Bi-phase modulator apparatus and method

Abstract

A bi-phase modulator including a driver and a mixer. The driver includes a prescaler having an input for receiving a signal and an output for outputting a baseband signal. The mixer includes a mixer having an input coupled to the output of the prescaler for receiving the baseband signal output by the prescaler. The baseband signal output by the prescaler drives the mixer so as to output a modulated waveform from an output of the mixer.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present disclosure generally relates to a bi-phase modulator device and a method of driving a bi-phase modulator.BACKGROUND[0002]Modulators are devices that convey data by changing an aspect of a carrier signal in response to a baseband signal. Generally, the baseband signal is representative of the data to be conveyed. Once the carrier signal is modulated using the baseband signal and transmitted over a medium to a receiver, a demodulator demodulates the carrier signal and ultimately recovers the original data.[0003]Phase modulation is a commonly used modulation technique. Phase modulation involves varying the phase of the baseband signal to represent the data to be conveyed. There are generally two types of phase modulation: analog and digital. Analog phase modulation involves the use of a continuously variable baseband signal that modulates the phase of a carrier signal. Digital phase modulation involves the use of a baseband signal containing distinct le...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The present invention provides a device and method for producing a bi-phase modulated baseband signal having significantly higher signal swings than conventional bi-phase modulator designs. The bi-phase modulated baseband signal can also be non-return-to-zero. Additionally, the device and method can modulate a carrier signal at a rate of up to about 12 GHz. Unlike conventional bi-phase modulator designs, the bi-phase modulator driver in accordance with the present invention includes a prescaler to produce the baseband signal for driving the mixer. By floating the power supplies of the of the prescaler and by offsetting the output of the prescaler to match the input of the mixer, the prescaler is used in a novel way to take advantage of its fast switching characteristics and output voltage swing.

Problems solved by technology

The performance of conventional bi-phase modulators is limited by the performance characteristics associated with conventional driver designs.

This can be problematic when bi-phase modulation of a carrier signal is desired to be modulated at increased modulation rates, and / or if it is desired to produce a baseband signal that is non-return-to-zero and / or has increased voltage swings.

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