Ian L Robinson

US Patent:

6809669, Oct 26, 2004

Filed:

Jan 13, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/756650

Inventors:

Ian Robinson - Venice CA

Assignee:

Northrop Grumman Corporation - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

H03M 120

US Classification:

341131, 341143, 341144

Abstract:

System and methods are provided for selective noise generation. A delta-sigma modulator receives digital input and produces a digital output. A digital-to-analog converter converts the digital output into an analog output. The analog output comprises quasi-random noise having at least one low noise frequency band. The low noise frequency bands have respective associated shapes and center frequencies. A frequency control controls the delta-sigma modulator to alter one of the respective center frequency and the shape of the at least one low noise frequency band.

US Patent:

6822595, Nov 23, 2004

Filed:

Jun 18, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/463950

Inventors:

Ian Robinson - Venice CA

Assignee:

Northrop Grumman Corporation - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

H03M 166

US Classification:

341144, 341143

Abstract:

A conversion system converts an input signal from a digital signal to an analog signal over an extended dynamic range. The system includes a DAC system and a mode selector. The mode selector selects a mode of operation for the digital-to-analog converter system from a plurality of modes. The mode selector selects a mode according to a characteristic of the input signal. Each of the modes is associated with an instantaneous dynamic range and quantization noise level of the DAC system. The ensemble of modes provides an improvement in total or effective dynamic range compared to any DAC component within the DAC system.

US Patent:

6842129, Jan 11, 2005

Filed:

Oct 22, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/691805

Inventors:

Ian Robinson - Venice CA, US

Assignee:

Northrop Grumman Corporation - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

H03M 300

US Classification:

341143, 341144

Abstract:

Systems and methods are provided for providing feedback to a delta-sigma analog-to-digital converter assembly. A noise shaper preprocesses an analog input signal according to an analog feedback signal and an associated transfer function. A quantizer converts the preprocessed analog input signal into a digital output signal. A delta-sigma modulator shapes noise within a sample of the digital output signal. A digital-to-analog converter converts the shaped digital signal into an analog signal to provide the analog feedback signal.

US Patent:

6853244, Feb 8, 2005

Filed:

Jun 24, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/603682

Inventors:

Ian Robinson - Venice CA, US
Frank Winter - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

Northrop Grumman Corproation - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

H03F001/14

US Classification:

330 51, 330124 R, 330136, 330151

Abstract:

An amplification architecture or system is provided having a multiple amplifier system that switches modes of operation between operation in a component mode and a composite mode based on a characteristic of an input signal relative to a threshold level. In the component mode, the components of the input signal are employed to different terminals of the multiple amplifier system that provide a reconstructed amplified representation of the input signal. In the composite mode, the input signal is amplified to provide an amplified representation of the input signal.

US Patent:

6873280, Mar 29, 2005

Filed:

Jun 12, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/459750

Inventors:

Ian Stuart Robinson - Venice CA, US
Jeffrey Mark Hinrichs - San Diego CA, US
Kenneth Weber - Redondo Beach CA, US
Jasmine Upendra Patel - Torrance CA, US
Paul Charles MacFalda - Redondo Beach CA, US
William Marvin Skones - Manhattan Beach CA, US

Assignee:

Northrop Grumman Corporation - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

H03M001/36

US Classification:

341159, 341144, 341143

Abstract:

Signal conversion of an input signal can be achieved by processing portions of the signal through plural parallel paths, which collectively approximate a desired infinite impulse response (IIR) filter, either alone or implemented with other signal processing functions. In one aspect, each of the paths can perform filtering, noise-shaping and/or quantization on a respective portion of the input signal to provide a corresponding representation of the respective portion of the input signal, for example, a coarser representation at a higher data rate. The corresponding representations from the parallel paths can be aggregated and further processed in a desired manner, such as conversion to an analog signal.

US Patent:

6894632, May 17, 2005

Filed:

Jan 14, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/758206

Inventors:

Ian Robinson - Venice CA, US

Assignee:

Northrop Grumman Corporation - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

H03M003/00

US Classification:

341143, 341155

Abstract:

Systems and methods are disclosed that employ a programmable analog-to-programmable digital converted system. A programmable analog-to-digital converter system comprises a quantizer assembly and configuration control. The quantizer assembly is configurable to provide at least one quantization stage. A given quantization stage converts an associated analog signal into an associated digital output signal. The configuration control selects among a plurality of configurations and configures the analog-to-digital converter system according to the selected configuration. The quantizer assembly is configurable to provide a plurality of quantization stages arranged in series in a first configuration, or to provide a single quantization stage in a second configuration.

US Patent:

6963297, Nov 8, 2005

Filed:

Nov 12, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/706723

Inventors:

Ian Robinson - Venice CA, US
Frank Winter - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

Northrop Grumman Corporation - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

H03M003/00

US Classification:

341143, 341144

Abstract:

Systems and methods are provided for converting a digital signal into an analog signal. A digital-to-analog converter assembly comprises a delta-sigma modulator, a digital-to-analog converter, an analog filter, and a comb filter. The delta-sigma modulator processes a digital input signal to produce a digital output signal having at least one associated high dynamic range frequency band. The digital-to-analog converter converts the digital output signal into an analog output signal having at least one associated high dynamic range frequency band. The associated high dynamic range bands have respective frequency characteristics. An analog filter assembly filters the analog signal. The analog filter has at least one passband. A comb filter assembly attenuates the analog signal output of the filter assembly to improve signal to noise ratio.

US Patent:

6982593, Jan 3, 2006

Filed:

Oct 23, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/691987

Inventors:

Ian Robinson - Venice CA, US
Frank Winter - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

Northrop Grumman Corporation - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

H03F 3/38
H03G 3/20

US Classification:

330 10, 330136, 330297

Abstract:

A supply voltage and/or bias of a switching amplifier is modified based on at least one characteristic of the input signal relative to a threshold level. A binary waveform converter converts the input signal into a binary waveform for inputting into the switching amplifier. The switching amplifier amplifies the input signal, while the supply voltage and/or bias is modified in response to changes of the at least one characteristic of the input signal.