Multi-Pulse Signal Generator Based on a Sawtooth Chirp

A signal generator comprising:

• a memory for storing an M-ary digital signal having M levels where M>1 and M<9;
• and
• a controller that causes said M-ary digital signal to be readout at a specified rate into a driver circuit that generates an output signal corresponding to said M-ary signal, said output signal having M signal levels;
• a user interface that receives input parameters specifying said M-ary signal and said specified rate, wherein said M-ary signal comprises an upconverted digital baseband chirp signal that includes a digital baseband chirp signal that has been upconverted to a center frequency, said digital baseband chirp signal being determined by said input parameters.

An apparatus comprising:

• a first signal input port that receives a test signal;
• an LO signal generator that generates a mixer LO signal, said mixer LO signal comprising a first M-ary signal that comprises an upconverted digital baseband chirp signal that includes a digital baseband chirp signal that has been upconverted to a center frequency;
• a mixer driven by said mixer LO signal;
• and
• an IF filter that filters an output of said mixer to generate an IF signal;
• and
• a processor that analyzes said IF signal to determine a parameter characterizing said test signal and outputs that parameter.

An apparatus comprising:

• a first signal input port that receives a first input test signal to be applied to a device under test (DUT);
• an LO signal generator that generates a mixer LO signal comprising a first M-ary signal having M signal levels, wherein M>1 and M<9, comprising an upconverted digital baseband chirp signal that includes a digital baseband chirp signal that has been upconverted to a center frequency;
• a first measurement channel comprising first and second mixer channels and a first measurement channel input port, each mixer channel comprising;
• a coupler that applies a portion of a signal to a mixer corresponding to that channel, said mixer being driven by said mixer LO signal;
• and
• a IF pass filter that filters an output of said mixer to generate an IF signal corresponding to that mixer channel,
• said coupler in said first mixer channel of said first measurement channel being connected to said first measurement channel input port and a first device port, and said coupler in said second mixer channel of said first measurement port applying a portion of a signal received on said first device port to said mixer in said second mixer channel;
• and
• a processor that analyzes said IF signals from said first and second mixer channels to determine a parameter characterizing said DUT and outputs that parameter.