Distributed data transmitter
First Claim
1. A data transmitter for incorporation into a system, the data transmitter comprising:
- a data modulator module adapted to receive a data stream from the system and to modulate the data stream;
a power amplifier module adapted to receive the modulated data stream from the data modulator module and to amplify and output the modulated data stream for transmittal;
a power converter module adapted to provide power to both the data modulator module and the power amplifier module; and
a plurality of housings for housing the data modulator module, the power amplifier module, and the power converter module, such that each module is physically separate and distinct from the other modules, wherein each of a first side, a second side, and a third side of a first housing is mechanically and electrically connectable to any of a first side, second side, or third side of a second housing such that communication of electrical signals between modules is preserved regardless of which of the first side, second side, and third side of the first housing is connected to the second housing, and regardless of which of the first side, second side, and third side of the second housing is connected to the first housing.
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Abstract
A distributed data transmitter (DTXR) which is an adaptive data communication microwave transmitter having a distributable architecture of modular components, and which incorporates both digital and microwave technology to provide substantial improvements in physical and operational flexibility. The DTXR has application in, for example, remote data acquisition involving the transmission of telemetry data across a wireless link, wherein the DTXR is integrated into and utilizes available space within a system (e.g., a flight vehicle). In a preferred embodiment, the DTXR broadly comprises a plurality of input interfaces; a data modulator; a power amplifier; and a power converter, all of which are modularly separate and distinct so as to be substantially independently physically distributable and positionable throughout the system wherever sufficient space is available.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A data transmitter for incorporation into a system, the data transmitter comprising:
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a data modulator module adapted to receive a data stream from the system and to modulate the data stream; a power amplifier module adapted to receive the modulated data stream from the data modulator module and to amplify and output the modulated data stream for transmittal; a power converter module adapted to provide power to both the data modulator module and the power amplifier module; and a plurality of housings for housing the data modulator module, the power amplifier module, and the power converter module, such that each module is physically separate and distinct from the other modules, wherein each of a first side, a second side, and a third side of a first housing is mechanically and electrically connectable to any of a first side, second side, or third side of a second housing such that communication of electrical signals between modules is preserved regardless of which of the first side, second side, and third side of the first housing is connected to the second housing, and regardless of which of the first side, second side, and third side of the second housing is connected to the first housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A data transmitter for incorporation into a system, the data transmitter comprising:
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a data modulator module adapted to receive a data stream from the system and to modulate the data stream, with the data modulator module including a digital processor adapted to process the data stream, a local oscillator adapted to provide a carrier signal having a programable frequency, and a quadrature mixer adapted to combine the processed data stream with the carrier signal; a power amplifier module adapted to receive the modulated data stream from the data modulator module and to amplify and output the modulated data stream for transmittal; and a power converter module adapted to provide power to both the data modulator module and the power amplifier module, with the power converter module including a first DC-to-DC converter for providing power to the power amplifier module at a first voltage, and a second DC-to-DC converter for providing power to the data modulator module and the power amplifier module at a second voltage; and a plurality of housings for housing the data modulator module, the power amplifier module, and the power converter module, such that each module is physically separate and distinct from the other modules, wherein each of four sides of a first housing is mechanically and electrically connectable to any of four sides of a second housing such that communication of electrical signals between modules is preserved regardless of which side of the first housing is connected to the second housing and which side of the second housing is connected to the first housing. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A data transmitter for incorporation into a system, with the data transmitter being adapted to transmit at a microwave frequency, the data transmitter comprising:
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a data modulator module adapted to receive a data stream from the system and to modulate the data stream, wherein the data modulator module supports a plurality of modulation techniques, with the data modulator module including a digital processor adapted to process the data stream, a local oscillator adapted to provide a carrier signal having a programable frequency, and a quadrature mixer adapted to combine the processed data stream with the carrier signal; a power amplifier adapted to receive the modulated data stream from the data modulator module and to amplify and output the modulated data stream for transmittal, with the power amplifier including a driver submodule and an output stage submodule; a power converter adapted to provide power to both the data modulator module and the power amplifier, with the power converter including a first DC-to-DC converter submodule for providing power to the output stage of the power amplifier at a first voltage and a second DC-to-DC converter submodule for providing power to the data modulator module and the driver submodule of the power amplifier at a second voltage; and a plurality of housings for housing the data modulator module, the power amplifier, and the power converter, such that each module is physically separate and distinct from the other modules, wherein each of six sides of a first housing is mechanically and electrically connectable to any of six sides of a second housing such that communication of electrical signals between modules is preserved regardless of which side of the first housing is connected to the second housing and which side of the second housing is connected to the first housing. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification