Back to results
US 5,940,750 AGranted
Low-cost low noise block down-converter with a self-oscillating mixer for satellite broadcast receivers
OwnerGuan-Wu Wanginventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A low-cost low noise block down-converter for use in a receiver in a satellite broadcasting system is provided. The down-converter includes a high-performance self-oscillating mixer made from a MESFET with a dielectric resonator for providing feedback. The self-oscillating mixer functions as both an oscillator and a mixer and, thus, reduces the cost and number of components to manufacture the down-converter.
Claims46
A low noise block down-converter for use in a receiver in a satellite broadcasting system comprising:
- a first low noise amplifier having an input adapted for coupling to a first RF signal from a satellite reflector dish and having an output for providing an amplified first RF signal;
- and
- a first self-oscillating mixer having an input coupled to the amplified first RF signal and having an output for providing a first intermediate frequency signal corresponding to the first RF signal, wherein the first self-oscillating mixer functions as both an oscillator and a mixer, wherein said mixer includes a single-gate transistor stabilized with a resonator that provides conversion gain so as to reduce the number of stages of amplification required in the low noise amplifier and wherein the resonator is
- whereby the down-converter converts the first RF signal to the first intermediate frequency signal at a lower frequency with a reduced number of components and simpler circuit design.
1 more element
A low noise block down-converter for use in a receiver in a direct broadcasting satellite system comprising:
- a low noise amplifier having an input adapted for coupling to a RF signal from a satellite reflector dish and having an output for providing an amplified RF signal, wherein the RF signal is in the frequency range of either about 10 to about 12 GHz or about 12 to about 18 GHz;
- and
- a self-oscillating mixer having an input coupled to the amplified RF signal and having an output for providing an intermediate frequency signal corresponding to the RE signal, wherein the self-oscillating mixer functions as both an oscillator and a mixer, wherein said mixer includes a single-gate transistor stabilized with a resonator that provides conversion gain so as to reduce the number of stages of amplification required in the low noise amplifier and wherein the resonator is coupled between the mixer output and mixer input providing feedback therebetween;
- whereby the down-convener converts the RF signal to the intermediate frequency signal at a lower frequency with a reduced number of components and simpler circuit design.
1 more element
A dual-polarity low noise block down-converter for use in a receiver in a satellite broadcasting system comprising:
- a feedhorn adapted to be positioned at a focal point of a satellite for receiving an RF signal having both vertical and horizontal polarizations;
- a waveguide to microstrip transition for coupling the RF signal from the feedhorn to a microstrip circuit;
- a switch mounted on the microstrip circuit for selectively coupling either the vertical or horizontal polarization of the RF signal to be amplified and down-converted;
- a low noise amplifier mounted on the microstrip circuit having an input coupled to the switch for receiving the selected polarization of the RF signal and having an output for providing an amplified RF signal;
- and
- a self-oscillating mixer having an input coupled to the amplified RF signal and having an output for providing an intermediate frequency signal corresponding to the RF signal, wherein the self-oscillating mixer functions as both an oscillator and a mixer, wherein said mixer includes a single-gate transistor stabilized with a resonator that provides conversion gain so as to reduce the number of stages of amplification required in the low noise amplifier and wherein the resonator is coupled between the mixer output and mixer input providing feedback therebetween;
- whereby the down-converter converts the RF signal to the intermediate frequency signal at a lower frequency with a reduced number of components and simpler circuit design.
4 more elements
A method for manufacturing a low noise block down-converter for use in a receiver in a satellite broadcasting system, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing an RF amplifier for amplifying an RF satellite signal;
- (b) coupling a self-oscillating mixer to the RF amplifier for downconverting the RF satellite signal to an intermediate frequency, wherein the self-oscillating mixer functions as both an oscillator and mixer, wherein said mixer includes a single-gate transistor stabilized with a resonator that provides conversion gain so as to reduce the number of stages of amplification required in the low noise amplifier;
- and wherein the resonator is coupled between an output of the mixer and the input of the mixer providing feedback therebetween
- (c) providing an intermediate frequency amplifier for amplifying the intermediate frequency signal;
- whereby the down-converter converts the RF signal to the intermediate frequency signal at a lower frequency with a reduced number of components and simpler circuit design.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.