Simplified radio frequency receiver

Abstract

An oscillator is provided that is arranged to function as a simplified receiver. The oscillator has a resonator portion and a non-linear portion, which cooperate to generate an oscillating signal. The resonator portion is positioned to receive a modulated signal. In one configuration, the oscillator operates at a frequency offset from the frequency of the carrier for the modulated signal. In this simple arrangement, the oscillator functions as an active mixer, and generates a product output signal. The output signal is extracted from a high impedance point of the oscillator's non-linear device. The output signal is a demodulated or mixed signal, and may be further processed to detect a data signal.

1 . A wireless receiver for receiving a modulated signal and outputting a mixed signal, comprising: a voltage controlled oscillator constructed to oscillate at a frequency offset from a carrier frequency and positioned to wirelessly receive the modulated signal, the modulated signal carrying an information signal; a mixed signal output port on the oscillator constructed to provide a mixed signal indicative of the information signal; a phase lock loop (PLL); and a phase lock loop control line connecting the voltage controlled oscillator to the PLL wherein the mixed signal output port is on the PLL control line.