Abstract: A programmable phase-locked loop frequency synthesizer for a multi-channel onobuoy transmitter is disclosed. The phase-locked loop, including a counter/divider utilizing variable modulus prescaling techniques, is modulated at its voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) by an external signal which is preemphasized by a compensation network in order to correct for the roll-off characteristic response of the loop below its natural frequency.

Abstract: Serving as a hydrophone in the lower unit of the sonobuoy, two surface acoustic wave resonators for determining the resonant frequency of two independent oscillators are also used to sense pressure and thus sound. The outputs of the two resonators are mixed and then passed through a low pass filter to provide a low frequency hydrophone output signal and to remove temperature induced signal distortion. A line driver and low cost twin lead transmission line provides the signal to the upper floatation electronic unit of the sonobuoy for conversion to the desired RF carrier frequency. In a single-channel sonobuoy, this signal is multiplied and amplified for transmission to a distant receiver. In a multi-channel sonobuoy, this signal acts as a reference frequency for the frequency synthesizer section of the sonobuoy transmitter.

Abstract: A simultaneous multichannel signal generator incorporating phase-locked l frequency correction. For each channel, there is a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) set to an appropriate frequency by a tuning signal and modulated by a channel data signal. The output signals from all VCO's are provided to a summer and then are appropriately amplified and filtered for transmission. A single multiplexed frequency correction circuit compares the phase of a reference frequency signal with the phase of a VCO output signal whose frequency has been divided, by a divide-by-N counter, to the reference frequency. If the divided VCO signal is out of phase with the reference frequency signal, an appropriate correction signal is provided to the device providing voltage control for that VCO.