With Balanced Mixer Patents (Class 455/326)
  • Patent number: 11322988
    Abstract: A low power transmitter includes a low frequency feedback loop, a high frequency switching element embedded within the low frequency feedback loop, and a mixer electrically communicating with the low frequency feedback loop and the high frequency switching element. The low frequency feedback loop employs either a voltage mode interface or a current mode interface. The high frequency switching element includes a first transistor, a second transistor, and a pair of inductive elements. Alternatively, the high frequency switching element includes a single transistor and a single inductive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sudipto Chakraborty, Rajiv Joshi
  • Patent number: 11323072
    Abstract: A unit cell for a resistive mixer includes a plurality of active devices arranged in series, wherein each of said plurality of active devices having a different output conductance. A resistive mixer includes a plurality of active devices connected in series with one another to form a unit cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Jongchan Kang, Ara K. Kurdoghlian
  • Patent number: 11316474
    Abstract: A double-balanced mixer, including a coupling transformer, a first diode cascade circuit, a second diode cascade circuit, and a first set of coils, is provided. The coupling transformer receives a first input signal and generates at least one set of signals with opposite voltage phases. The first diode cascade circuit is coupled to the coupling transformer, and generates a first node voltage according to a first set of bias voltages. The second diode cascade circuit is coupled to the coupling transformer, and generates a second node voltage according to a second set of bias voltages. The first set of coils is coupled to the first and second diode cascade circuits, receives the first and second node voltages and a second input signal, and generates an output signal. The first node voltage is equal to the second node voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: RichWave Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Po-Chih Ku, Tse-Peng Chen
  • Patent number: 11271597
    Abstract: There is provided wireless transmitter that includes a poly phase filter (PPF) configured to receive an input differential intermediate frequency (IF) signal and to generate an in-phase differential IF signal and a quadrature differential IF signal. The wireless transmitter further includes a transformer-based circuit configured to receive an input differential local oscillator (LO) signal and to generate an in-phase differential LO signal and a quadrature differential LO signal based on the input differential LO signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: SWIFTLINK TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Min-Yu Huang, Thomas Chen
  • Patent number: 11075604
    Abstract: Radio frequency (RF) mixer circuits having a complementary frequency multiplier module that requires no balun to multiply a lower frequency base oscillator signal to a higher frequency local oscillator (LO) signal, and which has a significantly reduced IC area compared to balun-based frequency multipliers. In one embodiment, the complementary frequency multiplier module includes a complementary pair of FETs controlled by an applied base oscillator signal. The complementary FETs are coupled to a common-gate FET amplifier and alternate becoming conductive in response to the base oscillator signal. The alternating switching of the complementary FETs in response to the opposing phases of the base oscillator signal cause the common-gate FET amplifier to output a higher frequency local oscillator (LO) signal. The LO signal is coupled to the LO input of a mixer or mixer core of a type suitable for use in conjunction with a frequency multiplier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: pSemi Corporation
    Inventor: John Birkbeck
  • Patent number: 10855246
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) duplexer may comprise quadrature hybrid couplers and RF filters. The isolation and insertion loss of such RF duplexer, often limited by practical imperfections such as component mismatches and layout asymmetries, may be improved by including capacitors in the RF duplexer. A tunable or reconfigurable RF duplexer with high isolation and low insertion loss, under all desired settings, may be realized by adding tunable capacitors to the tunable RF duplexer which includes the quadrature hybrid couplers and tunable RF filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc.
    Inventor: Sam Mandegaran
  • Patent number: 10789966
    Abstract: In a method for evaluating the voice onset of a speaker, especially suited for treatment of a stuttering disorder, the analysis includes: a. determine a time of voice onset of the speaker; b. obtain a fundamental frequency at the time of voice onset; c. in a predetermined time interval, obtain the curve with respect to time of energy at the fundamental frequency; d. obtain the curve with respect to time of energy at at least one harmonic multiple of the fundamental frequency; and e. determine the temporal progression of the ratio of the energies obtained in steps c and d. A gentle voice onset is presumed if the energy ratio is initially dominated by the energy of the fundamental frequency, and only in the further course of the predetermined time interval in a time span of ?t the energy ratio shifts in favor of the energy/energies of the harmonic multiple(a) of the fundamental frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Digithep GmbH
    Inventor: Florian Hönig
  • Patent number: 10673411
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus that includes a first mixer circuit configured to convert between an RF signal and an IF signal based at least in part on an local oscillator (LO) signal. The first mixer circuit is electrically coupled to a first node that is configured to receive the LO signal and a first bias voltage, a second node that is configured to receive the RF signal or the IF signal, and a third node that is configured to provide the IF signal or the RF signal. The apparatus further includes a second mixer circuit electrically coupled to a fourth node configured to receive the LO signal and a second bias voltage, the second node, and the third node. The second bias voltage has a voltage level that is offset from the first bias voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Xinmin Yu, Lai Kan Leung, Yunfei Feng, Chirag Dipak Patel
  • Patent number: 10637398
    Abstract: A triple-balanced radio frequency (RF) mixer including a plurality of double-balanced mixer cells and a plurality of transformers is disclosed. Each of the plurality of transformers includes a primary and a secondary. Each primary is connected in series. Each secondary is connected across one double-balanced mixer cell of said plurality of double-balanced mixer cells. The triple-balanced RF mixer further includes a local oscillator (LO) port coupled to each of the plurality of double-balanced mixer cells in parallel, an output port coupled to each of the plurality of double-balanced mixer cells in parallel, and at least one non-ideality source providing at least one-non-ideality. The at least one non-ideality is cancelled at the output port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventor: Kathiravan Krishnamurthi
  • Patent number: 10524209
    Abstract: A local oscillator device includes an oscillator module including a first inductive element and a capacitive element coupled in parallel with the inductive element. A frequency divider is coupled to the oscillator module for delivering a local oscillator signal. The local oscillator device includes an autotransformer including the first inductive element and two second inductive elements respectively coupled to the terminals of the first inductive element and to two output terminals of the autotransformer, the output terminals being further coupled to input terminals of the frequency divider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Grenoble 2) SAS, STMicroelectronics (Alps) SAS
    Inventors: Michel Ayraud, Serge Ramet, Philippe Level
  • Patent number: 10236432
    Abstract: A technique relates to a superconducting device. A first mixing device has a first mixing port and a second mixing port. A second mixing device has another first mixing port and another second mixing port. The first and second mixing devices are superconducting nondegenerate three-wave mixing devices. The first mixing port and the another first mixing port are configured to couple to a first coupler. The second mixing port and the another second mixing port are configured to couple to a second coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Baleegh Abdo
  • Patent number: 10230419
    Abstract: In one aspect there is provided a method. The method may include receiving a first analog radio frequency signal including a signal of interest and an interference signal caused by a second analog radio frequency signal transmitted in full duplex over a channel from which the first analog transmission is received; adjusting at least one of the first analog radio frequency signal and a portion of the second analog radio frequency signal to enable at least one of a reduction or an elimination of the interference signal in an output analog radio frequency signal; combining the first analog radio frequency signal and the portion of the second analog radio frequency signal to generate the output analog radio frequency signal characterized by at least the reduction or the elimination of the interference signal included in the output analog radio frequency signal; and providing the output analog radio frequency signal. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Dinesh Bharadia, Jung-Il Choi, Mayank Jain, Sachin Katti, Tae Min Kim, Philip Levis
  • Patent number: 10230038
    Abstract: A technique relates to a superconducting device. A first mixing device has a first mixing port and a second mixing port. A second mixing device has another first mixing port and another second mixing port. The first and second mixing devices are superconducting nondegenerate three-wave mixing devices. The first mixing port and the another first mixing port are configured to couple to a first coupler. The second mixing port and the another second mixing port are configured to couple to a second coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Baleegh Abdo
  • Patent number: 10097223
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a low power supply voltage double-conversion radio frequency receiving front end, which can work at a lower power supply voltage in a passive frequency conversion mode; a first frequency conversion unit and a second frequency conversion unit of the front end are directly cascaded, and a second orthogonal passive frequency conversion shifts a low input impedance of a transimpedance amplifier to an intermediate frequency, so as to construct a band-pass filtering function for radio frequency current; and the radio frequency current which has undergone two frequency conversions is converted into an output intermediate frequency voltage via the transimpedance amplifier. Compared with the traditional active+active or active+passive double conversion mode, the present invention omits intermediate-stage active circuits and filtering circuits, thereby saving power consumption and layout area, and realizing sufficient rejection on an image signal while ensuring a high conversion gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Southeast University
    Inventors: Chao Chen, Jianhui Wu, Hong Li
  • Patent number: 10057093
    Abstract: A commutating circuit includes a single-ended mixer and a passive network. The single-ended mixer includes a differential local oscillator terminal. The passive network includes a plurality of inductors and a capacitor. The plurality of inductors can be coupled to the differential local oscillator terminal. The plurality of inductors can provide an impedance in accordance with a common mode or a differential mode. The commutating circuit can be implemented via a device, a system and/or a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wooram Lee, Jean-Olivier Plouchart, Alberto Valdes Garcia
  • Patent number: 10056070
    Abstract: A receiver circuit comprising a first-input-terminal configured to receive an analog-input-signal, which is representative of audio-data; and a second-input-terminal configured to receive a digital-input-signal, which is representative of the same audio-data as the analog-input-signal. The receiver circuit also includes a noise-estimator configured to determine a noise-signal that is representative of a difference between the analog-input-signal and the digital-input-signal; and a de-noiser that is configured to determine a de-noised-signal by applying a de-noising algorithm to the analog-input-signal based on the noise-signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Temujin Gautama
  • Patent number: 10039008
    Abstract: Examples of wideband spectrum sensing techniques for cognitive radio are provided. The techniques permit undersampling (e.g., sub-Nyquist sampling) the spectrum band, which permits use of more cost effective electronic components (e.g., lower frequency analog-to-digital converters (ADC)). The techniques permit determination of whether there are any (or sufficient) sub-channels that exist in the band to use for transmission, so that only a portion of less than the entire spectrum band is sampled. Detection decisions can be based at least partly on a pair of performance metrics more appropriate for wideband spectrum sensing. These performance metrics are the probability of insufficient spectrum opportunities (PISO) and the probability of excessive interference opportunities (PEIO).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: University of Notre Dame du Lac
    Inventors: J. Nicholas Laneman, Zhanwei Sun
  • Patent number: 9942883
    Abstract: Provided are a bandwidth-allocation method and apparatus for a wireless network based on a time division transmission mechanism, and a method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving data on the wireless network. The data transmission method includes at least one wireless device belonging to the wireless network transmitting a frame to a network coordinator, the frame including a transmission mode of data and used to request a time slot, receiving a beacon frame containing information about the transmission mode and a time slot duration from the network coordinator, and transmitting the data in the transmission mode to other wireless devices belonging to the wireless network during the duration of the time slot, wherein the transmission mode indicates whether the data is transmitted by a wide-band signal or a narrow-band signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chang-Yeul Kwon
  • Patent number: 9935722
    Abstract: A transceiver includes local oscillator (LO) signal circuitry configured to output an LO signal having an LO frequency and mixer circuitry configured to input the LO signal and an information signal that encodes communication data and output a shifted signal that corresponds to the information signal shifted to a desired frequency. The LO signal circuitry includes selection circuitry and generation circuitry. The selection circuitry is configured to select a pulse pattern and a gap duration based at least on a target harmonic of the LO frequency to be suppressed. The pulse pattern includes at least two pulses spaced apart by a gap having the gap duration. The generation circuitry is configured to generate an LO signal characterized by the selected pulse pattern and gap duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Intel IP Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas Gebhard, Silvester Sadjina, Krzysztof Dufrene, Stefan Tertinek
  • Patent number: 9887728
    Abstract: In one aspect there is provided a method. The method may include receiving a first analog radio frequency signal including a signal of interest and an interference signal caused by a second analog radio frequency signal transmitted in full duplex over a channel from which the first analog transmission is received; combining the first analog radio frequency signal and a portion of the second analog radio frequency signal to generate an output analog radio frequency signal characterized by at least a reduction or an elimination of the interference signal included in the output analog radio frequency signal; and providing the output analog radio frequency signal. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Mayank Jain, Jung Il Choi, Kannan Srinivasan, Philip Levis, Sachin Katti, Siddharth Seth
  • Patent number: 9825590
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to the field of receiver structures in radio communication systems and more specifically to passive mixers in the receiver structure and to a technique for converting a first signal having a first frequency into a second signal having a second frequency by using a third signal having a third frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Sven Mattisson, Pietro Andreani, Daniele Mastantuono
  • Patent number: 9716485
    Abstract: A frequency divider apparatus includes a micro-electro-mechanical system (“MEMS”) divider that is configured to be driven by an input signal. The MEMS divider includes a passive mechanical device that generates multiple output signals. Each of the output signals has a frequency less than a frequency of the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignees: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Steven Shaw, Brian S. Strachan, Kimberly L. Turner, Kamala Qalandar
  • Patent number: 9705711
    Abstract: A mixer includes a weighting module configured to receive an input signal and to weight the input signal with a set of weighting factors, in order to generate a set of weighted signals; and a switching module configured to receive the set of weighted signals and at least a portion of 2N periodic control signals, wherein each of the periodic control signals has a period of 2N*Tvco which contains a pulse with a pulse width not greater than Tvco; wherein the pulses of the 2N periodic control signals do not overlap with each other; and whereby the switching module outputs the set of weighted signals cyclically, under the control of the received periodic control signals, to generate an output signal with a frequency shift of m/(2N*Tvco), where Tvco denotes a period of a VCO signal, N and m are integers, 0<m<N, compared with the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: MONTAGE TECHNOLOGY (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Zhenbiao Li
  • Patent number: 9673914
    Abstract: A system and method sequentially measure the amplitude and phase of an output signal of a device under test in each of two or more frequency ranges which together span the output signal spectrum, using a local oscillator (LO) signal whose frequency changes for each measurement. The measured phase of the output signal is adjusted for at least one of the frequency ranges to account for a change of phase in the LO signal from measurement of one frequency range to another frequency range, including applying to the measured phase a phase offset determined by measuring the phase of a pilot tone using the LO signal before and after the frequency of the LO signal changes from measurement of one frequency range to another. The phase-adjusted measurements of the output signal in the two or more frequency ranges are stitched together to determine the amplitude and phase of the output signal across the output signal spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Keysight Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Troels Studsgaard Nielsen, Jan Verspecht, Keith F. Anderson
  • Patent number: 9641223
    Abstract: A power receiving device and a power feeding system which are capable of performing communication and power feeding at the same time are provided. Further, a power receiving device and a power feeding system which are capable of stably performing communication during power feeding are provided. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a power receiving device which includes an antenna for communication and power feeding that receives AC power, a rectifier circuit that rectifies the received AC power including the modulation signal into DC power, a smoothing circuit that smoothes the resulting DC power, a power storage device that stores the smoothed DC power, a communication control unit that analyzes the modulation signal included in the AC power, and a transformer that is positioned between the antenna and the rectifier circuit and changes a reference potential of the AC power, and a power feeding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR ENEGRY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Misako Miwa, Koichiro Kamata, Shuhei Maeda
  • Patent number: 9419671
    Abstract: A mobile device includes a circuit board on which an electronic circuit used to perform wireless communication with a vehicle-mounted device is mounted, a battery holder that holds a battery from which electric power is supplied to the electronic circuit, and a case member in which the circuit board and the battery holder are accommodated. Test ports, which are terminal electrodes used in test of the electronic circuit, are provided on one plate surface of the circuit board. The battery holder holds the battery at a position at which the battery faces the test ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshihisa Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 9407304
    Abstract: A switching mixer that includes an input configured to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal, a set of inductors, and a set switches in a one-to-one relationship with the set of inductors. The set of switches are configured to alternate turning off in a quadrature sequence of a switching cycle. When a respective switch of the set of switches is turned off: the respective switch connects the input to a respective inductor of the set of inductors to convert the RF signal to a baseband current; and each remaining inductor of the set of inductors is configured to maintain current therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
    Inventors: Peter Cornelius Pawliuk, Nan Sen Lin
  • Patent number: 9385246
    Abstract: A differential MOS capacitor includes a first plurality of upper capacitor plates, a second plurality of upper capacitor plates, and a conductive plate. At least two of the second plurality of upper capacitor plates are spaced laterally from each other and are disposed laterally between at least two of the first plurality of upper capacitor plates. The conductive plate is configured to serve as a common bottom capacitor plate such that a first capacitor is formed by the first plurality of upper capacitor plates and the conductive plate and a second capacitor is formed by the second plurality of upper capacitor plates and the conductive plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsiao-Tsung Yen, Yu-Ling Lin, Chin-Wei Kuo, Min-Chie Jeng
  • Patent number: 9263990
    Abstract: An impedance transformer for use with a quadrature passive mixer is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a mixer configured to generate an up-converted signal at a mixer output port in response to local oscillator (LO) signals, and an impedance transformer configured to provide a complex impedance at the mixer output port. The complex impedance configured to generate a selected level of the reverse isolation for the mixer thereby generating a selected amplitude flatness symmetry characteristic for the up-converted signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Qualcomm Incorporated
    Inventor: Jeremy Mark Goldblatt
  • Patent number: 9197279
    Abstract: A radio receiver method of reducing second order distortion components involves at a first mixer, mixing an input signal with an oscillator signal to generate an I component of a received radio communication signal; at a second mixer, mixing the input signal with a phase shifted oscillator signal to generate a Q component of the received radio communication signal; computing an estimate of second order distortion as a function of the I and Q components of the received radio communication signal; and adjusting an operational parameter of the radio receiver to reduce the estimated value of second order distortion components. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Tajinder Manku
  • Patent number: 9124346
    Abstract: This invention concerns a sub-harmonic homodyne mixer suitable for operation at the millimeter waveband (MMW); for instance the 60 GHz RF radio band. The mixer comprises: A first pair of transistors connected together with common source and common drain, and having an input port across their gates to receive the in-phase voltage signal from a local oscillator. A second pair of transistors also connected together with common source and common drain, and having an input port across their gates to receive the quadrature voltage signal from the local oscillator. Wherein, an input voltage port is defined directly across the common sources of the first and second pairs of transistors, and an output voltage port is defined between the common drains of the first pair of transistors and the common drains of the second pair of transistors. According to another aspect the present invention is a transceiver comprising a mixer according to the first aspect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Nitero Pty Limited
    Inventors: Stan Skafidas, Fan Zhang
  • Patent number: 9118276
    Abstract: One mixer circuit includes mixer elements having 3N pairs of differential inputs. There are non-overlapping clock signals provided to the mixer elements which have a duty cycle equal to or less than 33? percent, and N is a positive integer. Output differential signals of the mixer elements do not contain third order harmonic content of the non-overlapping clock signals. Another mixer circuit includes a first mixer element and a signal combining device. The first mixer element has 3N pairs of differential inputs, wherein there are non-overlapping clock signals provided to the first mixer element which have a duty cycle equal to or less than 33? percent, and N is a positive integer. The signal combining device combines outputs from the first mixer element wherein an output signal of the signal combining device do not contain third order harmonic content of the non-overlapping clock signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: MediaTek Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Ankush Goel, Neric Fong
  • Patent number: 9111765
    Abstract: One or more techniques or systems for forming an integrated circuit (IC) or associated IC structure are provided herein. In some embodiments, the IC includes a junction gate field effect transistor (JFET) and a lateral vertical bipolar junction transistor (LVBJT). For example, the JFET and the LVBJT are formed in a same region, such as a substrate. In some embodiments, the JFET and the LVBJT are at least one of adjacent or share one or more features. In this manner, a reliable IC is provided, thus enabling power amplification, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Chi-Feng Huang, Chia-Chung Chen
  • Publication number: 20150147988
    Abstract: A frequency shifter configured to shift the frequency of a signal, the frequency shifter comprising: a resonant structure configured to mechanically resonate at a first frequency; and a plurality of capacitors, each capacitor having a variable plate separation distance, wherein the resonant structure is configured to cause the plate separation distance of each capacitor to oscillate so as to cause the frequency of the signal to shift by the first frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: James COLLIER, Tim NEWTON
  • Publication number: 20150133070
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a wireless signal receiving device and method capable of receiving three or more signals of different central frequencies. An embodiment of said device comprises: a receiving circuit operable to generate a reception signal according to a wireless signal including a first, second, and third wireless signals of different central frequencies; a mixer operable to generate a mixing signal by processing the reception signal according to an oscillation clock in which the mixing signal includes a first, second and third intermediate-frequency (IF) signals and the central frequency of the third IF signal is higher than the other two; and a digital signal generating circuit operable to generate a first, second and third digital signals by processing the first, second and third IF signals according to a sampling frequency in which the sampling frequency is lower than two times the maximum frequency of the third IF signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: Ming-Chung Huang
  • Patent number: 9030251
    Abstract: A frequency converter, capable of obtaining resonance characteristics having a high Q factor and a high multiplication signal and having a narrow-band frequency selectivity function, is provided by the following configuration. A magnetoresistance effect element includes a pinned magnetization layer, a free magnetization layer, and a non-magnetic spacer layer disposed between the pinned magnetization layer and the free magnetization layer. In response to an input of a high frequency signal and a local signal, the magnetoresistance effect element generates a voltage signal (multiplication signal) by multiplying the signals by each other using a magnetoresistance effect. A magnetic field generated by a magnetic-field applying unit is applied to the free magnetization layer of the magnetoresistance effect element in a direction perpendicular to a film surface direction or by tilting an angle of the magnetic field from the film surface direction toward a direction perpendicular to the film surface direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Kakinuma, Masato Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9008604
    Abstract: A mixer includes an input stage to convert an RF input signal to an output signal, and a mixer core to mix the output signal from the input stage with a local oscillator signal. The input stage may include an input cell having a first differential pair of cross-connected transistors, and a linearizer coupled to the input cell. The linearizer may include a second differential pair of transistors having first and second inputs coupled to the input terminals and first and second outputs coupled to the output terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Iliana Fujimori-Chen, Ed Balboni
  • Patent number: 8977519
    Abstract: A spectrum analyzer for measuring an RF signal over a selected frequency span configured to use multiple Intermediate Frequencies (IFs) for residual, spurious and image signal reduction. The spectrum analyzer has both a primary IF path and a secondary IF path configured to provide band pass filtering of the IF signals. A master clock synthesizer is configured to reduce residual noise by providing from a single Voltage Controlled Oscillator, a master clock signal and a Local Oscillator (LO) signal. The spectrum analyzer has a microcontroller configured to change the frequency of the master clock signal and the LO signal if the center frequency of the selected span is sufficiently close to a known spurious signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Test Equipment Plus, Inc
    Inventor: Justin Crooks
  • Patent number: 8975946
    Abstract: A mixer includes a first node to which an intermediate frequency (IF) signal is input; first and second transistors that respectively have control terminals supplied with local signals having mutually opposite phases and output terminals connected to the first node; a first filter that is connected between the output terminal of the second transistor and the first node and suppresses passage of the IF signal; a second node to which the IF signal is input; third and fourth transistors that respectively have control terminals supplied with local signals having mutually opposite phases and output terminals connected to the second node; a second filter that is connected between the output terminal of the fourth transistor and the second node and suppresses passage of the IF signal; and a combiner combining a signal output from the first node and a signal output from the second node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignees: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Device Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Seiji Fujita, Tsuneo Tokumitsu
  • Patent number: 8971831
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a front-end system for a radio device, the front-end system comprising a low-noise amplifier (LNA), arranged for receiving a radio frequency input signal (RFIN) and arranged for outputting an amplified radio frequency signal (RFOUT), wherein the low-noise amplifier comprises a first differential amplifier, and a mixer (MIX), arranged for down-converting the amplified radio signal (RFOUT) provided by the low-noise amplifier (LNA) to a baseband signal (BB), by multiplying the amplified radio signal (RFOUT) with a local oscillator (LO) frequency tone, said low-noise amplifier (LNA) and said mixer (MIX) being inductively coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: IMEC
    Inventors: Vojkan Vidojkovic, Kristof Vaesen, Piet Wambacq
  • Patent number: 8963612
    Abstract: A multi-mode circuit can switch an output section between mixer and amplifier modes, with or without variable gain, to create a variable gain amplifier or a variable gain mixer or route an input signal by adjusting a bias current. An input section is controlled by a bias section and connected to the output section. The output section includes a first base-coupled transistor pair adapted to receive an input signal at emitters of the first base-coupled transistor pair, receive a bias signal at bases of the first base-coupled transistor pair, and provide an output signal at collectors of the first base-coupled transistor pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell D. Wyse, Michael L. Hageman
  • Patent number: 8963610
    Abstract: An adaptable mixer device is operable in a first mode and a second mode and includes a first set of mixer units operable in the first mode and a second set of mixer units operable in the second mode. The second set of mixer units includes at least one mixer unit that is common to both the first set of mixer units and the second set of mixer units. The second set of mixer units also includes a plurality of mixer units that are not in the first set of mixer units. Similarly, the first set of mixer units including a plurality of mixer units that are not in the second set of mixer units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Chinmaya Mishra, Hongyan Yan, Junxiong Deng
  • Patent number: 8937514
    Abstract: An improved local oscillator (LO) driver circuit for a mixer, the LO driver circuit includes a gain circuit responsive to LO input signals at a predetermined LO frequency range. At least a first pair of a parallel combination of a resistor and a capacitor is coupled to the gain circuit and to LO inputs of the mixer. The resistor configured to increase impedance at low frequencies of the frequency range and the capacitor is configured to reduce the impedance of the first parallel combination at high frequencies of the frequency range to reduce resistive impendence of the resistor. At least a second pair of a parallel combination of a low quality factor inductor and a high quality factor inductor is connected to the first pair. The second pair in serial combination with the first pair is tuned to provide a constant desired load impedance and a constant desired voltage swing at the LO inputs of the mixer over the predetermined LO frequency range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Hittite Microwave Corporation
    Inventors: B. Tarik Cavus, Abdullah Celebi
  • Patent number: 8938023
    Abstract: A wireless device for interfacing between a transceiver and a modem is described. The wireless device includes the transceiver. The transceiver generates a combined signal. The combined signal includes a first signal band from a first received signal and a second signal band from a second received signal at offset frequencies. The wireless device includes an analog baseband interface for providing the combined signal from the transceiver to the modem. The wireless device also includes the modem. The modem generates a downconverted/filtered signal for each of the signal bands of the combined signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Qualcomm Incorporated
    Inventor: Vladimir Aparin
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140370833
    Abstract: A down-conversion circuit for a receiver circuit is disclosed. It comprises a first mixer arranged to down-convert an RF signal with a first LO signal (LO1), thereby generating a first down-converted signal. It further comprises a second mixer arranged to down-convert the RF signal with a second LO signal (LO2) having the same LO frequency as the first LO signal (LO1), but a different and a second duty cycle, thereby generating a second down-converted signal. The second mixer has an enabled and a disabled mode. The down-conversion circuit also comprises a third mixer arranged to down-convert the RF signal with the second LO signal (LO2), thereby generating a third down-converted signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Imad Ud Din, Stefan Andersson, Henrik Sjoland, Fredrik Tillman, Johan Wernehag
  • Patent number: 8913978
    Abstract: A multiphase mixer using a rotary traveling wave oscillator is disclosed. In addition to the oscillator, the mixer includes first and second mixer circuits. The rotary traveling wave oscillator generates a first set of N/2 phase and a second set of N/2 phases, where each phase has a frequency that is a factor of N/2 less than the incoming radio frequency signal. The first set of phases are sine signals and the second set of phases are cosine signals. The first mixer circuit generates a first down-converted signal from the first set of phases and the incoming rf signal. The second mixer circuit generates a second down-converted signal from the second set of phases and the rf signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregoire Le Grand de Mercey
  • Patent number: 8909188
    Abstract: A frequency shifter configured to shift the frequency of a signal, the frequency shifter comprising: a resonant structure configured to mechanically resonate at a first frequency; and a plurality of capacitors, each capacitor having a variable plate separation distance, wherein the resonant structure is configured to cause the plate separation distance of each capacitor to oscillate so as to cause the frequency of the signal to shift by the first frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Cambridge Silicon Radio, Ltd.
    Inventors: James Collier, Tim Newton
  • Patent number: 8901988
    Abstract: A single-balanced balun mixer circuit includes a balun with a center tap connected to a differential pair with a tail resistor. The balun receives a first input signal and a second signal at the single-ended input terminal and the center tap, respectively. Such a balun mixer may be used as an up-converter mixer by supplying a baseband or intermediate signal at the center tap and a local oscillator (LO) signal at the single-ended input terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Linear Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Petrus M. Stroet
  • Patent number: 8884713
    Abstract: This invention compensates for the unintentional magnetic coupling between a first and second inductor of two different closely spaced inductors separated by a conversion circuit. A cancellation circuit formed from transistors senses the magnetic coupling in the first inductor and feeds a current opposite to the induced magnetic coupling captured by the second inductor such that the coupled magnetic coupling can be compensated and allows the first and second inductors to behave independently with regards to the coupled magnetic coupling between the first and second inductors. This allows the distance between the first and second inductors to be minimized which saves silicon area. In addition, the performance is improved since the overall capacitance in both circuits can be decreased. This cancellation technique to reduce the magnetic coupling between two closed placed inductively loaded circuits allows the design of a more compact and faster performing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Tensorcom, Inc.
    Inventor: KhongMeng Tham