Applications of universal frequency translation

Abstract

Frequency translation and applications of same are described herein. Such applications include, but are not limited to, frequency down-conversion, frequency up-conversion, enhanced signal reception, unified down-conversion and filtering, and combinations and applications of same.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method for down-converting a carrier signal to a baseband signal, the method comprising:
 receiving the carrier signal, the carrier signaled modulated by at least one of an amplitude variation, a phase variation or a combination thereof;   controlling a switching device with a control signal comprised of a plurality of aperture periods, the carrier signal input to the switching device and the control signal controlling the switching device so that the switching device is opened and closed at an aliasing rate based on the plurality of aperture periods;   sampling energy in the modulated carrier signal by generating a plurality of energy samples obtained by transferring a portion of energy from the modulated carrier signal to a storage capacitor each time the switching device is closed by the control signal;   discharging at the storage capacitor, when the switching device is open, some but not all of the energy transferred to the storage capacitor, a remaining portion of the energy that is not discharged at the storage capacitor being accumulated by the storage capacitor over the plurality of aperture periods; and   generating the baseband signal based on the energy accumulated at the storage capacitor from the energy samples.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the energy accumulated at the storage capacitor is based on one or more of aperture width of each of the aperture periods, the value of the storage capacitor, an input impedance, and an output impedance. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein generating the control signal comprises generating a train of substantially non-sinusoidal pulses to control when the switch is open or closed. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the energy accumulated at the storage capacitor is comprised of the remaining energy not discharged at the storage capacitor during each of the plurality of aperture periods. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein discharging some but not all of the energy transferred to the storage capacitor comprises inputting the discharged energy into a differential amplifier. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein discharging some but not all of the energy transferred to the storage capacitor comprises coupling the storage capacitor to a low impedance load that is configured so that the storage capacitor will discharge some but not all of the energy when the switch is open.