Multi-mode active circuit control and activation system

• US 9,768,991 B2
• Filed: 03/18/2016
• Issued: 09/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyocera AVX Components Corporation (Kyocera Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Ethertronics, Inc. (Kyocera Corporation)
• Inventors: Desclos, Laurent, Rowson, Sebastian
• Primary Examiner(s): Timory, Kabir A
• Application Number:
  US15/074,753
• Publication Number:
  US 20160204965A1
• Time in Patent Office: 550 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/40 Circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 25/4902 Pulse width modulation; Pulse position modulation

Abstract

An active circuit control system that utilizes multiple PWM signals to activate and power an array of active components, requiring minimal wiring between the multi-mode signal conditioner and active components. Signal conditioning and filtering is implemented to allow transmission of power and control signals for multiple components over a single or multiple transmission lines. The circuit can be used to provide supply voltage and control signals for active antennas, switch networks, and other components in communication systems and electronic devices.

Claims

1. An active circuit control system comprising:

a tuning decoder circuit, the tuning decoder circuit comprising;

an input port configured to receive a PWM signal and communicate the PWM signal to each of;

a first circuit path, the first circuit path comprising a rectifier and one or more filters for generating DC supply voltage for one or more active components associated with a tunable antenna, and

a second circuit path, the second circuit path comprising a low pass circuit, the second circuit path being configured to generate a control signal that is controlled by the PWM signal;

each of the first and second circuit paths further coupled to a control logic circuit, the control logic circuit being configured to apply the DC supply voltage from said first circuit path and the control signal from said second circuit path to the one or more active components for controlling a tuning state thereof.

2. The active circuit control system of claim 1, wherein said one or more filters of the first circuit path includes a band pass filter.

3. The active circuit control system of claim 1, wherein said one or more filters of the first circuit path includes a low pass filter.

4. The active circuit control system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said filters of the first circuit path is positioned between device control stages for reducing interference between devices.

5. The active circuit control system of claim 1, wherein the system is adapted to expand the PWM signal to full amplitude in an initial stage prior to decoding.

6. The active circuit control system of claim 5, wherein said tuning decoder includes a detection circuit adapted to detect a PWM signal and a hold circuit adapted to maintain a state upon the end of the PWM signal.

7. The active circuit control system circuit of claim 6, wherein said detection and decoding circuits are adapted to decode a series of digital bits representing said control signal.

8. An active circuit control system, comprising:

a PWM input configured to receive a PWM signal, the PWM input bifurcated to form a first circuit path and a second circuit path,

the first circuit path comprising a rectifier and one or more filters,

the second circuit path comprising a low pass circuit,

each of the first and second circuit paths being coupled to a control logic circuit;

wherein;

the first circuit path is configured to provide a constant DC voltage for communicating with the control logic circuit, and

the second circuit path is configured to provide a variable DC voltage based on the PWM signal for communicating with the control logic circuit.