Methods and Systems for Down-Converting a Signal Using a Complementary Transistor Structure

• Main Authors: LOOKE RICHARD C, COOK ROBERT W, MOSES, JR. CHARLEY D, SORRELLS DAVID F, BULTMAN MICHAEL J
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 15.10.2015
• Subjects: ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS; BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; BASIC ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY; DEMODULATION OR TRANSFERENCE OF MODULATION FROM ONE CARRIER TOANOTHER; ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE; ELECTRICITY; MODULATION; TRANSMISSION; TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHICCOMMUNICATION

Methods, systems, and apparatuses for down-converting an electromagnetic (EM) signal by aliasing the EM signal is described herein. Briefly stated, such methods, systems, and apparatuses operate by receiving an EM signal and an aliasing signal having an aliasing rate. The EM signal is aliased according to the aliasing signal to down-convert the EM signal. The term aliasing, as used herein, refers to both down-converting an EM signal by under-sampling the EM signal at an aliasing rate, and down-converting an EM signal by transferring energy from the EM signal at the aliasing rate. In an embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to an intermediate frequency (IF) signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to a demodulated baseband information signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is a frequency modulated (FM) signal, which is down-converted to a non-FM signal, such as a phase modulated (PM) signal or an amplitude modulated (AM) signal.