Applications of universal frequency translation

• US 7,826,817 B2
• Filed: 03/20/2009
• Issued: 11/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
• Original Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
• Inventors: Cook, Robert W., Bultman, Michael J., Sorrells, David F., Moses, Charley D. Jr., Looke, Richard C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bhattacharya; Sam
• Application Number:
  US12/408,498
• Publication Number:
  US 20090181627A1
• Time in Patent Office: 592 Days
• Field of Search: 455/113, 455/313, 455/318, 455/319, 455/323, 455/328, 455/331, 455/349
• US Class Current: 455/323
• 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. 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 system, comprising:

an interface module configured to receive an input signal from a communication medium, the interface module comprising a frequency down-converter comprising;

a switch configured to selectively couple the input signal to an output signal node; and

a capacitor coupled to the output signal node and configured to provide a down-converted signal at the output signal node.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the capacitor is coupled between the output signal node and an electrical ground.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the switch is configured to selectively open and close according to a control signal including pulses having apertures.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the capacitor is configured to store charge from the input signal when the switch is closed.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein capacitor is configured to discharge stored energy to the output node when the switch is open.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the input signal is a cellular telephone signal.

7. A method, comprising:

receiving an input signal from a communication medium at an interface module comprising a frequency down-converter;

selectively coupling the input signal to an output signal node using a switch; and

down-converting the input signal at the output signal node using a capacitor coupled to the output signal node.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising coupling the capacitor between the output signal node and an electrical ground.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising selectively opening and closing the switch according to a control signal including pulses having apertures.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising storing charge from the input signal at the capacitor when the switch is closed.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising discharging stored energy from the capacitor to the output node when the switch is open.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising receiving a cellular telephone input signal.