US4263554A
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US
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Frequency discriminator apparatus
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1978-10-16
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Granted: 1981-04-21
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Expires: 1998-10-16
Abstract
Abstract A frequency discriminator having at least one ferrimagnetic resonator in a band pass or band reject configuration, the frequency of which is swept over a frequency band of interest, a detector receives the filter output, and the timing relationship between the detector output and the swept frequency is compared to generate the discriminator output. The discriminator has a bandwidth variable from a relatively narrow range to a very wide range in which the center frequency is simultaneously tunable over an extremely wide frequency range. The discriminator is insensitive to amplitude variations of the input signal and is capable of demodulating low level signals. The frequency discriminator is particularly useful for microwave frequency applications, for example, as a discriminator in a simple microwave FM receiver.
Inventors
- 👤 William J. Keane
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 00:06
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03D; H03D3/00; H03D9/00; H03D9/02; H03D9/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
Ferrimagnetic frequency discriminator apparatus, comprising ferrimagnetic filter means having an input and an output including magnetizing structure means having a single magnetic gap in which at least one ferrimagnetic resonator element is located, means receiving signals applied to said discriminator apparatus for coupling said signals to said ferrimagnetic filter means input, means coupled to said ferrimagnetic filter means for electronically cyclically sweeping the frequency of said ferrimagnetic filter means through a frequency range at a sample rate at least twice as great as the information rate of signals to be discriminated, detector means having an input and an output, for detecting signals at the output of said ferrimagnetic filter means, means for connecting the output of said ferrimagnetic means to the input of said detector means, and means coupled to said sweeping means and to the output of said detector means for comparing the timing relationship of said sweeping means and said detector output to generate a discriminator output wherein the discriminator output amplitude versus input signal frequency characteristic is substantially linear.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
Ferrimagnetic frequency discriminator apparatus, comprising ferrimagnetic filter means having an input and an output including magnetizing structure means having a single magnetic gap in which at least one ferrimagnetic resonator element is located, means receiving signals applied to said discriminator apparatus for coupling said signals to said ferrimagnetic filter means input, means coupled to said ferrimagnetic filter means for electronically cyclically sweeping the frequency of said ferrimagnetic filter means through a frequency range at a sample rate at least twice as great as the information rate of signals to be discriminated, detector means having an input and an output, for detecting signals at the output of said ferrimagnetic filter means, means for connecting the output of said ferrimagnetic means to the input of said detector means, and means coupled to said sweeping means and to the output of said detector means for comparing the timing relationship of said sweeping means and said detector output to generate a discriminator output wherein the discriminator output amplitude versus input signal frequency characteristic is substantially linear.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said at least one ferrimagnetic resonator element is in a band pass filter configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said at least one ferrimagnetic resonator element is in a band reject filter configuration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The combination of claims 2 or 3 wherein said means for sweeping the frequency of said ferrimagnetic filter means comprises means for applying a cyclical magnetic field to said at least one ferrimagnetic resonator element, the frequency of said ferrimagnetic filter means being substantially directly proportional to said magnetic field.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein said means for applying a cyclical magnetic field includes an electromagnet coil located in said magnetizing structure means magnetic gap.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein said electromagnet coil is an air coil.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination of claims 2 or 3 wherein said magnetizing structure means includes a permanent magnet for biasing said at least one ferrimagnetic resonator element to establish a quiescent ferrimagnetic filter means frequency.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein said magnetizing structure means includes a permanent magnet for biasing said at least one ferrimagnetic resonator element to establish a quiescent ferrimagnetic filter means frequency.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination of claims 2 or 3 wherein said magnetizing structure means includes electromagnetic means for biasing said at least one ferrimagnetic resonator element to establish a quiescent ferrimagnetic filter means frequency.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein said magnetizing structure means includes electromagnetic means for biasing said at least one ferrimagnetic resonator element to establish a quiescent ferrimagnetic filter means frequency.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 9 wherein said electromagnetic means generates a variable magnetic field to establish a variable quiescent ferrimagnetic filter means frequency.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 10 wherein said electromagnetic means generates a variable magnetic field to establish a variable quiescent ferrimagnetic filter means frequency.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claims 2 or 3 wherein the width of the frequency range through which the ferrimagnetic filter means is swept is variable.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein the width of the frequency range through which the ferrimagnetic filter means is swept is variable.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 11 wherein the width of the frequency range through which the ferrimagnetic filter means is swept is variable.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein said cyclical magnetic field is varied in accordance with a triangular waveform.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of claims 2 or 3 wherein said magnetizing structure means has only one ferrimagnetic resonator element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claims 2 or 3 wherein said magnetizing structure means has more than one ferrimagnetic resonator element.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination of claims 2 or 3 wherein said timing relationship comparison means comprises means for comparing the phase of said sweeping means to the output of said detector means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claims 2 or 3 wherein said timing relationship comparison means comprises means referenced to said sweeping means for comparing said detector means outputs.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
173 words
Microwave frequency modulation receiver apparatus, comprising ferrimagnetic filter means having an input and an output including magnetizing structure means having a single magnetic gap in which at least one ferrimagnetic resonator element is located, means receiving microwave signals applied to said discriminator apparatus for coupling said signals to said ferrimagnetic filter means input, means coupled to said ferrimagnetic filter means for electronically cyclically sweeping the frequency of said ferrimagnetic filter means through a frequency range at a sample rate at least twice as great as the modulation rate of signals to be discriminated, detector means having an input and an output, for detecting signals at the output of said ferrimagnetic filter means, means for connecting the output of said ferrimagnetic means to the input of said detector means, means coupled to said sweeping means and to the output of said detector means for comparing the timing relationship of said sweeping means and said detector output to generate a discriminator output wherein the discriminator output amplitude versus input signal frequency characteristic is substantially linear.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
173 words
Microwave frequency modulation receiver apparatus, comprising ferrimagnetic filter means having an input and an output including magnetizing structure means having a single magnetic gap in which at least one ferrimagnetic resonator element is located, means receiving microwave signals applied to said discriminator apparatus for coupling said signals to said ferrimagnetic filter means input, means coupled to said ferrimagnetic filter means for electronically cyclically sweeping the frequency of said ferrimagnetic filter means through a frequency range at a sample rate at least twice as great as the modulation rate of signals to be discriminated, detector means having an input and an output, for detecting signals at the output of said ferrimagnetic filter means, means for connecting the output of said ferrimagnetic means to the input of said detector means, means coupled to said sweeping means and to the output of said detector means for comparing the timing relationship of said sweeping means and said detector output to generate a discriminator output wherein the discriminator output amplitude versus input signal frequency characteristic is substantially linear.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 21 further comprising audio amplifier means receiving the discriminator output, and loudspeaker means receiving the amplified discriminator output.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of claims 21 or 22 wherein said means for applying received microwave signals includes antenna means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination of claim 21 wherein said at least one ferrimagnetic resonator element is in a band pass filter configuration.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination of claim 21 wherein said at least one ferrimagnetic resonator element is in a band reject filter configuration.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination of claims 24 or 25 wherein said magnetizing structure means includes a permanent magnet.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
50 words
The combination of claims 24 or 25 wherein said means for sweeping the frequency of said ferrimagnetic filter means comprises means for applying a cyclical magnetic field to said at least one ferrimagnetic resonator element, the frequency of said ferrimagnetic filter means being substantially directly proportional to said magnetic field.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 27 wherein said means for applying a cyclical magnetic field includes an electromagnet coil located in said magnetizing structure means magnetic gap.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination of claims 24 or 25 wherein said timing relationship comparison means comprises means for comparing the phase of said sweeping means to the output of said detector means.
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) | 1984-04-20 | 1984-10-20 | 1985-04-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-04-20 | 1988-10-20 | 1989-04-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-04-20 | 1992-10-20 | 1993-04-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |