Gain Control Patents (Class 455/127.2)
  • Patent number: 8909178
    Abstract: A method for enabling a power amplifier to support multiple powers includes: calculating a transmit power, according to RF parameters delivered by a baseband board, determining a power amplifier voltage according to the transmit power and a corresponding relationship between the transmit power and the power amplifier voltage, and adjusting a supply voltage of the power amplifier, according to the determined power amplifier voltage, so as to adjust an output power of the power amplifier. A RF module includes a conversion module that converts a baseband board signal into a RF signal, an antenna linear device, a storage module, a power amplifier module, an adjustable power module, and a power control module. A test method is employed to determine the relationship between a transmit power and a power amplifier voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Qinhuai Fan
  • Publication number: 20140357207
    Abstract: A method and a mobile terminal for regulating a Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of electromagnetic wave energy based on a sensor are disclosed. According to whether a distance between a human body and the mobile terminal is within a preset distance range acquired through a proximity sensor and/or whether a bottom side face of the mobile terminal in the current position is a side face adjacent to a terminal antenna acquired through a gravity sensor, the mobile terminal regulates signal transmission power of the mobile terminal In the technical scheme of the present document, the signal transmission power of the mobile terminal is controlled according to data of the sensors, thereby controlling the SAR of electromagnetic wave energy, solving the problem that an SAR value exceeding the standard affects the human body in the related art, and protecting the user of the mobile terminal in real time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: ZTE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Xiaoqiang Ma
  • Patent number: 8903339
    Abstract: A gain adjustment device for a wireless communication circuit comprising a transmission circuit and a reception circuit includes a signal generator and a gain adjustment circuit. The signal generator is coupled to the transmission circuit, and arranged for generating a test signal to the transmission circuit. The test signal transmitted through a printed circuit board such that the reception circuit coupled to the transmission circuit generates a corresponding reception signal in response to the test signal. The gain adjustment circuit is coupled to the reception circuit and the transmission circuit, and arranged for adjusting a transmitter gain configuration and a receiver gain configuration of the wireless communication circuit according to the reception signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventor: Chin Su
  • Patent number: 8903337
    Abstract: A high performance and cost effective method of RF-digital hybrid mode power amplifier systems with high linearity and high efficiency for multi-frequency band wideband communication system applications is disclosed. The present disclosure enables a power amplifier system to be field reconfigurable and support multiple operating frequency bands on the same PA system over a very wide bandwidth. In addition, the present invention supports multi-modulation schemes (modulation agnostic), multi-carriers and multi-channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Dali Systems Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Wan-Jong Kim, Kyoung-Joon Cho, Shawn Patrick Stapleton
  • Patent number: 8897729
    Abstract: A radio frequency transmitting system which includes first and second amplifiers, a power detector, and a calibration module. The first amplifier amplifies an input signal to generate an amplified signal in accordance with a programmable gain. The second amplifier transmits an output signal based on the amplified signal. The output signal is transmitted at a particular power by the second amplifier. The power detector measures the particular power at which the output signal is transmitted by the second amplifier. The calibration module adjusts the programmable gain of the first amplifier by a calibration offset so that the particular power measurement matches a predetermined power. The calibration module includes offset generation modules that each generate a respective calibration offset candidate based on the particular power measurement. The calibration module also includes a selection module that selects, based on the predetermined power, one of the calibration offset candidates as the calibration offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Li Lin, Arnab Kumar Mitra, Daxiao Yu, Harish Ramamurthy, Sergey Timofeev, Lance Nagamine, Brian Bosso
  • Patent number: 8880013
    Abstract: Disclosed is a radio frequency (RF) communication circuit having an input for receiving an RF signal and providing independently gain controlled signal paths from the input. In a first signal path, the signal is amplified by a constant gain. In a second signal path, the signal is amplified by a constant gain and by a variable gain amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Marvell World Trade Ltd.
    Inventors: Saeed Chehrazi, Renaldi Winoto, Jinho Park
  • Patent number: 8880012
    Abstract: A method (700) and apparatus (600) optimize resource block based transmitter operation in a wireless communication device. The method can include receiving (720) a radio resource assignment including a particular resource block allocation. The method can include configuring (730) a wireless communication transceiver for the particular resource block allocation. The method can include degrading (740) power amplifier distortion of the wireless communication transceiver based on the particular resource block allocation. The power amplifier distortion can be a measure of a deviation of the power amplifier output in an analysis domain from an ideal linear amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Ryan J. Goedken, Armin W. Klomsdorf, Thomas D. Nagode, Dale G. Schwent
  • Publication number: 20140323067
    Abstract: The method for memory effects quantification and comparison in RF transmitters and amplifiers is a method in which a processor performs a spectrum analysis of an RF transmitter or RF amplifier device under test (DUT). The processor then calculates a normalized frequency (fn) according to the relation: f n = f - f c BW . The processor then utilizes the normalized frequency calculation in a spectrum asymmetry index (SAI) computation characterized by the relation: SAI = 1 K ? ? f n = f n , start f n = f n , stop ? ? ? P ? ( f n ) - P ? ( - f n ) ? . Next, utilizing the absolute value of the normalized frequency according to the relation: ? f n ? = ? f - f c BW ? , the processor displays the calculated SAI and causes a display device to display a mirrored spectrum as a function of the absolute value of the normalized frequency around a zero frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventor: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
  • Publication number: 20140323068
    Abstract: A mobile communication device with a human body recognition function includes sensing pad and a sensor. The sensing pad is electrically connected to the sensor. When a target object approaches the mobile communication device, an induction signal is generated between the sensing pad and the target object. The sensor receives the induction signal, and the sensor includes a first sensitivity and a second sensitivity. When no target object approaches the mobile communication device, the sensor is set at the first sensitivity. When the sensor receives the induction signal, the first sensitivity is switched to the second sensitivity. The induction signal is converted into a first signal and the first sensitivity is compared with a default value. If the first signal is greater than the default value, the target object is determined as a human body and a power adjustment unit is adjusted to reduce an output power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC.
    Inventors: Yu-Chia CHANG, Wen-Pin LI, Shih-Yan CHEN, Tse-Chih LIN
  • Patent number: 8873676
    Abstract: Embodiments provide improved systems and methods of gain control and calibration for wireless transmitters. In particular, embodiments allow linear gain control over the entire transmitter gain control range, independent of temperature/process variations. Embodiments require very low power consumption compared to existing approaches. Embodiments may also be used for gain control calibration during production time, thereby substantially reducing production calibration time and cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Dmitriy Rozenblit, Masoud Kahrizi, Morten Damgaard
  • Patent number: 8874053
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a current multiplier that can generate an output current with high linearity and/or high temperature compensation. Such current multipliers can be implemented by complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) circuit elements. In one embodiment, the current multiplier can include a current divider and a core current multiplier. The current divider can generate a divided current by dividing an input current by an adjustable division ratio. The division ratio can be adjusted, for example, based on a comparison of the input current with a reference current. The core current multiplier can generate the output current based on multiplying the divided current and a different current. According to certain embodiments, the output current can be maintained within a predetermined range as the input current to the current divider varies within a relatively wide range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Hui Liu, Duane A. Green, David Anthony Sawatzky
  • Publication number: 20140315504
    Abstract: A power supply circuit includes: a direct current to direct current converter; a linear amplifier; and a first capacitance, one terminal of the first capacitance being coupled an output of the linear amplifier, another terminal of the first capacitance being coupled to an output terminal, wherein the linear amplifier configured to operate in a variable voltage mode and the linear amplifier configured to stop operating and couples an output of the linear amplifier to a ground in a fixed voltage mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Yasufumi SAKAI, Eiji YOSHIDA
  • Patent number: 8862077
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a dynamically configurable transformer configured to provide a gain to a target signal. The gain is dynamically configurable. The dynamically configurable transformer includes at least one parallel resistive element configured to be dynamically activated in parallel with a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Ahmad Mirzaei, John Leete, Hooman Darabi
  • Patent number: 8855586
    Abstract: An active antenna array (10) for transmitting radio signals is disclosed. The active antenna array comprises a heat dissipating body (20), at least one first power amplifier (30) in thermal contact with the heat dissipating body (20), at least one second power amplifier (40) in thermal contact with the heat dissipating body (20) and an power level controller (50) for adjusting relative power levels of a first output signal (32) emanating from the at least one first power amplifier (30) and a second output signal (42) emanating from the at least one second power amplifier (40). A method for the transmission of radio signal is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Kathrein-Werke KG
    Inventor: Peter Kenington
  • Patent number: 8855588
    Abstract: A power amplifying apparatus is provided. A reference signal generator provides a reference signal having an enabling state and a disabling state. A digital power amplifier generates a current based on the reference signal and an input signal. An output signal of the digital power amplifier is related to the current. When the reference signal is in the enabling state, the current is related to the input signal. When the reference signal is in the disabling state, the current is irrelevant to the input signal. During the enabling state of the reference signal, a data generator provides an output alternating between an in-phase signal and a quadrature-phase signal as the input signal to the digital power amplifier. When the reference signal is in the disabling state, the data generator provides a fixed signal as the input signal to the digital power amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: MStar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Ming Hung, Zhong-Xuan Zhang, Sheng-Che Tseng
  • Patent number: 8856857
    Abstract: This technique relates to a receiving device, a receiving method, and a program that can demodulate transmitted signals with high accuracy. A receiving device of this disclosure includes: an amplifying unit that amplifies a received signal; an adjusting unit that adjusts gain of the amplifying unit in accordance with power of the signal; a demodulating unit that demodulates the amplified signal; and a detecting unit that detects an interval from the signal, information having the same content continuously appearing in the interval. The adjusting unit restricts the process of adjusting the gain of the amplifying unit in accordance with a result of the detection of the interval. This disclosure can be applied to receiving devices that receive broadcast signals compliant with DVB-C2 via a CATV network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Kobayashi, Naoki Yoshimochi
  • Publication number: 20140295781
    Abstract: A power amplifier, includes: a first and a second amplifier circuits that are controlled so that one of them do not amplify a signal when another one of them amplifies the signal; a first impedance conversion circuit, coupled between the first amplifier circuit and the output terminal, that converts an output impedance of the first amplifier circuit; a second impedance conversion circuit, coupled between the second amplifier circuit and a wiring coupling the first impedance conversion circuit and the output terminal, that converts an output impedance of the second amplifier circuit; and a connection circuit that, when the first amplifier circuit amplifies the signal, forms a path which bypasses the second impedance conversion circuit between a reference potential and the wiring coupling the first impedance conversion circuit and the output terminal, by coupling a wiring coupling the first amplifier circuit and the output terminal, with the reference potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: FUJITSU SEMICONDUCTOR LIMITED
    Inventor: Yoichi KAWANO
  • Publication number: 20140273896
    Abstract: A signal conditioning system for a distributed antenna network includes a donor antenna in a first location receiving a downlink radio frequency signal from a radio frequency source. A service antenna is in a second location different from the first location, wherein the service antenna transmits the downlink radio frequency signal to an end user device, and the end user device transmits an uplink radio frequency signal back to the service antenna. Separate gain control amplifiers process the uplink and downlink signals and are located at the separate first and second locations to reduce thermal noise in the uplink and downlink signals. Reduced thermal noise allows quality transmission over optical fibers in addition to coaxial cables. First and second microcontrollers at the first and second locations control respective attenuators and transmit power level data to remote computer processors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: OPTICAL CABLE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ian J. Timmins, John M. Ray, Curtis A. Wright
  • Patent number: 8837629
    Abstract: An extended bandwidth digital Doherty transmitter includes a baseband signal processing block including a digital predistortion unit. It also includes a digital signal distribution unit and a digital phase alignment unit, a signal up-conversion block, an RF power amplification block including the carrier amplifier and one or two peaking amplifiers; and an RF Doherty combining network. In another aspect, a digital Doherty transmitter includes a baseband signal block including a digital predistortion unit, a digital signal distribution unit and an adaptive digital phase alignment unit. In this aspect a signal up-conversion block includes three digital-to-analog converters (DACs) and a tri-channel up-converter or three single-channel up-converters. There is also an RF power amplification block including the carrier amplifier and two peaking amplifiers, and an RF Doherty combining network which includes quarter wavelength impedance transformers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventors: Fadhel M Ghannouchi, Ramzi Darraji
  • Patent number: 8837635
    Abstract: Embodiments provide systems and methods to dynamically control a radio frequency (RF) transmitter based on monitored error vector magnitude (EVM) performance. Embodiments are enabled by a feedback path that allows estimating the EVM at the output of the transmitter and controlling the transmitter, including the power amplifier (PA), accordingly. As such, the transmitter (and the PA) can be operated as close as possible to the ideal operating point that meets, based on actual conditions, a specified EVM performance and desired output power. By doing so, the overall power consumption of the transmitter is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Lorenz, Djordje Tujkovic
  • Patent number: 8838051
    Abstract: A mechanism for controlling transmit power associated with a plurality of transmit chains of a beamforming transceiver system. A plurality of beamforming steering matrices associated with a plurality of subcarriers of an RF signal received at the transceiver system are generated. A maximum transmit power associated with each of the plurality of transmit chains of the transceiver system is calculated. A power scaling factor for each of the plurality of transmit chains is determined based, at least in part, on the beamforming steering matrices and the maximum transmit power associated with each transmit chain. At least one of the power scaling factors is applied to the plurality of transmit chains to control the transmit power associated with each transmit chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Chi-Lin Su, Bemini Hennadige Janath Peiris, Ning Zhang
  • Publication number: 20140248844
    Abstract: A transmit circuit includes an envelope tracker configured to determine an envelope of a transmit signal and provide bias information based on the determined envelope of the transmit signal. The transmit circuit further includes a power amplifier configured to generate an RF output signal based on the transmit signal, a bias provider configured to provide a bias for the power amplifier based on the bias information, and an impedance determinator configured to determine a measure of a load impedance of a load coupled to an output of the power amplifier. The envelope tracker is configured to adapt the bias information based on the measure of the load impedance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Inventor: Andreas Langer
  • Patent number: 8824983
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for reducing dynamic EVM of an integrated circuit power amplifier (PA) used for RF communication. In a multistage PA, the largest amplification stage is biased with a high amplitude current pulse upon receipt of a Tx enable, before receipt of the RF signal data burst. The high amplitude current pulse causes a large portion of the total ICQ budget of the multistage PA to pass through the largest amplification stage causing the entire integrated circuit to rapidly approach steady-state operating conditions. A smoothing bias current is applied to the largest amplification stage after the pulse decays to compensate for transient bias current levels while standard bias circuitry is still approaching steady-state temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: SiGe Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark M. Doherty, Lui Lam, Chun-Wen Paul Huang, Anthony Francis Quaglietta
  • Patent number: 8817923
    Abstract: When a decision is made that receiving performance deterioration due to an interfering wave is present in a digital broadcasting wave, an operating point of an RF AGC amplifier 6 and a time constant of gain control of the RF AGC amplifier 6 are altered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takanori Kawai, Hiroyuki Nagahama
  • Patent number: 8818304
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a transmitter includes a first buffer, a second buffer, a logic circuit, and a class E power amplifier. The first buffer receives a first sinusoidal signal, and converts the first sinusoidal signal to a first rectangular wave signal. The second buffer receives a second sinusoidal signal having a phase delay with respect to the first sinusoidal signal, and converts the second sinusoidal signal to a second rectangular wave signal. The logic circuit receives the first and second rectangular wave signals, and performs logical operation processing on the first and second rectangular wave signals to generate a logic signal with a predetermined duty cycle. The class E power amplifier receives the logic signal, and performs amplification operation based on the logic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Yutaka Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8811549
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically controlling a gain in a portable communication system are provided. The apparatus includes a channel determiner for controlling a fading margin depending on the channel variation amount to control the limited total dynamic range of the ADC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byeong-Min Lee, Yun-Ju Kwon
  • Patent number: 8811918
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention recognize at least two zones of operation for a communication device. In a first zone, which is sufficiently spaced away from a human head or body that SAR limits will be met, transmit power delivered to an antenna of a communication device may be maximized within any other constraints under which the communication device operates. In a second zone, which is not sufficiently spaced away from a human head or body, transmit power is redistributed such that SAR limitations are met without affecting the transmit power control loop of the communication device. For example, a second antenna physically disposed at a different location within the communication device may be used either instead of, or in addition to, the first transmit antenna in order that the SAR limits are met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Kamlesh Rath, Erik Stauffer, Rishi Ranjan, Soumen Chakraborty, Manish Airy, Bertrand Hochwald, Robert Lorenz, Richard Compton, Rakesh Agrawal
  • Patent number: 8805305
    Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a method for tracking power levels of a wireless communications signal comprises receiving a feedback signal indicative of a power level of a wireless communication signal associated transmitted from a transmit path to an antenna of a wireless communication element. The method further comprises receiving a reference signal associated with a digital signal converted into the wireless communication signal. Additionally, the method comprises determining a gain of the feedback signal with respect to the reference signal and determining a gain error based on the determined gain and an expected gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Intel IP Corporation
    Inventors: Pravin Premakanthan, Michael Addison Milyard, Mahibur Rahman
  • Patent number: 8798563
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to the communication field and disclose a method and an apparatus for decreasing power consumption of a power amplifier, which minimize the power consumption of the power amplifier and extend the operation time of a mobile terminal. The method includes: obtaining a compensation power control value, where the compensation power control value is a power control value that is input to the power amplifier, and the minimum value of the input voltage is a minimum input voltage that can guarantee normal operation of the power amplifier when a preset power control value is input to the power amplifier; and inputting the minimum value of the input voltage and the compensation power control value to the power amplifier to control the power amplifier to output the preset power value of the antenna port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dongsheng Liu, Jianhai Shen
  • Patent number: 8798564
    Abstract: A transmitter includes an up-converter and a modular receptacle. The up-converter is coupled to convert an input signal into a Radio Frequency (RF) signal having an output frequency, and is configurable to adjust the output frequency over a frequency range containing multiple sub-bands. The modular receptacle includes a first interconnection adapter coupled to the up-converter and a second interconnection adapter for coupling to an antenna. The receptacle is configured to receive between the first and second interconnection adapters a Power Amplifier (PA), which is selected from a group of power amplifiers each covering a respective sub-band in the frequency range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Provigent Ltd.
    Inventor: Shaul Klein
  • Publication number: 20140213204
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for envelope tracking are disclosed. In one embodiment, a power amplifier system including a power amplifier and an envelope tracker is provided. The power amplifier is configured to amplify a radio frequency (RF) signal, and the envelope tracker is configured to control a supply voltage of the power amplifier using an envelope of the RF signal. The envelope tracker includes a buck converter for generating a buck voltage from a battery voltage and a digital-to-analog conversion (DAC) module for adjusting the buck voltage based on the envelope of the RF signal to generate the supply voltage for the power amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Florinel G. Balteanu, Sabah Khesbak, Yevgeniy A. Tkachenko, David Steven Ripley, Robert John Thompson
  • Patent number: 8787849
    Abstract: Methods and systems for receiving signals via a multi-port distributed antenna are disclosed and may include selectively enabling one or more low noise amplifiers (LNAs) coupled to the antenna. The selective enabling may be based on a desired gain level applied to a signal received from the antenna. The LNAs may be coupled to ports on the antenna based on an input impedance of the LNAs and an impedance of the ports. Each of the LNAs may be configured for optimum linearity in different gain ranges, which may be proportional to the input impedance of the LNAs. The antenna may be integrated on a chip with the LNAs, or may be located external to the chip. The antenna may include a microstrip antenna. The LNAs may include variable gain and may be enabled utilizing a processor. Linearity on demand may be enabled via the selective enabling of the LNAs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Ahmadreza Rofougaran, Maryam Rofougaran
  • Patent number: 8787851
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for power amplifier control. Before a fixed gain amplifier is disabled and after an automatic gain controller adjusts gain for the last time, a reference transmit power value is read from the automatic gain controller. A gain level is read from the fixed gain amplifier. The reference transmit power value and the gain level are saved in a storage module. Before the fixed gain amplifier is enabled and after the automatic gain controller adjusts gain for the last time, the reference transmit power value saved in the storage module is written into the automatic gain controller and the gain level saved in the storage module is written into the fixed gain amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Huawei Device Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei Xu, Yu Deng
  • Patent number: 8787438
    Abstract: A technique for a reconditioning equalizer filter for non-constant envelope signals is described. The input to a transmitter chain is modified by a reconditioning equalizer filter, prior to being applied to the transmitter. The reconditioning equalizer filter modifies and smoothens the amplitude of the signal. The modified and smoothened signal has its peaks reduced which results in lower Crest Factor. The input to the reconditioning equalizer filter could be a baseband, intermediate frequency (IF) or radio frequency (RF) signal. When the signal is an IF or RF signal, it needs to be down-converted to baseband before being applied to the reconditioning equalizer filter. The reconditioning equalizer filter could be performed in a digital or analog domain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventor: Kiomars Anvari
  • Patent number: 8787827
    Abstract: Improved gain control for a digital signal processing (DSP) repeater, such as a bi-directional repeater, is disclosed. A repeater includes a back-end subsystem which comprises, for each channel in a set of wanted frequency channels that are amplified by the repeater, a coupler (314) arranged to provide a monitor signal corresponding with an output channel power level. A feedback loop (306) receives the monitoring signal, and incorporates a power control circuit (308) that compares the monitored output channel power level with a predetermined maximum output signal level (310). A corresponding control signal is generated, and provided to a variable attenuator (304) in order to maintain the individual output channel power level at or below the maximum output signal level (310). Advantageously, a DSP output level control function (404) is also provided, which maintains the output signal level of each digital channel below a maximum rated value for a digital-to -analogue converter (402).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: RF Industries Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Lambertus Anthony M. Voskulen, Zheng Li, Mykola Kyrylenko, Michael Leigh Beard, Jack Zaprianov Grozev
  • Patent number: 8787850
    Abstract: In one implementation, a power amplifier may include a gain device to receive an input signal and to output an amplified signal, and a compensation device coupled to the gain device to compensate for a change in a capacitance of the gain device occurring due to a change in the input signal. The power amplifier may be formed using a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: David E. Bockelman, Vishnu Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 8781419
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for reducing power consumption when performing the cooperative transmission in a cooperative transmission system, the method comprising: defining a cooperative transmission participation rate or a cooperative transmission non-participation rate to adjust the participation rate of at least one terminal capable of cooperative transmission within at least one cooperative cluster, the participation rate adjustment being carried out in the at least one terminal capable of cooperative transmission by generating a random value having a preset range; comparing the generated random value with a threshold as a reference indicating whether a corresponding terminal is participating in cooperative transmission; and determining whether the corresponding terminal has participated in cooperative transmission, on the basis of the comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sungho Park, Sunam Kim, Binchul Ihm, Jinyoung Chun, Jiwon Kang
  • Patent number: 8781536
    Abstract: A method for controlling output signal power in a communication terminal includes accepting, from first and second measurement points along a transmission chain in a transmitter of the terminal, respective first and second signal representations of a communication signal to be transmitted by the communication terminal. A cross-correlation is computed between the first and second signal representations accepted from the first and second measurement points. An actual gain between the first and second measurement points is computed using the cross-correlation. An output power of the communication signal is adjusted by setting a gain of the transmitter responsively to the actual gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd
    Inventors: Alex Zaslavsky, Rony Ashkenazi
  • Patent number: 8781420
    Abstract: An electronic device such as a portable electronic device has wireless communications circuitry. Antennas in the electronic device may be used in transmitting radio-frequency antenna signals. A coupler and antenna signal phase and magnitude measurement circuitry may be used to determine when external objects are in the vicinity of the antenna by making antenna impedance measurements. In-band and out-of-band phase and magnitude signal measurements may be made in determining whether external objects are present. Additional sensors such as motion sensors, light and heat sensors, acoustic and electrical sensors may produce data that can be combined with the proximity data gathered using the antenna-based proximity sensor. In response to detecting that an external object such as a user's body is within a given distance of the antenna, the electronic device may reduce transmit powers, switch antennas, steer a phased antenna array, switch communications protocols, or take other actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Schlub, Ruben Caballero
  • Patent number: 8781416
    Abstract: A processor determines, from signals received from other communication devices, one selected transmission mode for the communication channel conditions. The processor projects multiple channel characterization parameters in a mathematical model to each of the candidate transmission modes using a model of nominal communication channel conditions to predict whether each of the candidate transmission modes will achieve the desired communication under the nominal communication channel conditions. This results in the generation of a first subset of transmission modes. The processor also projects the multiple channel characterization parameters to each of the candidate transmission modes using a model of degraded communication channel conditions to predict whether each of the candidate transmission modes will achieve the desired communication under the degraded communication channel conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Clark, Ray L. Cross
  • Patent number: 8774737
    Abstract: A transmission module including a power supply voltage control unit that sets a power supply voltage to the high frequency amplifier in a variable manner, and a control circuit that controls an amplitude control unit, a phase control unit and the power supply voltage control unit. The control circuit and the power supply voltage control unit control the power supply voltage in accordance with an output power of the high frequency amplifier. The transmission module can carry out not only phase control but also amplitude control in a continuous manner, while suppressing amplitude and phase variation, and a high frequency amplifier in the transmission module is made highly efficient. In addition, a large directional gain, a low side lobe level and a low power consumption are achieved, as a phased array antenna apparatus using a transmission module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kazutomi Mori, Hiroyuki Joba, Yoshinori Takahashi, Tomohiro Akiyama, Ryoji Hayashi, Mitsuhiro Shimozawa, Akira Inoue, Morishige Hieda, Kiyohide Sakai, Yoshihito Hirano
  • Patent number: 8774741
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) power amplifier (PA) is reconfigured to operate in a low power mode from a high power mode. The RF PA has a first RF amplifier is connected to the first and second inputs of a first transformation network. The RF PA has a second a second RF amplifier connected to a second transformation network. During high power mode, both RF amplifiers drive a load coupled to the transformation networks. In low power mode the first RF amplifier is disabled and the first and second inputs of the first transformation are coupled together so as to change the load impedance seen by the second RF amplifier. The second RF amplifier continues to supply power to the load during operation in the low power mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Black Sand Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Susanne A. Paul, Marius Goldenberg
  • Patent number: 8774258
    Abstract: A PAPR determining device includes a detecting unit and a PAPR determining unit. The detecting unit detects a predetermined value's changes, which is a cause of changes in a saturation power of a power amplifier. When the detecting unit detects any change in the predetermined value, the PAPR determining unit determines a PAPR value that corresponds to the saturation power of the power amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Tsuneaki Tadano
  • Publication number: 20140187184
    Abstract: Methods and systems for vector combining power amplification are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a plurality of signals are individually amplified, then summed to form a desired time-varying complex envelope signal. Phase and/or frequency characteristics of one or more of the signals are controlled to provide the desired phase, frequency, and/or amplitude characteristics of the desired time-varying complex envelope signal. In another embodiment, a time-varying complex envelope signal is decomposed into a plurality of constant envelope constituent signals. The constituent signals are amplified equally or substantially equally, and then summed to construct an amplified version of the original time-varying envelope signal. Embodiments also perform frequency up-conversion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: ParkerVision, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. SORRELLS, Gregory S. Rawlins, Michael W. Rawlins
  • Patent number: 8768273
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting forward power sent to an antenna and reflected power reflected back from the antenna. Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for measuring forward and reflected power and controlling the amount of power supplied to the antenna responsive to these measurements. Embodiments of the present invention enable the power sent to the antenna to be dynamically altered when antenna impendence changes (e.g., when the antenna gets too close to another object).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventors: Dmitriy Rozenblit, Masoud Kahrizi
  • Publication number: 20140179250
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a polar amplification stage including a main signal path and a magnitude signal path, the method comprising: generating signals (108, 142) for the main signal path and the magnitude signal path for operating an amplifier (102) between a linear mode of operation and a saturated mode of operation; detecting (114) first and second peaks in a signal at the output of the amplifier (102) representing transitions between the linear and saturated modes of operation; and adjusting (124) the timing in one of the main signal path and the amplitude signal path in dependence on a relative difference between the size of the detected first and second peaks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: NUJIRA LIMITED
    Inventor: Nicholas Shute
  • Patent number: 8761694
    Abstract: Embodiments for at least one method and apparatus of a multiple antenna transceiver are disclosed. One embodiment of the multiple antenna transceiver includes a multiport network having a plurality of first ports and a plurality of second ports, wherein at least one of the second ports is responsive to at least two of the first ports. The multiple antenna transceiver further includes a plurality of antennas, an antenna connected to each of the plurality of second ports. Another embodiment includes a multiple antenna subscriber unit architecture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Lorenz, Bertrand M. Hochwald
  • Publication number: 20140170998
    Abstract: A III-N semiconductor channel is formed on a III-N transition layer formed on a (111) or (110) surface of a silicon template structure, such as a fin sidewall. In embodiments, the silicon fin has a width comparable to the III-N epitaxial film thicknesses for a more compliant seeding layer, permitting lower defect density and/or reduced epitaxial film thickness. In embodiments, a transition layer is GaN and the semiconductor channel comprises Indium (In) to increase a conduction band offset from the silicon fin. In other embodiments, the fin is sacrificial and either removed or oxidized, or otherwise converted into a dielectric structure during transistor fabrication. In certain embodiments employing a sacrificial fin, the III-N transition layer and semiconductor channel is substantially pure GaN, permitting a breakdown voltage higher than would be sustainable in the presence of the silicon fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventors: Han Wui THEN, Sansaptak DASGUPTA, Marko RADOSAVLJEVIC, Benjamin CHU-KUNG, Sanaz K. GARDNER, Seung Hoon SUNG, Robert S. CHAU
  • Publication number: 20140170997
    Abstract: A power amplifying apparatus is provided. A reference signal generator provides a reference signal having an enabling state and a disabling state. A digital power amplifier generates a current based on the reference signal and an input signal. An output signal of the digital power amplifier is related to the current. When the reference signal is in the enabling state, the current is related to the input signal. When the reference signal is in the disabling state, the current is irrelevant to the input signal. During the enabling state of the reference signal, a data generator provides an output alternating between an in-phase signal and a quadrature-phase signal as the input signal to the digital power amplifier. When the reference signal is in the disabling state, the data generator provides a fixed signal as the input signal to the digital power amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: MSTAR SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Chih-Ming Hung, Zhong-Xuan Zhang, Sheng-Che Tseng
  • Publication number: 20140162579
    Abstract: There is provided a front end module, including an amplification circuit unit amplifying signal, a multistage matching circuit unit connected to an output terminal of the amplification circuit unit, and a switch circuit unit connected to the multistage matching circuit unit, wherein the switch circuit unit includes a series switch circuit and a parallel switch circuit, the parallel switch circuit being connected to a node between a plurality of matching circuits included in the multistage matching circuit unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Myeong Woo Han, Youn Suk Kim, Shinichi Iizuka, Ju Young Park, Ki Joong Kim, Young Jean Song, Jun Goo Won