Direct digital frequency generation using time and amplitude

A method comprising:

• generating a central synthesized signal using a central frequency synthesizer;
• receiving the central synthesized signal at a first digital-to time converter (DTC) of a first transmitter;
• providing a first transmitter signal having a first transmitter frequency using the first DTC;
• receiving the central synthesized signal at a second DTC of a first receiver;
• providing a first receiver signal having a first receiver frequency using the second DTC;
• wherein providing the first transmitter signal includes:
• receiving phase ramp information at the first DTC to generate the first transmitter frequency,
• receiving phase modulation information to modulate information within the first transmitter signal;
• and
• providing a first modulated signal as the first transmitter signal at an output of the first DTC using the first phase ramp information and the phase modulation information.

An apparatus comprising:

• a central frequency synthesizer configured to provide a central oscillator signal having a first frequency;
• a first transmitter, the first transmitter including a first transmit digital-to-time converter (DTC) configured to receive the central oscillator signal and to provide a first transmitter signal having a second frequency;
• and
• a first receiver, the first receiver including a first receive DTC configured to receive the central oscillator signal and to provide a first receiver signal having a first receive frequency,
• wherein the first transmitter signal includes a first modulated signal;
• wherein the first transmit DTC is configured to receive first phase ramp information and phase modulation information and to provide the first modulated signal using the first phase ramp information and the phase modulation information.