Method, system and apparatus for balanced frequency up-conversion of a baseband signal

• US 8,571,135 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2011
• Issued: 10/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
• Original Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
• Inventors: Sorrells, David F., Bultman, Michael J., Cook, Robert W., Looke, Richard C, Moses, Charley D. Jr., Rawlins, Gregory S., Rawlins, Michael W.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHU, PHUONG M
• Application Number:
  US13/323,550
• Publication Number:
  US 20120114078A1
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 375/295, 375/298, 375/259, 375/256, 375/296, 375309-312, 375/268, 455/76, 455/91, 455/118, 455/323, 455/313
• 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: H04B 1/0475 with means for limiting noise, interference or distortion H04B1/0483 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 25/03 Shaping networks in transmitter or receiver, e.g. adaptive shaping networks

Abstract

A balanced transmitter up-converts a baseband signal directly from baseband-to-RF. The up-conversion process is sufficiently linear that no IF processing is required, even in communications applications that have stringent requirements on spectral growth. In operation, the balanced modulator sub-harmonically samples the baseband signal in a balanced and differential manner, resulting in harmonically rich signal. The harmonically rich signal contains multiple harmonic images that repeat at multiples of the sampling frequency, where each harmonic contains the necessary information to reconstruct the baseband signal. The differential sampling is performed according to a first and second control signals that are phase shifted with respect to each other. In embodiments of the invention, the control signals have pulse widths (or apertures) that operate to improve energy transfer to a desired harmonic in the harmonically rich signal. A bandpass filter can then be utilized to select the desired harmonic of interest from the harmonically rich signal. The sampling modules that perform the sampling can be configured in either a series or a shunt configuration. In embodiments of the invention, DC offset voltages are minimized between the sampling modules to minimize or prevent carrier insertion into the harmonic images.

Claims

1. A method for up-converting a baseband signal, to a higher frequency signal comprising the steps for:

(1) receiving the baseband signal;

(2) using first and second control signals, each having a single fundamental frequency, the first and second control signals being phase shifted from one another, and each control signal having variable pulse widths, to differentially sample the baseband signal to generate both I and Q harmonically rich signals each containing a plurality of harmonic images, the I and Q harmonically rich signals each being a function of information of the baseband signal;

(3) controlling the amplitude of each harmonically rich signal by adjusting the variable pulse widths of the first and second control signals;

(4) combining corresponding portions of harmonic images for the harmonically rich signals and then filtering the combined result for a selected harmonic frequency to obtain an up-converted signal;

(5) selecting a desired harmonic from said harmonic images; and

(6) transmitting said desired harmonic over a communications medium.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

minimizing DC offset voltages during step (2), and thereby minimizing carrier insertion in said harmonic images.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the controlling step further comprises maintaining a reference voltage between said differential samples.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein step (2) comprises the steps of:

(a) converting said baseband signal into a differential baseband signal having a first differential baseband component and a second differential baseband component;

(b) sampling said first differential baseband component according to said first control signal to generate the first harmonically rich signal, and sampling said second differential baseband component according to said second control signal to generate the second harmonically rich signal, wherein said second control signal is phase shifted relative to said first control signal as measured by a master clock signal; and

(c) combining said first harmonically rich signal and said second harmonically rich signal to generate said harmonic images.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of:

(d) adding a reference voltage to said first differential baseband component and said second differential baseband component prior to step (b), and thereby minimizing any DC offset voltages during sampling of said first differential baseband component and said second differential baseband component.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein said step (b) of sampling comprises the steps of:

(i) generating said first control signal comprising a first plurality of pulses and said second control signal comprising a second plurality of pulses; and

(ii) operating a first switch according to said first control signal to periodically sample said first differential baseband component, and operating a second switch according to said second control signal to periodically sample said second differential baseband signal.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said step (i) comprises the step of controlling pulse widths of said first control signal and said second control signal by a specified amount to control a time interval that said first switch and said second switch is closed in step (ii), and thereby controlling energy transfer to said desired harmonic image.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said step of controlling pulse widths comprises the step of controlling pulse widths for said first and second control signals to a non-zero fraction of a period of a desired harmonic of interest.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said step of controlling pulse widths comprises the step of controlling pulse widths for said first and second control signals to approximately one-half of a period of a desired harmonic of interest.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein said step of controlling pulse widths comprises the step of controlling pulse widths for said first and second control signals to approximately one-fourth of a period of a desired harmonic of interest.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein said step of controlling pulse widths comprises the step of controlling pulse widths for said first and second control signals to approximately one-tenth to one-fourth of a period of a desired harmonic of interest.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said first control signal and said second control signal have a period of T_s so that said harmonic images repeat at 1/ T_s in frequency, and wherein said second control signal is phase-shifted relative to said first control signal by approximately 180 degrees.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said first control signal and said second control signal have a period of T_s so that said harmonic images repeat at 1/ T_s in frequency, and wherein said second control signal is phase-shifted relative to said first control signal by approximately 90 degrees.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein said pulse widths of said first control signal and said second control signal are a non-zero fraction of a period of a desired harmonic of interest.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said pulse widths of said first control signal and said second control signal are approximately one-half of a period of a desired harmonic of interest.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein said pulse widths of said first control signal and said second control signal are approximately one-half of a period of a desired harmonic of interest.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of harmonic images have an amplitude that is proportional to the following equation:

Amp n=[4 sin (n .pi. T_A T_s) sin (n .pi.

     2) n .pi.] where;

T_s=period of said first and second control signals T_A=pulse width of said first and second control signals n=harmonic number of said harmonic image whose amplitude is determined.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein said harmonic images have an amplitude that is based on n*(T_A/T_s), where T_s is a period of said first and second control signals, T_A is a pulse width of pulses in said first and second control signals, and n is a harmonic number of said harmonic image.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein control signals having substantially shorter pulse widths shift an increased amount of energy into higher frequency harmonics.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein control signals having relatively longer pulse widths shift an increased amount of energy into lower frequency harmonics.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the information of the baseband signal includes amplitude, or phase or frequency or any combination thereof.

22. A differential frequency up-conversion module for up-converting a baseband signal to a higher frequency signal, comprising:

an input terminal for receiving at least one baseband signal;

first and second switching devices for receiving, respectively, first and second control signals having a single fundamental frequency, the first and second control signals being phase shifted from one another, and each control signal having variable pulse widths to differentially sample the baseband signal in order to generate I and Q harmonically rich signals, each containing a plurality of harmonic images, the I and Q harmonically rich signals each being representative of the baseband signal, and having an amplitude adjusted based on the pulse widths of the first and second control signals;

a combiner that combines corresponding portions of particular ones of the harmonic images for the harmonically rich signals; and

a filter that filters results of the combiner for a selected harmonic frequency to obtain an up-converted signal.

23. The differential frequency up-conversion module as claimed in claim 22, wherein the combiner provides a direct connection between the first and second switching devices.

24. The differential frequency up-conversion module as claimed in claim 22, wherein the combiner is a wire.