Apparatus and method for extending the dynamic range of a mixer using feed forward distortion reduction
US6363120B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 17, 1998 |
| Grant date | Mar 26, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 17, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03D7/165
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A frequency mixing system provides an expanded dynamic range when compared to the dynamic range(s) of an individual mixer(s) that make up the arrangement. The frequency mixing system uses a feed-forward arrangement to reduce the distortion emanating from a single mixer due to a signal power level which would result in a frequency converted signal outside the dynamic range of the mixer. For example, the frequency mixing system splits an input signal onto a first path and a second path. On the first path, a first mixer frequency mixes the signal to produce a frequency converted signal with distortion, such as intermodulation distortion. On the second path, the amplitude of the signal is attenuated then frequency mixed by a second mixer to produce a frequency converted signal with a low and/or insignificant level of distortion. The first mixer element produces a frequency converted signal with distortion because the signal on the first path enters the first mixer at a power level resulting in a frequency converted signal outside the dynamic range of the first mixer. As such, the higher power level of the signal into the first mixer creates distortion that emanates from the first mixer…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.