EP1277272A2 - Procede et systeme de conversion-elevation de frequence avec differents types de modulation - Google Patents

Procede et systeme de conversion-elevation de frequence avec differents types de modulation

Info

Publication number
EP1277272A2
EP1277272A2 EP01926955A EP01926955A EP1277272A2 EP 1277272 A2 EP1277272 A2 EP 1277272A2 EP 01926955 A EP01926955 A EP 01926955A EP 01926955 A EP01926955 A EP 01926955A EP 1277272 A2 EP1277272 A2 EP 1277272A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
signal
phase
control
input
frequency
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP01926955A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
David F. Sorrells
Michael J. Bultman
Robert W. Cook
Richard C. Looke
Charley D. Moses, Jr.
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ParkerVision Inc
Original Assignee
ParkerVision Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US09/548,923 external-priority patent/US7039372B1/en
Application filed by ParkerVision Inc filed Critical ParkerVision Inc
Publication of EP1277272A2 publication Critical patent/EP1277272A2/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03D—DEMODULATION OR TRANSFERENCE OF MODULATION FROM ONE CARRIER TO ANOTHER
    • H03D7/00—Transference of modulation from one carrier to another, e.g. frequency-changing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03C—MODULATION
    • H03C1/00—Amplitude modulation
    • H03C1/62—Modulators in which amplitude of carrier component in output is dependent upon strength of modulating signal, e.g. no carrier output when no modulating signal is present

Definitions

  • the present invention is generally directed to frequency up-conversion of electromagnetic (EM) signals.
  • EM electromagnetic
  • Modern day communication systems employ components such as transmitters and receivers to transmit information from a source to a destination. To accomplish this transmission, information is. imparted on a carrier signal and the carrier signal is then transmitted.
  • the carrier signal is at a frequency higher than the baseband frequency of the information signal. Typical ways that the information is imparted on the carrier signal are called modulation.
  • FM frequency modulation
  • PM phase modulation
  • AM amplitude modulation
  • the present invention is directed to methods and systems to up-convert a signal from a lower frequency to a higher frequency, and applications thereof.
  • the invention uses a stable, low frequency signal to generate a higher frequency signal with a frequency and phase that can be used as stable references.
  • the present invention is used as a transmitter.
  • the invention accepts an information signal at a baseband frequency and transmits a modulated signal at a frequency higher than the baseband frequency.
  • the methods and systems of transmitting vary slightly depending on the modulation scheme being used.
  • FM frequency modulation
  • PM phase modulation
  • the information signal is used to modulate an oscillating signal to create a modulated intermediate signal. If needed, this modulated intermediate signal is "shaped" to provide a substantially optimum pulse-width-to-period ratio.
  • This shaped signal is then used to control a switch which opens and closes as a function of the frequency and pulse width of the shaped signal.
  • a signal that is harmonically rich is produced with each harmonic of the harmonically rich signal being modulated substantially the same as the modulated intermediate signal.
  • the desired harmonic or harmonics
  • the switch is controlled by an unmodulated oscillating signal (which may, if needed, be shaped). As the switch opens and closes, it gates a reference signal which is the information signal. In an alternate implementation, the information signal is combined with a bias signal to create the reference signal, which is then gated.
  • the result of the gating is a harmonically rich signal having a fundamental frequency substantially proportional to the oscillating signal and an amplitude substantially proportional to the amplitude of the reference signal.
  • Each of the harmonics of the harmonically rich signal also have amplitudes proportional to the reference signal, and are thus considered to be amplitude modulated.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a circuit for a frequency modulation (FM) transmitter
  • FIGs. 2A, 2B, and 2C illustrate typical waveforms associated with the FIG. 1 FM circuit for a digital information signal
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a circuit for a phase modulation (PM) transmitter
  • FIGs. 4 A, 4B, and 4C illustrate typical waveforms associated with the FIG. 3 PM circuit for a digital information signal
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a circuit for an amplitude modulation (AM) transmitter
  • FIGs. 6 A, 6B, and 6C illustrate typical waveforms associated with the FIG. 5 AM circuit for a digital information signal
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a circuit for an in-phase/quadrature-phase modulation ("J7Q") transmitter
  • FIGs. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, and 8E illustrate typical waveforms associated with the FIG. 7 "I/Q" circuit for digital information signal;
  • FIG. 9 illustrates the high level operational flowchart of a transmitter according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 illustrates the high level structural block diagram of the transmitter of an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 11 illustrates the operational flowchart of a first embodiment (i.e., FM mode) of the present invention
  • FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary structural block diagram of the first embodiment (i.e., FM mode) of the present invention
  • FIG. 13 illustrates the operational flowchart of a second embodiment (i.e., PM mode) of the present invention
  • FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary structural block diagram of the second embodiment (i.e.,
  • FIG. 15 illustrates the operational flowchart of a third embodiment (i.e., AM mode) of the present invention
  • FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary structural block diagram of the third embodiment (i.e., AM mode) of the present invention
  • FIG. 17 illustrates the operational flowchart of a fourth embodiment (i.e., "I Q" mode) of the present invention
  • FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary structural block diagram of the fourth embodiment (i.e.,
  • FIGs. 19A-19I illustrate exemplary waveforms (for a frequency modulation mode operating in a frequency shift keying embodiment) at a plurality of points in an exemplary high level circuit diagram;
  • FIGs. 20A, 20B, 20C illustrate typical waveforms associated with the FIG. 1 FM circuit for an analog information signal;
  • FIGs. 21A, 21B, 21C illustrate typical waveforms associated with the FIG. 3 PM circuit for an analog information signal
  • FIGs. 22A, 22B, 22C illustrate typical waveforms associated with the FIG. 5 AM circuit for an analog information signal
  • FIG. 23 illustrates an implementation example of a voltage controlled oscillator (NCO).
  • NCO voltage controlled oscillator
  • FIG. 24 illustrates an implementation example of a local oscillator (LO);
  • FIG. 25 illustrates an implementation example of a phase shifter
  • FIG. 26 illustrates an implementation example of a phase modulator
  • FIG. 27 illustrates an implementation example of a summing amplifier
  • FIGs. 28A-28C illustrate an implementation example of a switch module for the FM and PM modes
  • FIG. 29A-29C illustrate an example of the switch module of FIGs. 28A-28C wherein the switch is a GaAsFET;
  • FIGs. 30A-30C illustrate an example of a design to ensure symmetry for a GaAsFET implementation in the FM and PM modes;
  • FIGs. 31A-31C illustrate an implementation example of a switch module for the AM mode
  • FIGs. 32A-31C illustrate the switch module of FIGs. 31A-31C wherein the switch is a GaAsFET
  • FIGs. 33A-33C illustrates an example of a design to ensure symmetry for a GaAsFET implementation in the AM mode
  • FIG. 34 illustrates an implementation example of a summer
  • FIG. 35 illustrates an implementation example of a filter
  • FIG. 36 is a representative spectrum demonstrating the calculation of "Q;"
  • FIGs. 37A and 37B are representative examples of filter circuits
  • FIG. 38 illustrates an implementation example of a transmission module
  • FIG. 39 A shows a first exemplary pulse shaping circuit using digital logic devices for a squarewave input from an oscillator
  • FIGs. 39B, 39C, and 39D illustrate waveforms associated with the FIG. 39A circuit
  • FIG. 40A shows a second exemplary pulse shaping circuit using digital logic devices for a squarewave input from an oscillator
  • FIGs. 40B, 40C, and 40D illustrate waveforms associated with the FIG. 40A circuit
  • FIG. 41 shows a third exemplary pulse shaping circuit for any input from an oscillator
  • FIGs. 42A, 42B, 42C, 42D, and 42E illustrate representative waveforms associated with the FIG. 41 circuit
  • FIG. 43 shows the internal circuitry for elements of FIG. 41 according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIGs. 44A-44G illustrate exemplary waveforms (for a pulse modulation mode operating in a pulse shift keying embodiment) at a plurality of points in an exemplary high level circuit diagram, highlighting the characteristics of the first three harmonics;
  • FIGs. 45A-45F illustrate exemplary waveforms (for an amplitude modulation mode operating in an amplitude shift keying embodiment) at a plurality of points in an exemplary high level circuit diagram, highlighting the characteristics of the first three harmonics;
  • FIG. 46 illustrates an implementation example of a harmonic enhancement module;
  • FIG. 47 illustrates an implementation example of an amplifier module
  • FIGs. 48 A and 48B illustrate exemplary circuits for a linear amplifier
  • FIG. 49 illustrates a typical superheterodyne receiver
  • FIG. 50 illustrates a transmitter according to an embodiment of the present invention in a transceiver circuit with a typical superheterodyne receiver in a full-duplex mode
  • FIGs. 51 A, 5 IB, 51C, and 5 ID illustrate a transmitter according to an embodiment of the present invention in a transceiver circuit using a common oscillator with a typical superheterodyne receiver in a half-duplex mode;
  • FIG. 52 illustrates an exemplary receiver using universal frequency down conversion techniques according to an embodiment
  • FIG. 53 illustrates an exemplary transmitter of the present invention
  • FIGs. 54A, 54B, and 54C illustrate an exemplary transmitter of the present invention in a transceiver circuit with a universal frequency down conversion receiver operating in a half- duplex mode for the FM and PM modulation embodiment
  • FIG. 55 illustrates an exemplary transmitter of the present invention in a transceiver circuit with a universal frequency down conversion receiver operating in a half-duplex mode for the AM modulation embodiment
  • FIG. 56 illustrates an exemplary transmitter of the present invention in a transceiver circuit with a universal frequency down conversion receiver operating in a full-duplex mode
  • FIGs. 57A-57C illustrate an exemplary transmitter of the present invention being used in frequency modulation, phase modulation, and amplitude modulation embodiments, including a pulse shaping circuit and an amplifier module;
  • FIG. 58 illustrates harmonic amplitudes for a pulse- width-to-period ratio of .01
  • FIG. 59 illustrates harmonic amplitudes for a pulse-width-to-period ratio of .0556
  • FIG. 60 is a table that illustrates the relative amplitudes of the first 50 harmonics for six exemplary pulse-width-to-period ratios
  • FIG. 61 is a table that illustrates the relative amplitudes of the first 25 harmonics for six pulse-width-to-period ratios optimized for the 1 st through 10 th subharmonics;
  • FIG. 62 illustrates an exemplary structural block diagram for an alternative embodiment of the present invention (i.e., a mode wherein AM is combined with PM);
  • FIGs 63A-63H illustrate exemplary waveforms (for the embodiment of FIG. 62) at a plurality of points in an exemplary high level circuit diagram, highlighting the characteristics of the first two harmonics;
  • FIGs. 64A and 64A1 illustrate exemplary implementations of aliasing modules
  • FIGs. 64B-64F illustrate exemplary waveforms at a plurality of points in the FIGs. 64A and 64 A 1 circuits
  • FIG. 65 - illustrates an exemplary circuit for a first implementation for phase modulating an information signal as part of the up-conversion process
  • FIG. 66 - illustrates an exemplary circuit for a first implementation for phase modulating one information signal and amplitude modulating a second information signal as part of the up- conversion process
  • FIG. 67 - illustrates an exemplary circuit for a second implementation for phase modulating an information signal as part of the up-conversion process
  • FIG. 68 - illustrates an exemplary circuit for a second implementation for phase modulating one information signal and amplitude modulating a second information signal as part of the up-conversion process
  • HG. 69 - illustrates an exemplary circuit for a first implementation for phase modulating one information signal onto the "I" phase of a carrier and for phase modulating a second information signal onto the "Q" phase of a carrier as part of the up-conversion process;
  • FIG. 70 - illustrates an exemplary circuit for a second implementation for phase modulating one info ⁇ nation signal onto the "I" phase of a carrier and for phase modulating a second information signal onto the "Q" phase of a carrier as part of the up-conversion process;
  • FIG. 71 - illustrates an exemplary circuit for phase modulating a first information signal and amplitude modulating a second information signal onto the "I" phase of a carrier, and for phase modulating a third information signal and amplitude modulating a fourth information signal onto the "Q" phase of a carrier as part of the up-conversion process;
  • FIG. 72A is a block diagram of a splitter according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 72B is a more detailed diagram of a splitter according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIGS. 72C and 72D are exemplary waveforms related to the splitter of FIGS. 72A and 72B;
  • FIG. 72E is a block diagram of an I/Q circuit with a splitter according to an embodiment of the invention
  • FIGS. 72F-72J are exemplary waveforms related to the diagram of FIG. 72A
  • FIG. 73 is a block diagram of a switch module according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 74A is an implementation example of the block diagram of FIG. 73;
  • FIGS. 74B-74Q are exemplary waveforms related to FIG. 74A;
  • FIG. 75 A is another implementation example of the block diagram of FIG. 73;
  • FIGS. 75B-75Q are exemplary waveforms related to FIG. 75 A;
  • FIG. 76A is an exemplary MOSFET embodiment of the invention;
  • FIG. 76B is an exemplary MOSFET embodiment of the invention;
  • FIG. 76C is an exemplary MOSFET embodiment of the invention;
  • FIG. 77 A is another implementation example of the block diagram of FIG. 73; and
  • FIGS. 77B-77Q are exemplary waveforms related to FIG. 75 A.
  • AM Amplitude Modulation
  • Analog signal A signal in which the information contained therein is continuous as contrasted to discrete, and represents a time varying physical event or quantity.
  • the information content is conveyed by varying at least one characteristic of the signal, such as but not limited to amplitude, frequency, or phase, or any combinations thereof.
  • Baseband signal Any generic information signal desired for transmission and/or reception. As used herein, it refers to both the information signal that is generated at a source prior to any transmission (also referred to as the modulating baseband signal), and to the signal that is to be used by the recipient after transmission (also referred to as the demodulated baseband signal).
  • Carrier signal A signal capable of carrying information. Typically, it is an electromagnetic signal that can be varied through a process called modulation. The frequency of the carrier signal is referred to as the carrier frequency.
  • a communications system may have multiple carrier signals at different carrier frequencies.
  • Control a switch Causing a switch to open and close.
  • the switch may be, without limitation, mechanical, electrical, electronic, optical, etc., or any combination thereof. Typically, it is controlled by an electrical or electronic input. If the switch is controlled by an electronic signal, it is typically a different signal than the signals connected to either terminal of the switch.
  • Demodulated baseband signal The baseband signal that is to be used by the recipient after transmission. Typically it has been down converted from a carrier signal and has been demodulated.
  • the demodulated baseband signal should closely approximate the information signal (i.e., the modulating baseband signal) in frequency, amplitude, and information.
  • Demodulation The process of removing information from a carrier or intermediate frequency signal.
  • Digital signal A signal in which the information contained therein has discrete states as contrasted to a signal that has a property that may be continuously variable.
  • Direct down conversion A down conversion technique wherein a received signal is directly down converted and demodulated, if applicable, from the original transmitted frequency (i.e., a carrier frequency) to baseband without having an intermediate frequency.
  • Down conversion A process for performing frequency translation in which the final frequency is lower than the initial frequency.
  • FM Frequency Modulation
  • a modulation technique wherein the frequency of the carrier signal is shifted (i.e., varied) as a function of the information signal.
  • a subset of FM is referred to as "frequency shift keying" which is used primarily for digital communications where the frequency of the carrier signal shifts between discrete states rather than varying continuously as it does for analog information.
  • a harmonic is a frequency or tone that, when compared to its fundamental or reference frequency or tone, is an integer multiple of it.
  • a periodic waveform has a fundamental frequency of "f ' (also called the first harmonic)
  • its harmonics may be located at frequencies of "n*»f," where "n" is 2, 3, 4, etc.
  • I In-phase
  • the signal typically generated by an oscillator. It has not had its phase shifted and is often represented as a sine wave to distinguish it from a "Q” signal.
  • the "I” signal can, itself, be modulated by any means.
  • the resultant signal is referred to as an "I/Q” signal.
  • I/Q In-phase/Quadrature-phase
  • Information signal The signal that contains the information that is to be transmitted. As used herein, it refers to the original baseband signal at the source. When it is intended that the information signal modulate a carrier signal, it is also referred to as the "modulating baseband signal.” It may be voice or data, analog or digital, or any other signal or combination thereof.
  • Intermediate frequency (IF) signal A signal that is at a frequency between the frequency of the baseband signal and the frequency of the transmitted signal.
  • Modulation The process of varying one or more physical characteristics of a signal to represent the information to be transmitted.
  • Three commonly used modulation techniques are frequency modulation, phase modulation, and amplitude modulation. There are also variations, subsets, and combinations of these three techniques.
  • Phase Modulation A modulation technique wherein the phase of the carrier signal is shifted (i,e., varied) as a function of the information signal.
  • phase shift keying A subset of PM which is used primarily for digital communications where the phase of the carrier signal shifts between discrete states rather than varying continuously as it does for analog information.
  • Quadrature-phase (“Q") signal A signal that is out of phase with an in-phase (“I”) signal.
  • the amount of phase shift is predetermined for a particular application, but in a typical implementation, the "Q" signal is 90° out of phase with the "I” signal. Thus, if the "I” signal were a sine wave, the "Q” signal would be a cosine wave. When discussed together, the "I” signal and the “Q” signal have the same frequencies.
  • Spectrum is used to signify a continuous range of frequencies, usually wide, within which electromagnetic (EM) waves have some specific common characteristic.
  • EM waves may be propagated in any communication medium, both natural and manmade, including but not limited to air, space, wire, cable, liquid, waveguide, microstrip, stripline, optical fiber, etc.
  • the EM spectrum includes all frequencies greater than zero hertz.
  • a subharmonic is a frequency or tone that is an integer submultiple of a referenced fundamental frequency or tone. That is, a subharmonic frequency is the quotient obtained by dividing the fundamental frequency by an integer. For example, if a periodic waveform has a frequency of "f" (also called the “fundamental frequency” or first subharmonic), then its subharmonics have frequencies of "f/n," where n is 2, 3, 4, etc.
  • a subharmonic itself has possible harmonics, and the i ⁇ harmonic of the i* subharmonic will be at the fundamental frequency of the original periodic waveform.
  • the third subharmonic (which has a frequency of "f/3") may have harmonics at integer multiples of itself (i.e., a second harmonic at "2 «f/3," a third harmonic at "3»f/3,” and so on).
  • the third harmonic of the third subharmonic of the original signal i.e., "3 «f/3" is at the frequency of the original signal.
  • Trigger a switch Same as control a switch.
  • Up conversion A process for performing frequency translation in which the final frequency is higher than the initial frequency.
  • the present invention is directed to systems and methods for frequency up-conversion, and applications thereof.
  • the frequency up-converter of the present invention is used as a stable reference frequency source in a phase comparator or in a frequency comparator.
  • This embodiment of the present invention achieves this through the use of a stable, low frequency local oscillator, a switch, and a filter. Because it up-converts frequency, the present invention can take advantage of the relatively low cost of low frequency oscillators to generate stable, high frequency signals.
  • the frequency up-converter is used as a system and method for transmitting an electromagnetic (EM) signal.
  • EM electromagnetic
  • frequency up-conversion according to the present invention is described below in the context of a transmitter.
  • the invention is not limited to this embodiment. Equivalents, extensions, variations, deviations, etc., of the following will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. Such equivalents, extensions, variations, deviations, etc., are within the scope and spirit of the present invention.
  • modulation Techniques by which information can be imparted onto EM signals to be transmitted are called modulation. These techniques are generally well known to one skilled in the relevant art(s), and include, but are not limited to, frequency modulation (FM), phase modulation (PM), amplitude modulation (AM), quadrature-phase shift keying (QPSK), frequency shift keying (FSK), phase shift keying (PSK), amplitude shift keying (ASK), etc., and combinations thereof.
  • FM frequency modulation
  • PM phase modulation
  • AM amplitude modulation
  • QPSK quadrature-phase shift keying
  • FSK frequency shift keying
  • PSK phase shift keying
  • ASK amplitude shift keying
  • FSK, PSK, and ASK are subsets of FM, PM, and AM, respectively, and refer to circuits having discrete input signals (e.g., digital input signals).
  • circuits and techniques described below all refer to the EM broadcast medium. However, the invention is not limited by this embodiment. Persons skilled in the relevant art(s) will recognize that these same circuits and techniques can be used in all transmission media (e.g., over-the-air broadcast, point-to-point cable, etc.).
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a frequency modulation (FM) circuit 100 and FIGs. 2A, 2B, and 2C, and FIGs. 20A, 20B, and 20C illustrate examples of waveforms at several points in FM circuit 100.
  • FM frequency modulation
  • the frequency of a carrier signal such as an oscillating signal 202 (FIG. 2B and FIG. 20B)
  • FIG. 20A information signal
  • the FM circuit 100 is referred to as a frequency shift keying (FSK) system, which is a subset of an FM system.
  • Frequency modulation circuit 100 receives an information signal 102, 2002 from a source (not shown).
  • Information signal 102, 2002 can be amplified by an optional amplifier 104 and filtered by an optional filter 114 and is the voltage input that drives a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) 106.
  • VCO voltage controlled oscillator
  • an oscillating signal 202 (seen on FIG. 2B and FIG. 20B) is generated.
  • VCO 106 The purpose of VCO 106 is to vary the frequency of oscillating signal 202 as a function of the input voltage, i.e., information signal 102, 2002.
  • the output of VCO 106 is a modulated signal shown as modulated signal 108 (FIG. 2C) when the information signal is the digital information signal 102 and shown as modulated signal 2004 (FIG. 20C) when the information signal is the analog signal 2002.
  • Modulated signal 108, 2004 is at a relatively low frequency (e.g., generally between 50 MHz and 100 MHz) and can have its frequency increased by an optional frequency multiplier 110 (e.g., to 900 MHz, 1.8 GHz) and have its amplitude increased by an optional amplifier 116.
  • the output of optional frequency multiplier 110 and/or optional amplifier 116 is then transmitted by an exemplary antenna 112.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a phase modulation (PM) circuit 300 and FIGs. 4A, 4B, and 4C, and FIGs. 21A, 21B, and 21C illustrate examples of waveforms at several points in PM circuit 300.
  • a phase modulation (PM) circuit 300 and FIGs. 4A, 4B, and 4C, and FIGs. 21A, 21B, and 21C illustrate examples of waveforms at several points in PM circuit 300.
  • a carrier signal such as a local oscillator (LO) output
  • phase shift keying (PSK) system receives information signal 302, 2102 from a source (not shown).
  • Information signal 302, 2102 can be amplified by an optional amplifier 304 and filtered by an optional filter 318 and is routed to a phase modulator 306. Also feeding phase modulator 306 is LO output 308 of a local oscillator 310. LO output 308 is shown on FIG. 4B and FIG. 21B.
  • Local oscillators such as local oscillator 310, output an electromagnetic wave at a predetermined frequency and amplitude.
  • phase modulator 306 is a modulated signal shown as a phase modulated signal 312 (FIG. 4C) when the information signal is the discrete information signal 302 and shown as a phase modulated signal 2104 (FIG. 21C) when the information signal is the analog information signal 2102.
  • the purpose of phase modulator 306 is to change the phase of LO output 308 as a function of the value of information signal 302, 2102. That is, for example in a
  • phase modulated signal 312 of FIG. 4C which would have the same frequency as LO output 308, but would be out of phase by 180° in this example.
  • the phase changes in phase modulated signal 312 that are representative of the information in information signal 302 can be seen by comparing waveforms 302, 308, and 312 on FIGs. 4A, 4B, and 4C.
  • the phase of LO output 308 of FIG. 2 IB changes continuously as a function of the amplitude of the information signal 2102. That is, for example, as information signal 2102 increases from a value of "X" to
  • the PM signal 2104 of FIG. 21C changes from a signal which may be represented by the equation sin( ⁇ t) to a signal which can be represented by the equation sin(cot + ⁇ ), where ⁇ is the phase change associated with a change of ⁇ x in information signal 2102.
  • ⁇ is the phase change associated with a change of ⁇ x in information signal 2102.
  • the phase changes in phase modulated signal 2104 that are representative of the information in information signal 2102 can be seen by comparing waveforms 2102, 308, and 2104 on FIGs. 21A, 21B, and 21C.
  • phase modulated signal 312, 2104 can be routed to an optional frequency multiplier 314 and optional amplifier 320.
  • the purpose of optional frequency multiplier 314 is to increase the frequency of phase modulated signal 312 from a relatively low frequency (e.g., 50 MHz to 100 MHz) to a desired broadcast frequency (e.g., 900 MHz, 1.8 GHz).
  • Optional amplifier 320 raises the signal strength of phase modulated signal 312, 2104 to a desired level to be transmitted by an exemplary antenna 316.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates an example of an amplitude modulation (AM) circuit 500 and FIGs. 6A, 6B, and 6C, and FIGs. 22A, 22B, and 22C illustrate examples of waveforms at several points in AM circuit 500.
  • AM amplitude modulation
  • FIG. 6B and FIG. 22B illustrate examples of waveforms at several points in AM circuit 500.
  • a carrier signal such as a local oscillator (LO) signal 508 (FIG. 6B and FIG. 22B
  • LO local oscillator
  • information signal 2202 is a continuous signal (i.e., an analog signal)
  • information signal 502 is a discrete signal (i.e., a digital signal).
  • Amplitude modulation circuit 500 receives information signal 502 from a source (not shown). Information signal 502, 2202 can be amplified by an optional amplifier 504 and filtered by an optional filter 518. Amplitude modulation circuit 500 also includes a local oscillator (LO) 506 which has an LO output 508. Information signal 502, 2202 and LO output 508 are then multiplied by a multiplier 510. The purpose of multiplier 510 is to cause the amplitude of LO output 508 to vary as a function of the amplitude of information signal 502, 2202.
  • LO local oscillator
  • the output of multiplier 510 is a modulated signal shown as amplitude modulated signal 512 (FIG. 6C) when the information signal is the digital information signal 502 and shown as modulated signal 2204 (FIG. 22C) when the information signal is the analog information signal 2202.
  • AM signal 512, 2204 can then be routed to an optional frequency multiplier 514 where the frequency of AM signal 512, 2204 is increased from a relatively low level (e.g., 50 MHz to 100 MHz) to a higher level desired for broadcast (e.g., 900 MHz, 1.8 GHz) and an optional amplifier 520, which increases the signal strength of AM signal 512, 2204 to a desired level for broadcast by an exemplary antenna 516.
  • a relatively low level e.g., 50 MHz to 100 MHz
  • a higher level desired for broadcast e.g., 900 MHz, 1.8 GHz
  • an optional amplifier 520 which increases the signal strength of AM signal 512, 2204 to a desired level for broadcast by an
  • FIG. 7 illustrates an example of an in-phase/quadrature-phase (“I/Q”) modulation circuit 700 and FIGs. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, and 8E illustrate examples of waveforms at several points in "I/Q" modulation circuit 700.
  • I/Q in-phase/quadrature-phase
  • FIGs. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, and 8E illustrate examples of waveforms at several points in "I/Q" modulation circuit 700.
  • first information signal 702 of FIG. 8 A can be modulated onto the in- phase (“I") oscillator signal 710 of FIG. 8B
  • a second information signal 704 of FIG. 8C can be modulated onto the quadrature-phase ("Q”) oscillator signal 712 of FIG. 8D.
  • the "I” modulated signal is combined with the "Q” modulated signal and the resulting “I/Q” modulated signal is then transmitted.
  • both information signals are digital, and both are phase modulated onto the "I” and “Q” oscillating signals.
  • the "I/Q” mode can also work with analog information signals, with combinations of analog and digital signals, with other modulation techniques, or any combinations thereof.
  • This "1/Q" modulation system uses two PM circuits together in order to increase the bandwidth efficiency.
  • the phase of an oscillating signal such as 710 (or 712) (FIGs. 8B or 8D)
  • the phase of an oscillating signal is varied to represent the data to be communicated, such as an information signal such as 702 (or 704).
  • an information signal such as 702 (or 704).
  • both signal streams are phase shift keying (PSK), which is a subset of PM.
  • I/Q modulation circuit 700 receives an information signal 702 from a first source (not shown) and an information signal 704 from a second source (not shown). Examples of information signals 702 and 704 are shown in FIG. 8A and 8C. Information signals 702 and 704 can be amplified by optional amplifiers 714 and 716 and filtered by optional filters 734 and 736. It is then routed to phase modulators 718 and 720. Also feeding phase modulators 718 and 720 are oscillating signals 710 and 712. Oscillating signal 710 was generated by a local oscillator 706, and is shown in FIG. 8B, and oscillating signal 712 is the phase shifted output of local oscillator 706. Local oscillators, such as local oscillator 706, output an electromagnetic wave at a predetermined frequency and amplitude.
  • phase modulator 718 is a phase modulated signal 722 which is shown using a dotted line as one of the waveforms in FIG. 8E.
  • phase modulator 720 which operates in a manner similar to phase modulator 718, is a phase modulated signal 724 which is shown using a solid line as the other waveform in FIG. 8E.
  • the effect of phase modulators.718 and 720 on oscillating signals 710 and 712 is to cause them to change phase.
  • the system shown here is a PSK system, and as such, the phase of oscillating signals 710 and 712 is shifted by phase modulators 718 and 720 by a discrete amount as a function of information signals 702 and 704.
  • oscillating signal 710 is shown on FIG.
  • oscillating signal 712 is a cosine wave, shown on FIG. 8D, and is referred to as the "Q" signal in the "I/Q” circuit.
  • phase modulators 718 and 720 are shown as shifting the phase of the respective oscillating signals 710 and 712 by 180°. This is seen on FIG. 8E.
  • Modulated signal 722 is summed with modulated signal 724 by a summer 726.
  • the output of summer 726 is the arithmetic sum of modulated signal 722 and 724 and is an "I/Q" signal 728. (For clarity of the display on FIG. 8E, the combined signal 728 is not shown: However, one skilled in the relevant art(s) will recognize that the arithmetic sum of 2 sinusoidal waves having the same frequency is also a sinusoidal wave at that frequency.)
  • I/Q signal 728 can then be routed to an optional frequency multiplier 730, where the frequency of "I/Q” signal 718 is increased from a relatively low level (e.g., 50 MHz to 100 MHz) to a higher level desired for broadcast (e.g., 900 MHz, 1.8 GHz), and to an optional amplifier 738 which increases the signal strength of "I/Q" signal 728 to a desired level for broadcast by an exemplary antenna 732.
  • a relatively low level e.g., 50 MHz to 100 MHz
  • a higher level desired for broadcast e.g., 900 MHz, 1.8 GHz
  • the frequency of the information signal is relatively low.
  • the frequency of the local oscillator (both the voltage controlled oscillator as well as the other oscillators) is higher than that of the information signal, but typically not high enough for efficient transmission.
  • a third frequency is the frequency of the transmitted signal which is greater than or equal to the frequency of the oscillating signal. This is the frequency that is routed from the optional frequency multipliers and optional amplifiers to the antennas in the previously described circuits.
  • upcon verting the information signal to broadcast frequency requires, at least, filters, amplifiers, and frequency multipliers.
  • Each of these components is costly, not only in terms of the purchase price of the component, but also because of the power required to operate them.
  • the present invention provides a more efficient means for producing a modulated carrier for transmission, uses less power, and requires fewer components.
  • the present invention is directed to systems and methods for frequency up-conversion and applications of the same.
  • the frequency up-converter of the present invention allows the use of a stable, low frequency oscillator to generate a stable high frequency signal that, for example and without limitation, can be used as a reference signal in a phase comparator or a frequency comparator.
  • the up-converter of the present invention is used in a transmitter.
  • the invention is also directed to a transmitter. Based on the discussion contained herein, one skilled in the relevant art(s) will recognize that there are other, alternative embodiments and applications in which the frequency up-converter of the present invention could be used, and that these alternative embodiments and applications fall within the scope of the present invention.
  • frequency up-conversion according to the present invention is described below in the context of a transmitter. However, as apparent from the preceding paragraph, the invention is not limited to this embodiment.
  • This section provides a high-level description of up- converting and transmitting signals according to the present invention.
  • an operational process of frequency up-conversion in the context of transmitting signals is described at a high-level.
  • the operational process is often represented by flowcharts.
  • the flowcharts are presented herein for illustrative purposes only, and are not limiting.
  • the use of flowcharts should not be interpreted as limiting the invention to discrete or digital operation.
  • the invention can be achieved via discrete operation, continuous operation, or any combination thereof.
  • the flow of control represented by the flowcharts is also provided for illustrative purposes only, and it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the relevant art(s) that other operational control flows are within the scope and spirit of the invention.
  • the flow chart 900 of FIG. 9 demonstrates the operational method of frequency up- conversion in the context of transmitting a signal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the invention is directed to both frequency up-conversion and transmitting signals as represented in FIG. 9.
  • Representative waveforms for signals generated in flow chart 900 are depicted in FIG. 19.
  • frequency modulation of a digital information signal is depicted.
  • the invention is not limited to this exemplary embodiment.
  • an information signal 1902 (FIG. 19A) is generated by a source.
  • This information signal may be analog, digital, and any combination thereof, or anything else that is desired to be transmitted, and is at the baseband frequency.
  • the information signal 1902 is used to modulate an intermediate signal 1904. Accordingly, the information signal 1902 is also herein called a modulating baseband information signal.
  • the information signal 1902 is illustrated as a digital signal. However, the invention is not limited to this embodiment. As noted above, the information signal 1902 can be analog, digital, and/or any combination thereof.
  • An oscillating signal 1904 (FIG. 19B) is generated in step 904.
  • the oscillating signal 1904 is modulated, where the modulation is a result of, and a function of, the information signal 1902.
  • Step 906 produces a modulated oscillating signal 1906 (FIG. 19C), also called a modulated intermediate signal.
  • FIG. 19 the flowchart of FIG. 9 is being described in the context of an example where the information signal 1902 is a digital signal. However, alternatively, the information signal 1902 can be analog or any combination of analog and digital. Also, the example shown in FIG. 19 uses frequency shift keying (FSK) as the modulation technique.
  • FSK frequency shift keying
  • any modulation technique e.g., FM, AM, PM, ASK, PSK, etc., or any combination thereof
  • the remaining steps 908-912 of the flowchart of FIG. 9 operate in the same way, whether the information signal 1902 is digital, analog, etc., or any combination thereof, and regardless of what modulation technique is used.
  • a harmonically rich signal 1908 (FIG. 19D) is generated from the modulated signal 1906 in step 908.
  • Signal 1908 has a substantially continuous and periodically repeated waveform.
  • the waveform of signal 1908 is substantially rectangular, as is seen in the expanded waveform 1910 of FIG. 19E.
  • rectangular waveform will be used herein and will refer to waveforms that are substantially rectangular, and will include but will not be limited to those waveforms that are generally referred to as square waves or pulses. It should be noted that if the situation arises wherein a perfect rectangular waveform is proven to be both technically and mathematically feasible, that situation will also fall within the scope and intent of this invention
  • a continuous periodic waveform (such as waveform 1908) is composed of a series of sinusoidal waves of specific amplitudes and phases, the frequencies of which are integer multiples of the repetition frequency of the waveform. (A waveform's repetition frequency is the number of times per second the periodic waveform repeats.)
  • a portion of the waveform of signal 1908 is shown in an expanded view as waveform 1910 of FIG. 19E.
  • the first three sinusoidal components of waveform 1910 (FIG. 19E) are depicted as waveforms 1912a, b, & c of HG. 19F and waveforms 1914a, b, & c of FIG. 19G. (In the examples of FIGs. 19F & G, the three sinusoidal components are shown separately.
  • these waveforms occur simultaneously, as seen in FIG. 19H.
  • the waveforms are shown simultaneously, but are not shown summed. If waveforms 1912 and 1914 were shown summed, they would, in the limit, i.e., with an infinite number of sinusoidal components, be identical to the periodic waveform 1910 of FIG. 19E. For ease of illustration, only the first three of the infinite number of sinusoidal components are shown.) These sinusoidal waves are called harmonics, and their existence can be demonstrated both graphically and mathematically.
  • Each harmonic (waveforms 1912a, b, & c and 1914a, b, & c) has the same information content as does waveform 1910 (which has the same information as the corresponding portion of waveform 1908). Accordingly, the information content of waveform 1908 can be obtained from any of its harmonics. As the harmonics have frequencies that are integer multiples of the repetition frequency of signal 1908, and since they have the same information content as signal 1908 (as just stated), the harmonics each represent an up-converted representation of signal 1908. Some of the harmonics are at desired frequencies (such as the frequencies desired to be transmitted).
  • desired harmonics have sufficient amplitude for accomplishing the desired processing (i.e., being transmitted).
  • Other harmonics are not at the desired frequencies.
  • undesired harmonics or “unwanted harmonics.”
  • any unwanted harmonics of the continuous periodic waveform of signal 1908 are filtered out (for example, any harmonics that are not at frequencies desired to be transmitted).
  • the first and second harmonics i.e., those depicted by waveforms 1912a & b of FIG. 19F and 1914a & b of FIG. 19G
  • the remaining harmonic in the example of FIG. 19, the third harmonic (i.e., those depicted by waveforms 1912c of FIG. 19F and 1914c of HG. 19G), is transmitted. This is depicted by waveform 1918 of FIG. 191.
  • FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an up-conversion system according to an embodiment of the invention. This embodiment of the up-conversion system is shown as a transmitter 1000.
  • Transmitter 1000 includes an acceptance module 1004, a harmonic generation and extraction module 1006, and a transmission module 1008 that accepts an information signal 1002 and outputs a transmitted signal 1014.
  • transmitter 1000 is the structural embodiment for performing the operational steps of flowchart 900.
  • transmitter 1000 includes other structural embodiments for performing the steps of flowchart 900. The specifics of these other structural embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the discussion contained herein.
  • the operation of the transmitter 1000 will now be described in detail with reference to the flowchart 900.
  • an information signal 1002 (for example, see FIG. 19A) from a source (not shown) is routed to acceptance module 1004.
  • step 904 an oscillating signal (for example, see FIG. 19B) is generated and in step 906, it is modulated, thereby producing a modulated signal 1010 (for an example of FM, see FIG. 19C).
  • the oscillating signal can be modulated using any modulation technique, examples of which are described below.
  • the harmonic generation and extraction module (HGEM) generates a harmonically rich signal with a continuous and periodic waveform (an example of FM can be seen in FIG. 19D).
  • This waveform is preferably a rectangular wave, such as a square wave or a pulse (although, the invention is not limited to this embodiment), and is comprised of a plurality of sinusoidal waves whose frequencies are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency of the waveform. These sinusoidal waves are referred to as the harmonics of the underlying waveform.
  • a Fourier series analysis can be used to determine the amplitude of each harmonic (for example, see FIGs. 19F and 19G).
  • a filter within HGEM 1006 filters out the undesired frequencies (harmonics), and outputs an electromagnetic (EM) signal 1012 at the desired frequency (for example, see FIG. 191).
  • EM signal 1012 is routed to transmission module 1008 (optional), where it is prepared for transmission. The transmission module 1008 then outputs a transmitted signal 1014.
  • an information signal is accepted and a modulated signal whose frequency varies as a function of the information signal results.
  • the flow chart of FIG. 11 demonstrates the method of operation of a transmitter in the frequency modulation (FM) mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the representative waveforms shown in FIG. 19 depict the mvention operating as a transmitter in the FM mode.
  • an information signal 1902 (FIG. 19A) is generated by a source by any means and/or process.
  • Information signal 1902 is a baseband signal, and, because it is used to modulate a signal, may also be referred to as a modulating baseband signal 1902.
  • Information signal 1902 may be, for example, analog, digital, or any combination thereof.
  • the signals shown in FIG. 19 depict a digital information signal wherein the information is represented by discrete states of the signal. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) that the invention is also adapted to working with an analog information signal wherein the information is represented by a continuously varying signal.
  • information signal 1902 modulates an oscillating signal 1904 (FIG. 19B).
  • the result of this modulation is the modulated signal 1906 (FIG. 19C) as indicated in block 1106.
  • Modulated signal 1906 has a frequency that varies as a function of information signal 1902 and is referred to as an FM signal.
  • a harmonically rich signal with a continuous periodic waveform shown in FIG. 19D as rectangular waveform 1908
  • Rectangular waveform 1908 is generated using the modulated signal 1906.
  • the term “rectangular waveform” will be used to refer to waveforms that are substantially rectangular.
  • the term “square wave” will refer to those waveforms that are substantially square and it is not the intent of the present invention that a perfect square wave be generated or needed.
  • a portion of rectangular waveform 1908 is shown in an expanded view as periodic waveform 1910 in FIG. 19E.
  • the first part of waveform 1910 is designated “signal A” and represents information signal 1902 being “high,” and the second part of waveform 1910 is designated “signal B” and information signal 1902 being “low.”
  • this convention is used for illustrative purposes only, and alternatively, other conventions could be used.
  • a continuous and periodic waveform such as a rectangular wave 1908 as indicated in block 1110 of flowchart 1100, has sinusoidal components (harmonics) at frequencies that are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency of the underlying waveform (i.e., at the Fourier component frequencies).
  • waveform 1910 Three harmonics of periodic waveform 1910 are shown separately, in expanded views, in FIGs. 19F and 19G. Since waveform 1910 (and also waveform 1908) is shown as a square wave in this exemplary embodiment, only the odd harmonics are present, i.e., the first, third, fifth, seventh, etc. As shown in FIG. 19, if rectangular waveform 1908 has a fundamental frequency of f x (also known as the first harmonic), the third harmonic will have a frequency of 3'fj, the fifth harmonic will have a frequency of 5 «f x , and so on.
  • the first, third, and fifth harmonics of signal A are shown as waveforms 1912a, 1912b, and 1912c of FIG. 19F, and the first, third, and fifth harmonics of signal B are shown as waveforms
  • step 1112 the unwanted frequencies of waveform 1916 are removed.
  • the first and third harmonics are shown to be removed, and as indicated in block 1114, the remaining waveform 1918 (i.e., waveforms 1912c and 1914c) is at the desired EM frequency.
  • the higher harmonics e.g., the seventh, ninth, etc.
  • the EM signal shown here as remaining waveform 1918, is prepared for transmission in step 1116, and in step 1118, the EM signal is transmitted.
  • FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a transmitter according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • FM transmitter 1200 includes a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) 1204, a switch module 1214, a filter 1218, and a transmission module 1222 that accepts an information signal 1202 and outputs a transmitted signal 1224.
  • VCO voltage controlled oscillator
  • the operation and stracture of exemplary components are described below: an exemplary VCO is described below at sections 3.3.1-3.3.1.2; an exemplary switch module is described below at sections 3.3.6-3.3.6.2; an exemplary filter is described below at sections
  • FM transmitter 1200 is the structural embodiment for performing the operational steps of flowchart 1100.
  • the scope and spirit of the present invention includes other structural embodiments for performing the steps of flowchart 1100. The specifics of these other structural embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the discussion contained herein. The operation of the transmitter 1200 will now be described in detail with reference to the flowchart 1100.
  • an information signal 1202 (for example, see FIG. 19A) from a source (not shown) is routed to VCO 1204.
  • an oscillating signal (for example, see FIG. 19B) is generated and modulated, thereby producing a frequency modulated signal 1210 (for example, see FIG. 19C).
  • the switch module 1214 generates a harmonically rich signal 1216 with a continuous and periodic waveform (for example, see FIG. 19D).
  • This waveform is preferably a rectangular wave, such as a square wave or a pulse (although, the invention is not limited to this embodiment), and is comprised of a plurality of sinusoidal waves whose frequencies are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency of the waveform. These sinusoidal waves are referred to as the harmonics of the underlying waveform, and a Fourier analysis will determine the amplitude of each harmonic (for example, see FIGs.
  • a filter 1218 filters out the undesired frequencies (harmonics), and outputs an electromagnetic (EM) signal 1220 at the desired harmonic frequency (for example, see FIG. 191).
  • EM signal 1220 is routed to transmission module 1222 (optional), where it is prepared for transmission.
  • transmission module 1222 outputs a transmitted signal 1224.
  • an information signal is accepted and a modulated signal whose phase varies as a function of the information signal is transmitted.
  • the flow chart of HG. 13 demonstrates the method of operation of the transmitter in the phase modulation (PM) mode.
  • the representative waveforms shown in FIG. 44 depict the invention operating as a transmitter in the PM mode.
  • an information signal 4402 (FIG. 44 A) is generated by a source.
  • Information signal 4402 may be, for example, analog, digital, or any combination thereof.
  • the Signals shown in FIG. 44 depict a digital information signal wherein the information is represented by discrete states of the signal. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) that the invention is also adapted to working with an analog information signal wherein the information is represented by a continuously varying signal.
  • an oscillating signal In step 1304, an oscillating signal
  • the oscillating signal 4404 (FIG. 44B) is modulated by the information signal 4402, resulting in the modulated signal 4406 (FIG. 44C) as indicated in block 1308.
  • the phase of this modulated signal 4406 is varied as a function of the information signal 4402.
  • a harmonically rich signal 4408 (FIG. 44D) with a continuous periodic waveform is generated at step 1310 using modulated signal 4406.
  • Harmonically rich signal 4408 is a substantially rectangular waveform.
  • One skilled in the relevant art(s) will recognize the physical limitations to and mathematical obstacles against achieving an exact or perfect rectangular waveform and it is not the intent of the present invention that a perfect rectangular waveform be generated or needed.
  • rectangular waveform will be used to refer to waveforms that are substantially rectangular.
  • square wave will refer to those waveforms that are substantially square and it is not the intent of the present invention that a perfect square wave be generated or needed.
  • a continuous and periodic waveform such as the harmonically rich signal 4408 as indicated in block 1312, has sinusoidal components (harmonics) at frequencies that are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency of the underlying waveform (the Fourier component frequencies).
  • the first three harmonic waveforms are shown in FIGs. 44E, 44F, and 44G. In actual fact, there are an infinite number of harmonics.
  • step 1314 the unwanted frequencies are removed, and as indicated in block 1316, the remaining frequency is at the desired EM output.
  • the first (fundamental) harmonic 4410 and the second harmonic 4412 along with the fourth, fifth, etc., harmonics (not shown) might be filtered out, leaving the third harmonic 4414 as the desired EM signal as indicated in block 1316.
  • the EM signal is prepared for transmission in step 1318, and in step 1320, the EM signal is transmitted.
  • FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a transmitter according to an embodiment of the invention. This embodiment of the transmitter is shown as a PM transmitter 1400.
  • PM transmitter 1400 includes a local oscillator 1406, a phase modulator 1404, a switch module 1410, a filter 1414, and a transmission module 1418 that accepts an information signal 1402 and outputs a transmitted signal 1420.
  • phase modulator is described below at sections 3.3.4-3.3.4.2; an exemplary local oscillator is described below at sections 3.3.2-3.3.2.2; an exemplary switch module is described below at sections 3.3.6-3.3.6.2; an exemplary filter is described below at sections 3.3.9-3.3.9.2; and an exemplary transmission module is described below at sections 3.3.10- 3.3.10.2.
  • the local oscillator 1406, phase modulator 1404, switch module 1410, filter 1414, and transmission module 1418 process the information signal in the manner shown in the operational flowchart 1300.
  • PM transmitter 1400 is the structural embodiment for performing the operational steps of flowchart 1300.
  • an information signal 1402 (for example, see FIG. 44A) from a source (not shown) is routed to phase modulator 1404.
  • an oscillating signal from local oscillator 1406 (for example, see FIG. 44B) is generated and modulated, thereby producing a modulated signal 1408 (for example, see FIG. 44C).
  • the switch module 1410 generates a harmonically rich signal 1412 with a continuous and periodic waveform (for example, see FIG. 44D).
  • This waveform is preferably a rectangular wave, such as a square wave or a pulse (although, the invention is not limited to this embodiment), and is comprised of a plurality of sinusoidal waves whose frequencies are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency of the waveform. These sinusoidal waves are referred to as the harmonics of the underlying waveform, and a Fourier analysis will determine the amplitude of each harmonic (for an example of the first three harmonics, see FIGs. 44E, 44F, and 44G).
  • a filter 1414 filters out the undesired harmonic frequencies (for example, the first harmonic 4410, the second harmonic 4412, and the fourth, fifth, etc., harmonics , not shown), and outputs an electromagnetic (EM) signal 1416 at the desired harmonic frequency (for example, the third harmonic, see FIG. 44G).
  • EM signal 1416 is routed to transmission module 1418 (optional), where it is prepared for transmission.
  • the transmission module 1418 outputs a transmitted signal 1420.
  • an information signal is accepted and a modulated signal whose amplitude varies as a function of the information signal is transmitted.
  • the flow chart of FIG. 15 demonstrates the method of operation of the transmitter in the amplitude modulation (AM) mode.
  • the representative waveforms shown in FIG. 45 depict the invention operating as a transmitter in the AM mode.
  • an information signal 4502 (FIG. 45 A) is generated by a source.
  • Information signal 4502 may be, for example, analog, digital, or any combination thereof.
  • the signals shown in FIG. 45 depict a digital information signal wherein the information is represented by discrete states of the signal. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) that the invention is also adapted to working with an analog information signal wherein the information is represented by a continuously varying signal.
  • a "reference signal" is created, which, as indicated in block 1506, has an amplitude that is a function of the information signal 4502.
  • the reference signal is created by combining the information signal 4502 with a bias signal.
  • the reference signal is comprised of only the information signal 4502.
  • the reference signal will vary as a function of the information signal.
  • An oscillating signal 4504 (FIG. 45B) is generated at step 1508, and at step 1510, the reference signal (information signal 4502) is gated at a frequency that is a function of the oscillating signal 4504.
  • the gated referenced signal is a harmonically rich signal 4506 (FIG. 45C) with a continuous periodic waveform and is generated at step 1512.
  • This harmonically rich signal 4506 as indicated in block 1514 is substantially a rectangular wave which has a fundamental frequency equal to the frequency at which the reference signal (information signal 4502) is gated.
  • the rectangular wave has pulse amplitudes that are a function of the amplitude of the reference signal (information signal 4502).
  • a harmonically rich signal 4506 such as the rectangular wave as indicated in block 1514, has sinusoidal components (harmonics) at frequencies that are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency of the underlying waveform (the Fourier component frequencies).
  • the first three harmonic waveforms are shown in FIGs. 45D, 45E, and 45F. In fact, there are an infinite number of harmonics.
  • the unwanted frequencies are removed, and as indicated in block 1518, the remaining frequency is at the desired EM output.
  • the first (fundamental) harmonic 4510 and the second harmonic 4512 along with the fourth, fifth, etc., harmonics might be filtered out leaving the third harmonic
  • the EM signal is prepared for transmission in step 1520, and in step 1522, the EM signal is transmitted.
  • FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a transmitter according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • AM transmitter 1600 includes a local oscillator 1610, a summing module 1606, a switch module 1614, a filter 1618, and a transmission module 1622 that accepts an information signal 1602 and outputs a transmitted signal 1624.
  • the operation and structure of exemplary components are described below: an exemplary local oscillator is described below at sections 3.3.2-3.3.2.2; an exemplary a switch module is described below at sections 3.3.7-3.3.7.2; an exemplary filter is described below at sections 3.3.9-3.3.9.2; and an exemplary transmission module is described below at sections 3.3.10-3.3.10.2.
  • AM transmitter 1600 is the structural embodiment for performing the operational steps of flowchart 1500.
  • the scope and spirit of the present invention includes other stractural embodiments for performing the steps of flowchart 1500. The specifics of these other structural embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the discussion contained herein.
  • step 1502 information signal 1602 (for example, see FIG. 45 A) from a source (not shown) is routed to summing module 1606 (if required), thereby producing a reference signal 1608.
  • step 1508 an oscillating signal 1612 is generated by local oscillator 1610 (for example, see FIG. 45B) and in step 1510, switch module 1614 gates the reference voltage 1608 at a rate that is a function of the oscillating signal 1612.
  • the result of the gating is a harmonically rich signal 1616 (for example, see FIG. 45C) with a continuous and periodic waveform.
  • This waveform is preferably a rectangular wave, such as a square wave or a pulse (although, the invention is not limited to this embodiment), and is comprised of a plurality of sinusoidal waves whose frequencies are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency of the waveform. These sinusoidal waves are referred to as the harmonics of the underlying waveform, and a Fourier analysis will determine the relative amplitude of each harmonic (for an example of the first three harmonics, see FIGs. 45D, 45E, and 45F).
  • the amplitude of the pulses in rectangular waveform 1616 vary as a function of reference signal 1608. As a result, this change in amplitude of the pulses has a proportional effect on the absolute amplitude of all of the harmonics.
  • a filter 1618 filters out the undesired harmonic frequencies (for example, the first harmonic 4510, the second harmonic 4512, and the fourth, fifth, etc., harmonics , not shown), and outputs an electromagnetic (EM) signal 1620 at the desired harmonic frequency (for example, the third harmonic, see FIG. 45F).
  • EM signal 1620 is routed to transmission module 1622 (optional), where it is prepared for transmission.
  • the transmission module 1622 outputs a transmitted signal 1624.
  • I/Q In-phase/quadrature-phase modulation
  • PM phase modulation
  • two information signals are accepted.
  • An in-phase signal (“I") is modulated such that its phase varies as a function of one of the information signals
  • a quadrature-phase signal (“Q") is modulated such that its phase varies as a function of the other information signal.
  • the two modulated signals are combined to form an "I/Q" modulated signal and transmitted.
  • the flow chart of FIG. 17 demonstrates the method of operation of the transmitter in the in-phase/quadrature-phase modulation ("I/Q") mode.
  • a first information signal is generated by a first source. This information signal may be analog, digital, or any combination thereof.
  • an in-phase oscillating signal (referred to as the "I" signal) is generated and in step 1704, it is modulated by the first information signal. This results in the "I” modulated signal as indicated in block 1706 wherein the phase of the "I” modulated signal is varied as a function of the first information signal.
  • a second information signal is generated. Again, this signal may be analog, digital, or any combination thereof, and may be different than the first information signal.
  • step 1712 the phase of "I” oscillating signal generated in step 1710 is shifted, creating a quadrature-phase oscillating signal (referred to as the "Q" signal).
  • step 1716 the "Q” signal is modulated by the second information signal. This results in the "Q” modulated signal as indicated in block 1718 wherein the phase of the "Q” modulated signal is varied as a function of the second information signal.
  • An "I” signal with a continuous periodic waveform is generated at step 1708 using the "I” modulated signal, and a "Q” signal with a continuous periodic waveform is generated at step 1720 using the "Q". modulated signal.
  • step 1722 the "I" periodic waveform and the "Q” periodic waveform are combined forming what is referred to as the "I/Q” periodic waveform as indicated in block 1724.
  • a continuous and periodic waveform such as a “I/Q” rectangular wave as indicated in block 1724, has sinusoidal components (harmonics) at frequencies that are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency of the underlying waveform (the Fourier component frequencies).
  • the unwanted frequencies are removed, and as indicated in block 1728, the remaining frequency is at the desired EM output.
  • the "I/Q" EM signal is prepared for transmission in step 1730, and in step 1732, the
  • FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a transmitter according to an embodiment of the invention. This embodiment of the transmitter is shown as an "I/Q" transmitter 1800.
  • "I/Q” transmitter 1800 includes a local oscillator 1806, a phase shifter 1810, two phase modulators 1804 & 1816, two switch modules 1822 & 1828, a summer 1832, a filter 1836, and a transmission module 1840.
  • the "I/Q” transmitter accepts two information signals 1802 & 1814 and outputs a transmitted signal 1420.
  • an exemplary phase modulator is described below at sections 3.3.4-3.3.4.2; an exemplary local oscillator is described below at sections 3.3.2-3.3.2.2; an exemplary phase shifter is described below at sections 3.3.3-3.3.3.2; an exemplary switch module is described below at sections 3.3.6-3.3.6.2; an exemplary summer is described below at sections 3.3.8-3.3.8.2; an exemplary filter is described below at sections 3.3.9-3.3.9.2; and an exemplary transmission module is described below at sections 3.3.10-3.3.10.2.
  • the local oscillator 1806, phase shifter 1810, phase modulators 1804 & 1816, switch modules 1822 & 1828, summer 1832, filter 1836, and transmission module 1840 process the information signal in the manner shown in the operational flowchart 1700.
  • "I Q" transmitter 1800 is the structural embodiment for performing the operational steps of flowchart 1700.
  • the scope and spirit of the present invention includes other structural embodiments for performing the steps of flowchart 1700. The specifics of these other structural embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the discussion contained herein.
  • a first information signal 1802 from a source (not shown) is routed to the first phase modulator 1804.
  • an "I" oscillating signal 1808 from local oscillator 1806 is generated and in step 1704, "I" oscillating signal 1808 is modulated by first information signal 1802 in the first phase modulator 1804, thereby producing an "I” modulated signal 1820.
  • the first switch module 1822 generates a harmonically rich "I" signal
  • a second info ⁇ nation signal 1814 from a source (not shown) is routed to the second phase modulator 1816.
  • the phase of oscillating signal 1808 is shifted by phase shifter 1810 to create "Q" oscillating signal 1812.
  • "Q" oscillating signal 1812 is modulated by second information signal 1814 in the second phase modulator 1816, thereby producing "Q” modulated signal 1826.
  • the second switch module 1828 generates a harmonically rich "Q" signal 1830 with a continuous and periodic waveform.
  • Harmonically rich "I” signal 1824 and harmonically rich “Q” signal 1830 are preferably rectangular waves, such as square waves or pulses (although, the invention is not limited to this- embodiment), and are comprised of pluralities of sinusoidal waves whose frequencies are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency of the waveforms. These sinusoidal waves are refened to as the harmonics of the underlying waveforms, and a Fourier analysis will determine the amplitude of each harmonic.
  • step 1722 harmonically rich "I” signal 1824 and harmonically rich “Q” signal 1830 are combined by summer 1832 to create harmonically rich "I/Q” signal 1834.
  • step 1726 a filter
  • step 1730 "I/Q” electromagnetic (EM) signal 1838 is routed to transmission module 1840 (optional), where it is prepared for transmission.
  • step 1732 the transmission module 1840 outputs a transmitted signal 1842.
  • up-converter of the present invention being used as a transmitter (or in other applications) may use subsets and combinations of modulation techniques, and may include modulating one or more information signals as part of the up- conversion process.
  • modulation techniques that would be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings disclosed herein include, but are not limited to, quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), and embedding two forms of modulation onto a signal for up- conversion.
  • QAM quadrature amplitude modulation
  • FIG. 62 An exemplary circuit diagram illustrating the combination of two modulations is found in FIG. 62.
  • This example uses AM combined with PM.
  • the waveforms shown in FIG. 63 illustrate the phase modulation of a digital information signal "A" 6202 combined with the amplitude modulation of an analog information signal "B" 6204.
  • An oscillating signal 6216 (FIG. 63B) and information signal "A" 6202 (FIG. 63A) are received by phase modulator 1404, thereby creating a phase modulated signal 6208 (FIG. 63C).
  • the info ⁇ nation signal is shown as a digital signal
  • the phase modulation is shown as shifting the phase of the oscillating signal by 180°.
  • FIG. 62 shows a pulse shaper 6216 receiving phase modulated signal 6208 and outputting a pulse-shaped PM signal 6210.
  • the pulse shaper is optional, depending on the selection and design of the phase modulator 1404.
  • Information signal "B" 6304 and bias signal 1604 are combined by summing module 1606 (optional) to create reference signal 6206 (FIG. 63E).
  • Pulse-shaped PM signal 6210 is routed to switch module 1410, 1614 where it gates the reference signal 6206 thereby producing a harmonically rich signal 6212 (FIG. 63F).
  • harmonically rich signal 6212 varies as a function of reference signal 6206, and the period and pulse width of harmonically rich signal. 6212 are substantially the same as pulse-shaped PM signal 6210.
  • FIG. 63 only illustrates the fundamental and second harmonics of harmonically rich signal 6212. In fact, there may be an infinite number of harmonics, but for illustrative purposes (and not limiting) the first two harmonics are sufficient to illustrate that both the phase modulation and the amplitude modulation that are present on the harmonically rich signal 6212 are also present on each of the harmonics.
  • Filter 1414, 1618 will remove the unwanted harmonics, and a desired harmonic 6214 is routed to transmission module 1418, 1622 (optional) where it is prepared for transmission. Transmission module 1418, 1622 then outputs a transmitted signal 1420, 1624.
  • Transmission module 1418, 1622 then outputs a transmitted signal 1420, 1624.
  • one information signal is phase modulated onto the carrier signal as part of the up-conversion process.
  • Two exemplary implementations of this modulation embodiment are herein described. One involves using a differentiation circuit and the other involves using parallel switches that are controlled by signals that are 180° out of phase with each other.
  • a second modulation embodiment two information signals are multiplied. As part of the up-conversion process, one signal is phase modulated onto the carrier and the other signal is amplitude modulated onto the carrier. Again, as described in the first modulation embodiment above, two exemplary implementations of this modulation embodiment are herein described. In a third modulation embodiment, one information signal is phase modulated onto the
  • a first information signal is multiplied with a second information signal, and the result is modulated onto the "I" phase of a carrier as part of the up- conversion process.
  • the first information signal is phase modulated and the second information signal is amplitude modulated.
  • a third information signal is multiplied with a fourth information signal, and the result is modulated onto the "Q" phase of a carrier as part of the up-conversion process.
  • the third information signal is phased modulated and the fourth info ⁇ nation signal is amplitude modulated.
  • two exemplary implementations of this modulation embodiment are herein described.
  • FIG. 65 One exemplary implementation of the first modulation embodiment is shown in FIG. 65.
  • An information signal 6502 is routed through an optional filter 6504. This results in a filtered information signal 6522.
  • info ⁇ nation signal 6502 (as well as filtered information signal 6522) is a digital signal, although the invention may work with analog signals.
  • Filtered information signal 6522 is connected through a load, shown as an inductor 6506, to the first input of a switch 6512.
  • the second input of switch 6512 is connected to a reference 6514.
  • reference 6514 is at ground and, in a second implementation, reference 6514 is at a non-zero voltage.
  • a local oscillator 6508 generates an oscillating signal 6526.
  • the frequency of oscillating signal 6526 is a sub-harmonic of the desired output frequency of the up-converter.
  • Oscillating signal 6526 is routed through a pulse shaper 6510.
  • Pulse shaper 6510 is optional, and, when used, outputs a string of pulses 6528. String of pulses 6528 is connected to the control input of switch 6512, and controls the frequency at which switch 6512 closes and opens.
  • the first input of switch 6512 is also connected to the input of a differentiation circuit 6516.
  • Differentiation circuit 6516 is shown as being comprised of a capacitor 6518 in series and a resistor 6520 shunted to ground. This circuit diagram is shown for illustrative purposes only, and persons skilled in the relevant art(s) will appreciate that other differentiating circuits may be used.
  • the output of differentiation circuit 6516 is a harmonically rich signal 6524 that is phase modulated. Harmonically rich signal 6524 is comprised of a plurality of harmonics and is routed to a filter 6530. Filter 6530 extracts one or more of the harmonics as desired output signal 6532.
  • FIG. 67 An information signal 6702 is routed through an optional filter 6704. This results in a filtered information signal 6708.
  • information signal 6702 (as well as filtered information signal 6708) is a digital signal, although the invention may work with analog signals.
  • Filtered information signal 6708 is connected to a buffer/inverter module 6706.
  • Buffer/inverter module 6706 outputs a buffered information signal 6710 and an inverted information signal 6712.
  • Buffered information signal 6710 is substantially the same as filtered information signal 6708 and inverted information signal 6712 is substantially equal to the inverse of buffered information signal 6710.
  • a number of circuits such as off-the-shelf buffers and off-the-shelf inverters, or customer designed buffers and inverters, can be used to accomplish the function of buffer/inverter module 6706, as can be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art(s).
  • Buffered information signal 6710 is then routed through a load, shown as an inductor 6730, to the first input of a switch 6726, and inverted information signal 6712 is routed through a load, shown as an inductor 6732, to the first input of a switch 6728.
  • the second input of switch 6726 and the second input of switch 6728 are connected to a reference 6746. As shown in FIG. 67, the second input of switch 6726 and the second input of switch 6728 are connected to the same reference 6746.
  • reference 6746 is at ground and in another implementation reference 6746 is at a non-zero voltage.
  • a local oscillator 6714 generates an oscillating signal 6716.
  • the frequency of oscillating signal 6716 is preferably an odd sub-harmonic of the desired output frequency of the up- converter.
  • Oscillating signal 6716 is routed through a 180° phase shifter 6718 to generate a phase shifted oscillating signal 6720.
  • Oscillating signal 6716 is also routed through a pulse shaper 6722, and phase shifted oscillating signal 6720 is routed through a pulse shaper 6724.
  • Pulse shaper 6722 and pulse shaper 6724 are both optional, and, when used, output a string of pulses 6748 and a string of pulses 6750, respectively.
  • String of pulses 6748 is connected to the control input of switch 6726 and controls the frequency at which switch 6726 closes and opens.
  • String of pulses 6750 is connected to the control input of switch 6728 and controls the frequency at which switch 6728 closes and opens.
  • a signal 6734 from the first input of switch 6726 and a signal 6736 from the first input of switch 6728 are combined by a summer 6738.
  • the output of summer 6738 is a harmonically rich signal 6740 that is phase modulated.
  • Harmonically rich signal 6740 is comprised of a plurality of harmonics and is routed to a filter 6742. Filter 6742 extracts one or more of the harmonics as desired output signal 6744.
  • FIG. 66 One exemplary implementation of the second modulation embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 66 wherein a multiplication, modulation, and harmonic generation module 6600 generates a signal that is phase and amplitude modulated, as described below.
  • a first information signal 6602 and a second information signal 6604 are multiplied by a multiplier 6606.
  • multiplier 6606 For ease of discussion, and not meant to be limiting, first information signal 6602 will be considered to be a digital signal, and second information signal 6604 will be considered to be an analog signal.
  • the output of multiplier 6606 is a combined signal 6608.
  • Combined signal 6608 is preferably a digital signal having a baud rate substantially the same as the baud rate of first information signal 6602 and whose bits have amplitudes that are a function of the amplitude of second information signal 6604.
  • Combined signal 6608 is routed through an optional filter 6610. This results in a filtered combined signal 6612.
  • Filtered combined signal 6612 is connected through a load, shown as an inductor 6614, to the first input of a switch 6616.
  • the second input of switch 6616 is connected to a reference 6626.
  • reference 6626 is at the potential about which first information signal 6602 switches.
  • first information signal 6602 is a digital signal whose "low” value is 0 volts and whose "high” value is 5 volts
  • reference 6626 will be between 0 and 5 volts, such as, for example, 2.5 volts.
  • This example is for illustrative purposes only, and is not meant to be limiting.
  • a person skilled in the relevant art(s) will understand that there are a number of values for the "high,” "low,” and reference voltages which will result in a phase shift of the carrier when the "state" of the information signal crosses the reference voltage.
  • a local oscillator 6618 generates an oscillating signal 6620.
  • the frequency of oscillating signal 6620 is a sub-harmonic of the desired output frequency of the up-converter.
  • Oscillating signal 6620 is routed through a pulse shaper 6622.
  • Pulse shaper 6622 is optional, and, when used, outputs a string of pulses 6624.
  • String of pulses 6624 is connected to the control input of switch 6616, and controls the frequency at which switch 6616 closes and opens.
  • the first input of switch 6616 is also connected to the input of a differentiation circuit 6628.
  • differentiation circuit 6628 is shown as being comprised of a capacitor 6630 in series and a resistor 6632 shunted to ground. This circuit diagram is shown for illustrative purposes only, and persons skilled in the art(s) will appreciate that other differentiating circuits may be used.
  • the output of differentiation circuit 6628 is a harmonically rich signal 6634 that is both phase and amplitude modulated.
  • first information signal 6602 the digital signal, phase modulates harmonically rich signal 6634
  • second information signal 6604 the analog signal, amplitude modulates harmonically rich signal 6634.
  • Harmonically rich signal 6634 is comprised of a plurality of harmonics and is routed to a filter 6636.
  • Filter 6636 extracts one or more of the harmonics as desired output signal 6638.
  • the output of differentiation circuit 6628 is such that the phase modulation is a function of an information signal whose high and low states are above and below the reference voltage, and the amplitude modulation is a function of the information signal whose voltage remains either above or below the reference voltage, but does not cross it.
  • FIG. 68 A second exemplary implementation of the second modulation embodiment is shown in FIG. 68 wherein a multiplication, modulation, and harmonic generation module 6800 generates a signal that is phase and amplitude modulated, as described below.
  • first information signal 6802 and a second information signal 6804 are multiplied by a multiplier 6806.
  • first information signal 6802 will be considered to be a digital signal
  • second information signal 6804 will be considered to be an analog signal.
  • the output of multiplier 6806 is a combined signal 6808.
  • Combined signal 6808 is a digital signal having a baud rate substantially the same as the baud rate of first information signal 6802 and whose bits have amplitudes that are a function of the amplitude of second information signal 6804.
  • Combined signal 6808 is routed through an optional filter 6810. This results in a filtered combined signal 6812.
  • Filtered combined signal 6812 is connected to a buffer/inverter module 6814.
  • Buffer/inverter module 6814 outputs a buffered combined signal 6820 and an inverted combined signal 6822.
  • Buffered combined signal 6820 is substantially the same as filtered combined signal 6812 and inverted combined signal 6822 is substantially equal to the inverse of buffered combined signal 6820.
  • a number of circuits such as off-the-shelf buffers and off-the- shelf inverters, or custom designed buffers and inverters, can be used to accomplish the function of buffer/inverter module 6814, as can be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art(s).
  • Buffered combined signal 6820 is then routed through a load, shown as an inductor 6840, to the first input of a switch 6844, and inverted combined signal 6822 is routed through a load, shown as an inductor 6842, to the first input of a switch 6846.
  • the second input of switch 6844 and the second input of switch 6846 are connected to a reference 6848. As shown in FIG. 68, the second input of switch 6844 and the second input of switch 6846 are connected to the same reference 6848.
  • reference 6848 is at the potential about which first information signal 6802 switches.
  • first information signal 6802 is a digital signal whose "low” value is 0 volts and whose "high” value is 5 volts
  • reference 6848 will be between 0 and 5 volts, such as, for example, 2.5 volts.
  • This example is for illustrative purposes only, and is not meant to be limiting.
  • a person skilled in the relevant art(s) will understand that there are a number of values for the "high,” "low,” and reference voltages which will result in a phase shift of the carrier when the "state" of the information signal crosses the reference voltage.
  • a local oscillator 6824 generates an oscillating signal 6826.
  • the frequency of oscillating signal 6826 is preferably an odd sub-harmonic of the desired output frequency of the up- converter.
  • Oscillating signal 6826 is routed through a 180° phase shifter 6828 to generate a phase shifted oscillating signal 6830.
  • Oscillating signal 6826 is also routed through a pulse shaper 6832, and phase shifted oscillating signal 6830 is routed through a pulse shaper 6834.
  • Pulse shaper 6832 and pulse shaper 6834 are both optional, and, when used, output a string of pulses 6836 and a string of pulses 6838, respectively.
  • String of pulses 6836 is connected to the control input of switch 6844 and controls the frequency at which switch 6844 closes and opens.
  • String of pulses 6838 is connected to the control input of switch 6846 and controls the frequency at which switch 6846 closes and opens.
  • a signal 6850 from the first input of switch 6844 and a signal 6852 from the first input of switch 6846 are combined by a summer 6854.
  • the output of summer 6854 is a harmonically rich signal 6856 that is both phase and amplitude modulated.
  • first information signal 6802, the digital signal, phase modulates harmonically rich signal 6854
  • second information signal 6804, the analog signal, amplitude modulates harmonically rich signal 6856 the analog signal, amplitude modulates harmonically rich signal 6856.
  • Harmonically rich signal 6856 is comprised of a plurality of harmonics and is routed to a filter 6858.
  • Filter 6858 extracts one or more of the harmonics as desired output signal 6860.
  • the output of the circuit is such that the phase modulation is a function of an information signal whose high and low states are above and below the reference voltage, and the amplitude modulation is a function of the information signal whose voltage remains either above or below the reference voltage, but does not cross it.
  • first information signal 6902 is routed through an optional filter 6906. This results in a first filtered information signal 6910.
  • first information signal 6902 (as well as first filtered information signal 6910) is a digital signal, although the invention may be able to operate with analog signals.
  • First filtered information signal 6910 is connected through a load, shown as an inductor 6914, to the first input of a switch 6934.
  • the second input of switch 6934 is connected to a reference 6938.
  • reference 6938 is at ground and, in another implementation, reference 6938 is at a non-zero voltage.
  • a second information signal 6904 is routed through an optional filter 6908. This results in a second filtered information signal 6912.
  • second information signal 6904 (as well as second filtered information signal 6912) is a digital signal, although the invention may operate with analog signals.
  • Second filtered information signal 6912 is connected through a load, shown as an inductor 6916, to the first input of a switch 6936.
  • the second input of switch 6936 is connected to a reference 6940.
  • reference 6940 is at ground and, in another implementation, reference 6940 is at a non-zero voltage.
  • a local oscillator 6918 generates an in-phase, "I,” oscillating signal 6920.
  • the frequency of "I” oscillating signal 6920 is a sub-harmonic of the desired output frequency of the up- converter.
  • "I” oscillating signal 6920 is routed through a pulse shaper 6926.
  • Pulse shaper 6926 is optional, and, when used, outputs an "I” string of pulses 6930.
  • "F string of pulses 6930 is connected to the control input of switch 6934, and controls the frequency at which switch 6934 closes and opens.
  • Fr oscillating signal 6920 is also routed through a 90 "phase shifter 6922.
  • the output of 90° phase shifter 6922 is a quadrature-phase, "Q,” oscillating signal 6924.
  • "Q" oscillating signal 6924 is routed through a pulse shaper 6928.
  • Pulse shaper 6928 is optional, and, when used, outputs a "Q” string of pulses 6932.
  • “Q” string of pulses 6932 is connected to the control input of switch 6936, and controls the frequency at which switch 6936 closes and opens.
  • the first input of switch 6934 is also connected to the input of a differentiation circuit 6942.
  • differentiation circuit 6942 is shown as being comprised of a capacitor 6944 in series and a resistor 6946 shunted to ground. This circuit diagram is shown for illustrative purposes only, and persons skilled in the art(s) will appreciate that other differentiating circuits may be used.
  • the output of differentiation circuit 6942 is a harmonically rich "I" signal 6954 that is phase modulated.
  • the first input of switch 6936 is also connected to the input of a differentiation circuit 6948.
  • differentiation circuit 6948 is shown as being comprised of a capacitor 6950 in series and a resistor 6952 shunted to ground. This circuit diagram is shown for illustrative purposes only, and persons skilled in the art(s) will appreciate that other differentiating circuits may be used.
  • the output of differentiation circuit 6948 is a harmonically rich "Q" signal 6956 that is phase modulated. Harmonically rich "I” signal 6954 and harmonically rich “Q” signal 6956 are then routed to a summer 6958 where they are combined.
  • Summer 6958 outputs harmonically rich "I/Q” signal 6960. Harmonically rich "I Q” signal 6960 is comprised of a plurality of harmonics and is routed to a filter 6962. Filter 6962 extracts one or more of the harmonics as desired "I/Q” output signal 6964.
  • a second exemplary implementation of the third modulation embodiment is the "I/Q" embodiment shown in HG. 70.
  • a first information signal 7002 is routed to an optional filter 7006. This results in a first filtered information signal 7008.
  • first information signal 7002 is routed to an optional filter 7006. This results in a first filtered information signal 7008.
  • First filtered information signal 7002 (as well as first filtered information signal 7008) is a digital signal, although the invention may operate with analog signals.
  • First filtered information signal 7008 is connected to a first buffer/inverter module 7010.
  • First buffer/inverter module 7010 outputs a buffered first information signal 7016 and an inverted first information signal 7018.
  • Buffered first information signal 7016 is substantially the same as first filtered information signal 7008 and inverted first information signal 7018 is substantially equal to the inverse of buffered first information signal 7016.
  • a number of circuits such as off-the-shelf buffers and off-the-shelf inverters, or custom designed buffers and inverters, can be used to accomplish the function of buffer/inverter module 7010, as can be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art(s).
  • Buffered first information signal 7016 is then routed through a load, shown as an inductor 7066, to the first input of a switch 7074, and inverted first information signal 7018 is routed through a load, shown as an inductor 7068, to the first input of a switch 7076.
  • the second input of switch 7074 and the second input of switch 7076 are connected to a reference 7082. As shown in HG. 70, the second input of switch 7074 and the second input of switch
  • reference 7076 are connected to the same reference 7082. Those skilled in the relevant art(s) will understand that this does not need to be the same reference. In one implementation, reference 7082 is at ground and in another implementation reference 7082 is at a non-zero voltage.
  • a second information signal 7004 is routed to an optional filter 7036. This results in a second filtered information signal 7038.
  • second info ⁇ nation signal 7004 (as well as second filtered information signal 7038) is a digital signal.
  • Second filtered information signal 7038 is connected to a second buffer/inverter module 7040.
  • Second buffer/inverter module 7040 outputs a buffered second information signal 7046 and an inverted second information signal 7048.
  • Buffered second information signal 7046 is substantially the same as second filtered information signal 7038 and inverted second information signal 7048 is substantially equal to the inverse of buffered second information signal 7046.
  • buffer/inverter module 7040 A number of circuits, such as off-the-shelf buffers and off-the-shelf inverters, or custom designed buffers and inverters, can be used to accomplish the function of buffer/inverter module 7040, as can be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art(s).
  • Buffered second information signal 7046 is then routed through a load, shown as an inductor 7070, to the first input of a switch 7078, and inverted second information signal 7048 is routed through a load, shown as an inductor 7072, to the first input of a switch 7080.
  • the second input of switch 7078 and the second input of switch 7080 are connected to a reference 7084. As shown in HG.
  • reference 7084 is at ground and in another implementation reference 7084 is at a non-zero voltage.
  • a local oscillator 7020 generates an in-phase, "I,” oscillating signal 7022.
  • the frequency of "I” oscillating signal 7022 is preferably an odd sub-harmonic of the desired output frequency of the up-converter.
  • "I" oscillating signal 7022 is routed through a 180° phase shifter
  • Pulse shaper 7028 and pulse shaper 7030 are both optional, and, when used, output an "I” string of pulses 7032 and an "I” string of pulses 7034, respectively.
  • "I” string of pulses 7032 is connected to the control input of switch 7074 and controls the frequency at which switch 7074 closes and opens.
  • "I" string of pulses 7034 is connected to the control input of switch 7076 and controls the frequency at which switch 7076 closes and opens.
  • An "I” signal 7086 from the first input of switch 7074 and an “I” signal 7088 from the first input of switch 7076 are combined by a summer 7094.
  • the output of summer 7094 is a harmonically rich "I" signal 7081 that is phase modulated.
  • Frequency oscillating signal 7022 is also routed through a 90° phase shifter 7050 to generate a quadrature-phase, "Q,” oscillating signal 7052.
  • Q oscillating signal 7052 is routed through a 90° phase shifter 7050 to generate a quadrature-phase, "Q,” oscillating signal 7052.
  • Q oscillating signal 7052 is routed through a 90° phase shifter 7050 to generate a quadrature-phase, "Q,” oscillating signal 7052.
  • Q oscillating signal 7052 is routed through a
  • 180° phase shifter 7054 to generate a 180° phase shifted "Q" oscillating signal 7056.
  • "Q" oscillating signal 7052 is also routed through a pulse shaper 7058, and 180° phase shifted "Q” oscillating signal 7056 is routed through a pulse shaper 7060.
  • Pulse shaper 7058 and pulse shaper 7060 are both optional, and, when used, output a "Q" string of pulses 7062 and a "Q” string of pulses 7064, respectively.
  • “Q” string of pulses 7062 is connected to the control input of switch 7078 and controls the frequency at which switch 7078 closes and opens.
  • "Q" string of pulses 7064 is connected to the control input of switch 7080 and controls the frequency at which switch 7080 closes and opens.
  • a "Q" signal 7090 from the first input of switch 7078 and a “Q” signal 7092 from the first input of switch 7080 are combined by a summer 7096.
  • the output of summer 7096 is a harmonically rich "Q" signal 7083 that is phase modulated.
  • Harmonically rich “I” signal 7081 and harmonically rich “Q” signal 7083 are combined by summer 7085 which outputs a harmonically rich "I/Q” signal 7087.
  • Harmonically rich "I/Q” signal 7087 is comprised of a plurality of harmonics and is routed to a filter 7089. Filter 7089 extracts one or more of the harmonics as desired "I/Q” output signal 7098.
  • HG. 71 In the fourth modulation embodiment, four information signals are modulated onto an "J7Q" carrier as shown in the example of HG. 71.
  • a first information signal 7102 and a second information signal 7104 are received by a multiplication, modulation, and harmonic generation module 7110.
  • a first exemplary implementation of multiplication, modulation, and harmonic generation module 7110 is shown in HG. 66 as multiplication, modulation, and harmonic generation module 6600 and a second exemplary implementation of multiplication, modulation, and harmonic generation module 7110 is shown in HG. 68 as multiplication, modulation, and harmonic generation module 6800.
  • HG. 68 As multiplication, modulation, and harmonic generation module 6800.
  • a local oscillator 7114 generates an in-phase, "I,” oscillating signal 7116.
  • the frequency of "I” oscillating signal 7116 is a sub-harmonic frequency of the desired output frequency of the up-converter, and is received by multiplication, modulation, and harmonic generation module 7110, and causes it to output a harmonically rich "I" signal 7122 that is both phase and 5 amplitude modulated.
  • the frequency of "I" oscillating signal 7116 is an odd sub-harmonic of the desired output frequency.
  • a third information signal 7106 and a fourth information signal 7108 are received by a L0 multipHcation, modulation, and harmonic generation module 7112.
  • a first exemplary implementation of multiplication, modulation, and harmonic generation module 7112 is shown in HG. 66 as multiplication, modulation, and harmonic generation module 6600 and a second exemplary implementation of multiplication, modulation, and harmonic generation module 7112 is shown in HG. 68 as multiplication, modulation, and harmonic generation module 6800. .5
  • other implementations will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s).
  • Frequency modulation signal 7116 is routed to 90° phase shifter 7118.
  • the output of 90° phase shifter 7118 is a quadrature-phase, "Q,” oscillating signal 7120.
  • Q oscillating signal 7120 is received by multiplication, modulation, and harmonic generation module 7112 and causes it to .0 output a harmonically rich "Q" signal 7124 that is both phase and amplitude modulated.
  • Harmonically rich "F signal 7122 and harmonically rich “Q” signal 7124 are combined by a summer. 7126.
  • the output of summer 7126 is a harmonically rich "I/Q” signal 7128.
  • Harmonically rich "I Q” signal 7128 is comprised of a plurality of harmonics and is routed to a filter 7130.
  • Filter 7130 extracts one or more of the harmonics as desired "J/Q” output signal 5 7132. Desired “J/Q” output signal 7132 is phase and amplitude modulated on the "I” phase and phase and amplitude modulated on the "Q” phase, as discussed above in the discussion of the second modulation embodiment.
  • the frequency modulation (FM) mode embodiment of the invention uses a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). See, as an example, VCO 1204 in HG. 12.
  • VCO voltage controlled oscillator
  • the invention supports numerous embodiments of the VCO. Exemplary embodiments of the VCO 2304 (HG. 23) are described below. However, it should be understood that these examples are provided for illustrative purposes only. The invention is not limited to these embodiments.
  • the information signal 2302 is accepted and an oscillating signal 2306 whose frequency varies as a function of the information signal 2302 is created. Oscillating signal 2306 is also refened to as frequency modulated intermediate signal 2306.
  • the information signal 2302 may be analog or digital or a combination thereof, and may be conditioned to ensure it is within the desired range.
  • the oscillating signal 2306 may vary between discrete frequencies. For example, in a binary system, a first frequency co ⁇ esponds to a digital "high,” and a second frequency co ⁇ esponds to a digital "low.” Either frequency may conespond to the "high” or the "low,” depending on the convention being used. This operation is refened to as frequency shift keying (FSK) which is a subset of FM. If the information signal 2302 is analog, the frequency of the oscillating signal 2306 will vary as a function of that analog signal, and is not limited to the subset of FSK described above.
  • FSK frequency shift keying
  • the oscillating signal 2306 is a frequency modulated signal which can be a sinusoidal wave, a rectangular wave, a triangular wave, a pulse, or any other continuous and periodic waveform.
  • a frequency modulated signal which can be a sinusoidal wave, a rectangular wave, a triangular wave, a pulse, or any other continuous and periodic waveform.
  • rectangular waveform will be used to refer to waveforms that are substantially rectangular
  • square wave will refer to those waveforms that are substantially square
  • triangular wave will refer to those waveforms that are substantially triangular
  • pulse will refer to those waveforms that are substantially a pulse, arid it is not the intent of the present invention that a perfect square wave, triangle wave, or pulse be generated or needed.
  • VCO 2304 The design and use of a voltage controlled oscillator 2304 is well known to those skilled in the relevant art(s).
  • the VCO 2304 may be designed and fabricated from discrete components, or it may be purchased "off the shelf.”
  • VCO 2304 accepts an information signal 2302 from a source.
  • the information signal 2302 is at baseband and generally is an electrical signal within a prescribed voltage range. If the information is digital, the voltage will be at discrete levels. If the information is analog, the voltage will be continuously variable between an upper and a lower level.
  • the VCO 2304 uses the voltage of the information signal 2302 to cause a modulated oscillating signal 2306 to be output.
  • the information signal 2302 because it is a baseband signal and is used to modulate the oscillating signal, may be refened to as the modulating baseband signal 2302.
  • the frequency of the oscillating signal 2306 varies as a function of the voltage of the modulating baseband signal 2302. If the modulating baseband signal 2302 represents digital information, the frequency of the oscillating signal 2306 will be at discrete levels. If, on the other hand, the modulating baseband signal 2302 represents analog information, the frequency of the oscillating signal 2306 will be continuously variable between its higher and lower frequency limits.
  • the oscillating signal 2306 can be a sinusoidal wave, a rectangular wave, a triangular wave, a pulse, or any other continuous and periodic waveform.
  • the frequency modulated oscillating signal 2306 may then be used to drive a switch module 2802.
  • phase modulation (PM) and amplitude modulation (AM) mode embodiments of the invention use a local oscillator. So too does the in-phase/quadrature-phase modulation ("J/Q") mode embodiment. See, as an example, local oscillator 1406 in HG. 14, local oscillator 1610 in HG. 16, and local oscillator 1806 in HG. 18.
  • the invention supports numerous embodiments of the local oscillator. Exemplary embodiments of the local oscillator 2402 (HG. 24) are described below. However, it should be understood that these examples are provided for illustrative purposes only. The invention is not limited to these embodiments.
  • the frequency of the signal 2404 may be selectable, but generally is not considered to be “variable.” That is, the frequency may be selected to be a specific value for a specific implementation, but generally it does not vary as a function of the information signal 2302 (i.e., the modulating baseband signal):
  • the oscillating signal 2404 generally is a sinusoidal wave, but it may also be a rectangular wave, a triangular wave, a pulse, or any other continuous and periodic waveform.
  • the term “rectangular waveform” will be used to refer to waveforms that are substantially rectangular
  • the term “square wave” will refer to those waveforms that are substantially square
  • the term “triangular wave” will refer to those waveforms that are substantially triangular
  • the term “pulse” will refer to those waveforms that are substantially a pulse, and it is not the intent of the present invention that a perfect square wave, triangle wave, or pulse be generated or needed.
  • a local oscillator 2402 may be designed and fabricated from discrete components or it may be purchased “off the shelf.”
  • a local oscillator 2402 is generally set to output a specific frequency. The output can be "fixed” or it can be “selectable,” based on the design of the circuit. If it is fixed, the output is considered to be substantially a fixed frequency that cannot be changed. If the output frequency is selectable, the design of the circuit will allow a control signal to be applied to the local oscillator 2402 to change the frequency for different applications.
  • the output frequency of a local oscillator 2402 is not considered to be “variable” as a function of an information signal 2302 such as the modulating baseband signal 2302. (If it were desired for the output frequency of an oscillator to be variable as a function of an information signal, a VCO would preferably be used.)
  • the oscillating signal 2404 generally is a sinusoidal wave, but it may also be a rectangular wave, a triangular wave, a pulse, or any other continuous and periodic waveform.
  • the output of a local oscillator 2402 may be an input to other circuit components such as a phase modulator 2606, a phase shifting circuit 2504, switch module 3102, etc.
  • the in-phase/quadrature-phase modulation ("I/Q") mode embodiment of the invention uses a phase shifter. See, as an example, phase shifter 1810 in HG. 18.
  • the invention supports numerous embodiments of the phase shifter. Exemplary embodiments of the phase shifter 2504 (HG. 25) are described below. The invention is not limited to these embodiments. The description contained herein is for a "90° phase shifter.”
  • phase shifter is used for ease of explanation, and one skilled in the relevant art(s) will understand that other phase shifts can be used without departing from the intent of the present invention.
  • an "in-phase” oscillating signal 2502 is received and a “quadrature-phase” oscillating signal 2506 is output.
  • the in-phase (“I") signal 2502 is refened to as being a sine wave
  • the quadrature-phase (“Q") signal 2506 can be refened to as being a cosine wave (i.e., the "Q" signal 2506 is 90° out of phase with the "I” signal 2502).
  • they may also be rectangular waves, triangular waves, pulses, or any other continuous and periodic waveforms.
  • one skilled in the relevant art(s) will recognize the physical limitations to and mathematical obstacles against achieving exact or perfect waveforms and it is not the intent of the present invention that a perfect waveform be generated or needed.
  • the term “rectangular waveform” will be used to refer to waveforms that are substantially rectangular
  • the term “square wave” will refer to those waveforms that are substantially square
  • the term “triangular wave” will refer to those waveforms that are substantially triangular
  • the term “pulse” will refer to those waveforms that are substantially a pulse, and it is not the intent of the present invention that a perfect square wave, triangle wave, or pulse be generated or needed.
  • the "Q" signal 2506 is out of phase with the "I” signal 2506 by one-quarter period of the waveform.
  • the frequency of the "I” and “Q” signals 2502 and 2506 are substantially equal.
  • phase shifter 2504 accepts an "in-phase” (“I”) oscillating signal 2502 from any of a number of sources, such as a VCO 2304 or a local oscillator 2402, and outputs a "quadrature-phase” (“Q”) oscillating signal 2506 that is substantially the same frequency and substantially the same shape as the incoming "I” signal 2502, but with the phase shifted by 90°.
  • I in-phase
  • Q quadrature-phase
  • Both the "I” and “Q” signals 2502 and 2506 are generally sinusoidal waves, but they may also be rectangular waves, triangular waves, pulses, or any other continuous and periodic waveforms. Regardless of the shapes of the waveforms, the "Q” signal 2506 is out of phase with the "I” signal 2502 by one-quarter period of the waveform. Both the "I” and “Q” signals 2502 and 2506 may be modulated.
  • phase shifter 2504 may be used as an input to a phase modulator 2606.
  • phase modulation (PM) mode embodiment including the in- phase/quadrature-phase modulation (“J/Q") mode embodiment of the invention uses a phase modulator. See, as an example, phase modulator 1404 of HG. 14 and phase modulators 1804 and 1816 of HG. 18.
  • the invention supports numerous embodiments of the phase modulator. Exemplary embodiments of the phase modulator 2606 (HG. 26) are described below. However, it should be understood that these examples are provided for illustrative purposes only. The invention is not limited to these embodiments.
  • An information signal 2602 and an oscillating signal 2604 are accepted, and a phase modulated oscillating signal 2608 whose phase varies as a function of the information signal
  • the information signal 2602 may be analog or digital and may be conditioned to ensure it is within the desired range.
  • the oscillating signal 2604 can be a sinusoidal wave, a rectangular wave, a triangular wave, a pulse, or any other continuous and periodic waveform. As stated above, one skilled in the relevant art(s) will recognize the physical limitations to and mathematical obstacles against achieving exact or perfect waveforms and it is not the intent of the present invention that a perfect waveform be generated or needed.
  • the term “rectangular waveform” will be used to refer to waveforms that are substantially rectangular
  • the term “square wave” will refer to those waveforms that are substantially square
  • the term “triangular wave” will refer to those waveforms that are substantially triangular
  • the term “pulse” will refer to those waveforms that are substantially a pulse, and it is not the intent of the present invention that a perfect square wave, triangle wave, or pulse be generated or needed.
  • the modulated oscillating signal 2608 is also refened to as the modulated intermediate signal 2608.
  • the modulated intermediate signal 2608 will shift phase between discrete values, the first phase (e.g., for a signal represented by sin ( ⁇ t+ ⁇ 0 )) conesponding to a digital "high,” and the second phase (e.g., for a signal represented by sin ( ⁇ t+ ⁇ 0 + ⁇ ) , where ⁇ represents the amount the phase has been shifted) conesponding to a digital "low.”
  • the first phase e.g., for a signal represented by sin ( ⁇ t+ ⁇ 0 + ⁇ )
  • ⁇ represents the amount the phase has been shifted
  • Either phase may conespond to the "high” or the "low,” depending on the convention being used.
  • This operation is refened to as phase shift keying (PSK) which is a subset of PM.
  • PSK phase shift keying
  • the phase of the modulated intermediate signal 2608 will vary as a function of the information signal 2602 and is not limited to the subset of PSK described above.
  • the modulated intermediate signal 2608 is a phase modulated signal which can be a sinusoidal wave, a rectangular wave, a triangular wave, a pulse, or any other continuous and periodic waveform, and which has substantially the same period as the oscillating signal 2604.
  • phase modulator 2606 The design and use of a phase modulator 2606 is well known to those skilled in the relevant art(s).
  • a phase modulator 2606 may be designed and fabricated from discrete components, or it may be purchased "off the shelf.”
  • a phase modulator 2606 accepts an information signal 2602 from a source and an oscillating signal 2604 from a local oscillator 2402 or a phase shifter 2504.
  • the information signal 2602 is at baseband and is generally an electrical signal within a prescribed voltage range. If the information is digital, the voltage will be at discrete levels. If the information is analog, the voltage will be continuously variable between an upper and a lower level as a function of the information signal 2602.
  • the phase modulator 2606 uses the voltage of the information signal 2602 to modulate the oscillating signal 2604 and causes a modulated intermediate signal 2608 to be output.
  • the information signal 2602 because it is a baseband signal and is used to modulate the oscillating signal, may be refened to as the modulating baseband signal 2604.
  • the modulated intermediate signal 2608 is an oscillating signal whose phase varies as a function of the voltage of the modulating baseband signal 2602. If the modulating baseband signal 2602 represents digital information, the phase of the modulated intermediate signal 2608 will shift by a discrete amount (e.g., the modulated intermediate signal 2608 will shift by an amount ⁇ between sin ( ⁇ t+ ⁇ 0 ) and sin ( ⁇ t+ ⁇ 0 + ⁇ )). Jf, on the other hand, the modulating baseband signal 2602 represents analog information, the phase of the modulated intermediate signal 2608 will continuously shift between its higher and lower phase limits as a function of the information signal 2602.
  • the upper and lower limits of the modulated intermediate signal 2608 can be represented as sin( ⁇ t+ ⁇ 0 ) and sin( ⁇ t+ ⁇ 0 + ⁇ ). In other embodiments, the range of the phase shift may be less than ⁇ .
  • the modulated intermediate signal 2608 can be a sinusoidal wave, a rectangular wave, a triangular wave, a pulse, or any other continuous and periodic waveform.
  • the phase modulated intermediate signal 2608 may then be used to drive a switch module 2802.
  • the amplitude modulation (AM) mode embodiment of the invention uses a summing module. See, as an example, summing module 1606 in HG.16.
  • the invention supports numerous embodiments of the summing module. Exemplary embodiments of the summing module 2706 (HG. 27) are described below. However, it should be understood that these examples are provided for illustrative purposes only. The invention is not limited to these embodiments. It may also be used in the "I/Q" mode embodiment when the modulation is AM.
  • the summing module 2706 need not be used in all AM embodiments.
  • An information signal 2702 and a bias signal 2702 are accepted, and a reference signal is output.
  • the information signal 2702 may be analog or digital and may be conditioned to ensure it is within the proper range so as not to damage any of the circuit components.
  • the bias signal 2704 is usually a direct cunent (DC) signal.
  • the reference signal 2706 shifts between discrete values, the first value conesponding to a digital "high,” and the second value conesponding to a digital "low.” Either value may conespond to the "high” or the "low,” depending on the convention being used. This operation is refened to as amplitude shift keying
  • the value of the reference signal 2708 will vary linearly between upper and lower extremes which conespond to the upper and lower limits of the information signal 2702. Again, either extreme of the reference signal 2708 range may conespond to the upper or lower limit of the information signal 2702 depending on the convention being used.
  • the reference signal 2708 is a digital or analog signal and is substantially proportional to the information signal 2702.
  • a summing module 2706 may be designed and fabricated from discrete components, or it may be purchased "off the shelf.”
  • a summing module 2706 accepts an information signal 2702 from a source.
  • the information signal 2702 is at baseband and generally is an electrical signal within a prescribed voltage range. If the information is digital, the information signal 2702 is at either of two discrete levels. If the information is analog, the information signal 2702 is continuously variable between an upper and a lower level.
  • the summing module 2706 uses the voltage of the information signal 2702 and combines it with a bias signal 2704.
  • the output of the summing module 2706 is called the reference signal 2708.
  • the purpose of the summing module 2706 is to cause the reference signal 2708 to be within a desired signal range.
  • One skilled in the relevant art(s) will recognize that the information signal
  • the information signal 2702 may be used directly, without being summed with a bias signal 2704, if it is already within the desired range.
  • the information signal 2702 is a baseband signal, but typically, in an AM embodiment, it is not used to directly modulate an oscillating signal.
  • the amplitude of the reference signal 2708 is at discrete levels if the information signal 2702 represents digital information. On the other hand, the amplitude of the reference signal 2708 is continuously variable between its higher and lower limits if the information signal 2702 represents analog information.
  • the amplitude of the reference signal 2708 is substantially proportional to the information signal 2702, however, a positive reference signal 2708 need not represent a positive information signal 2702.
  • the reference signal 2708 is routed to the first input 3108 of a switch module 3102.
  • a resistor 2824 is connected between the output of the summing module 2706 (or the source of the information signal 2702 in the embodiment wherein the summing amplifier 2706 is not used) and the switch 3116 of the switch module 31
  • switch module 2802 is a component in switch module 1214 in FIG. 12, switch module 1410 in HG. 14, and switch modules 1822 and 1828 in HG. 18.
  • the invention supports numerous embodiments of the switch module. Exemplary embodiments of the switch module 2802 are described below.
  • the switch module 2802 and its operation in the FM, PM, and "J/Q" mode embodiments is substantially the same as its operation in the AM mode embodiment, described in sections 3.3.7-3.3.7.2 below.
  • a bias signal 2806 is gated as a result of the application of a modulated oscillating signal 2804, and a signal with a harmonically rich waveform 2814 is created.
  • the bias signal 2806 is generally a fixed voltage.
  • the modulated oscillating signal 2804 can be frequency modulated, phase modulated, or any other modulation scheme or combination thereof. In certain embodiments, such as in certain amplitude shift keying modes, the modulated oscillating signal 2804 may also be amplitude modulated.
  • the modulated oscillating signal 2804 can be a sinusoidal wave, a rectangular wave, a triangular wave, a pulse, or any other continuous and periodic waveform. In a prefened embodiment, modulated oscillating signal 2804 would be a rectangular wave.
  • the term “rectangular waveform” will be used to refer to waveforms that are substantially rectangular
  • the term “square wave” will refer to those waveforms that are substantially square
  • the term “triangular wave” will refer to those waveforms that are substantially triangular
  • the term “pulse” will refer to those waveforms that are substantially a pulse, and it is not the intent of the present invention that a perfect square wave, triangle wave, or pulse be generated or needed.
  • the signal with harmonically rich waveform 2814 is a continuous and periodic waveform that is modulated substantially the same as the modulated oscillating signal 2804. That is, if the modulated oscillating signal 2804 is frequency modulated, the harmonically rich signal 2814 will also be frequency modulated, and if the modulated oscillating signal 2804 is phase modulated, the harmonically rich signal 2814 will also be phase modulated.
  • the harmonically rich signal 2814 is a substantially rectangular waveform.
  • a continuous and periodic waveform such as a rectangular wave, has sinusoidal components (harmonics) at frequencies that are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency of the underlying waveform (the Fourier component frequencies).
  • the harmonically rich signal 2814 is composed of sinusoidal signals at frequencies that are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency of itself.
  • the switch module 2802 of an embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a first input 2808, a second input 2810, a control input 2820, an output 2822, and a switch 2816.
  • a bias signal 2806 is applied to the first input 2808 of the switch module 2802.
  • the bias signal 2806 is a fixed voltage, and in one embodiment of the invention, a resistor 2824 is located between the bias signal 2806 and the switch 2816.
  • the second input 2810 of the switch module 2802 is generally at electrical ground 2812. However, one skilled in the relevant art(s) will recognize that alternative embodiments exist wherein the second input 2810 may not be at electrical ground 2812, but rather a second signal 2818, provided that the second signal 2818 is different than the bias signal 2806.
  • a modulated oscillating signal 2804 is connected to the control input 2820 of the switch module 2802.
  • the modulated oscillating signal 2804 may be frequency modulated or phase modulated. (In some circumstances and embodiments, it may be amplitude modulated, such as in on/off keying, but this is not the general case, and will not be described herein.)
  • the modulated oscillating signal 2804 can be a sinusoidal wave, a rectangular wave, a triangular wave, a pulse, or any other continuous and periodic waveform. In a prefened embodiment, it would be a rectangular wave.
  • the modulated oscillating signal 2804 causes the switch 2816 to close and open.
  • the harmonically rich signal 2814 described in section 3.3.6.1 above, is found at the output 2822 of the switch module 2802.
  • the harmonically rich signal 2814 is a continuous and periodic waveform that is modulated substantially the same as the modulated oscillating signal
  • the harmonically rich signal 2814 has a substantially rectangular waveform.
  • a continuous and periodic waveform such as a rectangular wave, has sinusoidal components (harmonics) at frequencies that are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency of the underlying waveform (the Fourier component frequencies).
  • the harmonically rich signal 2814 is composed of sinusoidal signals at frequencies that are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency of itself. Each of these sinusoidal signals is also modulated substantially the same as the continuous and periodic waveform (i.e., the modulated oscillating signal 2804) from which it is derived.
  • the switch module 2802 operates as follows. When the switch 2816 is "open,” the output 2822 of switch module 2802 is at substantially the same voltage level as bias signal 2806.
  • the amplitude of harmonically rich signal 2814 is equal to the amplitude of the bias signal 2806.
  • the modulated oscillating signal 2804 causes the switch 2816 to become "closed”
  • the output 2822 of switch module 2802 becomes connected electrically to the second input 2810 of switch module 2802 (e.g., ground 2812 in one embodiment of the invention)
  • the amplitude of the harmonically rich signal 2814 becomes equal to the potential present at the second input 2810 (e.g., zero volts for the embodiment wherein the second input 2810 is connected to electrical ground 2812).
  • the amplitude of the harmonically rich signal 2814 is at either of two signal levels, i.e., bias signal 2806 or ground 2812, and has a frequency that is substantially equal to the frequency of the modulated oscillating signal 2804 that causes the switch 2816 to open and close.
  • the harmonically rich signal 2814 is modulated substantially the same as the modulated oscillating signal 2804.
  • the switch 2816 is a semiconductor device, such as a diode ring.
  • the switch is a transistor, such as a field effect transistor (FET).
  • FET field effect transistor
  • switch module 2802 can be designed as seen in HGs. 29A-29C, where the modulated oscillating signal 2804 is connected to the gate 2902 of the GaAsFET 2901, the bias signal 2806 is connected through a bias resistor 2824 to the source 2904 of the GaAsFET 2901, and electrical ground 2812 is connected to the drain 2906 of GaAsFET 2901. (In an alternate embodiment shown in HG.
  • a second signal 2818 may be connected to the drain 2906 of GaAsFET 2901.
  • the bias signal 2806 can be applied to either the source 2904 or to the drain 2906.
  • the switch module can be designed as shown in HGs. 30A-30C, wherein two GaAsFETs 3002 and 3004 are connected together, with the source 3010 of the first 3002 connected to the drain 3012 of the second 3004, and the drain 3006 of the first 3002 being connected to the source 3008 of the second 3004. This design a ⁇ angement will balance substantially all asymmetries.
  • An alternate implementation of the design includes a "dwell capacitor" wherein one side of a capacitor is connected to the first input of the switch and the other side of the capacitor is connected to the second input of the switch.
  • the purpose of the design is to increase the apparent aperture of the pulse without actually increasing its width.
  • Other switch designs and implementations will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s).
  • the output 2822 of the switch module 2802 i.e., the harmonically rich signal 2814, can be routed to a filter 3504 in the FM and PM modes or to a Summer 3402 in the "J/Q" mode.
  • the amplitude modulation (AM) mode embodiment of the invention uses a switching assembly refened to as switch module 3102 (HGs. 31A-31C).
  • switch module 3102 is a component in switch module 1614 of HG. 16.
  • the invention supports numerous embodiments of the switch module. Exemplary embodiments of the switch module 3102 are described below. However, it should be understood that these examples are provided for illustrative purposes only. The invention is not limited to these embodiments.
  • the switch module 3102 and its operation in the AM mode embodiment is substantially the same as its operation in the FM, PM, and "I/Q" mode embodiments described in sections 3.3.6-3.3.6.2 above. 3.3.7.1 Operational Description.
  • a reference signal 3106 is gated as a result of the application of an oscillating signal 3104, and a signal with a harmonically rich waveform 3114 is created.
  • the reference signal 3106 is a function of the information signal 2702 and may, for example, be either the summation of the information signal 2702 with a bias signal 2704 or it may be the information signal 2702 by itself.
  • the oscillating signal 3104 is generally not modulated, but can be.
  • the oscillating signal 3104 can be a sinusoidal wave, a rectangular wave, a triangular wave, a pulse, or any other continuous and periodic waveform. In a prefened embodiment, it would be a rectangular wave. As stated above, one skilled in the relevant art(s) will recognize the physical limitations to and mathematical obstacles against achieving exact or perfect waveforms and it is not the intent of the present invention that a perfect waveform be generated or needed.
  • rectangular waveform will be used to refer to waveforms that are substantially rectangular
  • square wave will refer to those waveforms that are substantially square
  • triangular wave will refer to those waveforms that are substantially triangular
  • pulse will refer to those waveforms that are substantially a pulse
  • the signal with a harmonically rich waveform 3114 is a continuous and periodic waveform whose amplitude is a function of the reference signal. That is, it is an AM signal.
  • the harmonically rich signal 3114 has a substantially rectangular waveform.
  • a continuous and periodic waveform such as a rectangular wave, will have sinusoidal components (harmonics) at frequencies that are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency of the underlying waveform (the Fourier component frequencies).
  • harmonically rich signal 3114 is composed of sinusoidal signals at frequencies that are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency of itself.
  • the switch module 3102 of the present invention is comprised of a first input 3108, a second input 3110, a control input 3120, an output 3122, and a switch 3116.
  • a reference signal
  • the reference signal 3106 is applied to the first input 3108 of the switch module 3102.
  • the reference signal 3106 is a function of the information signal 2702, and may either be the summation of the information signal 2702 with a bias signal or. it may be the information signal 2702 by itself.
  • a resistor 3124 is located between the reference signal 3106 and the switch 3116.
  • the second input 3110 of the switch module 3102 is generally at electrical ground 3112, however, one skilled in the relevant art(s) will recognize that alternative embodiments exist wherein the second input 3110 may not be at electrical ground 3112, but rather connected to a second signal 3118.
  • the inverted value of the reference signal 3106 is connected to the second input 3110 of the switch module 3102.
  • An oscillating signal 3104 is connected to the control input 3120 of the switch module
  • the oscillating signal 3104 is not modulated, but a person skilled in the relevant art(s) will recognize that there are embodiments wherein the oscillating signal 3104 may be frequency modulated or phase modulated, but these will not be described herein.
  • the oscillating signal 3104 can be a sinusoidal wave, a rectangular wave, a triangular wave, a pulse, or any other continuous and periodic waveform. In a prefened embodiment, it would be a rectangular wave.
  • the oscillating signal 3104 causes the switch 3116 to close and open.
  • the harmonically rich signal 3114 described in section 3.3.7.1 above is found at the output 3122 of the switch module 3102.
  • the harmonically rich signal 3114 is a continuous and periodic waveform whose amplitude is a function of the amplitude of the reference signal.
  • the harmonically rich signal 3114 has a substantially rectangular waveform.
  • a continuous and periodic waveform such as a rectangular wave, has sinusoidal components (harmonics) at frequencies that are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency of the underlying waveform (the Fourier component frequencies).
  • harmonically rich signal 3114 is composed of sinusoidal signals at frequencies that are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency of itself.
  • the relative amplitude of the harmonics of a continuous periodic waveform is generally a function of the ratio of the pulse width of the rectangular wave and the period of the fundamental frequency, and can be determined by doing a Fourier analysis of the periodic waveform.
  • the amplitude of the periodic waveform varies, as in the AM mode of the invention, the change in amplitude of the periodic waveform has a proportional effect on the absolute amplitude of the harmonics.
  • the AM is embedded on top of each of the harmonics.
  • the amplitude of the harmonically, rich signal 3114 is substantially equal to the reference signal 3106.
  • the oscillating signal 3104 causes the switch 3116 to become “closed”
  • the output 3122 of the switch module 3102 becomes connected electrically to the second input 3110 of the switch module 3102 (e.g., ground 3112 in one embodiment), and the amplitude of the harmonically rich signal 3114 becomes equal to the value of the second input
  • the amplitude of the harmonically rich signal 3114 is at either of two signal levels, i.e., reference signal 3106 or ground 3112, and has a frequency that is substantially equal to the frequency of the oscillating signal 3104 that causes the switch 3116 to open and close.
  • the harmonically rich signal 3114 varies between the reference signal 3106 and the second signal 3118.
  • the switch 3116 is a semiconductor device, such as a diode ring.
  • the switch is a transistor, such as, but not limited to, a field effect transistor (FET).
  • FET field effect transistor
  • the module can be designed as seen in HGs. 32A-32C, where the oscillating signal 3104 is connected to the gate 3202 of the GaAsFET 3201, the reference signal 3106 is connected to the source 3204, and electrical ground 3112 is connected to the drain 3206 (in the embodiment where ground 3112 is selected as the value of the second input 3110 of the switch module 3102).
  • the reference signal 3106 can be applied to either the source 3204 or to the drain 3206. If there is concern that there might be some source-drain asymmetry in the GaAsFET 3201, the switch 3116 can be designed as shown in HGs. 33A-33C, wherein two GaAsFETs 3302 and 3304 are connected together, with the source 3310 of the first 3302 connected to the drain 3312 of the second 3304, and the drain 3306 of the first 3302 being connected to the source 3308 of the second 3304. This design a ⁇ angement will substantially balance all asymmetries.
  • An alternate implementation of the design includes a "dwell capacitor" wherein one side of a capacitor is connected to the first input of the switch and the other side of the capacitor is connected to the second input of the switch.
  • the purpose of the design is to increase the apparent aperture of the pulse without actually increasing its width.
  • Other switch designs and implementations will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s).
  • the output 3122 of the switch module 3102 i.e., the harmonically rich signal 3114, can be routed to a filter 3504 in the AM mode.
  • the in-phase/quadrature-phase modulation ("I/Q") mode embodiment of the invention uses a summer. See, as an example, summer 1832 in HG. 18.
  • the invention supports numerous embodiments of the summer. Exemplary embodiments of the summer 3402 (HG. 34) are described below. However, it should be understood that these examples are provided for illustrative purposes only. The invention is not limited to these embodiments.
  • both “I” and “Q” modulated signals 3404 and 3406 are harmonically rich waveforms, which are refened to as the harmonically rich “I” signal 3404 and the harmonically rich “Q” signal 3406.
  • “I/Q” modulated signal 3408 is harmonically rich and is refened to as the harmonically rich “I/Q” signal.
  • these harmonically rich signals have substantially rectangular waveforms.
  • the harmonically rich "I” signal 3404 and the harmonically rich “Q” signal 3406 are phase modulated, as is the harmonically, rich "J Q” signal 3408.
  • modulation techniques such as amplitude modulating the "I/Q” signal, may also be used in the "J/Q” mode without deviating from the scope and spirit of the invention.
  • a continuous and periodic waveform such as harmonically rich "I/Q" signal 3408, has sinusoidal components (harmonics) at frequencies that are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency of the underlying waveform (the Fourier component frequencies).
  • harmonically rich "I/Q” signal 3408 is composed of sinusoidal signals at frequencies that are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency of itself. These sinusoidal signals are also modulated substantially the same as the continuous and periodic waveform from which they are derived. That is, in this embodiment, the sinusoidal signals are phase modulated, and include the information from both the "I" modulated signal and the "Q" modulated signal.
  • a summer 3402 may be designed and fabricated from discrete components, or it may be purchased “off the shelf.”
  • a summer 3402 accepts a harmonically rich "I” signal 3404 and a harmonically rich “Q” signal 3406, and combines them to create a harmonically rich "J/Q” signal
  • the harmonically rich "I” signal 3404 and the harmonically rich “Q” signal 3406 are both phase modulated.
  • the harmonically rich "J Q” signal 3408 is also phase modulated.
  • a continuous and periodic waveform such as the harmonically rich "I/Q” signal 3408
  • the harmonically rich "J/Q” signal 3408 is composed of "J/Q” sinusoidal signals at frequencies that are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency of itself.
  • These "J/Q” sinusoidal signals are also phase modulated substantially the same as the continuous and periodic waveform from which they are derived (i.e., the harmonically rich "I/Q” signal 3408).
  • the output of the summer 3402 is then routed to a filter 3504.
  • a filter See, as an example, filter 1218 in HG. 12, filter 1414 in HG. 14, filter 1618 in HG. 16, and filter 1836 in HG. 18.
  • the invention supports numerous embodiments of the filter. Exemplary embodiments of the filter 3504 (HG. 35) are described below. However, it should be understood that these examples are provided for illustrative purposes only. The invention is not limited to these embodiments.
  • a modulated signal with a harmonically rich waveform 3502 is accepted. It is refened to as the harmonically rich signal 3502.
  • a continuous and periodic waveform such as the harmonically rich signal 3502 is comprised of sinusoidal components (harmonics) at frequencies that are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency of the underlying waveform from which they are derived. These are called the Fourier component frequencies.
  • the undesired harmonic frequencies are removed, and the desired frequency 3506 is output.
  • a plurality of harmonic frequencies are output.
  • the harmonic components of the harmonically rich signal 3502 are modulated in the same manner as the harmonically rich signal 3502 itself. That is, if the harmonically rich signal
  • a filter 3504 may be designed and fabricated from discrete components or it may be purchased “off the shelf.”
  • the filter 3504 accepts the harmonically rich signal 3502 from the switch module 2802 or 3102 in the FM, PM, and AM modes, and from the summer 3402 in the "I/Q" mode.
  • the harmonically rich signal 3502 is a continuous and periodic waveform. As such, it is comprised of sinusoidal components (harmonics) that are at frequencies that are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency of the underlying harmonically rich signal 3502.
  • the filter 3504 removes those sinusoidal signals having undesired frequencies.
  • the signal 3506 that remains is at the desired frequency, and is called the desired output signal 3506.
  • a filter 3504 is required to filter out the unwanted harmonics of the harmonically rich signal 3502.
  • the term "Q" is used to represent the ratio of the center frequency of the desired output signal 3506 to the half power band width. Looking at HG. 36 we see a desired frequency 3602 of 900 MHz. The filter 3504 is used to ensure that only the energy at that frequency 3602 is transmitted. Thus, the bandwidth 3604 at half power (the so-called “3 dB down” point) should be as na ⁇ ow as possible. The ratio of frequency 3602 to bandwidth 3604 is defined as "Q.” As shown on HG. 36, if the "3 dB down" point is at plus or minus 15 MHz, the value of Q will be 900 ⁇ (15+15) or 30. With the proper selection of elements for any particular frequency, Qs on the order of 20 or 30 are achievable.
  • HGs. 37A and 37B we see examples of filter circuits.
  • HG. 37A illustrates a circuit having a capacitor in parallel with an inductor and shunted to ground.
  • a capacitor is in series with an inductor, and a parallel circuit similar to that in HG. 37A is connected between the capacitor and inductor and shunted to ground.
  • the modulated signal at the desired frequency 3506 may then be routed to the transmission module 3804.
  • the modulation mode embodiments of the invention preferably use a transmission module. See, as an example, transmission module 1222 in HG. 12, transmission module 1418 in HG. 14, transmission module 1622 in HG. 16, and transmission module 1840 in HG. 18.
  • the transmission module is optional, and other embodiments may not include a transmission module.
  • the invention supports numerous embodiments of the transmission module. Exemplary embodiments of the transmission module 3804 (HG. 38) are described below. However, it should be understood that these examples are provided for illustrative purposes only. The invention is not limited to these embodiments.
  • a modulated signal at the desired frequency 3802 is accepted and is transmitted over the desired medium, such as, but not limited to, over-the-air broadcast or point-to-point cable.
  • the transmission module 3804 receives the signal at the desired EM frequency 3802. If it is intended to be broadcast over the air, the signal may be routed through an optional antenna interface and then to the antenna for broadcast. IS it is intended for the signal to be transmitted over a cable from one point to another, the signal may be routed to an optional line driver and out through the cable.
  • an optional line driver One skilled in the relevant art(s) will recognize that other transmission media may be used.
  • This section provides a high-level description of harmonic enhancement according to the present invention.
  • pulse shaping is described at a high-level.
  • a structural implementation for achieving this process is described at a high- level.
  • This structural implementation is described herein for illustrative purposes, and is not limiting.
  • the process described in this section can be achieved using any number of stractural implementations, one of which is described in this section. The details of such stractural implementations will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein.
  • the frequency of these components are integer multiples of the frequency of the original waveform (called the fundamental frequency).
  • the amplitude of each of these component waveforms depends on the shape of the original waveform.
  • the derivations and proofs of Baron Fourier's analysis are well known to those skilled in the relevant art(s).
  • the most basic waveform which is continuous and periodic is a sine wave. It has but one harmonic, which is at the fundamental frequency. This is also called the first harmonic. Since it only has one component, the amplitude of the harmonic component is equal to the amplitude of the original waveform, i.e., the sine wave itself. The sine wave is not considered to be "harmonically rich.”
  • An impulse train is the other extreme case of a periodic waveform.
  • a more typical waveform is a rectangular wave, which is a series of pulses.
  • One form of rectangular wave is the square wave, where the signal is at a first state (e.g., high) for the same amount of time that it is at the second state (e.g., low). That is, the ratio of the pulse width to period ( ⁇ /T) is 0.5.
  • Table 6000 of HG. 60 shows the amplitudes of the first fifty harmonics for rectangular waves having six different ⁇ /T ratios.
  • the ⁇ /T ratios are 0.5 (a square wave), 0.25, 0.10, 0.05, 0.01, and
  • pulse width is an important factor in assuring that the harmonic waveform at the desired output frequency has sufficient amplitude to be useful without requiring elaborate filtering or unnecessary amplification.
  • Another factor in assuring that the desired harmonic has sufficient amplitude is how the switch 2816 and 3116 (HGs. 28A and 31 A) in the switch module 2802 and 3102 responds to the control signal that causes the switch to close and to open (i.e., the modulated oscillating signal thresholds.
  • the first threshold is the voltage required to cause the switch to close.
  • the second threshold is the voltage level at which the switch will again open.
  • the switch is closed when the control signal is high, and open when the control signal is low. It would be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) that the inverse could also be used. Typically, these voltages are not identical, but they may be. Another factor is how rapidly the switch responds to the control input once the threshold voltage has been applied. The objective is for the switch to close and open such that the bias/reference signal is "crisply" gated. That is, preferably, the impedance through the switch must change from a high impedance (an open switch) to a low impedance (a closed switch) and back again in a very short time so that the output signal is substantially rectangular.
  • the intelligence in the information signal is to be transmitted. That is, the information is modulated onto the transmitted signal.
  • the information signal is used to modulate the oscillating signal 2804.
  • the oscillating signal 2804 then causes the switch
  • the switch 2816 preferably closes and opens crisply so that the harmonically rich signal 2814 changes rapidly from the bias/reference signal 2806 (or 3106) to ground 2812 (or the second signal level 2818 in the alternate embodiment). This rapid rise and fall time is desired so that the harmonically rich signal 2814 will be "harmonically rich.”
  • the oscillating signal 3104 is not modulated, but the requirement for "crispness" still applies.
  • the oscillating signal 2804 For the switch 2816 to close and open crisply, the oscillating signal 2804 must also be crisp. If the oscillating signal 2804 is sinusoidal, the switch 2816 will open and close when the threshold voltages are reached, but the pulse width of the harmonically rich signal 2814 may not be as small as is needed to ensure the amplitude of the desired harmonic of the harmonically rich signal 2814 is sufficiently high to allow transmission without elaborate filtering or unnecessary amplification.
  • the switch 2816 is a GaAsFET 2901
  • the oscillating signal 2804 that is connected to the gate 2902 of the GaAsFET 2901 i.e., the signal that causes the switch 2816 to close and open
  • the GaAsFET 2901 will not crisply close and open, but will act more like an amplifier than a switch. (That is, it will conduct during the time that the oscillating signal is rising and falling below the threshold voltages, but will not be a "short.")
  • the oscillating signal 2804 connected to the gate 2902 preferably has a rapid rise and fall time. That is, it is preferably a rectangular waveform, and preferably has a pulse width to period ratio the same as the pulse width to period ratio of the harmonically rich signal 2814.
  • harmonic enhancement may be needed in some embodiments. Harmonic enhancement may also be called "pulse shaping" since the purpose is to shape the oscillating signal 2804 into a string of pulses of a desired pulse
  • harmonic enhancement will shape the sinusoidal signal into a rectangular (or substantially rectangular) waveform with the desired pulse width to period ratio. If the oscillating signal 2804 is already a square wave or a pulse, harmonic enhancement will shape it to achieve the desired ratio of pulse width to period. This will ensure an efficient transfer of the modulated information through the switch.
  • the shape of the oscillating signal 2804 causes the switch 2816 to close and open.
  • the shape of the oscillating signal 2804 and the selection of the switch 2816 will determine how quickly the switch 2816 closes and opens, and how long it stays closed compared to how long it stays open. This then will determine the "crispness" of the harmonically rich signal 2814. (That is, whether the harmonically rich signal 2814 is substantially rectangular, trapezoidal, triangular, etc.)
  • the shape of the oscillating signal 2804 should be substantially optimized.
  • the harmonic enhancement module (HEM) 4602 (HG. 46) is also refened to as a "pulse shaper.” It “shapes" the oscillating signals 2804 and 3104 that drive the switch modules 2802 and 3102 described in sections 3.3.6-3.3.6.2 and 3.3.7-3.3.7.2. Harmonic enhancement module
  • the 4602 preferably transforms a continuous and periodic waveform 4604 into a string of pulses 4606.
  • the string of pulses 4606 will have a period, "T,” determined by both the frequency of the continuous and periodic waveform 4604 and the design of the pulse shaping circuit within the harmonic enhancement module 4602.
  • each pulse will have a pulse width, " ⁇ ,” determined by the design of the pulse shaping circuit.
  • the period of the pulse stream, "T” determines the frequency of the switch closing (the frequency being the inverse of the period), and the pulse width of the pulses, " ⁇ ,” determines how long the switch stays closed.
  • the harmonically rich signal 2814 when the switch 2816 (or 3116) is open, the harmonically rich signal 2814 (or 3114) will have an amplitude substantially equal to the bias signal 2806 (or reference signal 3106).
  • the switch 2816 (or 3116) When the switch 2816 (or 3116) is closed, the harmonically rich signal 2814 (or 3114) will have an amplitude substantially equal to the potential of signal 2812 or 2818 (or 3112 or 3118) of the second input 2810 (or 3110) of the switch module 2802 (or 3102).
  • the harmonically rich signal 2814 (or 3114) will have substantially the same frequency and pulse width as the shaped oscillating signal 2804 (or 3104) that drives the switch module 2802 (or 3102). This is true for those cases wherein the oscillating signal 2804 (or 3104) is a rectangular wave.
  • the term "rectangular wave” can refer to all waveforms that are substantially rectangular, including square waves and pulses. The purpose of shaping the signal is to control the amount of time that the switch 2816 (or 3116) is closed.
  • the harmonically rich signal 2814 (or 3114) has a substantially rectangular waveform. Controlling the ratio of the pulse width of the harmonically rich signal 2814 (or 3114) to its period will result in the shape of the harmonically rich signal 2814 (or 3114) being substantially optimized so that the relative amplitudes of the harmonics are such that the desired harmonic can be extracted without unnecessary and elaborate amplification and filtering.
  • a continuous periodic waveform 4604 is received and a string of pulses 4606 is output.
  • the continuous periodic waveform 4604 may be a square wave or any other continuous periodic waveform that varies from a value recognized as a "digital low” to a value recognized as a "digital high.”
  • One pulse is generated per cycle of the continuous and periodic waveform 4604.
  • the description given herein will be for the continuous periodic waveform 4604 that is a square wave, but one skilled in the relevant art(s) will appreciate that other waveforms may also be "shaped" into waveform 4606 by this embodiment.
  • a continuous periodic waveform 4604 that is a square wave is received by the pulse shaping circuit 4602.
  • the pulse shaping circuit 4602 is preferably comprised of digital logic devices that result in a string of pulses 4606 being output that has one pulse for every pulse in the continuous periodic waveform 4604, and preferably has a ⁇ /T ratio less than 0.5.
  • a continuous periodic waveform 4604 is received and a string of pulses 4606 is output.
  • the continuous periodic waveform 4604 may be a square wave or any other continuous periodic waveform that varies from a value recognized as a "digital low” to a value recognized as a "digital high.”
  • the description given herein will be for a continuous periodic waveform 4604 that is a square wave, but one skilled in the relevant art(s) will appreciate that other waveforms may also be "shaped" into waveform 4606 by this embodiment.
  • a continuous periodic waveform 4604 that is a square wave is received by the pulse shaping circuit 4602.
  • the pulse shaping circuit 4602 is preferably comprised of digital logic devices that result in a string of pulses 4606 being output that has two pulses for every pulse in the continuous periodic waveform 4604, and preferably has a ⁇ /T ratio less than 0.5. 4.2.3 Third Embodiment: When Any Waveform Feeds the Module.
  • a continuous periodic waveform 4604 of any shape is received and a string of pulses 4606 is output.
  • a continuous periodic waveform 4604 of any shape is received by the pulse shaping circuit 4602.
  • the pulse shaping circuit 4602 is preferably comprised of a series of stages, each stage shaping the waveform until it is substantially a string of pulses 4606 with preferably a ⁇ /T ratio less than 0.5.
  • HG. 39 An exemplary implementation of the first embodiment described in sections 4.2.1-4.2.1.2 is illustrated in HG. 39.
  • the circuit shown in HG. 39A is a typical circuit design for a pulse shaping circuit 4602 using digital logic devices.
  • HGs. 39B-39D are representative waveforms at three nodes within the circuit.
  • pulse shaper 3900 uses an inverter 3910 and an AND gate 3912 to produce a string of pulses.
  • An inverter such as inverter 3910
  • changes the sign of the input and an AND gate, such as AND gate 3912, outputs a digital "high' when all of the input signals are digital "highs.”
  • the input to pulse shaper 3900 is waveform 3902, and, for illustrative purposes, is shown here as a square wave.
  • the output of inverter 3910 is waveform 3904, which is also a square wave.
  • Jf waveform 3902 starts “low”
  • waveform 3904 will be “high” because it has been inverted by inverter 3910.
  • pulse shaper 3900 receives a square wave and generates a string of pulses, with one pulse generated per cycle of the square wave.
  • HG. 40 4.2.2.2 is illustrated in HG. 40.
  • the circuit of HG. 40A is a typical circuit design for a pulse shaping circuit 4602 using digital logic devices.
  • HGs. 40B-40D are representative waveforms at three nodes within the circuit.
  • pulse shaping circuit 4000 uses an inverter 4010 and an exclusive NOR (XNOR) gate 4012.
  • An XNOR such as XNOR 4012, outputs a digital "high” when both inputs are digital "highs” and when both signals are digital "lows.”
  • Waveform 4002 which is shown here as a square wave identical to that shown above as waveform 3902, begins in the "low” state. Therefore, the output of inverter 4010 will begin at the "high” state.
  • XNOR gate 4012 will see one “high” input and one “low” input, and its output waveform 4006 will be “low.”
  • waveform 4002 changes to “high”
  • XNOR gate 4012 will have two “high” inputs until the waveform 4004 switches to “low.” Because it sees two "high” inputs, its output waveform 4006 will be “high.”
  • waveform 4004 becomes “low”
  • XNOR gate 4012 will again see one "high” input (waveform 4002) and one "low” input (waveform 4004).
  • pulse shaper 4000 receives a square wave and generates a string of pulses, with two pulses generated per cycle of the square wave.
  • HG. 41 4.2.3.2 is illustrated in HG. 41.
  • the circuit shown in HG. 41 is a typical pulse shaping circuit 4602 where an input signal 4102 is shown as a sine wave. Input signal 4102 feeds the first circuit element 4104, which in turn feeds the second, and so on.
  • three circuit elements 4104 produce incrementally shaped waveforms 4120, 4122, and 4124 before feeding a capacitor 4106.
  • the output of capacitor 4106 is shunted to ground 4110 through a resistor 4108 and also feeds a fourth circuit element 4104.
  • An output signal 4126 is a pulsed output, with a frequency that is a function of the frequency of input signal 4102.
  • An exemplary circuit for circuit elements 4104 is shown in HG. 43.
  • Circuit 4104 is comprised of an input 4310, an output 4312, four FETs 4302, two diodes 4304, and a resistor 4306.
  • This section provides a high-level description of the amplifier module according to the present invention.
  • amplification is described at a high- level.
  • a structural implementation for achieving signal amplification is described at a high-level.
  • This structural implementation is described herein for illustrative purposes, and is not limiting.
  • the process described in this section can be achieved using any number of structural implementations, one of which is described in this section. The details of such structural implementations will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein.
  • the present invention is intended to be used without requiring amplification, there may be circumstance when, in the embodiment of the present invention wherein it is being used as a transmitter, it may prove desirable to amplify the modulated signal before it is transmitted. In another embodiment of the invention wherein it is being used as a stable signal source for a frequency or phase comparator, it may also be desirable to amplify the resultant signal at the desired frequency.
  • the requirement may come about for a number of reasons.
  • a first may be that the bias/reference signal is too low to support the desired use.
  • a second may be because the desired output frequency is very high relative to the frequency of the oscillating signal that controls the switch.
  • a third reason may be that the shape of the harmonically rich signal is such that the amplitude of the desired harmonic is low.
  • the amplitude of the bias/reference signal determines the amplitude of the harmonically rich signal which is present at the output of the switch circuit.
  • the 15 th harmonic will be needed.
  • ⁇ /T 0.1
  • the third circumstance wherein the amplitude of the output may need to be amplified is when the shape of the harmonically rich signal in not "crisp" enough to provide harmonics with enough amplitude for the desired purpose.
  • the harmonically rich signal is substantially triangular, and given the example above where the oscillating signal is 60 MHz and the desired output signal is 900 MHz, the 15 th harmonic of the triangular wave is 0.00180. This is significantly lower than the amplitude of the 15 th harmonic of the "0.1" rectangular wave (shown above to be 0.0424) and can be mathematically shown to be 0.4% of the amplitude of the 1 st harmonic of the triangular wave (which is 0.405).
  • the 1 st harmonic of the triangular wave has an amplitude that is larger than the amplitude of the 1 st harmonic of the "0.1" rectangular wave, but at the 15 th harmonic, the triangular wave is significantly lower than the "0.1" rectangular wave.
  • circuit elements such as the filter may cause attenuation in the output signal for which a designer may wish to compensate.
  • the desired output signal can be amplified in a number of ways. One is to amplify the bias/reference signal to ensure that the amplitude of the harmonically rich wave form is high. A second is to amplify the harmonically rich waveform itself. A third is to amplify the desired harmonic only.
  • the examples given herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not meant to be limiting on the present invention. Other techniques to achieve amplification of the desired output signal would be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s).
  • a linear amplifier is used to amplify the bias/reference signal. In another embodiment, a linear amplifier is used to amplify the harmonically rich signal. And in yet another embodiment, a linear amplifier is used to amplify the desired output signal. Other embodiments, including the use of non-linear amplifiers, will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s).
  • the exemplary linear amplifier described herein will be directed towards an amplifier composed of solid state electronic devices to be inserted in the circuit at one or more points.
  • Other amplifiers suitable for use with the invention will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s).
  • an amplifier module 4702 receives a signal requiring amplification 4704 and outputs an amplified signal 4706. It would be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) that a plurality of embodiments may be employed without deviating from the scope and intent of the invention described herein.
  • the desired output signal can be amplified in a number of ways. Such amplification as described in the section may be in addition to the techniques described above to enhance the shape of the harmonically rich signal by pulse shaping of the oscillating signal that causes the switch to close and open.
  • a linear amplifier is placed between the bias/reference signal and the switch module. This will increase the amplitude of the bias/reference signal, and as a result, will raise the amplitude of the harmonically rich signal that is the output of the switch module. This will have the effect of not only raising the amplitude of the harmonically rich signal, it will also raise the amplitude of all of the harmonics.
  • the amplified bias/reference signal may exceed the voltage design limit for the switch in the switch circuit; the harmonically rich signal coming out of the switch circuit may have an amplitude that exceeds the voltage design limits of the filter; and/or unwanted distortion may occur from having to amplify a wide bandwidth signal.
  • a second embodiment employs a linear amplifier between the switch module and the filter. This will raise the amplitude of the harmonically rich signal. It will also raise the amplitude of all of the harmonics of that signal.
  • the amplifier is tuned so that it only amplifies the desired frequencies. Thus, it acts both as an amplifier and as a filter.
  • a potential limitation of this embodiment is that when the harmonically rich signal is amplified to raise a particular harmonic to the desired level the amplitude of the whole waveform is amplified as well.
  • the amplitude of the pulse, A pulse is equal to 1.0, to raise the 15 th harmonic from 0.0424 volts to 0.5 volts, the amplitude of each pulse in the harmonically rich signal, A pulse , will increase from 1.0 to 11.8 volts. This may well exceed the voltage design limit of the filter.
  • a third embodiment of an amplifier module will place a linear amplifier between the filter and the transmission module. This will only raise the amplitude of the desired harmonic, rather than the entire harmonically rich signal.
  • the amplifier may also be placed before the filter without deviating from the intent of the invention
  • a linear amplifier receives a first signal at a first amplitude, and outputs a second signal at a second amplitude, wherein the second signal is proportional to the first signal. It is a objective of an amplifier that the information embedded onto the first signal waveform will also be embedded onto the second signal. Typically, it is desired that there be as little distortion in the information as possible.
  • the second signal is higher in amplitude than the first signal, however, there may be implementations wherein it is desired that the second signal be lower than the first signal (i.e., the first signal will be attenuated).
  • a linear amplifier may be designed and fabricated from discrete components, or it may be purchased “off the shelf.”
  • Exemplary amplifiers are seen in FIG. 48.
  • HG. 48 A six transistors are used in a wideband amplifier.
  • HG. 48 A six transistors are used in a wideband amplifier.
  • the amplifier is composed of one transistor, four resistors, and a capacitor.
  • the present invention is for a method and system for up-conversion of electromagnetic signals.
  • the invention is a source of a stable high frequency reference signal.
  • the invention is a transmitter.
  • This section describes a third embodiment.
  • the transmitter of the present invention to be used in a receiver/transmitter communications system.
  • This third embodiment may also be refened to as the communications system embodiment, and the combined receiver/transmitter circuit is refened to as a "transceiver.”
  • the communications system embodiment may also be refened to as the communications system embodiment, and the combined receiver/transmitter circuit is refened to as a "transceiver.”
  • the communications systems embodiment There are several alternative enhancements to the communications systems embodiment.
  • the transmitter and the receiver can operate either in a full-duplex mode or in a half-duplex mode.
  • the transceiver can transmit and receive simultaneously.
  • the transceiver can either transmit or receive, but cannot do both simultaneously. The full-duplex and the half- duplex modes will be discussed together for this embodiment.
  • a second embodiment of the transceiver is for the transmitter of the present invention to be used with a universal frequency down conversion circuit being used as a receiver. In this embodiment the transceiver is used in a half-duplex mode.
  • a third embodiment of the transceiver is for the transmitter of the present invention to be used with a universal frequency down conversion circuit, where the transceiver is used in a full- duplex mode.
  • a typical superheterodyne receiver is shown in HG. 49.
  • An antenna 4904 receives a signal 4902.
  • signal 4902 is a radio frequency (RF) signal which is routed to a filter 4910 and an amplifier 4908.
  • the filter 4910 removes all but a frequency range that includes the desired frequency, and the amplifier 4908 ensures that the signal strength will be sufficient for further processing.
  • the output of amplifier 4908 is a signal 4911.
  • a local oscillator 4914 generates an oscillating signal 4916 which is combined with signal 4911 by mixer 4912.
  • the output of mixer 4912 is a signal 4934 which is amplified by an amplifier 4918 and filtered by a filter 4920.
  • the purpose of amplifier 4918 is to ensure that the strength of signal 4934 is sufficient for further processing, and the purpose of filter 4920 is to remove the undesired frequencies.
  • a second local oscillator 4924 generates a second oscillating signal 4926 which is combined with the amplified/filtered signal 4934 by a mixer 4922.
  • the output of mixer 4922 is signal 4936.
  • an amplifier 4928 and a filter 4930 ensure that the signal 4936 is at the desired amplitude and frequency.
  • the resulting signal is then routed to decoder 4932 where the intelligence is extracted to obtain baseband signal 4938.
  • Signal 4934 is refened to as the first intermediate frequency (JF) signal
  • signal 4936 is refened to as the second JF signal.
  • Signal 4902 may be 900
  • the oscillator signal 4916 may be at 830 MHz, which will result in the frequency of the first IF signal, signal 4934, being at 70 MHz. If the second oscillating signal 4926 is at 59 MHz, the second IF signal, signal 4936, would be at 11 MHz. This frequency is typical of second IF frequencies.
  • HG. 50 shows a transmitter of the present invention in a transceiver circuit with a typical superheterodyne receiver. Accordingly, HG. 50 illustrates an exemplary transceiver circuit of the invention.
  • the transceiver includes a receiver module 5001, which is implemented using any superheterodyne receiver configuration, and which is described above.
  • the transceiver also includes a transmitter module 5003, which is described below.
  • an information signal 5004 modulates an intermediate signal to produce the oscillating signal 5002.
  • Oscillating signal 5002 is shaped by signal shaper 5010 to produce a string of pulses 5008 (see the discussion above regarding the benefits of harmonic enhancement).
  • the string of pulses 5008 drives the switch module 5012.
  • a bias/reference signal 5006 is also received by switch module 5012.
  • the output of switch module 5012 is a harmonically rich signal 5022.
  • Harmonically rich signal 5022 is comprised of a pluraUty of sinusoidal components, and is routed to a "high Q" filter that will remove all but the desired output frequency(ies).
  • the desired output frequency 5024 is amplified by an amplifier 5016 and routed to a transmission module 5018 which outputs a transmission signal 5026 which is routed to a duplexer 5020.
  • the purpose of duplexer 5020 is to permit a single antenna to be used simultaneously for both receiving and transmitting signals.
  • the combination of received signal 4902 and transmission signal 5026 is a duplexed signal 5028.
  • HGs. 51A through 5 ID illustrate an embodiment of the transceiver wherein it may be desired, for cost or other considerations, for an oscillator to be shared by both the transmitter portion and the receiver portion of the circuit. To do this, a trade off must be made in selecting the frequency of the oscillator.
  • a local oscillator 5104 generates an oscillating signal 5106 which is mixed with signal 4911 to generate a first JF signal 5108.
  • a local oscillator 5110 generates a second oscillating signal 5112 which is mixed with the first IF signal 5108 to generate a second
  • the frequencies of the oscillating signals 5106 and 5112 will be lower than the frequencies of signal 4911 and first IF signal 5108, respectively.
  • the mixers 4912 and 4922 create both the sum and the difference of the signals they receive, the oscillator frequencies could be higher than the signal frequencies.
  • a typical second JP frequency is 11 MHz. The selection of this IF frequency is less flexible than is the selection of the first IF frequency, since the second JP frequency is routed to a decoder where the signal is demodulated and decoded.
  • demodulators and decoders are designed to receive signals at a predetermined, fixed frequency, e.g., 11 MHz. If this is the case, the combination of the first IF signal 5108 and the second oscillating signal 5112 must generate a second JP signal with a second JP frequency of 11 MHz. Recall that the received signal 4902 was 900 MHz in the example above. To achieve the second JP signal frequency of 11 MHz, the frequencies of the oscillating signals 4916 and 4926 were set at 830 MHz and 59 MHz. Before setting the frequencies of the oscillating signals 5106 and 5112, the desired frequency of the transmitted signal must be determined. If it, too, is 900
  • the frequency of the oscillating signal that causes the switch in the present invention to open and close must be a "sub-harmonic" of 900 MHz. That is, it must be the quotient of 900 MHz divided by an integer. (In other words, 900 MHz must be a harmonic of the oscillating signal that drives the switch.)
  • the table below is a list of some of the sub-harmonics of 900 MHz:
  • the frequency of the second oscillating signal 4926 in HGs. 49 and 50 was 59 MHz, Notice that the frequency of the 15 th sub-harmonic is 60 MHz. If the frequency of oscillating signal 5112 of HG. 51 were set at 60 MHz, it could also be used as the oscillating signal to operate the switches in switch module 5126 of HG. 5 IB and switch module 5136 of FIG. 51C. If this were done, the frequency of the first JP signal would be 71 MHz (rather than 70 MHz in the previous example of a stand-alone receiver), as indicated below:
  • the frequencies of the oscillating signals 5106 and 5112 are 829 MHz and 60 MHz, respectively.
  • the second oscillating signal 5112 is routed to a phase modulator 5122 where it is modulated by the information signal 5120 to generate a PM signal 5132.
  • PM signal 5132 is routed to a harmonic enhancement module 5124 to create a string of pulses 5133.
  • the string of pulses 5133 is also a phase modulated signal and is used to cause the switch in switch module 5126 to open and close.
  • a bias signal 5128 Also entering switch module 5126 is a bias signal 5128.
  • the output of switch module 5126 is a harmonically rich signal 5134.
  • HG. 51C the AM embodiment is shown.
  • the second oscillating signal 5112 directly enters the harmonic enhancement module 5124 to create a string of pulses 5138.
  • String of pulses 5138 (not modulated in this embodiment) then enters a switch module 5136 where it causes a switch to open and close.
  • switch module 5136 Also entering switch module 5136 is a reference signal 5140.
  • Reference signal is created by summing module 5130 by combining information signal 5120 with bias signal 5128. It is well known to those skilled in the relevant art(s) that the info ⁇ nation signal 5120 may be used as the reference signal without being combined with the bias signal 5128.
  • the output of switch module 5136 is a harmonically rich signal 5134.
  • the scope of the invention includes an FM embodiment wherein the oscillator 5110 of the receiver circuit is used as a source for an oscillating signal for the transmitter circuit.
  • the FM embodiment requires a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) rather than a simple local oscillator.
  • VCO voltage controlled oscillator
  • the harmonically rich signal 5134 is filtered by a filter 5142, which removes all but the desired output frequency 5148.
  • the desired output frequency 5148 is amplified by amplifier module 5146 and routed to transmission module 5150.
  • transmission module 5150 The output of transmission module 5150 is a transmission signal 5144. Transmission signal 5144 is then routed to the antenna 4904 for transmission.
  • transmission signal 5144 is then routed to the antenna 4904 for transmission.
  • An exemplary receiver using universal frequency down conversion techniques is shown in HG. 52 and described in section 6.3, below.
  • An antenna 5202 receives an electromagnetic (EM) signal 5220.
  • EM signal 5220 is routed through a capacitor 5204 to a first terminal of a switch 5210.
  • the other terminal of switch 5210 is connected to ground 5212 in this exemplary embodiment.
  • a local oscillator 5206 generates an oscillating signal 5228 which is routed through a pulse shaper 5208.
  • the result is a string of pulses 5230.
  • the selection of the oscillator 5206 and the design of the pulse shaper 5208 control the frequency and pulse width of the string of pulses 5230.
  • the string of pulses 5230 control the opening and closing of switch 5210.
  • a down converted signal 5222 results.
  • Down converted signal 5222 is routed through an amplifier 5214 and a filter 5216, and a filtered signal 5224 results.
  • filtered signal 5224 is at baseband, and a decoder 5218 may only be needed to convert digital to analog or to remove encryption before outputting the baseband information signal.
  • This then is a universal frequency down conversion receiver operating in a direct down conversion mode, in that it receives the EM signal 5220 and down converts it to baseband signal 5226 without requiring an IF or a demodulator.
  • the filtered signal 5224 may be at an "offset" frequency.
  • the decoder 5218 would be used to demodulate the filtered signal so that it could output a baseband signal 5226.
  • an information signal 5302 modulates an oscillating signal 5306 which is routed to a pulse shaping circuit 5310 which outputs a string of pulses 5311.
  • the string of pulses 5311 controls the opening and closing of the switch 5312.
  • One terminal of switch 5312 is connected to ground 5314, and the second terminal of switch 5312 is connected through a resistor 5330 to a bias/reference signal 5308.
  • bias/reference signal 5308 is preferably a non-varying signal, often refened to simply as the bias signal.
  • the oscillating signal 5306 is not modulated, and the bias/reference signal is a function of the information signal 5304.
  • information signal 5304 is combined with a bias voltage to generate the reference signal 5308.
  • the information signal 5304 is used without being combined with a bias voltage.
  • this bias/reference signal is refened to as the reference signal to distinguish it from the bias signal used in the FM and PM modes.
  • the output of switch 5312 is a harmonically rich signal 5316 which is routed to a "high Q" filter which removes the unwanted frequencies that exist as harmonic components of harmonically rich signal 5316. Desired frequency 5320 is amplified by amplifier module 5322 and routed to transmission module 5324 which outputs a transmission signal 5326. Transmission signal is output by antenna 5328 in this embodiment.
  • HGs. 54A, 54B, and 54C show the combination of the present invention of the transmitter and the universal frequency down-conversion receiver in the half-duplex mode according to an embodiment of the invention. That is, the transceiver can transmit and receive, but it cannot do both simultaneously. It uses a single antenna 5402, a single oscillator 5444/5454 (depending on whether the transmitter is in the FM or PM modulation mode), a single pulse shaper 5438, and a single switch 5420 to ' transmit and to receive. In the receive function, "Receiver/transmitter" (R/T) switches 5406, 5408, and 5446/5452 (FM or PM) would all be in the receive position, designated by (R).
  • R/T Receiver/transmitter
  • the antenna 5402 receives an EM signal 5404 and routes it through a capacitor 5407.
  • oscillating signal 5436 is generated by a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) 5444.
  • VCO voltage controlled oscillator
  • switch 5446 connects the input to the VCO 5444 to ground 5448.
  • VCO 5444 will operate as if it were a simple oscillator.
  • oscillating signal 5436 is generated by local oscillator 5454 which is routed through phase modulator 5456. Since the transceiver is performing the receive function, switch 5452 is connected to ground 5448, and there is no modulating input to phase modulator.
  • local oscillator 5454 and phase modulator 5456 operate as if they were a simple oscillator.
  • an oscillating signal 5436 can be generated to control the switch 5420.
  • Oscillating signal 5436 is shaped by pulse shaper 5438 to produce a string of pulses 5440.
  • the string of pulses 5440 cause the switch 5420 to open and close.
  • a down converted signal 5409 is generated.
  • the down converted signal 5409 is amplified and filtered to create a filtered signal 5413.
  • filtered signal 5413 is at baseband and, as a result of the down conversion, is demodulated.
  • a decoder 5414 may not be required except to convert digital to analog or to decrypt the filtered signal 5413.
  • the filtered signal 5413 is at an "offset" frequency, so that the decoder 5414 is needed to demodulate the filtered signal and create a demodulated baseband signal.
  • the R/T switches 5406, 5408, and 5446/5452 are in the (T) position.
  • an information signal 5450 is connected by switch 5446 to VCO 5444 to create a frequency modulated oscillating signal 5436.
  • switch 5452 connects info ⁇ nation signal
  • Oscillation signal 5436 is routed through pulse shaper 5438 to create a string of pulses 5440 which in turn cause switch 5420 to open and close.
  • One terminal of switch 5420 is connected to ground 5442 and the other is connected through switch R/T 5408 and resistor 5423 to a bias signal 5422.
  • the result is a harmonically rich signal 5424 which is routed to a "high Q" filter 5426 which removes the unwanted frequencies that exist as harmonic components of harmonically rich signal 5424.
  • Desired frequency 5428 is amplified by amplifier module 5430 and routed to transmission module 5432 which outputs a transmission signal 5434. Again, because the transceiver is performing the transmit function, R/T switch 5406 connects the transmission signal to the antenna 5402.
  • the transceiver In the AM modulation mode, the transceiver operates in the half duplex mode as shown in HG. 55.
  • Reference signal 5506 is generated when information signal 5450 and bias signal
  • the information signal 5450 may be used as the reference signal 5506 without being combined with the bias signal 5422, and may be connected directly (through resistor 5423 and R/T switch 5408) to the switch 5420.
  • the full-duplex mode differs from the half-duplex mode in that the transceiver can transmit and receive simultaneously.
  • the transceiver preferably uses a separate circuit for each function.
  • a duplexer 5604 is used in the transceiver to permit the sharing of an antenna 5602 for both the transmit and receive functions.
  • the receiver function performs as follows.
  • the antenna 5602 receives an EM signal 5606 and routes it through a capacitor 5607 to one terminal of a switch 5626.
  • the other terminal of switch 5626 is connected to ground 5628, and the switch is driven as a result of a string of pulses 5624 created by local oscillator 5620 and pulse shaper 5622.
  • the opening and closing of switch 5626 generates a down converted signal 5614.
  • Down converted signal 5614 is routed through a amplifier 5608 and a filter 5610 to generate filtered signal 5616.
  • Filtered signal 5616 may be at baseband and be demodulated or it may be at an "offset" frequency.
  • filtered signal 5616 is at an offset frequency
  • decoder 5612 will demodulate it to create the demodulated baseband signal 5618.
  • the filtered signal 5616 will be a demodulated baseband signal, and decoder 5612 may not be required except to convert digital to analog or to decrypt filtered signal 5616.
  • This receiver portion of the transceiver can operate independently from the transmitter portion of the transceiver.
  • the transmitter function is performed as follows. In the FM and PM modulation modes, an information signal 5648 modulates an oscillating signal 5630. In the AM modulation mode, the oscillating signal 5630 is not modulated.
  • the oscillating signal is shaped by pulse shaper 5632 and a string of pulses 5634 is created.
  • This string of pulses 5634 causes a switch 5636 to open and close.
  • One terminal of switch 5636 is connected to ground 5638, and the other terminal is connected through a resistor 5647 to a bias/reference signal 5646.
  • bias/reference signal 5646 is refened to as a bias signal 5646, and it is substantially non-varying.
  • an information signal 5650 may be combined with the bias signal to create what is refened to as the reference signal 5646.
  • the reference signal 5646 is a function of the information signal 5650. It is well known to those skilled in the relevant art(s) that the information signal 5650 may be used as the bias/reference signal 5646 directly without being summed with a bias signal.
  • a harmonically rich signal 5652 is generated and is filtered by a "high Q" filter 5640, thereby producing a desired signal 5654.
  • the desired signal 5654 is amplified by amplifier 5642 and routed to transmission module 5644.
  • the output of transmission module 5644 is transmission signal 5656.
  • Transmission signal 5656 is routed to duplexer 5604 and then transmitted by antenna 5602. This transmitter portion of the transceiver can operate independently from the receiver portion of the transceiver.
  • the transceiver embodiment the present invention as shown in HG. 56 can perform full-duplex communications in all modulation modes.
  • HG. 64A illustrates an aliasing module 6400 for down-conversion using a universal frequency translation (UFT) module 6402 which down-converts an EM input signal 6404.
  • aliasing module 6400 includes a switch 6408 and a capacitor 6410.
  • the electronic alignment of the circuit components is flexible. That is, in one implementation, the switch 6408 is in series with input signal 6404 and capacitor 6410 is shunted to ground (although it may be other than ground in configurations such as differential mode). In a second implementation (see HG. 64A-1), the capacitor 6410 is in series with the input signal 6404 and the switch 6408 is shunted to ground (although it may be other than ground in configurations such as differential mode).
  • Aliasing module 6400 with UFT module 6402 can be easily tailored to down-convert a wide variety of electromagnetic signals using aliasing frequencies that are well below the frequencies of the EM input signal 6404.
  • aliasing module 6400 down-converts the input signal 6404 to an intermediate frequency (IP) signal. In another implementation, the aliasing module 6400 down- converts the input signal 6404 to a demodulated baseband signal. In yet another implementation, the input signal 6404 is a frequency modulated (FM) signal, and the aliasing module 6400 down- converts it to a non-FM signal, such as a phase modulated (PM) signal or an amplitude modulated (AM) signal.
  • FM frequency modulated
  • AM amplitude modulated
  • control signal 6406 includes a train of pulses that repeat at an aliasing rate that is equal to, or less than, twice the frequency of the input signal 6404
  • control signal 6406 is refened to herein as an aliasing signal because it is below the Nyquist rate for the frequency of the input signal 6404.
  • the frequency of control signal 6406 is much less than the input signal 6404.
  • the train of pulses 6418 as shown in HG. 64D controls the switch 6408 to alias the input signal 6404 with the control signal 6406 to generate a down -con verted output signal 6412. More specifically, in an embodiment, switch 6408 closes on a first edge of each pulse 6420 of HG.
  • HG. 64B illustrates an analog amplitude modulated (AM) carrier signal 6414 that is an example of input signal 6404.
  • AM analog amplitude modulated
  • an analog AM carrier signal portion 6416 illustrates a portion of the analog AM carrier signal 6414 on an expanded time scale.
  • the analog AM carrier signal portion 6416 illustrates the analog AM carrier signal 6414 from time t,, to time t, .
  • HG. 64D illustrates an exemplary aliasing signal 6418 that is an example of control signal 6406.
  • Aliasing signal 6418 is on approximately the same time scale as the analog AM carrier signal portion 6416.
  • the aliasing signal 6418 includes a train of pulses 6420 having negligible apertures that tend towards zero (the invention is not limited to this embodiment, as discussed below).
  • the pulse aperture may also be refened to as the pulse width as will be understood by those skilled in the art(s).
  • the pulses 6420 repeat at an aliasing rate, or pulse repetition rate of aliasing signal 6418.
  • the aliasing rate is determined as described below.
  • the train of pulses 6420 control signal 6406
  • control signal 6406 control the switch 6408 to alias the analog AM carrier signal 6416 (i.e., input signal 6404) at the aliasing rate of the aliasing signal 6418.
  • the switch 6408 closes on a first edge of each pulse and opens on a second edge of each pulse.
  • input signal 6404 is coupled to the capacitor 6410, and charge is transfened from the input signal 6404 to the capacitor 6410.
  • the charge transfened during a pulse is refened to herein as an under- sample.
  • Exemplary under-samples 6422 form down-converted signal portion 6424 (HG.
  • HG. 64E conesponds to the analog AM carrier signal portion 6416 (HG. 64C) and the train of pulses 6420 (HG. 64D).
  • the charge stored during successive under-samples of AM carrier signal 6414 form the down-converted signal 6424 (HG. 64E) that is an example of down-converted output signal 6412 (HG. 64A).
  • HG. 64F a demodulated baseband signal 6426 represents the demodulated baseband signal 6424 after filtering on a compressed time scale. As illustrated, down-converted signal 6426 has substantially the same "amplitude envelope" as AM carrier signal 6414. Therefore, HGS. 64B-64F illustrate down-conversion of AM carrier signal 6414.
  • the waveforms shown in HGS. 64B-64F are discussed herein for illustrative purposes only, and are not limiting.
  • the aliasing rate of control signal 6406 determines whether the input signal 6404 is down-converted to an IF signal, down-converted to a demodulated baseband signal, or down- converted from an FM signal to a PM or an AM signal.
  • relationships between the input signal 6404, the aliasing rate of the control signal 6406, and the down-converted output signal 6412 are illustrated below:
  • input signal 6404 is down-converted to an JF signal. This is because the under-sampling pulses occur at different phases of subsequent cycles of input signal 6404. As a result, the under-samples form a lower frequency oscillating pattern. If the input signal 6404 includes lower frequency changes, such as amplitude, frequency, phase, etc., or any combination thereof, the charge stored during associated under-samples reflects the lower frequency changes, resulting in similar changes on the down-converted JP signal.
  • lower frequency changes such as amplitude, frequency, phase, etc., or any combination thereof
  • the frequency of the control signal 6406 would be substantially equal to 1.8 GHz, 900 MHz, 450 MHz, 300 MHz, 225 MHz, etc.
  • the aliasing rate of the control signal 6406 is substantially equal to the frequency of the input signal 6404, or substantially equal to a harmonic or sub-harmonic thereof, input signal 6404 is directly down-converted to a demodulated baseband signal. This is because, without modulation, the under-sampling pulses occur at the same point of subsequent cycles of the input signal 6404. As a result, the under-samples form a constant output baseband signal.
  • the charge stored during associated under-samples reflects the lower frequency changes, resulting in similar changes on the demodulated baseband signal.
  • the frequency of the control signal 6406 would be calculated as follows:
  • the frequency of the control signal 6406 should be substantially equal to 1.8 GHz, 900 MHz, 450 MHz, 300 MHz, 225 MHz, etc.
  • a frequency within the FM bandwidth must be down-converted to baseband (i.e., zero IF).
  • a frequency shift keying (FSK) signal (a sub-set of FM) to a phase shift keying (PSK) signal (a subset of PM)
  • F j frequency shift keying
  • F 2 phase shift keying
  • Frequency of the down-converted signal 0 (i.e., baseband)
  • the frequency of the control signal 6406 should be substantially equal to 1.8 GHz, 900 MHz, 450 MHz, 300 MHz, 225 MHz, etc.
  • the frequency of the down-converted PSK signal is substantially equal to one half the difference between the lower frequency F 1 and the upper frequency F 2 .
  • a FSK signal to an amplitude shift keying (ASK) signal (a subset of AM)
  • ASK amplitude shift keying
  • either the lower frequency F j or the upper frequency F 2 of the FSK signal is down-converted to zero IP.
  • the aliasing rate of the control signal 6406 should be substantially equal to:
  • the frequency of the control signal 6406 should be substantially equal to 1.8 GHz, 900 MHz, 450 MHz, 300 MHz, 225 MHz, ' etc.
  • the frequency of the control signal 6406 should be substantially equal to 1.802 GHz, 901 MHz, 450.5 MHz, 300.333 ' MHz, 225.25 MHz, etc.
  • the frequency of the down-converted AM signal is substantially equal to the difference between the lower frequency F j and the upper frequency F 2 (i.e., 1 MHz).
  • the pulses of the control signal 6406 have negligible apertures that tend towards zero. This makes the UFT module 6402 a high input impedance device. This configuration is useful for situations where minimal disturbance of the input signal may be desired.
  • the pulses of the control signal 6406 have non-negligible apertures that tend away from zero.
  • This section provides a high-level description of an exemplary process to be used to design a transmitter according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the techniques described herein are also applicable to designing a frequency up-converter for any application, and for designing the applications themselves.
  • the descriptions are contained herein for illustrative purposes and are not limiting. Alternatives (including equivalents, extensions, variations, deviations, etc., of those described herein) will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. Such alternatives fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention, and the invention is intended and adapted to include such alternative.
  • FIG. 57A illustrates the transmitter of the present invention operating in the FM embodiment
  • FIG. 57B illustrates the transmitter of the present invention operating in the PM embodiment
  • HG. 57C shows the transmitter of the present invention operating in the AM embodiment.
  • Ill - Depending on the application and on the implementation, some of the design considerations may not apply. For example, and without limitation, in some cases it may not be necessary to optimize the pulse width or to include an amplifier.
  • the first step in the design process is to determine the frequency of the desired transmission signal 5714. This is typically determined by the application for which the transmitter is to be used.
  • the present invention is for a transmitter that can be used for all frequencies within the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum. For the examples herein, the explanation will focus on the use of the transmitter in the 900 MHz to 950 MHz range. Those
  • the characteristics of the signal must be determined. These characteristics include, but are not limited to, whether
  • the transmitter will operate at a fixed frequency or over a range of frequencies, and if it is to operate over a range of frequencies, whether those frequencies are continuous or are divided into discrete "channels.” If the frequency range is divided into discrete channels, the spacing between the channels must be ascertained. As an example, cordless phones operating in this frequency range may operate on discrete channels that are 50 KHz apart. That is, if the cordless phones
  • modulation scheme Another characteristic that must be ascertained is the desired modulation scheme that is to be used. As described above in sections 2.1-2.2.4, above, these modulation schemes include
  • the characteristics of an information signal 5702 are also factors in the design of the transmitter circuit. Specifically, the bandwidth of the information signal 5702 defines the minimum frequency for an oscillating signal 5704, 5738, 5744 (for the FM, PM, and AM modes, respectively).
  • the desired frequency of the oscillating signal 5704, 5738, 5744 is also a function of the frequency and characteristics of the desired transmission signal 5714. Also, the frequency and characteristics of the desired transmission signal 5714 are factors in determining the pulse width of the pulses in a string of pulses 5706. Note that the frequency of the oscillating signal 5704, 5738, 5744 is substantially the same as the frequency of the string of pulses 5706.
  • the frequency of the oscillating signal 5704, 5738, 5744 must be a subharmonic of the frequency of the desired transmission signal 5714.
  • a subharmonic is the quotient obtained by dividing the fundamental frequency, in this case the frequency of the desired transmission signal 5714, by an integer.
  • the frequency of the desired transmission signal is 910 MHz, and it is to be used in an FM mode where, for example, the frequency range of the modulation is 40 KHz, the actual frequency of the signal will vary ⁇ 20 KHz around the nominal center frequency as a function of the information being transmitted. That is, the frequency of the desired transmission signal will actually range between 909.980 MHz and 910.020 MHz.
  • the oscillating signal 5704, 5738, 5744 can be at any one of these frequencies or, if desired, at a lower subharmonic. For discussion herein, the 9 th subharmonic will be chosen. Those skilled in the relevant art(s) will understand that the analysis herein applies regardless of which harmonic is chosen. Thus the nominal center frequency of the oscillating signal 5704, 5738, 5744 will be 101.1111 MHz. Recalling that in the FM mode, the frequency of the desired transmission signal 5714 is actually 910.000 MHz ⁇ 0.020 MHz, it can be shown that the frequency of the oscillating signal 5704 will vary ⁇ 0.00222 MHz (i.e., from 101.10889 MHz to 101.11333
  • the frequency and frequency sensitivity of the oscillating signal 5704 will drive the selection or design of the voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) 5720.
  • VCO voltage controlled oscillator
  • Another frequency consideration is the overall frequency range of the desired transmission signal. That is, if the transmitter is to be used in the cordless phone of the above example and will transmit on all channels between 905 MHz and 915 MHz, the VCO 5720 (for the FM mode) or the local oscillator (LO) 5734 (for the PM and AM modes) will be required to generate oscillating frequencies 5704, 5738, 5744 that range from 100.5556 MHz to 101.6667
  • the frequencies will change automatically, based on the protocols of the overall cellular system (e.g., moving from one cell to an adjacent cell). In other applications, such as a police radio, the frequencies will change based on the user changing channels. In some applications, different models of the same transmitter will transmit signals at different frequencies, but each model will, itself, only transmit a single frequency. A possible example of this might be remote controlled toy cars, where each toy car operates on its own frequency, but, in order for several toy cars to operate in the same area, there are several frequencies at which they could operate. Thus, the design of the VCO 5720 or LO 5734 will be such that it is able to be tuned to a set frequency when the circuit is fabricated, but the user will typically not be able to adjust the frequency.
  • VCO 5720 or LO 5734 include, but are not limited to, the nominal center frequency of the desired transmission signal 5714, the frequency sensitivity caused by the desired modulation scheme, the range of all possible frequencies for the desired transmission signal 5714, and the tuning requirements for each specific application.
  • Another important criterion is the determination of the subharmonic to be used, but unlike the criteria listed above which are dependent on the desired application, there is some flexibility in the selection of the subharmonic.
  • the pulse width of the pulses in the stream of pulses 5706 must be determined. " (See sections 4- 4.3.4, above, for a discussion of harmonic enhancement and the impact the pulse- width-to- period ratio has on the relative amplitudes of the harmonics in a harmonically rich signal 5708.)
  • the 9 th subharmonic was selected as the frequency of the oscillating signal 5704, 5738, 5744.
  • the frequency of the desired transmission signal will be the 9 th harmonic of the oscillating signal 5704, 5738, 5744.
  • One approach in selecting the pulse width might be to focus entirely on the frequency of the oscillating signal 5704, 5738, 5744 and select a pulse width and observe its operation in the circuit.
  • the amplitude of the 9 th harmonic will be 0.0219.
  • Table 6000 and HG. 58 it can be seen that the amplitude of the 9 th harmonic is higher than that of the 10 th harmonic (which is zero) but is less than half the amplitude of the 8 th harmonic. Because the 9 th harmonic does have an amplitude, this pulse-width-to-period ratio could be used with proper filtering. Typically, a different ratio might be selected to try and find a ratio that would provide a higher amplitude.
  • a n [A pulse ][(2/ ⁇ )/n]sin ⁇ n. ⁇ .( ⁇ /T)] L 2
  • n « ⁇ »( ⁇ /T) ⁇ /2 (or 3 ⁇ /2, 5 ⁇ /2, etc.)
  • ⁇ /T ( ⁇ /2)/(n « ⁇ )
  • ⁇ /T l/(2-n) (or 3/(2-n), 5/(2 «n), etc.)
  • HG. 61 shows that it is 0.0796. This is an improvement over the previous amplitude for a pulse- width-to-period ratio of 0.1.
  • Table 6100 also shows that the 9 th harmonic for this pulse- width-to- period ratio has the highest amplitude of any 9 th harmonic, which bears out the derivation above.
  • the frequency spectrum for a pulse-width-to-period ratio of 0.0556 is shown in HG. 59. (Note that other pulse-width-to-period ratios of 3/(2»n), 5/(2»n), etc., will have amplitudes that are equal to but not larger than this one.)
  • the pulse shaping circuit 5722 can be designed. Looking back to sections 4-4.3.4 it can be seen that the pulse shaping circuit 5722 can not only produce a pulse of a desired pulse width, but it can also cause the frequency of the string of pulses 5706 to be higher than the frequency of the oscillating signal 5704, 5738, 5744.
  • the pulse-width-to-period ratio applies to the pulse-width-to-period ratio of the harmonically rich signal 5708 and not to the pulse- width-to-period ratio of the oscillating signal 5704, 5738, 5744, and that the frequency and pulse width of the harmonically rich signal 5708 minors the frequency and pulse width of the string of pulses 5706.
  • the pulse shaping circuit 5733 can be used to increase the frequency. Going back to the previous example, the frequency of the oscillating signal 5704, 5738, 5744 could be 50.5556 MHz rather than 101.1111 MHz if the pulse shaping circuit 5722 was designed such as discussed in sections 4.2.2-4.2.2.2 (shown in HGs. 40A-40D) not only to shape the pulse, but also to double the frequency. While that discussion was specifically for a square wave input, those skilled in the relevant art(s) will understand that similar techniques will apply to non- rectangular waveforms (e.g., a sinusoidal wave). This use of the pulse shaping circuit to double the frequency has a possible advantage in that it allows the design and selection of an oscillator (VCO 5720 of LO 5734) with a lower frequency, if that is a consideration.
  • VCO 5720 of LO 5734 an oscillator
  • the pulse shaping circuit 5722 is not always required. If the design or selection of the VCO 5720 or LO 5734 was such that the oscillating signal 5704, 5738, 5744 was a substantially rectangular wave, and that substantially rectangular wave had a pulse-width-to-period ratio that was adequate, the pulse shaping circuit 5722 could be eliminated.
  • the selection of a switch 5724 can now be made.
  • the switch 5724 is shown in the examples of HGs. 57 A, 57B, and 57C as a GaAsFET. However, it may be any switching device of any technology that can open and close "crisply" enough to accommodate the frequency and pulse width of the string of pulses 5706.
  • the switch modules discussed herein can be implemented as a series of switches operating in parallel as a single switch.
  • the series of switches can be transistors, such as, for example, field effect transistors (FET), bi-polar transistors, or any other suitable circuit switching devices.
  • the series of switches can be comprised of one type of switching device, or a combination of different switching devices.
  • HG. 73 illustrates a switch module 7300.
  • the switch module is illustrated as a series of FETs 7302a-n.
  • the FETs 7302a-n can be any type of FET, including, but not limited to, a MOSFET, a JFET, a GaAsFET, etc.
  • Each of FETs 7302a-n includes a gate 7304a-n, a source 7306a-n, and a drain 7308a-n.
  • the series of FETs 7302a-n operate in parallel.
  • Gates 7304a-n are coupled together, sources 7306a-n are coupled together, and drains 7308a-n are coupled together.
  • Each of gates 7304a-n receives the control signal 2804, 3104 to control the switching action between conesponding sources 7306a-n and drains 7308a-n.
  • the conesponding sources 7306a-n and drains 7308a-n of each of FETs 7302a-n are interchangeable. There is no numerical limit to the number of FETs.
  • FETs 7302a-n have similar characteristics.
  • one or more of FETs 7302a-n have different characteristics than the other FETs.
  • FETs 7302a-n may be of different sizes.
  • CMOS generally, the larger size a switch is (meaning the larger the area under the gate between the source and drain regions), the longer it takes for the switch to turn on. The longer turn on time is due in part to a higher gate to channel capacitance that exists in larger switches. Smaller CMOS switches turn on in less time, but have a higher channel resistance. Larger CMOS switches have lower channel resistance relative to smaller CMOS switches. Different turn on characteristics for different size switches provides flexibility in designing an overall switch module structure. By combining smaller switches with larger switches, the channel conductance of the overall switch structure can be tailored to satisfy given requirements.
  • FETs 7302a-n are CMOS switches of different relative sizes.
  • FET 7302a may be a switch with a smaller size relative to FETs 7302b-n.
  • FET 7302b may be a switch with a larger size relative to FET 7302a, but smaller size relative to FETs 7302c-n.
  • the sizes of FETs 7302c-n also may be varied relative to each other. For instance, progressively larger switch sizes may be used.
  • the turn on characteristic curve of the switch module can be conespondingly varied.
  • the turn on characteristic of the switch module can be tailored such that it more closely approaches that of an ideal switch. Alternately, the switch module could be tailored to produce a shaped conductive curve.
  • FETs 7302a-n By configuring FETs 7302a-n such that one or more of them are of a relatively smaller size, their faster turn on characteristic can improve the overall switch module turn on characteristic curve. Because smaller switches have a lower gate to channel capacitance, they can turn on more rapidly than larger switches.
  • FETs 7302a-n By configuring FETs 7302a-n such that one or more of them are of a relatively larger size, their lower channel resistance also can improve the overall switch module turn on characteristics. Because larger switches have a lower channel resistance, they can provide the overall switch stracture with a lower channel resistance, even when combined with smaller switches. This improves the overall switch structure's ability to drive a wider range of loads. Accordingly, the ability to tailor switch sizes relative to each other in the overall switch stracture allows for overall switch stracture operation to more nearly approach ideal, or to achieve application specific requirements, or to balance trade-offs to achieve specific goals, as will be understood by persons skilled in the relevant arts(s) from the teachings herein.
  • switch module as a series of FETs 7302a-n in HG. 73 is for example purposes only. Any device having switching capabilities could be used to implement the switch module, as will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the discussion contained herein. Reducing Overall Switch Area
  • HG. 74A illustrates an embodiment of a switch module, with a large overall switch area.
  • the switch module of HG. 74A includes twenty FETs 7402-7440. As shown, FETs 7402-7440 are the same size ("Wd" and "lng" parameters are equal).
  • Input source 7446 produces the input EM signal.
  • Pulse generator 7448 produces the energy transfer signal for FETs 7402-7440.
  • Capacitor CI is the storage element for the input signal being sampled by FETs 7402-7440.
  • HGS. 74B-74Q illustrate example waveforms related to the switch module of HG. 74A.
  • HG. 74B shows a received 1.01 GHz EM signal to be sampled and downconverted to a 10 MHz intermediate frequency signal.
  • FIG. 74C shows an energy transfer signal having an aliasing rate of 200 MHz, which is applied to the gate of each of the twenty FETs 7402-7440.
  • the energy transfer signal includes a train of energy transfer pulses having non-negligible apertures that tend away from zero time in duration.
  • HG. 74D illustrates the affected received EM signal, showing effects of transferring energy at the aliasing rate, at point 7442 of HG. 74A.
  • HG. 74E illustrates a down-converted signal at point 7444 of HG. 74A, which is generated by the down-conversion process.
  • HG. 74F illustrates the frequency spectrum of the received 1.01 GHz EM signal.
  • 74G illustrates the frequency spectrum of the received energy transfer signal.
  • HG. 74H illustrates the frequency spectrum of the affected received EM signal at point 7442 of HG. 74A.
  • HG. 741 illustrates the frequency spectrum of the down-converted signal at point 7444 of HG. 74A.
  • HGS. 74J-74M respectively further illustrate the frequency spectra of the received 1.01
  • GHz EM signal the received energy transfer signal, the affected received EM signal at point 7442 of HG. 74A, and the down-converted signal at point 7444 of HG. 74A, focusing on a nanower frequency range centered on 1.00 GHz.
  • a noise spike exists at approximately 1.0 GHz on the affected received EM signal at point 7442 of FIG. 74A. This noise spike may be radiated by the circuit, causing interference at 1.0 GHz to nearby receivers.
  • FIGS. 74N-74Q respectively illustrate the frequency spectra of the received 1.01 GHz
  • HG. 74Q shows that an approximately 5 mV signal was downconverted at approximately 10 MHz.
  • HG 75A illustrates an alternative embodiment of the switch module, this time with fourteen FETs 7502-7528 shown, rather than twenty FETs 7402-7440 as shown in HG. 74A. Additionally, the FETs are of various sizes (some “Wd” and “lng" parameters are different between FETs).
  • HGS. 75B-75Q which are example waveforms related to the switch module of HG. 75 A, conespond to the similarly designated figures of HGS. 74B-74Q.
  • HG. 75L shows, a lower level noise spike exists at 1.0 GHz than at the same frequency of FIG. 74L. This conelates to lower levels of circuit radiation.
  • HG. 75Q shows, the lower level noise spike at 1.0 GHz was achieved with no loss in conversion efficiency. This is represented in HG. 75Q by the approximately 5 mV signal downconverted at approximately 10 MHz. This voltage is substantially equal to the level downconverted by the circuit of HG. 74A.
  • circuit parasitic capacitance can be reduced, as would be understood by persons skilled in the relevant art(s) from the teachings herein. In particular this may reduce overall gate to channel capacitance, leading to lower amplitude noise spikes and reduced unwanted circuit radiation.
  • the switch modules discussed herein are comprised of a series of switches in parallel, in some instances it may be desirable to minimize the effects of charge injection. Minimizing charge injection is generally desirable in order to reduce the unwanted circuit radiation resulting therefrom. In an embodiment, unwanted charge injection effects can be reduced through the use of complementary n-channel MOSFETs and p-channel MOSFETs.
  • the switch module may be comprised of n-channel MOSFETs and p-channel
  • MOSFETS wherein the members of each are sized to minimize the undesired effects of charge injection.
  • HG 77A illustrates an alternative embodiment of the switch module, this time with fourteen n-channel FETs 7702-7728 and twelve p-channel FETs 7730-7752 shown, rather than twenty FETs 7402-7440 as shown in HG. 74A.
  • the n-channel and p-channel FETs are ananged in a complementary configuration. Additionally, the FETs are of various sizes (some "Wd” and "lng" parameters are different between FETs).
  • HGS. 77B-77Q which are example waveforms related to the switch module of HG. 77A, conespond to the similarly designated figures of HGS. 74B-74Q.
  • HG. 77L shows, a lower level noise spike exists at 1.0 GHz than at the same frequency of HG. 74L. This conelates to lower levels of circuit radiation.
  • HG. 77Q shows, the lower level noise spike at 1.0 GHz was achieved with no loss in conversion efficiency. This is represented in HG. 77Q by the approximately 5 mV signal downconverted at approximately 10 MHz. This voltage is substantially equal to the level downconverted by the circuit of HG. 74A.
  • HG. 76A illustrates a cross-section of an example n-channel enhancement-mode MOSFET 7600, with ideally shaped n+ regions.
  • MOSFET 7600 includes a gate 7602, a channel region 7604, a source contact 7606, a source region 7608, a drain contact 7610, a drain region 7612, and an insulator 7614.
  • Source region 7608 and drain region 7612 are separated by p-type material of channel region 7604.
  • Source region 7608 and drain region 7612 are shown to be n+ material.
  • the n+ material is typically implanted in the p-type material of channel region 7604 by an ion implantation/diffusion process.
  • Insulator 7614 insulates gate 7602 which bridges over the p-type material. Insulator 7614 generally comprises a metal-oxide insulator. The channel cunent between source region 7608 and drain region 7612 for MOSFET 7600 is controlled by a voltage at gate 7602.
  • MOSFET 7600 When a positive voltage is applied to gate 7602, electrons in the p-type material of channel region 7604 are attracted to the surface below insulator 7614, forming a connecting near-surface region of n-type material between the source and the drain, called a channel.
  • source region 7608 and drain region 7612 are illustrated as having n+ regions that were formed into idealized rectangular regions by the ion implantation process.
  • FIG. 76B illustrates a cross-section of an example n-channel enhancement-mode MOSFET 7616 with non-ideally shaped n+ regions.
  • Source region 7620 and drain region 7622 are illustrated as being formed into inegularly shaped regions by the ion implantation process. Due to uncertainties in the ion implantation/diffusion process, in practical applications, source region 7620 and drain region 7622 do not form rectangular regions as shown in HG. 76A. HG. 76B shows source region 7620 and drain region 7622 forming exemplary i ⁇ egular regions. Due to these process uncertainties, the n+ regions of source region 7620 and drain region 7622 also may diffuse further than desired into the p-type region of channel region 7618, extending underneath gate 7602 The extension of the source region 7620 and drain region 7622 underneath gate 7602 is shown as source overlap 7624 and drain overlap 7626.
  • Source overlap 7624 and drain overlap 7626 are further illustrated in HG. 76C.
  • HG. 76C illustrates a top-level view of an example layout configuration for MOSFET 7616.
  • Source overlap 7624 and drain overlap 7626 may lead to unwanted parasitic capacitances between source region 7620 and gate 7602, and between drain region 7622 and gate 7602. These unwanted parasitic capacitances may interfere with circuit function. For instance, the resulting parasitic capacitances may produce noise spikes that are radiated by the circuit, causing unwanted electromagnetic interference.
  • an example MOSFET 7616 may include a gate pad 7628.
  • Gate 7602 may include a gate extension 7630, and a gate pad extension 7632.
  • Gate extension 7630 is an unused portion of gate 7602 required due to metal implantation process tolerance limitations.
  • Gate pad extension 7632 is a portion of gate 7602 used to couple gate 7602 to gate pad 7628.
  • the contact required for gate pad 7628 requires gate pad extension 7632 to be of non-zero length to separate the resulting contact from the area between source region 7620 and drain region 7622. This prevents gate 7602 from shorting to the channel between source region 7620 and drain region 7622 (insulator 7614 of HG.
  • n-channel enhancement-mode MOSFET is for example purposes only.
  • present invention is applicable to depletion mode
  • MOSFETs and other transistor types, as will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the discussion contained herein.
  • HG. 72A illustrates an embodiment of a splitter circuit 7200 implemented in CMOS. This embodiment is provided for illustrative purposes, and is not limiting.
  • splitter circuit 7200 is used to split a local oscillator (LO) signal into two oscillating signals that are approximately 90° out of phase.
  • the first oscillating signal is called the I-channel oscillating signal.
  • the second oscillating signal is called the Q-channel oscillating signal.
  • the Q-channel oscillating signal lags the phase of the I-channel oscillating signal by approximately 90°.
  • Splitter circuit 7200 includes a first I-channel inverter 7202, a second I-channel inverter 7204, a third I-channel inverter 7206, a first Q-channel inverter 7208, a second Q-channel inverter 7210, an I-channel flip-flop 7212, and a Q-channel flip-flop 7214.
  • HGS. 72F-J are example waveforms used to illustrate signal relationships of splitter circuit 7200.
  • the waveforms shown in HGS. 72F-J reflect ideal delay times through splitter circuit 7200 components.
  • LO signal 7216 is shown in HG. 72F.
  • First, second, and third I- channel inverters 7202, 7204, and 7206 invert LO signal 7216 three times, outputting inverted LO signal 7218, as shown in HG. 72G.
  • First and second Q-channel inverters 7208 and 7210 invert LO signal 7216 twice, outputting non-inverted LO signal 7220, as shown in HG. 72H.
  • first, second, and third I-channel inverters 7202, 7204, and 7206 are substantially equal to that through first and second Q-channel inverters 7208 and 7210, so that inverted LO signal 7218 and non-inverted LO signal 7220 are approximately 180° out of phase.
  • the operating characteristics of the inverters may be tailored to achieve the proper delay amounts, as would be understood by persons skilled in the relevant art(s).
  • I-channel flip-flop 7212 inputs inverted LO signal 7218.
  • Q-channel flip-flop 7214 inputs non-inverted LO signal 7220.
  • I-channel flip-flop 7212 and Q- channel flip-flop 7214 are edge-triggered flip-flops. When either flip-flop receives a rising edge on its input, the flip-flop output changes state. Hence, I-channel flip-flop 7212 and Q-channel flip-flop 7214 each output signals that are approximately half of the input signal frequency.
  • I-channel flip-flop 7212 and Q-channel flip-flop 7214 are approximately 180° out of phase, their resulting outputs are signals that are approximately 90° out of phase.
  • I-channel flip-flop 7212 outputs I-channel oscillating signal 7222, as shown in HG. 721.
  • Q-channel flip-flop 7214 outputs Q-channel oscillating signal 7224, as shown in HG. 72J.
  • HG. 72B illustrates a more detailed circuit embodiment of the splitter circuit 7200 of HG. 72.
  • the circuit blocks of HG. 72B that are similar to those of HG. 72A are indicated by conesponding reference numbers.
  • HGS. 72C-D show example output waveforms relating to the splitter circuit 7200 of HG. 72B.
  • HG. 72C shows I-channel oscillating signal 7222.
  • HG. 72D shows Q-channel oscillating signal 7224.
  • the waveform of Q-channel oscillating signal 7224 of HG. 72D lags the waveform of I- ⁇ hannel oscillating signal 7222 of HG. 72C by approximately 90°. It should be understood that the illustration of the splitter circuit 7200 in HGS. 72A and
  • Splitter circuit 7200 may be comprised of an assortment of logic and semiconductor devices of a variety of types, as will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the discussion contained herein.
  • the design of the filter 5726 is determined by the frequency and frequency range of the desired transmission signal 5714. As discussed above in sections 3.3.9-3.3.9.2, the term “Q" is used to describe the ratio of the center frequency of the output of the filter to the bandwidth of the "3 dB down" point. The trade offs that were made in the selection of the subharmonic to be used is a factor in designing the filter. That is, if, as an excursion to the example given above, the frequency of. the desired transmission signal were again 910 MHz, but the desired subharmonic were the 50 th subharmonic, then the frequency of that 50 th subharmonic would be 18.2000 MHz. This means that the frequencies seen by the filter will be 18.200 MHz apart. Thus, the "Q" will need to be high enough to avoid allowing information from the adjacent frequencies being passed through. The other consideration for the "Q" of the filter is that it must not be so tight that it does not permit the usage of the entire range of desired frequencies.
  • An amplifier module 5728 will be needed if the signal is not large enough to be transmitted or if it is needed for some downstream application. This can occur because the amplitude of the resultant harmonic is too small. It may also occur if the filter 5726 has attenuated the signal.
  • a transmission module 5730 which is optional, ensures that the output of the filter 5726 and the amplifier module 5728 is able to be transmitted.
  • the transmission module matches the impedance of the output of the amplifier module 5728 and the input of an antenna 5732. This techniques is well known to those skilled in the relevant art(s). If the signal is to be transmitted over a point-to-point line such as a telephone line (or a fiber optic cable) the transmission module 5730 may be a line driver (or an electrical-to-optical converter for fiber optic implementation) .

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Digital Transmission Methods That Use Modulated Carrier Waves (AREA)
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Abstract

L'invention concerne un système et un procédé dans lesquels un signal d'informations est déclenché par porte à une fréquence égale à une sous-harmonique de la fréquence du signal de sortie souhaité. En cours de modulation, le signal d'informations est modulé en tant que partie du processus de conversion-élévation. Dans un premier mode de réalisation, un signal d'informations est modulé en phase sur le signal porteur en tant que partie du processus de conversion-élévation. Dans un second mode de réalisation, deux signaux d'informations sont multipliés, et, pendant le processus de conversion-élévation, un signal est modulé en phase sur la porteuse, l'autre signal étant modulé en amplitude sur la porteuse. Dans un troisième mode de réalisation, un signal d'informations est modulé en phase sur la phase 'I' du signal porteur comme partie du processus de conversion-élévation, un second signal d'informations étant modulé en phase sur la phase 'Q' de la porteuse en tant que partie du processus de conversion-élévation. Dans un quatrième mode de réalisation, quatre signaux d'informations sont modulés en phase et en amplitude sur les phases 'I' et 'Q' de la porteuse en tant que partie du processus de conversion-élévation. Il existe au moins quatre mises en oeuvre pour chacun des modes de réalisation susmentionnés.
EP01926955A 2000-04-13 2001-04-13 Procede et systeme de conversion-elevation de frequence avec differents types de modulation Withdrawn EP1277272A2 (fr)

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US548923 2000-04-13
US09/548,923 US7039372B1 (en) 1998-10-21 2000-04-13 Method and system for frequency up-conversion with modulation embodiments
PCT/US2001/012086 WO2001080418A2 (fr) 2000-04-13 2001-04-13 Procede et systeme de conversion-elevation de frequence avec differents types de modulation

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US9246736B2 (en) 1998-10-21 2016-01-26 Parkervision, Inc. Method and system for down-converting an electromagnetic signal
US9246737B2 (en) 1998-10-21 2016-01-26 Parkervision, Inc. Method and system for down-converting an electromagnetic signal
US9288100B2 (en) 1998-10-21 2016-03-15 Parkervision, Inc. Method and system for down-converting and electromagnetic signal
US9306792B2 (en) 1998-10-21 2016-04-05 Parkervision, Inc. Methods and systems for down-converting a signal
US9319262B2 (en) 1998-10-21 2016-04-19 Parkervision, Inc. Methods and systems for down-converting a signal
US9325556B2 (en) 1998-10-21 2016-04-26 Parkervision, Inc. Methods and systems for down-converting a signal
US9350591B2 (en) 1998-10-21 2016-05-24 Parkervision, Inc. Method and system for down-converting an electromagnetic signal
US9444673B2 (en) 1998-10-21 2016-09-13 Parkervision, Inc. Methods and systems for down-converting a signal using a complementary transistor structure
DE102018009389A1 (de) 2018-11-29 2020-06-04 Ingo Schuppler Gegenstand aus feinkörnigem Material und einem Bindemittel

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WO2001080418A3 (fr) 2002-10-31
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