Applications of universal frequency translation
DC CAFCFirst Claim
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a universal frequency down-converter (UFD), including a switch, an integrator coupled to said switch, and a pulse generator coupled to said switch; and
wherein said pulse generator outputs to said switch at an aliasing rate that is determined according to;
(a frequency of a carrier signal +/−
a frequency of a lower frequency signal) divided by N;
wherein said pulses have apertures and said causes switch to close and sub-sample the carrier signal over said apertures, and wherein energy is transferred from the carrier signal and integrated using said integrator during said apertures said pulses, and wherein the lower frequency signal is generated from the transferred energy; and
means for operating said UFD to perform at least frequency translation operations for at least one of (a)-(l);
(a) a telephone;
(b) a communication base station;
(c) a positioning unit;
(d) a data communication device;
(d1) a communication network;
(e) a pager;
(f) a security system component;
(g) a repeater;
(h) a mobile radio;
(i) a satellite communication system;
(j) a command and control unit;
(k) a radio controlled device; and
(l) a radio synchronous time piece.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Frequency translation and applications of same are described herein. Such applications include, but are not limited to, frequency down-conversion, frequency up-conversion, enhanced signal reception, unified down-conversion and filtering, and combinations and applications of same.
510 Citations
68 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a universal frequency down-converter (UFD), including a switch, an integrator coupled to said switch, and a pulse generator coupled to said switch; and
wherein said pulse generator outputs to said switch at an aliasing rate that is determined according to;
(a frequency of a carrier signal +/−
a frequency of a lower frequency signal) divided by N;
wherein said pulses have apertures and said causes switch to close and sub-sample the carrier signal over said apertures, and wherein energy is transferred from the carrier signal and integrated using said integrator during said apertures said pulses, and wherein the lower frequency signal is generated from the transferred energy; and
means for operating said UFD to perform at least frequency translation operations for at least one of (a)-(l);
(a) a telephone;
(b) a communication base station;
(c) a positioning unit;
(d) a data communication device;
(d1) a communication network;
(e) a pager;
(f) a security system component;
(g) a repeater;
(h) a mobile radio;
(i) a satellite communication system;
(j) a command and control unit;
(k) a radio controlled device; and
(l) a radio synchronous time piece.
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2. An apparatus, comprising:
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at least one universal frequency down-conversion module, including a switch, an integrator coupled to said switch, and a pulse generator coupled to said switch; and
wherein said pulse generator outputs pulses to said switch at an aliasing rate that is determined according to;
(a frequency of a carrier signal +/−
a frequency of a lower frequency signal) divided by N;
wherein said pulses have apertures and cause said switch to close and sub-sample the carrier signal over said apertures, and wherein energy is transferred from the carrier signal and integrated using said integrator during said apertures of said pulses, and wherein the lower frequency signal is generated from the transferred energy. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 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)
at least one universal frequency up-conversion module.
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4. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:
a positioning unit that receives positioning information from at least one satellite to determine the location of an object, said positioning unit comprising said at least one universal frequency down-conversion module.
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5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said positioning unit further comprises at least one universal frequency up-conversion module.
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6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said apparatus represents a pager.
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7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said apparatus further comprises at least one universal frequency up-conversion module.
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8. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said apparatus represents a mobile radio.
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9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said apparatus further comprises at least one universal frequency up-conversion module.
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10. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:
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a peripheral device comprising said at least one universal frequency up-conversion module;
whereby said peripheral device communicates via a wireless medium with a computer through an interface comprising at least one universal frequency down-conversion module, whereby said interface is coupled to the computer.
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11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said peripheral device is a mouse, a keyboard, a monitor, or a storage device.
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12. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said apparatus represents a wireless interface for a home device.
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13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the home device is a lamp, a television, a computer, a video recorder, an audio recorder, or an answering machine.
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14. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said apparatus represents a home electronic device that can be remotely accessed and controlled.
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15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said home electronic device is a lamp, a television, a computer, a video recorder, an audio recorder, an answering machine, a thermostat, a garage door opener, a stereo, a CD player, an amplifier, a tuner, a video game, or a wireless home device adaptor.
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16. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising at least one universal frequency up-conversion module.
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17. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said apparatus represents a global positioning system unit in an aircraft.
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18. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said apparatus represents a global positioning system unit in a boat.
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19. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:
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a time piece that comprises a receiver that comprises said at least one universal frequency down-conversion module, a time module that determines a current time from a first signal received by said receiver, and a display that displays said determined current time;
whereby said apparatus represents a radio synchronous time device.
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20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said time piece further comprises:
a global positioning system module that determines a location from a second signal received by said receiver, wherein said display displays said determined location.
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21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said time piece is a computer clock, a television clock, a video cassette recorder clock, a wrist watch, a home clock, an office clock, an oven clock, or an appliance clock.
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22. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of said at least one universal frequency down-conversion module comprises:
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an energy transfer signal generator;
a switch module controlled by said energy transfer signal generator; and
a storage module coupled to said switch module.
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23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said each of said at least one universal frequency down-conversion module further comprises:
an input impedance match circuit coupled to an input of said each of said at least one universal frequency down-conversion module.
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24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said each of said at least one universal frequency down-conversion module further comprises:
an output impedance match circuit coupled to an output of said each of said at least one universal frequency down-conversion module.
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25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said switch module is coupled between an input of said each of said at least one universal frequency down-conversion module and said storage module.
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26. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said each of said at least one universal frequency down-conversion module further comprises:
a tank circuit coupled between an input of said each of said at least one universal frequency down-conversion module and said switch module.
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27. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said each of said at least one universal frequency down-conversion module further comprises:
a feed forward circuit in parallel with said switch module.
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28. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said storage module is coupled between an input of said each of said at least one universal frequency down-conversion module and said switch module.
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29. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said each of said at least one universal frequency down-conversion module is tuned for at least one frequency greater than one Giga Hertz.
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30. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said each of said at least one universal frequency down-conversion module is tuned for at least one frequency between 10 Mega Hertz and 10 Giga Hertz.
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31. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said energy transfer signal generator comprises an asynchronous energy transfer signal generator.
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32. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein each of said at least one universal frequency up-conversion module comprises:
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a switch module that receives an oscillating signal, wherein said oscillating signal controls gating of said switch module to thereby generate a periodic signal having a plurality of harmonics; and
a filter coupled to said switch module to isolate at least one of said plurality of harmonics.
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33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein said switch module gates a bias signal, said bias signal being a function of an information signal, and wherein the amplitude of said periodic signal is a function of said bias signal.
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34. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein said oscillating signal is a modulated oscillating signal, wherein said periodic signal is modulated substantially the same as said modulated oscillating signal, and wherein each of said plurality of harmonics is modulated substantially the same as said periodic signal.
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35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein said modulated oscillating signal is a function of a first information signal, wherein said switch module gates a bias signal, wherein said bias signal is a function of a second information signal, and wherein the amplitude of said periodic signal is a function of said bias signal.
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36. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:
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a handset comprising said at least one first universal frequency up-conversion module and said at least one first universal frequency down-conversion module; and
a base unit that communicates with said handset via wireless links, said base unit comprising at least one second universal frequency up-conversion module and at least one second universal frequency down-conversion module;
whereby said apparatus represents a cordless telephone apparatus.
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37. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:
a telephone comprising said at least one universal frequency up-conversion module and said at least one universal frequency down-conversion module.
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38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein said telephone is a cellular telephone or a satellite telephone.
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39. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:
a base station that interfaces with telephones via wireless links, said base station comprising said at least one universal frequency up-conversion module and said at least one universal frequency down-conversion module.
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40. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:
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a network; and
an interface coupled to said network, whereby said interface connects data processing devices to said network via wireless links, said interface comprising said at least one universal frequency up-conversion module and said at least one universal frequency down-conversion module;
whereby said apparatus represents a data communication network.
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41. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:
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a monitor panel comprising said at least one first universal frequency up-conversion module, and said at least one universal frequency down-conversion module; and
at least one sensor that transmits intrusion/hazard event signals to said monitor panel, each of said at least one sensor comprising at least one second universal frequency up-conversion module;
whereby said apparatus represents a security system.
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42. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said apparatus represents a repeater.
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43. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said apparatus represents a satellite unit.
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44. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:
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a wireless home control unit that comprises said at least one universal frequency up-conversion module and said at least one universal frequency down-conversion module;
whereby said apparatus represents an apparatus for home control.
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45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein said wireless home control unit is a remote control unit.
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46. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:
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a home control unit that comprises said at least one universal frequency up-conversion module; and
a home electronic device that comprises said at least one first first universal frequency down-conversion module, wherein said home electronic device communicates with said home control unit via a wireless medium;
whereby said apparatus represents a home control system.
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47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein said home control unit further comprises at least one second universal frequency down-conversion module.
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48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein said home electronic device further comprises at least one second universal frequency up-conversion module.
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49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein said home electronic device is a lamp, a television, a computer, a video recorder, an audio recorder, an answering machine, a thermostat, a garage door opener, a stereo, a CD player, an amplifier, a tuner, a video game, or a wireless home device adaptor.
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50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein said home control unit is a remote control unit.
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51. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said apparatus is a wireless utility meter that communicates with a utility company, comprising:
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said at least one first universal frequency up-conversion module; and
said at least one first universal frequency down-conversion module.
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52. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:
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a plurality of intercoms communicating with each other via a wireless medium, each of said plurality of intercoms comprising said at least one universal frequency up-conversion module, and said at least one universal frequency down-conversion module;
whereby said apparatus represents an intercom communication system.
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53. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:
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an interface that communicates with at least one external device via a wireless medium, said interface comprising said at least one universal frequency down-conversion module, and said at least one universal frequency up-conversion module;
whereby said apparatus represents an apparatus in an automobile for communicating with external devices.
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54. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:
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a device that communicates with an automobile communication interface via a wireless medium, said device comprising said at least one universal frequency down-conversion module, and said at least one universal frequency up-conversion module;
whereby said apparatus represents an apparatus for communicating with an automobile.
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55. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein said device is a gasoline pump or a toll booth.
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56. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:
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a door lock that comprises said at least one first universal frequency down-conversion module, and said at least one first universal frequency up-conversion module; and
a keyless entry device that communicates with said door lock via a wireless medium, said keyless entry device comprising at least one second universal frequency down-conversion module, and at least one second universal frequency up-conversion module;
whereby said apparatus represents a controllable door lock apparatus.
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57. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:
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an automobile controller that comprises said at least one first universal frequency down-conversion module, and said at least one first universal frequency up-conversion module; and
a control unit that communicates with said automobile controller via a wireless medium, said control unit comprising at least one second universal frequency down-conversion module, and at least one second universal frequency up-conversion module;
whereby said apparatus represents an apparatus for controlling an automobile.
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58. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said apparatus represents an aircraft radio apparatus.
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59. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said apparatus represents a monitor in an aircraft.
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60. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said apparatus represents a computer in an aircraft.
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61. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:
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a aircraft controller that comprises said at least one first universal frequency down-conversion module, and said at least one first universal frequency up-conversion module; and
a control unit that communicates with said aircraft controller via a wireless medium, said control unit comprising at least one second universal frequency down-conversion module, and at least one second universal frequency up-conversion module;
whereby said apparatus represents an apparatus for controlling an aircraft.
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62. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said apparatus represents a boat radio apparatus.
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63. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said apparatus represents a monitor in a boat.
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64. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said apparatus represents a computer in a boat.
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65. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:
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a boat controller that comprises said at least one first universal frequency down-conversion module, and said at least one first universal frequency up-conversion module; and
a control unit that communicates with said boat controller via a wireless medium, said control unit comprising at least one second universal frequency down-conversion module, and at least one second universal frequency up-conversion module;
whereby said apparatus represents an apparatus for controlling a boat.
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66. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:
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a controller that comprises said at least one universal frequency up-conversion module; and
a radio controlled device that comprisessaid at least one universal frequency down-conversion module;
whereby said apparatus represents an apparatus for radio control.
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67. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein said controller further comprises at least one second universal frequency down-conversion module, and wherein said radio controlled device further comprises at least one second universal frequency up-conversion module.
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68. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein said radio controlled device is a plane, a car, or a boat.
Specification