Frequency Modifying Or Conversion Patents (Class 455/313)
  • Patent number: 9209750
    Abstract: A harmonic rejection mixer is disclosed that is capable of supporting wideband reception without any increase in circuit area. In this apparatus, transistors convert an RF signal to currents. Transistors perform frequency conversion based on the currents from the transistors and local oscillation signals. Transistors distribute the currents from the transistors to all transistors or some transistors based on a predetermined ratio. A load adds up the currents from the transistors and converts the resultant current to a voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Kumagawa, Yuusuke Yamaoka
  • Patent number: 9204582
    Abstract: A method includes permitting a first signal having a first electromagnetic waveform to pass through an apparatus. The method further includes blocking a second signal having a second electromagnetic waveform at the apparatus, wherein the second electromagnetic waveform is different than the first electromagnetic waveform. The apparatus includes a non-conductive substrate and a plurality of cells including conductive members coupled to the non-conductive substrate, where the conductive members are arranged to form a first discontinuous mesh, where regions between the conductive members of the first discontinuous mesh include a phase change material, and where the phase change material undergoes a phase transition from substantially non-conductive to substantially conductive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Tai A. Lam
  • Patent number: 9172381
    Abstract: A fast turn on compensation system for a synthesized signal source includes a synthesized signal source coupled to a power supply and configured to generate a phase stable radio frequency (RF) output signal. A mute amplifier is coupled to the synthesized signal source and the power supply. A dummy amplifier is coupled to the mute amplifier and the power supply. A mute controller is coupled to the mute amplifier and the dummy amplifier, the mute controller is responsive to an enable signal and configured to enable the dummy amplifier and disable the mute amplifier when no RF output signal is being generated and disable the dummy amplifier and enable the mute amplifier when the RF output signal is being generated such that total power supply current delivered to the synthesized signal source and the dummy amplifier or mute amplifier is approximately constant before, during, and after enabling the mute amplifier to reduce phase disturbance of the RF output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Hittite Microwave Corporation
    Inventors: Mark M. Cloutier, Greg Bachmanek, Tolga Pamir
  • Patent number: 9166632
    Abstract: A receiver including a mixer, a clock generator, a plurality of capacitances, a plurality of resistances, and a controller. The mixer includes a plurality of switches. The clock generator is configured to generate clock signals to drive the plurality of switches of the mixer. The plurality of capacitances couples the clock signals to respective inputs of the plurality of switches. The plurality of resistances couples to the respective inputs of the plurality of switches. The controller is configured to output a first signal to the plurality of resistances. The first signal determines one or more attributes of the clock signals. One or more switching characteristics of the plurality of switches of the mixer are based on the one or more attributes of the clock signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Marvell International LTD.
    Inventors: Gregory Uehara, Brian Brunn, Xiaohua Fan, Sehat Sutardja
  • Patent number: 9154170
    Abstract: A circuit for a low-noise interface between an amplifier and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) may comprise a capacitor element having a capacitance of C coupled between a first and second output node of the amplifier. A resistor circuit coupled between the capacitor element and input nodes of the ADC. A desired value RL for a load resistance of the amplifier is provided by selecting suitable initial values for resistances of the resistor circuit. A desired bandwidth for the at least one amplifier is achieved by selecting a value of the capacitance C based on the desired value RL for the load resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mohyee Mikhemar, Amir Hadji-Abdolhamid, Hooman Darabi
  • Patent number: 9154167
    Abstract: A radio frequency transmitting device includes a frequency multiplier circuit, a mixer circuit, a power splitter, a plurality of phase shifting circuits, a plurality of amplifiers, and a plurality of antennas. The frequency multiplier circuit is configured to amplify a fundamental signal to generate a harmonic signal. The mixer circuit is configured to generate a RF signal based on an input signal and the harmonic signal. The power splitter is configured to generate a plurality of sub-RF signals. The phase shifting circuits are configured to shift the phase of the sub-RF signals. The amplifiers are configured to amplify the power of the sub-RF signals. The antennas are configured to transmit the sub-RF signals. Furthermore, a radio frequency receiving device is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jr-I Lee, Pen-Jui Peng, Pang-Ning Chen
  • Patent number: 9112517
    Abstract: A number of methods and clock generator units are disclosed to produce low Phase Noise clocks for use in Radio Frequency systems. The methods and clock generator units all use two reference clocks: a frequency-accurate reference that has comparatively high Phase Noise, and a frequency-inaccurate reference such as that from a BAW or MEMS clock source that has comparatively low Phase Noise. By combining multiple Phase-Locked Loops and a mixer, it is possible to produce flexible output frequencies whose frequency accuracy is derived from the first reference clock but whose Phase Noise level is derived from the second reference clock, all in a readily-integrated and relatively low-cost system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: PMC-Sierra US, Inc.
