Transmitting and receiving spread spectrum signals using continuous waveforms

• US 20040174928A1
• Filed: 08/11/2003
• Published: 09/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alereon Incorporated (PNG Telecommunications, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Time Domain Corporation (Humatics Corporation)
• Inventors: Richards, James L., Schantz, Hans Gregory, Siwiak, Kazimierz
• Granted Patent: US 7,787,513 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 375/146
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/692 Hybrid techniques using combinations of two or more spread spectrum techniques
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/71635 Transmitter aspects H04B1/7174 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/7176 Data mapping, e.g. modulation
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/70706 using a code tracking loop, e.g. a delay locked loop
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/026 using code division

Abstract

Systems and methods are described for transmitting and receiving spread spectrum signals using continuous waveforms. A method of transmitting a spread spectrum signal includes: generating a plurality of substantially continuous waveforms; summing the plurality of substantially continuous waveforms; modulating the summed plurality of substantially continuous waveforms to generate the spread spectrum signal; and transmitting the spread spectrum signal. A method of receiving a spread spectrum signal includes: generating a plurality of substantially continuous waveforms; summing the plurality of substantially continuous waveforms; modulating the summed plurality of substantially continuous waveforms with a code; mixing the modulated summed plurality of substantially continuous waveforms with the spread spectrum signal to produce a baseband signal; integrating the baseband signal; and detecting data.

Claims

1. A method, comprising transmitting a spread spectrum signal including:

generating a plurality of substantially continuous waveforms;

summing the plurality of substantially continuous waveforms;

modulating the summed plurality of substantially continuous waveforms to generate the spread spectrum signal; and

transmitting the spread spectrum signal.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising synchronizing each of the plurality of substantially continuous waveforms to a common reference using one of a plurality of phase lock loops after generating and before summing.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein modulating the summed plurality of substantially continuous waveforms includes modulating the summed plurality of substantially continuous waveforms with encoded data to generate the spread spectrum signal.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the frequency spread spectrum band signal includes an ultra wideband signal.

5. An apparatus, comprising a spread spectrum transmitter including:

a comb generator;

a summing node coupled to the comb generator;

a modulator coupled to the summing node;

a spread spectrum signal output coupled to the modulator;

a data encoder coupled to the modulator;

a data input coupled to the data encoder;

a code source coupled to the data encoder; and

a clock coupled to both the data encoder and the comb generator.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a plurality of harmonically related phase lock loop circuits coupled to the summing node, wherein each of the harmonically related phase lock loop circuits is coupled to the comb generator.

7. An ultra wideband router comprising the apparatus of claim 5.

8. A method, comprising receiving a spread spectrum signal including:

generating a plurality of substantially continuous waveforms;

summing the plurality of substantially continuous waveforms;

modulating the summed plurality of substantially continuous waveforms with a code;

mixing the modulated summed plurality of substantially continuous waveforms with the spread spectrum signal to produce a baseband signal;

integrating the baseband signal; and

detecting data.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising synchronizing each of the plurality of substantially continuous waveforms to a common reference using one of a plurality of phase lock loops after generating and before summing.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising adaptively adjusting a phase of each of the plurality of substantially continuous waveforms, wherein the plurality of substantially continuous waveforms are harmonically related.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising adaptively adjusting an amplitude of each of the plurality of substantially continuous waveforms, wherein the plurality of substantially continuous waveforms are harmonically related.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising adaptively adjusting an amplitude of each of the plurality of substantially continuous waveforms, wherein the plurality of substantially continuous waveforms are harmonically related.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the spread spectrum signal includes an ultra wideband signal.

14. An apparatus, comprising a spread spectrum signal receiver including:

a comb generator;

a summing node coupled to the comb generator;

a modulator coupled to the summing node;

a code source circuit coupled to the modulator; and

a clock coupled to both the code source circuit and the comb generator;

a multiplier coupled to the modulator;

a spread spectrum signal input coupled to the multiplier;

an integration circuit coupled to the multiplier; and

a data output coupled to the integration circuit.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a plurality of harmonically related phase lock loop circuits coupled to the summing node, wherein each of the harmonically related phase lock loop circuits is coupled to the comb generator.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the multiplier includes a mixer.

17. An ultra wideband router comprising the apparatus of claim 14.