Automated meter reader applications of universal frequency translation

• US 6,798,351 B1
• Filed: 04/05/2000
• Issued: 09/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
• Original Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
• Inventors: Moses, Charley D. Jr., Hamilla, Joseph M., Clements, Charles D., Silver, Gregory S., Cook, Robert W., Bultman, Michael J., Sorrells, David F., Looke, Richard C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): DANG, HUNG Q
• Application Number:
  US09/543,867
• Time in Patent Office: 1,637 Days
• Field of Search: 340/870.02, 340/870.19, 340/870.11, 340/573.1, 340/10.1, 340/637, 340/310.02, 340/310.06, 340/10.33, 340/10.41, 455/118, 455/313, 455/115.1, 455/113, 455/323, 455/296, 455/18, 455/507, 375/322, 375/340
• US Class Current: 340/870.02
• CPC Class Codes: H03D 7/00 Transference of modulation from one carrier to another, e.g. frequency-changing H03D9/00, H03D11/00 take precedence; dielectric amplifiers, magnetic amplifiers, parametric amplifiers used as a frequency-changers H03F
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/155 Ground-based stations H04B7/204 takes precedence

Abstract

Frequency translation and applications of same are described herein, including RF modem and wireless local area network (WLAN) applications. Such applications include, but are not limited to, frequency down-conversion, frequency up-conversion, enhanced signal reception, unified down-conversion and filtering, and combinations and applications of same.

Claims

1. A method for reading a meter in an automated manner, comprising the steps of:

(1) aliasing a received interrogation signal to obtain a baseband interrogation signal;

(2) processing said baseband interrogation signal; and

(3) generating a baseband reply;

(4) modulating an oscillating signal with said baseband reply to obtain a modulated reply signal;

(5) gating a bias signal with said modulated reply signal to obtain a harmonically rich reply signal;

(6) filtering said harmonically rich reply signal to obtain one or more desired harmonics; and

(7) transmitting said one or more desired harmonics.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein step (1) further comprises the steps of:

(a) aliasing said received interrogation signal with an aliasing signal to obtain an aliased interrogation signal, said aliasing signal being comprised of a string of pulses, said string of pulses having a frequency and a period, each pulse of said string of pulses having a pulse width; and

(b) storing said aliased interrogation signal to obtain said baseband interrogation signal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said modulated reply signal has a first frequency and step 5 comprises:

gating a bias signal with said modulated reply signal, the first frequency being a subharmonic of a desired harmonic.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein step 4 comprises:

frequency modulating said oscillating signal with said baseband reply to obtain said modulated reply signal.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein step 4 comprises:

phase modulating said oscillating signal with said baseband reply to obtain said modulated reply signal.

6. A method for reading a meter in an automated manner, comprising:

(1) aliasing a received interrogation signal to obtain an intermediate frequency (IF) interrogation signal;

(2) down-converting said IF interrogation signal to obtain a baseband interrogation signal;

(3) processing said baseband interrogation signal;

(4) generating a baseband reply;

(5) modulating an oscillating signal with said baseband reply to obtain a modulated reply signal;

(6) gating a bias signal with said modulated reply signal to obtain a harmonically rich reply signal;

(7) filtering said harmonically rich reply signal to obtain one or more desired harmonics; and

(8) transmitting said one or more desired harmonics.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein step (1) comprises:

(a) aliasing said received interrogation signal with an aliasing signal to obtain an aliased interrogation signal, said aliasing signal being comprised of a string of pulses, said string of pulses having a frequency and a period, each pulse of said string of pulses having a pulse width; and

(b) storing said aliased interrogation signal to obtain said IF interrogation signal.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said modulated reply signal has a first frequency and step 6 comprises:

gating said bias signal with said modulated reply signal, said first frequency being a subharmonic of a desired harmonic.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein step 5 comprises:

frequency modulating said oscillating signal with said baseband signal to obtain said modulated reply signal.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein step 5 comprises:

phase modulating said oscillating signal with said baseband signal to obtain said modulated reply signal.

11. A method of interrogating one or more transponders comprising:

(1) identifying a targeted transponder from the one or more transponders;

(2) formulating an interrogation message;

(3) modulating an oscillating signal with said interrogation message to obtain a modulated interrogation signal;

(4) gating a bias signal with said modulated interrogation signal to obtain a harmonically rich interrogation signal;

(5) filtering said harmonically rich interrogation signal to obtain one or more desired harmonics, wherein said one or more desired harmonics form an up-converted interrogation message; and

(6) transmitting said up-converted interrogation message.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

(7) receiving a reply signal from said targeted transponder; and

(8) aliasing said reply signal whereby a baseband reply signal is generated.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

(7) receiving a reply signal from said targeted transponder;

(8) aliasing said reply signal at an off-set frequency whereby an intermediate frequency reply signal is generated; and

(9) down-converting said intermediate frequency reply signal whereby a baseband reply signal is generated.

14. A monitoring device, comprising:

a down-converter that aliases an interrogation signal to obtained a down-converted interrogation signal;

means for processing said down-converted interrogation signal;

means for generating a reply signal;

an up-converter that up-converts and transmits said reply signal, wherein said up-converter includes;

means for modulating an oscillating signal with said reply signal to obtain a modulated reply signal;

means for gating a bias signal with said modulated reply signal to obtain a harmonically rich reply signal;

means for filtering said harmonically rich reply signal to obtain one or more desired harmonics; and

means for transmitting said one or more desired harmonics.

15. The monitoring device of claim 14, wherein said monitoring device represents a meter.

16. The monitoring device of claim 14, wherein said down-converter comprises:

a switch;

a storage device coupled to said switch; and

a control signal generator coupled to said switch.

17. The monitoring device of claim 16, wherein said storage device is a capacitor.

18. The monitoring device of claim 14, wherein said up-converter comprises:

a switch; and

a filter, coupled to said switch.

19. The monitoring device of claim 18, wherein said up-converter further comprises at least one of an amplifier and an antenna.

20. An interrogation device, comprising:

means for identifying a targeted transponder;

means for formulating an interrogation message;

an up-converter that up-converts said interrogation message to thereby create an up-converted interrogation message; and

means for transmitting said up-converted interrogation message to said targeted transponder;

wherein said up-converter comprises;

means for modulating an oscillating signal with said interrogation message to obtain a modulated interrogation message;

means for gating a bias signal with said modulated interrogation message to obtain a harmonically rich interrogation message; and

means for filtering said harmonically rich interrogation message to obtain one or more desired harmonics;

wherein said means for transmitting includes means for transmitting said one or more desired harmonics.

21. The interrogation device of claim 20, wherein said targeted transponder is associated with a meter.

22. The interrogation device of claim 20, wherein said interrogation device is used in a meter reading apparatus.

23. The interrogation device of claim 20, further comprising:

means for receiving a reply signal from said targeted transponder; and

a down-converter that down-converts said received reply signal.

24. The interrogation device of claim 23, further comprising:

means for processing said down-converted reply signal.

25. The interrogation device of claim 23, wherein said down-converter comprises:

means for aliasing said received reply signal to down-convert said received reply signal.

26. A transponder, comprising:

a radio front-end; and

an interface module coupled to said radio front-end;

wherein said radio front-end comprises;

a down-converter that aliases an interrogation signal to obtained a down-converted interrogation signal,

a reply signal generator;

an up converter coupled to said reply signal generator; and

a transmitter coupled to said up converter;

wherein said up converter includes;

means for modulating an oscillating signal with said reply signal to obtain a modulated reply signal;

means for gating a bias signal with said modulated reply signal to obtain a harmonically rich reply signal; and

means for filtering said harmonically rich reply signal to obtain one or more desired harmonics;

wherein said transmitter transmits said one or more desired harmonics.

27. The transponder of claim 26, wherein said interface module couples to a meter.

28. The transponder of claim 26, wherein said up-converter comprises:

a switch; and

a filter, coupled to said switch.