Systems and methods for generating pulsed output signals using a gated RF oscillator circuit
First Claim
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1. Oscillator circuitry, comprising:
- a transistor switching element having a control terminal, a first node and a second node, the first node of the transistor switching element being coupled to a power source and an output of the oscillator circuitry, the control terminal of the transistor switching element being coupled to an input voltage pulse source, and the second node of the transistor being coupled to ground; and
a feedback path coupled between the first node and control terminal of the transistor switching element;
wherein the transistor switching element is configured to remain in the off condition to isolate the first node from the second node and ground during the absence of an input voltage pulse applied to the control terminal of the transistor switching element and wherein the transistor switching element is configured to be in the on position to couple the first node to the second node and ground during the presence of an input voltage pulse applied to the control terminal of the transistor switching element;
wherein the transistor switching element is configured to repetitively cycle between on and off multiple times in response to an input voltage pulse applied to the control terminal of the transistor switching element while voltage is supplied from the power source to the first node of the transistor element to generate voltage oscillations at the output of the oscillator circuitry for a duration of time that the input voltage pulse is applied to the control terminal of the transistor device, the transistor device being configured to couple the power source to ground each time the transistor cycles to the on condition, and the transistor device being configured to isolate the power source from ground each time the transistor cycles to the off condition;
where a sequence in which the transistor switching element repetitively cycles between on and off multiple times acts to generate the respective voltage oscillations at the output of the oscillator circuitry; and
wherein the transistor switching element is a bipolar junction transistor device and the control terminal is a base of the transistor, or wherein the transistor switching element is a field effect transistor (FET) transistor and the control terminal is a gate of the transistor;
wherein the feedback path is coupled to the control terminal of the transistor switching element at a third node of the circuitry; and
wherein the oscillator circuitry further comprises a first resistor coupled between the power source and the third node of the circuitry, and a second resistor coupled between the power source and the first node of the transistor switching element.
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Abstract
Systems and methods for generating pulsed output signals that employ a gated RF oscillator circuit having an output that is switchably grounded through the emitter of a transistor and including feedback from the output of the circuit to the base of the transistor to create oscillations and to allow a digital input pulse of a desired length to control the start and stop of oscillations created by the transistor.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. Oscillator circuitry, comprising:
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a transistor switching element having a control terminal, a first node and a second node, the first node of the transistor switching element being coupled to a power source and an output of the oscillator circuitry, the control terminal of the transistor switching element being coupled to an input voltage pulse source, and the second node of the transistor being coupled to ground; and a feedback path coupled between the first node and control terminal of the transistor switching element; wherein the transistor switching element is configured to remain in the off condition to isolate the first node from the second node and ground during the absence of an input voltage pulse applied to the control terminal of the transistor switching element and wherein the transistor switching element is configured to be in the on position to couple the first node to the second node and ground during the presence of an input voltage pulse applied to the control terminal of the transistor switching element; wherein the transistor switching element is configured to repetitively cycle between on and off multiple times in response to an input voltage pulse applied to the control terminal of the transistor switching element while voltage is supplied from the power source to the first node of the transistor element to generate voltage oscillations at the output of the oscillator circuitry for a duration of time that the input voltage pulse is applied to the control terminal of the transistor device, the transistor device being configured to couple the power source to ground each time the transistor cycles to the on condition, and the transistor device being configured to isolate the power source from ground each time the transistor cycles to the off condition; where a sequence in which the transistor switching element repetitively cycles between on and off multiple times acts to generate the respective voltage oscillations at the output of the oscillator circuitry; and wherein the transistor switching element is a bipolar junction transistor device and the control terminal is a base of the transistor, or wherein the transistor switching element is a field effect transistor (FET) transistor and the control terminal is a gate of the transistor; wherein the feedback path is coupled to the control terminal of the transistor switching element at a third node of the circuitry; and
wherein the oscillator circuitry further comprises a first resistor coupled between the power source and the third node of the circuitry, and a second resistor coupled between the power source and the first node of the transistor switching element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. Oscillator circuitry, comprising:
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a transistor switching element having a control terminal, a first node and a second node, the first node of the transistor switching element being coupled to a power source and an output of the oscillator circuitry, the control terminal of the transistor switching element being coupled to an input voltage pulse source, and the second node of the transistor being coupled to ground; and a feedback path coupled between the first node and control terminal of the transistor switching element; wherein the transistor switching element is configured to remain in the off condition to isolate the first node from the second node and ground during the absence of an input voltage pulse applied to the control terminal of the transistor switching element and wherein the transistor switching element is configured to be in the on position to couple the first node to the second node and ground during the presence of an input voltage pulse applied to the control terminal of the transistor switching element; wherein the transistor switching element is configured to repetitively cycle between on and off multiple times in response to an input voltage pulse applied to the control terminal of the transistor switching element while voltage is supplied from the power source to the first node of the transistor element to generate voltage oscillations at the output of the oscillator circuitry for a duration of time that the input voltage pulse is applied to the control terminal of the transistor device, the transistor device being configured to couple the power source to ground each time the transistor cycles to the on condition, and the transistor device being configured to isolate the power source from ground each time the transistor cycles to the off condition; where a sequence in which the transistor switching element repetitively cycles between on and off multiple times acts to generate the respective voltage oscillations at the output of the oscillator circuitry; and wherein the transistor switching element is a bipolar junction transistor device and the control terminal is a base of the transistor, or wherein the transistor switching element is a field effect transistor (FET) transistor and the control terminal is a gate of the transistor; wherein the feedback path is coupled to the control terminal of the transistor switching element at a third node of the circuitry;
wherein the control terminal of the switching element is coupled to ground;
wherein the oscillator circuitry further comprises;a first resistor coupled between the input voltage pulse source and the third node, a second resistor coupled between the power source and the first node of the transistor switching element, a third resistor coupled between the control terminal of the transistor switching element and ground, and a first blocking capacitor coupled between the power source and the output of the oscillator circuitry; wherein the feedback path comprises a fourth resistor and a second blocking capacitor coupled in series between the third node and the output of the oscillator circuitry. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A RF signal generation system, comprising:
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input pulse creation circuitry configured to produce an input voltage pulse; and oscillator circuitry having a signal input coupled to receive the input voltage pulse from the input pulse creation circuitry, having a signal output to produce an RF output signal, and having a power input coupled to receive power from a power source; wherein the oscillator circuitry comprises; a transistor switching element having a control terminal, a first node and a second node, the first node of the transistor switching element being coupled to the power input of the oscillator circuitry and the signal output of the oscillator circuitry, the control terminal of the transistor switching element being coupled to the signal output of the oscillator circuitry, and the second node of the transistor being coupled to ground, and a feedback path coupled between the first node and control terminal of the transistor switching element, wherein the transistor switching element is configured to remain in the off condition to isolate the first node from the second node and ground during the absence of an input voltage pulse applied to the control terminal of the transistor switching element and wherein the transistor switching element is configured to be in the on position to couple the first node to the second node and ground during the presence of an input voltage pulse applied to the control terminal of the transistor switching element, wherein the transistor switching element is configured to repetitively cycle between on and off multiple times in response to an input voltage pulse applied to the control terminal of the transistor switching element while voltage is supplied from the power source to the first node of the transistor element to generate voltage oscillations at the output of the oscillator circuitry for the duration of time that the input voltage pulse is applied to the control terminal of the transistor device, the transistor device being configured to couple the power source to ground each time the transistor cycles to the on condition, and the transistor device being configured to isolate the power source from ground each time the transistor cycles to the off condition, where a sequence in which the transistor switching element repetitively cycles between on and off multiple times acts to generate the respective voltage oscillations at the output of the oscillator circuitry, wherein the transistor switching element is a bipolar junction transistor device and the control terminal is a base of the transistor, or wherein the transistor switching element is a field effect transistor (FET) transistor and the control terminal is a gate of the transistor; wherein the input pulse creation circuitry is configured to produce and supply an intermittent input voltage pulse to the signal input of the oscillator circuitry; and wherein the oscillator circuitry is coupled to a power source that is configured to only supply power to the power input of the oscillator circuitry at the same time an intermittent input voltage pulse is supplied to the signal input of the oscillator circuitry, and to not supply power to the power input of the oscillator circuitry when an intermittent input voltage pulse is not being supplied to the signal input of the oscillator circuitry. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 27)
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15. A method for generating an oscillating signal, comprising:
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providing oscillator circuitry comprising; a transistor switching element having a control terminal, a first node and a second node, the first node of the transistor switching element being coupled to a power source and an output of the oscillator circuitry, the control terminal of the transistor switching element being coupled to an input voltage pulse source, and the second node of the transistor being coupled to ground, and a feedback path coupled between the first node and control terminal of the transistor switching element; maintaining the transistor switching element in an off condition to isolate the first node from the second node and ground during the absence of an input voltage pulse applied to the control terminal of the transistor switching element and placing the transistor switching element in the on position to couple the first node to the second node and ground during the presence of an input voltage pulse applied to the control terminal of the transistor switching element; and simultaneously supplying voltage to the first node of the transistor element and applying an input voltage pulse to the control terminal of the transistor switching element to cause the transistor switching element to repetitively cycle between on and off multiple times while voltage is supplied to the first node of the transistor element so as to generate voltage oscillations at the output of the oscillator circuitry for the duration of time that the input voltage pulse is applied to the control terminal of the transistor device, the transistor device coupling the power source to ground each time the transistor cycles to the on condition, and the transistor device isolating the power source from ground each time the transistor cycles to the off condition; where a sequence in which the transistor switching element repetitively cycles between on and off multiple times acts to generate the respective voltage oscillations at the output of the oscillator circuitry; wherein the transistor switching element is a bipolar junction transistor device and the control terminal is a base of the transistor, or wherein the transistor switching element is a field effect transistor (FET) transistor and the control terminal is a gate of the transistor; wherein the feedback path is coupled to the control terminal of the transistor switching element at a third node of the circuitry; and wherein the method further comprises providing a first resistor coupled between the power source and the third node and a second resistor coupled between the power source and the first node of the transistor switching element, and supplying the voltage to the first node of the transistor element from the power source.
