Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080231374 | POWER EFFICIENT MULTISTAGE AMPLIFIER AND DESIGN METHOD - A multistage amplifier and design method are disclosed. The multistage amplifier has a plurality of amplifier stages, each stage having an amplifier designed and biased to operate at or near the amplifier's power added efficiency (PAE) peak. The PAE peak of each of the amplifier is at or near the amplifiers linear-compression transition region, providing a multistage power amplifier that is power efficient and has desirable amplitude to amplitude and amplitude to phase power transfer characteristics. The amplifier is designed by matching the output impedance of a final stage with a load. Amplifier stages are iteratively designed from the last stage to the first. At each stage, an amplifier and drive circuit are designed. The drive circuit and amplifier are designed to provide each stage with output impedance matched to the input impedance of the following stage and to operate at or near the PAE peak of the amplifier. | 09-25-2008 |
20090009404 | Feed Assembly for Dual-Band Transmit-Receive Antenna - A Ka/Ku-band transmitter-receiver comprises a tri-band feed of a Ka-band transceiver, in conjunction with an array of phase combined patch receiving, antennas that operate at the Ku-band frequencies. | 01-08-2009 |
20090103596 | IF INTERFACE - Systems, devices, and methods may be provided for communicating telemetry signals between a satellite modem and transceiver over an IF receive link. In an exemplary embodiment, a communication system comprises a modem, a transceiver, an IF receive communication link coupling the modem and the transceiver and configured to allow IF communication between the modem and the transceiver, and a transceiver interface module and a modem interface module, wherein the modules are configured to allow telemetry communication between the modem and the transceiver over the IF receive communication link. | 04-23-2009 |
20090146745 | NOISE REDUCING DIELECTRIC RESONATOR OSCILLATOR - Systems, devices, and methods are provided for reducing noise in communication systems. An example resonator system comprises: a housing comprising a top portion and a floor portion, a dielectric resonator positioned with the housing, a substrate, and a stripline transmission line adjacent the substrate. In this exemplary embodiment, the stripline transmission line within the housing is electromagnetically coupled to the dielectric resonator, the substrate is positioned away from the floor portion and top portion of the housing, and the dielectric resonator coupled with the suspended stripline transmission line is connected to an active device to form an oscillator. The positioning of the substrate relative to the housing may reduce the amount of the electromagnetic field from the stripline transmission line that is absorbed into the housing. In a further embodiment, the board has no metallic backing on at least a portion of the back of the board. | 06-11-2009 |
20090149150 | SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS FOR SUPPRESSING FREQUENCY SPURS IN MIXERS - Systems, devices and methods are disclosed for suppressing the 2LO frequency spur, output from a mixer. In various exemplary embodiments, a DC bias circuit is electrically connected to provide DC bias to one or more non-linear elements of the mixer. The biasing voltage is used to cause the current-voltage characteristics and/or junction capacitances between non-linear elements to be more symmetric and/or to suppress 2LO leakage currents that form 2LO frequency spurs at the output of the mixer. The non-linear elements may comprise one of: BJT's, diodes, and FET's. The mixer may be one of: a subharmonic mixer; a fundamental resistive mixer; a fundamental subharmonic transconductance mixer; and a fundamental transconductance mixer comprising an anti-parallel diode pair. The system may further be configured to automatically determine an appropriate DC bias voltage level that will improve one of the LO-IF isolation and the LO-RF isolation. | 06-11-2009 |
20090174042 | RADIO FREQUENCY OVER-MOLDED LEADFRAME PACKAGE - An over-molded leadframe (e.g., a Quad Flat No-lead (QFN)) package capable of operating at frequencies in the range of about five gigahertz (GHz) to about 300 GHz and a method of making the over-molded leadframe package are disclosed. The over-molded leadframe package includes a capacitance lead configured to substantially reduce and/or offset the inductance created by one or more wirebonds used to connect an integrated circuit (IC) chip on the package to an input/output (I/O) lead. The IC chip is connected to the capacitance lead via one or more wirebonds, and the capacitance lead is then connected to the I/O lead via at least a second wirebond. Thus, inductance created by the one or more wirebonds on the package is substantially reduced and/or offset by the capacitance lead prior to a signal being output by the package and/or received by the IC chip. | 07-09-2009 |
20090203328 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RF COMMUNICATION SYSTEM SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO IMPROVEMENT - The signal to noise ratio performance of a RF communication system can be improved by providing resistance to transmitter self-jamming and eliminating or reducing the need for a transmit rejection filter or other measures such as limiters or blanking switches. An anti-jam low noise amplifier provides enough rejection and jamming immunity to reduce or eliminate the need for the transmit reject filter. Thus, the system noise performance is improved by eliminating the filter and the associated losses which cause signal to noise ratio performance degradation. | 08-13-2009 |
20090206473 | System and Method for Integrated Waveguide Packaging - A millimeter wave system or package may include at least one printed wiring board (PWB), at least one integrated waveguide interface, and at least one monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC). The package may be assembled in panel form incorporating parallel manufacturing techniques. | 08-20-2009 |
20090219111 | PHASE SHIFTER WITH FLEXIBLE CONTROL VOLTAGE - The invention provides a phase shifter with flexible control voltage that is useful with all RF systems that phase shift a RF signal. The phase shifter according to the present invention may comprise transistors used as switching elements. In one aspect, the phase shifter provides the option of controlling a phase shifter with either a positive or a negative voltage control signal. For example, the dc ground of the transistors included in the phase shifter may be floated, either fixed or adjusted. The RF grounding of the transistors may be achieved by in-band resonant capacitors. Thus, the control voltage provided to the transistors is flexible in that it may be connected to a positive or negative control voltage, or it may be connected to ground, or it may swing from a positive control voltage to a negative control voltage or vice versa. | 09-03-2009 |
20090219112 | PHASE SHIFTER WITH FLEXIBLE CONTROL VOLTAGE - The invention provides a phase shifter with flexible control voltage that is useful with all RF systems that phase shift a RF signal. The phase shifter according to the present invention may comprise transistors used as switching elements. In one aspect, the phase shifter provides the option of controlling a phase shifter with either a positive or a negative voltage control signal. For example, the dc ground of the transistors included in the phase shifter may be floated, either fixed or adjusted. The RF grounding of the transistors may be achieved by in-band resonant capacitors. Thus, the control voltage provided to the transistors is flexible in that it may be connected to a positive or negative control voltage, or it may be connected to ground, or it may swing from a positive control voltage to a negative control voltage or vice versa. | 09-03-2009 |
20090295487 | POWER EFFICIENT MULTISTAGE AMPLIFIER AND DESIGN METHOD - A multistage amplifier and design method are disclosed. The multistage amplifier has a plurality of amplifier stages, each stage having an amplifier designed and biased to operate at or near the amplifier's power added efficiency (PAE) peak. The PAE peak of each of the amplifier is at or near the amplifiers linear-compression transition region, providing a multistage power amplifier that is power efficient and has desirable amplitude to amplitude and amplitude to phase power transfer characteristics. The amplifier is designed by matching the output impedance of a final stage with a load. Amplifier stages are iteratively designed from the last stage to the first. At each stage, an amplifier and drive circuit are designed. The drive circuit and amplifier are designed to provide each stage with output impedance matched to the input impedance of the following stage and to operate at or near the PAE peak of the amplifier. | 12-03-2009 |
20090323786 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IDENTIFYING AND SELECTING PROPER CABLE CONNECTIONS - In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a system comprises a first electrical component, a second electrical component, and at least two cables connecting the first and second electrical components. Time varying signals are transmitted through the cables with at least one of the cables carrying an injected DC signal. The system associates the cable carrying the DC signal with a predetermined time varying signal and is capable of electronically switching the routes of the time varying signals if the cables are incorrectly physically attached to the first and second electrical components. | 12-31-2009 |
20100112961 | SINGLE OSCILLATOR TRANSCEIVER - A frequency plan is provided for particular use in a transceiver. Advantageously, a single oscillator may be used to generate desired frequency signals. One or more power splitters receive the signal and equally divide the signal into first and second signals having a frequency substantially equal to the original. Multipliers on each arm of the transceiver receive a signal and increase the frequency of the signal. In one exemplary embodiment, multiple signals having different frequencies may be transmitted over the same cable due in part to the generated frequency separation between the signals. In another exemplary embodiment, multiple signals may be transmitted over multiple cables. In another exemplary embodiment, the frequency plan may self correct a transmit signal based on a reference signal, such as the receive signal. Additionally, multiple signals over one or more cables may be transmitted at or below 3 GHz. | 05-06-2010 |
20100117693 | DUAL CONVERSION TRANSMITTER WITH SINGLE LOCAL OSCILLATOR - The present disclosure relates to systems, devices and methods related to transmitters, and/or transceivers having a single, tunable oscillator in a dual conversion architecture. In various exemplary embodiments, this transmitter may include: a first mixer configured to receive a first oscillator signal from the single oscillator; a filter configured to band pass filter the converted signal and output a filtered signal; and a second mixer in communication with the filter, configured to receive the filtered signal. This dual conversion transmitter may be configured to receive a communication signal from an input to the transmitter and to output a converted signal based on the first oscillator signal and the communication signal. The second mixer may be configured to receive a scaled version of the first oscillator signal and to output a desired frequency output signal based on the scaled version of the first oscillator signal and the filtered signal. | 05-13-2010 |
20100246153 | FLIP-CHIP FET CELL - A method and system for a FET cell is presented. The FET cell includes multiple individual transistors and interconnect bumps that are configured to flip-chip connect to a substrate. The substrate may have the majority of a matching structure for the FET cell. Furthermore, the FET cell may include a stability circuit in communication with the terminals of the individual transistors and further in communication with the interconnect bumps. Additionally, different materials can be used in combination in the FET cell and the separate substrate having the majority of the matching structure. Various materials may be more efficiency used in a FET cell, while other materials are suitable for the separate substrate. | 09-30-2010 |
20100259445 | ACTIVE PHASED ARRAY ARCHITECTURE - In an exemplary embodiment, a phased array solid-state architecture has dual-polarized feeds and is manufactured, for example, on highly flexible silicon germanium (SiGe). The implementation of dual-polarized feeds facilitates the operation of phased arrays where the polarization can be statically or dynamically controlled on a subarray or element basis. In an exemplary embodiment, the sub-component control is configured to optimize a performance characteristic associated with polarization, such as phase or amplitude adjustment. An active phased array architecture may replace traditional distributed and GaAs implementations for the necessary functions required to operate electronically steerable phased array antennas. The architecture combines active versions of vector generators, power splitters, power combiners, and RF hybrids in a novel fashion to realize a fully or substantially monolithic solution for a wide range of antenna applications that can be realized with radiating elements having single-polarized or dual-polarized feeds. | 10-14-2010 |
20100285758 | INTEGRATED ORTHOMODE TRANSDUCER - A method and system for an integrated transceiver is presented. The integrated transceiver includes a transceiver housing, where a waveguide is formed inside the transceiver housing using a housing base and a sub-floor component. Neither the housing base nor the sub-floor component alone is configured to operate as a waveguide. In an exemplary embodiment, a portion of the waveguide is cast into the housing base and is part of the transceiver housing. Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, an antenna system includes a feed horn, a polarizer, the integrated transceiver, and a transceiver circuit that communicates with the waveguide to transmit and receive radio frequency signals. The integrated transceiver, in the exemplary embodiment, includes a transceiver housing base that forms a portion of an integrated waveguide assembly, and another portion of the integrated waveguide assembly aligns with the transceiver housing base to form the integrated waveguide assembly. | 11-11-2010 |
20110075714 | SINGLE OSCILLATOR TRANSCEIVER - A frequency plan is provided for particular use in a transceiver. Advantageously, a single oscillator may be used to generate desired frequency signals. One or more power splitters receive the signal and equally divide the signal into first and second signals having a frequency substantially equal to the original. Multipliers on each arm of the transceiver receive a signal and increase the frequency of the signal. In one exemplary embodiment, multiple signals having different frequencies may be transmitted over the same cable due in part to the generated frequency separation between the signals. In another exemplary embodiment, multiple signals may be transmitted over multiple cables. Additionally, multiple signals over one or more cables may be transmitted at or below | 03-31-2011 |
20110102074 | PROGRAMMABLE RF ARRAY - The present disclosure relates to radio frequency integrated circuits. More particularly, systems, devices and methods related to field programmable, software implemented, radio frequency integrated circuits are disclosed. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a field programmable, software implemented, radio frequency integrated circuit may comprise a high frequency IF embodiment. An input signal may be up converted to a high frequency, such as 60 GHz. Next, the amplitude and/or phase may be adjusted as desired. Subsequently, the signal may be down converted. | 05-05-2011 |
20110109501 | AUTOMATED BEAM PEAKING SATELLITE GROUND TERMINAL - This disclosure may relate generally to systems, devices, and methods for a phased array illuminated reflector dish RF antenna combining a phased array with a microwave reflector dish and using beam steering to align the antenna beam to maximize antenna performance. The phased array may be connected in communication with one of a transmitter, a receiver, and a transceiver. In various exemplary embodiments the phased array illuminated reflector dish RF antenna includes a boom arm supporting the microwave reflector dish and the phased array. In one exemplary embodiment, the phased array only communicates signals with a remote source of the signals via the microwave reflector dish (not directly). The RF antenna system may be configured to be rough pointed by mechanically aiming the RF antenna system, and the RF antenna system is configured to fine tune aim the beam of said RF antenna system by beam steering. | 05-12-2011 |
20110109520 | ELECTROMECHANICAL POLARIZATION SWITCH - In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a method and system for electro-mechanical polarization switching in an antenna system is presented. The antenna system may comprise an integrated waveguide in a transceiver housing, where the waveguide has at least four channels. In an exemplary embodiment, a sliding switch is incorporated into the waveguide. The sliding switch is configured to switch the polarization of the antenna system by physically realigning the waveguide channels. The sliding switch may be electro-magnetically controlled. Furthermore, the polarization switching may be performed to assist in load balancing for a particular frequency and/or polarization combination. | 05-12-2011 |
20110235572 | TRANSCEIVER SINGLE CABLE PROTOCOL SYSTEM AND METHOD - A single-cable protocol and associated methods and systems enable improved communication efficiency and/or reduced cost. Transmit information, receive information, telemetry information, and/or DC power may be multiplexed onto a single cable, eliminating the need for multiple cables between a satellite transceiver and a corresponding modem while reducing and/or eliminating spurious emissions. Additionally, telemetry features enable improved diagnostics and/or repair of communication systems, for example satellite communication systems. | 09-29-2011 |
20110248766 | COMPACT HIGH LINEARITY MMIC BASED FET RESISTIVE MIXER - A MMIC (microwave monolithic integrated circuit) based FET mixer and method for the same is provided. In particular, adjacent transistors, such as FETs (field effect transistors) share terminals reducing physical layout separation and interconnections. A smaller die size is realized with the improved system geometry herein provided. | 10-13-2011 |
20110250861 | HIGHLY INTEGRATED, HIGH FREQUENCY, HIGH POWER OPERATION MMIC - A system and method for high frequency, high power operation communication systems is provided. More particularly, a system and method for a single system-on-chip system monolithic microwave integrated circuit that provides both high-frequency performance at a low cost is provided. | 10-13-2011 |
20110280288 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THERMAL MANAGEMENT OF A TRANSCEIVER - In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a system comprising a transceiver, a sensor and a controller is provided. The sensor is coupled to an electrical component in the transceiver and is configured to measure a thermal load on the electrical component. The controller is configured with a predetermined threshold, and is configured to reduce the voltage and current bias point, in the power amplifier, in response to the thermal load measurement being greater than the predetermined threshold. The system provides an inexpensive solution to the problem of shedding thermal load in transceiver systems and can be incorporated into new systems or adapted to legacy systems. | 11-17-2011 |
20110280289 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THERMAL MANAGEMENT OF A TRANSCEIVER - In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a system comprising a transceiver, a sensor and a controller is provided. The sensor is coupled to an electrical component in the transceiver and is configured to measure a thermal load on the electrical component. The controller is configured with a predetermined threshold(s), and is configured to reduce the voltage and/or current bias point, in the power amplifier, in response to the thermal load measurement being greater than the predetermined hot threshold or less than a predetermined cold threshold. The system provides an inexpensive transceiver system solution to the problems of shedding thermal load under high temperatures and undesirable gain increases, loss of stability and power consumption increases at low temperatures, and can be incorporated into new systems or adapted to legacy systems. | 11-17-2011 |
20120013425 | ELECTROMECHANICAL POLARIZATION SWITCH - A solenoid switching method includes energizing a first coil winding to cause a plunger to move in a first direction, and energizing a second coil winding to cause the plunger to move in the opposite direction. Furthermore, the plunger has a first standoff connected to a first end, and a second standoff connected to a second end. The first standoff extends through the first coil winding and the second standoff extends through the second coil winding. The bi-directional solenoid device is configured to physically move a slidable switch between a first position and a second position. Additionally, the plunger stays in position without either of the first coil winding or the second coil winding being energized if the plunger is latched. | 01-19-2012 |
20120139099 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTEGRATED WAVEGUIDE PACKAGING - A millimeter wave integrated waveguide interface package device may comprise: (1) a package comprising a printed wiring board (PWB) and a monolithic microwave integrate circuit (MMIC), wherein the MMIC is in communication with the PWB; and (2) a waveguide interface integrated with the package. The package may be adapted to operate at high frequency and high power, where high frequency includes frequencies greater than about 5 GHz, and high power includes power greater than about 0.5 W. | 06-07-2012 |
20120268329 | Integrated Waveguide Transceiver - A method and system for an integrated transceiver is presented. The integrated transceiver includes a transceiver housing, where a waveguide is formed inside the transceiver housing using a transceiver housing and a sub-floor component. Neither transceiver housing nor the sub-floor component alone is configured to operate as a waveguide. The integrated transceiver can include a transceiver housing that forms a portion of an integrated waveguide assembly, where the transceiver housing alone does not form the waveguide, and another portion of the integrated waveguide assembly couples with the transceiver housing to form the waveguide of the integrated waveguide assembly. Further, the integrated waveguide portion of the sub-floor component can be a flat surface, where the integrated waveguide portion of the transceiver housing comprises substantially all the features of said integrated waveguide. | 10-25-2012 |
20120299775 | Active Phased Array Architecture - In an exemplary embodiment, a phased array solid-state architecture has dual-polarized feeds and is manufactured, for example, on highly flexible silicon germanium (SiGe). The implementation of dual-polarized feeds facilitates the operation of phased arrays where the polarization can be statically or dynamically controlled on a subarray or element basis. In an exemplary embodiment, the sub-component control is configured to optimize a performance characteristic associated with polarization, such as phase or amplitude adjustment. An active phased array architecture may replace traditional distributed and GaAs implementations for the necessary functions required to operate electronically steerable phased array antennas. The architecture combines active versions of vector generators, power splitters, power combiners, and RF hybrids in a novel fashion to realize a fully or substantially monolithic solution for a wide range of antenna applications that can be realized with radiating elements having single-polarized or dual-polarized feeds, | 11-29-2012 |
20130136209 | Active General Purpose Hybrid - A general purpose hybrid includes a first input port in communication with a first dual vector generator, a second input port in communication with a second dual vector generator, a first active combiner receives a first signal from the first dual vector generator and a third signal from the second dual vector generator, where the first and second dual vector generators independently apply phase shifting and amplitude control to the first and third signals; a second active combiner receives a second signal from the first dual vector generator and a fourth signal from the second dual vector generator, where the first and second dual vector generators independently apply phase shifting and amplitude control to the second and fourth signals; a first output port provides a first composite signal from the first active combiner; and a second output port provides a second composite signal from the second active combiner. | 05-30-2013 |
20130176067 | COMPACT HIGH LINEARITY MMIC BASED FET RESISTIVE MIXER - A MMIC (microwave monolithic integrated circuit) based FET mixer and method for the same is provided. In particular, adjacent transistors, such as FETs (field effect transistors) share terminals reducing physical layout separation and interconnections. A smaller die size is realized with the improved system geometry herein provided. | 07-11-2013 |
20140049307 | CIRCUITS AND METHODS FOR SHARING BIAS CURRENT - The present disclosure includes systems and methods for sharing bias current. In one embodiment, shared bias current passes through a first level device to one or more second level devices along a bias current path. Multiple active devices may share bias current along a bias current path and process signal along the same or different signal paths. In one embodiment, bias current from one device is split among multiple devices. In another embodiment, bias current is combined from multiple devices into a device. Embodiments may include an interstage circuit along a signal path that improves stability of the circuit. | 02-20-2014 |
20140183710 | LEADFRAME PACKAGE WITH INTEGRATED PARTIAL WAVEGUIDE INTERFACE - A MMIC package is disclosed comprising: a leadframe based overmolded package, a die positioned within the overmolded package; and a partial waveguide interface, wherein the partial waveguide interface is integral with the overmolded package facilitating low cost and reliable assembly. Also disclosed is an overmolded package where the die sits on a metal portion exposed on the bottom of the package and the package is configured for attachment to a chassis of a transceiver such that heat from the die is easily dissipated to the chassis with a direct thermal path. The disclosure facilitates parallel assembly of MMIC packages and use of pick and place/surface mounting technology for attaching the MMIC packages to the chassis of transceivers. This facilitates reliable and low cost transceivers. | 07-03-2014 |
20140192926 | Active General Purpose Hybrid - A general purpose hybrid includes a first input port in communication with a first dual vector generator, a second input port in communication with a second dual vector generator, a first active combiner receives a first signal from the first dual vector generator and a third signal from the second dual vector generator, where the first and second dual vector generators independently apply phase shifting and amplitude control to the first and third signals; a second active combiner receives a second signal from the first dual vector generator and a fourth signal from the second dual vector generator, where the first and second dual vector generators independently apply phase shifting and amplitude control to the second and fourth signals; a first output port provides a first composite signal from the first active combiner; and a second output port provides a second composite signal from the second active combiner. | 07-10-2014 |