Abstract: The present invention is directed to a frequency synthesizer with an improved architecture that eliminates a VCO and a method to build frequency synthesizers for generating high-frequency signals with low phase noise, low spurious, extremely fast switching speed and fine frequency resolution. The synthesizer provides significant improvement in performance, phase noise, switching speed, power, size and cost reduction.

Abstract: A frequency synthesizer is described which operates over a wide frequency range at high resolution and variable step size without trading off between spurious frequency rejection and phase noise suppression. The synthesizer includes a magnetically-turned YIG oscillator which generates a desired output frequency from a received tuning signal. The output signal is fed back into a phase locked loop which generates the tuning signal. The phase locked loop includes a harmonic mixer for mixing the output signal with a reference frequency F.sub.2. The mixer receives a base frequency signal and a harmonic select signal resulting in the generation of the reference signal, F.sub.2. The mixed signal is input to a programmable divider, then to a phase detector which receives another reference signal, F.sub.1. The phase detector output is the tuning signal which is coupled to the YIG oscillator. Both reference frequencies, F.sub.1 and F.sub.2, are derived from a common base frequency.

Abstract: A portable ice chest includes a food compartment and a pair of side-by-side, curved chutes for dispensing beverage containers by gravity through the first wall of the chest. A segregated ice compartment cools both the food compartment and the container chute. Access to both the ice and food compartments is gained through either a lid on the top of the chest or a door in the side of the chest. A separate door in the front of the chest allows access to a dispensing station to which the containers are delivered by the chutes. One embodiment of the chest includes a seat and backrest to allow an individual to employ the chest as a seat.