Including Varactor Diode Patents (Class 455/193.3)
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Patent number: 9647706Abstract: A system for tuning an impedance network for optimal signal strength is disclosed. The system includes a test tone generator, a radio frequency (RF) receiver, a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) coupled to the RF receiver and a controller coupled to the RSSI. The controller is configured to output a control signal based on a RSSI value measured by the RSSI.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2015Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: NXP B.V.Inventor: Anton Salfelner
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Patent number: 8792937Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 4, 2012Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Amer A. Hassan, Christian Huitema
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Patent number: 8487479Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for wireless power transfer using resonant ferrite antennas to transmit and receive power. Ferrite structures concentrate magnetic flux lines into the structure, thereby creating a magnetic path and field with less interference and eddy current losses than in device electronics, thereby improving the efficiency of magnetic power distribution. The disclosure describes tuning the resonance frequency by mechanically adjusting the position of the coil on the rod. The ferrite rod antennas described herein may be used to transfer power to handheld communication devices.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2009Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Nigel P. Cook, Peter Schwaninger, Hanspeter Widmer
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Patent number: 8472904Abstract: In various embodiments, systems and methods for automatically tuning an antenna to a desired frequency utilize a tuning detection element that sends or receives a signal in accordance with one mode of the antenna and that is separated from the antenna by a gap and outside of a signal path of the antenna. In various system implementations, a processor communicates with the tuning detection element and antenna and monitors the amplitude of a signal transmitted to or from the tuning detection element. A resonant frequency of the antenna may be tuned to the desired frequency by a tuning element.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2009Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.Inventor: Douglas W. White
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Patent number: 8340714Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 14, 2007Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Amer A. Hassan, Christian Huitema
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Patent number: 8131237Abstract: Disclosed is a radio wave receiving apparatus including: an antenna to receive a radio wave; a tuning member to allow a reception frequency of the antenna to be tuned to an intended frequency, in which tuning member a frequency characteristic is variable; a receiving member to receive a reception signal from the antenna to demodulate a modulation wave; a positive feedback member to perform a positive feedback in a signal path including the tuning member; and a switching member to turn on/off a feedback operation of the positive feedback member.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2009Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kaoru Someya
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Patent number: 8099069Abstract: A broadcast receiver for use in a mobile communication terminal includes a receiving antenna and an antenna tuning circuit connected to the receiving antenna. The receiving antenna receives broadcast signals tuned to the resonant frequency of the antenna tuning circuit by changing the resonant frequency. The antenna tuning circuit includes an unwanted voltage suppression circuit that suppresses an unwanted voltage generated due to the rectification effect of a varactor when the receiving antenna receives transmission signals output from the transmission antenna of the mobile communication terminal.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2010Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Akira Kato
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Patent number: 8063839Abstract: A technique for tuning an antenna may include one or more of the following: working against a ground plane, utilizing the third dimension by alternating layers on a substrate, integrating an inductive short stub in the substrate to improve port matching, and making a tuning port available for capacitive loading and resonance modification.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2007Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: Quantenna Communications, Inc.Inventors: Saied Ansari, Behrooz Rezvani
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Patent number: 8041844Abstract: A computer system that detects for a PCI Express compliant endpoint device is described. Specifically, the computer system clocks transmit and receive circuits at a first frequency and initiates a training sequence. If the endpoint device successfully trains at the first frequency, the endpoint device is PCI Express compliant. Otherwise, the computer system initiates another training sequence at a second frequency.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2004Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Mikal C. Hunsaker, Karthi Vadivelu, Andrew W. Martwick
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Patent number: 8000668Abstract: Structurally simple transmit/receive circuits for hearing devices are to be able to be deployed for higher frequencies as well. It is therefore proposed according to the invention that at least two PIN diodes should be connected in an anti-parallel manner between the receive oscillating circuit and the amplifier connected thereto to protect the amplifier. A capacitance diode can optionally be expanded so that larger component tolerances can be permitted for the circuit.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2007Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbHInventors: Mihail Boguslavskij, Peter Nikles, Jürgen Reithinger, Ulrich Schätzle
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Patent number: 7937056Abstract: A variable capacitance device has a piezoelectric driving part, a movable electrode, a fixed electrode, a dielectric film and a driving control unit. The piezoelectric driving part has a piezoelectric film, an upper electrode disposed on a top surface of the piezoelectric film, a lower electrode disposed on an undersurface of the piezoelectric film and electrode slits which separate the upper electrode and the lower electrode into two, respectively. The movable electrode is provided via the electrode slits at one end of the piezoelectric driving part. The fixed electrode is disposed opposite to the movable electrode via a gap. The dielectric film is disposed opposite to the movable electrode via the gap and provided on the fixed electrode. The driving control unit adjusts a distance between the movable electrode and the fixed electrode to reduce a fluctuation of a predetermined capacitance of a variable capacitor formed between the variable electrode and the fixed electrode.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2007Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Kazuhiko Itaya, Hiroshi Yoshida, Takashi Kawakubo
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Patent number: 7668519Abstract: A system, apparatus and/or method provides frequency response adjustment of an RF input filter of an RF tuner based on impedance of an antenna system that is providing reception of RF signals to the RF tuner. The frequency response adjustment is preferably accomplished dynamically and/or with respect to each frequency tuned. Particularly, the system, method and/or apparatus provides compensation at the RF tuner level for mistuning effects produced on the RF tuner by antenna system impedance presented at the antenna input that is other than a designed for impedance. Frequency response of an RF input filter for the RF tuner is electronically adjustable with an independent or semi-independent control voltage signal based on one or more measured parameters of a tuning frequency. Frequency response adjustment may include adjustment of a center frequency of the RF input filter bandpass frequency range and/or altering the bandpass frequency range of the RF input filter.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2003Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Michael Anthony Pugel, Kumar Ramaswamy
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Patent number: 7505738Abstract: A broadband receiver exhibiting reduced interference to a frequency counter caused by a local oscillator.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2005Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: Uniden CorporationInventor: Tateo Masaki
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Patent number: 7426373Abstract: An impedance tuning system, especially for a cellular telephone system. The system can be used to match the impedance of an antenna element with that of an output stage of a transmitter driving the antenna element. The system includes a piezo capacitor in parallel with the magnetostrictive inductor to form an LC circuit. A voltage controller applies a voltage bias signal to the piezo capacitor and a current controller applies a current bias signal to the inductor. A primary controller monitors the frequency of the output signal from the transmitter and controls the voltage and current controllers as needed to alter the impedance of the system as needed to match the impedance of the antenna element with that of the output stage of the transmitter. In an alternative form an ultrasonic sensor is provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2005Date of Patent: September 16, 2008Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Dan J Clingman, Frederick T. Calkins
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Patent number: 7386065Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), suitable for use in a frequency shift keying (FSK) system. The VCO device comprises a switching varactor unit, having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the switching varactor unit produces a capacitance, according to a frequency-selection voltage. A VCO core has a first output terminal, a second output terminal complementary to the first output terminal, and an input terminal. Wherein, the switching varactor unit is coupled in parallel with the VCO core at the first output terminal and the second output terminal to produce a capacitance effect with respect to the capacitance, so as to adjust a frequency constant ?{square root over (LC)} of the VCO core.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2003Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: Novatek Microelectronics Corp.Inventors: Yih-Min Tu, Yung-Lung Chen, Yuan-Tung Peng, Fan-Chung Lee
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Patent number: 7359672Abstract: An apparatus for frequency up conversion and down conversion using frequency multiplier circuits. The frequency multiplier circuits receive a lower frequency signal and are operated in a forward direction to provide a higher frequency output. The same frequency multiplier circuits are operated in a reverse direction by receiving a higher frequency signal and producing a lower frequency output. The frequency multiplier circuits preferably use heterojunction barrier varactor diodes to eliminate the need for DC bias or idler circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2007Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventor: Jonathan J. Lynch
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Patent number: 7269399Abstract: A receiver of double conversion system wherein unwanted components included in received signals can be removed without fail and wherein the number of constituent parts has been reduced. The receiver comprises an antenna tuning circuit 10 including a tuning coil 11 and a variable-capacitance diode 13; a high frequency amplification circuit 20 for performing a high frequency amplification of a signal outputted by the antenna tuning circuit 10; two-stage mixing circuits 22, 28 for performing two frequency conversions of an output from the high frequency amplification circuit 20; and a detecting circuit 36 for detecting an output from the latter-stage mixing circuit 28.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2003Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: Niigata Seimitsu Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Miyagi, Hiroshi Katsunaga
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Publication number: 20070207754Abstract: The present invention provides a means for improving the sensitivity and selectivity of a car radio receiver. The variable inductance LC resonant circuit comprises: a amplifier 53 having enough high input impedance and enough low output impedance, a inductive element 51 connected a terminal to the input of said amplifier 53 and the other terminal to the output terminal of said amplifier 53, and a capacitive element 52 connected a terminal to the input terminal of said amplifier 53 and the other terminal to the ground. The proposed technique alters the parallel resonant frequency by varying an equivalent inductance 51, 53 seen from the condenser 52 side, wherein the equivalent inductance 51, 53 varies associated with the gain of said amplifier depending on the frequency control voltage from the PLL synthesizer to the terminal 54.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2006Publication date: September 6, 2007Inventor: Shintaro Gomi
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Patent number: 7248838Abstract: A communication system for transmitting data between cores embedded in an integrated circuit on a silicon chip. Communication system includes transmitter circuitry for wirelessly transmitting data between cores and receiver circuitry for wirelessly receiving the transmission of data from other cores. Both transmitter circuitry and receiver circuitry may include of a phase-locked loop circuit having a voltage-controlled oscillator. Each core may transmit and receive data on a unique frequency with respect to other cores embedded in an integrated circuit on a silicon chip or transmit and receive data on the same frequency as other cores embedded in an integrated circuit on a silicon chip. Groups of cores may share transmitter and receiver circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2006Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Kenneth J. Goodnow, Riyon W. Harding, Charles J. Masenas, Jason M. Norman, Sebastian T. Ventrone
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Patent number: 7103320Abstract: A communication system (8) for transmitting data between cores (10) embedded in an integrated circuit on a silicon chip (12). Communication system (8) includes transmitter circuitry (24) for wirelessly transmitting data between cores (10) and receiver circuitry (26) for wirelessly receiving the transmission of data from other cores. Both transmitter circuitry (24) and receiver circuitry (26) may include of a phase-locked loop circuit (28, 30) having a voltage-controlled oscillator (36). Each core (10) may transmit and receive data on a unique frequency with respect to other cores embedded in an integrated circuit on a silicon chip (12) or transmit and receive data on the same frequency as other cores embedded in an integrated circuit on a silicon chip (12). Groups of cores (17) may share transmitter and receiver circuitry (24 and 26).Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2003Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Kenneth J Goodnow, Riyon W Harding, Charles J Masenas, Jason M Norman, Sebastian T Ventrone
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Patent number: 7095989Abstract: A frequency translating device (FTD) includes at least one mixer diode connected to down-convert a radio frequency (RF) to an intermediate frequency (IF) and to up-convert an IF to an RF and a source of direct current (DC) bias that is connected to the mixer diode. The source of DC bias provides DC bias to the mixer diode that moves the voltage applied to the mixer diode closer to the threshold voltage of the mixer diode. The mixer diode is turned on in response to the DC bias and a local oscillator (LO) drive. Because DC bias is applied to the mixer diode, the peak to peak voltage range of the LO drive can be reduced, thereby reducing the voltage-dependent capacitance of the mixer diode, causing the FTD to exhibit improved reciprocity. The FTD can be used in a three-pair measurement system to determine the conversion response of another FTD.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2001Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Richard K. Karlquist
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Patent number: 6968168Abstract: A variable frequency oscillator comprising: an oscillatory circuit for generating a periodic output dependent on the capacitance between a first node and a second node of the circuit, and having a capacitative element connected between the first node and the second node; the capacitative element comprising: a variable capacitance unit, the capacitance of which is variable for varying the frequency of the output and a plurality of finite capacitances each being selectively connectable in parallel with the variable capacitance unit between the first node and the second node to trim the frequency of the output.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2000Date of Patent: November 22, 2005Assignee: Cambridge Silicon Radio Ltd.Inventors: James Digby Yarlet Collier, Ian Michael Sabberton
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Patent number: 6907234Abstract: An apparatus and method is related to a wireless system with an antenna that is automatically tuned to a desired frequency. The antenna is coupled to an adjustable tuning circuit to form a tuned antenna circuit that has a resonant frequency. The adjustable tuning circuit may be adjusted by activating a sweep generator that varies a tuning element over a broad frequency range. The sweep of the sweep generator is terminated after the proper frequency is found. Alternatively, the adjustable tuning circuit may be adjusted using an array of switched capacitors using a successive approximation method. The tuned antenna circuit may be employed to receive and/or transmit information. The resonant frequency is dynamically shifted in response to a data signal such that the antenna transmits FSK encoded signals.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2002Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Lawrence J. Karr, John Charles Gord
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Patent number: 6876401Abstract: A trap circuit system includes a first trap portion and a second trap portion. In the first trap portion, a first capacitor is provided in parallel to a first switch diode. A control voltage is applied to the cathode of the first switch diode so as to change the trap frequency. In the second trap portion, a control voltage is applied to the cathode of a varactor diode so as to change the trap frequency. In the trap circuit system, when a television signal is received, the video intermediate frequency signal and the audio intermediate frequency signal in the lower adjacent channel are attenuated. When an FM broadcast signal is received, the video intermediate frequency signal and the chrominance subcarrier frequency signal are attenuated.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2002Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masaki Yamamoto
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Patent number: 6490441Abstract: An analog tuning circuit, a phase locked loop and a controller form a semiconductor integrated tuning device, and the analog tuning circuit has a variable band pass filter between a mixer and an amplifier so as to match an intermediate frequency signal to a telecasting facility standard, wherein the controller supplies control signals produced on the basis of an external instruction to the variable band pass filter so that the semiconductor integrated tuning device is shareable between the products exported to difference countries.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2000Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Assignee: NEC CorporationInventor: Hitoshi Saito
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Patent number: 6438183Abstract: A digital audio broadcast receiver is tuned by performing a sliding correlation on data demodulated from a phase reference symbol, correlating the demodulated data with known data at negative carrier numbers and, separately, with known data at positive numbers, thus obtaining a lower correlation coefficient and an upper correlation coefficient. The peak sum of these two correlation coefficients, as found in the sliding correlation, is recognized as valid if the two correlation coefficients do not differ greatly in magnitude, and do not differ greatly in phase angle. The tuning is adjusted only according to sliding shifts corresponding to valid peak sums, thereby avoiding frequency control errors.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 1999Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenichi Taura, Tadatoshi Ohkubo, Masayuki Ishida
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Patent number: 6243570Abstract: A variation in tuning frequency of an RF tuning circuit due to temperature changes in a radio receiver is prevented. A tuning frequency of an RF tuning circuit results from a coil (L) and a varicap diode that constitute the RF tuning circuit. A capacitance of the diode is corrected on the basis of a received frequency of a desired station and characteristics of the diode so that the tuning frequency matches the desired station. Thereafter, a temperature is detected by a temperature detection circuit. If a detected temperature T is within 0° C. to 50° C., the tuning frequency of the RF tuning circuit is maintained without change. If the detected temperature T is below 0° C. or higher than 50° C., the tuning frequency is fine adjusted to become lower or higher, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1998Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Keiji Kobayashi