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US 12,627,262 B2Granted
Generation and synchronization of pulse-width modulated (PWM) waveforms for radio-frequency (RF) applications
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsAlexander Sergeev Jurkov, David J. Perreault
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Described are concepts, systems, circuits and techniques directed toward methods and apparatus for generating one or more pulse width modulated (PWM) waveforms with the ability to dynamically control pulse width and phase with respect to a reference signal.
Claims15
A method for generating a pulse width modulated (PWM) output signal at an output of a PWM generator, the method comprising:
- (a) receiving a reference signal at an input of a first phase-locked loop (PLL);
- (b) receiving a time-delayed signal at a feedback input of the first PLL;
- (c) providing a signal from an output of the first PLL to a first input of a waveform combiner and to an input of a second, different PLL;
- (d) providing a signal from an output of the second PLL to a second input of the waveform combiner;
- and
- (e) combing, in the waveform combiner, an output signal from the first PLL and the second PLL to generate a PWM output signal.
3 more elements
A method comprising:
- (a) receiving a reference signal at inputs of a plurality of first phase-locked loops (PLL), each of the plurality of first PLLs being in a corresponding one of a plurality of pulse width modulated (PWM) generators;
- (b) receiving respective ones of a plurality of time-delayed signals at respective ones of feedback inputs of the plurality of first PLLs;
- (c) providing a signal from an output of each of the first PLLs to a first input of a respective one of a plurality of waveform combiners, each of the plurality of waveform combiners being in a corresponding one of the plurality of PWM generators;
- (d) providing a signal from an output of each of the first PLLs to an input of a respective of a plurality of second PLLs, each of the plurality of second PLLs being in a corresponding one of the plurality of PWM generators;
- (e) providing a signal from an output of each of the plurality of second PLLs to a second input of the respective ones of the plurality of waveform combiners;
- and
- (f) combing, in the respective ones of the plurality of waveform combiners, output signals from the respective first PLLs and the second PLLs to generate a PWM signal at an output of each of the plurality of PWM generators.
4 more elements
A pulse width modulation (PWM) system comprising:
- a plurality of PWM generators having an input configured to be coupled to a reference signal source and an output and comprising;
- a first phase lock loop (PLL) and a second PLL coupled in a cascade configuration such that the first PLL is configured to receive a reference signal at an input thereof and an output of the first PLL is coupled to an input of the second PLL such that a phase-shifted output signal from the first PLL serves as a reference signal of the second PLL;
- a time delay circuit coupled to a feedback input of the first PLL;
- and
- a waveform combiner having a first input, a second input and an output with the first input of the waveform combiner coupled to the output of the first PLL, the second input of the waveform combiner coupled to the output of the second PLL and the output of the waveform combiner coupled to an output of the PWM generator, the waveform combiner responsive to phase-shifted signals provided to the first and second inputs thereof by the first and second PLLs to provide a PWM output signal Q at the output of the PWM generator.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.