Patent US6144846A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6144846A
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Frequency translation circuit and method of translating
Assignee: North Star Innovations Inc
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Filing: 1997-12-31
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Granted: 2000-11-07
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Expires: 2017-12-31
Abstract
Abstract A frequency translation circuit (10) translates an incoming reference signal (RFIN) to a lower frequency using a compound mixer circuit (42). The compound mixer circuit (42) has a first mixer circuit (14A) that receives both the incoming reference signal (RFIN) and a signal generated by a first counter (28A). A second mixer circuit (14X) of the compound mixer circuit (42) receives a signal generated by a second counter (28X) and further translates the signal received from the first mixer circuit (14A) to a lower frequency. Both the first mixer circuit (14A) and the second mixer circuit (14X) generate output signals having a carrier frequency that is lower in frequency by the difference of the two input signals.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey C. Durec
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 07:10
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/06; H04B1/16; H04B1/26; H04B1/28; H03; H03D; H03D7/00; H03D7/14; H03D7/1425; H03D7/1433; H03D7/1441; H03D7/1458; H03D7/1475; H03D7/16; H03D7/161; H03D7/163; H03D7/165; H03D2200/00; H03D2200/0001; H03D2200/0033
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A frequency translation circuit, comprising: a first mixer circuit having a first input coupled for receiving a first signal and a second input coupled for receiving a second signal; a second mixer circuit having a first input coupled to an output of the first mixer circuit and a second input; and a counter having a first terminal coupled to the second input of the first mixer circuit and a second terminal coupled to the second input of the second mixer circuit to provide signals at the second inputs of the first and second mixer circuits having frequencies different from one another.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
A frequency translation circuit, comprising: a first mixer circuit having a first input coupled for receiving a first signal and a second input coupled for receiving a second signal; a second mixer circuit having a first input coupled to an output of the first mixer circuit and a second input; and a counter having a first terminal coupled to the second input of the first mixer circuit and a second terminal coupled to the second input of the second mixer circuit to provide signals at the second inputs of the first and second mixer circuits having frequencies different from one another.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The frequency translation circuit of claim 1, further comprising a phase shifter having an input coupled to an output of the counter and an output coupled to the second input of the first mixer circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The frequency translation circuit of claim 1, further comprising a phase shifter having an input coupled to an output of the counter and an output coupled to the second input of the second mixer circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
129 words
A compound mixer circuit for translating a frequency, comprising: a first mixer circuit having first and second input terminals and an output terminal; a first counter having an input coupled for receiving an input signal; a first phase shift circuit having an input coupled to an output of the first counter and an output terminal coupled to the second input terminal of the first mixer circuit; a second mixer circuit having a first input terminal coupled to the output terminal of the first mixer circuit; a second counter having an input coupled for receiving the input signal; and a second phase shift circuit having an input coupled to an output of the second counter and an output terminal coupled to a second input terminal of the second mixer circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
129 words
A compound mixer circuit for translating a frequency, comprising: a first mixer circuit having first and second input terminals and an output terminal; a first counter having an input coupled for receiving an input signal; a first phase shift circuit having an input coupled to an output of the first counter and an output terminal coupled to the second input terminal of the first mixer circuit; a second mixer circuit having a first input terminal coupled to the output terminal of the first mixer circuit; a second counter having an input coupled for receiving the input signal; and a second phase shift circuit having an input coupled to an output of the second counter and an output terminal coupled to a second input terminal of the second mixer circuit.
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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) | 2003-11-07 | 2004-05-08 | 2004-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-11-07 | 2008-05-08 | 2008-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-11-07 | 2012-05-08 | 2012-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |