Apparatus and method for modulating an amplitude, phase or both of a periodic signal on a per cycle basis

• US 7,974,580 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2007
• Issued: 07/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Fagg, Russell John
• Primary Examiner(s): Trinh; Sonny
• Application Number:
  US11/846,401
• Publication Number:
  US 20090061777A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,407 Days
• Field of Search: 455/42, 455/108, 455/110, 455/126, 455/130, 455/205, 455/115.1
• US Class Current: 455/42
• CPC Class Codes: H03C 5/00 Amplitude modulation and angle modulation produced simultaneously or at will by the same modulating signal H03C7/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/7174 Pulse generation in general H04L25/03834
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/3411 reducing the peak to average power ratio or the mean power of the constellation; Arrangements for increasing the shape gain of a signal set
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/361 Modulation using a single or unspecified number of carriers, e.g. with separate stages of phase and amplitude modulation

Abstract

An apparatus for wireless communications is disclosed including a signal generator adapted to generate a substantially periodic signal including a plurality of cycles, and a modulator adapted to modulate an amplitude, a phase or both the amplitude and the phase of the periodic signal on a per cycle basis. In one aspect, the modulator is adapted to modulate the amplitude, the phase, or both the amplitude and phase of the periodic signal with a defined modulation signal. In another aspect, the defined modulation signal includes a substantially root raised cosine signal. In yet another aspect, the defined modulation signal is configured to achieve a defined frequency spectrum for the modulated periodic signal.

Claims

1. An apparatus for wireless communications comprising:

a signal generator adapted to generate a substantially periodic signal including a plurality of cycles; and

a modulator adapted to modulate an amplitude, a phase or both the amplitude and the phase of the periodic signal on a per cycle basis with a defined modulation signal to achieve a defined frequency spectrum for the modulated periodic signal, wherein the defined frequency spectrum defines an ultra-wide band channel having a fractional bandwidth on the order of 20% or more, a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz or more, or a fractional bandwidth on the order of 20% or more and a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz or more.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the defined modulation signal comprises a substantially root raised cosine signal.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the signal generator comprises a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) adapted to generate the periodic signal.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the signal generator further comprises a calibration device adapted to calibrate the frequency of the periodic signal.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a timing module adapted to provide a timing signal to the modulator to control the modulation of the amplitude, the phase, or both the amplitude and the phase of the periodic signal on the per cycle basis.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the timing module is adapted to receive a timing source signal from the signal generator.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the timing module further comprises sequential logic adapted to generate the timing signal in response to the timing source signal.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a timing module adapted to provide a timing signal to the signal generator to control the phase modulation of the periodic signal on the per cycle basis.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the modulator comprises:

a plurality of capacitors;

a circuit adapted to charge the capacitors; and

a switch network adapted to selectively couple one or more of the charged capacitors to an amplifier amplifying the periodic signal.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the amplifier comprises a power amplifier.

11. A method for wireless communications comprising:

generating a substantially periodic signal including a plurality of cycles; and

modulating an amplitude, a phase or both the amplitude and the phase of the periodic signal on a per cycle basis with a defined modulation signal to achieve a defined frequency spectrum for the modulated periodic signal, wherein the defined frequency spectrum defines an ultra-wide band channel having a fractional bandwidth on the order of 20% or more, a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz or more, or a fractional bandwidth on the order of 20% or more and a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz or more.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the defined modulation signal comprises a substantially raised cosine signal.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein generating the periodic signal comprises controlling a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) to generate the periodic signal.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising calibrating the frequency of the periodic signal.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising generating a timing signal to control the modulation of the amplitude, the phase, or both the amplitude and the phase of the periodic signal on the per cycle basis.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein generating the timing signal is based on the periodic signal.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein generating the timing signal comprises using sequential logic responsive to the periodic signal to control the modulation of the periodic signal on the per cycle basis.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising generating a timing signal to control the generating of the periodic signal so as to phase modulate the periodic signal on the per cycle basis.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein modulating the amplitude of the periodic signal comprises:

charging a plurality of capacitors; and

selectively coupling one or more of the charged capacitors to an amplifier amplifying the periodic signal.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein amplifying the periodic signal comprises using a power amplifier to amplify the periodic signal.

21. An apparatus for wireless communications comprising:

means for generating a substantially periodic signal including a plurality of cycles; and

means for modulating an amplitude, a phase or both the amplitude and the phase of the periodic signal on a per cycle basis with a defined modulation signal to achieve a defined frequency spectrum for the modulated periodic signal, wherein the defined frequency spectrum defines an ultra-wide band channel having a fractional bandwidth on the order of 20% or more, a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz or more, or a fractional bandwidth on the order of 20% or more and a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz or more.

22. A computer program product for wireless communications comprising:

a computer readable medium including codes executable by at least one processor to;

generate a substantially periodic signal including a plurality of cycles; and

modulate an amplitude, a phase or both the amplitude and the phase of the periodic signal on a per cycle basis with a defined modulation signal to achieve a defined frequency spectrum for the modulated periodic signal, wherein the defined frequency spectrum defines an ultra-wide band channel having a fractional bandwidth on the order of 20% or more, a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz or more, or a fractional bandwidth on the order of 20% or more and a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz or more.

23. A headset, comprising:

a transducer adapted to generate audio data; and

a transmitter adapted to transmit the audio data, wherein the transmitter comprises;

a signal generator adapted to generate a substantially periodic signal including a plurality of cycles; and

a modulator adapted to modulate an amplitude, a phase or both the amplitude and the phase of the periodic signal on a per cycle basis with a defined modulation signal to achieve a defined frequency spectrum for the modulated periodic signal, wherein the defined frequency spectrum defines an ultra-wide band channel having a fractional bandwidth on the order of 20% or more, a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz or more, or a fractional bandwidth on the order of 20% or more and a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz or more.

24. A watch, comprising:

a transmitter adapted to transmit data via a wireless communication channel, wherein the transmitter comprises;

a signal generator adapted to generate a substantially periodic signal including a plurality of cycles;

a modulator adapted to modulate an amplitude, a phase or both the amplitude and the phase of the periodic signal on a per cycle basis with a defined modulation signal to achieve a defined frequency spectrum for the modulated periodic signal, wherein the defined frequency spectrum defines an ultra-wide band channel having a fractional bandwidth on the order of 20% or more, a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz or more, or a fractional bandwidth on the order of 20% or more and a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz or more; and

a user interface adapted to provide an indication based on data received via the wireless communication channel.

25. A sensing device for wireless communications, comprising:

a sensor adapted to generate sensed data; and

a transmitter adapted to transmit the sensed data, wherein the transmitter comprises;

a signal generator adapted to generate a substantially periodic signal including a plurality of cycles; and

a modulator adapted to modulate an amplitude, a phase or both the amplitude and the phase of the periodic signal on a per cycle basis with a defined modulation signal to achieve a defined frequency spectrum for the modulated periodic signal, wherein the defined frequency spectrum defines an ultra-wide band channel having a fractional bandwidth on the order of 20% or more, a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz or more, or a fractional bandwidth on the order of 20% or more and a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz or more.

26. An apparatus for wireless communications comprising:

a signal generator adapted to generate a substantially periodic signal including a plurality of cycles;

a modulator adapted to modulate an amplitude, a phase or both the amplitude and the phase of the periodic signal on a per cycle basis; and

a timing module adapted to provide a timing signal to the modulator to control the modulation of the amplitude, the phase, or both the amplitude and the phase of the periodic signal on the per cycle basis, wherein the timing module is adapted to receive a timing source signal from the signal generator, and further wherein the timing module further comprises sequential logic adapted to generate the timing signal in response to the timing source signal.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the modulator is adapted to modulate the amplitude, the phase, or both the amplitude and phase of the periodic signal with a defined modulation signal.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the defined modulation signal comprises a substantially root raised cosine signal.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the defined modulation signal is configured to achieve a defined frequency spectrum for the modulated periodic signal.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the defined frequency spectrum for the modulated periodic signal defines an ultra-wide band channel having a fractional bandwidth on the order of 20% or more, a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz or more, or a fractional bandwidth on the order of 20% or more and a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz or more.

31. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the signal generator comprises a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) adapted to generate the periodic signal.

32. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the signal generator further comprises a calibration device adapted to calibrate the frequency of the periodic signal.

33. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the modulator comprises:

a plurality of capacitors;

a circuit adapted to charge the capacitors; and

a switch network adapted to selectively couple one or more of the charged capacitors to an amplifier amplifying the periodic signal.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the amplifier comprises a power amplifier.

