Multi-octave wideband voltage controlled oscillator
US6661297B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 20, 2000 |
| Grant date | Dec 9, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 20, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03B2201/0208
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A multi-octave, wideband voltage controlled oscillator has a plurality of high impedance current output individual voltage controlled oscillators coupled in parallel to form a bank of voltage controlled oscillators covering at least one high frequency octave. The outputs of the VCOs are wire-OR'd together and the VCOs are selected by a select signal that turns on the desired oscillator(s). A main limiter/divider selects a frequency octave at either the fundamental frequency of the selected VCO or a sub-harmonic thereof as the multi-octave, wideband voltage controlled oscillator output. A reference limiter/divider selects a reference frequency from the selected VCO for use in a phase locked loop. Each VCO has a tank circuit coupled across the bases of a pair of transistors, the emitters of which are coupled through respective current sources to ground. The collectors of the transistors are coupled to the wire-OR'd network. A summer/subtracting circuit may be added at the output of the VCOs or at the inputs of the limiter/dividers so that either the fundamental or second harmonic frequency of the selected VCO is selected.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.