System and method for ultra wideband radio frequency scanning and signal generation

Abstract

A system for radio transmission, arranged in a single signal chain and including a direct digital synthesis (DDS) signal generator providing a signal within a first bandwidth; a frequency multiplier in signal communication with said DDS signal generator; said frequency multiplier adapted to convert said signal within said first bandwidth to a multiplied signal within a second bandwidth, wherein said second bandwidth encompasses a wider frequency range than said first bandwidth; a processor in communication with said DDS signal generator for programming said DDS signal generator to provide said signal within said first bandwidth; said processor further adapted to reprogram said DDS signal generator to alter said first bandwidth; a radio frequency (RF) port for transmitting said signal as a wideband signal; and, a radio frequency (RF) mixer for mixing an intermediate frequency signal with said multiplied signal to generate an RF signal; said RF port transmitting said RF signal as said wideband signal.

1 . A system for radio transmission comprising:
 a direct digital synthesis (DDS) signal generator providing a signal within a first bandwidth;   a frequency multiplier in signal communication with said DDS signal generator; said frequency multiplier adapted to convert said signal within said first bandwidth to a multiplied signal within a second bandwidth, wherein said second bandwidth encompasses a wider frequency range than said first bandwidth;   a processor in communication with said DDS signal generator for programming said DDS signal generator to provide said signal within said first bandwidth; said processor further adapted to reprogram said DDS signal generator to alter said first bandwidth;   a radio frequency (RF) port for transmitting said signal as a wideband signal; and,   a radio frequency (RF) mixer for mixing an intermediate frequency signal with said multiplied signal to generate an RF signal; said RF port transmitting said RF signal as said wideband signal;   wherein the system is arranged in a single signal chain.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a digital-analog converter (DAC) for receiving a digital signal to be transmitted and converting said digital signal into an analog signal; and,   a data converter/mixer for converting said analog signal to said intermediate frequency signal.   
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 2 , further comprising one or more of:
 a bandpass filter between said DDS signal generator and said frequency multiplier;   an RF bandpass filter between said RF mixer and said RF port; and   a DAC bandpass filter between said data converter/mixer and said RF mixer.   
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said first bandwidth is in the range of DC to 1.6 GHz. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 4 , wherein said second bandwidth is in the range of DC to 6 GHz. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 5 , wherein said processor is adapted to reprogram said DDS signal generator in less than 1 μs. 
     
     
         7 . A system for radio scanning comprising:
 a radio frequency (RF) port for receiving an incoming wideband signal;   a direct digital synthesis (DDS) signal generator providing a signal within a first bandwidth;   a frequency multiplier in signal communication with said DDS signal generator; said frequency multiplier adapted to convert said signal within said first bandwidth to a multiplied signal within a second bandwidth, wherein said second bandwidth encompasses a wider frequency range than said first bandwidth;   a processor in communication with said DDS signal generator for programming said DDS signal generator to provide said signal within said first bandwidth; said processor further adapted to reprogram said DDS signal generator to alter said first bandwidth;   a radio frequency (RF) mixer for mixing said incoming wideband signal with said multiplied signal to generate an intermediate frequency signal;   a data converter/mixer for converting said intermediate frequency signal into a baseband frequency signal; and,   an analog-digital converter (ADC) for receiving said baseband frequency signal and converting said baseband frequency signal into a digital signal;   wherein the system is arranged in a single signal chain.   
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 8 , further comprising one or more of:
 a bandpass filter between said DDS signal generator and said frequency multiplier; and,   an RF bandpass filter between said RF mixer and said RF port; and a DAC bandpass filter between said data converter/mixer and said RF mixer.   
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein said first bandwidth is in the range of DC to 1.6 GHz. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein said second bandwidth is in the range of DC to 6 GHz.