DC offset, re-radiation, and I/Q solutions using universal frequency translation technology
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1. An apparatus for down-converting an input signal, comprising:
- a first frequency down-conversion module that receives an input signal, wherein the first frequency down-conversion module down-converts the input signal according to a first control signal and outputs a first down-converted signal;
a second frequency down-conversion module that receives the input signal, wherein the second frequency down-conversion module down-converts the input signal according to a second control signal and outputs a second down-converted signal; and
a combining module that combines the second down-converted signal with the first down-converted signal and outputs a single channel down-converted signal;
wherein the first frequency down-conversion module comprises a first switch and a first storage element, wherein the first switch is coupled to the first storage element at a first node and coupled to a first reference potential; and
wherein the second frequency down-conversion module comprises a second switch and a second storage element, wherein the second switch is coupled to the second storage element at a second node and coupled to a second reference potential.
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Abstract
Methods, systems, and apparatuses for down-converting an electromagnetic (EM) signal by aliasing the EM signal, and applications thereof are described herein. Reducing or eliminating DC offset voltages and re-radiation generated when down-converting an electromagnetic (EM) signal is also described herein. Down-converting a signal and improving receiver dynamic range is also described herein.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus for down-converting an input signal, comprising:
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a first frequency down-conversion module that receives an input signal, wherein the first frequency down-conversion module down-converts the input signal according to a first control signal and outputs a first down-converted signal; a second frequency down-conversion module that receives the input signal, wherein the second frequency down-conversion module down-converts the input signal according to a second control signal and outputs a second down-converted signal; and a combining module that combines the second down-converted signal with the first down-converted signal and outputs a single channel down-converted signal; wherein the first frequency down-conversion module comprises a first switch and a first storage element, wherein the first switch is coupled to the first storage element at a first node and coupled to a first reference potential; and wherein the second frequency down-conversion module comprises a second switch and a second storage element, wherein the second switch is coupled to the second storage element at a second node and coupled to a second reference potential. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of down-converting an electromagnetic signal, comprising the steps of:
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(1) receiving an input signal; (2) frequency down-converting the input signal to a first down-converted signal; (3) frequency down-converting the input signal to a second down-converted signal; (4) combining the second down-converted signal with the first down-converted signal to form a first output signal; (5) frequency down-converting the input signal to a third down-converted signal; (6) frequency down-converting the input signal to a fourth down-converted signal; and (7) combining the fourth down-converted signal with the third down-converted signal to form a second output signal; wherein the input signal comprises an in-phase/quadrature-phase (I/Q) modulated signal, and wherein step (2) comprises the step of; (A) frequency down-converting the input signal to a non-inverted I-phase signal portion of the I/Q modulated signal; wherein step (3) comprises the step of; (A) frequency down-converting the input signal to an inverted I-phase signal portion of the I/Q modulated signal; wherein step (5) comprises the step of; (A) frequency down-converting the input signal to a non-inverted Q-phase signal portion of the I/Q modulated signal; and wherein step (6) comprises the step of; (A) frequency down-converting the input signal to an inverted Q-phase signal portion of the I/Q modulated signal. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of down-converting an input signal, comprising:
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(1) receiving a radio-frequency (RF) I/Q input signal; (2) down-converting the RF I/Q signal with a first down-conversion module according to a first energy transfer signal to form a first down-converted signal, wherein down-converting the RF I/Q signal with the first down-conversion module comprises under-sampling the RF I/Q input signal with said first down-conversion module according to the first energy transfer signal, wherein under-sampling the RF I/Q input signal comprises generating the first energy transfer signal, wherein generating the first energy transfer signal comprises generating a first train of pulses that have non-negligible apertures that tend away from zero time in duration, thereby lowering an impedance of the first down-conversion module; and (3) down-converting the RF I/Q signal with a second down-conversion module according to a second energy transfer signal to form a second down-converted signal, wherein down-converting the RF I/Q signal with the second down-conversion module comprises under-sampling the RF I/Q input signal with said second down-conversion module according to the second energy transfer signal, wherein under-sampling the RF I/Q input signal comprises generating the second energy transfer signal, wherein generating the second energy transfer signal comprises generating a second train of pulses that have non-negligible apertures that tend away from zero time in duration, thereby lowering an impedance of the second down-conversion module; wherein the second energy transfer signal is phase-shifted by 90+m·
180 degrees of a frequency of the RF I/Q input signal relative to the first energy transfer signal, wherein m is any integer greater than or equal to 1;wherein the first down-converted signal comprises an in-phase information signal; and wherein the second down-converted signal comprises a quadrature-phase information signal. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification