Frequency Conversion Patents (Class 455/118)
  • Patent number: 11598897
    Abstract: A metal detector apparatus having a balanced coil system, a receiver unit, a drive coil with at least one capacitor forming a series resonant circuit connected to a transmitter unit having a converter, and a drive controller. The metal detector apparatus configuration generates a first square wave signal set to a fixed/selectable operating frequency which is applied to a first drive switch connected on one side to a first voltage potential and on another side to a centre tap of a half-bridge circuit. A second square wave signal set is generated to the fixed/selectable operating frequency and is applied to a second drive switch connected on one side to a second voltage potential and on another side to the centre tap, via which a drive current is supplied to the drive coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: METTLER-TOLEDO SAFELINE LTD.
    Inventor: Peter Howard
  • Patent number: 11496163
    Abstract: A radio frequency circuit includes: a first power amplifier capable of amplifying a first radio frequency signal and a second radio frequency signal each having a different frequency; and a second power amplifier capable of amplifying the second radio frequency signal. In a case where the first radio frequency signal and the second radio frequency signal are simultaneously transmitted, (i) under a condition that a sum of a bandwidth of the first radio frequency signal and a bandwidth of the second radio frequency signal is broader than or equal to a predetermined bandwidth, the first radio frequency signal is amplified by the first power amplifier, and the second radio frequency signal is amplified by the second power amplifier, and (ii) under a condition that the sum is narrower than the predetermined bandwidth, the first radio frequency signal and the second radio frequency signal are amplified by the first power amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Tanaka, Hirotsugu Mori
  • Patent number: 11411573
    Abstract: An electronic device and method are provided. The electronic device includes a directional coupler, a sense pair connected to the directional coupler, and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) connected to the sense pair. The ADC directly digitizes a signal current received from the sense pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Inventors: Ashutosh Verma, Fan Zhang
  • Patent number: 11206051
    Abstract: A device includes a frequency multiplier circuit to receive a base frequency signal, multiply the base frequency signal, and output the multiple of the base frequency signal, and includes an offset frequency generator, including at least one logic gate, to receive the multiple of the base frequency signal and output an offset frequency signal from the at least one logic gate combination. A mixing circuit receives the offset frequency signal and a digital data signal, converts the digital data signal into an analog representation of the digital data signal, and mixes the offset frequency signal and the analog representation of the digital data signal to produce a mixed signal. The device yet further includes a power amplifier to amplify the mixed signal and output the amplified mixed signal as an output frequency signal of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Debapriya Sahu, Srinivas Venkata Veeramreddi, Raghu Ganesan
  • Patent number: 11196442
    Abstract: Radio-frequency (RF) receivers having bandpass sigma-delta analog sigma analog-to-digital converters (ADC) designed to digitize signals in the RF domain are described. Such bandpass ADCs utilize one or more of the following techniques to enhance noise immunity and reduce power consumption: generation of in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) paths in the digital domain, nth order resonant bandpass filtering with n>1, and signal sub-sampling in an ith Nyquist zone with i>1. Compared to RF receivers in which the I and Q paths are generated in the analog domain, these RF receivers exhibit higher IRRs because they are not susceptible to in-phase/quadrature (IQ) mismatch. Using nth order resonant bandpass filtering with n>1 attenuates unwanted image tones. The bandpass ADC-based RF receivers described herein exhibit enhanced immunity to noise, achieving for example image rejection ratios (IRR) in excess of 95 dB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: MEDIATEK Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Gerhard Mitteregger
  • Patent number: 11012278
    Abstract: A technique for transmitting data on carriers each using a non-sinusoidal waveform is described. As to a method aspect of the technique, a fundamental frequency (118) is assigned to each of the carriers using the non-sinusoidal waveform. Baseband frequencies corresponding to a set of harmonic components of the non-sinusoidal waveform at each of the assigned fundamental frequencies (118) are disjoint. An energy of each of the harmonic components in the set is greater than a predefined threshold value. Modulation symbols (116) representative of the data are transmitted on at least one or all of the carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Miguel Lopez, Leif Wilhelmsson
  • Patent number: 10768218
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting difference in operating characteristics of a main circuit by using a replica circuit is presented. In one exemplary case, a sensed difference in operating characteristics of the two circuits is used to drive a tuning control loop to minimize the sensed difference. In another exemplary case, several replica circuits of the main circuit are used, where each is isolated from one or more operating variables that affect the operating characteristic of the main circuit. Each replica circuit can be used for sensing a different operating characteristic, or, two replica circuits can be combined to sense a same operating characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: pSemi Corporation
    Inventors: Dan William Nobbe, Ronald Eugene Reedy, Peter Bacon, James S. Cable
  • Patent number: 10727894
    Abstract: Front end systems with switched termination for enhanced intermodulation distortion performance are provided herein. The switched termination can be used on transmit paths and/or receive paths of the front end system to suppress impedance variation when the signal paths are inactive. For example, with respect to switched termination for transmit paths, a front end system can include a frequency multiplexing circuit connected to a band switch by a first radio frequency (RF) signal path and by a second RF signal path. The band switch selectively provides the frequency multiplexing circuit with a first transmit signal over the first RF signal path and with a second transmit signal over the second RF signal path. The front end system further includes a switched termination circuit in shunt with the first RF signal path and operable to turn on to suppress impedance variation when the first RF signal path is inactive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert John Thompson, Timothy M. Faughn, Jonathan Christian Crandall
  • Patent number: 10374588
    Abstract: A quadrature clock generating apparatus connected to a local oscillator generating an input clock signal and an inverted input clock signal includes a fractional dividing circuit and a quadrature signal generating circuit. The fractional dividing circuit is configured for receiving the input clock signal and the inverted input clock signal, and for performing frequency-division upon the input clock signal and the inverted input clock signal to generate a frequency-divided clock signal according to a fractional dividing parameter. The quadrature signal generating circuit is configured for receiving the input clock signal, the inverted input clock signal, and the frequency-divided clock signal to generate a plurality of quadrature clock signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventors: Po-Chun Huang, Chao-Ching Hung, Yu-Li Hsueh, Pang-Ning Chen
  • Patent number: 10361660
    Abstract: A wide-bandwidth envelope tracking (ET) circuit is provided. In examples discussed herein, the wide-bandwidth ET circuit is configured to enable a differential amplifier circuit(s) to amplify a radio frequency (RF) signal(s) modulated at a wide-bandwidth (e.g., up to 160 MHz) without increasing power dissipation. Specifically, the wide-bandwidth ET circuit employs a pair of tracker circuits to concurrently provide ET modulated voltages and currents (e.g., direct current and/or alternating current) to the differential amplifier circuit(s) for amplifying the RF signal(s). For example, each of the tracker circuits can be configured to provide one-half (½) of the total current required by the differential amplifier circuit(s). Accordingly, the tracker circuits can be implemented with smaller output stages. As a result, the tracker circuits can supply the ET modulated voltages at a higher slew rate and reduced output impedance, thus helping to improve power dissipation in the wide-bandwidth ET circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc.
    Inventor: Nadim Khlat
  • Patent number: 10164816
    Abstract: A method for transmitting data, wherein along a transmission path: (i) a modulated carrier signal is generated based on the data to be transmitted, the carrier signal having a carrier frequency within a given transmission channel, which is comprised of a number of frequencies, and (ii) the modulated carrier signal is amplified to a transmission signal, wherein along a compensation path: (i) the modulated carrier signal is filtered, whereby the frequency components within the transmission channel are removed, and at least one of a phase, an amplitude, and/or a delay of the filtered signal is modified thereby generating a compensation signal, and wherein the compensation signal is subtracted from the transmission signal thereby generating a compensated transmission signal, and wherein the compensated transmission signal is transmitted. Also a respective data transmission device is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Universitaet der Bundeswehr Muenchen
    Inventor: Berthold Lankl
  • Patent number: 9820311
    Abstract: An adapter for enabling full-duplex wireless communications is described, along with methods for operating the adapter. The adapter operates as an intermediary between a transmit antenna and receive antenna on the one hand, and a transceiver on the other hand. The adapter communicates with the transceiver using different frequencies for outbound and inbound radio-frequency signals. However, with respect to the transmit antenna and receive antenna, the adapter transmits outbound and receives inbound radio frequency signals using the same frequency. The adapter includes cancellation circuitry to reduce the self-interference cause by transmitting and receiving on the same frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventor: Amir Keyvan Khandani
  • Patent number: 9810804
    Abstract: Concurrently measuring, correlating, and processing magnetic and electric field data includes measuring base band signals, and then up-converting those band signals to a higher frequency for filtering, while at the same time preserving phase and amplitude information. All timed elements in the system are rigorously synchronized. The increased data set results in improved signal-to-noise ratio and information correlation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Deep Imaging Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander Edward Kalish
  • Patent number: 9712198
    Abstract: An apparatus and method. The method includes filtering an output of an in-phase (I-mixer); filtering an output of a quadrature-mixer (Q-mixer); converting an output of a first low pass filter (LPF); converting an output of a second LPF; buffering an output of a first analog-to-digital converter (ADC); buffering an output of a second ADC; buffering a transmitter signal; generating a reference signal from an output of a transmitter (TX) data capture buffer; removing DC from the reference signal; and adaptively tuning an I-mixer digital-to-analog (DAC) code and a Q-mixer DAC code from an output of a first receiver (RX) data capture buffer, an output of a second RX data capture buffer, an output of a DC removal unit, and a predetermined step size for each of the I-mixer DAC code and the Q-mixer DAC code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Quan Zhou, Zhiyu Yang
  • Patent number: 9621338
    Abstract: A radio communication device includes a transmission unit that performs a radio transmission process on a baseband signal in which transmission data is included and that transmits a signal in which the baseband signal is superimposed on a carrier wave; a feedback unit that feeds back the signal transmitted by the transmission unit; a detecting unit that detects a carrier wave component by removing a component corresponding to the baseband signal from a feedback signal that is fed back by the feedback unit; a counting unit that counts the pulses of the carrier wave component detected by the detecting unit; and a calculating unit that calculates a frequency error of the carrier wave by using a count value obtained by the counting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Ryosuke Kobayashi, Shin Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9461590
    Abstract: Envelope tracking (ET) is enabled in connection with single-band or multi-band transmission. One example system includes two or more power amplification components associated with distinct frequency bands, with at least one including a first power amplifier (PA) configured to operate in an ET mode, and at least one including a second PA configured to operate in an average power tracking (APT) mode of operation. A first DC-to-DC converter is configured to provide a first supply voltage according to the ET mode to each first PA, and a second DC-to-DC converter is configured to provide a second supply voltage according to the APT mode to each second PA. A control component is configured to determine a present transmission mode and to select on that basis one or more PAs, wherein the control component selects at most one of the first PAs and at most one of the second PAs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Andreas Langer
  • Patent number: 9337947
    Abstract: It is presented a filter apparatus comprising: a first frequency shifter arranged to accept an input signal of the apparatus; a first filter; a second frequency shifter; a second filter; and a third frequency shifter, the output of which is connected to the output of the apparatus. The first frequency shifter, the first filter, the second frequency shifter, the second filter and the third frequency shifter are serially connected; and each one of the first frequency shifter, second frequency shifter and third frequency shifter has separate shift input signals, respectively. A corresponding radio base station assembly and method are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Rune Johansson, Louise Ehn, Bo Franzon, Roy Naddaf, Marie O'Loughlin, Ulf Skärby
  • Patent number: 9219488
    Abstract: An analog-to-digital (AD) conversion circuit includes an analog filter configured to remove a high frequency component of an analog signal to generate a first signal, an AD converter (ADC) configured to AD-convert the first signal to generate a second signal, and a digital filter configured to remove a high frequency component of the second signal to generate a digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Mukai, Tomohiro Nishimura, Shinya Masuda
  • Publication number: 20150147987
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for performing digital up-conversion of a signal to a desired RF carrier frequency. The system and method efficiently perform digital up-conversion of the signal, in one example, by controlling a sample clock that is used by a DAC to sample and convert the up-converted signal from the digital domain to the analog domain to have a frequency that is four or eight times the desired RF carrier frequency. By controlling the sample clock of the DAC to have a frequency that is four or eight times the desired RF carrier frequency, the system and method can be implemented using currently available IC process geometries such that the implementation consumes much less area and/or power than an analog up-converter configured to have equivalent up-conversion functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: David Money HARRIS, David GARRETT, Bob LORENZ
  • Publication number: 20150147988
    Abstract: A frequency shifter configured to shift the frequency of a signal, the frequency shifter comprising: a resonant structure configured to mechanically resonate at a first frequency; and a plurality of capacitors, each capacitor having a variable plate separation distance, wherein the resonant structure is configured to cause the plate separation distance of each capacitor to oscillate so as to cause the frequency of the signal to shift by the first frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: James COLLIER, Tim NEWTON
  • Patent number: 9042853
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide for systems and methods for signal conversion of one modulated signal to another modulated signal using demodulation and then re-modulation. According to some embodiments, a signal receiving system may comprise an I/Q demodulator that demodulates a first modulated signal to an in-phase (“I”) signal and a quadrature (“Q”) signal, an I/Q signal adjustor that adaptively adjusts the Q signal to increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a transitory signal that is based on a second modulated signal, and an I/Q modulator that modulates the I signal and the adjusted Q signal to the second modulated signal. To increase the SNR, the Q signal may be adjusted based on a calculated error determined for the transitory signal during demodulation by a demodulator downstream from the I/Q modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Aviat U.S., Inc.
    Inventors: Emerick Vann, Yen-Fang Chao, Youming Qin, Roland Matian
  • Patent number: 9037414
    Abstract: A system and method of identifying changes utilizing radio frequency polarization includes receiving a reflected and/or transmitted polarized radio frequency signal at a receiver, filtering, amplifying and conditioning the received signal, converting the received signal from an analog format to a digital format, processing the digital signal to elicit a polarization mode dispersion feature of the received signal, and comparing the polarization mode dispersion features to a known calibration to detect a change in a characteristic of the target object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: University of Notre Dame du Lac
    Inventor: Thomas G. Pratt
  • Patent number: 9030342
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a component calculator configured to compute at least one component value of a highly programmable analog-to-digital converter (ADC) from at least one application parameter, and a mapping module configured to map the component value to a corresponding register setting of the ADC based on at least one process parameter, wherein the integrated circuit produces digital control signals capable of programming the ADC. In a specific embodiment, the component calculator uses an algebraic function of a normalized representation of the application parameter to approximately evaluate at least one normalized ADC coefficient. The component value is further calculated by denormalizing the normalized ADC coefficient. In another specific embodiment, the component calculator uses an algebraic function of the application parameter to calculate the component value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Analog Devices Global
    Inventors: Kevin Cao-Van Lam, Richard E. Schreier, Donald W. Paterson
  • Patent number: 9008593
    Abstract: Methods and systems for 60 GHz distributed communication are disclosed and may include generating IF signals from baseband signals in a computing device with wireless capability. The IF signals may be communicated to remote RF modules within the computing device via coaxial lines. The IF signals may be up-converted to RF signals and transmitted via the RF modules. The IF signals in the coaxial lines may be tapped via taps coupled to the RF modules. The baseband signals may comprise video data, Internet streamed data, and/or data from a local data source. The RF signals may be communicated to a display device. Control signals for the RF devices may be communicated utilizing the coaxial lines. One or more of the RF devices may be selected based on a direction to a receiving device. The remote RF devices may comprise mixers. The RF signals may comprise 60 GHz signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Ahmadreza Rofougaran, Maryam Rofougaran
  • Patent number: 9002300
    Abstract: Methods and systems for antenna switching for time division duplexing (TDD) in a 60 GHz distributed communication system are disclosed and may include enabling one or more antenna configurations in one or more remote RF modules within a wireless communication device based on a measured signal characteristic. The RF modules may receive IF signals generated from baseband signals via one or more coaxial lines. TDD RF signals may be communicated via the antenna configurations with devices external to the wireless communication device. The IF signals may be tapped in the coaxial lines at taps coupled to the RF modules. The baseband signals may include video, streamed Internet, and/or data from a local data source. The TDD RF signals may be transmitted to a display device. Control signals for the RF devices may be communicated utilizing the coaxial lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Ahmadreza Rofougaran, Maryam Rofougaran
  • Patent number: 8977215
    Abstract: A frequency translation device includes a transmit circuit including a first frequency converter configured to convert a signal at a first frequency into a signal at a second frequency. A receive circuit includes a second frequency converter configured to convert a signal at the second frequency into a signal at the first frequency. A detector circuit is configured to determine when the frequency translation device is receiving a signal, and to route the signal to the transmit circuit or to the receive circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Electronic Warfare Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl N. Guerreri, Brady H. Warner, Jr., Paul J. Schick, Oscar A. Fahrenfeld
  • Patent number: 8977219
    Abstract: Methods and systems for antenna switching for mitigating leakage of a 60 GHz transmitted signal back into an RF input of a 60 GHz device are disclosed and may include configuring one or more antennas in the plurality of remote RF modules based on a measured signal characteristic, wherein the RF modules receive IF signals via coaxial lines. In-phase (I) and quadrature phase (Q) signals may be generated from the received IF signals. The generated I and Q signals may be summed before being transmitted via the antennas. The received IF signals may be up-converted into first I and Q signals, filtered, and up-converted a second time into the generated I and Q signals. Control signals for the RF modules may be communicated utilizing the coaxial lines. A local oscillator frequency may be configured for the up-conversion of signals via the communicated control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Ahmadreza Rofougaran, Maryam Rofougaran
  • Patent number: 8976302
    Abstract: A radio frequency front end for a television band receiver and spectrum sensor includes a low noise amplifier that amplifies a received signal output of a radio frequency antenna connected to the radio frequency front end, a pin diode attenuator circuit that selectively attenuates an output of the low noise amplifier, and a buffer amplifier that amplifies an output of the pin diode attenuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Wi-LAN, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Birkett, Vajira Samarasooriya, Jung Yee
  • Patent number: 8970343
    Abstract: A method for teaching a switching circuit is provided. The method includes presenting a target within a sensing range of a sensor of the switching circuit for a pre-determined duration and acquiring an identification code of the target via the sensor. The method also includes storing the acquired identification code for operating the switching circuit and locking the switching circuit against learning identification codes of any other target prior to reaching an allowed number of reteaching attempts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne R. Foster, Joshua D. Vavra, Steven R. Tambeau
  • Patent number: 8965310
    Abstract: A transmitter including a first mixer, a first frequency divider to divide a frequency of an input signal to generate a first signal, and a plurality of second frequency dividers to divide the frequency to respectively generate a plurality of second signals, and a control module. In response to the transmitter being turned on, the control module turns on the first frequency divider, turns off the plurality of second frequency dividers, and drives the first mixer with the first signal. Subsequently, in response to determining that a transmit power of the transmitter is to be increased, the control module sequentially turns on and connects each of the plurality of second frequency dividers in parallel to the first frequency divider. Upon a second frequency divider being connected to the first frequency divider, the control module also drives the first mixer using the second signal generated by that second frequency divider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Marvell World Trade Ltd.
    Inventors: Danilo Gerna, Stefano Dal Toso, Gregory Uehara
  • Publication number: 20150038095
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an upconversion unit configured to upconvert a baseband signal to a radio frequency (RF) signal. A plurality of baluns for a plurality of wireless bands are provided. Multiplexing circuitry is coupled to the plurality of baluns where the upconversion unit is coupled to each balun through the multiplexing circuitry. The multiplexing circuitry is configured to multiplex the radio frequency signal from the upconversion unit to one of the plurality of baluns based on a wireless band being used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Gregory Uehara, Chao Yang, Ruoxin Jiang, Fernando De Bernardinis, Alessandro Venca, Rinaldo Castello, Marc Leroux, Brian Brunn
  • Patent number: 8948714
    Abstract: A low noise converter includes a plurality of amplification circuits receiving a plurality of polarized wave signals transmitted from a satellite for amplifying the plurality of polarized wave signals, respectively, a plurality of switch circuits, each selecting one of outputs from the plurality of amplification circuits, a plurality of filter circuits provided corresponding to the plurality of switch circuits, respectively, for removing an image signal, a plurality of signal mixer-amplifiers provided corresponding to the plurality of filter circuits, respectively, to frequency-convert each output from the plurality of filter circuits by mixing with a local oscillation signal and to amplify the frequency-converted signal, and a plurality of output ports provided corresponding to the plurality of signal mixer-amplifiers, respectively, to receive an output from the plurality of signal mixer-amplifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kohji Motoyama
  • Patent number: 8942651
    Abstract: A first radio frequency (RF) power amplifier (PA) stage, a second RF PA stage, and an alpha RF switch are disclosed. The first RF PA stage provides a first RF output signal. During a first alpha mode, the alpha RF switch forwards the first RF output signal to the second RF PA stage, such that the first RF PA stage functions as a driver stage and the second RF PA stage functions as a final stage. However, during one of a group of alpha modes, the alpha RF switch forwards the first RF output signal to provide a corresponding one of a group of alpha transmit signals, such that the first RF PA stage functions as a final stage. Further, the first alpha mode is not one of the group of alpha modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: David E. Jones
  • Patent number: 8929840
    Abstract: Selectable sizes for a local oscillator (LO) buffer and mixer are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, LO buffer and/or mixer size may be increased when a receiver or transmitter operates in a high gain mode, while LO buffer and/or mixer size may be decreased when the receiver or transmitter operates in a low gain mode. In an exemplary embodiment, LO buffer and mixer sizes are increased and decreased in lock step. Circuit topologies and control schemes for specific exemplary embodiments of LO buffers and mixers having adjustable size are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Sankaran Aniruddhan, Chiewcharn Narathong, Sriramgopal Sridhara, Ravi Sridhara, Gurkanwal Singh Sahota, Frederic Bossu, Ojas M. Choksi
  • Patent number: 8914068
    Abstract: An array antenna apparatus in which an SN ratio is improved. Antenna elements having transmission modules, respectively, are arranged in plurality, wherein the plurality of transmission modules respectively have transmission signal generators that each output a transmission intermediate frequency signal, local oscillation signal generators that each output a local oscillation signal, and transmission mixers that each mix the transmission intermediate frequency signal and the local oscillation signal with each other, thereby to carry out frequency conversion to a transmission high frequency signal. A reference signal source inputs a reference signal to the transmission signal generators and the local oscillation signal generators. The transmission intermediate frequency signal and the local oscillation signal are synchronized with each other by the reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Ryoji Hayashi, Yoshihito Hirano, Kiyohide Sakai, Mitsuhiro Shimozawa, Akira Inoue, Morishige Hieda, Hiroyuki Joba, Kenichi Tajima, Yoshinori Takahashi, Kazutomi Mori, Tomohiro Akiyama
  • Publication number: 20140342675
    Abstract: Apparatus for generating an RF signal for use in RF signal detection is described. The apparatus comprises at least one processor configured to generate a set of IQ data based on at least one set of weighted IQ data, each set of weighted IQ data having a respective weight and a circuit configured to generate an RF signal using the set of IQ data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: CRFS LIMITED
    Inventors: Alistair Massarella, Stewart Hyde, Daniel Timson, Steven Williamson
  • Patent number: 8868021
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a system may include a passive uniplanar single-balanced millimeter-wave mixer. In some embodiments, a three-port diode-tee IC forming a mixer core is coupled between an end of a slotline balun and a second coplanar balun. The operational bandwidth of a mixer structure is enhanced by optimizing the distance between the mixer diode-tee core and the back-short circuits. The frequency separation of LO and IF signals may be accomplished by means of stand-alone three-port filter-diplexer device. The system may allow wider than a frequency octave operational bandwidth for a frequency converter device all the way into millimeter wave frequencies at the same time as supporting the operational bandwidth for baseband IF signal over more than six frequency octaves. In some embodiments, the system may accomplish a 500 MHz to 34.5 GHz continuous IF bandwidth with RF signal sweeping from 33 GHz to 67 GHz and local oscillator at 67.5 GHz fixed frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventor: Alexander Feldman
  • Patent number: 8868013
    Abstract: A signal transmitting apparatus includes a signal distributor, a frequency converter, and a frequency synthesizer. The signal distributor is configured to baseband signals corresponding respectively to a plurality of frequency band. The frequency converter is configured to convert each of the distributed baseband signals into one of a positive frequency signal and a negative frequency signal according to the frequency band. The frequency synthesizer is configured to synthesize the positive frequency signal and the negative frequency signal to generate a transmission signal. Herein, the positive frequency signal and the negative frequency signal are signals included in one predetermined intermediate frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Jinkyu Choi, Hyung-Jung Kim, Seok Seo, Jin-Up Kim
  • Patent number: 8868015
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an upconversion unit configured to upconvert a baseband signal to a radio frequency (RF) signal. A plurality of baluns for a plurality of wireless bands are provided. Multiplexing circuitry is coupled to the plurality of baluns where the upconversion unit is coupled to each balun through the multiplexing circuitry. The multiplexing circuitry is configured to multiplex the radio frequency signal from the upconversion unit to one of the plurality of baluns based on a wireless band being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Marvell World Trade Ltd.
    Inventors: Gregory Uehara, Chao Yang, Ruoxin Jiang, Fernando De Bernardinis, Alessandro Venca, Rinaldo Castello, Marc Leroux, Brian Brunn
  • Publication number: 20140308909
    Abstract: A method and system is described wherein an information signal is gated at a frequency that is a sub-harmonic of the frequency of the desired output signal. In the modulation embodiments, the information signal is modulated as part of the up-conversion process. In a first modulation embodiment, one information signal is phase modulated onto the carrier signal as part of the up-conversion process. In a second modulation embodiment, two information signals are multiplied, and, as part of the up-conversion process, one signal is phase modulated onto the carrier and the other signal is amplitude modulated onto the carrier. In a third modulation embodiment, one information signal is phase modulated onto the “I” phase of the carrier signal as part of the up-conversion process and a second information signal is phase modulated onto the “Q” phase of the carrier as part of the up-conversion process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: ParkerVision, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Michael J. Bultman, Robert W. Cook, Robert C. Looke, Charley D. Moses, JR.
  • Patent number: 8861641
    Abstract: A wireless communication device includes a mixer that multiplies quadrature-modulated transmission data by a local oscillation frequency signal and outputs a high-frequency signal; a distributor that distributes the high-frequency signal; a detector circuit that detects a direct current component included in the high-frequency signal, based on the high-frequency signal distributed by the distributor; a correction signal generating unit that generates a correction signal for removing the direct current component from the high-frequency signal, based on the direct current component detected by the detector circuit; a correction unit that corrects the high-frequency signal by the correction signal generated by the correction signal generating unit; and a transmission unit that transmits the high-frequency signal that has been corrected by the correction unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: NTT DoCoMo, Inc.
    Inventors: Shinya Oka, Takashi Okada
  • Patent number: 8854985
    Abstract: A system for wireless communication using ultrasonic signals that includes a transmission module, which receives input signals from a wireless device, modifies the received input signals in a manner that converts each received input signal into a corresponding ultrasonic signal and wirelessly transmits each said ultrasonic signal over an ultrasonic link, and a receiving module, which receives the transmitted ultrasonic signals, recovers the corresponding input signals therefrom and enables outputting each respective input signal through one or more output devices. Modification of the input signals may include compressing, encoding and modulating the input signals. The input signals may be voice audio signals for enabling to use the system for supporting phone calls by enabling ultrasonic communication between for instance, a wireless headset and a mobile phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Inventor: Yossef Tsfaty
  • Patent number: 8843087
    Abstract: A multichannel combiner formed from 2 to 1 combiners, wherein: a first input channel of each 2 to 1 combiner is connected to the output of a settable-gain amplifier of a signal to be combined; all 2 to 1 combiners are electrically connected in series; and an output of a first 2 to 1 combiner defines an output of the multichannel combiner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics SA
    Inventors: Baudouin Martineau, Olivier Richard, Frédérìc Gianesello
  • Patent number: 8838049
    Abstract: A method and arrangement for transmitting and receiving RF signals, associated with different radio interfaces of communication systems, employ a direct conversion based transceiver which substantially comprises one receive signal branch and one transmit signal branch. Mixing frequencies of the different systems are generated by a single common by use of an output frequency divider in combination with the synthesizer, and by use of filtering corresponding to a system channel bandwidth by means of a controllable low—pass filter operating at baseband frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Risto Väisänen, Kim Kaltiokallio
  • Patent number: 8838033
    Abstract: Methods and systems for processing a signal with a corresponding noise profile are disclosed. Aspects of the method may comprise analyzing spectral content of the noise profile. At least one noise harmonic within the signal may be filtered based on said analyzed spectral content. The filtered signal may be amplified. The noise profile may comprise a phase noise profile. The signal may comprise at least one of a sinusoidal signal and a noise signal. At least one filter coefficient that is used to filter the at least one noise harmonic may be determined. The filtering may comprise low pass filtering. The signal may be modulated prior to filtering. The amplifying may comprise buffering. A non-linearity characteristic of the signal may be determined and a noise harmonic may be low-pass filtered within the signal based on the determined non-linearity characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Shervin Moloudi
  • Patent number: 8818310
    Abstract: The noise response in a passive mixer circuit is improved by discharging the switching transistors in the mixer circuit in an appropriate time slot prior to activation. In addition to improving the noise response, tilt in conversion gains and linearity can be reduced. A passive mixer circuit includes bypass switches arranged in proximity to the switching transistors that make up the mixer core. These bypass switches, which are activated in intervals just prior to the active intervals of their neighboring switching transistors, discharge to ground accumulated charges on the switching transistors or on reactive components around switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ)
    Inventor: Reza Bagger
  • Patent number: 8811527
    Abstract: A transmitter with modulation comprising a phase changing stage having a first switch and a second switch coupled t the first switch, a first transistor and a second transistor individually coupled to the each switch. The transmitter is configured to receive a phase changing signal having a first state and a second state. The first switch is configured t operate in an opposing manner to the second switch such that only the first transistor is configured to be turned on i the first state and only the second transistor is configured to be turned on in the second state upon receipt of the phase changing signal by the switches so as to achieve a change in an output phase of the transmitter when the phase changing signal switches from the first state to the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Agency for Science, Technology and Research
    Inventors: Shengxi Diao, Yuanjin Zheng
  • Patent number: 8805307
    Abstract: An RF transmitter system operating on a broader frequency range and providing a higher output power dynamic range is described. Low power RF signal is produced from a baseband signal using a quadrature modulator and using a broadband local oscillator signal. A microcontroller system controls the RF transmitter by selecting frequency range to be produced by the frequency synthesizer, selecting appropriate amplification path for producing the required output power, controlling the power detection sections for providing precise automatic power and automatic gain control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: HCL Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Ravi Kishore, Kumaralingam Ramamoorthy, Ajeet Pal, Kameswara Rao Balijapalli
  • Patent number: 8798553
    Abstract: A signal processing circuit includes a first multiplying unit which multiplies a first signal including a first frequency by a second signal including a second frequency and outputs a third signal, a second multiplying unit which multiplies the first signal by a fourth signal of a second frequency with phase lagging of a first phase difference relative to the second signal and outputs a fifth signal, a third multiplying unit which multiplies the first signal by the sixth signal of the second frequency with phase lagging of a second phase difference relative to the second signal and outputs a seventh signal, a first adding unit which adds the third signal, the fifth signal and the seventh signal respectively weighted and a signal generating unit which controls the first and the second phase difference based on a control signal and outputs the second, the fourth and the sixth signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Masaki Kitsunezuka
  • Patent number: 8798560
    Abstract: A wireless device includes processing circuitry, a receiver section, a transmitter section, and an antenna. The processing circuitry determines a set of information signals of a RF Multiple Frequency Bands Multiple Standards (MFBMS) signal. The receiver section down-converts a portion of the RF MFBMS signal by one or more respective shift frequencies to produce a corresponding baseband/low Intermediate Frequency (BB/IF) information signal from which the processing circuitry extracts data. The transmitter section converts a respective BB/IF information signal received from the processing circuitry by a respective shift frequency to produce a corresponding RF information signal and a combiner that combines the RF information signals to form a RF MFBMS signal. Each of the receiver section and the transmitter section may include analog signal path elements that are adjustable based upon characteristics of the RF MFBMS signal, the BB/IF MFBMS signal, and/or based upon signals carried therein, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: John Walley, David Rosmann, Brima B. Ibrahim, Arya Reza Behzad, Jeyhan Karaoguz, Vinko Erceg