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16. A method for generating an oscillating signal, comprising:
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providing oscillator circuitry comprising; a transistor switching element having a control terminal, a first node and a second node, the first node of the transistor switching element being coupled to a power source and an output of the oscillator circuitry, the control terminal of the transistor switching element being coupled to an input voltage pulse source, and the second node of the transistor being coupled to ground, and a feedback path coupled between the first node and control terminal of the transistor switching element; maintaining the transistor switching element in an off condition to isolate the first node from the second node and ground during the absence of an input voltage pulse applied to the control terminal of the transistor switching element and placing the transistor switching element in the on position to couple the first node to the second node and ground during the presence of an input voltage pulse applied to the control terminal of the transistor switching element; and simultaneously supplying voltage to the first node of the transistor element and applying an input voltage pulse to the control terminal of the transistor switching element to cause the transistor switching element to repetitively cycle between on and off multiple times while voltage is supplied to the first node of the transistor element so as to generate voltage oscillations at the output of the oscillator circuitry for the duration of time that the input voltage pulse is applied to the control terminal of the transistor device, the transistor device coupling the power source to ground each time the transistor cycles to the on condition, and the transistor device isolating the power source from ground each time the transistor cycles to the off condition; where a sequence in which the transistor switching element repetitively cycles between on and off multiple times acts to generate the respective voltage oscillations at the output of the oscillator circuitry; wherein the transistor switching element is a bipolar junction transistor device and the control terminal is a base of the transistor, or wherein the transistor switching element is a field effect transistor (FET) transistor and the control terminal is a gate of the transistor; wherein the feedback path is coupled to the control terminal of the transistor switching element at a third node of the circuitry;
wherein the control terminal of the switching element is coupled to ground; andwherein the method further comprises; providing a first resistor coupled between the input voltage pulse source and the third node, providing a second resistor coupled between the power source and the first node of the transistor switching element, providing a third resistor coupled between the control terminal of the transistor switching element and ground, and providing a first blocking capacitor coupled between the power source and the output of the oscillator circuitry, providing the feedback path with a fourth resistor and a second blocking capacitor coupled between the third node and the output of the oscillator circuitry.
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17. A method for generating an oscillating signal, comprising:
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providing oscillator circuitry comprising; a transistor switching element having a control terminal, a first node and a second node, the first node of the transistor switching element being coupled to a power source and an output of the oscillator circuitry, the control terminal of the transistor switching element being coupled to an input voltage pulse source, and the second node of the transistor being coupled to ground, and a feedback path coupled between the first node and control terminal of the transistor switching element; maintaining the transistor switching element in an off condition to isolate the first node from the second node and ground during the absence of an input voltage pulse applied to the control terminal of the transistor switching element and placing the transistor switching element in the on position to couple the first node to the second node and ground during the presence of an input voltage pulse applied to the control terminal of the transistor switching element; and simultaneously supplying voltage to the first node of the transistor element and applying an input voltage pulse to the control terminal of the transistor switching element to cause the transistor switching element to repetitively cycle between on and off multiple times while voltage is supplied to the first node of the transistor element so as to generate voltage oscillations at the output of the oscillator circuitry for the duration of time that the input voltage pulse is applied to the control terminal of the transistor device, the transistor device coupling the power source to ground each time the transistor cycles to the on condition, and the transistor device isolating the power source from ground each time the transistor cycles to the off condition; where a sequence in which the transistor switching element repetitively cycles between on and off multiple times acts to generate the respective voltage oscillations at the output of the oscillator circuitry; wherein the transistor switching element is a bipolar junction transistor device and the control terminal is a base of the transistor, or wherein the transistor switching element is a field effect transistor (FET) transistor and the control terminal is a gate of the transistor; and where the method further comprises; providing input pulse creation circuitry coupled to a signal input of the oscillator circuitry, the control terminal of the transistor switching element being coupled to the signal input, providing a power source coupled to a power input of the oscillator circuitry, the first node of the transistor switching element being coupled to the power input, supplying an intermittent input voltage pulse from the pulse creation circuitry to the signal input of the oscillator circuitry, supplying power from the power source to a power input of the oscillator circuitry at the same time an intermittent input voltage pulse is supplied to the signal input of the oscillator circuitry, and not supplying power to the power input of the oscillator circuitry when an intermittent input voltage pulse is not being supplied to the signal input of the oscillator circuitry, producing a RF output signal at a signal output of the oscillator circuitry, the signal output being coupled to the first node of the transistor switching element, and the RF output signal being produced in response to the intermittent input voltage pulse applied through the signal input to the control terminal of the transistor switching element while voltage is supplied through the power input to the first node of the transistor element to generate voltage oscillations of the RF output signal at the signal output of the oscillator circuitry for the duration of time that the input voltage pulse is applied to the control terminal of the transistor device, the transistor device coupling the power source to ground each time the transistor cycles to the on condition, and the transistor device isolating the power source from ground each time the transistor cycles to the off condition. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification