US3684976A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Frequency synthesizer having output oscillator phase locked to frequencies derived from a single frequency standard
Assignee: General Precision Industries Ltd
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Filing: 1971-01-11
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Granted: 1972-08-15
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Expires: 1991-01-11
Abstract
Abstract A frequency synthesizer for producing selected frequencies to support an associated receiver. The synthesizer comprises means to generate a discrete frequency signal and generating circuit means adapted to derive from said discrete frequency signal a plurality of signals of different frequencies. A circuit means is further provided and made responsive to a selection mechanism whereby desired synthesized frequencies are rapidly selected by mixing and dividing the signals of different frequencies. A voltage controlled oscillator and phaselock means reduce the frequency selection response time to provide a substantially exact output frequency. The selection mechanism further controls the bias voltage of the voltage controlled oscillator to approximately tune it to the required output frequency.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerard Linel Patrick Terreault
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 16:58
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03B; H03B21/00; H03B21/01; H03B21/04; H03B21/02; H03L; H03L7/00; H03L7/06; H03L7/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A frequency synthesizer for producing selected synthesized frequencies to support an associated receiver comprising means to generate a discrete frequency signal, generating circuit means adapted to derive from said discrete frequency signal a plurality of signals of different frequencies, circuit means responsive to a selection mechanism to rapidly select and generate from said signals of different frequencies a desired synthesized frequency, and a voltage controlled oscillator and phase-lock means associated with said oscillator to reduce frequency selection response time to provide a substantially exact output frequency derived from said desired synthesized frequency, said frequency selection mechanism further controlling the bias voltage of said voltage controlled oscillator to approximately tune it to said output frequency.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A frequency synthesizer for producing selected synthesized frequencies to support an associated receiver comprising means to generate a discrete frequency signal, generating circuit means adapted to derive from said discrete frequency signal a plurality of signals of different frequencies, circuit means responsive to a selection mechanism to rapidly select and generate from said signals of different frequencies a desired synthesized frequency, and a voltage controlled oscillator and phase-lock means associated with said oscillator to reduce frequency selection response time to provide a substantially exact output frequency derived from said desired synthesized frequency, said frequency selection mechanism further controlling the bias voltage of said voltage controlled oscillator to approximately tune it to said output frequency.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A frequency synthesizer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means to generate is a frequency standard circuit having an oscillator generating a discrete frequency signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A frequency synthesizer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said generating circuit means include a plurality of frequency multiplier circuits, frequency dividing circuits and mixing circuits to produce a pre-selected fixed synthesized frequency for tuning the associated receiver.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A frequency synthesizer as claimed in claim 3 wherein said generating circuit means further provide discrete, pre-selected fixed frequencies for a reference frequency output, phase locking frequencies and auxiliary frequencies for IF conversion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
A frequency synthesizer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said circuit means comprises a plurality of matrix circuits adapted to receive two groups of pre-selected fixed synthesized frequencies from said generating circuit means and each of said matrix producing two selective outputs frequencies, said two selective outputs each being responsive to said frequency selection mechanism.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
A frequency synthesizer as claimed in claim 5 wherein there is further provided six digit insertion stages controlled by said frequency selection mechanism via said matrix circuit to provide a choice of 1,000,000 output frequencies dependent on setting of decade mechanical switches of said frequency selection mechanism.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
A frequency synthesizer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said frequency selection mechanism comprises rapid decade tuning switches for selecting the required synthesized frequency at the output of said generating circuit means, voltage dividing means for selecting a DC bias for said voltage controlled oscillator and control voltages for remote selection of a receiver frequency.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A frequency synthesizer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said voltage controlled oscillator consists of a frequency determining circuit to provide a stable signal output, a buffer circuit connected to said output signal, and a limiter circuit to provide a squared output signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
A frequency synthesizer as claimed in claim 8 wherein said square output signal is connected to a filter to remove harmonic distortions therefrom to provide a first output, and further connected to a X10 frequency multiplier circuit to provide a second output and also connected to a digital frequency divider circuit to feed the phase-lock means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
A frequency synthesizer as claimed in claim 9 wherein said phase-lock means comprises a comparator circuit for comparing and locking the phase of a selected fixed synthesized frequency from said circuit means and a frequency from said voltage controlled oscillator, said phase locking being provided by a feedback DC voltage from said comparator.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A frequency synthesizer as claimed in claim 10 wherein there is further provided a phase-lock failure indicator circuit comprising visual indicating means operative in response to a predetermined variation of said DC voltage when said phase-lock fails.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A frequency synthesizer as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is further provided emergency operating means to provide operation during phase-lock or controlled oscillator failure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
60 words
A frequency synthesizer as claimed in claim 12 wherein said emergency operating means comprises a frequency multiplier circuit adapted to be connected between an output of a digit insertion network in said circuit means having the selected synthesized frequency and a buffer in said controlled oscillator circuit to retain the tuning accuracy of the synthesizer when said phase-lock has failed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A frequency synthesizer as claimed in claim 13 wherein said frequency multiplier circuit comprises three multiplying stages of X5, X2 and X2, respectively.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
A frequency synthesizer as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is further provided emergency operating means comprising switch means to disconnect the selected synthesized frequency output of said circuit means thereby providing for the voltage controlled oscillator to be tuned in the event of synthesized frequency failure.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of providing a synthesized group of frequencies to select therefrom a required tuning frequency to support an associated receiver comprising the steps of i. generating a discrete frequency signal, ii. multiplying, dividing and mixing said discrete frequency signal to provide a plurality of signals of different frequencies, iii. selecting a desired frequency from said plurality of signals of different frequencies, iv. tuning a voltage controlled oscillator to approximately said required tuning frequency, v. generating a further signal proportional to said selected synthesized frequency, and vi. phase locking said further signal to said selected synthesized frequency to produce a substantially exact output frequency.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of providing a synthesized group of frequencies to select therefrom a required tuning frequency to support an associated receiver comprising the steps of i. generating a discrete frequency signal, ii. multiplying, dividing and mixing said discrete frequency signal to provide a plurality of signals of different frequencies, iii. selecting a desired frequency from said plurality of signals of different frequencies, iv. tuning a voltage controlled oscillator to approximately said required tuning frequency, v. generating a further signal proportional to said selected synthesized frequency, and vi. phase locking said further signal to said selected synthesized frequency to produce a substantially exact output frequency.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-15 | 1976-02-14 | 1976-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-15 | 1980-02-14 | 1980-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-15 | 1984-02-14 | 1984-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |