Abstract: A power amplifier (112) has a first non-linear power amplifier (202) for generating a first amplified signal (203) and a first pre-distortion signal (205) from the carrier signal. The first amplified signal has an amplified carrier component with non-linear distortions, while the first pre-distortion signal has an in-phase carrier component with out-of-phase non-linear distortions. A second non-linear power amplifier (206) having non-linear characteristics similar to a portion of the first non-linear power amplifier is used for generating a second pre-distortion signal (207) from the pre-distortion signal. The second pre-distortion signal has an amplified carrier component with out-of-phase non-linear distortions similar but out of phase with the non-linear distortions of the first amplified signal.

Abstract: A variable gain feedback amplifier circuit comprising a degenerated common emitter circuit coupled to an emitter follower circuit, an output of the emitter follower circuit being coupled to an input of the degenerated common emitter circuit via a variable feedback impedance. An automatic gain controller is coupled to the variable feedback impedance in order to reduce a closed loop gain of the variable gain feedback amplifier circuit when required. The degenerated common emitter circuit also comprises a variable emitter impedance that is also controlled by the automatic gain controller so as to counteract a lowering effect of a reduction in the variable feedback impedance on the open-loop gain of the variable gain feedback amplifier circuit.

Abstract: A method for controlling loop bandwidth of a phase locked loop is described.

Abstract: There provides a two-point modulation phase modulation apparatus capable of obtaining an RF phase modulation signal of superior modulation precision with low power consumption and a simple configuration even in the event of inputting a wide band baseband modulation signal. A differentiator (21) of the opposite characteristics to the attenuation characteristics of anti-alias filter (22) is provided at the front stage of a D/A converter (6). As a result, it is possible to sufficiently suppress an alias signal without raising the sampling frequency of the D/A converter (6) (i.e. low power consumption) using an anti-alias filter (22) of a simple configuration (i.e. low cost) with a low order for a narrower bandwidth than a PLL modulation frequency bandwidth, and it is possible to obtain an RF phase modulation signal where the entire frequency band of input digital baseband modulation signal (S1) is reflected in a superior manner.

Abstract: While a charge pump activation/deactivation control circuit is outputting a high level signal, MOS transistors for short-circuiting a flying capacitor are off, and the charge pump circuit operates normally. When the charge pump activation/deactivation control circuit outputs a low level signal, the MOS transistors for short-circuiting the flying capacitor are turned on, and the charge pump circuit is deactivated. Consequently, the voltages at the terminals of the flying capacitor are the same and the charge charged therein is discharged. Therefore, when the charge pump circuit is activated again, the initial amount of charge charged to the flying capacitor is zero. Consequently, no large current flows through an output capacitor in the first discharging cycle after the re-activation.

Abstract: An oscillation device includes a reference oscillation unit for generating an oscillating signal of a specific frequency; a voltage-controlled oscillation unit for generating a output oscillation signal whose frequency is dependent on a control voltage; a phase comparing unit for detecting a phase difference based on the oscillating signal and the output oscillation signal; a digital value storage unit for storing therein a phase difference signal corresponding to the phase difference as a digital value; a sample holding unit for intermittently renewing and maintaining a hold signal in accordance with the digital value; and a control unit. The control unit controls the reference oscillation unit, the phase comparing unit and the digital value storage unit to be started or stopped, and also switches the control voltage to the phase difference signal or to the hold signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for reducing noise. The apparatus includes a phase detector adapted to determine a phase difference between a first and a second signal, a first circuit adapted to generate a control signal based upon the determined phase difference, and a second circuit. The second circuit is adapted to receive a third signal, receive a fourth signal, modify the fourth signal based upon the control signal, and provide the third signal and the modified fourth signal to the phase detector as the first and second signals.

Abstract: A frequency synthesiser circuit for use in wireless communications including a phase locked loop including a VCO (voltage controlled oscillator), wherein the synthesiser circuit includes a further oscillator which in operation is a free running oscillator at a frequency higher than the VCO and a mixer connected to receive input signals from the VCO and from the further oscillator and to combine such signals. Also described is a wireless communications transmitter or receiver incorporating the frequency synthesiser circuit.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device is provided having one or more pairs of ring oscillator circuits. Each ring oscillator circuit of the one or more pairs of ring oscillator circuits is configured to connect to at least one voltage source capable of applying a stress to a ring oscillator circuit. One or more frequency measurement circuits are each electrically connected to a respective pair of the one or more pairs of ring oscillator circuits.

Abstract: Circuits and methods for generating an oscillator output. The circuit generally includes a ring oscillator, with a series of inverters connected in series and an LC resonator tank (or a variable resistance) coupled to the input and output of the inverter series. The method generally includes the steps of applying an operating voltage to such a circuit and generating an oscillator signal. The circuits and methods may be employed as a VCO component of a phase-locked loop. The upper limit of the oscillator signal frequency may be configured by altering or controlling the variable resistance and/or one or more parameters of the LC resonator tank. The circuit design demonstrates a high tolerance to variations in circuit or circuit component values.

Abstract: Methods and circuits for chain ring oscillators having a constant duty cycle and being insensitive to ground noise have been disclosed. The ring oscillator generates n outputs with 360°/n phase shift and each stage is delayed by T 2 × n . The output of a suitable stage is selected so that a digital XOR-gate, using the output of a selected stage and the output of the nth stage, eliminates variations of the duty cycle caused by temperature and process variations. In case a 50% duty cycle is desired the stage number N of the selected stage can be calculated using the equation N=(n?1)/2. The duty cycle can be varied by selecting the output of another gate. A D-flipflop, clocked by the output of the XOR-gate removes noise from the clock pulses.

Abstract: A multi-phase realigned voltage-controlled oscillator (MRVCO) achieves phase realignment based on charge injection in the VCO stages. The individual VCO stages provide an oscillating output signals having an asymmetric waveform with substantially different rise and fall times. This ensures that the VCO as a whole has a multiphase impulse response to the charge injection that is strictly positive or strictly negative, and substantially constant so as to be independent of the VCO phase or timing of charge injection. The MRVCO may form a component part of an implementation of a multi-phase realigned phase-locked loop (MRPLL).

Abstract: In a voltage controlled oscillator, a voltage controlled oscillating part includes a resonance circuit, a differential amplifying circuit and an active load. The resonance circuit generates a resonance signal. The differential amplifying circuit feeds back the resonance signal from the resonance circuit and outputs two oscillation signals having a phase difference of 180°. The active load controls gain of the oscillation signals generated in the differential amplifying circuit. Further, an automatic amplitude controlling part converts the oscillation signals into a direct voltage and compares the direct voltage with a preset reference voltage to output a control voltage for determining a resistance value of the active load. The invention effectively adjusts amplitude of the oscillation signals outputted and reduces phase noise resulting from noise components induced by current source in case of switching of the differential amplitude circuit.

Abstract: A mode transducer for converting an electromagnetic wave between TE1,0 and TM0,1 modes. A rectangular waveguide guides the wave while in TE1,0 mode and a circular waveguide guides the wave while in TM0,1 mode. The rectangular waveguide and the circular waveguide are joined by a chamber to form a right angle structure. The chamber particularly includes offset walls distended away from proximal portions of the rectangular waveguide to convert the electromagnetic wave between modes. Two of the mode transducers rotatably coupled with a suitable rotation mechanism may be used as a rotary waveguide joint.

Abstract: A filter device includes a circuit board having a pattern electrode; a substrate having a filter to which a signal line for inputting or outputting a signal and a reference potential line having a reference potential are connected, and a pad electrode connected to the filter, the substrate being mounted on the circuit board such that the pad electrode and the pattern electrode face each other; and a connection part formed of the pad electrode, the pattern electrode, and a conductive member formed between the pattern electrode and the pad electrode to electrically connect the pattern electrode to the pad electrode, wherein the connection part is arranged to connect the signal line to the reference potential line.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave branching filter includes a first filter and a second filter each including a plurality of surface acoustic wave resonators arranged in a ladder circuit configuration. The first filter in which the frequency range of the passband is relatively low is provided on a first piezoelectric substrate, and the second filter in which the frequency range of the passband is relatively high is provided on a second piezoelectric substrate. The first piezoelectric substrate and the second piezoelectric substrate are rotation Y-cut X-propagation LiTaO3 substrates, and the cut angle of the first piezoelectric substrate is greater than the cut angle of the second piezoelectric substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides a phase shifter with flexible control voltage that is useful with all RF systems that phase shift a RF signal. The phase shifter according to the present invention may comprise transistors used as switching elements. In one aspect, the phase shifter provides the option of controlling a phase shifter with either a positive or a negative voltage control signal. For example, the dc ground of the transistors included in the phase shifter may be floated. The RF grounding of the transistors may be achieved by in-band resonant capacitors. Thus, the control voltage provided to the transistors is flexible in that it may be connected to a positive or negative control voltage, or it may be connected to ground, or it may swing from a positive control voltage to a negative control voltage or vice versa.

Abstract: A filter for CATV applications includes a housing and two interface caps, each with an annular groove in a header portion thereof. A circuit board having a grounding bus along an edge of the board is disposed inside the housing. A split ring grounding clamp is disposed inside the housing such that a plurality of split rings are adjacent the grounding bus. The interface caps are press fitted into the ends of the housing, forcing the plurality of split rings into uniform contact with the grounding bus. The ends of the housing are then crimp-rolled such that a ridge is formed in the housing where the grooves in the headers are located in the interface caps, thereby sealing the ends of the housing to the interface caps.

Abstract: A dual-band bandpass filter for integrating two bandpass filters of two frequency bands includes a first filter unit and a second filter unit. The first filter unit is used to pass a signal of a first frequency band and the second filter unit is used to pass a signal of a second frequency band.

Abstract: A film bulk acoustic resonator includes a substrate; a lower electrode formed on top of the substrate; a piezoelectric membrane formed on top of the lower electrode and having a crystallographic axis so inclined as to generate a total reflection when an acoustic wave advances toward the lower electrode; and an upper electrode formed on top of the piezoelectric membrane.

Abstract: There are many inventions described and illustrated herein, as well as many aspects and embodiments of those inventions. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a resonator architecture including a plurality of in-plane vibration microelectromechanical resonators (for example, 2 or 4 resonators) that are mechanically coupled to provide, for example, a differential signal output. In one embodiment, the present invention includes four commonly shaped microelectromechanical tuning fork resonators (for example, tuning fork resonators having two or more rectangular-shaped or square-shaped tines). Each resonator is mechanically coupled to another resonator of the architecture. For example, each resonator of the architecture is mechanically coupled to another one of the resonators on one side or a corner of one of the sides. In this way, all of the resonators, when induced, vibrate at the same frequency.

Abstract: A resonator, a filter, and a communication apparatus that can be easily miniaturized even if the resonant frequency is relatively low are provided. Conductor layers are laminated in the state in which they are partially insulated from each other by a dielectric layer. Conductor openings free from any conductor layer in the laminate direction serve as inductive areas, and the portion where the conductor layers oppose each other with the dielectric layer therebetween serves as a capacitive area CA. With this configuration, the resulting resonator serves as a stepped-impedance-structured slot resonator. By increasing the impedance step ratio of the capacitive area to the inductive areas according to this structure, the resonator is miniaturized. Additionally, the conductor loss of the resonator is reduced by suppressing the intrusion of magnetic field energy to the capacitive area. It is thus possible to obtain a small resonator having high Qo.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising a radio frequency switch capable of using tunable dielectric capacitors as the switching element for a plurality of cross connected ports. Further, the RF switching may be accomplished by creating an RF short at a tee within said apparatus by the combination of transmission lines and the impedance provided by the tunable dielectric capacitor.

Abstract: A relay comprises a main body containing first, second, and third contact carriers, connection pins, and a magnetic system. The first, second, and third contact carriers are provided with contacts. Each of the first, second, and third contact carriers is connected to at least one of the connection pins. The connection pins protrude outward from a connection side of the relay. The magnetic system is mechanically coupled to at least one of the first, second and third contact carriers for changing switching states of the contacts. An insertion member having a plurality of webs is arranged adjacent to the connection side. The insertion member is introduced into the main body from an assembly side adjoining the connection side such that one of the webs of the insertion member is positioned between each of the first, second, and third carrier contacts.

Abstract: A mechanical means to increase or decrease the magnetic strength of magnetic clamping devices used to clamp ferromagnetic workpieces together.

Abstract: An ignition coil for an internal combustion engine has a core, about which a secondary coil shell and a primary coil shell are concentrically positioned. The spaces between the core, the secondary coil shell, and the primary coil shell are filled in by an encapsulating material. The core is made up of lamellar, magnetic steel sheets. To compensate for stresses resulting from the different thermal expansion coefficients of the components, an elastic layer is situated between at least two of the magnetic steel sheets of the core.

Abstract: Ferrite cores are provided with rounded, convex head ends and complimentary rounded, concave tail ends. The configuration of the head and tail ends permits a reduction in gap width between adjacent cores when they are joined together into a core assembly that suppresses electromagnetic interference emitted from a cable.

Abstract: In the method of manufacturing a superconducting coil, a superconducting line coated with an insulating member is contained in a groove formed on a surface of a stainless steel plate, and a stainless steel lid is fitted in outer side of the superconducting line in an opening in the groove. The lid is formed to fit in the groove. Then, the plate and the lid are welded to seal at joint sections. The welding is conducted using a plurality of heat sources including a laser and an arc so that melting depth at the joint section is within a predetermined range. The lid may have two joint sections, and the welding of the joint sections of the lid may be conducted simultaneously. The plate may have a plurality of grooves, and the welding of the joint sections of the lid may be conducted simultaneously.

Abstract: In order to provide a current fuse with high solderability without containing harmful materials, solder chips containing 30 to 60 percent by weight of zinc, 0.1 to 2 percent by weight of copper, 0.1 to 1 percent by weight of nickel, and the remainder percent by weight being tin, or further containing 0.01 to 0.5 percent by weight of aluminum are inserted into the interior of the electrodes before pressing the electrodes into the ends of the substrate of the fuse, the exterior of the electrodes is heated to melt the solder chips, thereby connecting between the electrodes and the fuse wire.

Abstract: An actuator and integral position sensor has increased reliability with a fail-safe mode. The actuator and sensor assembly includes a rotary actuator that has a driving shaft. A sensor rotor has the driving shaft mounted in a bore. A contactor is mounted to an outer edge of the rotor. The contactor is engaged with a resistor film as the rotor rotates. A driven shaft is mounted to the rotor in another bore. The rotor couples the driving shaft and the driven shaft together.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a sheet resistor, in particular in an expansion measuring element, is described, the sheet resistor having a low-resistance supply lead area and a high-resistance resistor area, which is electrically connected to the supply lead area, the method having the following steps: performing a first laser cutting step in the resistor area to modify the temperature coefficient of the offset voltage; performing a second laser cutting step to adjust the sheet resistor, so that an electric quantity of the sheet resistor and thereby the offset voltage is set as a function of a predefined setpoint value.

Abstract: A hotel floor comprises rooms each provided with a central heating radiator having a valve adjustable by means of a 0-10V dc stepper motor. In the hotel lobby a sensor for ambient temperature is connected to a radio transmitter and radio receivers are connected to the stepper motors in each room. If the ambient temperature falls, the transmitter transmits to the receivers a signal representing the lower temperature, and the stepper motors open the valves. If the temperature rises, the transmitter transmits another signal, and the stepper motors close the valves. Thus, the heat output of the radiators is varied in inverse relation to the ambient temperature. The system may otherwise control lighting fittings by way of dimming ballasts, and may also include person-detectors, timers and further control components.

Abstract: A door control system not only provides security to a region by keeping the door(s) locked, it also incorporates a door unlocking function usable as conditions warrant. Sensed medical or ambient conditions, such as smoke or gas, can cause the system to unlock the respective door(s).

Abstract: A keypad transmitter for mounting outside a controlled area which may respond to the voice or other biometric indicia of users by transmitting validatable codes to a controller of a barrier movement system. The keypad may be used to send a validatable code or it may be used in a learning operation of the voice responsive portion. The voice responsive portion includes speaker dependent voice analysis for some functions and speaker independent voice analysis for other functions.

Abstract: A weapon access control system having a rack structure exhibiting a plurality of weapons in exposed and individually locked fashion. A processor operatively actuates each of the plurality of individual weapon locking mechanisms incorporated into the rack structure in response to successive biometric and weapon selection inputs communicating with the processor for determining at least one of user identification and weapon release authorization prior to the processor actuating the locking mechanism to release the weapon. An associated computer writeable medium operates with the processor and establishes a series of subroutines for establishing user identification, weapons rating, selective weapon release/reentry and associated maintenance and record keeping log reports.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a real-time delivery of Point of Purchase (POP) messaging at various locations around a retail store is included within aisles, end-of-aisles, shelf edge, departments, check-out stands, on shopping carts and mobile personal devices carried by individual customers.

Abstract: An inventory control process includes the association of an inventory item with a reusable container at an origination point. The container is inclusive of a passive or active identification tag. The container is transported within the range of a transponder able to share information with the identification tag. Upon reaching a destination point, the inventory item is unpacked from the container and the container recycled for association with a new inventory item. An inventory delivery device includes a reusable container labeled with an active identification tag. An inventory item is inserted within the container. A disposable tamper-evident seal retaining the inventory item with the container is provided. The device is particularly well suited for transportation for timely and high clinical value items within a medical care setting.

Abstract: A tag has first and second modes of operation, and uses substantially less battery power in the first mode. In the first mode, the tag is responsive to receipt of a first wireless signal from a remote location with a first transmission range for shifting to the second mode. In the second mode, the tag transmits a second wireless signal with a second transmission range. In one configuration, the second transmission range is greater than or equal to the first transmission range. In a different configuration, the tag periodically checks for the first wireless signal during the first mode at points in time spaced by a time interval. The second transmission range is less than the first transmission range by a difference that is greater than or equal to the time interval multiplied by a speed of movement of the tag toward the remote location.

Abstract: A reader antenna is connected to an interrogator. Conductors are arranged at two places at the opposed marginal edge portions of a radiation plane of the reader antenna along a radiation direction of an electromagnetic wave from the reader antenna. The conductors raises the electric power density above the reader antenna. A storage case is set above the reader antenna and has many items arranged at narrow intervals with radio tags attached thereto. The storage container has the radio tags arranged substantially parallel to the polarization direction of the reader antenna. By doing so, adequate drive power is applied to the radio tag by an electromagnetic wave from the reader antenna.

Abstract: A resonant antenna circuit for a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader generates an electrical signal for activating a passive identification tag. The identification tag in turn generates a coded electrical signal that is detected by the reader. The electrical characteristics of the resonant circuit are dynamically altered so that the antenna performs more optimally as a transmitter and receiver for different types of transponders. The resonant circuit uses only passive components and the instantaneous resonant frequency tuning point is determined by the state of the activation signal transmitter.

Abstract: An identification system includes a reader and one or more tags. The reader identifies tags such as radio frequency (RF) tags. The system divides a number space into n bins, wherein each bin is associated with m unique bits of the number space, and the number space contains the identification codes of the tags. A command is issued to test v bits of the number space. A response is received from a tag, wherein the response occurs when a first portion of an identification code of the tag matches the v bits of the number space, a timing of the response corresponds to a particular bin and m unique bits associated with the particular bin correspond to a second portion of the identification code.

Abstract: An RFID system, such as an RFID printer system, is used to create an RFID performance profile by interrogating an RFID tag at a first position starting at a minimum RF power and increasing the RF power until a successful interrogation is obtained. The RFID tag is then moved forward into a next position and the interrogation process is repeated, starting at the minimum RF power. The process continues until the RFID tag is out of interrogation range even at a maximum RF power or some other user-defined stop point. The power level and position are stored at each position of the RFID tag during this process. The data is compiled to create a profile of the RF performance, which can then be used in a variety of ways to improve system performance.

