US6889034B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Antenna coupling systems and methods for transmitters
Assignee: Ericsson Inc
•
Filing: 1999-12-14
•
Granted: 2005-05-03
•
Expires: 2019-12-14
Abstract
Abstract Multiple radio channel frequency signals that are modulated with respective information modulation are transmitted from a common antenna at multiple radio frequencies. Multiple modulators are provided, a respective one of which corresponds to a respective one of the radio channel frequencies. Each modulator generates at least one constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signal at the corresponding radio channel frequency from the respective information modulation, such that the at least one constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signal corresponds to the information modulation for the corresponding radio frequency. At least one saturated power amplifier is provided for each of the at least one constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signals. A respective saturated power amplifier is responsive to the corresponding constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signal, to produce a corresponding amplified output signal at an output thereof. A coupling network connects the outputs of the saturated power amplifiers in series, to produce a combined signal that is applied to the common antenna, such that the common antenna radiates the radio channel frequency signals that are modulated with the respective information modulation. In first embodiments, the at least one constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signal is a single constant envelope modulation drive signal, wherein the information modulation is a constant envelope information modulation. In other embodiments, at least two constant amplitude phase modulated drive signals are provided at the corresponding radio channel frequency, such that the at least two constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signals correspond to the information modulation for the corresponding radio frequency.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Wilkinson Dent
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 13:41
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/02; H04B1/04; H04B1/0458; H01; H01Q; H01Q5/00; H01Q5/50; H03; H03F; H03F1/00; H03F1/02; H03F1/0205; H03F1/0294
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 53
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A transmitter that transits from a common antenna at a plurality of radio frequencies, a plurality of radio channel frequency signals that are modulated with respective information modulation, the transmitter comprising: a plurality of modulators, a respective one of which corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of radio channel frequencies, each modulator generating at least one constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signal at the corresponding radio channel frequency from the respective information modulation such that the at least one constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signal corresponds to the information modulation for the corresponding radio frequency; at least one saturated power amplifier for each of the at least one constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signal that is responsive to the corresponding constant amplitude, phase modulated drive sigal to produce a corresponding amplified output signal at an output thereof; and a coupling network that connects the outputs of the saturated power amplifiers in series to produce a combined signal that is applied to the common antenna, such that the common antenna radiates the plurality of radio channel frequency signals that are modulated with the respective information modulation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
A transmitter that transits from a common antenna at a plurality of radio frequencies, a plurality of radio channel frequency signals that are modulated with respective information modulation, the transmitter comprising: a plurality of modulators, a respective one of which corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of radio channel frequencies, each modulator generating at least one constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signal at the corresponding radio channel frequency from the respective information modulation such that the at least one constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signal corresponds to the information modulation for the corresponding radio frequency; at least one saturated power amplifier for each of the at least one constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signal that is responsive to the corresponding constant amplitude, phase modulated drive sigal to produce a corresponding amplified output signal at an output thereof; and a coupling network that connects the outputs of the saturated power amplifiers in series to produce a combined signal that is applied to the common antenna, such that the common antenna radiates the plurality of radio channel frequency signals that are modulated with the respective information modulation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A transmitter according to claim 1 wherein the at least one constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signal is a single constant envelope modulation drive signal and wherein the information modulation is a constant envelope information modulation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A transmitter according to claim 2 wherein the constant envelope information modulation is at least one of frequency and phase modulation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A transmitter according to claim 2 wherein the information modulation is at least one of analog voice modulation and digital data modulation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A transmitter according to claim 4 wherein the analog voice modulation is analog Frequency Modulation (FM).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A transmitter according to claim 4 wherein the digital data modulation is at least one of Continuous Phase Modulation (CPM) and Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A transmitter according to claim 5 wherein the analog FM conforms to the AMPS cellular radiotelephone standard.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A transmitter according to claim 6 wherein the GMSK digital data modulation conforms to the GSM cellular radiotelephone standard.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
A transmitter according to claim 1 wherein the at least one constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signal is at least two constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signals at the corresponding radio channel frequency, such that the at least two constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signals correspond to the information modulation for the corresponding radio frequency.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A transmitter according to claim 9 wherein the information modulation is at least one of analog voice modulation and digital data modulation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A transmitter according to claim 10 wherein the digital data modulation is at least one of linear 8-Phase Shift Keying (PSK) and π/4 Differential Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (DQPSK).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A transmitter according to claim 11 wherein the DQPSK conforms to at least one of the IS-136 and DAMPS cellular radiotelephone standards.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
A transmitter according to claim 1 wherein the coupling network comprises a plurality of transformers, each having a primary and a secondary, a respective primary being coupled to a respective output of a respective saturated power amplifier, the secondaries being serially coupled to the common antenna.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
A transmitter according to claim 1 wherein the coupling network comprises a plurality of quarter wavelength transmission lines each having first and second ends, a respective first end being coupled to a respective output of a respective saturated power amplifier, the second ends being coupled together to the common antenna.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
54 words
A transmitter according to claim 1 wherein the coupling network comprises a plurality of discrete inductance-capacitance equivalents of quarter wavelength transmission lines each having first and second ends, a respective first end being coupled to a respective output of a respective saturated power amplifier, the second ends being coupled together to the common antenna.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
60 words
A transmitter according to claim 15 wherein the plurality of discrete inductance-capacitance equivalents of quarter wavelength transmission lines each comprises an inductor connected between a respective output of a respective saturated power amplifier and the common antenna, and a capacitor connected to the common antenna, to thereby form a π circuit with the output capacitance of the saturated power amplifiers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
A transmitter according to claim 1 wherein the saturated power amplifiers each include bilateral amplifier devices that draw current from a DC power supply and supply current to the DC power supply during operation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
57 words
A transmitter according to claim 17 wherein the bilateral amplifier devices comprise at least one of field effect transistors that conduct from source to drain and from drain to source, and bipolar transistors including reverse conduction diodes that conduct in a forward direction through the bipolar transistors and in a reverse direction through the reverse conduction diodes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
A transmitter according to claim 1 in combination with the common antenna to provide a radiotelephone base station.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
146 words
A transmitter for transmitting from a common antenna at a plurality of radio frequencies, a plurality of radio channel frequency signals that are modulated with respective information modulation, the transmitter comprising: means for generating at least one constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signal at a corresponding radio channel frequency from the respective information modulation such that the at least one constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signal corresponds to the information modulation for the corresponding radio frequency; means for separately saturably amplifying each of the at least one constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signals to produce a corresponding plurality of amplified output signals; and means for serially coupling the plurality of amplified output signals to produce a combined signal that is applied to the common antenna, such that the common antenna radiates the plurality of radio channel frequency signals that are modulated with the respective information modulation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
146 words
A transmitter for transmitting from a common antenna at a plurality of radio frequencies, a plurality of radio channel frequency signals that are modulated with respective information modulation, the transmitter comprising: means for generating at least one constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signal at a corresponding radio channel frequency from the respective information modulation such that the at least one constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signal corresponds to the information modulation for the corresponding radio frequency; means for separately saturably amplifying each of the at least one constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signals to produce a corresponding plurality of amplified output signals; and means for serially coupling the plurality of amplified output signals to produce a combined signal that is applied to the common antenna, such that the common antenna radiates the plurality of radio channel frequency signals that are modulated with the respective information modulation.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
A transmitter according to claim 20 wherein the at least one constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signal is a single constant envelope modulation drive signal and wherein the information modulation is a constant envelope information modulation.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
A transmitter according to claim 21 wherein the constant envelope information modulation is at least one of frequency and phase modulation.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
A transmitter according to claim 21 wherein the information modulation is at least one of analog voice modulation and digital data modulation.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
A transmitter according to claim 23 wherein the analog voice modulation is analog Frequency Modulation (FM).
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
A transmitter according to claim 23 wherein the digital data modulation is at least one of Continuous Phase Modulation (CPM) and Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK).
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
A transmitter according to claim 24 wherein the analog FM conforms to the AMPS cellular radiotelephone standard.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
A transmitter according to claim 26 wherein the GMSK digital data modulation conforms to the GSM cellular radiotelephone standard.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
55 words
A transmitter according to claim 20 wherein the at least one constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signal is at least two constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signals at the corresponding radio channel frequency, such that the at least two constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signals correspond to the information modulation for the corresponding radio frequency.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
A transmitter according to claim 28 wherein the information modulation is at least one of analog voice modulation and digital data modulation.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
A transmitter according to claim 29 wherein the digital data modulation is at least one of linear 8-Phase Shift Keying (PSK) and π/4 Differential Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (DQPSK).
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
A transmitter according to claim 30 wherein the DQPSK conforms to at least one of the IS-136 and DAMPS cellular radiotelephone standards.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
44 words
A transmitter according to claim 20 wherein the means for serially coupling comprises a plurality of transformers, each having a primary and a secondary, a respective primary being coupled to a respective amplified output sigal, the secondaries being serially coupled to the common antenna.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
47 words
A transmitter according to claim 20 wherein means for serially coupling comprises a plurality of quarter wavelength transmission lines each having first and second ends, a respective first end being coupled to a respective amplified output signal, the second ends being coupled together to the common antenna.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
52 words
A transmitter according to claim 20 wherein the means for serially coupling comprises a plurality of discrete inductance-capacitance equivalents of quarter wavelength transmission lines each having first and second ends, a respective first end being coupled to a respective amplified output signal, the second ends being coupled together to the common antenna.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
57 words
A transmitter according to claim 34 wherein the plurality of discrete inductance-capacitance equivalents of quarter wavelength transmission lines each comprises an inductor connected between a respective amplified output signal and the common antenna, and a capacitor connected to the common antenna, to thereby form a π circuit with the output capacitance of the means for separately amplifying.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
34 words
A transmitter according to claim 20 wherein the means for separately amplifying includes bilateral amplifier devices that draw current from a DC power supply and supply current to the DC power supply during operation.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
57 words
A transmitter according to claim 36 wherein the bilateral amplifier devices comprise at least one of field effect transistors that conduct from source to drain and from drain to source, and bipolar transistors including reverse conduction diodes that conduct in a forward direction through the bipolar transistors and in a reverse direction through the reverse conduction diodes.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
A transmitter according to claim 20 in combination with the common antenna to provide a radiotelephone base station.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
140 words
A method for transmitting from a common antenna at a plurality of radio frequencies, a plurality of radio channel frequency signals that are modulated with respective information modulation, the method comprising: generating at least one constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signal at a corresponding radio channel frequency from the respective information modulation such that the at least one constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signal corresponds to the information modulation for the corresponding radio frequency; separately saturably amplifying each of the at least one constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signals to produce a corresponding plurality of amplified output signals; and serially coupling the plurality of amplified output signals to produce a combined signal that is applied to the common antenna, such that the common antenna radiates the plurality of radio channel frequency signals that are modulated with the respective information modulation.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
140 words
A method for transmitting from a common antenna at a plurality of radio frequencies, a plurality of radio channel frequency signals that are modulated with respective information modulation, the method comprising: generating at least one constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signal at a corresponding radio channel frequency from the respective information modulation such that the at least one constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signal corresponds to the information modulation for the corresponding radio frequency; separately saturably amplifying each of the at least one constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signals to produce a corresponding plurality of amplified output signals; and serially coupling the plurality of amplified output signals to produce a combined signal that is applied to the common antenna, such that the common antenna radiates the plurality of radio channel frequency signals that are modulated with the respective information modulation.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 39 wherein the at least one constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signal is a single constant envelope modulation drive signal and wherein the information modulation is a constant envelope information modulation.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 40 wherein the constant envelope information modulation is at least one of frequency and phase modulation.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 40 wherein the information modulation is at least one of analog voice modulation and digital data modulation.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 42 wherein the analog voice modulation is analog Frequency Modulation (FM).
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 42 wherein the digital data modulation is at least one of Continuous Phase Modulation (CPM) and Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK).
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 43 wherein the analog FM conforms to the AMPS cellular radiotelephone standard.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 44 wherein the GMSK digital data modulation conforms to the GSM cellular radiotelephone standard.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method according to claim 39 wherein the at least one constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signal is at least two constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signals at the corresponding radio channel frequency, such that the at least two constant amplitude, phase modulated drive signals correspond to the information modulation for the corresponding radio frequency.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 47 wherein the information modulation is at least one of analog voice modulation and digital data modulation.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 48 wherein the digital data modulation is at least one of linear 8-Phase Shift Keying (PSK) and π/4 Differential Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (DQPSK).
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 49 wherein the DQPSK conforms to at least one of the IS-136 and DAMPS cellular radiotelephone standards.
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