Method and system for down-converting electromagnetic signals

DC CAFC

US 6,061,551 A
Filed: 10/21/1998
Issued: 05/09/2000
Est. Priority Date: 10/21/1998
Status: Expired due to Term

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1. A method for down-converting a carrier signal to a lower frequency signal, comprising the steps of:

(1) receiving a carrier signal;

(2) transferring non-negligible amounts of energy from the carrier signal, at an aliasing rate that is substantially equal to a frequency of the carrier signal plus or minus frequency of the lower frequency signal, divided by n, where n represents a harmonic or sub-harmonic of the carrier signal; and

(3) generating a lower frequency signal from the transferred energy.

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Abstract

Methods, systems, and apparatuses for down-converting an electromagnetic (EM) signal by aliasing the EM signal are described herein. Briefly stated, such methods, systems, and apparatuses operate by receiving an EM signal and an aliasing signal having an aliasing rate. The EM signal is aliased according to the aliasing signal to down-convert the EM signal. The term aliasing, as used herein, refers to both down-converting an EM signal by under-sampling the EM signal at an aliasing rate, and down-converting an EM signal by transferring energy from the EM signal at the aliasing rate. In an embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to an intermediate frequency (IF) signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to a demodulated baseband information signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is a frequency modulated (FM) signal, which is down-converted to a non-FM signal, such as a phase modulated (PM) signal or an amplitude modulated (AM) signal.

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204 Claims

1. A method for down-converting a carrier signal to a lower frequency signal, comprising the steps of:
- (1) receiving a carrier signal;
  
  (2) transferring non-negligible amounts of energy from the carrier signal, at an aliasing rate that is substantially equal to a frequency of the carrier signal plus or minus frequency of the lower frequency signal, divided by n, where n represents a harmonic or sub-harmonic of the carrier signal; and
  
  (3) generating a lower frequency signal from the transferred energy.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 204)
- - 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (2) comprises the step of generating an energy transfer signal having the aliasing rate and using the energy transfer signal to transfer the energy from the carrier signal.
  - 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of generating a train of pulses having non-negligible apertures that tend away from zero time in duration.
  - 4. The method according to claim 2, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of optimizing a phase of the energy transfer signal.
  - 5. The method according to claim 2, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of optimizing the frequency of the energy transfer signal.
  - 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (1) comprises the step of receiving an amplitude modulated carrier signal.
  - 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (1) comprises the step of receiving a phase modulated carrier signal.
  - 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (1) comprises the step of receiving a carrier signal having a frequency greater than 1 giga Hertz.
  - 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (1) comprises the step of receiving a carrier signal having a frequency between 10 mega Hertz and 10 giga Hertz.
  - 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (1) comprises the step of receiving the carrier signal through a relatively low input impedance path.
  - 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (1) comprises the step of receiving the carrier signal through a relatively efficient power transfer path.
  - 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (1) comprises the step of receiving the carrier signal through a substantially impedance matched input path.
  - 13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:
    - providing the lower frequency signal directly to a relatively low impedance load.
  - 14. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:
    - providing the lower frequency signal directly to a load through a relatively efficient power transfer path.
  - 15. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:
    - providing the lower frequency signal to a load through substantially impedance matched path.
  - 16. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (2) comprises the step of coupling the carrier signal to a reactive storage device at the aliasing rate.
  - 17. The method according to claim 2, wherein step (2) comprises the step of generating the energy transfer signal without synchronizing it with the carrier signal.
  - 18. The method according to claim 2, wherein step (2) comprises the step of generating the energy transfer signal without synchronizing it to a phase of the carrier signal.
  - 19. The method according to claim 2, wherein step (2) comprises the step of generating the energy transfer signal independent of the carrier signal.
  - 20. The method according to claim 2, wherein step (2) comprises the step of generating an asynchronous energy transfer signal having the aliasing rate and using the asynchronous energy transfer signal to transfer the energy from the carrier signal.
  - 21. The method according to claim 20, wherein step (1) comprises the step of receiving the carrier signal through a relatively low input impedance path.
  - 22. The method according to claim 20, wherein step (1) comprises the step of receiving the carrier signal through a relatively efficient power transfer path.
  - 33. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (2) comprises the step of gating the carrier signal according to a control signal comprising a stream of pulses, having non-negligible apertures, that repeat at the aliasing rate.
  - 34. The method according to claim 33, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of optimizing the control signal based on the lower frequency signal.
  - 35. The method according to claim 34, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of controlling a frequency relationship between the carrier signal and the control signal.
  - 36. The method according to claim 34, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of controlling a phase relationship between the carrier signal and the control signal.
  - 37. The method according to claim 34, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of controlling a frequency relationship and a phase relationship between the carrier signal and the control signal.
  - 38. The method according to claim 33, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of gating the carrier signal according to an asynchronous control signal comprising a stream of pulses, having non-negligible apertures, that repeat at the aliasing rate.
  - 39. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of gating the carrier signal according to a control signal comprising a stream of pulses, having non-negligible apertures that are equal in duration to approximate half cycles of the carrier signal.
  - 40. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (3) comprises the step of generating a analog lower frequency signal from the transferred energy.
  - 41. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (2) comprises the steps of:
    - (a) transferring a non-negligible portion of energy contained in a portion of the carrier signal; and
      
      (b) repeating step (2)(a) at the aliasing rate.
  - 42. The method according to claim 41, wherein step (2)(a) comprises the step of transferring at least one tenth of one percent of the energy contained in a half period of the carrier signal.
  - 43. The method according to claim 41, wherein step (2)(a) comprises the step of transferring at least one percent of the energy contained in a half period of the carrier signal.
  - 44. The method according to claim 41, wherein step (2)(a) comprises the step of transferring at least ten percent of the energy contained in a half period of the carrier signal.
  - 45. The method according to claim 41, wherein step (2)(a) comprises the step of transferring at least twenty five percent of the energy contained in a half period of the carrier signal.
  - 46. The method according to claim 41, wherein step (2)(a) comprises the step of transferring at least fifty percent of the energy contained in a half period of the carrier signal.
  - 47. The method according to claim 41, wherein step (2)(a) comprises the step of transferring at least seventy five percent of the energy contained in a half period of the carrier signal.
  - 48. The method according to claim 41, wherein step (2)(a) comprises the step of transferring at least eighty percent of the energy contained in a half period of the carrier signal.
  - 49. The method according to claim 41, wherein step (2)(a) comprises the step of transferring at least ninety percent of the energy contained in a half period of the carrier signal.
  - 50. The method according to claim 41, wherein step (3) comprises the step of integrating the transferred energy and generating the lower frequency signal from the integrated energy.
  - 51. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (3) comprises the step of integrating the transferred energy and generating the lower frequency signal from the transferred energy.
  - 52. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (2) comprises the steps of:
    - (a) transferring a substantial portion of energy contained in N periods of the carrier signal, wherein N equals A plus B, where A is a positive integer and B is approximately equal to a fraction of an integer; and
      
      (b) repeating step (2)(a) at the aliasing rate.
  - 53. The method according to claim 52, wherein step (3) comprises the step of integrating the transferred energy and generating the lower frequency signal from the integrated energy.
  - 54. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (2) comprises the step of transferring non-negligible amounts of energy from the carrier signal, at an aliasing rate that is substantially equal to a harmonic or sub-harmonic frequency of the carrier signal.
  - 55. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (1) comprises the step of receiving a modulated carrier signal.
  - 56. The method of claim 55, wherein step (3) comprises the step of generating a lower frequency modulated carrier signal from the transferred energy.
  - 57. The method of claim 55, wherein step (3) comprises the step of generating a demodulated baseband signal from the transferred energy.
  - 58. The method of claim 55, wherein step (1) comprises the step of receiving at least one of an amplitude modulated signal, a frequency modulated signal, and a phase modulated signal.
  - 59. The method of claim 1, wherein step (1) comprises the step of receiving the carrier signal via a communication medium.
  - 60. The method of claim 59, wherein step (1) further comprises the step of receiving the carrier signal via a wire communication medium.
  - 61. The method of claim 1, wherein step (1) comprises the step of receiving an unmodulated carrier signal.
  - 62. The method of claim 1, wherein step (3) comprises the step of generating an intermediate frequency signal from the transferred energy.
  - 63. The method of claim 1, wherein step (3) comprises the step of generating a substantially zero frequency signal from the transferred energy.
  - 64. The method of claim 1, wherein step (2) comprises the step of:
    - (a) generating an energy transfer signal comprising a train of pulses, said pulses controlling opening and closing of a switch to transfer energy from the received carrier signal.
  - 65. The method of claim 64, wherein step (2)(a) comprises the step of establishing apertures of said pulses to increase the time that said switch is closed, thereby reducing an impedance of said switch.
  - 66. The method of claim 64, wherein step (2)(a) comprises the step of widening apertures of said pulses of said energy transfer signal by a non-negligible amount that tends away from zero time in duration to extend the time that said switch is closed, thereby increasing energy transferred from said carrier signal.
  - 67. The method of claim 66, wherein step (2)(a) further comprises the step of widening said apertures of said pulses to one of:
    - (I) a non-zero fraction of a period of said carrier signal; and
      
      (II) one or more periods of said carrier signal plus or minus a non-zero fraction of period of said carrier signal.
  - 68. The method of claim 66, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of transferring sufficient energy from said carrier signal to drive loads without additional buffering or amplification, including high impedance loads and low impedance loads.
  - 69. The method of claim 66, wherein said widening of said apertures of said pulses substantially prevents accurate voltage reproduction of said carrier signal during said apertures.
  - 70. The method of claim 66, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of matching an impedance of said switch to a source impedance, thereby increasing energy transferred from said carrier signal.
  - 71. The method of claim 64, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of matching an impedance of said switch to a load impedance, thereby increasing energy transferred from said carrier signal.
  - 72. The method of claim 64, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of:
    - coupling said carrier signal to said switch via a resonant circuit, said resonant circuit storing energy from components of said carrier signal while said switch is open, and wherein energy stored in said resonant circuit is discharged via said switch while said switch is closed, thereby increasing energy transfer from said carrier signal.
  - 73. The method of claim 72, wherein said resonant circuit is configured to appear as high impedance to a first range of frequencies including a frequency of said carrier signal, and configured to appear as a low impedance to a second range of frequencies including a frequency of said lower frequency signal, such that passage of components of said carrier signal in said first range of frequencies is impeded through said resonant circuit, and such that passage of components of said carrier signal in said second range of frequencies is not so impeded through said resonant circuit.
  - 74. The method of claim 1, wherein step (2) comprises the step of:
    - (a) generating an energy transfer signal comprising a train of pulses, said pulses controlling opening and closing of a switch to transfer energy from said carrier signal;
      
      wherein step (2)(a) comprises the step of establishing apertures of said pulses to increase the time that said switch is closed, thereby reducing an impedance of said switch;
      
      wherein step (2)(a) comprises the step of widening apertures of said pulses of said energy transfer signal by a non-negligible amount that tends away from zero time in duration to extend the time that said switch is closed, thereby increasing energy transferred from said carrier signal;
      
      wherein said apertures of said pulses of said energy transfer signal are one of;
      
      (I) a non-zero fraction of a period of said carrier signal; and
      
      (II) one or more periods of said carrier signal plus or minus a non-zero fraction of a period of said carrier signal;
      
      wherein energy transferred from said carrier signal is sufficient to drive loads without additional buffering or amplification, including high impedance loads and low impedance loads; and
      
      wherein said widening of said apertures of said pulses substantially prevents accurate voltage reproduction of said carrier signal during said apertures.
  - 75. The method of claim 74, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of:
    - matching an impedance of said switch to a source impedance, thereby increasing energy transferred from said carrier signal.
  - 76. The method of claim 74, further comprising the step of:
    - matching an impedance of said switch to a load impedance, thereby increasing energy transferred from said carrier signal.
  - 77. The method of claim 74, further comprising the step of:
    - transferring said carrier signal to said switch via a resonant circuit, said resonant circuit storing energy from components of said carrier signal while said switch is open, and wherein energy stored in said resonant circuit is discharged via said switch while said switch is closed thereby increasing energy transfer from said carrier signal.
  - 78. The method of claim 77, wherein said resonant circuit is configured to appear as high impedance to a first range of frequencies including a frequency of said carrier signal, and configured to appear as a low impedance to a second range of frequencies including a frequency of said lower frequency signal, such that passage of components of said carrier signal in said first range of frequencies is impeded through said resonant circuit, and such that passage of components of said carrier signal in said second range of frequencies is not so impeded through said resonant circuit.
  - 79. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (1) comprises the step of receiving a frequency modulated carrier signal.
  - 80. The method according to claim 79, wherein step (3) comprises the step generating an intermediate frequency, frequency modulated signal, from the transferred energy.
  - 81. The method according to claim 79, wherein step (3) comprises the step of generating an intermediate frequency, non-frequency modulated signal, from the transferred energy.
  - 82. The method according to claim 79, wherein step (3) comprises the step of generating an intermediate frequency, amplitude modulated signal, from the transferred energy.
  - 83. The method according to claim 79, wherein step (3) comprises the step of generating an intermediate frequency, phase modulated signal, from the transferred energy.
  - 84. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of generating an asynchronous energy transfer signal having a harmonic substantially equal to a frequency of the carrier signal minus a frequency of the lower frequency signal, and using the asynchronous energy transfer signal to transfer the energy from the carrier signal.
  - 85. The method according to claim 2, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of controlling a sample and hold system with the energy transfer signal.
  - 86. The method according to claim 85, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of using the energy transfer signal to control a switching device that couples the received carrier signal to a storage device.
  - 87. The method according to claim 85, wherein step (3) comprises the step of integrating the transferred energy in the storage device.
  - 88. The method according to claim 2, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of optimizing an amplitude of the energy transfer signal.
  - 89. The method according to claim 3, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of optimizing an amplitude of the pulses.
  - 90. The method according to claim 3, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of optimizing a shape of the pulses.
  - 91. The method according to claim 2, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of optimizing the energy transfer signal based on the lower frequency signal.
  - 92. The method according to claim 3, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of controlling a frequency relationship between the pulses and the carrier signal, based on the lower frequency signal.
  - 93. The method according to claim 3, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of controlling a frequency relationship and a phase relationship between the pulses and the carrier signal, based on the lower frequency signal.
  - 94. The method according to claim 2, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of optimizing an amplitude of the energy transfer signal, based on the lower frequency signal.
  - 95. The method according to claim 3, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of optimizing an amplitude of the pulses, based on the lower frequency signal.
  - 96. The method according to claim 3, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of optimizing a shape of the pulses, based on the lower frequency signal.
  - 97. The method according to claim 3, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of generating the pulses with non-negligible apertures that are equal in duration to approximate half cycles of the carrier signal.
  - 98. The method according to claim 3, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of generating the pulses with non-negligible apertures that are equal in duration to at least one tenth of one percent of approximate half cycles of the carrier signal.
  - 99. The method according to claim 3, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of generating the pulses with non-negligible apertures that are equal in duration to at least one percent of approximate half cycles of the carrier signal.
  - 100. The method according to claim 3, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of generating the pulses with non-negligible apertures that are equal in duration to ant least ten percent of approximate half cycles of the carrier signal.
  - 101. The method according to claim 3, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of generating the pulses with non-negligible apertures that are equal in duration to at least twenty five percent of approximate half cycles of the carrier signal.
  - 102. The method according to claim 3, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of generating the pulses with non-negligible apertures that are equal in duration to at least fifty percent of approximate half cycles of the carrier signal.
  - 103. The method according to claim 3, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of generating the pulses with non-negligible apertures that are equal in duration to at least seventy five percent of approximate half cycles of the carrier signal.
  - 104. The method according to claim 3, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of generating the pulses with non-negligible apertures that are equal in duration to at least ninety percent of approximate half cycles of the carrier signal.
  - 105. The method according to claim 3, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of generating the pulses with non-negligible apertures that are equal in duration N cycles of the carrier signal, wherein N equals A plus B, where A is a positive integer and B is a fraction of an integer.
  - 106. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (2) comprises the step of transferring non-negligible amounts of energy relative to energy contained in half cycles of the carrier signal.
  - 107. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of generating a train of pulses having non-negligible apertures relative to a period of the carrier signal.
  - 108. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (3) comprises the step of integrating the transferred energy during apertures.
  - 109. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (2) comprises the step of transferring controlled non-negligible amounts of energy.
  - 110. The method according to claim 1, wherein:
    - step (2) comprises the step of transferring non-negligible amounts of energy from the carrier signal during aperture periods, which occur at the aliasing rate; and
      
      step (3) comprises the step of integrating the transferred energy over the aperture period and generating the lower frequency signal from the integrated energy.
  - 111. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (2) comprises the step of transferring controlled substantial amounts of energy from the carrier signal at the aliasing rate.
  - 112. The method according to claim 1, wherein:
    - step (2) comprises the step of transferring controlled substantial amounts of energy from the carrier signal during aperture periods, which occur at the aliasing rate, wherein said transferring of energy substantially prevents accurate voltage reproduction of the carrier signal during the apertures; and
      
      step (3) comprises the step of integrating the transferred energy over the aperture periods;
      
      and generating the lower frequency signal from the integrated energy.
  - 113. The method according to claim 1, wherein:
    - step (2) comprises the step of transferring controlled substantial amounts of energy from the carrier signal during aperture periods, which occur at the aliasing rate, wherein said transferring of energy substantially prevents accurate voltage reproduction of the carrier signal during the apertures; and
      
      step (3) comprises the step of integrating the transferred energy over the aperture periods and generating the lower frequency signal from the integrated energy.
  - 114. The method according to claim 33, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of gating the carrier signal according to a control signal comprising a stream of pulses having non-negligible apertures that are equal in duration to approximate half cycles of the carrier signal and that are substantially aligned with positive half cycles of the carrier signal.
  - 115. The method according to claim 33, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of gating the carrier signal according to a control signal comprising a stream of pulses having non-negligible apertures that are equal in duration to approximate half cycles of the carrier signal and that are substantially aligned with negative half cycles of the carrier signal.
  - 116. The method according to claim 40, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of gating the carrier signal according to a control signal comprising a stream of pulses having non-negligible apertures that are equal in duration to approximate half cycles of the carrier signal and that are not synchronized with the carrier signal.
  - 117. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (2) comprises the steps of:
    - (a) convolving a portion of a cycle of the carrier with a shaped waveform; and
      
      (b) repeating step (2)(a) at the aliasing rate.
  - 118. The method according to claim 117, wherein step (3) comprises the step of integrating the results of steps (2)(a) and (2)(b) and generating the lower frequency signal from the integrated results.
  - 119. The method according to claim 118, wherein step (2)(a) comprises the step of convolving the portion of a cycle of the carrier signal with a substantially square waveform.
  - 120. The method of claim 59, wherein step (1) further comprises the step of receiving the carrier signal via a wireless communication medium.
  - 121. The method according to claim 2, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of optimizing an amplitude of the energy transfer signal.
  - 122. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (2) comprises the step of transferring non-negligible amounts of energy from the carrier signal, at the aliasing rate that is substantially equal to a frequency of the carrier signal plus or minus a frequency of the lower frequency signal divided by n, where n is equal to 0.5 or any positive integer.
  - 123. The method according to claim 33, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of gating the carrier signal according to a control signal comprising a stream of pulses, having non-negligible apertures that are substantially synchronized with the carrier signal.
  - 124. The method according to claim 33, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of gating the carrier signal according to a control signal comprising a stream of pulses, having non-negligible apertures that are not synchronized with the carrier signal.
  - 125. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (3) comprises the step of generating the lower frequency signal directly from the transferred energy.
  - 126. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (3) comprises the step of generating the lower frequency signal at baseband directly from the transferred energy.
  - 127. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (3) comprises the step of preserving modulation information without the carrier signal.
  - 128. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (3) comprises the step of preserving modulation information without reproducing the carrier signal.
  - 129. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (3) comprises the step of:
    - (a) controlling the amount of energy transferred from the carrier signal.
  - 130. The method according to claim 129, wherein step (3)(a) comprises the step of controlling an aperture.
  - 131. The method according to claim 130, wherein step (3)(a) further comprises the step of controlling an aperture width.
  - 132. The method according to claim 130, wherein step (3)(a) further comprises the step of controlling an aperture frequency.
  - 133. The method according to claim 130, wherein step (3)(a) further comprises the step of controlling an aperture shape.
  - 134. The method according to claim 129, wherein step (3)(a) comprises the step of controlling energy transfer characteristics.
  - 204. The method according to claim 3, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of controlling a phase relationship between the pulses and the carrier signal, based on the lower frequency signal.

23. An apparatus for down-converting a carrier signal to a lower frequency signal, comprising:
- an energy transfer signal generator;
  
  a switch module controlled by said energy transfer signal generator; and
  
  a storage module coupled to said switch module;
  
  wherein said storage module receives non-negligible amounts of energy transferred from a carrier signal at an aliasing rate that is substantially equal to a frequency of the carrier signal plus or minus a frequency of the lower frequency signal, divided by n where n represents a harmonic or sub-harmonic of the carrier signal, wherein a lower frequency signal is generated from the transferred energy.
- View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 135, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203)
- - 24. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said circuit comprises:
    - an input impedance match circuit coupled to an input of said apparatus.
  - 25. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said circuit comprises:
    - an output impedance match circuit coupled to an output of said apparatus.
  - 26. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said switch module is coupled between input of said apparatus and said storage module.
  - 27. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said circuit comprises:
    - a tank circuit coupled between an input of said apparatus and said switch circuit.
  - 28. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said circuit comprises:
    - a feed forward circuit in parallel with said switch module.
  - 29. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said storage module is coupled between a input of said apparatus and said switch module.
  - 30. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said apparatus is tuned for at least on frequency greater than one giga Hertz.
  - 31. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said apparatus is tuned for at least on frequency between 10 Mega Hertz and 10 Giga Hertz.
  - 32. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said energy transfer signal generator comprises an asynchronous energy transfer signal generator.
  - 135. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said energy transfer signal generator generates an energy transfer signal comprising a train of pulses having non-negligible apertures that tend away from zero time in duration.
  - 137. The apparatus according to claim 135, wherein said energy transfer signal generator generates the pulses with non-negligible apertures equal in duration to at least one percent of approximate half cycles of the carrier signal.
  - 138. The apparatus according to claim 135, wherein said energy transfer signal generator generates the pulses with non-negligible apertures equal in duration to at least ten percent of approximate half cycles of the carrier signal.
  - 139. The apparatus according to claim 135, wherein said energy transfer signal generator generates the pulses with non-negligible apertures equal in duration to at least twenty-five percent of approximate half cycles of the carrier signal.
  - 140. The apparatus according to claim 135, wherein said energy transfer signal generator generates the pulses with non-negligible apertures equal in duration to at least fifty percent of approximate half cycles of the carrier signal.
  - 141. The apparatus according to claim 135, wherein said energy transfer signal generator generates the pulses with non-negligible apertures equal in duration to at least seventy-five percent of approximate half cycles of the carrier signal.
  - 142. The apparatus according to claim 135, wherein said energy transfer signal generator generates the pulses with non-negligible apertures equal in duration to at least ninety percent of approximate half cycles of the carrier signal.
  - 143. The apparatus according to claim 135, wherein said energy transfer signal generator generates the pulses with non-negligible apertures equal in duration to approximate half cycles of the carrier signal.
  - 144. The apparatus according to claim 135, wherein said energy transfer signal generator generates the pulses with non-negligible apertures equal in duration of up to ninety percent of a full cycle of the carrier signal.
  - 145. The apparatus according to claim 135, wherein said energy transfer signal generator generates the pulses with non-negligible apertures equal in duration N cycles of the carrier signal, wherein N equals A plus B, where A is a positive integer and B is a fraction of an integer.
  - 146. The apparatus according to claim 135, wherein said energy transfer signal generator optimizes an amplitude of the energy transfer signal.
  - 147. The apparatus according to claim 135, wherein said energy transfer signal generator optimizes an amplitude of the energy transfer signal pulses.
  - 148. The apparatus according to claim 135, wherein said energy transfer signal generator optimizes a shape of the energy transfer signal pulses.
  - 149. The apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising:
    - a feedback loop that couples an output of said switch module to said energy transfer signal generator.
  - 150. The apparatus according to claim 149, wherein said energy transfer signal generator generates an energy transfer signal comprising a train of pulses having non-negligible apertures that tend away from zero time in duration.
  - 151. The apparatus according to claim 150, wherein said energy transfer signal generator optimizes a frequency of the energy transfer signal based on said feedback loop.
  - 152. The apparatus according to claim 151, wherein said energy transfer signal generator controls a frequency relationship between the carrier signal and the energy transfer signal.
  - 153. The apparatus according to claim 150, wherein said energy transfer signal generator optimizes a phase of the energy transfer signal based on said feedback loop.
  - 154. The apparatus according to claim 153, wherein said energy transfer signal generator controls a phase relationship between the carrier signal and the energy transfer signal.
  - 155. The apparatus according to claim 150, wherein said energy transfer signal generator optimizes a frequency and phase of the energy transfer signal, based on said feedback loop.
  - 156. The apparatus according to claim 155, wherein said energy transfer signal generator controls a frequency relationship and a phase relationship between the carrier signal and the energy control signal.
  - 157. The apparatus according to claim 150, wherein said energy transfer signal generator optimizes an amplitude of the energy transfer signal based on said feedback loop.
  - 158. The apparatus according to claim 157, wherein said energy transfer signal generator optimizes an amplitude of the energy transfer signal pulses based on said feedback loop.
  - 159. The apparatus according to claim 150, wherein said energy transfer signal generator optimizes a shape of the energy transfer signal pulses based on said feedback loop.
  - 160. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said storage device comprises a capacitive storage device sized to store substantial amounts of energy relative to energy contained in approximate half cycles of the carrier signal.
  - 161. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said storage device comprises a capacitive storage device sized to store substantial amounts of energy relative to energy contained in a percentage of half cycles of a carrier signal, whereby said capacitive storage device integrates the transferred energy.
  - 162. The apparatus according to claim 26, further comprising at least one of the following:
    - an input impedance match circuit coupled between said switch module and an apparatus input;
      
