Radio signal reception with a PLL frequency controlled for an IF signal depending on coexistence of a spurious signal with the radio signal

• US 5,564,099 A
• Filed: 06/06/1994
• Issued: 10/08/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Yonekura, Kunitoshi, Matai, Masahiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Faile, Andrew
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Lee
• Application Number:
  US08/257,693
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• Field of Search: 455/318, 455/254, 455/255, 455/256, 455/257, 455/258, 455/259, 455/260, 455/263, 455/264, 455/265, 455/266, 455/283, 455/296, 455/192.1, 455/192.2, 455/182.1 , 455/182.2, 455/196.1, 455/343, 455/324, 455/75, 455/76, 455/316, 375/326, 375/327
• US Class Current: 455/318
• CPC Class Codes: H03D 7/161 all the frequency changers being connected in cascade
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 5/0272 the digital values being used to preset a counter or a frequency divider in a phase locked loop, e.g. frequency synthesizer
• CPC Class Codes: H03L 7/099 concerning mainly the controlled oscillator of the loop
• CPC Class Codes: H03L 7/193 the frequency divider/counter comprising a commutable pre-divider, e.g. a two modulus divider
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/10 Means associated with receiver for limiting or suppressing noise or interference
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/1027 assessing signal quality or detecting noise/interference for the received signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/26 for superheterodyne receivers multiple frequency-changing H03D7/16

Abstract

In a radio receiver a PLL oscillator generates a phase locked oscillation signal with a controllable frequency and a frequency multiplier multiplies the controllable frequency with a controllable factor into a local oscillation frequency to provide a local oscillation signal for mixing into an IF signal with a radio signal reaching the receiver, the IF signal is monitored to raise the controllable frequency and to reduce the controllable factor when a spurious signal coexists with the radio signal. This coexistence is detected by monitoring a level difference between the IF signal and an output signal of an IF filter. Preferably, the oscillator comprises in a PLL two VCO'"'"'s for generating phase locked oscillation signals of higher and lower oscillation frequencies, such as 260 and 65 MHz, and a controllable prescaler supplied with high and low voltage signals when the VCO'"'"'s are put in operation at the higher and the lower oscillation frequencies. Concurrently, the controllable factor is controlled to factors of unity and four.

Claims

1. A radio signal receiving method of receiving a radio signal, comprising the steps of generating a phase locked oscillation signal of a generated frequency, frequency multiplying said phase locked oscillation signal into a local oscillation signal with said generated frequency multiplied into a local oscillation frequency with a multiplication factor, mixing said radio signal end said local oscillation signal into an intermediate frequency signal, and receiving said intermediate frequency signal to produce an information signal carried by said radio signal, wherein:

said generating step is a controllable generating step of generating said phase locked oscillation signal with a controllable frequency;

said frequency multiplying step is a controllable frequency multiplying step of multiplying said controllable frequency into said local oscillation frequency with a controllable factor used as said multiplication factor;

said receiving step comprising the steps of;

detecting, responsive to said intermediate frequency signal, whether or not a spurious signal coexists with said radio signal; and

controlling said controllable generating step and said controllable frequency multiplying step to raise said controllable frequency and to reduce said controllable factor when coexistence of said spurious signal is detected.

2. A radio signal receiving method as claimed in claim 1, said local oscillation signal being a first local oscillation signal, said local oscillation frequency being a higher local oscillation frequency, said mixing step comprising a first mixing step of mixing said radio signal and said first local oscillation signal into a mixed signal and a second mixing step of mixing said mixed signal and a second local oscillation signal of a lower local oscillation frequency into said intermediate frequency signal, wherein said controllable frequency multiplying step frequency multiplies said phase locked oscillation signal into said first local oscillation signal with said controllable factor used to provide said higher local oscillation frequency.

3. A radio signal receiving method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said controllable generating step comprises the steps of;

generating a first voltage controlled oscillation signal of a higher oscillation frequency;

generating a second voltage controlled oscillation signal of a lower oscillation frequency;

selecting one of said first and said second voltage controlled oscillation signals as said phase locked oscillation signal to use said higher and said lower oscillation frequencies collectively as said controllable frequency;

said controlling step controlling said selecting step to make said selecting step select said first and said second voltage controlled oscillation signals as said local oscillation signal when said coexistence is and is not detected, respectively.

4. A radio signal receiving method as claimed in claim 3, wherein:

said first voltage controlled oscillation signal generating step generates said first voltage controlled oscillation signal with said local oscillation frequency given to said higher oscillation frequency;

said controllable frequency multiplying step using a factor of unity as said controllable factor to use said first voltage controlled oscillation signal as said local oscillation signal when said coexistence is detected.

5. A radio signal receiving method as claimed in claim 1, said receiving step comprising the steps of filtering said intermediate frequency signal into a filtered signal and demodulating said filtered signal into said information signal, wherein said detecting step detects said coexistence when said intermediate frequency signal and said filtered signal have a level difference.

