Time-frequency-phase in-band coded communications system

Claim 2

In communication system which transmits a given one of a plurality of words in response to an input signal having a sequence information component and A differential phase shift information component, the arrangement comprising: controllable wave-producing means responsive to said information components for selectively providing a plurality of transmission signal waves at an output terminal thereof, said signal waves being provided at said output terminal in a predetermined sequence corresponding to said sequence information component, said controllable wave-producing means including means for arranging said predetermined sequence such that the location of a given one of said transmission signal waves within said predetermined sequence uniquely defining said sequence, said controllable wave-producing means including means for providing the signal waves in each sequence with a specified phase shift, with respect to the signal waves of corresponding frequency in a previous sequence, said phase shift provided being dependent upon said phase shift information component, the relative phase shifts and sequence of occurrence of the signal waves provided at said output terminal in response to said input signal being representative of said given one of said plurality of words, the signal waves corresponding to a given word having mutually different frequencies.

Claim 3

The arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising an input signal means connected to said controllable wave-producing means for providing an input signal comprising a plurality of pulses, each pulse corresponding to a binary digit, and wherein said sequence information component comprises selected ones of said plurality of binary digits and said differential phase shift information component comprises other selected ones of said plurality of binary digits.

Claim 4

The arrangement according to claim 1 further comprising an input signal means, connected to said controllable wave producing means, for providing an input signal corresponding to a series of four binary digits and wherein said sequence information component corresponds to two of said binary digits and said differential phase shift information component corresponds to the other two binary digits, there being four predetermined sequences of said signal waves, each one of four predetermined sequences comprising four signal waves.

Claim 5

The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said controllable wave-producing means includes at least one modulator for modulating said transmission signal waves provided at said output terminal.

Claim 6

In a communication system which transmits a given one of a plurality of words in response to an input signal having a sequence information component and a differential phase shift information component, the combination comprising: first, pulse-generating means responsive to said sequence information component for producing a given number of frequency control pulses arranged in one of a fixed number of predetermined sequences such that the location of one frequency control pulse in a sequence uniquely defines the sequence, said pulse-generating means including means for arranging said frequency control pulses in said predetermined sequences; second, pulse generating means responsive to said differential phase shift information component for producing at least one phase control pulse; signal-generating means for generating a plurality of transmission signal waves each corresponding to a mutually different frequency; means for translating said transmission signal waves to a transmission medium; and gating means responsive to said frequency control pulses and to said at least one phase control pulse for sequentially selectively transferring said transmission signal waves to said translating means in an order corresponding to said predetermined sequence, each of said transmission signal waves being translated at a time coinciding with the occurrence of a corresponding one of said frequency control pulses, each of said transmission signal waves having a specified phase with respect to a reference phase, said specified phase being dependent upoN said phase control pulse, the location of one of said transmission signal waves within said predetermined sequence uniquely defining said sequence, the location of said one transmission signal wave within said predetermined sequence and the phase shift of said one transmission signal wave relative to said reference phase uniquely defining said given word.

Claim 7

In a communication system which transmits a given one of a plurality of words in response to an input signal having a sequence information component and a differential phase shift information component, the combination comprising: first, pulse-generating means responsive to said sequence information component for producing a given number of frequency control pulses arranged in one of a fixed number of predetermined sequences such that the location of one frequency control pulse in a sequence uniquely defines the sequence, said pulse-generating means including means for arranging said frequency control pulses in said predetermined sequences; second, pulse generating means responsive to said differential phase shift information component for producing at least one phase control pulse; signal-generating means for generating a plurality of transmission signal waves each corresponding to a mutually different frequency; means for translating said transmission signal waves to a transmission medium; and gating means responsive to said frequency control pulses and to said at least one phase control pulse for sequentially selectively transferring said transmission signal waves to said translating means in an order corresponding to said predetermined sequence, each of said transmission signal waves being translated at a time coinciding with the occurrence of a corresponding one of said frequency control pulses, each of said transmission signal waves having a specified phase with respect to a reference phase, said specified phase being dependent upoN said phase control pulse, the location of one of said transmission signal waves within said predetermined sequence uniquely defining said sequence, the location of said one transmission signal wave within said predetermined sequence and the phase shift of said one transmission signal wave relative to said reference phase uniquely defining said given word.

Claim 8

The combination according to claim 5, further comprising an input signal means connected to said first and second pulse generating means for providing said input signal which comprises a plurality of pulses, each pulse corresponding to a binary digit, and wherein said sequence information component comprises selected ones of said plurality of binary digits and said differential phase shift information component comprises other selected ones of said plurality of binary digits.

Claim 9

The combination according to claim 5 further comprising an input signal means connected to said first and second pulse generating means for providing said input signal which corresponds to a series of four binary digits and wherein said sequence information component corresponds to two of said binary digits and said differential phase shift information component corresponds to the other two binary digits, there being four predetermined sequences of said signal waves, each one of said four predetermined sequences comprising four signal waves.

Claim 10

The combination according to claim 5, wherein said first pulse generating means comprises: timing interval pulse generator means for generating a plurality of timing pulses occurring at times corresponding to the occurrence of said transmission signal waves; sequence encoding means responsive to said sequence information component for generating a given one of a plurality of sequence indication pulses; and gating means responsive to said sequence indication pulse and to said plurality of timing pulses for producing said frequency control pulses arranged in one of a fixed number of predetermined sequences, and occurring at times corresponding to the occurrence of said timing pulses.

Claim 11

The combination according to claim 5, wherein said signal generating means includes: frequency synthesizing means for generating a plurality of reference signal waves, at least two of said reference signal waves having different frequencies; and a plurality of phase shifters coupled to said frequency synthesizing means for providing said plurality of transmission signal waves comprising said at least two reference signal waves at a plurality of specified phase shifts.

Claim 12

The combination according to claim 5, wherein said translating means includes at least one modulator for modulating said transmission signal waves prior to the transfer of said transmission signal waves to said transmission medium.

Claim 13

The combination according to claim 5, wherein said gating means comprises: a plurality of transfer switches for selectively transferring said transmission signal waves to said translating means; and gating matrix means responsive to said frequency control pulses and to said at least one phase control pulse for selectively providing a plurality of switch control pulses to said plurality of transfer switches, each of said switch control pulses being provided at times corresponding to the occurrence of each of said frequency control pulses.

Claim 14

In a communication system which transmits a given one of a plurality of words in response to an input signal having a sequence information component and a differential phase shift information component, each of said transmitted words comprising a plurality of transmission signal waves, the combination comprising: timing interval pulse generator means for generating a plurality of timing pulses occurring at times corresponding to the occurrence of said transmission signal waves; sequence encoding means responsive to said sequence information component for generating one of a plurality of sequence indication pulses; first gating means responsive to said one sequence indication pulse and to said plurality of timing pulses for producing a given number of frequency control pulses arranged in one of a fixed number of predetermined sequences corresponding to said sequence information component; pulse-generating means responsive to said differential phase shift information component for producing at least one phase control pulse; frequency synthesizing means for generating a plurality of reference signal waves, at least two of said reference signal waves having different frequencies; a plurality of phase shifters coupled to said frequency synthesizing means for providing, at corresponding output terminals thereof, said at least two references signal waves at a plurality of relative phases; signal-translating means responsive to at least one processed reference signal wave for providing transmission signal waves and for coupling said transmission signal waves to a transmission medium; and second gating means responsive to said frequency control pulses and to said at least one phase control pulse for selectively coupling said phase shifter output terminals to an input terminal of said translating means, said second gating means being operative to provide said at least one processed reference signal wave at said input terminal at a time corresponding to the occurrence of each of said frequency control pulses, said frequency synthesizing means, said phase shifter and said signal-translating means being operatively interconnected so that the transmission signal waves coupled to said transmission medium are arranged in sequences of mutually different carrier frequencies corresponding to said frequency control pulses, and so that the transmission signal waves of each sequence have a specified phase shift with respect to the signal waves of corresponding frequency in the previously transmitted sequence, said specified phase shift dependent upon said phase control pulse, said first gating means being arranged so that the location of one of said transmission signal waves within said predetermined sequence uniquely defines said sequence, the location of one of said transmission signal waves within said predetermined sequence and the phase shift of said transmission signal wave with respect to the phase of a transmission signal wave of corresponding frequency in the previously transmitted sequence uniquely defining said given word.

Claim 15

In a communication system which transmits a given one of a plurality of words in response to an input signal having a sequence information component and a differential phase shift information component, each of said transmitted words comprising a plurality of transmission signal waves, the combination comprising: timing interval pulse generator means for generating a plurality of timing pulses occurring at times corresponding to the occurrence of said transmission signal waves; sequence encoding means responsive to said sequence information component for generating one of a plurality of sequence indication pulses; first gating means responsive to said one sequence indication pulse and to said plurality of timing pulses for producing a given number of frequency control pulses arranged in one of a fixed number of predetermined sequences corresponding to said sequence information component; pulse-generating means responsive to said differential phase shift information component for producing at least one phase control pulse; frequency synthesizing means for generating a plurality of reference signal waves, at least two of said reference signal waves having different frequencies; a plurality of phase shifters coupled to said frequency synthesizing means for providing, at corresponding output terminals thereof, said at least two references signal waves at a plurality of relative phases; signal-translating means responsive to at least one processed reference signal wave for providing transmission signal waves and for coupling said transmission signal waves to a transmission medium; and second gating means responsive to said frequency control pulses and to said at least one phase control pulse for selectively coupling said phase shifter output terminals to an input terminal of said translating means, said second gating means being operative to provide said at least one processed reference signal wave at said input terminal at a time corresponding to the occurrence of each of said frequency control pulses, said frequency synthesizing means, said phase shifter and said signal-translating means being operatively interconnected so that the transmission signal waves coupled to said transmission medium are arranged in sequences of mutually different carrier frequencies corresponding to said frequency control pulses, and so that the transmission signal waves of each sequence have a specified phase shift with respect to the signal waves of corresponding frequency in the previously transmitted sequence, said specified phase shift dependent upon said phase control pulse, said first gating means being arranged so that the location of one of said transmission signal waves within said predetermined sequence uniquely defines said sequence, the location of one of said transmission signal waves within said predetermined sequence and the phase shift of said transmission signal wave with respect to the phase of a transmission signal wave of corresponding frequency in the previously transmitted sequence uniquely defining said given word.

Claim 16

The combination according to claim 12, further comprising input signal means for providing said input signal which comprises a plurality of pulses, each pulse corresponding to a binary digit, and wherein said sequence information component comprises selected ones of said plurality of binary digits and said differential phase shift information component comprises other selected ones of said plurality of binary digits.

Claim 17

The combination according to claim 12, further comprising input signal means for providing said input signal which corresponds to a series of four binary digits and wherein said sequence information component corresponds to two of said binary digits and said differential phase shift information component corresponds to the other two binary digits, there being four predetermined sequences of said transmission signal waves each one of said four predetermined sequences comprising four transmission signal waves of different frequencies.

Claim 18

The combination according to claim 14, wherein said translating means comprises: first modulator means for modulating a selected one of said processed reference signal waves according to the cosine of the modulating frequency; second modulator means for modulating another selected one of said processed reference signal waves according to the sine of the modulating frequency; and signal combiner means for combining said selected processed reference signal wave modulated by the cosine of the modulating frequency with said other selected processed reference Signal wave modulated by the sine of the modulating frequency.

Claim 19

The combination according to claim 12, wherein said frequency synthesizer means provides two reference signal waves, one of said reference signal waves having a fundamental frequency and the other of said reference signal waves having a frequency corresponding to the third harmonic of said fundamental frequency, and wherein said plurality of phase shifters provides four processed signal waves at said fundamental frequency and phase angles of 0*, 90*, 180*, and 270* and further provides four processed signal waves at said third harmonic frequency and phase angles of 0*, 90*, 180*and 270*.

Claim 20

In a communication system adapted to receive a plurality of words, each word comprising a plurality of input signals of mutually different frequencies, said signals being arranged in one of a predetermined number of sequences, said signals being characterized by differential phase shift thereof between successive words, the combination comprising: sequence detection means responsive to at least one of said input signals and the location of said input signal in said received word for generating a sequence information component signal uniquely defining said one of a number of predetermined sequences; phase detection means for generating a phase information component signal corresponding to the difference in phase of said at least one input signal with respect to an input signal of corresponding frequency in a previous word; and signal combining means for combining said sequence information component signal and said phase information component signal to provide an output information signal uniquely corresponding to said received word.

Claim 21

In a communication system adapted to receive a plurality of words, each word comprising a plurality of input signals of mutually different frequencies, said signals being arranged in one of a predetermined number of sequences, said signals being characterized by differential phase shift thereof between successive words, the combination comprising: sequence detection means responsive to at least one of said input signals and the location of said input signal in said received word for generating a sequence information component signal uniquely defining said one of a number of predetermined sequences; phase detection means for generating a phase information component signal corresponding to the difference in phase of said at least one input signal with respect to an input signal of corresponding frequency in a previous word; and signal combining means for combining said sequence information component signal and said phase information component signal to provide an output information signal uniquely corresponding to said received word.

Claim 22

The combination according to claim 17, wherein said sequence detection means includes means for generating said generated sequence information component signal which comprises a plurality of pulses, each pulse corresponding to a binary digit and wherein said phase detection means includes means for generating said phase information component signal which comprises a plurality of pulses, each pulse corresponding to a binary digit.

Claim 23

In a communications system adapted to receive a plurality of words, each word comprising a plurality of input signals of mutually different frequencies, said signals being arranged in one of a predetermined number of sequences, said signals being characterized by differential phase shift thereof between successive words, the combination comprising: a plurality of phase detectors for detecting the difference in phase between signals of the same frequency in successive words; a plurality of frequency selective filters for separating the signals within each sequence; a plurality of amplitude detectors, each detector generating a detected signal corresponding to the amplitude of the signal separated by said filter, timing means for generating a plurality of timing control signals at times corresponding to the times of occurrence of said input signals; first means responsive to at least one of said amplitude detected signals and to said timing control signals for generating a sequence indication signal corresponding to the particular one of said predetermined number of sequences corresponding to said received word; second means responsive to said sequence indication signal and said timing control signals for generating phase detector timing signals; a sequence decoder responsive to said sequence indication signals for generating a first information component representative of said particular sequence; a phase decoder coupled to said phase detector for generating a second information component representative of said differential phase shift; and signal combining means for combining said information components to provide an output information signal uniquely corresponding to said received word.

Claim 24

In a communications system adapted to receive a plurality of words, each word comprising a plurality of input signals of mutually different frequencies, said signals being arranged in one of a predetermined number of sequences, said signals being characterized by differential phase shift thereof between successive words, the combination comprising: a plurality of phase detectors for detecting the difference in phase between signals of the same frequency in successive words; a plurality of frequency selective filters for separating the signals within each sequence; a plurality of amplitude detectors, each detector generating a detected signal corresponding to the amplitude of the signal separated by said filter, timing means for generating a plurality of timing control signals at times corresponding to the times of occurrence of said input signals; first means responsive to at least one of said amplitude detected signals and to said timing control signals for generating a sequence indication signal corresponding to the particular one of said predetermined number of sequences corresponding to said received word; second means responsive to said sequence indication signal and said timing control signals for generating phase detector timing signals; a sequence decoder responsive to said sequence indication signals for generating a first information component representative of said particular sequence; a phase decoder coupled to said phase detector for generating a second information component representative of said differential phase shift; and signal combining means for combining said information components to provide an output information signal uniquely corresponding to said received word.

Claim 25

The combination according to claim 19, wherein said sequence decoder includes means for generating said generated first information component signal which comprises a plurality of pulses representative of said particular sequence, each pulse corresponding to a binary digit and wherein said phase decoder includes means for generating said second information component signal which comprises a plurality of pulses representative of said differential phase shift, each pulse corresponding to a binary digit.

Claim 26

The combination according to claim 19, wherein said plurality of phase detectors comprises: a plurality of in-phase detectors, one for each of said input signal frequencies, for detecting the cosine of the difference in phase between input signals at the same frequency in successive words; a plurality of quadrature phase detectors, one for each of said input signal frequencies, for detecting the sine of the difference in phase between input signals at the same frequency in successive words; first summing means for adding the cosine of the difference in phase between input signals of the same frequency in successive words for all of the input signal frequencies; and second summing means for adding the sine of the difference in phase between input signals of the same frequency in successive words for all of the input signal frequencies.

Claim 27

A communication system for transmitting an input information signal from a transmitter station to a receiver station, said input information signal being characterized by a sequence information component and a phase information component, said system comprising: means at said transmitter station responsive to said sequence information component for generating one of a number of predetermined sequences of a plurality of signal waves of mutually different frequencies, said last-mentioned means including means for arranging said sequences such that the location of one of said signal waves in said predetermined sequence uniquely defines said predetermined sequence; means at said transmitter station responsive to said phase information component for differentially changing the phase of corresponding signal waves in successively transmitted sequences by a specified amount; means at said receiver station responsive to at least one of said signal waves and the locations of said signal wave in said predetermined sequence for generating a sequence indication signal corresponding to said sequence information component; means at said receiver station responsive to said differential change in phase of corresponding signal waves in said successively transmitted sequences for generating a phase indication signal; and means at said receiver station responsive to said sequence indication signal and to said phase indication signal for regenerating said input information signal.

Claim 28

A communication system for transmitting an input information signal from a transmitter station to a receiver station, said input information signal being characterized by a sequence information component and a phase information component, said system comprising: means at said transmitter station responsive to said sequence information component for generating one of a number of predetermined sequences of a plurality of signal waves of mutually different frequencies, said last-mentioned means including means for arranging said sequences such that the location of one of said signal waves in said predetermined sequence uniquely defines said predetermined sequence; means at said transmitter station responsive to said phase information component for differentially changing the phase of corresponding signal waves in successively transmitted sequences by a specified amount; means at said receiver station responsive to at least one of said signal waves and the locations of said signal wave in said predetermined sequence for generating a sequence indication signal corresponding to said sequence information component; means at said receiver station responsive to said differential change in phase of corresponding signal waves in said successively transmitted sequences for generating a phase indication signal; and means at said receiver station responsive to said sequence indication signal and to said phase indication signal for regenerating said input information signal.

Claim 29

A system according to claim 22, further comprising input signal means for providing an input signal which comprises a plurality of pulses, each pulse corresponding to a binary digit, and wherein said sequence information component comprises selected ones of said plurality of binary digits and said phase information component comprises other selected ones of said plurality of binary digits.

Claim 30

A system according to claim 22, further comprising input signal means for providing an input signal which corresponds to a series of four binary digits, said information component corresponding to two of said binary digits and said phase information component corresponding to the other two binary digits, there being four predetermined sequences of said signal waves, each one of said four predetermined sequences comprising four signal waves.

Claim 31

A communication system for transmitting a given one of a plurality of words from a transmitting station to a receiving station in response to an input information signal, said input information signal being characterized by a sequence information component and a phase information component, said system comprising: first Pulse generating means at said transmitting station responsive to said sequence information component for producing a given number of frequency control pulses arranged in one of a fixed number of predetermined sequences; second pulse-generating means at said transmitting station responsive to said phase information component for producing at least one phase control pulse; oscillator means for generating a plurality of transmission signal waves each corresponding to a different frequency; means for translating said transmission signal waves to a transmission medium; gating means responsive to said frequency control pulses and to said at least one phase control pulse for sequentially transferring said transmission signal waves to said translating means in an order corresponding to said predetermined sequence, each of said transmission signal waves being translated at a time corresponding to the occurrence of a corresponding one of said frequency control pulses, each of said transmission signal waves having a specified phase with respect to a reference phase, said specified phase being dependent upon said phase control pulse, the location of one of said transmission signal waves within said predetermined sequence uniquely defining said sequence, the location of said one transmission signal wave within said predetermined sequence and the phase shift of said transmission signal wave relative to said reference phase uniquely defining said given word; second signal-translating means for translating said transmission signal waves from said transmission medium to said receiving station; a plurality of phase detectors at said receiving station, each phase detector being adapted to determine the difference in phase between successive transmission signal waves of a particular frequency; a corresponding plurality of frequency selective filters at said receiving station for separating the signals within each sequence; a corresponding plurality of amplitude detectors at said receiving station, each detector generating a detected signal corresponding to the amplitude of the signal separated by the corresponding one of said filters; timing means at said receiving station for generating a plurality of timing control signals at times corresponding to the times of occurrence of the signal waves translated from said transmission medium; first means at said receiving station responsive to at least one of said amplitude detected signals and to said timing control signals for generating a sequence indication signal corresponding to a particular one of said predetermined number of sequences; second means at said receiving station responsive to said sequence indication signal and to said timing control signals to generate phase detector timing signals; a sequence decoder at said receiving station responsive to said sequence indication signals for generating a first information signal representative of said particular sequence; a phase decoder at said receiving station coupled to said phase detector for generating a second information signal representative of said differential phase shift; and signal combining means for combining said first and second information signals to provide an output information signal uniquely corresponding to said given one of said plurality of words.

Claim 32

A communication system for transmitting a given one of a plurality of words from a transmitting station to a receiving station in response to an input information signal, said input information signal being characterized by a sequence information component and a phase information component, said system comprising: first Pulse generating means at said transmitting station responsive to said sequence information component for producing a given number of frequency control pulses arranged in one of a fixed number of predetermined sequences; second pulse-generating means at said transmitting station responsive to said phase information component for producing at least one phase control pulse; oscillator means for generating a plurality of transmission signal waves each corresponding to a different frequency; means for translating said transmission signal waves to a transmission medium; gating means responsive to said frequency control pulses and to said at least one phase control pulse for sequentially transferring said transmission signal waves to said translating means in an order corresponding to said predetermined sequence, each of said transmission signal waves being translated at a time corresponding to the occurrence of a corresponding one of said frequency control pulses, each of said transmission signal waves having a specified phase with respect to a reference phase, said specified phase being dependent upon said phase control pulse, the location of one of said transmission signal waves within said predetermined sequence uniquely defining said sequence, the location of said one transmission signal wave within said predetermined sequence and the phase shift of said transmission signal wave relative to said reference phase uniquely defining said given word; second signal-translating means for translating said transmission signal waves from said transmission medium to said receiving station; a plurality of phase detectors at said receiving station, each phase detector being adapted to determine the difference in phase between successive transmission signal waves of a particular frequency; a corresponding plurality of frequency selective filters at said receiving station for separating the signals within each sequence; a corresponding plurality of amplitude detectors at said receiving station, each detector generating a detected signal corresponding to the amplitude of the signal separated by the corresponding one of said filters; timing means at said receiving station for generating a plurality of timing control signals at times corresponding to the times of occurrence of the signal waves translated from said transmission medium; first means at said receiving station responsive to at least one of said amplitude detected signals and to said timing control signals for generating a sequence indication signal corresponding to a particular one of said predetermined number of sequences; second means at said receiving station responsive to said sequence indication signal and to said timing control signals to generate phase detector timing signals; a sequence decoder at said receiving station responsive to said sequence indication signals for generating a first information signal representative of said particular sequence; a phase decoder at said receiving station coupled to said phase detector for generating a second information signal representative of said differential phase shift; and signal combining means for combining said first and second information signals to provide an output information signal uniquely corresponding to said given one of said plurality of words.

Claim 33

A system according to claim 25, further comprising input signal means for providing an input signal which comprises a plurality of pulses, each pulse corresponding to a binary digit, and wherein said sequence information component comprises selected ones of said plurality of binary digits and said phase information component comprises other selected ones of said plurality of binary digits.

Claim 34

A system according to claim 25, further comprising input signal means for providing an input signal which corresponds to a series of four binary digits and wherein said sequence information component corresponds to two of said binary digits and said Phase information component corresponds to the other two binary digits, there being four predetermined sequences of said signal waves, each one of said four predetermined sequences comprises four signal waves.