    Inventors: William Michael Lye, Hormoz Djahanshahi, Mark Hiebert, Rod Zavari
  • Patent number: 9042859
    Abstract: A circuit includes first and second transconductance stages that generate first and second currents, respectively, in response to an input signal. A current combiner circuit selectively couples the first current to a first output, selectively couples the second current to the first output, selectively couples the first current to a second output, and selectively couples the second current to the second output. In response to the first current being coupled to both the first and second outputs, the current combiner circuit couples the second current to both the first and second outputs. In response to the first current being decoupled from the second output, the current combiner circuit decouples the second current from both the first and second outputs. In response to the first current being decoupled from the first output, the current combiner circuit decouples the second current from both the first and second outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Marvell World Trade Ltd.
    Inventors: Gregory Uehara, Xiaohua Fan
  • Patent number: 9037107
    Abstract: A communication device is disclosed. The device may be in particular a radio transmitter and a receiver that can operate with low power consumption and with improved interference rejection, therefore particularly suitable for use in low-power communication systems, such as wireless sensor networks and wireless body area networks. In one aspect, multiple frequency tones (carriers) are used to carry information from the transmitter, such that a RF signal having multiple radio frequency components is produced and transmitted. In the receiver, an envelope detector is still the RF down-converter. After down-converting intermodulation components are extracted containing amplitude, phase and frequency information of the multiple radio frequency components. This allows the desired signal (the baseband information) to be distinguished from the carriers and unwanted interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Stichting IMEC Nederland
    Inventors: Xiongchuan Huang, Ruben De Francisco Martin, Guido Dolmans
  • Patent number: 9020456
    Abstract: A wake-up function is provided for a low power radio. The radio includes: an antenna, a rectifier, and a comparator. The rectifier is configured to receive an RF signal from the antenna and generates an output having a magnitude that decreases in the presence of the RF signal. The comparator compares the output from the rectifier to a reference signal and outputs an activation signal for another radio component. In response the activation signal, the radio component will transition from a low power consumption mode to a higher power consumption mode. In this way, the rectifier and comparator cooperatively operate to perform a wake-up function in the presence of an RF signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: David D. Wentzloff, Nathan E. Roberts
  • Patent number: 9020026
    Abstract: A method and system for compensating for frequency dependent phase and amplitude imbalances is provided. A plurality of frequency sub-bands is extracted from a received wideband signal. Each of the plurality of frequency sub-bands is compensated to produce an associated plurality of compensated frequency sub-bands. The compensated sub-bands are summed in order to produce a compensated signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: LGS Innovations LLC
    Inventor: Robert L. Cupo
  • Patent number: 9020018
    Abstract: A calibration system may be provided for calibrating wireless communications circuitry in an electronic device during manufacturing. The calibration system may include data acquisition equipment and calibration computing equipment for receiving and processing test and calibration signals from wireless communications circuitry to be calibrated. During testing and calibration operations, a device may be provided with initial pre-distortion calibration values. The initial pre-distortion calibration values may be generated at least in part based on calibration operations performed for other wireless electronic devices. The device may generate a test signal using the initial pre-distortion calibration values. The calibration system may determine whether the test signal is within an acceptable range of a known reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Lang Do, David A. Donovan, Gurusubrahmaniyan Radhakrishnan
  • Patent number: 8989688
    Abstract: A circuit for a low-noise interface between an amplifier and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) may comprise a capacitor element having a capacitance of C coupled between a first and second output node of the amplifier. A first resistor R1 may be coupled in parallel with the capacitor. A second resistor R2 may be coupled between the first output node of the amplifier and a first input node of the ADC. A third resistor R3 may be coupled between the second output node of the amplifier and a second input node of the ADC. Initial values of the resistances R1, R2, and R3 may be selected to provide a desired value RL for a load resistance of the amplifier. A value of the capacitance C may be selected so that, in combination with the desired value RL, a desired bandwidth for the amplifier is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Mohyee Mikhemar, Amir Hadji-Abdolhamid, Hooman Darabi
  • Patent number: 8983403
    Abstract: A frequency compensation device, applicable to a user equipment (UE) communicating with a first base station (BS), includes a receiving module and a transmitting module. The receiving module has an offset detection unit for performing following steps. A first signal from the first BS at a first receiving frequency is received. A first transmitting frequency where the first BS transmits the at least one first signal is read. A difference between the first transmitting frequency and the first receiving frequency is calculated and used as a frequency difference. The transmitting module is for performing following steps. A BS parameter corresponding to the first BS is obtained. A frequency compensation value according to the BS parameter is calculated. A second transmitting frequency according to the frequency compensation value corresponding to the first BS is compensated. A second signal to the first BS at the compensated second transmitting frequency is sent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Gemtek Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fu-Ming Yeh, You-Chang Shih
  • Publication number: 20150072636
    Abstract: There is provided a solution for simultaneous reception of dual channel transmission. The solution is based on applying a first and a second oscillating signals, mixing and adding in order to separate the in-phase and quadrature components of first and second signal from a combined radio frequency signal received as input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: Risto Olavi Vaisanen
  • Patent number: 8977225
    Abstract: A unidirectional sampling mixer utilizes a stepped phase modulation to shift the frequency of an input signal. An RF input signal is supplied to an RF input switch from an RF input port. An ordered set of phase shift values to be applied to the RF input signal and a set of times each element of which correspond to a time at which a phase shift value is be applied to the RF signal are determined. For each phase shift value within the ordered set of phase shift values, a controller controls the RF input switch to select an input of a phase shifting device and controls an RF output switch to select an output of the phasing shifting device. The input of the phase shifting device and the output of the phase shifting device are selected to apply the phase shift value at its corresponding time to the RF input signal. A frequency shifted signal is supplied to an RF output port from an output of the RF output switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Invertix Corporation
    Inventors: Brecken H. Uhl, Daniel A. Law
  • Patent number: 8971825
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a synthesizer. The synthesizer includes one or more tunable oscillators, a frequency-dividing circuit coupled to the tunable oscillators, and a multiplexer coupled to the frequency-dividing circuit. The frequency-dividing circuit includes a number of frequency dividers, and is configured to generate a number of frequency-dividing outputs. At least one frequency-dividing output has a different frequency division factor. The multiplexer is configured to select a frequency-dividing output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Aviacomm Inc.
    Inventors: Shih Hsiung Mo, Yan Cui, Chung-Hsing Chang
  • Patent number: 8958766
    Abstract: An electronic appliance comprising an electrical circuit and an operating mode switching unit which can be awakened out of a sleep state into a working state in which the current consumption of the circuit is greater in than in the sleep state. To receive a radio signal, the appliance has a receiver comprising a UHF carrier that is amplitude-modulated by a modulation signal. The receiver comprises a UHF antenna connected to a passive filter stage to an input of a passive rectifier circuit. An output of the rectifier circuit is connected to a detector for the modulation signal. To wake the electrical circuit from the sleep state, the operating mode switching unit has a control connection to the detector. The appliance has a low current draw in the sleep state by matching the output impedance of the rectifier circuit to the input impedance of the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: SmartExergy WMS GmbH
    Inventors: Tolgay Ungan, Gerd Ulrich Gamm, Leonhard Michael Reindl, Thomas Ostertag, Matthias Sippel, Thomas Wendt
  • Patent number: 8957722
    Abstract: A double balanced image reject mixer (IRM) can be configured to comprise: a common radio frequency (RF) port; four mixer devices, each comprising an intermediate frequency (IF) port, an RF port and an local oscillator (LO) port; and a four-way, in-phase splitter/combiner. The four-way, in-phase splitter/combiner can be connected between the RF common port and the RF port of each of the four mixer devices. A method of performing spurious suppression and image reject mixing in a double balanced IRM, can comprise: directly in-phase combining radio frequency (RF) output signals of four mixer devices located in the double balanced IRM; and phase pairing local oscillator (LO) signals and intermediate frequency (IF) signals such that the combination of the phases of the respective IF and LO signals can result in substantially equal phase RF signals at the RF ports of all four mixer devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: ViaSat, Inc.
    Inventors: Rob Zienkewicz, Kenneth Buer
  • Patent number: 8958769
    Abstract: A direct conversion receiver including an input stage, a frequency modulated local oscillator, a mixer stage, an output stage, and a DC blocker stage coupled between the mixer stage and the output stage. The input stage is receptive to a frequency modulated transmission having a carrier frequency fc and the frequency modulated local oscillator provides a frequency modulated local oscillator signal. In an embodiment, the frequency modulated local oscillator includes a local oscillator having an output with a frequency approximately equal to fc, a modulation source having a modulation signal output, and a frequency modulator coupled to the outputs of the local oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles John Razzell
  • Publication number: 20150038100
    Abstract: A method, computer-readable storage medium, and signal processing apparatus for processing a plurality of input signals. The method includes receiving or generating a first intermediate signal and a second intermediate signal. The first and second intermediate signals are summed and the summed signals are output to a signal analog-to-digital converter having a predetermined sampling frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Luke FAY
  • Patent number: 8948714
    Abstract: A low noise converter includes a plurality of amplification circuits receiving a plurality of polarized wave signals transmitted from a satellite for amplifying the plurality of polarized wave signals, respectively, a plurality of switch circuits, each selecting one of outputs from the plurality of amplification circuits, a plurality of filter circuits provided corresponding to the plurality of switch circuits, respectively, for removing an image signal, a plurality of signal mixer-amplifiers provided corresponding to the plurality of filter circuits, respectively, to frequency-convert each output from the plurality of filter circuits by mixing with a local oscillation signal and to amplify the frequency-converted signal, and a plurality of output ports provided corresponding to the plurality of signal mixer-amplifiers, respectively, to receive an output from the plurality of signal mixer-amplifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kohji Motoyama
  • Patent number: 8948708
    Abstract: Radio-frequency (RF) apparatus includes receiver analog circuitry that receives an RF signal and provides at least one digital signal to receiver digital circuitry that functions in cooperation with the receiver analog circuitry. The receiver analog circuitry and the receiver digital circuitry are partitioned so that interference effects between the receiver analog circuitry and the receiver digital circuitry tend to be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Donald A. Kerth, Richard T. Behrens, Jeffrey W. Scott, G. Diwakar Vishakhadatta, G. Tyson Tuttle, Vishnu Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 8948716
    Abstract: Various embodiments implement apparatuses and methods for conversion of radio frequency (RF) signals to intermediate frequency (IF) signals. More particularly, some embodiments are directed toward down conversion of RF signals to IF signals in a multi-band radio receiver, such as a satellite receiver, using a single oscillator for different frequency bands. For example, some of the apparatuses and methods presented are suitable for integration into monolithic RF integrated circuits in low-cost satellite receivers for home entertainment use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Entropic Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Goldblatt, Branislav Petrovic, Martin Alderton, Wing Fat Lau
  • Patent number: 8942655
    Abstract: An integrated circuit comprising processing logic for operably coupling to radio frequency (RF) receiver circuitry arranged to receive a wireless network signal. The receiver circuitry generates in-phase and quadrature digital baseband representations of the wireless network signal. The processing logic determines quadrature (I/Q) imbalance of the RF receiver circuitry based on the in-phase and quadrature digital baseband representations of the wireless network signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman Beamish, Conor O'Keeffe, Patrick Pratt
  • Patent number: 8918139
    Abstract: An electronic device may include antenna structures. Wireless transmitter circuitry such as cellular telephone transmitter circuitry and wireless local area network circuitry may transmit signals using the antenna structures. A wireless receiver may receive signals from the antenna structures through an adjustable-linearity amplifier. The wireless receiver may operate in a receive band such as a satellite navigation system receive band. During operation of the electronic device, control circuitry in the device may analyze the frequencies and powers of the transmitted signals to determine whether there is a potential for interference for the receive band to be generated in the adjustable-linearity amplifier. In response to determining that there is a potential for interference, the control circuitry may increase the linearity of the adjustable-linearity amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Noellert, Ronald W. Dimpflmaier, Nicholas W. Lum
  • Publication number: 20140370832
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a first signal path to receive and process a radio frequency (RF) signal of a first band and which has a first programmable digitizer to convert the RF signal of the first band into a digitized signal without downconversion. In addition, the apparatus further includes a second signal path to receive and process an RF signal of a second band, where at least portions of one or more of the paths may be shared during operation in the different bands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Mark May, Carlos Briseno-Vidrios, Junsong Li
  • Patent number: 8909186
    Abstract: A receiver includes a first amplifier and a second amplifier, a first mixer, a second mixer and a third mixer, a first baseband signal path and a second baseband signal path. A signal output of the first amplifier is coupled to a signal input of the first mixer and a signal input of the second mixer. A signal output of the second amplifier is coupled to a signal input of the third mixer. A signal output of the first mixer and a signal output of the third mixer are coupled to the first baseband signal path. A signal output of the second mixer is coupled to the second baseband signal path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Mobile Communications GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd-Ulrich Klepser, Herbert Stockinger
  • Patent number: 8874063
    Abstract: Methods and circuits can down convert at least a first RF signal on a first path in a first frequency band to provide a first IF signal. A second RF signal on second path in a second frequency band can be down converted to provide a second IF signal. The first IF signal and the second IF signal are interspersed in the frequency domain, and the first frequency band is different from the second frequency band. A combiner can combine at least part of the first IF signal and the second IF signal to provide a combined signal on an output signal path for reception by a digital processing circuit. The first IF signal or second IF signal can be a Zero IF (ZIF), very low IF (VLIF), or Low IF (LIF) signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Jin-Su Ko, Hong Sun Kim, Liang Zhao, Cheng-Han Wang, Dominic Gerard Farmer
  • Patent number: 8867671
    Abstract: A conversion circuit (20) for converting a complex analog input signal having an in-phase, I, component and a quadrature-phase, Q, component resulting from frequency down conversion of a radio-frequency, RF, signal (XRF) to a frequency band covering 0 Hz into a digital representation is disclosed. It comprises a channel-selection filter unit (40) arranged to filter the complex analog input signal, thereby generating a channel-filtered I and Q components, and one or more processing units (53, 53a-b). Each processing unit comprises four mixers (60-75) for generating a first and a second frequency-translated I component and a first and a second channel-filtered Q component based on two LO signals with equal LO frequency and a 90° mutual phase shift. Furthermore, each processing unit comprises a combiner unit (85, 120) for generating a first, a second, a third, and a fourth combined signal proportional to sums and differences between said frequency translated I and Q components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Lars Sunström, Roland Strandberg
  • Publication number: 20140308911
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for down-converting and up-converting an electromagnetic signal. In embodiments, the invention operates by receiving an electromagnetic signal and recursively operating on approximate half cycles of a carrier signal. The recursive operations can be performed at a sub-harmonic rate of the carrier signal. The invention accumulates the results of the recursive operations and uses the accumulated results to form a down-converted signal. In embodiments, up-conversion is accomplished by controlling a switch with an oscillating signal, the frequency of the oscillating signal being selected as a sub-harmonic of the desired output frequency. When the invention is being used in the frequency modulation or phase modulation implementations, the oscillating signal is modulated by an information signal before it causes the switch to gate a bias signal. The output of the switch is filtered, and the desired harmonic is output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: PARKERVISION, INC.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Michael J. Bultman, Robert W. Cook, Richard C. Looke, Charley D. Moses, Gregory S. Rawlins, Michael W. Rawlins
  • Publication number: 20140308912
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for down-converting an electromagnetic (EM) signal by aliasing the EM signal is described herein. Briefly stated, such methods, systems, and apparatuses operate by receiving an EM signal and an aliasing signal having an aliasing rate. The EM signal is aliased according to the aliasing signal to down-convert the EM signal. The term aliasing, as used herein, refers to both down-converting an EM signal by under-sampling the EM signal at an aliasing rate, and down-converting an EM signal by transferring energy from the EM signal at the aliasing rate. In an embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to an intermediate frequency (IF) signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to a demodulated baseband information signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is a frequency modulated (FM) signal, which is down-converted to a non-FM signal, such as a phase modulated (PM) signal or an amplitude modulated (AM) signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: PARKERVISION, INC.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Michael J. Bultman, Robert W. Cook, Richard C. Looke, Charley D. Moses Jr.
  • Patent number: 8862086
    Abstract: A mixer is configured to sample a received input signal at a predefined oscillator frequency to generate a sampled input signal, and to switch a polarity of the sampled input signal at a predefined polarity switching frequency to generate a polarity switched sampled input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Mobile Communicatons GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Schultz, Markus Hammes, Rainer Kreienkamp, Stefan Van Waasen
  • Patent number: 8854124
    Abstract: The envelope detector for detecting an envelope of a digital modulation signal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, includes: a mixer configured to receive the digital modulation signal and output a square signal squaring the digital modulation signal when being applied with bias voltage; a bias voltage applying unit configured to apply the bias voltage to the mixer; and a DC blocking capacitor configured to be connected to the mixer to block DC component included in the square signal. In accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide the envelope detector having the simple structure while having the good receiving sensitivity and the wide dynamic range characteristics and detect the envelope of the modulated signal without transmitting the carrier signal in the transmitter and generating the separate signal in the receiver, thereby saving the costs consumed to implement the transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventor: Tae-Jin Chung
  • Patent number: 8849232
    Abstract: A receiver uses a local oscillator to receive data transmitted via a combination of radio frequency signals using carrier aggregation. Each radio frequency signal occupies a respective radio frequency band and the radio frequency bands are arranged in two groups, a first group and a second group, separated in frequency by a first frequency region, each of the groups including one or more radio frequency bands and the first group occupying a wider frequency region than the second group. The radio frequency signals are processed using the local oscillator by setting the local oscillator, during the processing, to a frequency that is offset from the centre of a band defined by outer edges of the frequency regions occupied by the two groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Jouni Kristian Kaukovuori, Aarno Tapio Pärssinen, Antti Oskari Immonen
  • Patent number: 8843075
    Abstract: A RF distribution system determines its configuration and verifies the consistency of the determined configuration. Based on a device identifier, the RF distribution system may individually instruct each RF component to provide a generated signal. Consequently, a first RF component may modulate a signal on a first port. If a second RF component detects a modulated signal on a second port, then the RF distribution system deems that the two RF components are connected together. The procedure may be repeated for the remaining RF components so that the RF configuration of the RF distribution system may be determined. The determined RF configuration may be further verified for operational consistency. The RF distribution system may also scan a RF spectrum, determine a set of frequencies that provides RF compatibility with the RF distribution system based on the scanning, and configure the RF components in accordance with the set of frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Allen Kenkel, Christopher M. Meyer
  • Patent number: 8843080
    Abstract: Radio-frequency (RF) apparatus includes receiver analog circuitry that receives an RF signal and provides at least one digital signal to receiver digital circuitry that functions in cooperation with the receiver analog circuitry. The receiver analog circuitry and the receiver digital circuitry are partitioned so that interference effects between the receiver analog circuitry and the receiver digital circuitry tend to be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Kerth, Richard Behrens, Jeffrey Scott, G. Diwakar Vishakhadatta, G. Tyson Tuttle, Vishnu Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 8838166
    Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for processing signals in a high performance receive chain may include amplifying a plurality of radio frequency signals in one or more respective one or ones of a plurality of amplifier chains in a multistandard radio frequency front-end, which may comprise one or more shared processing stages. The plurality of radio frequency signals may be compliant with a plurality of radio frequency communication standards and may be received concurrently. The one or more shared processing stages may be shared between two or more of the plurality of amplifier chains. Each of the two or more of the plurality of amplifier chains may be operable to amplify signals compliant with different radio frequency communication standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Arya Behzad, Adedayo Ojo, Yuyu Chang, Hung-Ming Chien, Kishore Rama Rao, Guruprasad Seetharam
  • Patent number: 8838057
    Abstract: A harmonic rejection mixer includes a first scaling circuit for scaling an RF signal to generate a plurality of scaled RF signals, a first switching stage for sampling the scaled RF signals using a first plurality of switching signals, and a second mixing stage for mixing the sampled RF signals with a second plurality of switching signals to generate a plurality of frequency translated signals having different phases. A combiner adds the frequency translated signals together to generate a first plurality of baseband versions of the RF signal. A first amplifier stage processes the first plurality of baseband versions to generate a second plurality of baseband versions. The mixer further includes a second scaling circuit for scaling the second plurality of baseband versions and a second amplifier stage to generate an in-phase baseband signal and a quadrature baseband signal from the scaled second plurality of baseband versions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: MaxLinear, Inc.
    Inventors: Raja Pullela, Vamsi Paidi, Rahul Bhatia
  • Patent number: 8836555
    Abstract: A sensor circuit for obtaining physical quantities with a small margin of error even when the temperature varies is provided. The sensor circuit includes a sensor, a sampling circuit for obtaining a voltage value or a current value of a signal output from the sensor during a predetermined period and holding the value, and an analog-to-digital converter circuit for converting the held analog voltage value or current value into a digital value. The sampling circuit includes a switch for obtaining the voltage value or the current value and holding the value. The switch includes a transistor including an oxide semiconductor in a channel formation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Koyama, Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8838058
    Abstract: A communications radio or transceiver having an extended upper operating frequency limit of at least 6 GHz. The radio includes a first IF conversion stage for receiving and downconverting a RF input signal to a first IF signal, and a second IF conversion stage for downconverting the first IF signal to a second IF signal. The first and the second conversion stages each have adjustable first and second attenuators, a serial peripheral interface (SPI) for controlling the attenuators in response to command words, a mixer coupled to an output of the second attenuator, and a buffer for applying a local oscillator (LO) signal to an input of the mixer. Each conversion stage is in the form of an integrated circuit chip. Component devices of each chip and electrical connections between the components, are dimensioned so that the chip has a 6 GHz upper frequency limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventor: Michael S. Vogas
  • Publication number: 20140256278
    Abstract: Methods and circuits can down convert at least a first RF signal on a first path in a first frequency band to provide a first IF signal. A second RF signal on second path in a second frequency band can be down converted to provide a second IF signal. The first IF signal and the second IF signal are interspersed in the frequency domain, and the first frequency band is different from the second frequency band. A combiner can combine at least part of the first IF signal and the second IF signal to provide a combined signal on an output signal path for reception by a digital processing circuit. The first IF signal or second IF signal can be a Zero IF (ZIF), very low IF (VLIF), or Low IF (LIF) signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jin-Su Ko, Hong Sun Kim, Liang Zhao, Cheng-Han Wang, Dominic Gerard Farmer
  • Patent number: 8831551
    Abstract: A receiver includes a low noise amplifier (LNA), a passive mixer, a passive filter, a baseband processing block and a voltage controller. The LNA receives and amplifies a radio frequency (RF) signal. The passive mixer is coupled to the LNA without any AC coupling capacitance therebetween, and generates an intermediate frequency signal by down-converting the RF signal. The passive filter filters the intermediate frequency signal. The baseband processing block includes a transimpedance amplifier (TIA) and processes the filtered intermediate frequency signal. The voltage controller keeps a first node and a second node of a signal path to be around a common DC voltage, wherein the first node is located between an output terminal of the LNA and an input terminal of the passive mixer, and the second node is located between an output terminal of the passive mixer and an output terminal of the TIA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Mediatek Inc.
    Inventors: Siu-Chuang Ivan Lu, Chi-Yao Yu, Tsung-Han Wu, George Chien
  • Patent number: 8824993
    Abstract: Frequency translation and applications of same are described herein. Such applications include, but are not limited to, frequency down-conversion, frequency up-conversion, enhanced signal reception, unified down-conversion and filtering, and combinations and applications of same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Sorrells, Michael J. Bultman, Robert W. Cook, Richard C. Looke, Charley D. Moses, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8824986
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multichannel radio-frequency receiver (1) for electromagnetic waves, having a radio-frequency analogue section (2) which has an input (3) for an electrical signal of a receiving device (4), and having an lower-frequency section (8, 9) which is connected downstream from the radio-frequency analogue section (2) and has a plurality of parallel channels (6b, 6c; 7b, 7c) for respectively different signal strengths and an evaluation circuit, in which a signal divider (5) is provided in the radio-frequency analogue section (2) in order to split the signal in accordance with a predeterminable division ratio into signal elements which can be supplied to radio-frequency analogue channels (6a, 7a), downstream from which the channels (6b, 6c; 7b, 7c) of the lower-frequency section (8, 9) are respectively connected, and the channels (6b, 6c; 7b, 7c) of the lower-frequency section (8, 9) each have an evaluation circuit for detection of the phase and amplitude of the respective signal element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Selex ES GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Gekat, Dieter Rühl
  • Patent number: 8818263
    Abstract: According to some embodiments described herein, a system of directing signals may include a common port and a first-direction path configured for a first-direction signal that propagates in a first direction. The system may also include a second-direction path configured for a second-direction signal that propagates in a second direction that is opposite the first direction of the first-direction signal. Additionally, the system may include a power splitter/combiner that may include a first port communicatively coupled to the first-direction path, a second port communicatively coupled to the second-direction path and a third port communicatively coupled to the common port. The power/splitter combiner may be configured to receive the first-direction signal from the first-direction path at the first port and direct the first-direction signal to the third port such that the first-direction signal is directed toward the common port and away from the second-direction path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Wilson Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher K. Ashworth, James W. Wilson
  • Patent number: 8803586
    Abstract: A frequency mixer circuit includes a gain stage and a mixer. The gain stage has a specific circuit design to convert a differential input voltage signal into a differential current signal with an input frequency. The mixer receives a differential local oscillator (LO) voltage signal with a LO frequency, and the differential current signal from the gain stage, and outputs a differential output voltage signal having a mixed frequency associated with the input frequency and the LO frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: National Chi Nan University
    Inventors: Jen-How Lee, Yo-Sheng Lin, Wei-Chen Wen
  • Patent number: 8798566
    Abstract: A wireless receiver scan circuit (10) including a low-IF de-rotator (210) with signal band and image band outputs, and search circuitry (80, 200) operable to parallelize (100) a frequency-scanning search by determination of the presence and absence of a transmission in both the signal band and the image band. Other circuits, systems and processes are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Jaiganesh Balakrishnan, Dhananjay Sangappa Awaji
  • Patent number: 8798560
    Abstract: A wireless device includes processing circuitry, a receiver section, a transmitter section, and an antenna. The processing circuitry determines a set of information signals of a RF Multiple Frequency Bands Multiple Standards (MFBMS) signal. The receiver section down-converts a portion of the RF MFBMS signal by one or more respective shift frequencies to produce a corresponding baseband/low Intermediate Frequency (BB/IF) information signal from which the processing circuitry extracts data. The transmitter section converts a respective BB/IF information signal received from the processing circuitry by a respective shift frequency to produce a corresponding RF information signal and a combiner that combines the RF information signals to form a RF MFBMS signal. Each of the receiver section and the transmitter section may include analog signal path elements that are adjustable based upon characteristics of the RF MFBMS signal, the BB/IF MFBMS signal, and/or based upon signals carried therein, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: John Walley, David Rosmann, Brima B. Ibrahim, Arya Reza Behzad, Jeyhan Karaoguz, Vinko Erceg
  • Patent number: 8787863
    Abstract: A unidirectional sampling mixer utilizes a stepped phase modulation to shift the frequency of an RF input signal supplied to an RF input switch. An ordered set of phase shift values to be applied to the RF input signal and a set of times each element of which corresponds to a time at which a phase shift value is be applied to the RF signal are determined. For each phase shift value, a controller controls the RF input switch to select an input of a phase shifting device and controls an RF output switch to select an output of the phasing shifting device. The input and the output of the phase shifting device are selected to apply the phase shift value at its corresponding time to the RF input signal. A frequency shifted signal is supplied to an RF output port from an output of the RF output switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Invertix Corporation
    Inventors: Brecken H. Uhl, Daniel A. Law