With Tuning Patents (Class 455/77)
  • Publication number: 20130137383
    Abstract: A circuit that includes a Darlington transistor pair having an input transistor and an output transistor configured to generate an output signal at an output node in response to an input signal received through the input node is disclosed. The circuit has a resistor-inductor-capacitor (RLC) type frequency bias feedback network communicatively coupled between the output transistor and the input node for providing biasing to the Darlington transistor pair as well as for adjusting at least one characteristic of an amplified version of the input signal that passes through the input transistor and into the frequency bias network. The circuit further includes a feedback coupling network coupled between the output node and the input node for feeding back to the input node a portion of the amplified version of the input signal that passes through the input transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: RF MICRO DEVICES, INC.
    Inventor: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8452241
    Abstract: Enhanced granularity operational parameters adjustment of components and modules in a multi-band, multi-standard communication device. For supporting two-way communications, a communication device includes receiver and transmitter modules. Each module includes various components that are configurable and/or programmable based on a protocol and band pair by which the communication device is operating. The communication device is a multi-protocol and multi-band capable communication device capable to operate in accordance with any one protocol and band at a first time and another protocol and band at a second time. The various components within each of the receiver and transmitter modules can be adjusted using one or more operational parameters. In some instances, a given component can be controlled by more than one operational parameter. Alternatively, certain components are controlled only one operational parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Nikolaos C. Haralabidis, Theodoros Georgantas
  • Patent number: 8452247
    Abstract: In one example, a Bluetooth enabled navigation device pairs with a mobile phone and then sends a plurality of tuning transmissions, each at a different transmission power gain amount, to a remote server using the mobile phone. These tuning transmissions are encoded using frequency tones that synthesize speech for transmission through the mobile phone and a voice channel of its wireless telecommunications network. The navigation device then tunes transmit power settings according to a received response to the tuning transmissions and uses the tuned transmit power settings for subsequent transmission to the remote server using this particular mobile phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Inventors: Leon L. Hong, David Quimby, Ken Johnson
  • Patent number: 8447241
    Abstract: A wireless communication apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a wireless transceiver which conducts communication with another wireless communication apparatus using a channel belonging to a first band of a plurality of frequency bands, and a switching unit which switches the channel being used by the wireless transceiver to a different channel of a second band of the plurality of frequency bands other than the first band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Suwa, Hiroyuki Ishihara, Toshihiko Sakata, Koji Hayashida, Akira Shibuta, Norihiro Toyomura, Kyoichi Obana
  • Patent number: 8447240
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a tunable antenna system within a mobile device that enables the mobile device to receive broadcast communication signals. The antenna system includes a tunable antenna and a tuning module that is operable to selectively adjust the resonant frequency of the tunable antenna, such that the antenna may efficiently receive a plurality of discrete narrow band signals across a broad frequency spectrum. The tuning module may also include a lookup table for use by the tuning module to selectively adjust the resonant frequency of the antenna. Further, the antenna system may include a temperature compensation module that is operable to compensate for any temperature sensitive components in the tunable antenna system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Flextronics AP, LLC
    Inventors: Alf Friman, Sverker Petersson
  • Publication number: 20130122829
    Abstract: An apparatus including a first port configured to receive signals from a transceiver and to receive a first antenna; a second port configured to receive signals from a transceiver and to receive a second antenna; a first reactive component coupled to the first port; a second reactive component coupled to the first reactive component at a first junction and to the second port, wherein at least the first reactive component is configured to have an impedance that shifts the phase of a first signal, in a second operational resonant frequency band, received from the first antenna, and the second reactive component is configured to have an impedance that shifts the phase of a second signal, in the second operational resonant frequency band, received from the transceiver, so that the first signal and the second signal at least partially destructively interfere with one another at the first junction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Lassi Pentti Olavi Hyvonen, Joonas Veli-Allan Krogerus, Arto Tapio Hujanen, Matti Kalevi Somersalo, Pei Li
  • Publication number: 20130122827
    Abstract: A radiation power level compliance and control scheme for a wireless user equipment (UE) device including one or more tunable elements. The wireless UE device comprises a component configured to detect one or more changes with respect to at least one operational parameter associated with the wireless UE device. A component is provided for determining that a tunable action is required with respect to at least one of the tunable elements. Upon defining one or more tunable element settings, a component is configured to determine a Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) value, which is compared against an acceptable limit. If the SAR is within the limit, appropriate tuning control signals are provided to the tunable elements according to the defined tunable element settings. If the SAR is not within the limit or is about to exceed the limit, then the tunable element settings may be changed and retested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Shirook M. Ali, Kelce Steven Wilson, James Paul Warden
  • Publication number: 20130122828
    Abstract: A mobile terminal including an antenna to change an operating frequency band includes a sub-resonance generator that generates a sub-resonance to shift the operating frequency band. The sub-resonance generator may be electrically or physically connected to a main antenna of the mobile terminal. The sub-resonance generator is connected to at least one impedance matcher and switch, and the opening and closing of the switch results in the generation of the sub-resonance. A sub-resonance generated in a higher frequency band than a first frequency band of the antenna device may result in the shift to a third frequency band with a main resonance at a lower frequency than the main resonance of the first frequency band and vice versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: Pantech Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Pantech Co., Ltd
  • Patent number: 8442256
    Abstract: A base having a flat shape; a support provided on a bottom surface of the base; a microphone unit incorporated in the base and converts sound into an electric signal; and a pressure sensitive switch with which an output signal from the microphone unit is turned on and off are included. At least one such pressure sensitive switch is provided to be pressed between the base and the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica
    Inventor: Satoshi Yoshino
  • Patent number: 8437714
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the efficient transmission of voice and data signals using mobile terminals, and in particular to optimizing the power added efficiency (PAE) of a power amplifier (PA) by controlling the amplifier's load impedance over a range of radio frequency (RF) output power levels. A power amplifier having a first power level and at least a second power level is provided along with a first impedance matching network section with an output. A second impedance matching network section and at least a third impedance network section in communication with the output are selectably coupled to a load network by switches that are opened and close in response to various power levels of operation for the load switch circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Lars Sandahl Ubbesen, Michael Nielsen
  • Patent number: 8437696
    Abstract: Power consumption of near-field communication devices is regulated by waking the device for communications when a potential external near-field device is detected, and by adjusting the resonant antenna circuit to account for the detected change in antenna environment. Such near-field communication devices, which may be used to detect and read external RFID tags, include a resonant loop antenna circuit having an antenna and a variable component, the antenna circuit being tunable by adjusting the variable component. The antenna has a target range of operation for near-field communication, and an inductance that is susceptible to interference that can alter the target range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Jean-Philippe Audic
  • Publication number: 20130107914
    Abstract: Embodiments operate to reduce impedance mismatch between the PA and the antenna in a transceiver, thereby reducing the VSWR at the PA output and improving both the delivered power to the antenna and receiver sensitivity. In embodiments, an antenna tuner is placed between the PA and the antenna. The antenna tuner includes programmable components that can be tuned in order to effect an impedance translation between the antenna and the PA output, thereby reducing reflections seen by the PA. In an embodiment, the antenna tuner is adapted dynamically based on changes in the impedance of the antenna. Accordingly, the PA is operated very close to its optimal load impedance. In another embodiment, the antenna tuner is controlled based on measurement of the voltage reflection coefficient S11.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Bongseok Park, William Fujimoto, Sriraman Dakshinamurthy, Robert Lorenz
  • Publication number: 20130109330
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to impedance balancing within a transceiver. A device may include a transformer having a first side coupled to a transmit path and a second side coupled to a receive path. Further, the device may include an antenna tuning network coupled to a first portion of the first side and configured for coupling to an antenna. The device may also include an adjustment unit coupled to a second portion of the first side and configured for being adjusted to enable an impedance at the adjustment unit to be substantially equal to an impedance at the antenna tuning network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Gurkanwal Singh Sahota, Frederic Bossu, Berke Cetinoneri
  • Patent number: 8433256
    Abstract: A communication device includes an integrated circuit having an on-chip thermal sensing circuit that generates a temperature signal based on a temperature of the integrated circuit. A processing module processes the temperature signal to generate temperature information that can be transmitted to a remote device or processes the temperature signal to generate control for adjusting transmit and/or receive characteristics of an RF transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Ahmadreza (Reza) Rofougaran
  • Patent number: 8428523
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium includes computer instructions to determine a translation function based on a transmit frequency of a transmit mode and a receive frequency of a receive mode of a transceiver for a communication device, and adjust a variable reactance component of an impedance matching circuit for the receive mode based on the translation function, where the impedance matching circuit is operably coupled with an antenna of the communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion RF, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Greene
  • Patent number: 8422965
    Abstract: A wireless communication device uses operational parameters stored in a capabilities list to control operation of the device. The device may also provide auxiliary services, such as reception of broadcast television signals and location detection using network assisted GPS. When auxiliary services are selected, the cellular operation may cause interference with the auxiliary services. The wireless communication device includes a reduced set of capabilities to control operation of the wireless communication device when an auxiliary service is requested. The particular set of reduced capabilities may depend on the specific type of auxiliary service that has been requested. Upon termination of the auxiliary services, the full capabilities list may be restored and the operation of the wireless communication device is thereafter controlled by the full set of operational capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventor: Michael Edward Prise
  • Publication number: 20130090072
    Abstract: A method and a mobile terminal of improving radiation performance and Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of an antenna are provided. The mobile terminal includes a controller for generating a control signal for switching a ground according to a frequency band used by an antenna, and a switch unit for switching a contact point for each frequency band according to the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Young Kon LIM, Joo Hwan PARK
  • Patent number: 8417195
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of data transmission. The invention has application to amplifiers, the transmission of data modulated signals, filters and/or matching circuits connected between an amplifier and a load, radio transmitters, the transmission of data modulated radio signals, filters and/or matching circuits used between a transmitter's power amplifier and an antenna and the field of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), such as in the transmission of data between a tag and an interrogator. The present invention enables the transmission of phase modulated signals, by adjusting a device's tuning to substantially match the instantaneous frequency of the phase modulated signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Magellan Technology PTY Limited
    Inventor: Graham Alexander Munro Murdoch
  • Patent number: 8412121
    Abstract: An integrated electronic radio-frequency transceiver circuit, including: at least one terminal intended to receive a signal to be transmitted or to transmit a received signal; at least one planar antenna, with a settable resonance frequency; at least one bidirectional coupler having a primary line interposed between the terminal and the antenna and having the respective terminals of a secondary line providing data representative of the transmitted power and of the power reflected on the primary line side; at least one detector of the transmitted power and of the reflected power; and a circuit for selecting the resonance frequency of the antenna according to the ratio between the transmitted power and the reflected power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventors: Benoît Bonnet, François Dupont
  • Publication number: 20130065533
    Abstract: Apparatus having corresponding methods and computer-readable media comprise: a first transceiver comprising a controller configured to select one of a plurality of frequency regions, and a transmitter configured to transmit, according to a first protocol, first wireless signals in the one of the plurality of the frequency regions selected by the controller, wherein each frequency region is characterized by a respective type of unwanted interference generated responsive to the transmitter transmitting the first wireless signals in the respective frequency region; an arbiter configured to select one or more frequency channels based on the one of the plurality of the frequency regions selected by the controller; and a second transceiver configured to transceive, according to a second protocol, second wireless signals only in the one or more frequency channels selected by the arbiter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Ying Cai, Jihwan P. Choi, Hui-Ling Lou, Vladan Petrovic, Chuxiang Li
  • Publication number: 20130065541
    Abstract: An electronic device may be located in a geographical cell that is served by a base station. The electronic device may communicate with the base station on a frequency band. The frequency band may be subject to adjacent band emissions requirements to help prevent interference with wireless devices that are operating in adjacent frequency bands. The adjacent band emission requirements may vary based on the frequency band used to communicate with the base station, the geographical cell, and/or the presence of public safety radios. To satisfy the adjacent band emissions requirements while minimizing power consumption, the electronic device may receive cell information from the base station and adjust power amplifier linearity based on the received information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Nicholas W. Lum, William J. Noellert, Ronald W. Dimpflmaier
  • Publication number: 20130059550