      an output impedance match circuit coupled between said storage module and an apparatus output;
      
      a feed forward circuit in parallel with said switch module; and
      
      a tank circuit coupled between said switch circuit and said apparatus input.
  - 163. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said switch module is implemented in a complimentary, metal oxide, semi-conductor (C-MOS) material.
  - 164. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said switch module and said storage module are implemented in a single integrated circuit.
  - 165. The apparatus according to claim 164, wherein said switch module and said storage module are implemented in a complimentary, metal oxide, semi-conductor (C-MOS) material.
  - 166. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said switch module, said storage module and said energy transfer signal generator are implemented in a single integrated circuit.
  - 167. The apparatus according to claim 166, wherein said switch module, said storage module, and said energy transfer signal generator are implemented in a complimentary, metal oxide, semi-conductor (C-MOS) material.
  - 168. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said switch module comprises at least two switch devices.
  - 169. The apparatus according to claim 168, wherein said at least two switch devices are configured differentially.
  - 170. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said energy transfer signal generator comprises:
    - a clock generator that generates a clock signal at the aliasing rate; and
      
      an aperture generator that generates pulses having non-negligible apertures, based on the clock signal.
  - 171. The apparatus according to claim 170, wherein said aperture generator generates the pulses with apertures that are non-negligible relative to a period of a carrier signal.
  - 172. The apparatus according to claim 170, wherein said aperture generator generates the pulses with apertures equal to a substantial portion of a half period of the carrier signal.
  - 173. The apparatus according to claim 170, wherein said clock generator generates the clock signal with rising and falling edges and said aperture generator is configured to generate a pulse for each of said rising edges.
  - 174. The apparatus according to claim 170, wherein said clock generator generates the clock signal with rising and falling edges and said aperture generator generates a pulse for each of said falling edges.
  - 175. The apparatus according to claim 170, wherein said clock generator generates the clock signal with rising and falling edges and said aperture generator generates pulses for each of said rising edges and each of said falling edges.
  - 176. The apparatus according to claim 173, wherein said aperture generator generates multiple pulses for each of said rising edges.
  - 177. The apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising a controllable output impedance.
  - 178. The apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising an output impedance device that substantially sets an output voltage level.
  - 179. The apparatus according to claim 178, wherein said output impedance device substantially sets the output voltage level higher than a voltage level of a received carrier signal.
  - 180. The apparatus according to claim 178, wherein said output impedance device substantially sets the output voltage level lower than a voltage level of a received carrier signal.
  - 181. The apparatus according to claim 178, wherein said output impedance device substantially sets the output voltage level equal to a voltage level of a received carrier signal.
  - 182. The apparatus according to claim 178, wherein said output impedance device substantially sets the output voltage level to approximately two volts peak to peak.
  - 183. The apparatus according to claim 178, wherein said output impedance device substantially sets the output voltage level to approximately three volts peak to peak.
  - 184. The apparatus according to claim 178, wherein said output impedance device substantially sets the output voltage level to approximately four volts peak to peak.
  - 185. The apparatus according to claim 178, wherein said output impedance device substantially sets the output voltage level to approximately five volts peak to peak.
  - 186. The apparatus according to claim 178, wherein said output impedance device substantially sets the output voltage level to approximately eight volts peak to peak.
  - 187. The apparatus according to claim 178, wherein said output impedance device substantially sets the output voltage level to approximately ten volts peak to peak.
  - 188. The apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising an controllable output impedance device that substantially sets an output voltage level.
  - 189. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said apparatus generates a lower frequency signal having a voltage level that is higher than a voltage level of an input carrier signal.
  - 190. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said apparatus generates a lower frequency signal having a voltage level that is lower than a voltage level of an input carrier signal.
  - 191. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said energy transfer signal generator generates an energy transfer signal having the aliasing rate that is substantially equal to a frequency of the carrier signal plus or minus a frequency of the lower frequency signal, divided by n, where n is equal to 0.5 or a positive integer.
  - 192. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the aliasing rate is substantially equal to frequency of the carrier signal divided by n and the lower frequency signal is a baseband signal.
  - 193. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the aliasing rate is substantially equal to frequency of the carrier signal divided by n, and the lower frequency signal is a demodulate baseband signal.
  - 194. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the aliasing rate is substantially equal to a frequency of the carrier signal divided by n and the lower frequency signal is a zero frequency signal.
  - 195. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said storage module receives non-negligible amounts of energy transferred from a carrier signal at an aliasing rate that is substantially equal to a frequency of the carrier signal plus or minus a frequency of the lower frequency signal, divided by n, where n is equal to one of 0.5 or an integer.
  - 196. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said energy transfer signal generator generates an energy transfer signal having an aliasing rate that is substantially equal to a frequency of the carrier signal plus or minus a frequency of the lower frequency signal, divided by n, where n represents a harmonic or sub-harmonic of the carrier signal.
  - 197. The apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising a circuit to efficiently transfer power from the carrier signal.
  - 198. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said storage module receives and integrates the non-negligible amounts of energy from the carrier signal and generates the lower frequency signal from the integrated energy.
  - 199. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said storage module receives and integrates controlled non-negligible amounts of energy transferred from the carrier signal and generates the lower frequency signal from the integrated energy.
  - 200. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said storage module receives and integrate controlled non-negligible amounts of energy transferred from a carrier signal over aperture periods, wherein said storage module generates a lower frequency signal from the integrate transferred energy.
  - 201. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said storage module receives and integrate controlled substantial amounts of energy transferred from the carrier signal over aperture periods wherein said storage module generates a lower frequency signal from the integrated energy.
  - 202. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said storage module receives and integrate controlled substantial amounts of energy transferred from the carrier signal over aperture periods wherein said storage module generates a lower frequency signal from the integrated energy wherein the transferring of energy substantially prevents accurate voltage reproduction of the carrier signal during the apertures.
  - 203. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein:
    - said energy transfer signal generator generates an energy transfer signal having an aliasing rate that is substantially equal to a frequency of the carrier signal plus or minus a frequency of the lower frequency signal, divided by n, where n represents a harmonic or sub-harmonic of the carrier signal; and
      
      said storage module receives and integrates controlled substantial amounts of energy transferred from the carrier signal over aperture periods, wherein said storage module generate a lower frequency signal from the integrated energy, wherein the transferring of energy substantially prevents accurate voltage reproduction of the carrier signal during the apertures.

136. The apparatus according to claim 136, wherein said energy transfer signal generator generates the pulses with non-negligible apertures equal in duration to at least one tenth of one percent of approximate half cycles of the carrier signal.

Specification

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Litigation Campaign Assessment

Litigation Data

Current Assignee
ParkerVision, Inc.
Original Assignee
ParkerVision, Inc.
Inventors
Cook, Robert W., Bultman, Michael J., Sorrells, David F., Moses, Charley D. Jr., Looke, Richard C.
Primary Examiner(s)
To, Doris H.
Assistant Examiner(s)
Bhattacharya, Sam

Application Number

US09/176,022
Time in Patent Office

566 Days
Field of Search

455/131, 455/139, 455/142, 455/182.1, 455/202, 455/205, 455/313, 455/317, 455/318, 455/323, 455/118, 455/113, 455/324, 329/345, 329/347, 327/9, 327/91, 702/66, 702/70
US Class Current

455/118
CPC Class Codes

H03C 1/62   Modulators in which amplitu...

H03D 7/00   Transference of modulation ...

H03D 7/1441   using field-effect transist...

H03D 7/1475   Subharmonic mixer arrangements

H04B 1/0025   using a sampling rate lower...

H04B 1/16   Circuits

H04B 1/28   the receiver comprising at ...

H04B 7/12   Frequency diversity

H04L 25/08   Modifications for reducing ...

H04L 27/00   Modulated-carrier systems

H04L 27/06   Demodulator circuits; Recei...

H04L 27/12   Modulator circuits; Transmi...

H04L 27/14   Demodulator circuits; Recei...

H04L 27/148   using filters, including PL...

H04L 27/156   with demodulation using tem...

H04L 27/2672   Frequency domain

H04L 27/3881   using sampling and digital ...

Method and system for down-converting electromagnetic signals

First Claim

1 Assignment

Litigations

1 Petition

Accused Products

Abstract

562 Citations

204 Claims

Specification

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Method and system for down-converting electromagnetic signals

First Claim

1 Assignment

Subscription Required

Subscription Required

Litigations

1 Petition

Subscription Required

Accused Products

Subscription Required

Abstract

562 Citations

204 Claims

Specification

Subscription Required

Use Cases

Quick Links

Others