Common carrier, multiple output RF upconverter
First Claim
1. A common carrier, multiple output upconverter, comprising:
- a plurality of channels, each channel comprising an upconverter and a downconverter; and
means for distributing local oscillator (LO) signals from a common first LO and a common second LO to each respective upconverter and downconverter in said plurality of channels.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides a mechanism for implementing a common carrier, multiple output RF upconverter. The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a method and apparatus for distributing the LO signals for both the first and second LO functions to several upconverter sections simultaneously. This technique eliminates the frequency synthesizers and VCOs typically required for each individual upconverter section, thereby substantially reducing the board space and component count required to perform this function. By providing a distributed LO, only two LO synthesizers and VCO'"'"'s are required per board, where a board might support anywhere from two to twelve or more upconverters.
27 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A common carrier, multiple output upconverter, comprising:
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a plurality of channels, each channel comprising an upconverter and a downconverter; and
means for distributing local oscillator (LO) signals from a common first LO and a common second LO to each respective upconverter and downconverter in said plurality of channels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
an amplifier stage for amplifying signals from said first LO and said second LO supplied by said means for distributing immediately after splitting to raise said signals to a useful level.
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10. The upconverter of claim 9, wherein said amplifying stage comprises a common monolithic microwave integrated circuit.
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11. The upconverter of claim 1, further comprising:
one or more attenuators for attenuating signals from said first LO and said second LO supplied by said means for distributing to provide an LO drive level as required for said upconverters and downconverters.
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12. A common carrier, multiple output upconversion method, comprising the steps of:
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providing a plurality of channels, each channel comprising an upconverter and a downconverter; and
distributing local oscillator (LO) signals from a common first LO and a common second LO to each respective upconverter and downconverter in said plurality of channels. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
providing an amplifier stage for amplifying signals from said first LO and said second LO immediately after distributing to raise said signals to a useful level.
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21. The method of claim 20, wherein said amplifying stage comprises a common monolithic microwave integrated circuit.
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22. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
providing an attenuator for attenuating signals from said first LO and said second LO to provide an LO drive level as required for said upconverters and downconverters.
Specification