Circuit and method for modulating the base frequency of a waveform generator

An improved waveform generator (10) permits digital spectrum spreading by employing circuitry for controlling the charging and discharging of a load capacitor (24) to alter the generator's base frequency. A charge/discharge circuit (22) modulates the currents into the capacitor (24) to effect t...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors COTTON DAVE, CHEN WAYNE T, JONES, III ROY CLIFTON
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
Published 21.08.2001
Edition7
Subjects
AMPLIFIERS
BASIC ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
ELECTRICITY
PULSE TECHNIQUE
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:An improved waveform generator (10) permits digital spectrum spreading by employing circuitry for controlling the charging and discharging of a load capacitor (24) to alter the generator's base frequency. A charge/discharge circuit (22) modulates the currents into the capacitor (24) to effect the slope of the triangle signal waveform (202). A threshold detector (26) determines the amplitude of the base frequency. Switch logic (28) controls an array of 1/N current switches (18) that provide incremental values of a reference source (12) to a summing function (16) which, in turn, feeds a charge/discharge circuit (22). The energy of the triangle waveform (202) remains approximately the same only it is now spread over a range of frequencies with the amplitude of the signal at a given point less than the amplitude of the base.
Bibliography:Application Number: US19980197095