US4129832A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and means for linearizing a voltage controlled oscillator sweep generator
Assignee: Harris Corp
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Filing: 1977-06-20
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Granted: 1978-12-12
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Expires: 1997-06-20
Abstract
Abstract A method of linearizing a voltage controlled oscillator wherein a control signal is shaped into ramp form by a memory and transmitted to the control input terminal of a voltage controlled oscillator to be linearized thereby causing the oscillator to generate a chirp. Nonlinearities in the chirp are detected and the memory reprogrammed so as to diminish detected nonlinearities by reshaping the ramp control signal. A system for linearizing a voltage controlled oscillator is also disclosed having a random access digital control memory coupled with the voltage control terminal of a voltage controlled oscillator to be linearized, a power divider coupled with the output terminal of the oscillator, a mixer coupled with the power divider by two conductive lines of differing time delays, and an x-y axis signal display coupled with the mixer, whereby the memory may be programmed to input a ramp control signal to the oscillator and difference frequency signal detected in the chirp output signal generated by the oscillator and compared with a reference frequency signal on the display to detect nonlinearities in the chirp which may be substantially reduced by reprogramming of the control memory.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary W. Neal
- 👤 Robert M. Montgomery
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:58
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03B; H03B23/00; H03B2200/00; H03B2200/006; H03B2200/0092
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of linearizing a voltage controlled oscillator comprising the steps of: (a) programming a digital memory to generate a ramp signal; (b) generating and applying the programmed ramp signal to the control input of a voltage-controlled oscillator by transmitting the ramp signal from the memory in digital form, converting to analog form, and amplifying prior to input into the voltage-controlled oscillator thereby causing the oscillator to generate a chirp output signal; (c) converting the oscillator chirp output signal to a difference frequency signal indicative of frequency differences of the oscillator chirp output signal during time intervals of fixed durations; and (d) comparing the oscillator difference frequency signal with a reference frequency signal to provide data for reprogramming the memory to bring the oscillator difference frequency signal into closer conformity with the reference frequency signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of linearizing a voltage controlled oscillator comprising the steps of: (a) programming a digital memory to generate a ramp signal; (b) generating and applying the programmed ramp signal to the control input of a voltage-controlled oscillator by transmitting the ramp signal from the memory in digital form, converting to analog form, and amplifying prior to input into the voltage-controlled oscillator thereby causing the oscillator to generate a chirp output signal; (c) converting the oscillator chirp output signal to a difference frequency signal indicative of frequency differences of the oscillator chirp output signal during time intervals of fixed durations; and (d) comparing the oscillator difference frequency signal with a reference frequency signal to provide data for reprogramming the memory to bring the oscillator difference frequency signal into closer conformity with the reference frequency signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method of linearizing a voltage-controlled oscillator in accordance with claim 1 wherein step (b) the programmed ramp signal in analog form is integrated prior to input into the voltage-controlled oscillator.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of linearizing a voltage-controlled oscillator comprising the steps of: (a) programming a memory to generate a ramp signal; (b) generating and applying the programmed ramp signal to the control input of a voltage-controlled oscillator thereby causing the oscillator to generate a chirp output signal; (c) converting the oscillator chirp output signal to a difference frequency signal indicative of frequency differences of the oscillator chirp output signal during time intervals of fixed durations; (d) comparing the oscillator difference frequency signal with a reference frequency signal by displaying the signals in superimposition; and (e) reprogramming the memory to bring the oscillator difference frequency signal into closer conformity with the reference frequency signal.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of linearizing a voltage-controlled oscillator comprising the steps of: (a) programming a memory to generate a ramp signal; (b) generating and applying the programmed ramp signal to the control input of a voltage-controlled oscillator thereby causing the oscillator to generate a chirp output signal; (c) converting the oscillator chirp output signal to a difference frequency signal indicative of frequency differences of the oscillator chirp output signal during time intervals of fixed durations; (d) comparing the oscillator difference frequency signal with a reference frequency signal by displaying the signals in superimposition; and (e) reprogramming the memory to bring the oscillator difference frequency signal into closer conformity with the reference frequency signal.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of linearizing a voltage-controlled oscillator wherein a control signal is shaped into ramp form by a random access digital memory, converted to analog form, integrated and transmitted to the control input terminal of a voltage-controlled oscillator to be linearized whereby the control signal received at the oscillator control input terminal is of continuously increasing voltage in time and thereby causing the oscillator to generate a chirp; nonlinearities in the chirp are detected; and the memory is reprogrammed so as to diminish the detected non-linearities by reshaping the ramp control signal.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of linearizing a voltage-controlled oscillator wherein a control signal is shaped into ramp form by a random access digital memory, converted to analog form, integrated and transmitted to the control input terminal of a voltage-controlled oscillator to be linearized whereby the control signal received at the oscillator control input terminal is of continuously increasing voltage in time and thereby causing the oscillator to generate a chirp; nonlinearities in the chirp are detected; and the memory is reprogrammed so as to diminish the detected non-linearities by reshaping the ramp control signal.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of linearizing a voltage-controlled oscillator wherein a control signal is shaped into ramp form by a memory and transmitted to the control input terminal of a voltage-controlled oscillator to be linearized thereby causing the oscillator to generate a chirp; nonlinearities in the chirp are detected by directing a laser beam through an acousto-optic beam deflector driven by oscillator chirps, through an acoustic-travelling wave lens driven on alternate oscillator chirps, and onto a photodetector electrically coupled with a x-y axis display screen; and the memory is reprogrammed so as to diminish the detected nonlinearities by reshaping the ramp control signal.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of linearizing a voltage-controlled oscillator wherein a control signal is shaped into ramp form by a memory and transmitted to the control input terminal of a voltage-controlled oscillator to be linearized thereby causing the oscillator to generate a chirp; nonlinearities in the chirp are detected by directing a laser beam through an acousto-optic beam deflector driven by oscillator chirps, through an acoustic-travelling wave lens driven on alternate oscillator chirps, and onto a photodetector electrically coupled with a x-y axis display screen; and the memory is reprogrammed so as to diminish the detected nonlinearities by reshaping the ramp control signal.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
125 words
A system for linearizing a voltage-controlled oscillator comprising, in combination, a random access digital control memory coupled with the voltage control terminal of a voltage-controlled oscillator to be linearized, a power divider coupled with the output terminal of the voltage-controlled oscillator, a mixer coupled with said power divider by two conductive lines of mutually different time delay, and an x-y axis signal display coupled with said mixer, whereby the memory may be programmed to input a ramp control signal to the oscillator and a difference frequency signal is produced from the chirp output signal generated by the oscillator and compared with a reference frequency signal on the display to detect nonlinearities in the chirp which may be substantially reduced by reprogramming of the control memory.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
125 words
A system for linearizing a voltage-controlled oscillator comprising, in combination, a random access digital control memory coupled with the voltage control terminal of a voltage-controlled oscillator to be linearized, a power divider coupled with the output terminal of the voltage-controlled oscillator, a mixer coupled with said power divider by two conductive lines of mutually different time delay, and an x-y axis signal display coupled with said mixer, whereby the memory may be programmed to input a ramp control signal to the oscillator and a difference frequency signal is produced from the chirp output signal generated by the oscillator and compared with a reference frequency signal on the display to detect nonlinearities in the chirp which may be substantially reduced by reprogramming of the control memory.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system for linearizing a voltage-controlled oscillator in accordance with claim 6 wherein said random access digital memory is coupled with the voltage-controlled oscillator serially through an analog-to-digital converter and an integrator.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system for linearizing a voltage-controlled oscillator in accordance with claim 6 wherein said random access digital memory is coupled with the voltage-controlled oscillator through an integrator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system for linearizing a voltage-controlled oscillator in accordance with claim 6 wherein said x-y axis signal display is an oscilloscope.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3764933A
Cited
US4038612A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-12-11 | 1982-06-12 | 1982-12-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-12-11 | 1986-06-12 | 1986-12-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-12-11 | 1990-06-12 | 1990-12-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |