WIRELESS COMMUNICATION CIRCUIT

• US 20040189487A1
• Filed: 03/24/2003
• Published: 09/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Inventors: Hoefel, Albert, Goswami, Jaideva
• Granted Patent: US 7,158,049 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/855.7
• CPC Class Codes: H03B 5/1221 the amplifier comprising multiple amplification stages connected in cascade
• CPC Class Codes: H03B 5/1231 the amplifier comprising one or more bipolar transistors
• CPC Class Codes: H03B 5/1234 and comprising means for varying the output amplitude of the generator H03B5/1278 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03B 5/1265 switched capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: H03C 5/00 Amplitude modulation and angle modulation produced simultaneously or at will by the same modulating signal H03C7/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/04 Circuits

Abstract

The invention includes a wireless communication circuit and a method of communicating with wireless signals that feature a tank circuit having an inductor connected in parallel with a capacitor circuit. The capacitor circuit includes a pair of capacitors coupled in series. Each of the capacitors is connected in common to ground and has a capacitive value associated. A feedback network is connected to selectively bias the tank circuit to produce a signal having an amplitude. The amplitude of the signal is a function of a ratio of the capacitive values associated with the capacitor circuit. The frequency of the signal is defined by the inductor and the capacitor circuit. The tank circuit is multifunctional in that it may be biased to function as a transmitter and a receiver.

Claims

1. A wireless communication circuit, comprising:

an antenna;

a capacitor circuit connected in parallel with said antenna, defining a tank circuit having first and second ports, with said capacitor circuit including a pair of capacitors coupled in series, said pair of capacitors being connected in common to ground; and

a feedback network connected to said tank circuit.

2. The communication circuit as recited in claim 1 wherein said feedback network provides 360°

feedback to each of said first and second ports.

3. The communication circuit as recited in claim 1 wherein said feedback network is connected to provide maximum signal swing across said antenna.

4. The communication circuit as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said pair of capacitors have substantially identical values.

5. The communication circuit as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said pair of capacitors have differing values.

6. The communication circuit as recited in claim 1 wherein said tank circuit defines a signal and said feedback network is connected to receive data to selectively encode said signal with said data.

7. The communication circuit as recited in claim 1 wherein said tank circuit defines a signal and said feedback network further includes first and second feedback circuits to allow selective encoding of said signal, with said first feedback circuit connected to said tank circuit to selectively encode said signal using amplitude shift keying techniques and said second feedback circuit connected to said tank circuit to selectively encode said signal using frequency shift keying techniques.

8. The communication circuit as recited in claim 1 further including a rectifying circuit connected in parallel to said tank circuit to rectify signals sensed by said antenna.

9. The communication circuit as recited in claim 1 further including an envelope demodulator circuit connected in common with one of said pair of capacitors and said antenna.

10. The communication circuit as recited in claim 1 further including a matched pair diode receiver circuit connected in common with one of said pair of capacitors and said antenna.

11. The communication circuit as recited in claim 1 further including a voltage multiplier connected in common with one of said pair of capacitors and said antenna.

12. A communication circuit, comprising:

a tank circuit having an inductor connected in parallel with a capacitor circuit, said capacitor circuit including a pair of capacitors connected in series, with said pair of capacitors having first and second values associated therewith and being connected in common to ground; and

a feedback network connected to said tank circuit to selectively bias said tank circuit to operate as a transmitter and a receiver.

13. The communication circuit as recited in claim 12 wherein said tank circuit defines a signal and said feedback network further includes a feedback circuit to allow selective encoding of said signal.

14. The communication circuit as recited in claim 12 wherein said tank circuit defines a signal and said feedback network further includes first and second feedback circuits to allow selective encoding of said signal, with said first feedback circuit connected to said tank circuit to selectively encode said signal using amplitude shift keying techniques and said second feedback circuit connected to said tank circuit to selectively encode said signal using frequency shift keying techniques.

15. The communication circuit as recited in claim 13 further including an envelope demodulator circuit connected in common with said inductor and one of said pair of capacitors.

16. The communication circuit as recited in claim 13 further including a rectifying circuit connected in parallel to said tank circuit to rectify signals sensed by said inductor.

17. The communication circuit as recited in claim 16 further including a matched pair diode receiver circuit connected in common with one of said pair of capacitors and said inductor.

18. The communication circuit as recited in claim 16 further including a voltage multiplier connected in common with one of said pair of capacitors and said inductor.

19. A method of communicating with wireless signals with a tank circuit connected to a feedback network, said method comprising:

forming said tank circuit by connecting an antenna in parallel with a capacitor circuit so that said antenna continuously operates in resonance; and

producing an oscillatory signal by selectively biasing said tank circuit with said feedback network.

20. The method as recited in claim 19 further including providing 360°

feedback to said tank circuit with said feedback network.

21. The method as recited in claim 19 further including receiving a data signal containing information and encoding said oscillatory signal with said information.

22. The method as recited in claim 19 further including receiving a data signal containing information and encoding said oscillatory signal with said information employing FSK techniques.

23. The method as recited in claim 19 further including receiving a data signal containing information and encoding said oscillatory signal with said information employing ASK techniques.

24. The method as recited in claim 19 further including sensing common mode signals and producing a digital output.

25. The method as recited in claim 19 further including alternatingly sensing common mode signal with said antenna and transmitting differential mode signals with said antenna.