Method and apparatus for generating pulse width modulated waveforms
First Claim
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1. A method for generating a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal comprising:
- receiving a digital data stream comprising a plurality of data portions;
producing an intermediate signal representative of said digital data stream comprising a plurality of signal portions corresponding to said data portions; and
controlling an operation of a nonlinear circuit with said intermediate signal to produce said PWM signal representative of said digital data stream, said nonlinear circuit having a transfer function characterized by having an unstable operating region adjacent a first stable operating region and adjacent a second stable operating region, wherein said operation of said nonlinear circuit varies among two or more of said unstable operating region and said first and second stable operating regions in response to said signal portions of said intermediate signal.
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Abstract
Pulse width modulation of a digital signal using a nonlinear type of pulse generator is described. The nonlinear pulse generator is characterized by its transfer characteristic which has alternating stable and unstable operating regions. The pulse width modulated signal is generated by varying the operating point between among the unstable and stable operating regions.
54 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method for generating a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal comprising:
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receiving a digital data stream comprising a plurality of data portions;
producing an intermediate signal representative of said digital data stream comprising a plurality of signal portions corresponding to said data portions; and
controlling an operation of a nonlinear circuit with said intermediate signal to produce said PWM signal representative of said digital data stream, said nonlinear circuit having a transfer function characterized by having an unstable operating region adjacent a first stable operating region and adjacent a second stable operating region, wherein said operation of said nonlinear circuit varies among two or more of said unstable operating region and said first and second stable operating regions in response to said signal portions of said intermediate signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for generating pulse width modulated signal comprising:
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receiving a digital signal;
producing a pulse amplitude modulated signal representative of said digital signal; and
based on said pulse amplitude modulated signal, producing a pulse width modulated signal representative of said digital signal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A pulse width modulator comprising:
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a signal generator configured to receive a digital data stream and to produce an intermediate signal representative of the digital data stream, said intermediate signal having alternating fist and second signal portions; and
a nonlinear circuit coupled to receive at an input thereof said intermediate signal and having an output to produce output pulses in response to said intermediate signal, said output pulses constituting a pulse width modulated signal, said nonlinear circuit characterized by a transfer function having an unstable operating region portion bounded on each side by a stable operating region portion, said circuit having an operating point that lies on a location on said transfer function, wherein said nonlinear circuit operates in a first stable operating region in the presence of said first signal portions, wherein said nonlinear circuit operates in said unstable operating or in a second stable operating region in the presence of said second signal portions. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for generating a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal comprising:
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providing an analog waveform having a plurality of periodic, variably shaped excitations to a circuit with a variable operating point and having a transfer function characterized by an unstable operating region bounded, at a first reference point, by a first stable operating region and bounded, at a second reference point, by a second stable operating region; and
responsive to the shape of at least one of said excitations, positioning said operating point along said transfer function to operate said circuit to produce at least one output pulse, said output pulse having an output pulse width controlled by positional proximity of said operating point to said first reference point. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A pulse width modulated (PWM) signal generator comprising:
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means for receiving a digital data stream comprising a plurality of data portions;
means for producing an intermediate signal representative of said digital data stream comprising a plurality of signal portions corresponding to said data portions; and
nonlinear circuit means for producing a pulse width modulated signal in response to said intermediate signal, said circuit means having a transfer function characterized by having an unstable operating region adjacent a first stable operating region and adjacent a second stable operating region, wherein said operation of said nonlinear circuit varies among two or more of said unstable operating region and said first and second stable operating regions in response to said signal portions of said intermediate signal. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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Specification