US 3,955,137 A · Adjustable frequency scanning signal processor

Abstract

A compressive or "microscan" signal processor adapted for the simultaneous measurement of multifrequency signal components which encompass a broad frequency spectrum. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the applied signals are processed through a mixer which is driven by a linear frequency versus time waveform sweep signal. The output from the mixer is applied to one input port of a nonlinear correlator, and a second input port of the correlator is supplied with a linear frequency versus time waveform signal whose slope is opposite from that of the sweep signal applied to the mixer. The output signal from the correlator comprises a series of pulses which are displaced in time as a function of the frequency of the corresponding portions of the applied signals, and whose amplitudes are representative of the relative energy distribution of the applied signals.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A signal processor adapted for producing output signals indicative of the relative frequency distribution of the energy contained in applied signals, said processor comprising:

first sweep generator means for producing a first sweep signal which linearly varies in frequency as a function of time;
second sweep generator means for producing a second sweep signal which varies linearly in frequency as a function of time and whose frequency versus time slope is opposite from the frequency versus time slope of said first sweep signal;
a signal mixer having a first input circuit adapted to receive said applied signals, a second input circuit coupled to receive said first sweep signal, and an output circuit;
and
a nonlinear correlator having a first input port coupled to said signal mixer's output circuit, a second input port coupled to receive said second sweep signal and an output port;
whereby
the output signal from said nonlinear correlator is indicative of the relative frequency distribution of the energy contained in the applied signals.

4 more elements

A signal processor adapted for analysis of the frequency distribution of the energy within an applied signal, said processor comprising:

first sweep generator means for producing a first sweep signal which linearly varies in frequency as a function of time;
second sweep generator means for mixing said first sweep signal with a fixed frequency signal so as to produce a second sweep signal which varies linearly in frequency as a function of time and whose frequency versus time slope is opposite from the frequency versus time slope of said first sweep signal;
a signal mixer having a first input circuit adapted to receive said applied signals, a second input circuit coupled to receive said first sweep signal, and an output circuit;
and
a nonlinear acoustic surface wave correlator having a first input port coupled to said signal mixer's output circuit, a second input port coupled to receive said second sweep signal and an output port;
whereby
the output signal from said correlator comprises pulses whose time separation is indicative of relative frequency and whose amplitude is indicative of relative energy content.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Adjustable frequency scanning signal processor

Life of this patent

Adjustable frequency scanning signal processor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10