeck, Vishnu Srinivasan, Donald Kerth, Jeffrey Scott, G. Tuttle, G. Vishakhadatta
  • Publication number: 20060111072
    Abstract: A wireless communication receiver is disclosed that operates in a test mode to determine image correction information that is used to suppress undesired image signals when the receiver switches to a normal operational mode. In one embodiment, the receiver includes a frequency synthesizer coupled by a quadrature divider to an in-phase (I) mixer and a quadrature mixer. The mixers are coupled by respective analog to digital converters (ADCs) to respective I and Q channel inputs of a digital signal processor (DSP). In the test mode, a test tone is provided to the mixer inputs. The test tone is divided down further and provided to clock the frequency synthesizer, the ADCs and the DSP. This configuration locks together the mixers, frequency synthesizer, ADCs and DSP ratiometrically in frequency during the test mode while image correction information is being determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Publication date: May 25, 2006
    Applicant: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Kerth, Srihari Adireddy, Brian Green, Tod Paulus, Scott Willlingham
  • Publication number: 20060111071
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for performing dual mode image rejection calibration in a receiver. A first image correction factor is acquired (1302) for use in a receiver system (15) using a first known signal associated with a first signal band during a startup mode. The first image correction factor is adjusted incrementally (1310) during a normal operation mode. A radio frequency (RF) signal associated with the first signal band is received (1324) using the first image correction factor during the normal operation mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Publication date: May 25, 2006
    Applicant: SILICON LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: Tod Paulus, Donald Kerth, Srihari Adireddy, G. Vishakhadatta
  • Patent number: 7024221
    Abstract: A radio-frequency (RF) receiver includes a receiver analog circuitry and a receiver digital circuitry coupled together. The receiver analog circuitry receives an RF signal. The receiver analog circuitry processes the received RF signal and generates a digital signal that it provides to the receiver digital circuitry. The receiver digital circuitry includes a digital down-converter circuitry that mixes the digital signal provided by a receiver analog circuitry with a digital intermediate frequency (IF) local oscillator signal to generate a digital down-converted signal. The receiver digital circuitry also includes a digital filter circuitry that filters the digital down-converted signal to generate a filtered digital signal. The digital filter circuitry provides a notch at a frequency that corresponds to a residual DC offset of the receiver analog circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Tod Paulus, Richard T. Behrens, Vishnu S. Srinivasan, Mark S. Spurbeck, Donald A. Kerth, Jeffrey W. Scott, G. Tyson Tuttle, G. Diwakar Vishakhadatta
  • Patent number: 6970717
    Abstract: A radio-frequency (RF) receiver includes a receiver analog circuitry and a receiver digital circuitry. The receiver analog circuitry resides within a first integrated circuit and the receiver digital circuitry resides within a second integrated circuit. The second integrated circuit couples to the first integrated circuit via a one-bit digital interface. The receiver analog circuitry receives an RF signal and processes the received RF signal to generate a digital signal. The receiver analog circuitry provides the digital signal to the receiver digital circuitry. The receiver digital circuitry includes a digital down-converter circuitry that mixes the digital signal with an intermediate frequency (IF) local oscillator (LO) signal to generate a digital down-converted signal. The receiver digital circuitry also includes a digital filter circuitry that filters the digital down-converted signal to generate a filtered digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Richard T. Behrens, Tod Paulus, Mark S. Spurbeck, Vishnu S. Srinivasan, Donald A. Kerth, Jeffrey W. Scott, G. Tyson Tuttle, G. Diwakar Vishakhadatta