Abstract: A receiver (10) for a wireless telecommunications system that provides relatively wideband signal processing of received signals without increased signal distortion so that multiple received signals can be simultaneously processed. The receiver (10) includes a specialized LNA (16), frequency down-converter (18) and ADC (20) to perform the wideband signal processing while maintaining receiver performance. The frequency down-converter (18) employs a suitable mixer (28), BPA (32), attenuator (34), and transformer (36) that are tuned to provide the desired frequency down-conversion and amplitude control over the desired wideband. The down-converter devices are selected depending on the particular performance criteria of the ADC (20). A specialized digital channelizer (22) is included in the receiver (10) that receives the digital signal from the ADC (20), and separates the signals into the multiple channels.

Abstract: A receiver (10) for a wireless telecommunications system that provides relatively wideband signal processing of received signals without increased signal distortion so that multiple received signals can be simultaneously processed. The receiver (10) includes a specialized LNA (16), frequency down-converter (18) and ADC (20) to perform the wideband signal processing while maintaining receiver performance. A specialized digital channelizer (22) is included in the receiver (10) that receives the digital signal from the ADC (20), and separates the signals into the multiple channels. In one embodiment, the frequency down-conversion is performed in a single down-conversion process, and the ADC (20) employs delta-sigma processing to provide digital conversion over the complete frequency band.

Abstract: A receiver (10) for a wireless telecommunications system that provides relatively wideband signal processing of received signals without increased signal distortion so that multiple received signals can be simultaneously processed. The receiver (10) includes a specialized LNA (16), frequency down-converter (18) and ADC (20) to perform the wideband signal processing while maintaining receiver performance. The frequency down-converter (18) employs a suitable mixer (28), BPA (32), attenuator (34), and transformer (36) that are tuned to provide the desired frequency down-conversion and amplitude control over the desired wideband. The down-converter devices are selected depending on the particular performance criteria of the ADC (20). A specialized digital channelizer (22) is included in the receiver (10) that receives the digital signal from the ADC (20), and separates the signals into the multiple channels.

Abstract: A frequency scalable, low self-generated noise frequency source generates coherent or mostly-coherent local oscillator signals and includes a common reference, a coherent set of high frequency references and specific local oscillators which may be non-coherent for each specific output frequency. Delay lines may be included in the paths to ensure time delay alignment. The use of these elements with this modular design allows the generation of multiple coherent local oscillators via replication of the modular design elements.

Abstract: Fast switching and fast settling is achieved in a phase locked loop (“PLL”) containing a bandwidth switched active loop filter (8) by feeding the phase error signal of the phase detector (1) of the PLL to the non-inverting input of the amplifier (7) within the loop filter and having the electronic switch (17) control the loop filter bandwidth through changing the resistance (9, 11) to ground at the inverting input of the amplifier between a high and low value associated respectively with broad bandwidth and narrow bandwidth to the loop filter. Switching is possible in as little as one microsecond, and is accompanied by fast settling of the loop with minimal generation of phase/frequency perturbation. The foregoing PLL is of particular benefit in fast switching frequency synthesizers, such as used in frequency hopping frequency synthesizers of frequency and time division multiplexing systems.

Abstract: A frequency down-converter (18) for a receiver (10) in a wireless telecommunications system. The down-converter (18) is capable of simultaneously processing a plurality of signal channels without increased signal distortion over a relatively wide bandwidth. The frequency down-converter (18) employs a suitable mixer (28), bandpass filter (32), attenuator (34) and transformer (36) that are tuned to provide the desired frequency down-conversion and amplitude control over the desired wideband width. In one embodiment, the bandpass filter passes a frequency band at 25 MHz or above. The frequency down-converter (18) generates the IF signal in a single step down-conversion process, or generates the IF signal and then a baseband signal in a two step down-conversion process.

Abstract: Reflow soldering of a variety of circuit boards (9, 11, 15) in a variety of sizes and shapes to assigned locations on the base or carrier (13) of the electronic module housing (3) is simplified by eliminating custom made metal blocks previously used to clamp the circuit boards against the carrier metal. Instead, the solder-backed circuit boards are placed in assigned positions in the module housing and the inside volume of that housing is filled (22) with particulate, such as small beads (17), covering the circuit boards, but leaving the edges of the upstanding metal shields (5 and 7) visible. A plate (21) backed foam sheet (19) is placed over the module housing (24) and clamped down (26), pressing against the beads. The clamped assembly is then heated (28) to reflow the solder, soldering the circuit boards in place.

Abstract: A receiver (10) for a wireless telecommunications system that provides relatively wideband signal processing of received signals without increased signal distortion so that multiple received signals can be simultaneously processed. The receiver (10) includes a specialized LNA (16), frequency down-converter (18) and ADC (20) to perform the wideband signal processing while maintaining receiver performance. The frequency down-converter (18) employs a suitable mixer (28), BPA (32), attenuator (34), and transformer (36) that are tuned to provide the desired frequency down-conversion and amplitude control over the desired wideband. The down-converter devices are selected depending on the particular performance criteria of the ADC (20). A specialized digital channelizer (22) is included in the receiver (10) that receives the digital signal from the ADC (20), and separates the signals into the multiple channels.

Abstract: A multiple access communications system includes a communications unit, such as satellite or a mobile link base station, and an antenna disposed thereon. The antenna has the capability to direct an antenna beam at a selected user on a packet by packet basis thereby reducing the latency, buffering, and non-uniform gain distribution associated with conventional transmission systems.

Abstract: Reflow soldering of a variety of circuit boards (9, 11, 15) in a variety of sizes and shapes to assigned locations on the base or carrier (13) of the electronic module housing (3) is simplified by eliminating custom made metal blocks previously used to clamp the circuit boards against the carrier metal. Instead, the solder-backed circuit boards are placed in assigned positions in the module housing and the inside volume of that housing is filled (22) with particulate, such as small beads (17), covering the circuit boards, but leaving the edges of the upstanding metal shields (5 and 7) visible. A plate (21) backed foam sheet (19) is placed over the module housing (24) and clamped down (26), pressing against the beads. The clamped assembly is then heated (28) to reflow the solder, soldering the circuit boards in place.

Abstract: A nonlinear transmission-line waveform generator for generating a comb of frequencies and relatively short duration pulses, for example, in the range of picoseconds and tens of picoseconds, that are adapted to being utilized with ultra wideband radios in order to improve the bandwidth of such radios by an order of magnitude, for example, up to tens and even hundreds of GHz. In particular, the nonlinear transmission line waveform generator in accordance with the present invention consists of a microstrip or coplanar waveguide line. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the &Dgr;C/&Dgr;V characteristic of the nonlinear transmission line is matched to the frequency and amplitude of the input sinusoidal waveform.

Abstract: A power control system for a multi-carrier base station transmitter is capable of controlling power levels of individual RF carriers. The power control system has a multi-channel amplification system for converting a plurality of analog input signals into a plurality of amplified carrier signals. The amplification system also generates a plurality of reference signals corresponding to the amplified carrier signals. Furthermore, the amplification system generates a multi-carrier signal, where the multi-carrier signal includes a summation of the amplified carrier signals. A correlating power detection system is connected to the amplification system, where the correlating power detection system generates total power control signals based on the reference signals and the multi-carrier signal.

Abstract: A receiver (10) for a wireless telecommunications system that provides relatively wideband signal processing of received signals without increased signal distortion so that multiple received signals can be simultaneously processed. The receiver (10) includes a specialized LNA (16), frequency down-converter (18) and ADC (20) to perform the wideband signal processing while maintaining receiver performance. The frequency down-converter (18) employs a suitable mixer (28), BPA (32), attenuator (34), and transformer (36) that are tuned to provide the desired frequency down-conversion and amplitude control over the desired wideband. The down-converter devices are selected depending on the particular performance criteria of the ADC (20). A specialized digital channelizer (22) is included in the receiver (10) that receives the digital signal from the ADC (20), and separates the signals into the multiple channels.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting a digital input signal to an analog signal for transmission. The input signal can include more than one carrier signal. A plurality of delta-sigma modulation loop circuits are connected in an increasing order of operating frequency so as to reduce a word length of the input signal. A tuning circuit adjusts the signal frequency to a transmitting frequency for conversion to analog by a digital-to-analog converter. A first loop circuit is implemented using CMOS gates, and a second loop circuit and the tuning circuit are implemented using indium phosphide gates. The apparatus allows a high-resolution, wide-band RF multiple-carrier signal to be re-quantized to a lower-resolution signal while an acceptable signal-to-noise ratio is maintained.

Abstract: A frequency scalable, low self-generated noise frequency source generates coherent or mostly-coherent local oscillator signals and includes a common reference, a coherent set of high frequency references and specific local oscillators which may be non-coherent for each specific output frequency. Delay lines may be included in the paths to ensure time delay alignment. The use of these elements with this modular design allows the generation of multiple coherent local oscillators via replication of the modular design elements.

Abstract: A multi-carrier receiver system and method for receiving a transmission frequency multi-carrier signal include a feedforward cancellation loop. A frequency conversion circuit generates an intermediate frequency (IF) multi-carrier signal based on the transmission frequency multi-carrier signal. The feedforward cancellation loop generates an amplitude corrected multi-carrier signal based on the IF multi-carrier signal such that the amplitude corrected multi-carrier signal has a reduced dynamic range with respect to the IF multi-carrier signal. A primary A/D converter having a significantly lower dynamic range requirements can therefore generate a digital multi-carrier signal based on the amplitude corrected multi-carrier signal. The feedforward cancellation loop therefore enables the primary A/D converter to process multi-carrier signals without the need for large dynamic range requirements.

Abstract: Various mixer topologies, configured to cancel various low order spurs. The mixer topologies each include a pair of mixers and a plurality of couplers. The couplers are configured to cancel specific spurs. As such, the mixer topology eliminates the need for band splitting thus allowing larger input frequency ranges and allows for simpler and less expensive filtering.

Abstract: Reflow soldering of a variety of circuit boards (9, 11, 15) in a variety of sizes and shapes to assigned locations on the base or carrier (13) of the electronic module housing (3) is simplified by eliminating custom made metal blocks previously used to clamp the circuit boards against the carrier metal. Instead, the solder-backed circuit boards are placed in assigned positions in the module housing and the inside volume of that housing is filled (22) with particulate, such as small beads (17), covering the circuit boards, but leaving the edges of the upstanding metal shields (5 and 7) visible. A plate (21) backed foam sheet (19) is placed over the module housing (24) and clamped down (26), pressing against the beads. The clamped assembly is then heated (28) to reflow the solder, soldering the circuit boards in place.

Abstract: A multichannel signal amplitude equalizer (102) includes a multichannel signal input (112) that carries an input signal with an input bandwidth spanning multiple communication channels. The equalizer also includes a multichannel equalizer (114) connected to the multichannel signal input (112) and that includes a signal output (116). The multichannel equalizer (114) connects to an equalizer control input (130) for regulating the multichannel equalizer (114) to attenuate selected frequency bands in the input signal. As a result, the signal output (116) carries, as an output signal, the input signal reduced in dynamic range. The equalizer (102) generally includes an analog to digital (A/D) converter (122) coupled to the multichannel equalizer (114) for digitizing the output signal. The A/D converter (122) is characterized by an A/D converter dynamic range that is at least equal to the output signal dynamic range and a bandwidth at least equal to the input bandwidth.

Abstract: A multichannel dynamic range adaptor (102) includes a multichannel signal input (116) for carrying an input signal with an input bandwidth spanning multiple communication channels, and a multichannel signal attenuator (118) connected to the multichannel signal input (116). The multichannel signal attenuator (118) includes a signal output (120) and a signal attenuation input (134) responsive to an attenuation control signal. The multichannel signal attenuator (118) is adapted to provide, on the signal output (120), an output signal corresponding to the input signal reduced in dynamic range in accordance with the attenuation control signal. The output signal dynamic range is generally constrained to be no greater than the dynamic range capability (e.g., 60 dB or less) of an analog to digital (A/D) converter (122) coupled to the multichannel signal attenuator (118) for digitizing the output signal.