Patent · US Expired

Direct frequency synthesizer

US4791377A · kind A · utility

18Cited by
3References
3Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 20, 1987
Grant dateDec 13, 1988
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 20, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03B2200/0072
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A frequency synthesizer has in series a digital synthesizer, mix and divide circuits, and a mix only circuit. Each mix and divide circuit includes a mixer having an IF input, a LO input and a RF output, a filter, and a frequency divider. A segment of a digital word selects a tone from a tone generator and also selects a passband of the filter. The selected tone is coupled to the LO input of the mixer. The frequency divider divides the filtered RF output of the mixer. The mix only circuit is at the output of the last of the series connected mix and divide circuits. The mix only circuit is similar to a mix and divide circuit, but does not have a frequency divider. The digital synthesizer provides a signal to the input of the first of the series connected mix and divide circuits, the frequency of which corresponds to a segment of a digital word. The filter is preferably a voltage tunable bandpass filter.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.