Abstract: Predistortion that will compensate for distortion introduced by a power amplifier circuit is determined by applying a time-varying reference signal to the power amplifier circuit, wherein at each moment the time-varying reference signal has a reference amplitude and a reference phase. A corresponding output signal supplied by the power amplifier circuit is measured, wherein at each moment the output signal has a measured amplitude and a measured phase. Amplitude predistortion is determined by comparing the reference amplitude with the measured amplitude, and phase predistortion is determined by comparing the reference phase with the measured phase. A relationship between the phase predistortion and the reference amplitude is determined such that, for any value of the reference amplitude, a corresponding value of the phase predistortion is identified.

Abstract: A variable gain amplifier is provided. The variable gain amplifier includes a first cascode amplifier which includes a first common source transistor and a first common gate transistor, a second cascode amplifier which forms a differential pair with the first cascode amplifier and includes a second common source transistor and a second common gate transistor, and a gain adjustment unit having a side connected to the drain of the first common source transistor and the source of the first common gate transistor and another side connected to the drain of the second common source transistor and the source of the second common gate transistor.

Abstract: A gain control device of a transmitter in a mobile communication terminal is provided. The device includes a temperature sensor for sensing an external temperature, a power amplifying module for amplifying a radio frequency output, a gain control circuit for controlling a voltage gain of the power amplifying module, a fixed gain circuit for providing a fixed voltage gain to the power amplifying module, a switch for switching to connect the power amplifying module to one of the gain control circuit and the fixed gain circuit, and a controller for generating a control signal to control the switch depending on the sensed external temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed are integrated circuits having multiple electromagnetically emissive devices, such as LC oscillators. The devices are formed on an integrated circuit substrate and are given different planar orientations from each other. Particular integrated circuit packages disclosed are “flip-chip” packages, in which solder bumps are provided on the integrated circuit substrate for flipping and mounting of the finished integrated circuit upon a printed circuit board or other substrate. The solder bumps provide conductive connections between the integrated circuit and the substrate. The orientations and positioning of the emissive devices are such that one or more of the solder bumps are interposed between neighboring emissive devices to act as an electromagnetic shield between them.

Abstract: A control voltage window generator that tracks process, voltage supply, and temperature variations for a voltage controlled oscillator includes: a first transistor of a first conductivity type coupled between a supply voltage node and an upper control voltage node; and a second transistor of a second conductivity type coupled to the upper control voltage node to compensate for process variations in devices of the first conductivity type. Additionally, a target pull-in voltage generator includes circuitry for providing a pull-in control voltage that will always be inside the control voltage window, and also tracks process, voltage supply, and temperature variations.

Abstract: The present invention achieves technical advantages as a high performance analog charge pumped phase locked loop (PLL)(10) with process and temperature compensation in closed loop bandwidth. The PLL reduces the variation in bandwidth and stability by making the product KVCO*ICP independent of process and temperature variation. The PLL achieves a higher performance than existing PLL architectures, achieving a high dynamic range up to at least 110 dB, such that a PWM class-D amplifier is realizable with this PLL. The PLL has a constant bandwidth and damping factor while using an analog charge pump (16).

Abstract: A prescaler (10; 110) for use in a phase locked loop circuit, having a signal input (12; 112) receiving a digital input signal (SIG_IN) and a signal output (14; 114) supplying a digital output signal (SIG_OUT). A phase shifter (20; 120) receives an input signal from the signal input (12; 112), and supplies a set of n metasignals (METAk; METAI, METAQ, METAIN, METAQN) each having a relative phase shift of 2?/n with respect to another one of these metasignals. A phase selector (22; 122) has n inputs (34; 134I, 134Q, 134IN, 134QN) to each of which is applied a different one of the metasignals (METAk; METAI, METAQ, METAIN, METAQN) and an output (36; 136) that supplies a selected one of the metasignals. A final frequency divider (26; 126) has an input (70; 170) connected to the output (36; 136) of the phase selector (22; 122) and an output (72; 172) forming the signal output (14; 114) of the prescaler.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a system, method and apparatus for frequency calibration of a free-running, harmonic oscillator. A reference oscillator provides a reference frequency. An exemplary system comprises the harmonic oscillator, a frequency divider, a comparator, and a reactance modulator. The oscillator comprises a plurality of switchable reactance modules and a coefficient register, and provides an oscillation signal having an oscillation frequency. The frequency divider provides an output frequency as a fraction of the oscillation frequency. The comparator compares the output and reference frequencies and provides a comparison signal when the output frequency is not substantially equal to the reference frequency.

Abstract: A phase-locked loop includes an oscillator, a phase detector coupled to the oscillator, a charge pump coupled to the phase detector, a filter coupled to the charge pump, a voltage controlled oscillator, and a fractional frequency divider. The voltage controlled oscillator sends a VCO signal to the divider which sends an output signal to the phase detector. The divider comprises a prescaler that divides the VCO signal by an integer number and the divider emits a first signal representing the result of the division. The phase-locked loop comprises an accumulator coupled to the divider and a digital-analog converter that receives the first signal and outputs a DAC signal aligned with the first signal. The phase-locked loop comprises a circuit coupled to the digital-analog converter and to the prescaler to synchronize the DAC signal with a signal output from the prescaler.

Abstract: An oscillation frequency control circuit comprises a frequency counter that counts to measure a frequency of an oscillating signal outputted from an oscillation circuit which produces the oscillating signal of the frequency corresponding to analog control voltages inputted, a plurality of D/A converters that produce the analog control voltages respectively corresponding to digital values inputted, a digital value generator that generates the digital values according to control signals inputted, and an operation circuit that compares the frequency measured by the frequency counter with a reference frequency and produces the control signals, which are inputted to the digital value generator, corresponding to the comparing result.

Abstract: An active filter circuit containing small capacitors. Due to the presence of such small capacitors, components such as PLL can potentially be integrated into integrated circuits. In an embodiment, the filter circuit is implemented by having a combination of a first capacitor and a first resistor connected in series providing the input signal to the input terminal of a operational amplifier, and a second resistor being connected in parallel to the combination. A second capacitor may be connected between the input and output terminals of the operational amplifier. The first capacitor may be chosen to be small by choosing the second resistor to be of a large resistance. Any noise introduced by such a large resistor may be attenuated by choosing the first resistor to be small.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a circuit includes a delay stage of a ring oscillator. The delay stage may include a first differential pair, a second differential pair, and a third differential pair. The first differential pair may be coupled to a first current-steering circuit, receive a differential input signal, and output a first differential signal. The second differential pair may receive the differential input signal and output a second differential signal, and the third differential pair may be coupled to a second current-steering circuit, receive the second differential signal from the second differential pair, and output the first differential signal. An amount of delay between the differential input signal and the first differential signal is based on relative amounts of current steered by the first current-steering circuit and the second current-steering circuit.

Abstract: A resonance control apparatus 100 includes a VCO 10 which generates a reference signal having a predetermined frequency, a divider 20 which divides the predetermined frequency of the reference signal, a phase reference forming section 50 which delays a phase of the divided signal for a predetermined interval, a voltage comparator 40 which compares a voltage of the output signal from a piezoelectric sensor 2 for detecting the driving state of a piezoelectric load 3 in synchronization with the driving of the piezoelectric load 3 with a predetermined voltage, a phase comparator 60 which compares the phase of the output signal from the voltage comparator 40 with the phase of the output signal from the phase reference forming section 50, and a duty control section 30 for controlling a duty ratio of the drive signal supplied to the piezoelectric load 3 based on the reference signal.

Abstract: A system for setting and adjusting a frequency of electrical output pulses derived from an oscillator in a network is disclosed. The system comprises an accumulator module configured to receive pulses from an oscillator and to output an accumulated value. An adjustor module is configured to store an adjustor value used to correct local oscillator drift. A digital adder adds values from the accumulator module to values stored in the adjustor module and outputs their sums to the accumulator module, where they are stored. The digital adder also outputs an electrical pulse to a logic module. The logic module is in electrical communication with the adjustor module and the network. The logic module may change the value stored in the adjustor module to compensate for local oscillator drift or change the frequency of output pulses. The logic module may also keep time and calculate drift.

Abstract: An object is not only to contribute to reduction in current consumption but also to advance actuation of a system required in a camera, an on-vehicle electric component, etc. by shortening a waiting time for stabilization of oscillation. An oscillator having an inverting amplifier inverting and amplifying an input signal and outputting it, a resonator connected to between an input and an output terminals of the inverting amplifier, a feedback resistance connected in parallel to the resonator, and an output circuit outputting a first clock signal based on a signal of an on-load parallel resonance frequency or a parallel resonance frequency oscillated by the resonator, the inverting amplifier and the feedback resistance to a function block is provided.

Abstract: An oscillator includes a resonance circuit, and a feedback circuit coupled to the resonance circuit. The resonance circuit includes a main resonance element circuit, and a voltage dividing circuit that divides an output voltage of the main resonance element circuit and applies a divided voltage to the feedback circuit.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the invention, a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory is used to configure a single die after packaging of the die has occurred. Thus, numerous applications may be supported by a single die or optimization within a given application may occur. According to embodiments of the invention, the nonvolatile memory may be accessed through a programming interface, and preferably, through a two-pin programming interface, to normalize parameters such as package parasitics, crystal variations, output dividers, output duty cycle, output edge rates, I/O configuration, and oscillator gain. According to an embodiment of the invention, an XO circuit configuration includes a nonvolatile memory and a stand-alone XO, where the XO circuit configuration does not require a PLL to synthesize a reference frequency produced by the XO.

Abstract: An environmental-compensated oscillator includes a reference clock waveform generator; a phase locked loop receiving the reference clock waveform and outputting a phase locked clock waveform; and a sensor outputting a voltage corresponding to an environmental parameter of the generator. The voltage is used by the PLL to compensate the phase locked clock waveform. The PLL includes a phase detector, a charge pump coupled to an output of the phase detector, a low pass filter coupled to an output of the charge pump, a voltage controlled oscillator (“VCO”) coupled to an output of the low pass filter, and a feedback path coupled between an output of the VCO and the phase detector, wherein the feedback path includes a phase rotator capable of fine tuning an output frequency of the VCO responsive to a frequency of an input clock. An accumulator is coupled to the phase rotator and supplies the input clock to the phase rotator. The phase rotator finely tunes the VCO output frequency.

Abstract: A clock circuit has a crystal. A differential amplifier has a first input coupled to a first node of the crystal and a second input of the differential amplifier coupled to a bias signal and an output of the differential amplifier coupled to a second node of the crystal.

Abstract: It is an object to provide an oscillator starting control circuit capable of shortening a starting time and stably controlling the starting time, and furthermore, stabilizing an oscillating frequency after starting an oscillating circuit. [Means for Resolution] An oscillating circuit (1) is a crystal oscillating circuit in which an input and an output of an inverter (14) are connected to both ends of a crystal oscillator (15) and both ends of a resistor (16), the input is connected to a drain of an MOS variable capacity (10), the output is connected to a drain of an MOS variable capacity (11), a source of the MOS variable capacity (10) is connected to a fixed capacity (12), a source of the MOS variable capacity (11) is connected to a fixed capacity (13), and the other ends of the fixed capacities (12, 13) are connected to a GND.

Abstract: An oscillator circuit configured by a feedback resistance 1, an amplifier 2 and a quartz vibrator 3 has a load resistance. MOS transistors 5, 6 short-circuited at source and drain terminals has a capacitance, as a variable capacitance, occurring at between the source-drain terminal and gate terminal. A series connection of DC-cut capacitance 8, 9 and variable capacitance (MOS transistor 5, 6) is configured between one and the other terminals of the quartz vibrator 3 and an AC ground terminal. For example, a threshold voltage control signal for MOS transistor 5, 6 is inputted to the source-drain terminal through a high-frequency removing circuit 10, 11. Meanwhile, a signal that a temperature compensation control signal and an external voltage frequency control signal are superimposed together is inputted to the gate terminal. This makes it possible to desirably determine an output bias to a temperature compensation control circuit and an external voltage frequency control circuit.

Abstract: An oscillator circuit is formed of a differential LC resonant circuit formed of an L load differential circuit including inductance-variable portions and a capacitive element, and a positive feedback circuit formed of N-channel MOS transistors. The inductance-variable portion is configured to vary the inductance by selecting a plurality of switch circuits arranged between a plurality of arbitrary positions on a spiral interconnection layer and the input/output terminal, and thereby can control an oscillation frequency. The inductance-variable portions form an inductor pair when the switch circuit among the switch circuits coupled between the first input/output terminals is turned on together with the switch circuit.

Abstract: A circuit and a method are provided for sensing integrated circuit temperatures using low power and small area. This temperature sensor is more accurate than other temperature sensors, since it uses a reference voltage which has a steeper slope versus temperature. Also, this temperature sensor dissipates lower power than conventional designs, since it only requires two voltage comparators. This is accomplished via a unique transfer gate voltage selection system, which allows two comparators to be reused during different temperature control state modes. The simple design can be scaled to add to the number of temperatures to be detected.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the invention provides a frequency controller to control and provide a stable resonant frequency of a clock generator and/or a timing and frequency reference. Such stability is provided over variations in a selected parameter such as temperature and fabrication process variations. The various apparatus embodiments include a sensor adapted to provide a signal in response to at least one parameter of a plurality of parameters; and a frequency controller adapted to modify the resonant frequency in response to the second signal. In exemplary embodiments, the sensor is implemented as a current source responsive to temperature fluctuations, and the frequency controller is implemented as a plurality of controlled reactance modules which are selectively couplable to the resonator or to one or more control voltages. The controlled reactance modules may include fixed or variable capacitances or inductances, and may be binary weighted.

Abstract: An input impedance matching circuit for a low noise amplifier includes a source pad, a gate pad, an input transistor, a source degeneration inductor and a matching capacitor. The gate pad receives an input signal and the input transistor amplifies the input signal transmitted from the gate pad. The source degeneration inductor electrically coupled to an external ground voltage is adapted for input impedance matching of the low noise amplifier. The source pad is coupled to a source electrode of the input transistor and the matching capacitor is formed between the gate pad and the source pad extending the source pad to be disposed under the gate pad. Accordingly, impedance matching of the low noise amplifier may be facilitated and the gain and noise figure of the low noise amplifier may be improved.

Abstract: Disclosed is an acoustic resonator that includes a substrate, a first electrode, a layer of piezoelectric material, a second electrode, and an alternating frame region. The first electrode is adjacent the substrate, and the first electrode has an outer perimeter. The piezoelectric layer is adjacent the first electrode. The second electrode is adjacent the piezoelectric layer and the second electrode has an outer perimeter. The alternating frame region is on one of the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: An adjustable resonator filter (200), the operating band of which can be shifted by a one-time adjustment. The natural frequency of each resonator (210, 220) is affected, in addition to the basic tuning arrangement, by an adjustment circuit (ACI), which includes a fixed tuning element (280) in the resonator cavity and an adjusting part (290) outside the cavity. The tuning element has an electromagnetic coupling to the basic structure of the resonator. The adjustment circuit is functionally a short transmission line, which is “seen” by the resonator as a reactance of a certain value. By changing the electric length of the transmission line, the value of the reactance and the electric length and natural frequency of the whole resonator are changed. The change is implemented in the adjustment part by means of switches or a movable dielectric piece. In the resonator filter each resonator has a similar adjustment circuit, and the adjustment circuits have common control (CNT) for shifting the band of the filter.

Abstract: A balanced filter suitable for a reduction of the filter size. The balanced filter comprises strip-line resonators (SL1a, SL1b) constituting resonance electrodes on the unbalanced side, strip-line resonators (SL2a, SL2b) disposed in adjacently opposed relation to the strip-lines on the unbalanced side and constituting resonance electrodes on the balanced side, strip-line resonators (SL3a, SL3b) disposed in adjacently opposed relation to the strip-lines on the balanced side and constituting stage constituting resonance electrodes, and impedance elements (Z) coupling the resonance electrodes on the balanced side to the stage constituting resonance electrodes.

Abstract: A signal transmission structure including a signal line, a first reference plane with a first opening, and a second reference plane with a second opening is provided. The first reference plane is disposed beside the signal line, and a portion of the signal line passes through a position of the first opening. In addition, the second reference plane is disposed beside the first reference plane, and the second opening is in a position corresponding to the position of the first opening, while the outline of the second opening projected onto the first reference plane does not overlap with the position of the first opening. Therefore, at high frequency-transmission, the above structure can reduce the insertion loss resulted from impedance mismatch as the signal passes through the opening, and reduce the resonance induced by the coupling between two reference planes to enhance the quality of signal transmission.

Abstract: The reset lever on a circuit breaker undervoltage relay is actuated by translating arcuate movement of a handle arm pin as the circuit breaker handle is moved to the off position into rotation of the reset lever through a complaint interface lever that is stiff enough to actuate the reset lever, but flexible enough to accommodate for overtravel of the handle arm pin when the circuit breaker is reset and for the stackup of tolerances in the operating mechanism.

Abstract: A circuit breaker including a housing, separable contacts, a cradle rotatably mounted within the housing, an alarm switch mounted within the housing, and an interface lever disposed between the cradle and the alarm switch. The cradle is adapted to rotate about a first axis in a first direction when the circuit breaker moves to a tripped position in which the separable contacts are separated from one another. The alarm switch includes an actuation lever movable in an actuation direction, wherein movement of the actuation lever in the actuation direction causes the alarm switch to activate an alarm device electrically connected thereto. When the cradle rotates in the first direction, the cradle exerts a first force against the interface lever that causes the interface lever to exert a second force against the actuation lever that causes the actuation lever to move in the actuation direction.

Abstract: A circuit breaker configured to be remotely operated is disclosed. The circuit breaker includes a set of main contacts configured to connect between an electrical source and an electrical load, an operating mechanism in operable communication to open and close the main contacts, and a remotely operable drive system configured to open and close the main contacts separate from actuation of the operating mechanism. The drive system includes a motor responsive to first and second control signals, a primary drive responsive to the motor, and an opening spring responsive to the primary drive, the main contacts being responsive to the opening spring. In response to the first control signal, the primary drive moves to charge the opening spring, and in response to the second control signal and the main contacts being closed, the primary drive moves to allow the opening spring to discharge thereby resulting in the main contacts opening independent of the motor.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a housing including a primary cover and a secondary cover having a tab; separable contacts; and an operating mechanism adapted to open and close the separable contacts. The operating mechanism includes a cradle pivotally mounted within the housing, the cradle including a latch, and a latch mechanism within the housing. The latch mechanism is adapted to capture the latch of the cradle when the separable contacts are closed. The operating mechanism also includes a rotary interlock pivotally mounted within the housing and cooperating with the latch mechanism and the tab of the secondary cover to release the latch of the cradle and to trip open the separable contacts when the secondary cover is removed from the primary cover.

Abstract: A U-shaped accessory actuator clip that snaps onto the crossbar of a multipole circuit breaker is integrally molded of a compliant material with a flexible finger that actuates/deactuates an accessory, such as an auxiliary switch, as the contacts of the breaker close and open.

Abstract: A lockable fastener connects together a plurality of components of a circuit breaker and maintains electrical conductivity between the components while permitting relative movement therebetween. The lockable fastener includes a first clinch nut member and a second clinch bolt member. The clinch nut member includes a threaded cavity formed therein, a side having opening therein, and a passageway between the side at the opening and a surface proximate the threaded cavity. The clinch bolt member includes a threaded shank. At least a portion of the threaded shank is threadably receivable in the threaded cavity of the clinch nut member, in order to axially align the clinch nut and clinch bolt members. The clinch nut and clinch bolt members are adapted to be locked by deformation of the surface of the clinch nut member to prevent loosening of the members.

Abstract: There is being disclosed a portable electronic apparatus, such as a mobile phone, comprising a body and at least partly covering lid pivotally mounted to the body by a hinge. The apparatus includes and a permanent magnet and an electromagnetic coil for generating a controllable magnetic flux between the lid and the body of the portable electronic apparatus. By supplying a current through a wire in the coil suspended between the poles of the permanent magnet the wire experiences a magnetic force. An embodiment can be used for vibrating the portable electronic apparatus, locking the lid and the body of the apparatus together and indicating a position of the lid.

Abstract: A superconducting coil having form of pancake or double pancake wound of non-insulated superconducting wire (tape) with insulating layer between adjacent turns composed of epoxy resin filled with ceramic powder of high thermal conductivity. A superconducting coil composed of several pancakes and/or double pancakes and includes layers of said epoxy with or without additional spacers between adjacent pancakes. Pancakes or double pancakes as well as coils, consisting of several pancakes and/or double pancakes that have a solenoid form or racetrack or saddle forms.

Abstract: A linear solenoid includes a pair of soft iron pole members which are in a spaced apart linear arrangement. A permanent magnet is attached to the end of a plunger which rides between the pole members. When a first of two electro-magnet coils is energized the plunger which is latched to one of the pole members is repelled to the opposite pole member and latched. When the second coil is energized the plunger returns to the original pole member and is latched.

Abstract: A surface mount coil component has an electrode part including: internal electrodes mounted on both flanges of a drum type core over bottom surfaces and wraparound portions extending from the bottom surfaces to the end surfaces and parts of both sides. The coil conductor is conductively joined to the internal electrodes at both ends thereof. Intermediate electrodes cover from the top sides of wraparound portions of the internal electrodes on the sides of the flanges through top sides of the wraparound portion thereof on the end surfaces of the flanges to top sides of the wraparound portion thereof on the other sides of the flanges so as to leave C-shaped cross section of exposed areas of the internal electrodes. Also, plating conductive films extend from surfaces of the exposed areas of the internal electrodes to surfaces of the intermediate electrodes.

Abstract: A support structure for a circuit interrupter latch member includes a first side plate having a first opening, and a second side plate having a second opening. A first hardened bushing includes a first opening and a first perimeter. The first opening of the first hardened bushing is adapted to pivotally mount a first tab of the latch member. The first perimeter is coupled to the first side plate at the first opening thereof. A second hardened bushing includes a second opening and a second perimeter. The second opening of the second hardened bushing is adapted to pivotally mount a second tab of the latch member. The second perimeter is coupled to the second side plate at the second opening thereof. The hardened material of the first and second side plates is harder than the unhardened material of the first and second side plates.

Abstract: A woven fabric switch is provided comprising a woven fabric (41) which divides to form a first layer (44) and a second layer (45) ordinarily spaced apart from each other. The size of the first layer (44) in terms of length between first and second boundary (50), (51) is greater than the size of the second layer (45) in terms of its length spanning between first and second boundary (50), (51), causing the first layer (44) to deform in the z direction and ordinarily maintain the first layer (44) and second layer (45) spaced apart from each other and so serving to define the void (46). A plurality of conductive elements (47) of the first layer (44) are physically separated from the plurality of conductive elements (48) of the second layer (45) and the switch is in an electrically off state.

Abstract: A high-power resistor including a plurality of resistor elements, made of sheets of an electrically conductive resistance material, with a first and a second terminal. The resistor elements are mutually separated by disc-shaped insulating first shims. The first and second terminals are connected to adjacently located resistor elements so that the respective first terminals are connected to a first terminal and that the respective second terminals are connected to a second terminal. Two adjacent resistor elements form a current path, whereby, viewed in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the sheets, said first and second terminals, respectively, are so mutually positioned that, for a current supplied thereto, the current path in one resistor element substantially overlaps the current path in an adjacent resistor element and hence carries current in mutually opposite directions in the two adjacent resistor elements.

Abstract: A device has (1) an electronic key that transmits a wireless coded signal and (2) at least one tool that can receive that signal. The coded signal is compared to a coded signal stored in said tool. If the coded signal matches the stored signal, a switch is closed for a predetermined amount of time. An on/off switch then enables the user of the tool to turn the tool on and off during the predetermined amount of time. After the predetermined amount of time, the switch is opened so that the tool can no longer be used. Opening the switch may be delayed if the tool is in use. The tool may also contain a unique identification code that can be read by various electronic means to identify the tool.

Abstract: This invention describes methods for securing access to an electronic annotation provided on an object, including the steps of providing the object with a plurality of memory tags, providing an electronic annotation on at least one of the memory tags, and defining a sequence in which the memory tags must be accessed in order to access the annotation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a closing system comprising handles (20) for operating latches that are inoperative when in a locked position, and only enable the latch to open when the latch is in an unlocked position. In conjunction with an access authorization device, the approaching of a hand to the handle (20) can be sensed in advance by a capacitive sensor thus enabling a very early reversing of the latch into the respectively desired position. To this end, two electrodes (51, 52) are integrated inside the handle (20), and a shielding (53) is located between these electrodes. One electrode (51) generates an inner field (50) between the handle (20) and the vehicle (10) and, with the vehicle body, acts as a capacitive inner sensor. The other electrode (52), however, generates an outer field (60) with regard to the surrounding area of the vehicle. When, during normal use of the handle (20), the hand passes into the area of the inner field (50), a first function in the latch or vehicle is carried out.

Abstract: A dual frequency radio tag for a radio frequency identification system is provided that includes an antenna system and a first receiver coupled to the antenna system. The first receiver receives and processes request signals from a first unit type at a first frequency. A second receiver is coupled to the antenna system and receives and processes request signals from a second unit type at a disparate second frequency. A transmitter is coupled to the antenna system and transmits response signals from the radio tag at the second frequency.

Abstract: One technique of the present invention includes a number of Radio Frequency (RF) tags that each have a different identifier. Information is broadcast to the tags from an RF tag interrogator. This information corresponds to a maximum quantity of tag response time slots that are available. This maximum quantity may be less than the total number of tags. The tags each select one of the time slots as a function of the information and a random number provided by each respective tag. The different identifiers are transmitted to the interrogator from at least a subset of the RF tags.

Abstract: RFID system components, such as readers and tags, communicate where the reader inventories a population of tags. The reader evaluates responses from tags by categorizing them in slots. As tags are inventoried, the number of slots based on a Q-parameter is reduced. The reader determines an interim value for the Q parameter, generates a Q1 value by applying the interim value to a damping function, and uses the Q1 value in another round of interrogation. The reader then determines whether to increase or decrease the interim value depending on the tag replies. The increase or decrease may be an increment or a decrement such as incrementing or decrementing a floating point number of the interim value in a damping function that is arranged to return an integer by rounding the floating point number.

Abstract: RFID system components, such as readers and tags, communicate where the reader inventories a population of tags. The reader evaluates responses from tags by categorizing them in slots. As tags are inventoried, the number of slots based on a Q-parameter is reduced. The reader reduces the Q-parameter first in a first manner, then in a second manner where the second manner is different from the first manner. The first manner and the second manner may be different algorithms, different subroutines of an algorithm, or the same damping algorithm with different damping parameters.

Abstract: Protection against abusive ringing of doorbells is provided by a ring limiting circuit including ring counter and ring timer circuits. Protection can also be implemented in software executed by a digital processor such as a smart home central controller in a wireless doorbell installation.