US5768693A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for controlling frequency of a multi-channel transmitter
Assignee: Telecommunications Equipment Corp
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Filing: 1995-02-28
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Granted: 1998-06-16
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Expires: 2015-02-28
Abstract
Abstract A method an apparatus for controlling frequency of a multi-channel transmitter. A reference frequency is generated and emitted to a thermally stable frequency discriminator. The thermally stable frequency discriminator emits a dc voltage to a plurality of individual oscillators. The individual oscillators in continuous wave mode or modulated by baseband signals are combined into a multi-channel signal at an intermediate range of frequencies. The multi-channel intermediate range of frequencies are preferably amplified and emitted as an output signal. At relatively lower frequencies, such as 4-6 GHz, up-conversion of the output signal is not necessary. At relatively higher frequencies, an up-converter can be used to employ a second thermally stable frequency discriminator.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas T. Y. Wong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 11:28
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03B; H03B21/00; H03J; H03J7/00; H03J7/02; H04; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/02; H04B1/04; H04B1/0483; H04B2001/0491
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A method for controlling frequency of a multi-channel transmitter, including the steps of: generating a reference frequency and emitting the reference frequency to a first thermally stable frequency discriminator; emitting a first dc voltage from the first thermally stable frequency discriminator simultaneously to a plurality of individual oscillators; and combining a plurality of individual signals correspondingly emitted from the individual oscillators into an output signal having a multi-channel intermediate frequency.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
70 words
A method for controlling frequency of a multi-channel transmitter, including the steps of: generating a reference frequency and emitting the reference frequency to a first thermally stable frequency discriminator; emitting a first dc voltage from the first thermally stable frequency discriminator simultaneously to a plurality of individual oscillators; and combining a plurality of individual signals correspondingly emitted from the individual oscillators into an output signal having a multi-channel intermediate frequency.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
In a method according to claim 1 wherein the multi-channel intermediate frequency is amplified and emitted as the output signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
In a method according to claim 1 wherein the output signal is mixed with a control signal emitted at a control frequency from a local oscillator to form a first mixed signal and the first mixed signal is amplified.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
In a method according to claim 1 wherein the individual signals are each at an intermediate frequency less than an output frequency of the output signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
In a method according to claim 1 wherein the individual signals are different from each other and at least one fixed frequency interval is between adjacent said individual signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
In a method according to claim 1 wherein the individual signals are amplified before the individual signals are modulated and combined.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
155 words
A method for controlling frequency of a multi-channel transmitter, including the steps of: generating a reference frequency and emitting the reference frequency to a first thermally stable frequency discriminator; emitting a first dc voltage from the first thermally stable frequency discriminator to a plurality of individual oscillators; combining a plurality of individual signals correspondingly emitted from the individual oscillators into an output signal having a multi-channel intermediate frequency; and mixing the output signal with a control signal emitted at a control frequency from a local oscillator to form a first mixed signal and amplifying the first mixed signal, and mixing a sample of the control signal with a frequency reference signal generated from a stable frequency source to form a second mixed signal, emitting the second mixed signal to a second thermally stable frequency discriminator, and emitting a second dc voltage from the second thermally stable frequency discriminator which is received by the local oscillator.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
155 words
A method for controlling frequency of a multi-channel transmitter, including the steps of: generating a reference frequency and emitting the reference frequency to a first thermally stable frequency discriminator; emitting a first dc voltage from the first thermally stable frequency discriminator to a plurality of individual oscillators; combining a plurality of individual signals correspondingly emitted from the individual oscillators into an output signal having a multi-channel intermediate frequency; and mixing the output signal with a control signal emitted at a control frequency from a local oscillator to form a first mixed signal and amplifying the first mixed signal, and mixing a sample of the control signal with a frequency reference signal generated from a stable frequency source to form a second mixed signal, emitting the second mixed signal to a second thermally stable frequency discriminator, and emitting a second dc voltage from the second thermally stable frequency discriminator which is received by the local oscillator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
In a method according to claim 7 wherein the sample of the control signal is taken from a directional coupler exposed to the control signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
In a method according to claim 7 wherein the second mixed signal is amplified.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
77 words
A frequency controller for a multi-channel transmitter, the frequency controller comprising: a first thermally stable frequency discriminator, first means for generating and emitting a reference frequency to said first thermally stable frequency discriminator; and a plurality of individual oscillators combined to simultaneously receive a discriminator output signal emitted from said first thermally stable frequency discriminator, second means for combining a plurality of individual signals emitted from said oscillators into an output signal having a multi-channel intermediate frequency.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
77 words
A frequency controller for a multi-channel transmitter, the frequency controller comprising: a first thermally stable frequency discriminator, first means for generating and emitting a reference frequency to said first thermally stable frequency discriminator; and a plurality of individual oscillators combined to simultaneously receive a discriminator output signal emitted from said first thermally stable frequency discriminator, second means for combining a plurality of individual signals emitted from said oscillators into an output signal having a multi-channel intermediate frequency.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A frequency controller according to claim 10 further comprising third means for amplifying the multi-channel intermediate frequency to form the output signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
A frequency controller according to claim 10 further comprising: a local oscillator emitting a control signal at a control frequency, and fourth means for mixing said control signal with said output signal and emitting a first mixed signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A frequency controller according to claim 12 further comprising fifth means for amplifying said first mixed signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
A frequency controller according to claim 10 wherein said individual signals are each at an intermediate frequency less than an output frequency of said output signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
A frequency controller according to claim 10 wherein said individual signals are different from each other and at least one fixed frequency interval is between adjacent said individual signals.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
A frequency controller according to claim 10 wherein said individual signals are amplified before said individual signals are combined.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
166 words
A frequency controller for a multi-channel transmitter, the frequency controller comprising: a first thermally stable frequency discriminator, first means for generating and emitting a reference frequency to said first thermally stable frequency discriminator; a plurality of individual oscillators combined to receive a discriminator output signal emitted from said first thermally stable frequency discriminator, second means for combining a plurality of individual signals emitted from said oscillators into an output signal having a multi-channel intermediate frequency; and a local oscillator emitting a control signal at a control frequency, fourth means for mixing said control signal with said output signal and emitting a first mixed signal, a second thermally stable frequency discriminator, a stable frequency source generating a frequency reference signal, fifth means for mixing said control signal with said frequency reference signal to form a second mixed signal and to emit said second signal to said second thermally stable frequency discriminator, and said local oscillator receiving a second voltage emitted from said second thermally stable frequency discriminator.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
166 words
A frequency controller for a multi-channel transmitter, the frequency controller comprising: a first thermally stable frequency discriminator, first means for generating and emitting a reference frequency to said first thermally stable frequency discriminator; a plurality of individual oscillators combined to receive a discriminator output signal emitted from said first thermally stable frequency discriminator, second means for combining a plurality of individual signals emitted from said oscillators into an output signal having a multi-channel intermediate frequency; and a local oscillator emitting a control signal at a control frequency, fourth means for mixing said control signal with said output signal and emitting a first mixed signal, a second thermally stable frequency discriminator, a stable frequency source generating a frequency reference signal, fifth means for mixing said control signal with said frequency reference signal to form a second mixed signal and to emit said second signal to said second thermally stable frequency discriminator, and said local oscillator receiving a second voltage emitted from said second thermally stable frequency discriminator.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
A frequency controller according to claim 17 further comprising a directional coupler exposed to said control signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
A frequency controller according to claim 17 further comprising sixth means for amplifying said second mixed signal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-06-15 | 2001-12-15 | 2002-06-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-15 | 2005-12-15 | 2006-06-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-15 | 2009-12-15 | 2010-06-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |