Ultra-wideband variable-phase ring-oscillator arrays, architectures, and related methods
First Claim
1. An ultra-wideband variable-phase ring-oscillator circuit comprising:
- a plurality of tuned amplifiers configured in series as a ring, wherein the ring includes a plurality of output nodes for connection to a plurality of antennas;
a first phase-locked loop connected to the ring, wherein the first-phased locked loop includes a first phase shifter coupled to the ring, wherein the first phase shifter provides a phase delay between each pair of successive tuned amplifiers; and
a reference oscillator configured and arranged to produce an output and connected to the first phase-locked loop by a reference path, wherein the reference oscillator is locked to a reference frequency source by a second phase-locked loop having a plurality of static frequency dividers producing a division factor; and
a plurality of squarers, each connected to a respective output node, and configured and arranged to double the operational frequency of a signal provided by the ring.
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Abstract
Variable phase ring oscillators are described that provide a linear phase progression between adjacent elements in an antenna array by providing a symmetric ring configuration of tuned amplifiers and a single phase shifter. The ring topology is coupled to a single PLL that allows for direct modulation and demodulation of arbitrary waveforms without using RF up/down converting mixers. The PLL distributes the transmit waveforms to all antenna elements in the transmit mode and combines the received waveforms in the receive mode without any complicated power distribution network. Ultra-wideband architectures and methods are described that utilize a first reference signal source, a VPRO, and a second reference signal source. Related methods are controlling an array and beam steering are also described.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An ultra-wideband variable-phase ring-oscillator circuit comprising:
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a plurality of tuned amplifiers configured in series as a ring, wherein the ring includes a plurality of output nodes for connection to a plurality of antennas; a first phase-locked loop connected to the ring, wherein the first-phased locked loop includes a first phase shifter coupled to the ring, wherein the first phase shifter provides a phase delay between each pair of successive tuned amplifiers; and a reference oscillator configured and arranged to produce an output and connected to the first phase-locked loop by a reference path, wherein the reference oscillator is locked to a reference frequency source by a second phase-locked loop having a plurality of static frequency dividers producing a division factor; and a plurality of squarers, each connected to a respective output node, and configured and arranged to double the operational frequency of a signal provided by the ring. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of providing steerable control of an antenna array, the method comprising:
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setting a phase distribution between adjacent tuned amplifiers of a variable phase ring oscillator that is connected to an antenna array by multiple output nodes; connecting the ring oscillator to a first reference source; connecting the first reference source to a second reference source by a first phase-locked loop providing a division factor; generating in-phase and quadrature components of the first reference source; mixing the in-phase and quadrature components of the first reference source with baseband in-phase and quadrature inputs; providing a modulated ultra-wideband reference signal to the variable phase ring oscillator through a second phase-locked loop; and providing beam steering for the antenna array by outputs from the variable phase ring oscillator. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification