Vector modulation signal generator

Claim 2

A signal generator comprising: means for providing a first signal (27a); means for vector modulating (27) said first signal; means for providing (25) a second signal having a desired frequency within a range of possible frequencies; and means for mixing (33) said vector modulated first signal and said second signal, providing a vector modulated output signal (34) having an output frequency within a range of possible output frequencies.

Claim 3

A signal generator as in Claim 1 which further comprises: means for receiving digital signals for vector modulating said first signal; means for receiving analog signals for vector modulating said first signal; and switch means (509a, 509b) for selecting either said digital signals or said analog signals for application to said means for vector modulating.

Claim 4

A signal generator as in ClaIm 2 which further comprises means for controlling the gain of said analog signal, thereby controlling the level of modulation of said output signal.

Claim 5

A signal generator as in Claim 1 which further comprises means for controlling carrier leakage of said output signal.

Claim 6

A signal generator as in Claim 4 wherein said means for controlling carrier leakage comprises means for adding a DC level to said analog signal.

Claim 7

A signal generator as in Claim 1 further comprising means for adjusting the phase of the vector components of said output signal.

Claim 8

A signal generator as in Claim 3,4 or 6 wherein said further means in each case operates in response to an analysis of said output signal.

Claim 9

An IQ modulator comprising: an input port for receiving an input carrier signal; and output port for providing an IQ modulated output signal; phase splitter means for receiving said input carrier signal and providing an I carrier component and a Q carrier component; I phase adjustment means for adjusting the phase of said I carrier component; Q phase adjustment means for adjusting the phase of said Q carrier component; an I modulation data input terminal for receiving I modulation input data; a Q modulation data input terminal for receiving Q modulation input data; I modulation data gain adjustment means for receiving said I modulation input data and providing a gain adjusted I modulation data signal; Q modulation data gain adjustment means for receiving said Q modulation input data and providing a gain adjusted Q modulation data signal; I modulation means for modulating said I carrier component with said gain adjusted I modulation data signal; Q modulation means for modulating said Q carrier component with said gain adjusted Q modulation data signal; I carrier leakage adjustment means for providing a DC level to said gain adjusted I modulation data signal; Q carrier leakage adjustment means for providing a DC level to said gain adjusted Q modulation data signal; and means for combining the output signals from said I modulation means and said Q modulation means and providing a combined signal on said output port.

Claim 10

An IQ modulator comprising: an input port for receiving an input carrier signal; and output port for providing an IQ modulated output signal; phase splitter means for receiving said input carrier signal and providing an I carrier component and a Q carrier component; I phase adjustment means for adjusting the phase of said I carrier component; Q phase adjustment means for adjusting the phase of said Q carrier component; an I modulation data input terminal for receiving I modulation input data; a Q modulation data input terminal for receiving Q modulation input data; I modulation data gain adjustment means for receiving said I modulation input data and providing a gain adjusted I modulation data signal; Q modulation data gain adjustment means for receiving said Q modulation input data and providing a gain adjusted Q modulation data signal; I modulation means for modulating said I carrier component with said gain adjusted I modulation data signal; Q modulation means for modulating said Q carrier component with said gain adjusted Q modulation data signal; I carrier leakage adjustment means for providing a DC level to said gain adjusted I modulation data signal; Q carrier leakage adjustment means for providing a DC level to said gain adjusted Q modulation data signal; and means for combining the output signals from said I modulation means and said Q modulation means and providing a combined signal on said output port.

Claim 11

An IQ modulator as in Claim 8 wherein said phase splitter means comprises a 90° hybrid.

Claim 12

An IQ modulator as in Claim 8 or 9 wherein said I carrier leakage adjustment means and said Q carrier leakage adjustment means each comprise a digital to analog converter.

Claim 13

An IQ modulator as in Claim 8,9 or 10 further comprising baseband manipulation circuitry for controlling said I phase adjustment means, Q phase adjustment means, I modulation data gain adjustment means, Q modulation data gain adjustment means, I carrier leakage adjustment means, and Q carrier leakage adjustment means to provide said IQ modulated output signal having desired characteristics.

Claim 14

IQ modulator as in any of Claims 8 to 11 which further comprises: an isolator connected between said phase splitter means and said I modulation means; an isolator connected between said phase splitter means and said Q modulation means; an isolator connected between said I modulation means and said means for combining; and a combiner connected between said Q modulation means and said means for combining.