With Antenna Circuit Tuning Patents (Class 455/193.1)
  • Patent number: 11882508
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a non-transitory machine-readable medium that stores a program. The program receives sensor data from a set of sensors. Each sensor in the set of sensors is configured to sense a physical quantity in an environment. Based on the sensor data, the program further determines a set of configurations for a set of smart devices. The set of smart devices includes a set of smart emergency devices installed in a building. Each smart emergency device in the set of smart emergency devices is configured to provide emergency exit information to guide exiting the building. The program also sends the set of configurations to the set of smart devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: SAP SE
    Inventors: Radim Bacinschi, Ian McAlpine, Edward Yan
  • Patent number: 11728913
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method of operating a radio node in a wireless communication network. The method includes communicating using a selected signaling beam from a set of signaling beams, the selected signaling beam being selected based on a delay characteristic and a beam signaling characteristic of the signaling beams of the set of signaling beams. The disclosure also pertains to related devices and methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (Publ)
    Inventors: Joao Vieira, Robert Baldemair, Jung-Fu Cheng, Muris Sarajlic
  • Patent number: 11658647
    Abstract: A switched delay section for an integrated circuit device is disclosed. The switched delay section includes a segmented inductor loop comprising a plurality of segments separated by nodes. A plurality of capacitors are coupled between the segmented inductor loop to provide a plurality of delay sections. An image loop is in electrical communication with the segmented inductor loop. The image loop includes a switch configured to place the plurality of capacitors in one of a high capacitance or a low capacitance state to provide a variable delay value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: INTRINSIX CORP.
    Inventors: Kathiravan Krishnamurthi, Finbarr McGrath
  • Patent number: 11581863
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes the following configuration. A detection circuit detects a state of a clock signal. An amplification circuit changes a gain based on the state of the clock signal detected by the detection circuit. An amplification circuit amplifies a first voltage with the gain and outputs a second voltage obtained as a result of amplification. A conversion circuit converts the second voltage output from the amplification circuit to first data. An isolation circuit includes a driver and a receiver electrically isolated from the driver. The driver transmits a signal corresponding to the first data to the receiver. The receiver outputs second data corresponding to the signal transmitted from the driver. The output circuit outputs the second data output from the isolation circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA ELECTRONIC DEVICES & STORAGE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hitoshi Imai
  • Patent number: 11553481
    Abstract: A system and method for wireless synchronization on a network are disclosed. In one embodiment, the wireless device includes a wireless transceiver and processing circuitry. The wireless transceiver wirelessly receives synchronization information including a superframe from a first wireless, reader device, and wirelessly transmits the synchronization information to a second wireless, reader device and a portable wireless device, and to wirelessly detect a presence of a portable wireless device. The processing circuitry communicates synchronization information to the second wireless, reader device and portable wireless device. The superframe is used to synchronize a wireless data exchange between the third wireless, reader device and the portable wireless device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Proxense, LLC
    Inventors: David L. Brown, Fred S. Hirt
  • Patent number: 11463148
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic device and control method for changing an antenna setting according to a bandwidth of a signal. An electronic device according to various embodiments of the present document may comprise at least one antenna, an antenna tuning circuit, and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to: receive signals from a plurality of external devices according to a first antenna setting by using the at least one antenna, respectively; check received power intensities of the received signals, respectively; when the checked received power intensities are equal to or greater than a predesignated threshold intensity, identify a ratio of a signal having a maximum bandwidth from among the signals received from the plurality of external devices; and at least partially on the basis of the identified ratio, change the first antenna setting to a second antenna setting by using the antenna tuning circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jaemoon Cha, Seongju Lee
  • Patent number: 10857360
    Abstract: Among other things, there is disclosed a Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulator system. The system includes an electronic unit that produces low-level constant current ranging from 50 ?A-500 ?A that is delivered to the patient via a pair of conductive electrodes incorporated into ear cushions of a headset with a second independent wireless connection for audio purposes. The CES controls are accomplished via a smart device (phone, tablet, etc.) via a wireless protocol. The smart device contains a dedicated software application (app) that controls operation of the system, allows a user to adjust duration and intensity level of treatment, records treatment parameters (duration, intensity, frequency), presets control and customization of the presets as well as varies level, frequency and waveform shape of the current, gathers patient treatment feedback at the conclusion of each treatment, allows a patient to set up treatment reminders, and allows patient ability to store and share treatment data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Innovative Neurological Devices LLC
    Inventor: Bart Waclawik
  • Patent number: 10348268
    Abstract: A demultiplexing circuit (10) includes a band switch (20) and a first communication band phase adjustment circuit (30). The band switch (20) includes a shared terminal (P20) connected to a shared connection end (110), a first selection target terminal (P21) connected to a second signal end (122), and a second selection target terminal (P22) connected to a third signal end (123). In the band switch (20), the first selection target terminal (P21) and the second selection target terminal (P22) are selectively connected to the shared terminal (P20) in response to the communication band to be transmitted. The first communication band phase adjustment circuit (30) is connected between a first signal end (121) and a predetermined position in a transmission path where the shared connection end (110) and the shared terminal (P20) are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tetsuro Harada
  • Patent number: 10276923
    Abstract: A wireless communications device may include an RF transceiver. The RF transceiver may have a first connector, an RF transceiver circuit coupled to the first connector, and a probe circuit coupled to the first connector and configured to place a DC supply voltage on the first connector. The wireless communications device may include an RF antenna assembly to be coupled with the RF transceiver. The RF antenna assembly may have a second connector configured to be mated with the first connector, an RF antenna element coupled to the second connector, and an antenna ID circuit coupled to the second connector and configured to be powered from the DC supply voltage and modulate the DC supply current indicative of an ID of the RF antenna element. The probe circuit may be configured to determine the ID of the RF antenna element based upon the modulated DC supply current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: HARRIS GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Eller, Kenneth P. Beghini
  • Patent number: 10021641
    Abstract: An electronic device including wireless energy receiver circuitry and an energy receiver antenna that is connected to the wireless charging circuitry can be used to improve electrical efficiency. The energy receiver antenna has a tunable reception frequency that can be controlled to optimize energy reception. For example, the energy receiver antenna can be tuned to match a wireless transmission frequency being output by the electronic device itself. If the electronic device is not currently outputting any transmission signals, the energy receiver antenna can be tuned to optimize energy reception from any other available signal source. In some examples, the electronic device may dynamically tune the reception frequency of the energy receiver antenna according to the relative strength of signals being received. Energy received by the energy receiver antenna can be supplied to power various components of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Inventor: Marcellus Chen
  • Patent number: 9722322
    Abstract: An antenna device including: a first antenna assembly configured to receive first radiofrequency signals polarized according to a first polarization; a second antenna assembly configured to receive second radiofrequency signals polarized according to a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization; and a radiofrequency signal handling assembly coupled with the first and second antenna assemblies, and configured to handle the received first radiofrequency signals separately from the received second radiofrequency signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: TELECOM ITALIA S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giorgio Bertin, Marco Braglia, Ivano Salvatore Collotta, Bruno Melis, Bruno Piovano, Roberto Vallauri, Filiberto Bilotti, Lucio Vegni
  • Patent number: 9184798
    Abstract: A near field communications (NFC) device is disclosed that is capable of optimizing a gain for received signals. Measurements are made of signals received from an NFC environment and are compared to one or more threshold hold values. Based on the comparison, it is determined whether the measurements indicate underamplification or overamplification. Depending on the results of the analysis, one or more components within the NFC device is adjusted to increase or decrease the gain, respectively. The measurements may be taken during an unloaded baseline state or during loading, and may be compared to previous measurements to estimate their accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Philip Stewart Royston
  • Patent number: 9042816
    Abstract: Aspects disclosed herein relate to improving tuning of a NFC coil for operation in one or more modes based on a distance between a NFC device and a remote NFC device. In one example, a NFC device may be configured to detect that a NFC device is within a first threshold of a first distance from a remote NFC device. The NFC device may be further configured to determine whether a NFC coil is tuned for use with a first operational mode associated with the first distance. The NFC device may also be configured to re-tune the NFC coil to the first operational mode based on a determination that the NFC coil is not tuned for use with the first operational mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Stephen Frankland
  • Patent number: 9037103
    Abstract: A method for processing a radio signal includes: receiving a signal on two antennas; demodulating the signal using first and second independent signal paths that are synchronized by symbol number; maximum ratio combining branch metrics from the two receiver paths; and using the combined branch metrics to produce an output, wherein the receiver paths include an arbitration scheme. A receiver that implements the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: iBiquity Digital Corporation
    Inventors: Brian W. Kroeger, Paul J. Peyla, Jeffrey S. Baird
  • Patent number: 9031523
    Abstract: A method for measuring an impedance of an antenna includes generating, by a signal source coupled to the antenna, a radio frequency (RF) signal, applying the RF signal to a directional coupler, and mixing, by a first mixer, a first signal from the directional coupler with a signal, wherein the first signal corresponds to a reflected power from the antenna. The method further includes mixing, by a second mixer, a second signal with the signal, wherein the second signal is offset from the first signal by ninety degrees. The method further includes outputting, by a first lower pass filter (LPF) coupled to an output of the first mixer, a real part of a reflection coefficient of the antenna and outputting, by a second lower pass filter (LPF) coupled to an output of the second mixer, an imaginary part of the reflection coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventor: William David Anderson
  • Patent number: 9026050
    Abstract: In a communication circuit, an RFIC includes an IO terminal and a control IC includes an IO terminal. A variable capacitance element includes control terminals, a capacitance element with a capacitance value that is determined according to a control voltage, and a resistance voltage divider circuit configured to generate the control voltage by dividing a voltage inputted to the control terminals. One of the RFIC and the control IC supplies control data to the variable capacitance element via a signal line. The variable capacitance element, along with an antenna coil, constitutes an antenna circuit of an LC parallel resonance circuit, and sets a resonant frequency of the antenna circuit to be a predetermined frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoto Ikeda, Nobuo Ikemoto, Naoki Gouchi, Toshiyuki Nakaiso, Katsumi Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 9026073
    Abstract: The disclosure discloses a device for receiving signals, which includes: equipment with lead wires configured to be reused as a receiving antenna to receive Frequency Modulation (FM) signals. The disclosure further discloses an antenna device and a mobile terminal. According to the technical solution of the disclosure, occupied space of a receiving antenna for FM signal is reduced greatly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventor: Wenqing He
  • Publication number: 20150118984
    Abstract: A high frequency circuit module includes a variable inductance circuit portion and a reactance circuit portion. The variable inductance circuit portion is connected between an antenna port and ground. The variable reactance circuit is connected between the antenna port and a front-end port. The variable inductance circuit portion includes a first inductor, a second inductor, and a switch. The first inductor is connected between the antenna port and the ground. The second inductor and the switch are connected in series, and this series circuit is connected in parallel to the first inductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Shoji NAGUMO, Tetsuro HARADA, Minoru IWANAGA, Tomohiro NAGAI
  • Patent number: 9020455
    Abstract: A transceiver may include an antenna tuning control system operably associated with an antenna tuner to control the current power levels of the transmission signal and the receive signal. The antenna tuner control system may receive transmit power control (TPC) information, which was transmitted to the transceiver from a base station on the receive signal. The TPC information may be utilized to change the current power level of the transmission signal to a desired transmission power level. In addition, the antenna tuner control system may generate receive power control (RPC) information. The RPC information may be utilized to change the current power level of the receive signal to a desired receive power level. The antenna tuner control system is operable to adjust the pass band in accordance with the TPC information and the RPC information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Nadim Khlat
  • Patent number: 9014645
    Abstract: In a wireless communication device (10), adjustment means (matching controlling means (152)) changes a reactance of a matching section (17), determination means (calculation means (151), matching controlling means (152)) determines whether a resonance frequency of an antenna (11) exists on a side higher than or lower than the operation frequency of the antenna (11) on the basis of a change in an intensity of a signal, which change is caused by a change in the reactance and is detected by a signal intensity detection section (14), and the adjustment means adjusts the reactance so that the resonance frequency is closer to the operation frequency on the basis of a result of determination of the determination means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Ikehata
  • Patent number: 8996080
    Abstract: A radio-frequency (RF) device for a wireless communication device includes a grounding element, an antenna, a first DC blocking element for cutting off a direct-current (dc) signal route between a grounding terminal of the antenna and the grounding element, a capacitive sensing unit capable of using a radiating element of the antenna to sense an environment capacitance within a specific range, a second DC blocking element electrically connected between the radiating element and the feed-in element for blocking a dc signal path from the radiating element to the feed-in element, and a high-frequency blocking element electrically connected between the radiating element and the capacitive sensing unit for blocking a high-frequency signal path from the radiating element to the capacitive sensing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Wistron NeWeb Corporation
    Inventors: Shang-Sian You, Kuan-Hsueh Tseng
  • Publication number: 20150072615
    Abstract: A method for reducing transmission interference is described. The method may be performed by a wireless communication device. The method includes determining that a tuned FM frequency of an FM receiver is within a threshold of a harmonic of an inductive communication transmission produced by an inductive communication transceiver. A magnetic field of the inductive communication transceiver is inductively coupled with the FM receiver. The method also includes canceling the harmonic of the inductive communication transmission by energizing a parasitic loop with the magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Mahbod Mofidi, Thomas P. Cargill
  • Patent number: 8976762
    Abstract: Radio frequency (RF) architectures for spectrum access networks are provided. Embodiments of the invention generally provide a radio frequency (RF) architecture for customer premise equipment (CPE) for use in, for example, IEEE 802.22 wireless regional area networks (WRANs). In some embodiments, the CPE RF architecture includes two receive chains with a directional antenna and an omni-directional antenna, respectively. The CPE RF architecture facilitates opportunistic out-of-band spectrum sensing and WRAN signal receiving that are performed in parallel with data transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Vlantis, Wendong Hu
  • Patent number: 8942654
    Abstract: An information handling system includes a capacitor, an antenna, a wireless wide area network card, an embedded display port interface, and a digital-to-analog converter. The capacitor has a variable capacitance that varies based on a voltage applied to the capacitor. The antenna is coupled to the capacitor, and has a variable resonance frequency that is based on the variable capacitance. The wireless wide area network card is in communication with the antenna, and is configured to set the variable resonance frequency to a specific frequency based on a control signal. The embedded display port interface is configured to transmit the control signal from the wireless wide area network card to a display control circuit via an auxiliary channel of the embedded display port interface. The digital-to-analog converter is in communication with the display control circuit, and is configured to provide the voltage to the capacitor in response to a signal from the display control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Dell Products, LP
    Inventors: Joel Adams, David Douglas, Eugen Munteanu
  • Publication number: 20150015435
    Abstract: An antenna RSSI meter includes a microcontroller unit for digitizing an antenna receiver voltage signal, converting the digitized antenna receiver voltage signal into a receiver signal level in accordance with a predefined antenna specification, and converting the receiver signal level into the antenna tuning signal in accordance with the predefined antenna specification. The antenna RSSI meter includes an input communication port for receiving the antenna receiver voltage signal from an antenna and providing the antenna receiver voltage signal to the microcontroller unit, The antenna RSSI meter also includes an output communication port for receiving the antenna tuning signal from the microcontroller unit and providing the antenna tuning signal to an antenna auto-aligning mechanism for adjusting position and orientation of the antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Ying Shen, Aleksandr Semenyshev, Ed Nealis, Shawn Walsh
  • Patent number: 8923789
    Abstract: A portable electronic device comprises a wireless receiver unit for receiving a wireless signal from a transmitting device, the wireless receiver unit comprising an antenna receiving an electromagnetic signal and providing a received electric input signal, and a receiver providing a recovered electric signal from the received electric input signal, and an impedance matching circuit matching the electric impedance of the antenna to the receiver, the receiver comprising a gain stage comprising an Automatic Gain Control unit automatically determining an AGC-gain value for application to an AGC-input signal to provide an appropriate signal level when the level of said AGC input signal is in a range between a minimum and a maximum signal level corresponding to maximum and minimum AGC-gain values, respectively. The portable device further comprises a control unit receiving the AGC-gain value and providing a control signal depending on said AGC-gain value to the impedance matching circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventor: Henrik Bendsen
  • Patent number: 8918070
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed related to tuning a resonant frequency of an LC circuit. In some implementations, the LC circuit can be embodied in a low noise amplifier (LNA) of a receiver. The receiver can include a component configured to generate an indicator of received signal strength indication (RSSI) of a radio frequency (RF) signal received by the receiver. A control block can adjust the resonant frequency of the LC circuit based at least in part on the indicator of RSSI. As another example, the receiver can include an oscillator, such as a VCO, separate from the LC circuit that can be used to tune the resonant frequency of the LC circuit. These apparatus can compensate for variation in a zero imaginary component of an impedance across the LC circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Hyman Shanan
  • Patent number: 8909182
    Abstract: A narrow band, tunable antenna uses a series of small inductors wired in series to produce different resonant frequencies from a single antenna across a wide frequency spectrum. Radio Frequency (RF) switches are positioned in parallel with the inductors and are capable of shunting a selected inductor out of the antenna circuit thereby changing the electrical length of the antenna and consequently, the resonant frequency. The RF switch control circuitry is isolated from the RF current in the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: ATI Technologies ULC
    Inventor: Svetlan Milosevic
  • Patent number: 8897733
    Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamically tuning and calibrating an antenna using on-chip digitally controlled array of capacitors are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include dynamically tuning a mobile terminal antenna (MTA) using on-chip arrays of capacitive devices. The tuning may be, for example, to compensate for center frequency drift during operation of the mobile terminal. The tuning may be accomplished by selecting capacitive devices in the on-chip arrays of capacitive devices to use in conjunction with an inductive circuit coupled to the MTA, where the inductive circuit may be either off the chip or on the chip. Accordingly, an impedance of the circuit formed by the capacitive devices in the on-chip arrays of capacitive devices and the inductive circuit may be adjusted with respect to the MTA. A valid circuit configuration may include a configuration where no capacitive device may be selected for use with the inductive circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Ahmadreza Rofougaran
  • Patent number: 8897734
    Abstract: The invention provides circuitry integrated into a silicon chip that measures aspects of an RF signal on a transmission line in order to provide data that is ultimately used by an antenna tuner circuit to substantially match the impedance of the antenna with that of the transmission line providing the RF frequency to be transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ericsson Modems SA
    Inventor: Janne Olavi Peltonen
  • Publication number: 20140342682
    Abstract: A method for processing a radio signal includes: receiving a signal on two antennas; demodulating the signal using first and second independent signal paths that are synchronized by symbol number; maximum ratio combining branch metrics from the two receiver paths; and using the combined branch metrics to produce an output, wherein the receiver paths include an arbitration scheme. A receiver that implements the method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Brian W. Kroeger, Paul J. Peyla, Jeffrey S. Baird
  • Patent number: 8886145
    Abstract: An antenna adjustment circuit includes: a drive section that inputs an alternating drive signal to a variable capacitance connected to an antenna; and a control section that sets a capacitance value of the variable capacitance, based on a phase of an output signal derived from the variable capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Matsui, Bernie Griffiths
  • Patent number: 8880015
    Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for LNA adjustment to compensate for dynamic impedance matching are provided. In this regard, an antenna matching network may be configured to maximize received signal strength for a determined frequency and an amplifier gain may be adjusted based on the maximized signal strength such that output levels of the amplifier are between specified limits. The antenna matching network may be programmatically controlled via one or more switching elements. The amplifier gain may be programmatically controlled via one or more bias points. The antenna matching network may be configured for a plurality of frequencies in a frequency band, such as an FM broadcast band, and a configuration for each frequency may be stored. Accordingly, when the receiver is tuned to a frequency, a corresponding configuration may be retrieved from memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Ahmadreza Rofougaran, Maryam Rofougaran
  • Patent number: 8868014
    Abstract: An antenna is provided having a good matching characteristics when immersed in a fluid such as saline water, oil, or other liquids (“the phantom liquid”). In some embodiments, the antenna provides a tight capacitive coupling with the phantom liquid through the use of a higher permeability cover and absence of a gap between the cover and the antenna body. One embodiment employs a tunably capacitively loaded inverted “F” antenna structure. Additional embodiments of the invention provide an antenna tuning system that saves power by utilizing very low duty cycle periodical refreshing charge at a tuning varactor diode coupled to the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Ivan Krivokapic
  • Patent number: 8831546
    Abstract: A radio receiver includes a first signal path including a first tuner configured to receive a first signal from a first antenna, and a first demodulator configured to demodulate symbols from an output of the first tuner to produce first branch metrics derived from the demodulated symbols; a second signal path including a second tuner configured to receive a second signal from a second antenna, and a second demodulator configured to demodulate symbols from an output of the second tuner to produce second branch metrics derived from the demodulated symbols; a combiner for maximum ratio combining the first branch metrics and the second branch metrics; and processing circuitry to process the combined first and second branch metrics to produce an output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: iBiquity Digital Corporation
    Inventors: Brian W. Kroeger, Paul J. Peyla, Jeffrey S. Baird
  • Patent number: 8824982
    Abstract: A time-variant antenna is disclosed that uses a switched capacitor array in silicon to improve the performance and integration options of the time-variant antenna. Parasitic effects of the interface between the on-board antenna and on-silicon switched capacitor array are considered and the antenna is tuned to compensate for these effects. The switched capacitor array provides high linearity, lower cost, and reduced size, relative to prior art antenna implementations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Seong-Youp Suh, Ricardo Suarez-Gartner
  • Patent number: 8818308
    Abstract: A multi-tuner apparatus comprises a splitter (S) for received RF signals. The splitter has a splitter output (U) for connection to a plurality of tuners. To reduce signal degradation and dissipation the output impedance of the splitter output is substantially lower than the input impedance of each of the tuners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: NXP, B.V.
    Inventors: Jan Van Sinderen, Francois Seneschal, Jacques Potier
  • Patent number: 8811911
    Abstract: A radio-frequency (RF) processing device, for a wireless communication device, is disclosed. The RF processing device comprises an antenna, an RF-signal processing module, a controller, for generating a control signal according to a band switching signal, and a matching adjustment module for adjusting an impedance between the antenna and the RF-signal processing module according to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventors: Chih-Chin Su, Chung-Chi Lai, Chien-Ting Ho, Wan-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 8792937
    Abstract: A computing device with a configurable antenna. The antenna is configured through a switching circuit operating under software control. Operating characteristics of the antenna are configured based on connections between conducting segments established by the switching circuit, allowing the nominal frequency, bandwidth or other characteristics of the antenna to be configured. Because the switching is software controlled, the configurable antenna may be integrated with a software defined radio. The radio and antenna can be reconfigured to support communication according to different wireless technologies at different times or to interleave packets according to different wireless technologies to support concurrent sessions using different wireless technologies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Amer A. Hassan, Christian Huitema
  • Patent number: 8781417
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising a transceiver, an antenna tuner connecting said transceiver to an antenna, a power sensor adapted to acquire measurements about transmit power, a receive signal strength indicator (RSSI) adapted to acquire measurements about receive power and wherein said tuner tunes said antenna based upon said transmit and receive measurements to optimize said antenna in both the receive and transmit bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Guillaume Alexandre Blin
  • Patent number: 8781522
    Abstract: The invention utilizes small, narrow-band and frequency adaptable antennas to provide coverage to a wide range of wireless modes and frequency bands on a host wireless device. The antennas have narrow pass-band characteristics, require minimal space on the host device, and allow for smaller form factor. The frequency tunability further allows for a fewer number of antennas to be used. The operation of the antennas may also be adaptably relocated from unused modes to in-use modes to maximize performance. These features of the antennas result in cost and size reductions. In another aspect, the antennas may be broadband antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Allen Minh-Triet Tran, Ernest T. Ozaki, Jatupum Jenwatanavet, Gregory Alan Breit
  • Patent number: 8774743
    Abstract: Real-time calibration of a tunable matching network that matches the dynamic impedance of an antenna in a radio frequency receiver system. The radio frequency receiver system includes two non-linear equations that may be solved to determine the reflection coefficient of the antenna. The tunable matching network is repeatedly perturbed and the power received by the antenna is measured after each perturbation at the same node in the matching network. The measured power values are used by an optimizer in converging to a solution that provides the reflection coefficient of the antenna. The reflection coefficient of the antenna may be used to determine the input impedance of the antenna. The elements of the matching circuit are then adjusted to match the input impedance of the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Shirook Ali, James Paul Warden, Mohamed Bakr
  • Patent number: 8761705
    Abstract: An antenna includes: a differential linear antenna that includes two antenna elements, which have a predetermined length, arranged so as to be separated from each other for to be symmetrical with respect to a line that becomes a reference and provided with voltages having opposite polarities; and a patch antenna having a flat plate shape which is arranged to be parallel to a plane, on which the differential linear antenna is arranged, and in which a feeding point is disposed in an area interposed between virtual planes that are perpendicular to the plane and pass through extended lines of the antenna elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ichiki
  • Patent number: 8712355
    Abstract: A method, transceiver integrated circuit (IC), and communications device for generating antenna tuning states derived from a pre-established trajectory of tuning states to adjust a detected signal level towards a preset, given value. A tuning state generation (TSG) controller determines whether a detected signal level matches a given value. If the detected signal level does not match the given value, the TSG controller selects an initial preset tuning state from a pre-established trajectory corresponding to a pre-identified operating condition that best matches a current operating condition. The TSG logic forwards the initial preset tuning state to the antenna tuner to trigger impedance transformation. Following generation of the initial preset tuning state, the controller receives an updated detected signal level. If the updated detected signal level fails to match the given value, the controller generates an incremental tuning state that is interpolated between the initial and a final preset tuning states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Gregory R. Black, William P. Alberth
  • Patent number: 8699965
    Abstract: A low loss quarter wave Radio Frequency (RF) relay switch apparatus and method provides more efficient transmission of RF energy to downstream antenna switching elements in an antenna switching network. The antenna switching network may include multiple antenna multiplexer modules which are configured to operate in a local use configuration or a pass through configuration. The antenna multiplexer modules are designed for maximum efficiency in the pass through configuration acting virtually lossless when passing through RF energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark W. Duron
  • Patent number: 8699980
    Abstract: A car audio system having a tuner unit and an active antenna integrated into a single module, the car audio system being connected to an antenna for a vehicle and receiving broadcast signals, is provided. The car audio system includes an antenna-tuner integration module, in which the active antenna for receiving and amplifying the broadcast signals and the tuner unit for selecting a broadcast signal corresponding to a specific frequency among the received broadcast signals are formed as a single module; and a car audio device connected to the antenna-tuner integration module using a data cable of a certain length corresponding to a spaced distance for preventing effects of electrical noise generated by the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Kwang Sung Electronics Korea Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyu Young Lee
  • Patent number: 8682258
    Abstract: A high-frequency circuit comprising a switch circuit connected to an antenna terminal, first and second diplexer circuits connected to the switch circuit, first and second power amplifier circuits connected to the first diplexer circuit, first and second bandpass filter circuits connected to the first and second power amplifier circuits, a third bandpass filter circuit connected to the second diplexer circuit, a detection circuit disposed between the switch circuit and the first diplexer circuit, and a low-noise amplifier circuit disposed between the switch circuit and the second diplexer circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Fukamachi, Shigeru Kemmochi, Hirotaka Satake
  • Patent number: 8660500
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) with a leaky wave antenna are disclosed and may include transmitting wireless signals via one or more leaky wave antennas in one or more tank circuits coupled to one or more VCOs. The VCOs may be two-point modulated. Two modulating signals may be communicated to the one or more VCOs via varactors coupled to tank circuits on the one or more VCOs. The varactors may include CMOS transistors with source and drain terminals shorted together. The one or more leaky wave antennas may be integrated on the chip, on a package to which the chip is affixed, or on a printed circuit board to which the chip is affixed. The VCOs may be integrated in a phase-locked loop and an output of the one or more VCOs in the phase-locked loop may be fed back via a multi-modulus detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Ahmadreza Rofougaran, Maryam Rofougaran
  • Publication number: 20140051375
    Abstract: An electronic device and an antenna reception tuning method thereof are provided. The electronic device includes a first main body, a second main body, a sensing unit, and a processing unit. The second main body, including an antenna and a matching unit, is disposed on the first main body through a hinge and adapted for being opened or closed relative to the first main body. The sensing unit is disposed on the electronic device, adapted for detecting a distance between the first main body and the second main body, and generates a control signal according to the distance, wherein the distance includes an angle and an open/close state between the first and the second main bodies. The processing unit is electrically connected to the sensing unit and the matching unit, and adjusts the matching unit according to the received control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventors: Kuo-Chiang Hung, Cheng-Wen Wang, Chieh-Tsao Hwang, Chang-Chih Chen, Shih-Chia Liu
  • Patent number: 8655410
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing signal interference within a cellular radio system to increase both coverage and capacity. The method and apparatus include altering the direction of beams within cell sectors is among discrete angular positions according to a predetermined, cyclic pattern. The predetermined, cyclic pattern varies in a group of adjacent cell sectors such that inter-cell interference is significantly reduced or eliminated by rotating at a different cycle the beams in adjacent cells. This discrete, angular movement of beams provides for downlink transmissions to be timed in such a way (i.e., scheduled) such that transmission to a user will occur in accordance with the beam and time slot having the best carrier to interference (C/I) ratio for that user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Apple, Inc.
    Inventors: Nimal Gamini Senarath, Yoon Chae Cheong, Shalini Periyalwar, Robert Matyas