| Dual band superheterodyne receiver -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Dual band superheterodyne receiverRelated Patent Categories: Telecommunications, Receiver Or Analog Modulated Signal Frequency Converter, Signal Selection Based On Frequency (e.g., Tuning), Uhf And Vhf, With Plural Separate Mixer Or Converter CircuitsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060089115. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/514,596, filed on Oct. 20, 2003 and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/459,651, filed on Apr. 3, 2003, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates in general to a receiver for receiving electromagnetic energy over a wide frequency band and converting the energy to an intermediate frequency. BACKGROUND [0003] Radar systems use a wide variety of frequencies and signal shapes. In many environments, it is desired to be able to determine that a radar source is operational, and to identify the type of radar system which is transmitting energy into the environment. For example, aircraft traveling in a region may wish to be able to identify the type of radar systems operational in an area. [0004] Radar detectors have been produced which are tuned for a specific, relatively narrow energy band. Other radar detectors can receive signals at a few discrete frequencies. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,606,736 to Hasler et al. discloses a receiver for receiving signals from both GPS satellites and GLOSNASS satellite, each of which transmits at a different frequency. [0005] Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,054 to Lemley, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, discloses a receiver that is suitable for receiving energy over a band of frequencies from 0.5 GHz to 18 GHz and converts the received frequency to an intermediate frequency of either 160 MHz or 400 MHz. Lemley discloses using image rejection mixers and filters at the input to reduce image problems. Attention is also drawn to an example of a superheterodyne receiver discussed in Microwave Receivers with Electronic Warfare Applications, James Bao-Yen Tsui, 1992, which discloses using filters before the first mixer stages to reduce image problems. SUMMARY [0006] One embodiment of a superheterodyne receiver suitable receiving RF energy in an upper frequency band and a lower frequency band and for translating the received RF energy to an output frequency includes a first input for receiving the RF energy, a second input for receiving the RF energy, and at least one attenuator for attenuating the RF energy received through the first input or the second input. The receiver also includes a first mixer arranged for mixing a first local oscillator signal with the RF energy in the lower frequency band to produce a signal at a first intermediate frequency, a second mixer arranged for mixing the first local oscillator signal with the RF energy in the upper frequency band to produce a signal at a second intermediate frequency, and a switch configured to direct the first local oscillator signal either to the first mixer or to the second mixer. The receiver also includes a third mixer for mixing a second local oscillator signal with the signal at the first intermediate frequency or the signal at the second intermediate frequency to produce a signal at the output frequency. [0007] Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES [0008] The invention will now be described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof and the accompanying drawings. [0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a receiver according to an embodiment of the invention. [0010] FIG. 2 illustrates a mixing profile for the receiver of FIG. 1. [0011] FIG. 3 illustrates a synthesizer suitable for use in the receivers of FIGS. 1, 4, 5, and 7. [0012] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a dual-band, dual-channel receiver according to an embodiment of the invention. [0013] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a receiver according to another embodiment of the invention. [0014] FIG. 6 illustrates a mixing profile for the receiver of FIG. 5. [0015] FIG. 7 illustrates an operational modular receiver similar to the FIG. 5 receiver. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0016] The receivers described herein are useful in electronic surveillance or intelligence systems that identify the type of radar transmitter based on the transmitted signal. [0017] Superheterodyne receivers generally convert the incoming signal to a known output frequency, typically called an "intermediate frequency", for further processing by electronics optimized for that particular frequency. The following description uses "output frequency" to refer to the frequency of the output signal of the superheterodyne receiver, and "intermediate frequency" to refer to the frequency of the signal after the initial mixing stage and before the second mixing stage. [0018] FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a superheterodyne receiver 100 for receiving signals in a 0.1 to 18 GHz frequency range, and converting the signals to an output frequency of 1 GHz. Another version of the receiver, illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, converts the 0.1 to 18 GHz input signal to an output frequency of 160 MHz. Continue reading... Full patent description for Dual band superheterodyne receiver Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Dual band superheterodyne receiver patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Dual band superheterodyne receiver or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Receiver architectures utilizing coarse analog tuning and associated methods Next Patent Application: Automatic adjustment circuit, automatic adjustment method, and portable terminal Industry Class: Telecommunications ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Dual band superheterodyne receiver patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.23212 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Medical: Surgery , Surgery(2) , Surgery(3) , Drug , Drug(2) , Prosthesis , Dentistry |
||