Abstract: A low-power, passive radio frequency identification and communication device communicable with a device reader is disclosed, comprising an RF front end for receiving from and transmitting to the device reader RF signals and extracting power and data from an RF signal generated by the device reader, a controller for receiving from and transmitting to the RF front end data, and a memory for receiving from and transmitting to the controller data. The memory is readable and writable by the controller and operable using first and second voltage supplies during read and write operations, respectively, the first and second voltage supplies being of different voltage supply levels.

Abstract: The device includes an authorized interrogator, a body, and a transponder attached to the body. The authorized interrogator includes a computer, an input device, an antenna, and a transceiver electrically connected to the antenna so as to form a reader/writer. The input device is used for inputting an authorization level of a user into the authorized interrogator by the user, and the input device is in communication with the computer. The authorized interrogator has preset levels of security corresponding to predefined categories of information. The user's authorization level corresponds to one level of security so that the user can gain access to the corresponding predefined category of information. In a first mode of operation, the transponder accepts information from the authorized interrogator. In a second mode of operation, the transponder delivers information to the authorized interrogator.

Abstract: An electronic service providing system according to an embodiment of the invention includes: a cell phone; a server device for providing an electronic service; and a wireless tag providing unit for providing necessary information for receiving an electronic service like an ID or password with the information stored in the RFID wireless tag. The wireless tag providing unit sends a request for an electronic service to the server device and receives necessary information. The necessary information is written to the wireless tag. The server device 4 transmits necessary information to the wireless tag providing unit in response to the request. The cell phone reads necessary information from the wireless tag of the wireless tag providing unit, and an electronic service such as contents data is received from the server device based on the necessary information. Hence, it is possible to receive an electronic service from anywhere irrespective of place and service type.

Abstract: A system, a method and a computer program for planning the operation of a plurality of lighting means are described. For example in a department store, a number of different types of lighting means, e.g. filament lamps, discharge lamps and fluorescent tube lamps, may be installed. All of these lighting means have a certain life time and eventually need to be replaced. The system, method and computer program according to the invention automatically determine a change schedule with maintenance events for changing the lighting means, which leads to overall minimum cost in a specified time interval. The user enters a plurality of parameters for each groups of lighting means, including the number of lighting means in the group, type, price and/or value for a lifetime and operating time of the lighting means, as well as a first outlay parameter for preparation outlay and a second outlay parameter for changing outlay.

Abstract: A communication system includes a power line, a plurality of PLC networks connected to the power line in common, and an electronic control unit for controlling an electric equipment, connected to the power line between the PLC networks. The electronic control unit includes a bypass capacitor that attenuates a communication signal transmitting over the power line.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for coupling communications signals to an underground medium-voltage power line includes a medium-voltage power line, a ground conductor, one or more ferrites, and a low-voltage communications line. The medium-voltage power line includes a center phase conductor and a concentric neutral conductor. The ground conductor couples the concentric neutral conductor to a ground connection. The one or more ferrites substantially surround at least a portion of the ground conductor. The low-voltage communications line includes a first conductor and a second conductor. The first conductor is coupled to the ground conductor between the one or more ferrites and the concentric neutral conductor. And the second conductor is coupled to the ground conductor between the one or more ferrites and the ground connection.

Abstract: A communication system includes a main power line and a plurality of PLC networks connected to the main power line in common. At least one of the PLC networks includes a plurality of nodes. One node of the nodes in the PLC network is connected to the main power line. The other nodes are interconnected via a sub power line so as to receive power from the main power line through the one node. An inductor provided in the one node is connected to the main power line and the sub power line.

Abstract: A multi-functional monitor utilizes a CCD camera to record the image of the head of a person. The image is then transmitted to an image processor (or a human-image recognition processor) for producing pixels of luminosity data of the image. Eventually, the pixel data are put into a central processing unit (CPU) wherein they are checked against a normal data for consistency. If they are not consistent or the person is determined to have an exceedingly high body temperature, the central processing unit (CPU) will control a driver to start a video recorder. Meanwhile, a relay will be activated to turn on a speaker and an LCD for warning the person and showing the body-temperature reading of the person. If the person continues to force in, the central processing unit (CPU) will notify a police authority through an automatic alarm system. It also warns the person with a flash light.