Frequency agile method for transmitting multi-level data

In a data transmitter that includes a signal processor, a reference frequency signal source that produces a reference frequency signal, and means for adjusting the reference frequency signal, the adjusting means being intermittently enabled by the signal processor, a method for the data transmitter to modulate the reference frequency signal in response to an inputted multiple level data signal, the method comprising steps for:

• A) receiving, by the signal processor, a frequency deviation value and a number of levels in the inputted multiple level data signal;
• B) determining, by the signal processor and based on the number of levels, a deviation ratio corresponding to a first level in the inputted multiple level data signal;
• C) calculating, by the signal processor and based at least in part on the deviation ratio, an increment value;
• and
• D) inputting, by the signal processor, the increment value to the adjusting means to produce the modulated reference signal.

In a data transmitter that includes a signal processor, a reference frequency signal source that produces a reference frequency signal, and means for adjusting the reference frequency signal, the adjusting means being intermittently enabled by the signal processor, a method for the data transmitter to modulate the reference frequency signal in response to an inputted multiple level data signal, the method comprising steps for:

• A) receiving, by the signal processor, a frequency deviation value and a number of levels in the inputted multiple level data signal;
• B) determining, by the signal processor, based at least in part on the frequency deviation value and the reference frequency signal, a maximum rate of enabling the adjusting means;
• C) determining, by the signal processor, a deviation ratio corresponding to each level in the inputted multiple level data signal, to produce a plurality of deviation ratios;
• D) calculating, by the signal processor, based at least in part on the maximum rate of enabling, an increment value associated with each level in the inputted multiple level data signal to produce a plurality of increment levels;
• E) detecting, by the signal processor, a data value for each level of the inputted multiple level data signal;
• F) upon detection of a negative data value, inputting to a first accumulator in the signal processor, an increment value associated with the corresponding level that produced the negative data value;
• and
• G) upon detection of a positive data value, inputting to a second accumulator in the signal processor, an increment value associated with the corresponding level that produced the positive data value.

In a data transmitter that includes a signal processor and a reference frequency signal source that produces a reference frequency signal, the signal processor having means for adjusting the reference frequency signal, a method for the signal processor to modulate the reference frequency signal in response to an inputted multiple level data signal, the method comprising steps for:

• A) receiving a frequency deviation value and a number of levels in the inputted multiple level data signal;
• B) determining, based at least in part on the frequency deviation value and the reference frequency signal, a maximum rate of enabling the adjusting means;
• C) determining a deviation ratio corresponding to each level in the inputted multiple level data signal to produce a plurality of deviation ratios;
• D) multiplying the maximum rate of enabling with each of the plurality of deviation ratios to produce a plurality of increment values, wherein each of the plurality of increment values is associated with a corresponding level in the inputted multiple level data signal;
• E) detecting a data value for each level of the inputted multiple level data signal;
• F) upon detection of a negative data value, inputting, to a first accumulator in the signal processor, an increment value associated with the corresponding level that produced the negative data value and testing the first accumulator to determine whether a first predetermined value is exceeded;
• G) upon detection of a positive data value, inputting, to a second accumulator in the signal processor, an increment value associated with the corresponding level that produced the positive data value and testing the second accumulator to determine whether a second predetermined value is exceeded;
• H) when the first predetermined value is exceeded, subtracting the first predetermined value from the first accumulator and subtracting, using the adjusting means, a signal pulse from the reference frequency signal to produce the modulated reference frequency signal;
• and
• I) when the second predetermined value is exceeded, subtracting the second predetermined value from the second accumulator and adding, using the adjusting means, the signal pulse to the reference frequency signal to produce the modulated reference frequency signal.