35. A method for wireless communications comprising:

generating a substantially periodic signal including a plurality of cycles;

modulating an amplitude, a phase or both the amplitude and the phase of the periodic signal on a per cycle basis; and

generating a timing signal to control the modulation of the amplitude, the phase, or both the amplitude and the phase of the periodic signal on the per cycle basis, wherein generating the timing signal is based on the periodic signal, and further wherein generating the timing signal comprises using sequential logic responsive to the periodic signal to control the modulation of the periodic signal on the per cycle basis.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein modulating the amplitude, the phase, or both the amplitude and the phase of the periodic signal comprises modulating the periodic signal with a defined modulation signal.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the defined modulation signal comprises a substantially raised cosine signal.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the defined modulation signal is configured to achieve a defined frequency spectrum for the modulated periodic signal.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the defined frequency spectrum for the modulated periodic signal defines an ultra-wide band channel that has a fractional bandwidth on the order of 20% or more, a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz or more, or a fractional bandwidth on the order of 20% or more and a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz or more.

40. The method of claim 35, wherein generating the periodic signal comprises controlling a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) to generate the periodic signal.

41. The method of claim 35, further comprising calibrating the frequency of the periodic signal.

42. The method of claim 35, wherein modulating the amplitude of the periodic signal comprises:

charging a plurality of capacitors; and

selectively coupling one or more of the charged capacitors to an amplifier amplifying the periodic signal.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein amplifying the periodic signal comprises using a power amplifier to amplify the periodic signal.

44. An apparatus for wireless communications comprising:

means for generating a substantially periodic signal including a plurality of cycles;

means for modulating an amplitude, a phase or both the amplitude and the phase of the periodic signal on a per cycle basis; and

means for generating a timing signal to control the modulation of the amplitude, the phase, or both the amplitude and the phase of the periodic signal on the per cycle basis, wherein the timing signal generating means is adapted to receive a timing source signal from the signal generating means, and further wherein the timing signal generating means comprises sequential logic adapted to generate the timing signal in response to the timing source signal.

45. A computer program product for wireless communications comprising:

a computer readable medium including codes executable by at least one processor to;

generate a substantially periodic signal including a plurality of cycles;

modulate an amplitude, a phase or both the amplitude and the phase of the periodic signal on a per cycle basis; and

generate a timing signal to control the modulation of the amplitude, the phase, or both the amplitude and the phase of the periodic signal on the per cycle basis, wherein generating the timing signal is based on the periodic signal, and further wherein generating the timing signal comprises using sequential logic responsive to the periodic signal to control the modulation of the periodic signal on the per cycle basis.

46. A headset, comprising:

a transducer adapted to generate audio data; and

a transmitter adapted to transmit the audio data, wherein the transmitter comprises;

a signal generator adapted to generate a substantially periodic signal including a plurality of cycles;

a modulator adapted to modulate an amplitude, a phase or both the amplitude and the phase of the periodic signal on a per cycle basis; and

a timing module adapted to provide a timing signal to the modulator to control the modulation of the amplitude, the phase, or both the amplitude and the phase of the periodic signal on the per cycle basis, wherein the timing module is adapted to receive a timing source signal from the signal generator, and further wherein the timing module further comprises sequential logic adapted to generate the timing signal in response to the timing source signal.

47. A sensing device for wireless communications, comprising:

a sensor adapted to generate sensed data; and

a transmitter adapted to transmit the sensed data, wherein the transmitter comprises;

a signal generator adapted to generate a substantially periodic signal including a plurality of cycles;

a modulator adapted to modulate an amplitude, a phase or both the amplitude and the phase of the periodic signal on a per cycle basis; and

a timing module adapted to provide a timing signal to the modulator to control the modulation of the amplitude, the phase, or both the amplitude and the phase of the periodic signal on the per cycle basis, wherein the timing module is adapted to receive a timing source signal from the signal generator, and further wherein the timing module further comprises sequential logic adapted to generate the timing signal in response to the timing source signal.

48. An apparatus for wireless communications comprising:

a signal generator adapted to generate a substantially periodic signal including a plurality of cycles; and

a modulator adapted to modulate an amplitude, or both the amplitude and a phase of the periodic signal on a per cycle basis, wherein the modulator comprises;

a plurality of capacitors;

a circuit adapted to charge the capacitors; and

a switch network adapted to selectively couple one or more of the charged capacitors to an amplifier amplifying the periodic signal.

49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the modulator is adapted to modulate the amplitude, or both the amplitude and the phase of the periodic signal with a defined modulation signal.

50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the defined modulation signal comprises a substantially root raised cosine signal.

51. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the defined modulation signal is configured to achieve a defined frequency spectrum for the modulated periodic signal.

52. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein the defined frequency spectrum for the modulated periodic signal defines an ultra-wide band channel having a fractional bandwidth on the order of 20% or more, a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz or more, or a fractional bandwidth on the order of 20% or more and a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz or more.

53. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the signal generator comprises a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) adapted to generate the periodic signal.

54. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the signal generator further comprises a calibration device adapted to calibrate the frequency of the periodic signal.

55. The apparatus of claim 48, further comprising a timing module adapted to provide a timing signal to the modulator to control the modulation of the amplitude, the phase, or both the amplitude and the phase of the periodic signal on the per cycle basis.

56. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the timing module is adapted to receive a timing source signal from the signal generator.

57. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the timing module further comprises sequential logic adapted to generate the timing signal in response to the timing source signal.

58. The apparatus of claim 48, further comprising a timing module adapted to provide a timing signal to the signal generator to control the phase modulation of the periodic signal on the per cycle basis.

59. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the amplifier comprises a power amplifier.

60. A method for wireless communications comprising:

generating a substantially periodic signal including a plurality of cycles; and

modulating an amplitude, or both the amplitude and a phase of the periodic signal on a per cycle basis, wherein modulating the amplitude of the periodic signal comprises;

charging a plurality of capacitors; and

selectively coupling one or more of the charged capacitors to an amplifier amplifying the periodic signal.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein modulating the amplitude, or both the amplitude and the phase of the periodic signal comprises modulating the periodic signal with a defined modulation signal.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein the defined modulation signal comprises a substantially raised cosine signal.

63. The method of claim 61, wherein the defined modulation signal is configured to achieve a defined frequency spectrum for the modulated periodic signal.

64. The method of claim 63, wherein the defined frequency spectrum for the modulated periodic signal defines an ultra-wide band channel that has a fractional bandwidth on the order of 20% or more, a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz or more, or a fractional bandwidth on the order of 20% or more and a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz or more.

65. The method of claim 60, wherein generating the periodic signal comprises controlling a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) to generate the periodic signal.

66. The method of claim 60, further comprising calibrating the frequency of the periodic signal.

67. The method of claim 60, further comprising generating a timing signal to control the modulation of the amplitude, the phase, or both the amplitude and the phase of the periodic signal on the per cycle basis.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein generating the timing signal is based on the periodic signal.

69. The method of claim 67, wherein generating the timing signal comprises using sequential logic responsive to the periodic signal to control the modulation of the periodic signal on the per cycle basis.

70. The method of claim 60, further comprising generating a timing signal to control the generating of the periodic signal so as to phase modulate the periodic signal on the per cycle basis.

71. The method of claim 60, wherein amplifying the periodic signal comprises using a power amplifier to amplify the periodic signal.

72. An apparatus for wireless communications comprising:

means for generating a substantially periodic signal including a plurality of cycles; and

means for modulating an amplitude, or both the amplitude and a phase of the periodic signal on a per cycle basis, wherein the modulating means comprises;

means for storing charges;

means for charging the charge storing means; and

means for selectively couple the charge storing means to a means for amplifying the periodic signal.

73. A computer program product for wireless communications comprising:

a computer readable medium including codes executable by at least one processor to;

generate a substantially periodic signal including a plurality of cycles; and

modulate an amplitude, or both the amplitude and a phase of the periodic signal on a per cycle basis including;

charging a plurality of capacitors; and

selectively coupling one or more of the charged capacitors to an amplifier amplifying the periodic signal.

74. A headset, comprising:

a transducer adapted to generate audio data; and

a transmitter adapted to transmit the audio data, wherein the transmitter comprises;

a signal generator adapted to generate a substantially periodic signal including a plurality of cycles;

a modulator adapted to modulate an amplitude, or both the amplitude and a phase of the periodic signal on a per cycle basis, wherein the modulator comprises;

a plurality of capacitors;

a circuit adapted to charge the capacitors; and

a switch network adapted to selectively couple one or more of the charged capacitors to an amplifier amplifying the periodic signal.

75. A sensing device for wireless communications, comprising:

a sensor adapted to generate sensed data; and

a transmitter adapted to transmit the sensed data, wherein the transmitter comprises;

a signal generator adapted to generate a substantially periodic signal including a plurality of cycles; and

a modulator adapted to modulate an amplitude, or both the amplitude and a phase of the periodic signal on a per cycle basis, wherein the modulator comprises;

a plurality of capacitors;

a circuit adapted to charge the capacitors; and

a switch network adapted to selectively couple one or more of the charged capacitors to an amplifier amplifying the periodic signal.