6. A radio receiver for receiving a radio signal, comprising phase locked oscillator means for generating a phase locked oscillation signal of a generated frequency, frequency multiplier means for frequency multiplying said phase locked oscillation signal into a local oscillation signal with said generated frequency multiplied into a local oscillation frequency with a multiplication factor, mixer means for mixing said radio signal and said local oscillation signal into an intermediate frequency signal, and receiver means for receiving said intermediate frequency signal to produce an information signal carried by said radio signal, wherein:

said phase locked oscillator means is controllable phase locked oscillator means for generating said phase locked oscillation signal with a controllable frequency used as said generated frequency;

said frequency multiplier means is controllable frequency multiplier means for multiplying said controllable frequency into said local oscillation frequency with a controllable factor used as said multiplication factor;

said receiver means comprising;

detector means responsive to said intermediate frequency signal for detecting whether or not a spurious signal coexists with said radio signal; and

control means for controlling said controllable phase locked oscillator means and said controllable frequency multiplier means to raise said controllable frequency and to reduce said controllable factor when coexistence of said spurious signal is detected.

7. A radio receiver as claimed in claim 6 said local oscillation signal being a first local oscillation signal, said local oscillation frequency being a higher local oscillation frequency, said mixer means comprising a first stage of mixing said radio signal and said first local oscillation signal into a mixed signal and a second stage of mixing said mixed signal and a second local oscillation signal of a lower local oscillation frequency into said intermediate frequency signal, wherein said controllable frequency multiplier means frequency multiplies said phase locked oscillation signal into said first local oscillation signal with said controllable factor used to provide said higher local oscillation frequency.

8. A radio receiver as claimed in claim 6, said controllable phase locked oscillator means comprising a phase locked loop comprising voltage generating means responsive to a frequency lowered signal for generating a control voltage signal, voltage controlled oscillator means responsive to said control voltage signal for generating an output voltage controlled oscillation signal, scaler means for scaling said output voltage controlled oscillation signal into said frequency lowered signal, and output means for producing said output voltage controlled oscillation signal as said phase locked oscillation signal, wherein:

said voltage controlled oscillator means comprises;

first voltage controlled oscillator means responsive to said control voltage signal for generating a first voltage controlled oscillation signal of a higher oscillation frequency;

second voltage controlled oscillator means responsive to said control voltage signal for generating a second voltage controlled oscillation signal of a lower oscillation frequency; and

selector means for selecting one of said first and said second voltage controllevi osciliation signals as said output voltage controlled oscillation signal to use said higher and said lower oscillation frequencies collectively as said controllable frequency;

said control means controlling said selector means to make said selector means select said first and said second voltage controlled oscillation signals as said output voltage controlled oscillation signal when said coexistence is and is not detected, respectively.

9. A radio receiver as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

said first voltage controlled oscillator means generates said first voltage controlled oscillation signal with said local oscillation frequency given to said higher oscillation frequency;

said controllable frequency multiplier means using a factor of unity as said controllable factor to use said first voltage controlled oscillation signal as said local oscillation signal when said coexistence is detected.

10. A radio receiver as claimed in claim 8, further comprising voltage source means for producing high and low voltage signals, wherein:

said scaler means is controllable scaler means for scaling said output voltage controlled oscillation signal into said frequency lowered signal in response to a control voltage;

said selector means selecting said high and said low voltage signals at a time;

said control means controlling said selector means to make said selector means supply said high and said low voltage signals to said controllable scaler means as said control voltage when said coexistence is and is not detected, respectively.

11. A radio receiver as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

said scaler means is controllable scaler means for scaling said output voltage controlled oscillation signal into said frequency lowered signal with its frequency controlled in response to a scaler control signal;

said central means further controlling said controllable scaler means to control said scaler control signal in response to a frequency difference between said local oscillation frequency and an intermediate frequency predetermined for said intermediate frequency signal.

12. A radio receiver as claimed in claim 6, said receiver means comprising filter means for filtering said intermediate frequency signal into a filtered signal, wherein said detector means is for detecting a level difference between said intermediate frequency signal and said filtered signal to produce a level difference signal indicative of said coexistence when said level difference is greater than a predetermined difference.

13. A radio receiver as claimed in claim 12, said local oscillation signal being a first local oscillation signal, said local oscillation frequency being a higher local oscillation frequency, said mixer means comprising a first stage of mixing said radio signal and said first local oscillation signal into a mixed signal and a second stage of mixing said mixed signal and a second local oscillations signal of a lower local oscillation frequency into said intermediate frequency signal, said receiver means comprising filter means for filtering said intermediate frequency signal into a filtered signal and demodulator means for demodulating said filtered signal into said information signal, wherein said detector means is for detecting a level difference between said intermediate frequency signal and said filtered signal to produce a level difference signal indicative of said coexistence when said level difference is greater than a predetermined difference.

14. A radio receiver as claimed in claim 12, said local oscillation signal being a first local oscillation signal, said local oscillation frequency being a higher local oscillation frequency, said mixer means comprising a first mixing stage of mixing said radio signal and said first local oscillation signal into said intermediate frequency signal, said receiver means comprising filter means for filtering said intermediate frequency signal into a filtered signal, a second mixing stage of mixing said filtered signal and a second local oscillation signal of a lower local oscillation frequency into a mixed signal, and demodulator means for demodulating said mixed signal into said information signal, wherein said detector means is for detecting a level difference between said intermediate frequency signal and said filtered signal to produce a level difference signal indicative of said coexistence when said level difference is greater than a predetermined difference.

15. A combination of a local oscillator and intermediate frequency filter circuitry used in a radio receiver comprising phase locked oscillator means for generating a phase locked oscillation signal of a generated frequency, frequency multiplier means for frequency multiplying said phase locked oscillation signal into a local oscillation signal with said generated frequency multiplied into a local oscillation frequency with a multiplication factor to be operable as said local oscillator in cooperation with said phase locked oscillator means, and mixer means for producing an intermediate frequency signal of an intermediate frequency by mixing said local oscillation signal and a radio signal reaching said radio receiver, said intermediate frequency filter circuitry comprising an intermediate frequency bandpass filter for filtering said intermediate frequency signal into a filtered signal and demodulator means for demodulating said filtered signal into an information signal carried by said radio signal, wherein:

said phase locked oscillator means is controllable phase locked oscillator means for generating said phase locked oscillation signal with a controllable frequency used as said generated frequency;

said frequency multiplier means is controllable frequency multiplier means for multiplying said controllable frequency into said local oscillation frequency with a controllable factor used as said multiplication factor;

said intermediate frequency filter circuitry further comprising;

detector means for detecting a level difference between said intermediate frequency signal and said filtered signal to produce a level difference signal indicative of whether or not a spurious signal coexists with said radio signal; and

control means for controlling said controllable phase locked oscillator means and said controllable frequency multiplier means to raise said controllable frequency and to reduce said controllable factor when coexistence of said spurious signal is detected.

16. A combination as claimed in claim 15, said local oscillation signal being a first local oscillation signal, said local oscillation frequency being a higher local oscillation frequency, said mixer means comprising a first stage of mixing said radio signal and said first local oscillation signal into a mixed signal and a second stage of mixing said mixed signal and a second local oscillation signal of a lower local oscillation frequency into said intermediate frequency signal, wherein said controllable frequency multiplier means frequency multiplies said phase locked oscillation signal into said first local oscillation signal with said controllable factor used in providing said higher local oscillation frequency.

17. A combination as claimed in claim 15, said controllable phase locked oscillator means comprising a phase locked loop comprising voltage generating means responsive to a frequency lowered signal for generating a control voltage signal, voltage controlled oscillator means responsive to said control voltage signal for generating an output voltage controlled oscillation signal, scaler means for scaling said output voltage controlled oscillation signal into said frequency lowered signals, and output means for producing said output voltage controlled oscillation signal as said phase locked oscillation signal, wherein:

said voltage controlled oscillator means comprises;

first voltage controlled oscillator means responsive to said control voltage signal for generating a first voltage controlled oscillation signal of a higher oscillation frequency;

second voltage controlled oscillator means responsive to said control voltage signal for generating a second voltage controlled oscillation signal of a lower oscillation frequency; and

selector means for selecting one of said first and said second voltage controlled oscillation signals as said output voltage controlled oscillation signal to use said higher and said lower oscillation frequencies collectively as said controllable frequency;

said control means controlling said selector means to make said selector means select said first and said second voltage controlled oscillation signals as said output voltage controlled oscillation signal when said coexistence is and is not detected, respectively.

18. A combination as claimed in claim 17, wherein:

said first voltage controlled oscillator means generates said first voltage controlled oscillation signal with said local oscillation frequency used as said higher oscillation frequency;

said controllable frequency multiplier means hsing a factor of unity as said controllable factor to use said first voltage controlled oscillation signal as said local oscillation signal when said coexistence is detected.

19. A combination as claimed in claim 17, further comprising voltage source means for generating high and low voltage signals, wherein:

said scaler means is controllable scaler means for scaling said output voltage controlled oscillation signal into said frequency lowered signal in response to a control voltage;

said selector means selecting said high and said low voltage signals at a time;

said control means controlling said selector means to make said selector means supply said high and said low voltage signals to said controllable scaler means as said control voltage when said coexistence is and is not detected, respectively.

20. A combination as claimed in claim 17, said local oscillation signal being a first local oscillation signal, said local oscillation frequency being a higher local oscillation frequency, said mixer means comprising a first mixing stage of mixing said radio signal and said first local oscillation signal into said intermediate frequency signal, said intermediate frequency filter circuitry comprising said intermediate frequency bandpass filter, a second mixing stage of mixing said filtered signal and a second local oscillation signal of a lower local oscillation frequency into a mixed signal, and demodulator means for demodulating said mixed signal into said information signal.