Mechanically tuned radio utilizing ratiometric time measurements and related methods

A method for mechanically tuning a radio, comprising:

• providing a mechanically adjusted circuit controlled by a mechanical adjustment mechanism, the mechanically adjusted circuit comprising:
• a variable resistor having first and second terminals and a variable tap node, the variable tap node being controlled by the mechanical adjustment mechanism;
• and
• a capacitor coupled to a variable resistor;
• providing a receiver integrated circuit having a first pin coupled to the first terminal of the variable resistor and a second pin coupled to the second terminal of the variable resistor;
• making a first time measurement associated with a first portion of the variable resistor between the first terminal and the variable tap node using the first pin to apply a voltage to the first portion of the variable resistor and the second pin to detect a voltage change on the variable tap node;
• making a second time measurement associated with a second portion of the variable resistor between the second terminal and the variable tap node using the second pin to apply a voltage to the second portion of the variable resistor and the first pin to detect a voltage change on the variable tap node;
• determining a setting for the mechanical adjustment mechanism based upon a ratio associated with the first and second time measurements;
• receiving signals from an antenna using the receiver integrated circuit;
• and
• utilizing the setting to select a tuning frequency for the received signals.

A device having a mechanically adjusted operational feature, comprising:

• an integrated circuit within a device having at least two programmable pins;
• a mechanically adjusted circuit coupled to the two programmable pins, the mechanically adjusted circuit being controlled by a mechanical adjustment mechanism, and the mechanically adjusted circuit comprising:
• a variable resistor having first terminal coupled to the first programmable pin, a second terminal coupled to the second programmable pin, and a variable tap node, wherein the variable tap node is controlled by the mechanical adjustment mechanism;
• and
• a capacitor coupled to the variable resistor;
• and
• control circuitry within the integrated circuit configured to make a first time measurement associated with a first portion of the variable resistor between the first terminal and the variable tap node to make a second time measurement associated with a second portion of the variable resistor between the second terminal and the variable tap node, and to determine a setting for the mechanical adjustment mechanism based upon a ratio associated with the first and second time measurements;
• wherein for the first time measurement, the control circuitry is further configured to use the first pin to apply a voltage to the first portion of the variable resistor and to use the second pin to detect a voltage change on the variable tap node;
• wherein for the second time measurement, the control circuitry is further configured to use the second pin to apply a voltage to the second portion of the variable resistor and to use the first pin to detect a voltage change on the variable tap node;
• and
• wherein the integrated circuit is further configured to utilize the setting to at least in part control an operational feature for the device.

A method for determining a setting of a mechanical adjustment mechanism to at least in part control an operational feature of a device, comprising:

• providing a mechanically adjusted circuit controlled by a mechanical adjustment mechanism, the mechanically adjusted circuit comprising:
• a variable resistor having first and second terminals and a variable tap node, the variable tap node being coupled to ground and being controlled by the mechanical adjustment mechanism;
• and
• a capacitor coupled to a variable resistor;
• providing a receiver integrated circuit having a first pin coupled to the first terminal of the variable resistor and a second pin coupled to the second terminal of the variable resistor;
• making a first time measurement associated with a first portion of the variable resistor between the first terminal and the variable tap node using the first pin to apply a voltage to the first portion of the variable resistor and the second pin to detect a voltage change on the variable tap node;
• making a second time measurement associated with a second portion of the variable resistor between the second terminal and the variable tap node using the second pin to apply a voltage to the second portion of the variable resistor and the first pin to detect a voltage change on the variable tap node;
• determining a setting for the mechanical adjustment mechanism based upon a ratio associated with the first and second time measurements;
• and
• utilizing the setting to at least in part control an operational feature of a device.