Abstract: A method to improve the frequency resolution and phase noise of a synthesized RF signal results in superior instantaneous frequency change and phase modulation capability, wide frequency set ability, and suitability for implementation in a digital ASIC. The RF signal synthesis is achieved from a higher reference frequency clock signal using a variable pulse stretching technique. The amount of the pulse stretch in each cycle is set by a phase increment value and is implemented using programmable delay lines. Pulse stretching can be extended beyond one cycle by pulse swallowing, allowing the generation of an RF signal with frequencies from DC up to the input reference frequency. Phase modulation is incorporated by digital control of the phase stretching with the phase modulation bits.

Abstract: A time-sliced discrete-time Phase Locked Loop which is suitable for simultaneously synchronizing multiple input signals to multiple output signals is provided by implementing a discrete-time phase detector, loop filter, and voltage controlled oscillator that together operate as a single discrete-time PLL in hardware and applying control logic to retrieve the history for each signal pair from a context memory (RAM), to enable the discrete-time PLL hardware, and to store the resulting history in the context memory for use in subsequent operations for a particular input/output signal pair.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to improve the frequency resolution and phase noise of a synthesized RF signal. It also results in the superior characteristics of instantaneous frequency changeability, wide frequency setting ability, and fully digital ASIC implementation ability. The synthesized RF signal is generated from a higher reference frequency using a variable pulse stretching technique. The amount of the pulse stretch in each cycle is controlled by a phase increment value and is implemented using programmable delay lines. Pulse stretching is extended beyond one cycle by pulse swallowing, allowing the generation of an RF signal from DC up to the input reference clock signal frequency.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means to implement amplitude and phase modulation digitally and directly at an RF frequency that benefits from high output power without the use of amplifiers. This is accomplished by the combination of two varying amplitude and phase vectors. A reference oscillator produces a carrier signal, which is supplied to two digital delay lines composed of a sequence of delay banks. The delay lines are controlled by lookup tables that are updated by the vector control circuit, used to determine the delay of each digital delay line. The output of each delay line is multiplexed to a switching bank which is also controlled by the vector control circuit. The output of the switching bank, in combination with a summer, is used to produce discrete amplitude adjustment of the vector.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means to implement amplitude and phase modulation digitally and directly at an RF frequency that benefits from high output power using non-linear amplifiers. This is accomplished by the combination of two constant amplitude phase varying vectors. A reference oscillator produces a carrier signal, which is supplied to two digital delay lines composed of a sequence of delay banks. The delay lines are controlled by lookup tables that are updated by the vector control circuit used to determine the delay of each digital delay line. The delay of the lines are set in such a way as to produce two vectors with the desired phase shift that, when summed together, produce a vector with the desired phase and amplitude characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means to implement amplitude and phase modulation digitally and directly at an RF frequency that benefits from high output power without the use of amplifiers. This is accomplished by the combination of two varying amplitude and phase vectors. A reference oscillator produces a carrier signal, which is supplied to two digital delay lines composed of a sequence of delay banks. The delay lines are controlled by lookup tables that are updated by the vector control circuit, used to determine the delay of each digital delay line. The output of each delay line is multiplexed to a switching bank which is also controlled by the vector control circuit. The output of the switching bank, in combination with a summer, is used to produce discrete amplitude adjustment of the vector.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means to implement amplitude and phase modulation digitally and directly at an RF frequency that benefits from high output power using non-linear amplifiers. This is accomplished by the combination of two constant amplitude phase varying vectors. A reference oscillator produces a carrier signal, which is supplied to two digital delay lines composed of a sequence of delay banks. The delay lines are controlled by lookup tables that are updated by the vector control circuit used to determine the delay of each digital delay line. The delay of the lines are set in such a way as to produce two vectors with the desired phase shift that, when summed together, produce a vector with the desired phase and amplitude characteristics.

Abstract: A method to implement direct digital QAM modulation at an RF frequency results in the superior characteristics of high output power using non-linear amplifiers, high frequency resolution, low phase noise, instantaneous frequency change capability, wide frequency setting ability, and suitability for full implementation in a digital ASIC. Two digitally synthesized RF signals are generated for use as the two vectors. The two vectors are individually controlled in phase and summed to provide a combined phase and amplitude modulation that forms the modulated signal. The synthesized RF signal is generated from a higher reference frequency using a variable pulse stretching technique implemented with programmable delay lines. The amount of the pulse stretch in each cycle is controlled by a phase increment value. Pulse stretching can be extended beyond one cycle by pulse swallowing, allowing the generation of an RF signal from DC up to and including the input reference frequency.

Abstract: A method to improve the frequency resolution and phase noise of a synthesized RF signal results in superior instantaneous frequency change and phase modulation capability, wide frequency set ability, and suitability for implementation in a digital ASIC. The RF signal synthesis is achieved from a higher reference frequency clock signal using a variable pulse stretching technique. The amount of the pulse stretch in each cycle is set by a phase increment value and is implemented using programmable delay lines. Pulse stretching can be extended beyond one cycle by pulse swallowing, allowing the generation of an RF signal with frequencies from DC up to the input reference frequency. Phase modulation is incorporated by digital control of the phase stretching with the phase modulation bits.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to improve the frequency resolution and phase noise of a synthesized RF signal. It also results in the superior characteristics of instantaneous frequency changeability, wide frequency setting ability, and fully digital ASIC implementation ability. The synthesized RF signal is generated from a higher reference frequency using a variable pulse stretching technique. The amount of the pulse stretch in each cycle is controlled by a phase increment value and is implemented using programmable delay lines. Pulse stretching is extended beyond one cycle by pulse swallowing, allowing the generation of an RF signal from DC up to the input reference clock signal frequency.

Abstract: A time-sliced discrete-time Phase Locked Loop which is suitable for simultaneously synchronizing multiple input signals to multiple output signals is provided by implementing a discrete-time phase detector, loop filter, and voltage controlled oscillator that together operate as a single discrete-time PLL in hardware and applying control logic to retrieve the history for each signal pair from a context memory (RAM), to enable the discrete-time PLL hardware, and to store the resulting history in the context memory for use in subsequent operations for a particular input/output signal pair.

Abstract: The present inventions provide methods and systems for optimizing the power consumption of a power amplifier used to amplify a QAM modulated signal by dynamically adjusting its compression point. The compression point is adjusted based upon the instantaneous peak value of the base band QAM signal.

Abstract: The present inventions provide methods and systems for reducing the peak to average power ratio of a multi-channel block of QAM signals. Reducing the peak to average power ratio of a signal ensures that amplifiers and transmitters are not saturated, causing loss of data, and reducing spatter to adjacent channels. Further, reducing peak to average power ratios reduces the consumption of power during transmission. The reduction is obtained by providing a symbol delay on one or more of the QAM signals prior to the signals being summed where the delay is computed such that peak QAM power transitions in the QAM signals statistically do not align in time. The delay is arranged according to the equation: the additional delay for each QAM signal is equal to the symbol rate of the QAM signals divided by the number of QAM signals in summation.

Abstract: A phase shifter/modulator which provides linear phase control of a microwave continuous wave carrier signal. Linear phase shift range in excess of 360 degrees is provided as a result of linear variation in control voltage. A reference signal, at a subharmonic of the output carrier signal frequency, is injected into a highly linear fractional range reflection type phase shifter. This fractional phase modulated signal is input to a field effect transistor (FET) based frequency/phase multiplier. The frequency/phase multiplier translates the subharmonic reference signal to the desired output carrier frequency with the full 360 degree phase shift range imposed on the output carrier signal.

Abstract: A direct QAM modulator for generating a high power QAM modulated signal at microwave frequencies comprises a hybrid to create the required RF signals for I and Q paths. In each path, a rat-race coupler is used to get the in phase and out of phase RF signal. The subsequent circuit blocks in each path consist of a single pole double throw switch (SPDT) switched by the polarity of the incoming data, a reflection attenuator, implemented by using forward biased pin diode terminations and controlled by the absolute values of the baseband pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) signal, and a variable reflection phase shifter to adjust for the phase error. To realize modulated signal filtering and to compensate for the nonlinearities, a combined prefiltering and predistortion block is used to shape the baseband PAM signal in each path. Finally, a power combiner is used to combine signals from the two paths into one high power QAM modulated and filtered output signal at microwave frequency.

Abstract: A Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying modulator that provides direct modulation of a carrier signal, produced by a single microwave high power voltage controlled oscillator. A continuous phase frequency shift keyed modulated signal with a modulation index of 0.5 is produced at the desired output frequency using a full 360 degree linear continuous phase modulator, controlled by a linear baseband signal that is the integral of the binary baseband information signal. This modulated signal is used as the reference signal for a phase locked high power voltage controlled oscillator. The phase locked loop provides frequency tracking and Gaussian spectral shaping to the modulated output signal.

Abstract: A regenerative RF bi-directional communications system is provided for establishing RF coverage within a RF block tunnel area. The system uses a plurality of cascaded amplifier stages for periodically regenerating signals which are transmitted and received along a series of radiating cable length which link base station transceivers to hand-held or like mobile communication units. An intermediate frequency distribution system is used so that the required level of amplification is achieved through the several cascaded amplifier stages at the level of low-power IF signals generated from the original RF signals in conjunction with the appropriate oscillator and pilot signals. The IF distribution system restricts the cascading effect occurring due to the plurality of cascaded amplifier stages on the relatively low-power IF signals, thereby producing a negligible amount of intermodulation.

Abstract: A receiver for tracking a carrier suppressed phase-shifted input signal comprises a phase-locked loop circuit for receiving the input signal and having a variable frequency oscillator responsive to a control signal for oscillating at a frequency corresponding to an intermediate frequency and a frequency difference detector for producing an output signal indicative of the frequency difference between the frequency of the input signal and the intermediate frequency, a feedback loop network having a narrow-band path and a wide-band path and being responsive to the detector output signal for producing the control signal and applying the control signal to the oscillator through one of the paths whereby to change the intermediate frequency of the oscillator in response to the control signal, a quality detector responsive to the detector output signal for producing a signal corresponding to the bit error rate of the input signal; and selection means responsive to the bit error rate signal for causing the control sig

Abstract: An improved spread spectrum communications system is provided for establishing full-duplex voice/data radio communications within a single specified FCC ISM band. Spectrum spreading is performed relative to a plurality of sub-bands respectively defined about the lower and upper band-edges of the prescribed ISM band and having spectral roll-off characteristics which satisfy FCC requirements for radio frequency radiation outside the ISM bands on the corresponding band-edges thereof. Full-duplex operation is implemented by the use of digital MSK modulation and associated filtering in order to conserve available bandwidth and accommodate the filtered, modulated signal within the sub-bands defined in the prescribed ISM frequency band, and the system is capable of being easily interfaced to related digital communications services.

Abstract: A process for producing center-filled food products comprises forming a hollow cylindrical shell of edible material having a single continuous longitudinal slit. The shell is conditioned until it is able to maintain its hollow, cylindrical shape and longitudinal slit without external support, and may subsequently be dried to a shelf stable moisture content. The shell is then filled through the longitudinal slit with an edible food substance which is substantially stable at product storage temperatures. The shell may then be cut to final product size, externally coated with seasoning, and packaged.