Direct Digital Carrier Modulation With Synchronized TORP Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing phase and amplitude modulation techniques using injection-locked oscillators are limited by variations in manufacturing components and temperature, requiring calibration, and can only generate phase modulations or complex amplitude and phase modulations with high control signal complexity, lacking efficiency and resistance to RF imperfections.

Innovation Solution

A phase and amplitude modulation device utilizing a TORP signal generator with a periodic power supply controlled by a digital baseband signal, eliminating the need for analog-to-digital converters and IQ mixers, and employing multiple TORP signal generators synchronized by a single control signal to achieve robust and efficient modulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If injection-locked oscillators are used for phase modulation, then phase modulation capability is achieved, but the device requires calibration due to manufacturing variations and temperature effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodulation accuracyVSAvoidcalibration requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional injection-locked oscillator mechanism with a digital delay-locked loop (DPLL) system. Instead of relying on analog oscillator frequency locking that is sensitive to manufacturing variations and temperature, the invention uses digital signal processing with phase detectors, delay elements, and feedback control to achieve phase modulation. This substitution of analog mechanical oscillation with digital logic operations eliminates the need for calibration while maintaining modulation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If traditional modulation techniques are used, then phase modulation is achieved, but power consumption is high due to analog-to-digital converters and IQ mixers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodulation performanceVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the power-consuming analog-to-digital converters and IQ mixers from the modulation system. By implementing phase modulation directly in the digital domain using a DPLL architecture, the invention eliminates these intermediate conversion stages while preserving the essential modulation functionality. This extraction of unnecessary components directly reduces power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention substitutes analog signal processing components (IQ mixers, ADCs) with digital signal processing operations. The phase modulation is achieved through digital delay control and phase detection rather than analog mixing and conversion, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining modulation performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If injection-locked oscillators are used for amplitude and phase modulation, then complex modulation is achieved, but control signal complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodulation typeVSAvoidcontrol signal complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal digital modulation framework where a single DPLL-based architecture can perform both phase modulation and amplitude modulation. By using a phase detector that can operate in different modes and a programmable delay element, the system achieves multi-functionality without requiring separate control paths or additional complexity. The same digital blocks serve multiple modulation purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the phase modulation and amplitude modulation control paths into a single unified digital control structure. Instead of having separate analog control circuits for phase and amplitude, the patent combines both functions into the digital DPLL system where a single control signal can simultaneously or separately control both modulation aspects, reducing overall control signal complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3799300B1Device and method for phase modulation or phase and amplitude modulation
Publication Date: 2023.05.17 COMMISSARIAT A LENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
  • EP3799300B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2D
  • EP3799300B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3799300B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

phase modulation device (100), comprising at least one generator (112) of a TORP signal corresponding to periodically repeated oscillation trains at a frequency FPRP whose oscillations have a FOL frequency equal to N.FPRP, with N an integer greater than or equal to 2, and each oscillation train having a duration less than 1/FPRP, the device further comprising a generator (122) of a phase-modulated periodic signal of frequency FPRP, encoding data symbols of an information signal, comprising at least one output on which the phase-modulated periodic signal of frequency FPRP is intended to be delivered and coupled to a control input of a power supply circuit (116).