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a communication device with an antenna protects a body from electromagnetic fields. The apparatus includes a sensing unit to sense a surrounding environment of the communication device, a variable element to perform a variable operation according to a voltage or current applied thereto. The apparatus further includes a variable element control unit to control the voltage or current according to the surrounding environment sensed by the sensing unit to cause the variable element to perform the variable operation, and an intelligent periodic structure coupled with the variable element, the intelligent periodic structure being configured to change an operation frequency of the wireless communication device according to the variable operation of the variable element and adjust a radiation pattern direction of the antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Sang il KWAK, Jong Hwa KWON, Dong-Uk SIM
  • Publication number: 20130052967
    Abstract: A method, transceiver integrated circuit (IC), and communications device for generating antenna tuning states derived from a pre-established trajectory of tuning states to adjust a detected signal level towards a preset, given value. A tuning state generation (TSG) controller determines whether a detected signal level matches a given value. If the detected signal level does not match the given value, the TSG controller selects an initial preset tuning state from a pre-established trajectory corresponding to a pre-identified operating condition that best matches a current operating condition. The TSG logic forwards the initial preset tuning state to the antenna tuner to trigger impedance transformation. Following generation of the initial preset tuning state, the controller receives an updated detected signal level. If the updated detected signal level fails to match the given value, the controller generates an incremental tuning state that is interpolated between the initial and a final preset tuning states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: MOTOROLA MOBILITY, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory R. Black, William P. Alberth
  • Publication number: 20130035044
    Abstract: A tightly integrated combined transmit and receive dual quadrifilar antenna is provided. The antenna comprises four helical transmit elements and four helical receive elements disposed about a common axis. A receiver front end includes an arrangement of two 90 degree hybrids which serve to effectively reject signals cross coupled from the transmit elements back into the receive elements, while still allowing the receiver to receive signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: MAXTENNA
    Inventors: Carlo DiNallo, Stani Licul, Jeremy Marks
  • Publication number: 20130035045
    Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device may include transmit paths operating on respective different frequency bands, an antenna, and an antenna switch between the transmit paths and the antenna. The device may include a harmonic filter attenuating a harmonic frequency of a first frequency band of a first transmit path, and also attenuating a second frequency band of a second transmit path; a filter switch between the harmonic filter and the antenna; and a processor. The processor may selectively control the antenna switch and the filter switch so that when the antenna switch couples the first transmit path to the antenna, the filter switch couples the harmonic filter to the antenna, and when the filter switch couples the second transmit path to the antenna, the filter switch decouples the harmonic filter from the antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Brian Bremer, Athena Hart
  • Patent number: 8364093
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a wireless transmitting/receiving method for achieving both a high-speed data transfer and a power-saving operation by using wireless transmitting/receiving apparatus adaptable to a ubiquitous system, whereby a wireless transmitting/receiving method which performs wireless transmission/reception using no less than two carrier waves which belong to a different frequency band is used to transmit/receive a control signal for controlling the transmission/reception operation of the wireless transmitting/receiving apparatus by using a carrier wave which belongs to a lower frequency band (400 MHz band), and to transfer data by using a carrier wave which belongs to a higher frequency band (2.4 GHz band).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Tohru Kimura
  • Publication number: 20130023220
    Abstract: A signal receiving apparatus includes a first base member, a first coil, and a tuning circuit. The first coil is coiled around the first base member to from a first loop antenna having a plurality of parallel and spaced coil portions and two signal output terminals. The tuning circuit includes a first variable capacitor connected between the two signal output terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicants: CHI MEI COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, INC., SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: HAO CHEN
  • Publication number: 20130005277
    Abstract: A method (600) and devices for enhancing the performance of one or more antennas (440) is provided. A control circuit (104) assesses performance of an antenna (101) in a plurality of bands, such as a receive band and a transmit band. The control circuit (104) then selects one of the bands, e.g., a lesser performing band, as a “selected band” for which the antenna (101) will be optimized. The control circuit (104) can then adjust an adjustable impedance matching circuit (103) coupled to the antenna (101) to improve the efficiency of the antenna (101) in the selected band and can adjust a resonance of the antenna (101) to further improve an efficiency of the antenna (101) in the selected band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: MOTOROLA MOBILITY, INC.
    Inventors: Armin W. Klomsdorf, William P. Alberth, Gregory R. Black, Richard E. Mach
  • Publication number: 20130005278
    Abstract: A method (600) and devices for enhancing the performance of one or more antennas (440) is provided. A control circuit (104) assesses performance of an antenna (101) in a plurality of bands, such as a receive band and a transmit band. The control circuit (104) can then adjust an adjustable impedance matching circuit (103) coupled to the antenna (101) to improve the efficiency of the antenna (101) in the selected band and can adjust a resonance of the antenna (101) to further improve an efficiency of the antenna (101) in the selected band. Operating parameters for the antenna (101) can be selected from one or more multi-dimensional lookup tables (120) where the parameters are indexed both to a first operating band (702) and a second operating band (703).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: MOTOROLA MOBILITY, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory R. Black, Thomas D. Nagode, Dale G. Schwent
  • Patent number: 8346227
    Abstract: In one example, a Bluetooth enabled navigation device pairs with a mobile phone and then sends a plurality of tuning transmissions, each at a different transmission power gain amount, to a remote server using the mobile phone. These tuning transmissions are encoded using frequency tones that synthesize speech for transmission through the mobile phone and a voice channel of its wireless telecommunications network. The navigation device then tunes transmit power settings according to a received response to the tuning transmissions and uses the tuned transmit power settings for subsequent transmission to the remote server using this particular mobile phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Airbiquity Inc.
    Inventors: David Quimby, Ken Johnson, Leon L. Hong
  • Publication number: 20120322393
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of an antenna device for operation in at least two operational frequency bands generally includes a loop element having a feeding end for connection to radio communication circuitry and a grounding end for connection to ground. The antenna device also includes first filtering means connecting the grounding end to ground, and switching means parallel with the first filtering means. The switching means is configured to connect the grounding end to ground parallel with the first filtering means in a first state, to match the loop element to a first operational frequency band of the at least two operational frequency bands. The switching means is configured to connect the grounding end to an open end parallel with the first filtering means in a second state, to match the loop element to a second operational frequency band of the at least two operational frequency bands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Peter Lindberg, Stefan Irmscher, Andrei Kaikkonen
  • Patent number: 8335471
    Abstract: Systems and methods for channel pairing a transmitter and a receiver are provided. In this regard, a representative method, among others, includes selecting a channel in a radio frequency (RF) band; transmitting a carrier and alert tone on the selected channel in the RF band; responsive to detecting the transmitted carrier and alert tone, demodulating the carrier and alert tone on the selected channel in the RF band and producing the demodulated alert tone; and responsive to detecting the produced alert tone, using the selected channel to establish a wireless link between the transmitter and receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: CSR Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Clayton Alford, Noshir Dubash, Douglas W. Schucker
  • Patent number: 8335478
    Abstract: Provided are a first filter 63a and a second filter 63b each having a pass band in the range of a frequency band that is obtained by, for example, substantially bisecting a frequency band of f1 to f4. In that case, the regions of the first filter 63a and the second filter 63b partially overlap with each other with the center frequency f5 interposed therebetween. In practice, even if the division is not bisection, a configuration is adopted in which a frequency region of the wider band (the first frequency band 61a) closer to a second frequency band 61b side is covered by the second filter 63b. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the influence of load fluctuation in a multiband-compatible radio communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroki Kashiwagi
  • Publication number: 20120309327
    Abstract: An amplifier including an amplifier transistor, and a switch transistor, wherein the amplifier is configured to be switched on and off by controlling bias voltages of the transistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: Bryan Fast, Michael G. Hawkins, David D. Heston, Brian P. Helm
  • Patent number: 8326233
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a configurable tuned MOS capacitor are disclosed and may include filtering undesired signals in a chip utilizing one or more configurable MOS capacitors comprising one or more MOS transistors. The source and drain terminals of the MOS transistors may be coupled together. The filtering frequencies may be tuned by configuring a resonance frequency of a matching circuit coupled to the source and drain terminals. The matching circuit may include a variable capacitor, which may include an array of binary-weighted addressable capacitors. The addressable capacitors may include MOS transistors. The matching circuit may include a variable inductor such as a multi-tap transmission line, and may be integrated on the chip and/or on a package to which the chip is bonded. A capacitance value of the configurable MOS capacitor may be configured utilizing a bias voltage on the matching circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Ahmadreza Rofougaran, Maryam Rofougaran
  • Publication number: 20120295554
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a tuning system for a communication device having an antenna, where the tuning system includes at least one first tunable element connected with at least one radiating element of the antenna for tuning the antenna where the adjusting of the at least one first tunable element is based on at least one of a use case associated with the communication device and location information associated with the communication device, and a matching network having at least one second tunable element coupled at a feed point of the antenna, wherein the matching network receives control signals for adjusting the at least one second tunable element to tune the matching network. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: PARATEK MICROWAVE, INC.
    Inventors: MATTHEW R. GREENE, KEITH R. MANSSEN, GREGORY MENDOLIA
  • Publication number: 20120295555
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a tuning system for a communication device having an antenna where the tuning system includes at least one first tunable element connected with at least one radiating element of the antenna for tuning the antenna where the adjusting of the at least one first tunable element is based on a closed loop process, and a matching network having at least one second tunable element coupled at a feed point of the antenna for tuning the matching network based on an operational parameter of the communication device. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: PARATEK MICROWAVE, INC.
    Inventors: MATTHEW R. GREENE, KEITH R. MANSSEN
  • Publication number: 20120289171
    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: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventor: Michael S. Vogas
  • Publication number: 20120276859
    Abstract: A method is provided for avoiding in-device interference. The method may include determining a portion of a frequency band used for data reception by a first wireless modem that may be affected by interference from a data transmission by a second wireless modem. The method may further include causing an indication of the determined portion of the frequency band to be provided to the first wireless modem. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Christopher Peter Callender, Juho Mikko Pirskanen
  • Patent number: 8301106
    Abstract: Stacked CMOS power amplifier (PA) and radio frequency (RF) coupler devices and related methods are disclosed. The stacked device includes a CMOS PA die configured to receive a transmit input signal and to output an amplified transmit signal, and a RF coupler device configured to receive the amplified transmit signal, to output an antenna transmit signal, and to output an RF signal proportional to the antenna transmit signal. The CMOS PA die and the RF coupler device are stacked on top of and electrically coupled to each other, and the CMOS PA die and the RF coupler device are combined within a single semiconductor package. In some embodiments, the RF coupler device is positioned on top of the CMOS PA die, and in other embodiments the CMOS PA die is positioned on top of the RF coupler device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Javelin Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Abhay Misra
  • Patent number: 8301186
    Abstract: An enhanced sensitivity radio frequency (RF) front end circuit includes a transformer configured to convert a balanced transmit signal to an unbalanced transmit signal and to convert a second filtered receive signal to a balanced receive signal. A switch in a first state receives the unbalanced transmit signal from the transformer and transfers the unbalanced transmit signal to an amplifier circuit and receives an amplified transmit signal from the amplifier circuit and transfers the amplified transmit signal to a filter. In a second state, the switch receives a first filtered receive signal from the filter and transfers the first filtered receive signal to the amplifier circuit and receives a second filtered receive signal from the amplifier circuit and transfers the second filtered receive signal to the transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Oleksandr Gorbachov
  • Patent number: 8301102
    Abstract: An apparatus, a method and a system for correcting a phase imbalance are described. Embodiments may measure the phase imbalance inherent in a tuner and use the imbalance measure to correct the output of the tuner. Embodiments may include a tone generator to produce a single frequency tone and a tuner to receive the single frequency tone and output an intermediate frequency. The intermediate frequency may be corrected by a correction loop. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Isaac Ali, Nicholas P. Cowley
  • Publication number: 20120264380
    Abstract: A method of optimising a transmitter, the transmitter including a polar amplification stage including a main signal path and a magnitude signal path, a receiver being located with the transmitter, the method comprising: generating an amplified signal for transmission at the output of the amplifier; tuning the receiver to a frequency to reject the intended transmit signal of the transmitter; determining a characteristic of a signal detected in the receiver representing an indication of distortion in the transmitted signal; and adjusting a setting of the transmitter in dependence on the determined characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: NUJIRA LIMITED
    Inventor: Kevin Cobley
  • Patent number: 8290448
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for implementing multi-channel tuners are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas Cowley, William Barber, Clive Powell
  • Patent number: 8275326
    Abstract: A low noise divider includes a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) having a first frequency output, a frequency divider configured to receive the first frequency output and configured to provide a second frequency output; and a buffer circuit configured to receive the first frequency output and the second frequency output, the buffer circuit configured to provide the second frequency output as an output of the low noise divider, where a phase noise of the second frequency output is dependent only on a phase noise of the first frequency output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajasekhar Pullela, Sohrab Samadian
  • Patent number: 8275311
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system in connection with a wristop diving computer (1). According to the method, at least the pressure of a gas bottle (2) is measured and the pressure data is transmitted under water using a low first frequency f1 to a wristop computer (1). According to the invention, on the surface of the water a second frequency f2, higher than the first frequency f1, is used for two-way telecommunications between the gas bottle (2) and the wristop computer (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Suunto Oy
    Inventor: Erik Lindman
  • Publication number: 20120238217
    Abstract: Provided is a wireless communication apparatus including a filter for removing a signal whose strength is below a threshold, a signal distinguishing unit for distinguishing between a non-interfering signal that is transmitted/received in a network that the wireless communication apparatus is connected to and an interfering signal that is transmitted/received in a network that the wireless communication apparatus is not connected to, and a threshold adjustment unit for raising, in a case an interfering signal passed through the filter, the threshold to a level that causes the interfering signal to be removed by the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Otani
  • Patent number: 8270996
    Abstract: A receiving system comprises a first module configured to receive location information identifying current location of the receiver, a second module configured to receive a broadcasting signal including cell information which includes first information defining a location of each cell and second information defining a transport channel of each cell, extract the cell information, select a cell according to the extracted cell information, tune to a transport channel of the selected cell, and processing a broadcast transported from the tuned transport channel, a storage medium, and a controller configured to control to extract the cell information which is matched with the received location information, select the cell, tune to the transport channel of the selected cell, and process the broadcast transported from the tuned transport channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: In Jae Lim, In Hwan Choi, Kook Yeon Kwak, Byoung Gill Kim, Won Gyu Song, Jong Moon Kim, Jin Woo Kim, Hyoung Gon Lee
  • Patent number: 8270921
    Abstract: Systems and methods for tuning an antenna for a frequency modulation (FM) transceiver are provided. A representative system includes: a network of electrical adjustable passive components that receives and sends radio frequency (RF) signals to a receiver circuitry via the network of electrical adjustable passive components. The receiver circuitry determines the received signal strength indication (RSSI) of the RF signal. The system further includes a transmitter circuitry that transmits RF signals via the network of electrical adjustable passive components, and a peak detector circuitry that receives and determines a voltage output of the RF signals from the variable capacitors. An auto-tune circuitry receives the RSSI and output value from the receiver circuitry and the peak detector circuitry, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: CSR Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Noshir Dubash, Thomas E. Ricks, Jr., Richard J. McConnell
  • Patent number: RE43830
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for mitigating fading and/or poor reception at a receiver. The receiver includes configurations each of which can provide different reception characteristics. The receiver evaluates the reception quality of the radio signal with the antenna in a first configuration and with the antenna in at least a second configuration and selects the antenna configuration that has the best evaluated reception for use until a subsequent iteration, when the process is repeated. The antenna configurations can correspond to configurations wherein reception is favored in different directions or to configurations wherein different antennas are selected, each antenna being spaced from each other antenna. The method can also improve the reception of a signal transmitted by selecting an antenna configuration for transmissions which provides improved reception quality at the destination receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Wi-LAN, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramesh Mantha, Jeffrey P. Castura