Injection-Locked Subcarrier Pulse Generator Without PLL Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultra-wideband pulse modulation systems face challenges in generating high-frequency carrier signals with low phase noise, due to the complexity and high power consumption of phase-locked loop (PLL) units.
Innovation Solution
An electronic generator of modulated subcarrier pulsed signals that uses a voltage-controlled frequency-locking oscillator and a switching module with transistors controlled by a switching signal, eliminating the need for a phase-locked loop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a phase-locked loop (PLL) unit is used to generate carrier frequency, then the carrier frequency can be synthesized, but the device complexity and electrical consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the PLL unit from the signal generation system. Instead of using a PLL to synthesize the carrier frequency, the invention directly generates the modulated pulse signal through a simplified architecture comprising a pulse generator, modulator, and amplifier, thereby removing the complex frequency synthesis stage while maintaining signal generation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the transmitted pulse signal itself as the reference signal for modulation. The pulse generator produces periodic pulses that directly modulate the carrier, eliminating the need for separate reference signal generation and phase locking mechanisms required by PLL-based systems
2Measurement precision
If a phase-locked loop (PLL) unit is used to generate carrier frequency, then the carrier frequency can be synthesized, but the electrical consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the power-intensive PLL unit from the system architecture. The simplified design using direct pulse modulation eliminates the continuous operation of phase detection, frequency comparison, and voltage-controlled oscillation required by PLLs, resulting in significantly reduced electrical consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic pulse signals from a pulse generator to directly modulate the carrier frequency. This periodic action replaces the continuous feedback control mechanism of PLLs, consuming energy only during pulse transmission intervals rather than continuously operating frequency synthesis circuits
3Manufacturing precision
If complex modulation units are used to guarantee vector modulation, then the modulation accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pulse signal from the pulse generator serves dual purposes: it is both the transmitted signal and the reference signal for modulation. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate reference signal generators and complex modulation units, as the same periodic pulse train directly controls the modulation process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the reference signal generation and modulation control functions into a single pulse generator unit. By combining these functions, the system eliminates separate modulation units and reference signal paths, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining modulation accuracy through direct pulse control
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables direct generation of frequency-controlled, phase-controlled, amplitude-controlled, and pulse width-controlled modulated subcarrier pulse signals with reduced electrical consumption and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage-controlled frequency-locking oscillator having a frequency-locking band around a free oscillation frequency controlled by a control voltage
Implementation Method 2
a switching module, connected to the output of the module for modulating a pulse train, including at least one transistor, the switching of which is controlled by said switching signal
Implementation Method 3
the oscillator being connected to the output of the switching module, the switching module providing a periodic pulse signal, the periodic pulse signal being injected into the oscillator
Data Source
AI summary
The present electronic generator of modulated subcarrier pulse signals includes a module (15) for modulating a pulse train, the position and amplitude of which are controllable, forming a switching signal (S3); a switching module (16), connected to the output of the module (15) for modulating a pulse train, including at least one transistor (22), controlled by said switching signal (S3), a voltage-controlled frequency-locking oscillator (18) having a frequency-locking band around a free oscillation frequency controlled by a control voltage, connected to the output of the switching module (16), the switching module making possible the injection of a periodic pulse signal (S4) having a frequency spectrum including at least one frequency line within said frequency locking band. Such arrangement makes it possible to obtain, at the output of the oscillator, frequency-controlled, phase-controlled and amplitude-controlled modulated subcarrier pulsed signals (S5).