US3793594A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wide band phase-coherent self-calibrating translation loop
Assignee: RCA Corp
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Filing: 1972-02-18
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Granted: 1974-02-19
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Expires: 1992-02-18
Abstract
Abstract A translation loop with a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) for generating a plurality of discrete frequencies that are unambiguously selected above or below a reference frequency by calibrating the VCO to the reference frequency without the presence of an offset frequency, a timed gate control subsequently gating the offset frequency for mixing in the loop. A phase detected error in the mixed signals controls the VCO to alter its frequency from the reference frequency to the frequency corresponding to the sum or difference frequency by a control sweep voltage positive or negative going to correspondingly increase or lower the VCO frequency.
Inventors
- 👤 F Griswold
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 14:56
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03L; H03L7/00; H03L7/06; H03L7/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A translation loop having a reference frequency source and an offset frequency source of signals comprising: a. mixing means having one input coupled to the offset frequency source of signals, a second input and an output, b. a phase detector having one input coupled to the output of the mixer, a second input coupled to the reference source of signals, and an output means for generating a signal for controlling a voltage controlled oscillator, c. a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) having an input for receiving said phase detector control signal and an output, d. means coupling the output of said voltage controlled oscillator to the second input of said mixer, e. means for periodically inhibiting the offset frequency source of signals to said mixer, whereby the output voltage of said voltage controlled oscillator is periodically calibrated to within one cycle of accuracy of said reference frequency source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A translation loop having a reference frequency source and an offset frequency source of signals comprising: a. mixing means having one input coupled to the offset frequency source of signals, a second input and an output, b. a phase detector having one input coupled to the output of the mixer, a second input coupled to the reference source of signals, and an output means for generating a signal for controlling a voltage controlled oscillator, c. a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) having an input for receiving said phase detector control signal and an output, d. means coupling the output of said voltage controlled oscillator to the second input of said mixer, e. means for periodically inhibiting the offset frequency source of signals to said mixer, whereby the output voltage of said voltage controlled oscillator is periodically calibrated to within one cycle of accuracy of said reference frequency source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
A translation loop according to claim 1 including a sweep voltage generator coupled between said phase detector and said voltage controlled oscillator for generating a ramp voltage in response to the output control voltage of said phase detector for controlling said voltage controlled oscillator to acquire and phase lock to a signal frequency determined by said phase detector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A translation loop according to claim 2 including means for varying the voltage level of said sweep voltage generator to generate a ramp voltage to change the voltage controlled oscillator frequency as a sum or difference of the reference and offset frequencies.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A translation loop according to claim 3 wherein said voltage level varying means includes bias gates synchronized with said periodic inhibiting means for said offset frequency source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A translation loop according to claim 4 including a summing amplifier coupled between said sweep voltage generator and said voltage controlled oscillator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
A translation loop according to claim 5 wherein said sweep voltage generator means includes a Schmitt trigger coupled to the output of a Miller integrator, a feedback path coupled from the output of the Schmitt trigger to the input of the Miller integrator, said Miller integrator including an integrating capacitor and an input resistor coupled to said phase detector.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A translation loop according to claim 6 including a passive image filter coupled between said phase detector and said sweep voltage generating means, for rejecting image frequency signals at twice the desired offset frequency.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
172 words
A method of generating, in a closed loop including a mixer, a phase detector, and a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), whose frequency is controlled by a control signal from said phase detector, a substantially single frequency signal from any one of a wide range of possible frequencies, said single frequency signal being in phase-lock relation to a reference frequency singal within one cycle of accuracy comprising the steps of: a. locking the frequency of said VCO to the frequency of said reference frequency, b. subsequentially mixing an offset frequency with the frequency of said VCO, c. comparing the mixed frequency with said reference frequency to provide a control signal for controlling the frequency of said VCO, d. subsequentially changing the frequency of said VCO in response to said control signal to a frequency corresponding to the sum or difference of said reference frequency and said offset frequency, and e. periodically inhibiting the mixing of said offset frequency with the VCO frequency and returning said VCO to the frequency of said reference frequency.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
172 words
A method of generating, in a closed loop including a mixer, a phase detector, and a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), whose frequency is controlled by a control signal from said phase detector, a substantially single frequency signal from any one of a wide range of possible frequencies, said single frequency signal being in phase-lock relation to a reference frequency singal within one cycle of accuracy comprising the steps of: a. locking the frequency of said VCO to the frequency of said reference frequency, b. subsequentially mixing an offset frequency with the frequency of said VCO, c. comparing the mixed frequency with said reference frequency to provide a control signal for controlling the frequency of said VCO, d. subsequentially changing the frequency of said VCO in response to said control signal to a frequency corresponding to the sum or difference of said reference frequency and said offset frequency, and e. periodically inhibiting the mixing of said offset frequency with the VCO frequency and returning said VCO to the frequency of said reference frequency.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-18 | 1977-08-20 | 1978-02-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-18 | 1981-08-20 | 1982-02-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-18 | 1985-08-20 | 1986-02-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |