Wireless local area network (WLAN) using universal frequency translation technology including multi-phase embodiments and circuit implementations

• US 7,653,145 B2
• Filed: 01/25/2005
• Issued: 01/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
• Original Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
• Inventors: Cook, Robert W., Rawlins, Gregory S., Bultman, Michael J., Sorrells, David F., Moses, Charley D. Jr., Looke, Richard C., Rawlins, Michael W.
• Primary Examiner(s): KIM, KEVIN
• Application Number:
  US11/041,422
• Publication Number:
  US 20050123025A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,827 Days
• Field of Search: 375/295, 455/118, 455/113.1, 455/131, 455/190.1, 455/313, 455/317, 455/323, 455/332, 455/333
• US Class Current: 375/295
• CPC Class Codes: H03C 3/40 using two signal paths the outputs of which have a predetermined phase difference and at least one output being amplitude-modulated
• CPC Class Codes: H03D 3/006 by sampling the oscillations and further processing the samples, e.g. by computing techniques H03D3/007 takes precedence
• 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: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

Frequency translation and applications of the same are described herein, including RF modem and wireless local area network (WLAN) applications. In embodiments, the WLAN invention includes an antenna, an LNA/PA module, a receiver, a transmitter, a control signal generator, a demodulation/modulation facilitation module, and a MAC interface. The WLAN receiver includes at least one universal frequency translation module that frequency down-converts a received EM signal. In embodiments, the UFT based receiver is configured in a multi-phase embodiment to reduce or eliminate re-radiation that is caused by DC offset. The WLAN transmitter includes at least one universal frequency translation module that frequency up-converts a baseband signal in preparation for transmission over the wireless LAN. In embodiments, the UFT based transmitter is configured in a differential and multi-phase embodiment to reduce carrier insertion and spectral growth.

Claims

1. A wireless modem apparatus, comprising:

a receiver, comprising first and second down-conversion modules each sub-sampling, transferring and storing energy from a received signal, and each operating according to control signal apertures such that energy is integrated over said control signal apertures, and a lower frequency signal is generated from said stored energy; and

a transmitter, comprising;

at least one first controlled switch that generates a first harmonically rich signal;

at least one second controlled switch that generates a second harmonically rich signal, wherein said first and second harmonically rich signals are combined to generate a combined harmonically rich signal; and

a filter module to filter undesired harmonics from said combined harmonically rich signal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is an infrastructure device.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is a client device.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is a wireless local area network (WLAN) device.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a baseband processor.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a media access controller (MAC).

7. A method for wirelessly communicating, comprising:

down-convening a received RF signal, comprising sub-sampling, transferring and storing energy from said received RF signal, according to control signal apertures such that energy is integrated over said control signal apertures, and a lower frequency signal is generated from said stored energy; and

up-converting a baseband signal, comprising;

generating a first harmonically rich signal based on said baseband signal;

generating a second harmonically rich signal based on said baseband signal, wherein said first and second harmonically rich signals are combined to generate a combined harmonically rich signal; and

filtering undesired harmonics from said combined harmonically rich signal.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said method operates in an infrastructure device.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said method operates in a client device.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein said method operates in a wireless local area network (WLAN) device.

11. A computer comprising a wireless modem module, said wireless modem module comprising:

a receiver, comprising first and second down-conversion modules each sub-sampling, transferring and storing energy from a received signal, and each operating according to control signal apertures such that energy is integrated over said control signal apertures, and a lower frequency signal is generated from said stored energy; and

a transmitter, comprising;

at least one first controlled switch that generates a first harmonically rich signal;

at least one second controlled switch that generates a second harmonically rich signal, wherein said first and second harmonically rich signals are combined to generate a combined harmonically rich signal; and

a filter module to filter undesired harmonics from said combined harmonically rich signal.

12. The computer of claim 11, wherein said wireless modem module is a wireless local area network (WLAN) module.

13. A network device comprising a wireless modem module, said wireless modem module comprising:

a receiver, comprising first and second down-conversion modules each sub-sampling, transferring and storing energy from a received signal, and each operating according to control signal apertures such that energy is integrated over said control signal apertures, and a lower frequency signal is generated from said stored energy; and

a transmitter, comprising;

at least one first controlled switch that generates a first harmonically rich signal;

at least one second controlled switch that generates a second harmonically rich signal, wherein said first and second harmonically rich signals are combined to generate a combined harmonically rich signal; and

a filter module to filter undesired harmonics from said combined harmonically rich signal.

14. The network device of claim 13, wherein said wireless modem module is a wireless local area network (WLAN) module.

15. A wireless modem apparatus, comprising a receiver and a transmitter, the transmitter comprising:

at least one first controlled switch that generates a first harmonically rich signal;

at least one second controlled switch that generates a second harmonically rich signal;

means for combining said first and second harmonically rich signals to generate a combined harmonically rich signal; and

a filter module to filter undesired harmonics from said combined harmonically rich signal.

16. The wireless modem apparatus of claim 15, wherein said combining means comprises a combiner.

17. The wireless modem apparatus of claim 15, wherein said combining means comprises a node coupled to outputs of said at least one first controlled switch and said at least one second controlled switch.

18. The wireless modem apparatus of claim 17, wherein said at least one first controlled switch is controlled by a first control signal and said at least one second controlled switch is controlled by a second control signal, wherein said first and second control signals are generated such that pulses of said first control signal are out of phase relative to pulses of said second control signal.

19. The wireless modem apparatus of claim 17, wherein said at least one first controlled switch is controlled by a first control signal and said at least one second controlled switch is controlled by a second control signal, wherein pulses of said first control signal are shifted 180 degrees relative to pulses of said second control signal.

20. A method for wirelessly communicating, comprising:

down-converting a received RF signal; and

up-converting a baseband signal, comprising;

generating a first harmonically rich signal based on said baseband signal;

generating a second harmonically rich signal based on said baseband signal;

combining said first and second harmonically rich signals to generate a combined harmonically rich signal; and

filtering undesired harmonics from said combined harmonically rich signal.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said combining step comprises:

combining said first and second harmonically rich signals using a combiner.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein said combining step comprises:

receiving said first and second harmonically rich signals at a node, wherein said first and second harmonically rich signals are combined at said node to generate said harmonically rich signal.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein said first harmonically rich signal is generated using at least one first transistor, and said second harmonically rich signal is generated using at least one second transistor, wherein outputs of said at least one first and second transistors are coupled at a combiner, wherein said combining step comprises combining said first and second harmonically rich signals using said combiner.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein said first harmonically rich signal is generated using at least one first transistor, and said second harmonically rich signal is generated using at least one second transistor, wherein outputs of said at least one first and second transistors are coupled at a node, wherein said combining step comprises combining said first and second harmonically rich signals at said node.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein said at least one first transistor is controlled by a first control signal and said at least one second transistor is controlled by a second control signal, the method further comprising:

generating said first and second control signals such that pulses of said first control signal are out of phase relative to pulses of said second control signal.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein said at least one first transistor is controlled by a first control signal and said at least one second transistor is controlled by a second control signal, the method further comprising:

generating said first and second control signals such that pulses of said first control signal are shifted 180 degrees relative to pulses of said second control signal.