Generating a fine time offset using a SiGe pulse generator
First Claim
1. A method of generating a first series of short electronic pulses, each separated by an accurately determined time delay from a reference point in time, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a first substantially constant voltage having a first voltage value;
providing a periodic, time varying voltage;
applying said constant voltage and said time varying voltage to input terminals of a digital, differential base band pulse generator, such that a pulse is generated when the difference between said constant voltage and said time varying voltage is substantially equal to a switching threshold of said digital pulse generator.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for generating short electronic pulses using a modified differential trigger that is partly an analogue sinusoidal voltage and partly a selectable, DC voltage. The differential trigger is applied to a differential base band pulse generator having a NAND gate and AND gate. The trigger is applied to both NAND inputs and to one AND input. The NAND output is applied the other AND input. Such a circuit is an OFF state for all input states. However, as the input switches state, the NAND gate delay causes the AND gate to be ON briefly, generating a short pulse. The timing of this pulse can be controlled by varying the constant DC voltage. By using fast switching SiGe CML gates, short pulses with a controllable time off-set can be generated that are suitable for use in automotive radar applications, using only sub-GHz clocks.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of generating a first series of short electronic pulses, each separated by an accurately determined time delay from a reference point in time, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a first substantially constant voltage having a first voltage value; providing a periodic, time varying voltage; applying said constant voltage and said time varying voltage to input terminals of a digital, differential base band pulse generator, such that a pulse is generated when the difference between said constant voltage and said time varying voltage is substantially equal to a switching threshold of said digital pulse generator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for generating a first series of short electronic pulses, each separated by an accurately determined time delay from a reference point in time, the apparatus comprising:
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a digital, differential base band pulse generator; a constant voltage supply, supplying a first substantially constant voltage having a first voltage value to a first input terminal of said generator; and a periodic voltage supply, supplying a time varying voltage to a second input terminal of said generator, such that a pulse is generated when the difference between said constant voltage and said time varying voltage is substantially equal to a switching threshold of said generator. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A device for generating a first series of short electronic pulses, each separated by an accurately determined time delay from a reference point in time, the apparatus comprising:
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digital, differential generator means for generating a base band pulse; constant voltage means for supplying a first substantially constant voltage to a first input terminal of said generator means; and periodic voltage means for supplying a periodic, time varying voltage to a second input terminal of said generator means, such that a pulse is generated when the difference between said constant voltage and said time varying voltage is substantially equal to a switching threshold of said digital generator means. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification