Vector modulation signal generator

Claim 2

A signal generator comprising: means for receiving an input signal indicating a desired output frequency within a broad range of possible output frequencies; means for providing a first signal; means for vector modulating said first signal; means for providing a second signal having a desired frequency with a broad range of possible frequencies, said second signal frequency being determined in response to said input signal indicating a desired output frequency; and means for mixing said vector modulated first signal and said second signal, providing a vector modulated output signal having said desired output frequency.

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 for selecting either said digital signals or said analog signals for application to said means for vector modulating.

Claim 4

A signal generator comprising: means for providing a first signal; means for vector modulating said first signal; means for providing a second signal having a desired frequency within a range of possible frequencies; means for mixing said vector modulated first signal and said second signal, providing a vector modulated output signal having an output frequency within a range of possible output frequencies; 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 for selecting either said digital signals or said analog signals for application to said means for vector modulating.

Claim 5

A signal generator comprising: means for providing a first signal; means for vector modulating said first signal; means for providing a second signal having a desired frequency within a range of possible frequencies; means for mixing said vector modulated first signal and said second signal, providing a vector modulated output signal having an output frequency within a range of possible output frequencies; 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 for selecting either said digital signals or said analog signals for application to said means for vector modulating.

Claim 6

A signal generator as in claims 2 or 3 which further comprises means for controlling the gain of said analog signal, thereby controlling the level of modulation of said output signal.

Claim 7

A signal generator as in claim 4 wherein said means for controlling the gain operates in response to an analysis of said output signal.

Claim 8

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

Claim 9

A signal generator comprising: means for providing a first signal; means for vector modulating said first signal; means for providing a second signal having a desired frequency within a range of possible frequencies; means for mixing said vector modulated first signal and said second signal, providing a vector modulated output signal having an output frequency within a range of possible output frequencies; and means for controlling carrier leakage of said output signal.

Claim 10

A signal generator comprising: means for providing a first signal; means for vector modulating said first signal; means for providing a second signal having a desired frequency within a range of possible frequencies; means for mixing said vector modulated first signal and said second signal, providing a vector modulated output signal having an output frequency within a range of possible output frequencies; and means for controlling carrier leakage of said output signal.

Claim 11

A signal generator as in claims 6 or 7 wherein said means for controlling carrier leakage comprises means for adding a DC level to said analog signal.

Claim 12

A signal generator as in claims 6 or 7 wherein said means for controlling carrier leakage operates in response to an analysis of said output signal.

Claim 13

A signal generator as in claim 8 wherein said means for controlling carrier leakage operates in response to an analysis of said output signal.

Claim 14

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

Claim 15

A signal generator comprising: means for providing a first signal; means for vector modulating said first signal; means for providing a second signal having a desired frequency within a range of possible frequencies; means for mixing said vector modulated first signal and said second signal, providing a vector modulated output signal having an output frequency within a range of possible output frequencies; and means for adjusting the phase of the vector components of said output signal.

Claim 16

A signal generator comprising: means for providing a first signal; means for vector modulating said first signal; means for providing a second signal having a desired frequency within a range of possible frequencies; means for mixing said vector modulated first signal and said second signal, providing a vector modulated output signal having an output frequency within a range of possible output frequencies; and means for adjusting the phase of the vector components of said output signal.

Claim 17

A signal generator as in claims 11 or 12 wherein said means for adjusting the phase operates in response to an analysis of said output signal.

Claim 18

An IQ modulator comprising: an input port for receiving an input carrier signal; an 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 19

An IQ modulator comprising: an input port for receiving an input carrier signal; an 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 20

An IQ modulator as in claim 14 wherein said phase splitter means comprises a 90° hybrid.

Claim 21

An IQ modulator as in claim 14 wherein said I phase adjustment means and said Q phase adjustment means each comprise phase shifters.

Claim 22

An IQ modulator as in claim 14 wherein said I modulation data gain adjustment means and said Q modulation data gain adjustment means each comprise adjustable attenuators.

Claim 23

An IQ modulator as in claim 14 wherein said I carrier leakage adjustment means and said Q carrier leakage adjustment means each comprise a digital to analog converter.

Claim 24

An IQ modulator as in claim 14 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 25

An IQ modulator as in claim 14 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 an isolator connected between said Q modulation means and said means for combining.