Patent Application
20200036456
This relates generally to information transfer through modulation of electronic signals, including but not limited to discrete-frequency signals and instantaneous frequency measurement of signals.
The transfer of information between devices is widely achieved through the modulation and transmission of electronic signals, for example by a transmitter, and the receipt and demodulation of the transmitted electronic signals, for example by a receiver. Conventional techniques for modulation of electronic signals are cumbersome, inefficient, and limited. In some cases, conventional modulation methods are constrained by limited signal-to-noise ratios of transmitted signals, often due to limits on transmission power levels due to transmitter design or to regulatory limits. In some cases, conventional modulation methods require wide bands of frequency spectrum, which are limited and can be difficult to obtain. In some cases, because receivers have limited ability to accurately determine the frequency of a received signal, wider frequency bands are used for each unit of information, which reduces the information transmission rate obtainable per unit of a particular band of frequency spectrum.
Accordingly, there is a need for methods of information transfer, and systems and devices for carrying out such methods, that better utilize available frequency spectrum, improve receiver accuracy, and achieve higher rates of information transmission per unit of available frequency spectrum.
The above deficiencies and other problems associated with conventional information transfer approaches are reduced or eliminated by the disclosed methods, devices, and systems. In accordance with some embodiments, a method of transmitting information includes obtaining first data, from a first set of data, and second data, from a second set of data, for transmission. The method includes determining a first frequency band, in a first predefined set of frequency bands, that is associated with the first data. The method includes determining a first value of a first signal property, in a first predefined set of values of the first signal property, that is associated with the second data. The method includes transmitting a first signal pulse having a first frequency in the first frequency band and having the first value of the first signal property. The first signal pulse represents the first data and the second data. Each frequency band in the first predefined set of frequency bands is associated with distinct respective data from the first set of data. Each value of the first signal property in the first predefined set of values of the first signal property is associated with distinct respective data from the second set of data. The first predefined set of frequency bands, in aggregate, are not contiguous.
In some embodiments, the first data and the second data correspond to bits of data.
In some embodiments, the first set of data and the second set of data correspond to respective portions of a same predefined set of symbols.
In some embodiments, the first set of data corresponds to a first set of symbols and the second set of data corresponds to a second set of symbols distinct from the first set of symbols.
In some embodiments, the first signal property is phase.
In some embodiments, the first signal property is amplitude.
In some embodiments, the first signal property is pulse width.
In some embodiments, the method further comprises obtaining third data from a third set of data and determining a first value of a second signal property, in a second predefined set of values of the second signal property, that is associated with the third data. The transmitted first signal pulse has the first value of the second signal property. Each value of the second signal property in the second predefined set of values of the second signal property is associated with distinct respective data from the third set of data.
In some embodiments, the method further comprises obtaining fourth data from a fourth set of data and determining a first value of a third signal property in a third predefined set of values of the third signal property, that is associated with the fourth data. The transmitted first signal pulse has the first value of the third signal property. Each value of the third signal property in the third predefined set of values of the third signal property is associated with distinct respective data from the fourth set of data.
In some embodiments, the first signal property, the second signal property and the third signal property are distinct signal properties.
In some embodiments, each respective data in the first set of data is associated with only one respective frequency band in the first predefined set of frequency bands, and each respective data in the second set of data is associated with only one respective value in the first predefined set of values of the first signal property.
In some embodiments, the method further comprises obtaining fifth data from the first set of data and sixth data from the second set of data for transmission. The fifth data is the same as the first data and the sixth data is distinct from the second data. The method further comprises determining a second frequency band, in the first predefined set of frequency bands, that is associated with the fifth data. The second frequency band is the same as the first frequency band. The method further comprises determining a second value of the first signal property, in the first predefined set of values of the first signal property, that is associated with the sixth data. The second value of the first signal property is distinct from the first value of the first signal property. The method further comprises, after at least a predefined amount of time since transmitting the first signal pulse, transmitting a second signal pulse having the second value of the first signal property and having a respective frequency in the first frequency band.
In accordance with some embodiments, a system for information transfer includes processing circuitry configured to obtain first data from a first set of data and second data from a second set of data for transmission, and to determine a first frequency band, in a first predefined set of frequency bands, that is associated with the first data, and determine a first value of a first signal property, in a first predefined set of values of the first signal property, that is associated with the second data. The system includes a transmitter, configured to transmit a first signal pulse having a first frequency in the first frequency band and having the first value of the first signal property. The first signal pulse represents the first data and the second data. Each frequency band in the predefined set of frequency bands is associated with distinct respective data from the first set of data. Each value of the first signal property in the first predefined set of values of the first signal property is associated with distinct respective data from the second set of data. The predefined set of frequency bands, in aggregate, are not contiguous. In some embodiments, the system for information transfer is configured to perform any of the methods for transmitting information, as described herein.
In accordance with some embodiments, a method of receiving information includes receiving a first signal pulse. The method includes determining a first frequency band that is associated with the first signal pulse and determining a first value of a first signal property that is associated with the first signal pulse. The method includes, in accordance with a determination that the first frequency band is a respective frequency band in a first predefined set of frequency bands, determining first data, from a first set of data, that is associated with the first frequency band and represented by the first signal pulse. The method includes, in accordance with a determination that the first value of the first signal property is a respective value in a first predefined set of values of the first signal property, determining second data, from a second set of data, that is associated with the first value of the first signal property and represented by the first signal pulse. The first signal pulse represents the first data and the second data. Each frequency band in the predefined set of frequency bands is associated with distinct respective data from the first set of data. Each value of the first signal property in the first predefined set of values of the first signal property is associated with distinct respective data from the second set of data. The first predefined set of frequency bands, in aggregate, are not contiguous.
In some embodiments, the first data and the second data correspond to bits of data.
In some embodiments, the first set of data and the second set of data correspond to respective portions of a same predefined set of symbols.
In some embodiments, the first set of data corresponds to a first set of symbols and the second set of data corresponds to a second set of symbols distinct from the first set of symbols.
In some embodiments, the first signal property is phase.
In some embodiments, the first signal property is amplitude.
In some embodiments, the first signal property is pulse width.
In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining a value of a second signal property that is associated with the first signal pulse. The method includes, in accordance with a determination that the value of the second signal property is a respective value in a second predefined set of values of the second signal property, determining third data, from a third set of data, that is associated with the value of the second signal property and represented by the first signal pulse. Each value of the second signal property in the second predefined set of values of the second signal property is associated with distinct respective data from the third set of data.
In some embodiments, the method includes determining a value of a third signal property that is associated with the first signal pulse. The method includes, in accordance with a determination that the value of the third signal property is a respective value in a third predefined set of values of the third signal property, determining fourth data, from a fourth set of data, that is associated with the value of the third signal property and represented by the first signal pulse. Each value of the third signal property in the third predefined set of values of the third signal property is associated with distinct respective data from the fourth set of data.
In some embodiments, the first signal property, the second signal property and the third signal property are distinct signal properties.
In some embodiments, each respective data in the first set of data is associated with only one respective frequency band in the first predefined set of frequency bands, and each respective data in the second set of data is associated with only one respective value in the first predefined set of values of the first signal property.
In some embodiments, the method includes, after at least a predefined amount of time since receiving the first signal pulse, receiving a second signal pulse. The method includes determining a second frequency band that is associated with the second signal pulse and determining a second value of the first signal property that is associated with the second signal pulse. The method includes, in accordance with a determination that the second frequency band is the respective frequency band in the first predefined set of frequency bands, determining fifth data, from the first set of data, that is associated with the second frequency band and represented by the second signal pulse. The fifth data is the same as the first data. The method includes, in accordance with a determination that the second value of the first signal property is a respective value in the first predefined set of values of the first signal property, determining sixth data, from the second set of data, that is associated with the second value of the first signal property and represented by the second signal pulse, wherein the sixth data is distinct from the second data.
In accordance with some embodiments, a system for information transfer includes a receiver configured to receive a first signal pulse. The system further includes frequency determination circuitry, configured to determine a first frequency band that is associated with the first signal pulse. The system further includes first signal property determination circuitry, configured to determine a first value of a first signal property that is associated with the first signal pulse. The system includes processing circuitry, configured to, in accordance with a determination that the first frequency band is a respective frequency band in a first predefined set of frequency bands, determine first data, from a first set of data, that is associated with the first frequency band and represented by the first signal pulse. The processing circuitry is further configured to, in accordance with a determination that the first value of the first signal property is a respective value in a first predefined set of values of the first signal property, determine second data, from a second set of data, that is associated with the first value of the first signal property and represented by the first signal pulse. The first signal pulse represents the first data and the second data. Each frequency band in the predefined set of frequency bands is associated with distinct respective data from the first set of data. Each value of the first signal property in the first predefined set of values of the first signal property is associated with distinct respective data from the second set of data. The predefined set of frequency bands, in aggregate, are not contiguous. In some embodiments, the system for information transfer is configured to perform any of the methods for receiving information, as described herein.
For a better understanding of the various described embodiments, reference should be made to the Detailed Description below, in conjunction with the following drawings.
In accordance with common practice, the various features illustrated in the drawings may not be drawn to scale. Accordingly, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. In addition, some of the drawings may not depict all the elements of a given system, method or device, or may depict relevant features or portions of an element without depicting the full extent of the element. Finally, like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the various described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the various described embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.
It will also be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first signal could be termed a second signal, and, similarly, a second signal could be termed a first signal, without changing the meaning of the description, so long as all occurrences of the “first signal” are renamed consistently and all occurrences of the “second signal” are renamed consistently. The first signal and the second signal are both signals, but they are not the same signal, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the claims. As used in the description of the embodiments and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
As used herein, the phrase “at least one of A, B and C” is to be construed to require one or more of the listed items, and this phrase reads on a single instance of A alone, a single instance of B alone, or a single instance of C alone, while also encompassing combinations of the listed items such as “one or more of A and one or more of B without any of C,” and the like.
As used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in accordance with a determination” or “in response to detecting” that a stated condition precedent is true, depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined [that a stated condition precedent is true]” or “if [a stated condition precedent is true]” or “when [a stated condition precedent is true]” may be construed to mean “upon determining” or “in response to determining” or “in accordance with a determination” or “upon detecting” or “in response to detecting” that the stated condition precedent is true, depending on the context.
In some embodiments, transmitting system 120 includes processing circuitry 102. In some embodiments, processing circuitry 102 is implemented using one or more processors (or processor cores) (e.g., CPUs, microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), or the like) configured to execute instructions in one or more programs (e.g., stored in processing circuitry 102, such as in one or more memory components of processing circuitry 102, or stored in memory separate from and communicatively coupled with processing circuitry 102) for performing operations described herein. In some embodiments, processing circuitry 102 is implemented using hardware circuitry such as one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) configured to perform operations described herein.
In some embodiments, transmitting system 120 includes lookup table(s) 104 (e.g., lookup table 104-1 to lookup table 104-y, where y is an integer). In some embodiments, the information stored in lookup tables 104-1 to 104-y are combined into a single lookup table (e.g., stored in a same data structure). In some embodiments, transmitting system 120 includes other lookup table(s) in addition to lookup tables 104-1 and 104-y (e.g., where each table at the transmitting system stores symbol data and/or symbols associated with values of a respective signal property). In some embodiments, lookup table 104-1 stores information associating symbols (which represent units of data) with frequencies representing the symbols, and, in some embodiments, associating units of data with the symbols representing the data (e.g., as described in further detail herein with reference to
In some embodiments, transmitting system 120 includes frequency generation circuitry 106. In some embodiments, frequency generation circuitry 106 is used to generate respective signals at respective frequencies determined by processing circuitry 102, to represent one or more symbols representing data. To that end, in some embodiments, frequency generation circuitry 106 includes variable-frequency oscillator (VFO) 108, upconverter 110, and/or amplifier 112. In some embodiments, VFO 108 is used to generate signals (e.g., continuous wave signals or pulses) at respective frequencies. In some embodiments, VFO 108 generates sinusoidal signals. In some embodiments, VFO 108 generates square waves. In some embodiments, VFO 108 generates signals that have frequencies corresponding to the frequencies in lookup table 104-1 and are representative of symbols. In some embodiments, the signals generated by VFO 108 are optionally converted to higher frequencies for transmission using upconverter 110 (e.g., in situations where higher-frequency signal transmission is preferred over lower-frequency signal transmission). In some embodiments, amplifier 112 receives signals from frequency generation circuitry 106, optionally via upconverter 110, and amplifies the signals (e.g., the signal amplitude) prior to transmission.
In some embodiments, transmitting system 120 includes transmitter 114. In some embodiments, transmitter 114 is used to transmit signals that have been produced by frequency generation circuitry 106 (optionally in conjunction with upconverter 110 and/or amplifier 112) in accordance with respective frequencies determined by processing circuitry 102, and optionally amplified using amplifier 112. In some embodiments, transmitter 114 is, or includes, an antenna.
In some embodiments, one or more signals transmitted by transmitting system 120 (e.g., by transmitter 114), are received at receiving system 140. More specifically, in some embodiments, the one or more signals are received at receiver 118 of receiving system 140. In some embodiments, receiver 118 is, or includes, an antenna. In some embodiments, receiver 118 is communicatively coupled with frequency determination circuitry 116. In some embodiments, frequency determination circuitry 116 determines respective frequencies of one or more signals received by receiver 118 (e.g., from transmitting system 120).
In some embodiments, frequency determination circuitry 116 includes amplifier 132, downconverter 130, frequency detector 128, and/or error correction circuitry 126. In some embodiments, signals received by receiver 118 are amplified by amplifier 132 prior to determining the frequencies of the received signals. In some embodiments, such as those in which a transmitting system uses an upconverter, corresponding downconverter 130 is used to convert received signals to signals that have lower frequencies, which in turn are used for detection and decoding. In some embodiments, frequency detector 128 receives signals from receiver 118 (optionally via downconverter 130 and/or amplifier 132) and determines the frequencies of the received signals.
In some embodiments, error correction circuitry 126 receives detected frequencies from frequency detector 128 and determines a correction factor (e.g., an offset) corresponding to the determined frequencies. In some embodiments, error correction circuitry 126 is used to calibrate or recalibrate frequency detector 128. In some such embodiments, error correction circuitry 126 compares a detected frequency received from frequency detector 128 to a known, expected frequency, to determine a correction factor for the determined frequency. In some embodiments, error correction circuitry 126 is used to correct a detected frequency by applying a previously-determined correction factor to a detected frequency received from frequency detector 128.
In some embodiments, frequency determination circuitry 116 (e.g., frequency detector 128, optionally in conjunction with error correction circuitry 126) outputs frequencies that have been determined for received signals to processing circuitry 122 of receiving system 140. In some embodiments, processing circuitry 122 is implemented using one or more processors configured to execute instructions in one or more programs, or using hardware circuitry, as described above with reference to processing circuitry 102 of transmitting system 120.
In some embodiments, receiving system 140 includes lookup table(s) 124 (e.g., lookup table 124-1 to lookup table 124-y, where y is an integer). In some embodiments, receiving system 140 includes lookup table(s) distinct from the lookup table(s) of transmitting system 120. For example, lookup table 104-1 of transmitting system 120 associates respective data values with respective symbols and respective frequencies, and is used by transmitting system 120 to determine a frequency at which to transmit a signal pulse representing a particular symbol, and lookup table 124-1 of receiving system 140 associates respective frequencies with respective symbols and respective data values, and is used by receiving system 140 to identify a particular data value or symbol represented by a received signal pulse based on the frequency of the received signal pulse. In some embodiments, the information stored in lookup tables 124-1 to 124-y are combined into a single lookup table. In some embodiments, the lookup table(s) 124 of the receiving system store information associating symbols (which represent units of data) with values of signal properties representing the symbols, and, in some embodiments, associating units of data with the symbols representing the data (e.g., as described in further detail herein with reference to
In some embodiments, transmitting system 200 includes one or more processing units 202 (e.g., sometimes called processors or CPUs, and implemented using processors or processing cores, as described above) for executing modules, programs, and/or instructions stored in memory 206 for performing operations described herein; memory 206; and one or more communication buses 208 for interconnecting these components. Communication buses 208 optionally include circuitry (sometimes called a chipset) that interconnects and controls communications between system components. In some embodiments, transmitting system 200 includes transmitter 114 and frequency generation circuitry 106 (e.g., as described herein with reference to
In some embodiments, memory 206 includes high-speed random access memory, such as DRAM, SRAM, DDR RAM, or other random access solid state memory devices, and may include non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, optical disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid state storage devices. Memory 206 optionally includes one or more storage devices remotely located from processors 202. In some embodiments, memory 206, or the non-volatile memory device(s) within memory 206, includes a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. In some embodiments, memory 206, or the computer readable storage medium of memory 206, stores the following programs, modules, and data structures, or a subset or superset thereof:
Each of the above identified elements may be stored in one or more of the previously mentioned memory devices that together form memory 206, and corresponds to one or more sets of instructions for performing a function described above. The above identified modules or programs (i.e., sets of instructions) need not be implemented as separate software programs, procedures, or modules, and thus various subsets of these modules may be combined or otherwise rearranged in various embodiments. In some embodiments, memory 206 may store a subset of the modules and data structures identified above. In some embodiments, memory 206 may store additional modules and data structures not described above. In some embodiments, the programs, modules, and data structures stored in memory 206, or the computer readable storage medium of memory 206, provide instructions for implementing respective operations in the methods described below with reference to
Although
In some embodiments, receiving system 220 includes one or more processing units 222 (e.g., sometimes called processors or CPUs, and implemented using processors or processing cores, as described above) for executing modules, programs, and/or instructions stored in memory 226 for performing operations described herein; memory 226; and one or more communication buses 228 for interconnecting these components. Communication buses 228 optionally include circuitry (sometimes called a chipset) that interconnects and controls communications between system components. In some embodiments, receiving system 220 includes receiver 118 and frequency determination circuitry 116 (e.g., as described herein with reference to
In some embodiments, memory 226 includes high-speed random access memory, such as DRAM, SRAM, DDR RAM, or other random access solid state memory devices, and may include non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, optical disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid state storage devices. Memory 226 optionally includes one or more storage devices remotely located from processors 222. In some embodiments, memory 226, or the non-volatile memory device(s) within memory 226, includes a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. In some embodiments, memory 226, or the computer readable storage medium of memory 226, stores the following programs, modules, and data structures, or a subset or superset thereof:
Each of the above identified elements may be stored in one or more of the previously mentioned memory devices that together form memory 226, and corresponds to one or more sets of instructions for performing a function described above. The above identified modules or programs (i.e., sets of instructions) need not be implemented as separate software programs, procedures, or modules, and thus various subsets of these modules may be combined or otherwise rearranged in various embodiments. In some embodiments, memory 226 may store a subset of the modules and data structures identified above. In some embodiments, memory 226 may store additional modules and data structures not described above. In some embodiments, the programs, modules, and data structures stored in memory 226, or the computer readable storage medium of memory 226, provide instructions for implementing respective operations in the methods described below with reference to
Although
Lookup table 104-1 assigns respective data values in a first set of data values (e.g., each data value representing four bits of information, such as the data values 0000, 0001, 0010, etc.) to respective symbols in a first set of N symbols (e.g., symbols S0 through SN-1). In some embodiments, each data value in the first set of data values corresponds to a distinct symbol in the first set of symbols S. Each data value (and associated symbol) is associated with a respective signal property (e.g., frequency). As shown in
Lookup table 104-y assigns respective data values (e.g., each data value representing three bits of information, such as the data values 000, 001, 010, etc.) in a second set of data values (e.g., distinct from the first set of data values in lookup table 104-1) to respective symbols in a second set of M symbols (e.g., symbols V0 through VM-1). Each of the symbols Vi corresponds to a respective value of a signal property (e.g., distinct from the signal property stored by lookup table 104-1) for use in the transmitting system. In some embodiments, the second set of data values is distinct from the first set of data values. In some embodiments, the set of first symbols (e.g., S0-SN-1) and the set of second symbols (e.g., V0-VM-1) are distinct. In some embodiments, the second set of data is the same as the first set of data. In some embodiments, the set of first symbols and the set of second symbols are the same (e.g., or at least partially overlap).
Each set of symbols is associated with a respective signal property. For example, lookup table 104-1 of
In some embodiments, additional lookup table(s) 104 are used in the transmitting system (e.g., in addition to lookup tables 104-1 and 104-y). For example, a lookup table 104-2 assigns a third set of data values (e.g., one or more bits of information) to another signal property (e.g., phase) that is distinct from the signal properties represented by lookup tables 104-1 and 104-y (e.g., frequency and pulse duration, respectively). In some embodiments, a lookup table 104-3 assigns a fourth set of data values (e.g., one or more bits of information) to another signal property (e.g., amplitude) that is distinct from the first, second, and third signal properties (e.g., frequency, pulse duration, and phase, respectively) is used in the transmitting system. In some embodiments, any combination of the lookup table(s) 104 are used by the transmitting system (e.g., to identify one or more of the signal properties, associated with respective sets of data values, to use to transmit a signal pulse).
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, symbols in the first set of N symbols (e.g., associated with respective data values in the predefined first set of N data values, as shown in lookup table 104-1,
In some embodiments, instead of assigning frequencies or frequency bands to symbols, lookup tables 104-1 and 124-1 assign frequency differences (sometimes called frequency shifts) to symbols. In some embodiments, the difference in frequency between a respective signal pulse and a most-recent prior signal pulse (e.g., with no intervening signal pulses) is used to represent a symbol. In some embodiments, a transmitting system prepares to transmit a first symbol by determining, using a lookup table, a first frequency difference associated with the first symbol. In some embodiments, the transmitting system then transmits the first signal by transmitting a first signal pulse at a first frequency, and a second signal pulse at a second frequency, where the difference between the second frequency and the first frequency (or the absolute value of the difference) is the first frequency difference. In some embodiments, a receiving system receives a first signal pulse and determines a first frequency of the first signal pulse, and then receives a second signal pulse and determines a second frequency of the second signal pulse, where the difference between the second frequency and the first frequency (or the absolute value of the difference) is a respective frequency difference. In some embodiments, the receiving system determines, using a lookup table, the symbol corresponding to the determined frequency difference. It is noted that where frequency differences are used to represent symbols instead of frequencies, the frequency bands used to transmit signal pulses may or may not be contiguous, and may be widely separated rather than confined to a narrow frequency range.
Signal pulse 332 (represented by the solid line under the reference number 332 in
Signal pulse 334 has the same frequency as signal pulses 330 and 332 and thus is also associated with the symbol S1. Signal pulse 334 also has the same phase as signal pulses 330 and 332 and thus is also associated with symbol T1. In addition, signal pulse 334 has the same pulse width as signal pulses 330 and 332 and thus is also associated with symbol V1. However, signal pulse 334 has a different amplitude (e.g., corresponding to symbol U2) than signal pulses 330 and 332 (e.g., which have amplitudes corresponding to symbol U1). As such, signal pulse 334 represents the information of symbol S1, the information of symbol T1, and the information of symbol V1, in combination with the bits of information associated with symbol U2 (e.g., as determined using a lookup table storing data values corresponding to the set of symbols U that represent the signal property of amplitude).
Finally, signal pulse 336 has the same frequency as signal pulses 330, 332, and 334, and thus is also associated with the symbol S1. Signal pulse 336 also has the same phase (e.g., associated with symbol T1) and amplitude (e.g., associated with symbol U1) as signal pulses 330, 332, and 334. However, the pulse duration of signal pulse 336 is different from the pulse durations of signals 330, 332, and 334, and corresponds to a different symbol V2. As such, signal pulse 336 represents the information of symbol S1, the information of symbol T1, and the information of symbol U1 in combination with bits of information associated with symbol V2.
Although
Input signal 401 is received at a first frequency detection stage 402-1. In some embodiments, no delay (e.g., a delay of zero) is applied to input signal 401 upon being received at frequency detection stage 402-1. In some embodiments, demodulator 404-1 in first frequency detection stage 402-1 compares received input signal 401 to respective frequencies in a plurality of candidate frequency bands (or frequency ranges). Demodulator 404-1 determines a particular first frequency band of the candidate frequency bands that has the greatest degree of correlation with input signal 401. The determined frequency first band is interpreted to be the frequency band in which the frequency of the received input signal 401 must exist. In some embodiments, the results of frequency detection stage 402-1 (e.g., the outputs of demodulator 404-1) are provided to a signal processing block 408.
In some embodiments, input signal 401 is provided to second frequency detection stage 404-2, which delays input signal 401 (e.g., with a first amount of delay). The delayed input signal is provided to second demodulator 404-2. In some embodiments, the determined first frequency band from demodulator 404-1 is subdivided into a second plurality of (narrower) candidate frequency bands. In some embodiments, signal processing block 408 receives the identification of the first frequency band from frequency detection stage 402-1, determines the subdivisions, and configures frequency detection stage 402-2 (or a component of frequency detection stage 402-2, such as demodulator 404-2) using the second plurality of candidate frequency bands. In some embodiments, second demodulator 404-2 compares the delayed input signal to respective frequencies in the second plurality of candidate frequency bands (e.g., the subdivisions of the determined first frequency band from frequency detection stage 402-1). Second demodulator 404-2 determines a particular second frequency band (narrower than the first frequency band) of the second plurality of candidate frequency bands that has the greatest degree of correlation with the delayed input signal. The determined second frequency band is interpreted to be the frequency band in which the frequency of the received input signal 401 must exist.
One of ordinary skill will readily appreciate that any number K of frequency detection stages (e.g., up to and including frequency detection stage 402-K) are used to determine the frequency of input signal 401 with increasingly greater accuracy, through successive delays of input signal 401 and successive subdivision of frequency bands determined by preceding stages into narrower candidate frequency bands, and comparison of the delayed input signals to the increasingly narrower candidate frequency bands (e.g., by demodulators up to and including demodulator 404-K). In some embodiments, signal processing block 408 obtains the identified frequency band of each preceding stage and uses the identified frequency band to configure each successive frequency detection stage with the narrowed set of candidate frequency bands based on the identified frequency band.
In some embodiments, delays for successive frequency detection stages increase linearly. In some embodiments, delays for successive frequency detection stages increase exponentially by a predefined multiple. For example, a first stage applies zero delay; a second stage applies a first amount of delay; a third stage applies a second amount of delay that is a predefined multiple K of the first amount of delay; a fourth stage applies a third amount of delay that is K2 times the first amount of delay, etc.
In some embodiments, at the system for information transfer (502), the system receives (504) a first signal pulse. The first signal pulse represents (506) first data and second data (e.g., represented by a first symbol from a first set of symbols, S, and a second symbol from a second set of symbols, V,
The system determines (510) a first frequency band that is associated with the first signal pulse. The system determines (512) a first value of a first signal property (e.g., other than the frequency) that is associated with the first signal pulse. In some embodiments, the first signal property is (514) phase. In some embodiments, the first signal property is (516) amplitude. In some embodiments, the first signal property is (518) pulse width.
In accordance with a determination that the first frequency band is a respective frequency band in a first predefined set of frequency bands, the system determines (520) first data, from a first set of data, that is associated with the first frequency band and represented by the first signal pulse. For example, the system determines that the first signal pulse has a first frequency of 10.294 MHz (or that the first signal pulse has a frequency that is in or associated with the frequency band centered on 10.294 MHz) and determines (e.g., using lookup table 124-1) that the frequency is associated with symbol S1 and the first data corresponds to the data value 0001. Each frequency band in the predefined set of frequency bands is associated (522) with distinct respective data from the first set of data. The first predefined set of frequency bands, in aggregate, are (524) not contiguous.
In accordance with a determination that the first value of the first signal property is a respective value in a first predefined set of values of the first signal property, the system determines (526) second data, from a second set of data, that is associated with the first value of the first signal property and represented by the first signal pulse. For example, the system determines that the first signal pulse has a first signal property (e.g., pulse duration) of 5.634 ns and determines (e.g., using lookup table 124-y) the pulse duration is associated with symbol V4 and the first data corresponds to the data value 100.
Each value of the first signal property in the first predefined set of values of the first signal property is associated (528) with distinct respective data from the second set of data. For example, lookup table 124-y illustrates that the each value of pulse duration corresponds to a distinct symbol, Vi, and a distinct data value.
In some embodiments, the first set of data and the second set of data correspond (530) to respective portions of a same predefined set of symbols. In other words, a respective data value corresponding to a respective symbol in the predefined set of symbols includes a first subset of bits provided by a data value from the first set of data and a second subset of bits provided by a data value in the second set of data. For example, the data values in lookup table 124-1 are four bits (e.g., the lower four bits) of each respective symbol in a set of symbols W, and the data values in lookup table 124-y are three other bits (e.g., the upper three bits) of each respective symbol in symbol set W. In some embodiments, the first subset of bits and the second subset of bits within each respective symbol do not overlap (e.g., each symbol W includes seven bits such that the upper three bits do not overlap with the lower four bits).
In some embodiments, the first set of data corresponds (532) to a first set of symbols and the second set of data corresponds to a second set of symbols distinct from the first set of symbols. For example, the first set of data (e.g., 0000 to N−1, lookup table 124-1,
In some embodiments, each respective data in the first set of data is (536) associated with only one respective frequency band in the first predefined set of frequency bands, and each respective data in the second set of data is associated with only one respective value in the first predefined set of values of the first signal property.
In some embodiments, the system determines (538) a value of a second signal property that is associated with the first signal pulse.
In some embodiments, in accordance with a determination that the value of the second signal property is a respective value in a second predefined set of values of the second signal property, the system determines (540) third data, from a third set of data, that is associated with the value of the second signal property and represented by the first signal pulse. For example, as described with reference to
In some embodiments, the system determines (544) a value of a third signal property that is associated with the first signal pulse.
In some embodiments, in accordance with a determination that the value of the third signal property is a respective value in a third predefined set of values of the third signal property, the system determines (546) fourth data, from a fourth set of data, that is associated with the value of the third signal property and represented by the first signal pulse. For example, as described with reference to
In some embodiments, the first signal property, the second signal property and the third signal property are (550) distinct signal properties.
In some embodiments, after at least a predefined amount of time since receiving the first signal pulse, the system receives (552) a second signal pulse. For example, as described with reference to
It should be understood that the particular order in which the operations in method 500 have been described is merely an example and is not intended to indicate that the described order is the only order in which the operations could be performed. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize various ways to re-order the operations described herein. Additionally, it should be noted that details of other processes described herein with respect to other methods described herein (e.g., method 600) are also applicable in an analogous manner to method 500 described above with respect to
At the system for information transfer (602), the system obtains (604) first data, (e.g., a symbol) from a first set of data, (e.g., first symbol data) and second data (e.g., a second symbol), from a second set of data (e.g., second symbol data), for transmission. For example, the system obtains first data 0010 (represented by symbol S2,
In some embodiments, the first set of data and the second set of data correspond (608) to respective (e.g., adjoining) portions of a same predefined set of symbols. For example, the data values in lookup table 104-1 are a first subset of bits of each respective data value for the predefined set of symbols, and the data values in lookup table 104-y are a second subset of bits of each respective data value for the same predefined set of symbols. In some embodiments, the first set of data provides a first portion (e.g., a first subset of bits, such as the lowermost bits) of each symbol in the predefined set of symbols. In some embodiments, the second set of data provides a second portion (e.g., a second subset of bits, such as the uppermost bits) of each symbol in the predefined set of symbols (e.g., without any overlap in bits between the first portion and the second portion). In some embodiments where another signal property is used to represent a third set of data, the third set of data provides a third portion of each symbol in the predefined set of symbols (e.g., a third subset of bits, in some embodiments not overlapping with any of the bits provided by the first and second sets of data).
In some embodiments, the first set of data corresponds (610) to a first set of symbols and the second set of data corresponds to a second set of symbols distinct from the first set of symbols. For example, the set of symbols S in lookup table 104-1 (
The system determines (612) a first frequency band, in a first predefined set of frequency bands, that is associated with the first data. For example, first data 0010 represented by symbol S2 corresponds to frequency 10.356 MHz (or to the frequency band centered on 10.356 MHz). Each frequency band in the first predefined set of frequency bands is (614) associated with distinct respective data from the first set of data. The first predefined set of frequency bands, in aggregate, are (616) not contiguous.
The system determines (618) a first value of a first signal property (e.g., phase, amplitude, pulse width, etc.), in a first predefined set of values of the first signal property (e.g., a predefined set of phase values, a predefined set of amplitudes, a predefined set of pulse widths, etc.), that is associated with the second data. For example, the system determines, based on the second data 011 (represented by V3), that the first value of pulse duration is 5.596 ns. Each value of the first signal property in the first predefined set of values of the first signal property is (620) associated with distinct respective data from the second set of data. For example, as shown in lookup table 104-y, each value of pulse duration is associated with a distinct respective symbol in the symbol set V and a corresponding respective data value.
In some embodiments, the first signal property is (622) phase. In some embodiments, the predefined set of values of the first signal property is a predefined set of distinct phase values.
In some embodiments, the first signal property is (624) amplitude. In some embodiments, the predefined set of values of the first signal property is a predefined set of distinct amplitudes.
In some embodiments, the first signal property is (626) pulse width (e.g., pulse duration, as shown in lookup table 104-y,
In some embodiments, each respective data in the first set of data is (628) associated with only one respective frequency band in the first predefined set of frequency bands, and each respective data in the second set of data is associated with only one respective value in the first predefined set of values of the first signal property. For example, as shown in
The system transmits (630) a first signal pulse having a first frequency in the first frequency band and having the first value of the first signal property. The first signal pulse represents (632) the first data and the second data.
In some embodiments, the system obtains (634) third data from a third set of data and determining a first value of a second signal property (e.g., phase, amplitude, pulse width, etc.) (e.g., distinct from the first signal property), in a second predefined set of values of the second signal property (e.g., a predefined set of phase values, a predefined set of amplitudes, a predefined set of pulse widths, etc.), that is associated with the third data. In some embodiments, the transmitted first signal pulse has the first value of the second signal property. In some embodiments, each value of the second signal property in the second predefined set of values of the second signal property is associated with distinct respective data from the third set of data.
In some embodiments, the system obtains (636) fourth data from a fourth set of data and determining a first value of a third signal property (e.g., phase, amplitude, pulse width, etc.) (e.g., distinct from the first signal property and the second signal property) in a third predefined set of values of the third signal property, that is associated with the fourth data. In some embodiments, the transmitted first signal pulse has the first value of the third signal property. In some embodiments, each value of the third signal property in the third predefined set of values of the third signal property is associated with distinct respective data from the fourth set of data.
In some embodiments, the first signal property, the second signal property and the third signal property are (638) distinct signal properties. In some embodiments, the second signal property is phase, amplitude or pulse width. In some embodiments, the third signal property is phase, amplitude or pulse width. For example, the first signal pulse represents a frequency (e.g., first data) and one or more signal properties, including a phase (e.g., second data), an amplitude (e.g., third data) and/or a pulse width (e.g., fourth data). For example, as explained with reference to
In some embodiments, the system obtains (640) fifth data from the first set of data and sixth data from the second set of data for transmission. The fifth data is the same as the first data and the sixth data is distinct from the second data. For example, as explained with reference to
It should be understood that the particular order in which the operations in method 600 have been described is merely an example and is not intended to indicate that the described order is the only order in which the operations could be performed. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize various ways to re-order the operations described herein. Additionally, it should be noted that details of other processes described herein with respect to other methods described herein (e.g., method 500) are also applicable in an analogous manner to method 600 described above with respect to
The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are offered by way of example only, and are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings without departing from their spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best use the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/226,412, filed Dec. 19, 2018, entitled “Information Transfer Using Discrete-Frequency Signals and Instantaneous Frequency Measurement,” which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/126,361, filed Sep. 10, 2018, entitled “Information Transfer Using Discrete-Frequency Signals and Instantaneous Frequency Measurement,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/557,418, filed Sep. 12, 2017, entitled “Information Transfer Using Discrete-Frequency Continuous Waves and Instantaneous Frequency Measurement,” all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62557418 | Sep 2017 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16126361 | Sep 2018 | US |
| Child | 16226412 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16226412 | Dec 2018 | US |
| Child | 16590288 | US |
