FM RF signal generator using step recovery diode

• US 4,013,966 A
• Filed: 10/16/1975
• Issued: 03/22/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Campbell, Kenneth J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Griffin, Robert L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bookbinder, Marc E.
• Application Number:
  US05/622,925
• Time in Patent Office: 523 Days
• Field of Search: 325/105, 325/141, 325/143, 325/145, 325/146, 325/153, 325/132, 325/363, 331/173, 331/178, 331/19, 331/37, 331/40, 332/16 R, 328/16
• US Class Current: 455/226.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/02 Transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 14/006 Angle modulation
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/88 Stereophonic broadcast systems multiplex system in general H04J

Abstract

A step recovery diode pulse generator is driven by a fixed frequency oscitor to provide pulses which are modulated in a balanced modulator by means of a voltage controlled oscillator controlled by a variable frequency input. The output of the balanced modulator is attenuated and provides a frequency modulated RF signal output.

Claims

1. In a signal generator for generating frequency modulated RF signals available for testing key parameters of FM receivers the combination comprising:

a. signal generating means for generating an output signal of a predetermined frequency;

b. pulse generating means coupled to said signal generating means for generating narrow output pulses at said predetermined frequency;

c. modulator circuit means coupled to said pulse generating means;

d. variable frequency signal means coupled to said modulator circuit means for frequency modulating said narrow pulses to provide a plurality of frequency modulated RF signals at the output of said modulator circuit means.

2. The signal generator of claim 1 wherein said modulating circuit means in a double balanced mixer circuit.

3. The signal generator of claim 1 wherein said pulse generating means is a step recovery diode.

4. The signal generator of claim 1 wherein attenuator means are coupled to the output of said mixer means for controlling the amplitude of said RF signals.

5. The signal generator of claim 1 wherein said signal generating means is a driving oscillator.

6. The signal generator of claim 5 wherein said pulse generating means is a step recovery diode pulse generator coupled to said driving oscillator and being responsive to the output signal from said driving oscillator to generate very narrow pulses at the frequency of said driving oscillator.

7. The signal generator of claim 6 wherein said modulator circuit means is a double balanced mixer circuit having a first input coupled to the output of said step recovery diode pulse generator, a second input and an output.

8. The signal generator of claim 7 wherein said variable frequency signal means is a voltage controlled oscillator for providing a variable frequency output signal coupled to the second input of said balanced mixer for frequency modulating the narrow pulses provided by said step recovery diode generator.

9. The signal generator of claim 8 wherein attenuator means are coupled to the output of said balanced mixer for controlling the amplitude of the RF signal output.