Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in a digitally tuning a capacitor in an integrated circuit device is described. A Digitally Tuned Capacitor DTC is described which facilitates digitally controlling capacitance applied between a first and second terminal. In some embodiments, the first terminal comprises an RF+ terminal and the second terminal comprises an RF? terminal. In accordance with some embodiments, the DTCs comprise a plurality of sub-circuits ordered in significance from least significant bit (LSB) to most significant bit (MSB) sub-circuits, wherein the plurality of significant bit sub-circuits are coupled together in parallel, and wherein each sub-circuit has a first node coupled to the first RF terminal, and a second node coupled to the second RF terminal. The DTCs further include an input means for receiving a digital control word, wherein the digital control word comprises bits that are similarly ordered in significance from an LSB to an MSB.

Abstract: Provided is a control device of a LC circuit using a spiral inductor, comprising: a spiral inductor in which a first metal line connected to a first terminal and a second metal line connected to a second terminal cross at least one time to be connected in a spiral shape, and that includes at least one crossing part; at least one transistor in which a drain terminal and a source terminal are respectively connected to a first metal line portion and a second metal line portion that correspond to the crossing part; a variable capacitor that is connected to a first terminal and a second terminal of the spiral inductor in parallel; and a controller that respectively sends control signals to the transistor and the variable capacitor to control a resonant frequency or an output.

Abstract: A tunable capacitance circuit comprises a plurality of varactor transistors which are coupled in series. An antenna tuner comprises such a tunable capacitance circuit.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a programmable filter is provided, including a plurality of variable-inductance networks and a plurality of variable-capacitance networks. The programmable filter may be implemented in a classical filter topology, with variable-capacitance networks replacing discrete capacitors and variable-inductance networks replacing discrete inductors. An example variable-inductance network comprises a primary inductor with an intermediate tap, and secondary inductor connected at the intermediate tap, with switches for selecting an inductance.

Abstract: A filter apparatus includes at least one filter, each filter being tunable and including at least one capacitor arrangement. The capacitor arrangement includes a plurality of first capacitors, a plurality of second capacitors, and a plurality of switches. Each switch is switchable between a non-conducting mode and a conducting mode. The plurality of second capacitors and the plurality of switches are arranged to connect or disconnect the second capacitors on different potentials in order to tune the filter by adjusting the capacitance of the filter. An electrical power transmission or distribution system includes such a filter apparatus. A method is provided for filtering harmonics in an electrical power transmission or distribution system by means of such a filter apparatus.

Abstract: Radio frequency (RF) filter structures and related methods and RF front-end circuitry are disclosed. In one embodiment, an RF filter structure includes a first terminal and a first tunable RF filter path defined between the first terminal and a second terminal. The first tunable RF filter path is tunable to provide impedance matching between the first terminal and the second terminal at a first frequency. The first frequency may be provided within a first frequency band. Additionally, the RF filter structure includes a second tunable RF filter path defined between the first terminal and the second terminal. The second tunable RF filter path is tunable to provide impedance matching between the first terminal and the second terminal at a second frequency. The second frequency may be within a second frequency band. In this manner, the RF filter structure is configured to provide impedance tuning for multiple impedance bands simultaneously.

Abstract: A measurement device includes an electric current generation circuit and a monitor device. The electric current generation circuit supplies an electric current whose electric current amount monotonically increases during a setup period of time to the electric circuit including a power supply. The monitor device detects a voltage of the power supply via the electric circuit. A frequency of the detected voltage having a waveform is a frequency at which the impedance of the electric circuit becomes high.

Abstract: RF communications circuitry, which includes a first RF filter structure and RF detection circuitry, is disclosed. The first RF filter structure includes a first group of RF resonators, which include a first pair of weakly coupled RF resonators coupled to a signal path of a first RF signal. One of the first group of RF resonators provides a first sampled RF signal. The RF detection circuitry detects the first sampled RF signal to provide a first detected signal. The first RF filter structure adjusts a first filtering characteristic of the first RF filter structure based on the first detected signal.

Abstract: Embodiments provide methods, devices, circuitry and systems for supporting or implementing functionality to provide a filtering circuit, and for providing a transmitter, receiver or transceiver system incorporating the same. One embodiment provides a circuit for filtering signals. The circuit comprises a first connection configured to be connected to a signal line carrying varying signal voltage and a second connection. The circuit also comprises a first circuit portion comprising a parallel resonant circuit having a variable capacitance connected in parallel with a first inductor; and a second circuit portion comprising a second inductor. The first circuit portion and the second circuit portion are connected in series between the first connection and the second connection.

Abstract: This invention features an absorptive tunable bandstop filter with a wide tuning range including first and second branches of all-pass filter networks, an input power divider for splitting the input signal and passing approximately half of the input signal power through each branch of the all-pass filter networks, and an output power combiner for recombining the signal power from each branch of the all-pass filter networks, at least one of the branches of the all-pass filter networks being electrically tunable to provide an approximately 180° phase difference with similar amplitudes of the split signal power to be recombined at the output power combiner for rejecting but substantially absorbing selected frequencies.

Abstract: Implementations are presented herein that include an antenna switch that includes a plurality of ports. A bandstop filter is coupled to at least one of the plurality of ports of the antenna switch and the bandstop filter is configured to attenuate a disturbing frequency. A transistor is configured to receive a control signal and to switch on the bandstop filter responsive to the control signal.

Abstract: A tunable inductor includes a main wiring and at least one tuning module. The main wiring is arranged to encircle an inductor area of the tunable inductor. In addition, the tuning module is arranged to couple associated nodes of the main wiring. For example, each tuning module of the at least one tuning module includes a first switch positioned within the inductor area, and further includes at least one auxiliary wiring. When the first switch is turned on, the tuning module couples two nodes of the main wiring, where the at least one auxiliary wiring is arranged to couple the two nodes when the first switch is turned on. In particular, a patterned ground plane is arranged to decrease the energy loss of the tunable inductor, and more particularly, to prevent the tunable inductor from suffering energy loss. The patterned ground plane includes some conductive sections forming a W-like shape.

Abstract: A tuning system connected to a tunable RF circuit is described. The tuning system obtains an output of a sensing circuit and processes the output in the control circuit in order to tune one or more passive components in the tunable RF circuit. A related method is also described.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an adjustable filter with a first filter element, and a second filter element coupled to the first filter element. The second filter element includes a field effect transistor (FET) including a source terminal, a drain terminal, and a gate terminal. The source terminal and the gate terminal are coupled to a reference voltage. A control circuit is coupled to the drain terminal and is configured to apply a control voltage thereto to vary a capacitance between the source and drain terminals to adjust the adjustable filter.

Abstract: A low pass filter includes an RF input terminal, an RF output terminal, a plurality of inductors coupled in series between the RF input and output terminals, at least one electrically tunable capacitor coupled between ground and a node of one of the inductors. At least one of the inductors includes a winding, and a resistance and a capacitance coupled in series across a portion of the winding to enhance the out of band rejection of the low pass filter.

Abstract: A cascaded arrangement of resonant tanks capable of widening frequency selection and tuning within an RF circuit is presented. Moreover, usage of DTC allows for larger frequency tuning per tank as well as handling of higher voltage swings while maintaining high linearity across the tuning range.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for filtering of radiofrequency signals. A plurality of tunable cross-couple resonators are connected using capacitive coupling elements to form a cross-coupled bandpass filter. A center frequency of the filter may be set based on frequencies of the resonators and a fractional bandwidth of the filter may be set based on states of the capacitive coupling elements. Programmable zeroes of the filter may be set based on states of reactive elements coupling selected pairs of the resonators. The reactive elements may be capacitive, for zeroes below the center frequency, or inductive, for zeroes above the center frequency.

Abstract: An RF filter comprises a signal transmission path having an input and an output, a plurality of resonant elements disposed along the signal transmission path between the input and the output, and a plurality of non-resonant elements coupling the resonant elements together to form a stop band having a plurality of transmission zeroes corresponding to respective frequencies of the resonant elements, and at least one sub-band between the transmission zeroes. The non-resonant elements comprise at least one variable non-resonant element for selectively introducing at least one reflection zero within the stop band to create a pass band in a selected one of the sub-band(s). The RF filter further comprises an electrical controller configured for receiving an operating temperature, and adjusting the variable non-resonant element(s) based on the received operating temperature, thereby selectively moving the reflection zero(es) along the stop band to move the pass band within the selected sub-band.

Abstract: Techniques for providing low-cost and effective jammer rejection for a radio receiver. In an aspect, a notch filter is provided between a transformer and a differential mixer in the receiver. The notch frequency of the notch filter may be selected to correspond to an expected jammer frequency to effectively attenuate the jammer signal prior to down-conversion mixing by the mixer. The notch filter may be implemented using various techniques, e.g., an L-C combination having adjustable capacitance, and/or elliptic or Chebyshev filters.

Abstract: A variable capacitance circuit includes: a prescribed node, to which an alternate current signal with a reference potential as a center voltage is applied; a first capacitor connected to the prescribed node; a second capacitor connected between the first capacitor and the reference potential; a third capacitor and a transistor for controlling capacitance, provide between a first node between the second capacitor and the first capacitor, and the reference potential; and a bias circuit which applies a first bias voltage to a second node between the third capacitor and the transistor.

Abstract: A broadband circuit between an antenna operating in a first service band and a power feeding unit and allowing the antenna to operate in a second service band wider than the first service band, includes a first line connected to the power feeding unit, a second line connected to a ground surface, a first capacitor between the first and second lines, a third line connected to the ground surface and parallel to the first line, a fourth line connected to the antenna and parallel to the second line, a second capacitor between the first and third lines, a first inductor between the first and third lines and closer to the first and third lines than the third capacitor, a fourth capacitor between the second and fourth lines, and a second inductor between the second and fourth lines and closer to the second and fourth lines than the fourth capacitor.

Abstract: A switchable band-pass filter is described that includes a first capacitor, a first switch circuit, and a second switching circuit arranged in parallel between a first node and a second node. The first switching circuit includes a third node and a first switch. The first switch is coupled between the third node and the second node. The second switching circuit includes a fourth node and a second switch. The second switch is coupled between the fourth node and the second node. A linking circuit is coupled between the third node. Methods for operating the switchable band-pass filter are also described.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for tunable filters that are configured to support multiple frequency bands, such as within the field of cellular radio communication, can include a first resonator and a second resonator configured to block signals within one or more frequency ranges, and one or more coupling element connected to both the first resonator and the second resonator. The one or more coupling element can be configured to provide low insertion loss within a pass band.

Abstract: A tunable resonator includes at least one tunable capacitor coupled with at least one tunable inductor. The tunable resonator includes a mechanical tuning mechanism coupled with a connecting bridge and with first and second electrodes of the tunable inductor. The mechanical tuning mechanism also moves the first and second electrodes of the tunable inductor relative to an electrode of the tunable capacitor, and providing a force down onto or to pull up a connecting bridge to tune the tunable inductor.

Abstract: Tunable notch filters and control loop systems and methods can include a tunable notch filter providing a stop band, a sensing circuit in communication with the tunable notch filter and adapted to determine a phase change between a reference signal and a signal reflected from the tunable notch filter, and a control loop in communication with the tunable notch filter and the sensing circuit, the control loop being operable to adjust the tunable notch filter to modify the phase change.

Abstract: A tunable RF filter comprises a signal transmission path having an input and output, a plurality of resonant elements disposed along the signal transmission path between the input and output, and a set of non-resonant elements coupling the resonant elements together to form a stop band having a plurality of transmission zeroes corresponding to respective frequencies of the resonant elements, and at least one sub-band between the transmission zeroes. The set of non-resonant elements comprises a first plurality of non-resonant elements respectively coupled in parallel with the resonant elements, and a second plurality of non-resonant elements respectively coupled in series with the resonant elements. The first plurality of non-resonant elements comprises at least one variable non-resonant element for selectively introducing at least one reflection zero within the stop band to create a pass band in one of the one sub-band(s) without varying any of the second plurality of non-resonant elements.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) for compensating for a package inductance is disclosed. A first ground pad is directly connected to an on-chip ground node. A second IC ground pad is connected to the on-chip ground node via a tunable capacitor circuit, where the capacitance of the tunable capacitor circuit resonates with the package inductance at the operating frequency of the IC.

Abstract: An RF filter comprises a signal transmission path having an input and an output, a plurality of resonant elements disposed along the signal transmission path between the input and the output, and a plurality of non-resonant elements coupling the resonant elements together to form a stop band having a plurality of transmission zeroes corresponding to respective frequencies of the resonant elements, and at least one sub-band between the transmission zeroes. The non-resonant elements comprise at least one variable non-resonant element for selectively introducing at least one reflection zero within the stop band to create a pass band in a selected one of the sub-band(s). The RF filter further comprises an electrical controller configured for receiving an operating temperature, and adjusting the variable non-resonant element(s) based on the received operating temperature, thereby selectively moving the reflection zero(es) along the stop band to move the pass band within the selected sub-band.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a filter circuit operable to pass a desired signal component of a high-frequency signal inputted and operable to attenuate a harmonic component of an integral multiple of the desired signal, wherein the filter circuit includes a first inductor and a second inductor coupled in series to a signal line transmitting the high-frequency signal, a first variable capacitor coupled between a power supply line and a node of the first inductor and the second inductor, and a second variable capacitor coupled between the signal line and the power supply line.

Abstract: A resonant circuit, configured to operate at a resonant frequency, includes a first arrangement providing a first equivalent capacitance ‘C’ and a second arrangement providing a first inductance. The first arrangement includes a quantity of ‘n’ capacitive elements connected in parallel, n being at least two, each of the n capacitive elements having a nominal capacitance approximately equal to C/n. The resonant frequency may exceed 1 GHz, the first equivalent capacitance may be at least 3 pF, and a composite Q factor of the first arrangement may be greater than 800. Whereas a single capacitive element having a capacitance of C may exhibit a Q factor equal to ‘Q1’, the composite Q factor of the first arrangement may be equal to ‘Q2’ where Q2 is substantially higher than Q1.

Abstract: According to the teachings presented herein, a reconfigurable filter apparatus includes at least first and second passive filter sections connected in parallel to yield a composite filter response. Each passive filter section has a respective passband response and at least one of the passive filter sections is a ‘de-tunable’ passive filter section. Each de-tunable passive filter circuit includes a detuning circuit operable to exclude the respective passband response of the de-tunable passive filter section from the composite filter response by detuning a resonator within the de-tunable passive filter section. ‘Detuning’ the resonator can be understood as short-circuiting, opening the resonator, or otherwise disabling it, such that the filter path is blocked.

Abstract: A bandpass filter includes a first oscillating circuit having inductors (L1, L2) in parallel with capacitors (Cij1), and a second oscillating circuit having inductors (L3, L4) arranged in parallel with capacitors (Cij2). The capacitors (Cij1) of the first oscillating circuit have an assembly of variable capacitive elements (C11, C12, C13, C14) in series with a fixed capacitor (C1), and the capacitors (Cij2) of the second oscillating circuit have an assembly of variable capacitive elements (C21, C22, C23, C24) arranged in series with a fixed capacitor (C2). The first oscillating circuit and the second oscillating circuit are coupled together with capacitors of substantially fixed value (C3, C4) and these coupling capacitors are linked to different respective midpoints between variable capacitors in the first and second oscillating circuits.

Abstract: A system includes a filter and a tuner formed on an integrated circuit. The filter receives an input signal comprising a first number of channels and communicates an intermediate output signal comprising a second number of channels less than the first number of channels. The tuner is coupled to the filter and receives the intermediate output signal and communicates an output signal comprising a third number of channels less than the second number of channels.

Abstract: A variable filter device has: a first series arm which is serially connected to a signal line, includes a variable capacitance and an inductance, and constitutes a series resonator; first and second parallel arms, which are connected between the signal line and the ground on both sides of the first series arm, each of which includes a variable capacitance and an inductance, and constitutes a grounded series resonator. The first series arm defines the center frequency of the pass band, and the first and second parallel arms define attenuation poles sandwiching the pass band.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a passive multi-band duplexer having a first bandpass filter and a second bandpass filter. The first bandpass filter includes a first group of sub-band bandpass filters, a first switching circuit, and a first tunable LC bandpass filter. Similarly, the second bandpass filter includes a second group of sub-band bandpass filters, a second switching circuit, and a second tunable LC bandpass filter. A first band of the passive multi-band duplexer, such as a transmit band, is chosen by selecting one of the first group of sub-band bandpass filters and tuning the first tunable LC bandpass filter to the first band. Similarly, a second band of the passive multi-band duplexer, such as a receive band, is chosen by selecting one of the second group of sub-band bandpass filters and tuning the second tunable LC bandpass filter to the second band.

Abstract: A variable capacitor includes a metal oxide film having a perovskite structure, first and second electrode films having the metal oxide film placed therebetween and to be coupled to an external voltage source, and a bias voltage source configured to provide a bias voltage that is applied in series or parallel to a capacitance of a capacitor including the metal oxide film and the first and second electrode films, wherein the bias voltage applied by the bias voltage source to the capacitance is adapted to maximize a voltage dependency of a relative permittivity of the metal oxide film.

Abstract: A wide range tunable capacitor bank is provided. The capacitor bank comprises a variable capacitor, the capacitance value of which is adjustable within a predetermined capacitance range defined by a minimum capacitance value and a maximum capacitance value. The capacitor bank further comprises one or more switched capacitors each electrically connected in circuit to the variable capacitor. The variable capacitor is configured to allow the capacitance value thereof to be adjusted within the predetermined capacitance range and the one or more switched capacitors are configured to be selectively actuated to permit continuous tuning of the capacitor bank over a second capacitance range that is greater than the predetermined capacitance range. Applications in which the capacitor bank may be implemented, and a method of fabricating an integrated system comprising a plurality of passive components, such as, for example, those of the capacitor bank and high quality factor inductors, are also provided.

Abstract: A field programmable filter array with high spectral isolation and reconfigurability. A bank of resonators can be programmed at will and on the fly to give any type of filtering response. The order, type and bandwidth of the filter are electronically reconfigured. Each subset of resonators can switch between bandstop and bandpass configurations and form custom filter shapes consisting of combinations of bandstop and bandpass filters. The filter can include a unit cell of a resonator with a series of switches to enable coupling to any of its nearest neighbors. The path in which the flow of energy takes through the array of resonators is dynamic, and the filtering function which is created is dialable on demand.

Abstract: A high power tunable capacitor is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a capacitor coupled to an input signal, a body contacted switch coupled to the capacitor, the body contacted switch coupled to a body bias signal, and a floating body switch coupled between the body contacted switch and a ground, the floating body switch configured to decouple the body bias signal from the ground.

Abstract: Methods and systems for filters embedded in an integrated circuit package are disclosed and may include controlling filtering of signals within an integrated circuit via one or more filter components embedded within a multi-layer package bonded to the integrated circuit. The one or more filter components may be electrically coupled to one or more switchable capacitors within the integrated circuit. The filter components may include transmission line devices, microstrip filters, transformers, surface mount devices, inductors, and/or coplanar waveguide filters. The filter components may be fabricated utilizing metal conductive layers and/or ferromagnetic layers deposited on and/or embedded within the multi-layer package. The integrated circuit may be electrically coupled to the multi-layer package utilizing a flip-chip bonding technique.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes determining an amplitude of an input signal provided by a capacitive signal source, compressing the input signal in an analog domain to form a compressed analog signal based on the determined amplitude, converting the compressed analog signal to a compressed digital signal, and decompressing the digital signal in a digital domain to form a decompressed digital signal. In an embodiment, compressing the analog signal includes adjusting a first gain of an amplifier coupled to the capacitive signal source, and decompressing the digital signal comprises adjusting a second gain of a digital processing block.

Abstract: A tunable series resonant circuit includes a voltage source, a source impedance, a variable capacitor, a series inductor, and a load impedance. The variable capacitor includes a sPAC (series programmable array of capacitors) having desirable characteristics for a tunable series resonant circuit. The sPAC may be a binary weighted sPAC, a thermometer coded sPAC, or some other sPAC.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an adjustable filter with a first filter element, and a second filter element coupled to the first filter element. The second filter element includes a field effect transistor (FET) including a source terminal, a drain terminal, and a gate terminal. The source terminal and the gate terminal are coupled to a reference voltage. A control circuit is coupled to the drain terminal and is configured to apply a control voltage thereto to vary a capacitance between the source and drain terminals to adjust the adjustable filter.

Abstract: An RF device includes a substrate and a series circuit of a tunable RF component and a DC blocking capacitor. The series circuit is arranged on the substrate and couples an RF signal terminal to a fixed voltage terminal that is electrically isolated from the RF signal terminal. The tunable RF component is coupled to the RF signal terminal, the DC blocking capacitor is coupled to the fixed voltage terminal and a driver terminal is coupled to the tunable RF component.

Abstract: A de-noise circuit and a de-noise method for differential signals and a chip for receiving differential signals are provided. The de-noise circuit includes a filter and a register. Both the filter and the register are disposed in the chip. The chip receives a differential signal through a first input terminal and a second input terminal. The filter is coupled between the first input terminal and the second input terminal of the chip. The filter filters out noises in the differential signal. The filter includes at least one filter unit. Each filter unit has at least one resistance value or at least one capacitance value. The register is coupled to the filter. The register receives and stores a control value. The register controls the resistance value or the capacitance value of at least one of the filter units based on the control value.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to systems and methods for arranging and controlling programmable combinations of tuning elements in which more than one form of switching technology is combined in a single array. Specifically, such an array can include one or more first switchable elements including a first switching technology (e.g., one or more solid-state-controlled devices) and one or more second switchable elements including a second switching technology that is different than the first switching technology (e.g., one or more micro-electro-mechanical capacitors). The one or more first switchable elements and the one or more second switchable elements can be configured, however, to deliver a combined variable reactance.

Abstract: Tuning a programmable power line filter, the power line filter including a live line, a neutral line, and a ground line connected to input terminals of the filter on an input side of the filter, the live line and the neutral line connected through inductors in the filter to output terminals on an output side of the filter, X-capacitors selectably connected through tuning switches between the live line and the neutral line, Y-capacitors selectably connected through tuning switches between the live line and ground and/or between the neutral line and ground, and a tuning control circuit connected to the tuning switches and selectably connected through one or more programming switches to the load, including measuring by the tuning control circuit the input impedance of the load and programming by the tuning control circuit the tuning switches in dependence upon the input impedance of the load.

Abstract: Electromechanical systems resonator structures, devices, circuits, and systems are disclosed. In one aspect, an oscillator includes an active component and a passive component connected in a feedback configuration. The passive component includes one or more contour mode resonators (CMR). A CMR includes a piezoelectric layer disposed between a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer. The conductive layers include an input electrode and an output electrode. The passive component is configured to output a first resonant frequency and a second resonant frequency, which is an odd integer harmonic of the first resonant frequency. The active component is configured to output a signal including the first resonant frequency and the second resonant frequency. This output signal can be a substantially square wave signal, which can serve as a clock in various applications.

Abstract: An embodiment radio frequency MicroElectroMechanical (RF-MEMS) tunable bandpass filter includes one or more tunable resonators, each of which includes an electrically reconfigurable capacitor bank, a tuning screw, and a resonating structure. In an embodiment, the capacitor bank includes fixed value capacitors and switches to vary the capacitance of the resonator. In an embodiment, the capacitor bank includes variable capacitors and direct current (DC) bias circuits to vary the capacitance of the resonator. The filter may be incorporated into a time division duplexing (TDD) base station or other wireless communications device.

Abstract: Embodiments of a capacitive tuning system implementing a tunable capacitive array are presented herein. The tunable capacitive array includes both scaled coarse capacitors and one or more fine capacitors. The one or more fine capacitors advantageously reduce a differential nonlinearity associated with the scaled coarse capacitors. The use of fine capacitors limits additional area requirements in an integrated circuit implementation, while improving the accuracy of the capacitive tuning system.