Wideband radio-frequency broadcast recorder and radio testing system

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 wherein said RF broadcast signals are derived from a plurality of antennas on said vehicle and wherein signals from each antenna are distinctly recorded on said recording media.

Claim 4

Radio testing apparatus for recording and reproducing radio-frequency signals in a broadcast band comprising: input means adapted to be coupled to a moving receiving antenna for receiving antenna signals in a first range of radio frequencies within said broadcast band; first frequency conversion means coupled to said input means for mixing said antenna signals with a first mixing signal to generate frequency-shifted signals in a second range of frequencies; recording means coupled to said first frequency conversion means for recording said frequency-shifted signals when in a record mode and for reproducing said frequency-shifted signals when in a playback mode; and second frequency conversion means coupled to said recording means for mixing reproduced frequency-shifted signals with a second mixing signal to generate antenna signals in any selected portion of said broadcast band for use in a stationary location for radio testing.

Claim 5

Radio testing apparatus for recording and reproducing radio-frequency signals in a broadcast band comprising: input means adapted to be coupled to a moving receiving antenna for receiving antenna signals in a first range of radio frequencies within said broadcast band; first frequency conversion means coupled to said input means for mixing said antenna signals with a first mixing signal to generate frequency-shifted signals in a second range of frequencies; recording means coupled to said first frequency conversion means for recording said frequency-shifted signals when in a record mode and for reproducing said frequency-shifted signals when in a playback mode; and second frequency conversion means coupled to said recording means for mixing reproduced frequency-shifted signals with a second mixing signal to generate antenna signals in any selected portion of said broadcast band for use in a stationary location for radio testing.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said second mixing signal frequency-shifts said reproduced signals such that said reproduced antenna signals are in a portion of said broadcast band other than the portion in which they were originally received by said antenna.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said recording means is comprised of a video cassette recorder including frequency modulating circuits coupled to a recording head through an equalizing amplifier, said apparatus further comprising: bypass means connecting said first frequency conversion means to said recording means by bypassing said frequency modulating circuits and providing a bias signal to said equalizing amplifier.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said bypass means comprises: a buffer amplifier receiving said frequency-shifted signals; a bias signal generator generating a bias signal having a frequency outside said second range of frequencies; and summing means for providing the sum of the output of said buffer amplifier and said bias signal to said equalizing amplifier.

Claim 9

Apparatus for recording and reproducing radio-frequency signals in a broadcast band comprising: input means adapted to be coupled to a pair of diversity antennas for receiving antenna signals in a first range of radio frequencies within said broadcast band; first frequency conversion means coupled to said input means to receive antenna signals from one of said antennas for mixing said antenna signals with a first mixing signal to generate first frequency-shifted signals in a second range of frequencies; second frequency conversion means coupled to said input means to receive antenna signals from he other of said antennas for mixing said antenna signals with a second mixing signal to generate second frequency-shifted signals in a third range of frequencies; tape means coupled to said first and second frequency conversion means for recording said frequency-shifted signals when in a record mode and for reproducing said frequency-shifted signals when in a playback mode; third frequency conversion means coupled to said tape means of mixing reproduced frequency-shifted signals in said second range of frequencies with a third mixing signal to recover said antenna signals corresponding to said one antenna; and fourth frequency conversion means coupled to said tape means for mixing reproduced frequency-shifted signals in said third range of frequencies with a fourth mixing signal to recover said antenna signals corresponding to said other antenna.

Claim 10

Apparatus for recording and reproducing radio-frequency signals in a broadcast band comprising: input means adapted to be coupled to a pair of diversity antennas for receiving antenna signals in a first range of radio frequencies within said broadcast band; first frequency conversion means coupled to said input means to receive antenna signals from one of said antennas for mixing said antenna signals with a first mixing signal to generate first frequency-shifted signals in a second range of frequencies; second frequency conversion means coupled to said input means to receive antenna signals from he other of said antennas for mixing said antenna signals with a second mixing signal to generate second frequency-shifted signals in a third range of frequencies; tape means coupled to said first and second frequency conversion means for recording said frequency-shifted signals when in a record mode and for reproducing said frequency-shifted signals when in a playback mode; third frequency conversion means coupled to said tape means of mixing reproduced frequency-shifted signals in said second range of frequencies with a third mixing signal to recover said antenna signals corresponding to said one antenna; and fourth frequency conversion means coupled to said tape means for mixing reproduced frequency-shifted signals in said third range of frequencies with a fourth mixing signal to recover said antenna signals corresponding to said other antenna.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising: first filter means coupled between said first frequency conversion means and said tape means for attenuating frequencies outside said second range of frequencies; second filter means coupled between said second frequency conversion means and said tape means for attenuating frequencies outside said third range of frequencies; third filter means coupled between said tape means and said third frequency conversion means for attenuating frequencies outside said second range of frequencies; and fourth filter means coupled between said tape means and said fourth frequency conversion means for attenuating frequencies outside said third range of frequencies.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a summing amplifier coupling said first filter means and said second filter means to said tape means.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said tape means is comprised of a video cassette recorder including frequency modulating circuits coupled to a recording head through an equalizing amplifier, said apparatus further comprising: bypass means connecting said summing amplifier to said tape means for bypassing said frequency modulating circuits and providing a bias signal to said equalizing amplifier.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said bypass means comprises: a buffer amplifier receiving said frequency-shifted signals; a bias signal generator generating a bias signal having a frequency outside said second and said third range of frequencies; and summing means for providing the sum of the output of said buffer amplifier and said bias signal to said equalizing amplifier.

Claim 17

The method of claim 12 wherein said antenna signals include signals transmitted by a plurality of broadcast stations and signals at frequencies between said broadcast stations.

Claim 18

The method of claim 12 wherein said radio receiver is a diversity reception system, said method further comprising the steps of: simultaneously receiving said antenna signals with a second diversity antenna; converting said antenna signals from said second diversity antenna to a second frequency-shifted signal including a third frequency; recording said second frequency-shifted signal using said recording device; reproducing said second frequency-shifted signal; converting said second frequency-shifted signal back to said antenna signals including said first frequency; and applying said antenna signals corresponding to said second antenna to a diversity input of said radio receiver.