Abstract: A system and method to achieve low power and/or low supply operation of a delta-sigma modulator by taking advantage of the inherent virtual ground of the delta-sigma loop to make the input to a low power integrator small and largely independent of the input signal. This results in improved linearity of the integrator and relaxed constraints on the supply for the first stage integrator. The architecture also enables direct access to the quantization error of the feedback loop and thus can be used to either/or: 1. Calibrate the modulator, 2. Achieve reduced quantization noise, 3. Stabilize the loop by compensating for excess loop delay. Low voltage common-mode-feedback is also achieved using the techniques described.

Abstract: An analog to digital conversion system is disclosed which converts an analog signal to a digital representation thereof at a first sampling rate by distributing the analog signal to at least two signal paths, at least one signal path including a limiting mixer to mix the signal with a respective selected square wave and a smoothing (low pass) filter to filter the mixed signal before providing the mixed and filtered signal to a subconverter, the subconverter having a sampling rate less than the first sampling rate, and a digital matrix filter to combine the digital output of each subconverter to form a digital representation of the analog signal as sampled at the first rate.

Abstract: An analog to digital conversion system is disclosed which converts an analog signal to a digital representation thereof at a first sampling rate by distributing the analog signal to at least two signal paths, at least one signal path including a limiting mixer to mix the signal with a respective selected square wave and a smoothing (low pass) filter to filter the mixed signal before providing the mixed and filtered signal to a subconverter, the subconverter having a sampling rate less than the first sampling rate, and a digital matrix filter to combine the digital output of each subconverter to form a digital representation of the analog signal as sampled at the first rate.

Abstract: A system and method of reducing the effects of nonidealities of ADCs in multipath converters is disclosed. The system and method employs a variety of measure and correction blocks to determine statistical properties of the output stream of the multipath converter and to apply corrections to the operation of the subconverters of the multipath converter based upon differences in the measured statistics and expected target values, either explicit or implicit, for those statistics. A variety of examples of possible measure and configuration blocks are disclosed, as is the cascading of the measure and correction blocks to correct multiple errors in the output of the multipath converter. Feedforward (purely digital) and feedback (analog and digital) solutions are both disclosed.

Abstract: A frequency decimation block for processing an analog input signal including a high-bandwidth data signal to generate a parallel set of parallel output signals, in which each output signal represents a respective portion of the high-bandwidth data signal. A preamplifier is provided for amplifying the input signal. A frequency domain divider divides the amplified input signal to generate a set of frequency band signals including a low frequency band signal, a mid-frequency band signal, and a high frequency band signal. Each frequency band signal is supplied to at least one signal path. A respective non-linear processor is connected in each of M signal paths processes the input signal using a respective branch signal to yield a corresponding composite signal. A respective Low-Pass Filter (LPF) is connected in each signal path, for low-pass filtering at least the composite signals to generate corresponding ones of the parallel output signals.

Abstract: An analog to digital conversion system is disclosed which converts an analog signal to a digital representation thereof at a first sampling rate by distributing the analog signal to at least two signal paths, at least one signal path including a limiting mixer to mix the signal with a respective selected square wave and a smoothing (low pass) filter to filter the mixed signal before providing the mixed and filtered signal to a subconverter, the subconverter having a sampling rate less than the first sampling rate, and a digital matrix filter to combine the digital output of each subconverter to form a digital representation of the analog signal as sampled at the first rate.

Abstract: A system and method for processing a signal with a filter employing FIR and/or IIR elements. The required controller function is decomposed into primary FIR and/or IIR elements and a compensation filter is provided to address the latency in the primary elements, which would result in undesired operation of the filter. Several configurations of suitable filters are discussed, including multi-rate filters and filters with reduced power requirements.

Abstract: A system and method for processing a signal with a filter employing FIR and/or IIR elements. The required controller function is decomposed into primary FIR and/or IIR elements and a compensation filter is provided to address the latency in the primary elements, which would result in undesired operation of the filter. Several configurations of suitable filters are discussed, including multi-rate filters and filters with reduced power requirements.

Abstract: A novel pulse density modulator is disclosed which includes at least one sigma delta modulator operating at a clock rate selected to provide a pre-selected timing resolution for sampling an input signal. The sigma delta modulator employs a hysteresis element to reduce the average transition rate of the output signal of the sigma delta modulator to reduce switching losses. The novel pulse density modulator can provide at least a two or three level output, as desired.

Abstract: An analog to digital conversion system is disclosed which converts an analog signal to a digital representation thereof at a first sampling rate by distributing the analog signal to at least two signal paths, at least one signal path including a limiting mixer to mix the signal with a respective selected square wave and a smoothing (low pass) filter to filter the mixed signal before providing the mixed and filtered signal to a subconverter, the subconverter having a sampling rate less than the first sampling rate, and a digital matrix filter to combine the digital output of each subconverter to form a digital representation of the analog signal as sampled at the first rate.

Abstract: A system and method of reducing the effects of nonidealities of ADCs in multipath converters is disclosed. The system and method employs a variety of measure and correction blocks to determine statistical properties of the output stream of the multipath converter and to apply corrections to the operation of the subconverters of the multipath converter based upon differences in the measured statistics and expected target values, either explicit or implicit, for those statistics. A variety of examples of possible measure and configuration blocks are disclosed, as is the cascading of the measure and correction blocks to correct multiple errors in the output of the multipath converter. Feedforward (purely digital) and feedback (analog and digital) solutions are both disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for processing a signal with a filter employing FIR and/or IIR elements. The required controller function is decomposed into primary FIR and/or IIR elements and a compensation filter is provided to address the latency in the primary elements, which would result in undesired operation of the filter. Several configurations of suitable filters are discussed, including multi-rate filters and filters with reduced power requirements.

Abstract: A telecommunication system and method for communicating between at least two end users over a telecommunication network, where the communication is defined by a set of parameters. At least two entities, such as one or both of the end users and/or the service providers negotiate an agreed set of values for said parameters that define the desired communication. The entities also negotiate a warranty agreement with the network service provider defining at least one of the agreed parameters to be warranted including a compensation method to be applied should said at least one monitored parameter fail to meet the corresponding one of said agreed values. The agreed warranted parameters are monitored once the communication is established and, in the event of a failure of the monitored parameters to meet agreed values, at least one of the entities is compensated in accordance with the agreed compensation method.

Abstract: A radio frequency power amplifier includes a feedback control system coupled to an input signal and a first feedback signal and configured to provide an output; a controlled supply configured to provide power that is controlled in accordance with a signal; and a radio frequency gain stage powered from the controlled supply, driven by the output from the feedback control system, and configured to provide an output signal at the radio frequency to a resonant load, where the first feedback signal corresponds to the output signal. Some embodiments include a sequencer in the feedback control system and others utilize an additional feedback loop to control the power provided by the controlled supply.

Abstract: A radio frequency power amplifier and corresponding methods are arranged and configured to drive or provide a radio frequency signal to a resonant load. The amplifier includes a radio frequency switching stage with an output that is coupled to a resonant circuit and configured to provide an output signal with amplitude modulation corresponding to amplitude modulation of an input signal when powered from a fixed voltage power supply and a feedback control system coupled to the input signal and the output signal. The feedback control system includes a sequencer configured to provide a sequencer output that is used to drive the radio frequency switching stage, where the sequencer output has an OFF state that begins at a variable time corresponding to the input and output signal.

Abstract: Various devices, circuits and systems including filter sections for creating complex poles are described herein. For example, various circuits including transistors, tuning capacitors and resistors are described. In the circuits, the tuning capacitor is electrically coupled between the gate and source of the transistor, and the resistor is electrically coupled to the gate of the transistor. In one configuration, the circuit input is applied to the gate of the transistor via the resistor, and the output is taken from the source of the transistor. In another configuration, the input is applied to the source of the transistor, and the output is taken from the same source. In yet another configuration, the input is applied at the source of the transistor and the output is taken from the drain of the transistor.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to telecommunications, and more specifically to a method and system of providing telecommunication services that is flexible and efficient. Existing Public Switched Telephone Network systems suffer from a number of problems including system complexity, access being proprietary and services being implemented on fixed hardware. As a result, new services are complex and costly to develop, so telcos only provide services that appeal very broadly. The invention provides an open and flexible system by describing communications in terms of graph packets which contain pointers to blocks of software code, rather than containing large blocks of executable code. In the preferred embodiment, these graphs identify software filters which are dedicated to particular tasks, and are based on a standard API. This allows third parties to create new filters and make them available, allowing new services to be provided quickly and easily.

Abstract: A low power IF strip architecture suitable for Zero-IF (ZIF) or low-IF (LIF) radio receivers for filtering and amplifying a received signal. The apparatus includes a plurality of sequentially connected complex filter/amplifier stages. Each stage includes a complex filter having one or more poles and an automatic gain controlled amplifier (AGC). Each AGC may be feedback or feedforward with fixed minimum and maximum gains. Each stage further includes a control circuit that produces a gain control signal for controlling the amplifier gain within the fixed minimum and maximum gains as a function of a projected amplitude level. The received signal passes through multiple stages of filtering and controlled amplification to attenuate the interfering signal and amplify the desired signal. This is done at a restricted level in each stage such that the circuits in the stages operate at efficient power saving levels.

Abstract: A method which allows a callee and/or a caller to be billed for telecommunications and which permits notice of charges to be provided to callers, and permits acceptance of charges by callers, prior to completing a connection is disclosed. The invention allows callees to define charges to be applied to calls they receive to be credited to their billing account and/or to waive such charges for some callers and/or in some time periods. Additional information can also be supplied to a caller before the call is completed to the callee, such as an identification of a difference in time zones between the caller and the callee.

Abstract: Current telecommunication Service Providers allow Users to choose from a small selection of telecommunication services with predetermined performance parameters and prices. The invention provides a system in which Service Providers and Users negotiate the parameters and prices of telecommunication services in real time, allowing the Service Providers and Users to establish communications that better optimise their available resources and current needs. This is done by having software agents that represent each concerned party, negotiate the terms of the communication in real time. Further, the invention allows third parties to create new agent or negotiating discipline software available over the Internet, which will allow the technology to mature quickly, and to respond to new services and/or requirements.