Abstract:
A circuit for linearizing the oscillator sweep output frequency signal of aoltage controlled oscillator is disclosed. The voltage controlled oscillator is driven by the output of an op amp, which amplifies and filters the output of a D/A converter. The D/A converter responds to preselected 8-bit words, stored in an EPROM, so as to produce a desired output frequency at each memory address. The addresses, in turn, are provided by a combination of gates, counters, input signals and a clock.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to oscillators. More particularly, this invention relates to a circuit for linearizing a high frequency voltage controlled oscillator. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Voltage controlled oscillators are today commonly used to generate frequency sweep signals wherein the output signal frequency is continuously varied over a selected frequency range as a function of time. Fir mnost applications it is important to have the output frequency signals change at a constant linear rate. 
     Heretofore, substantial efforts have been made in developing control circuits for linearizing voltage controlled oscillators. Most such control circuits of the prior art are well known to the artisan; hence, a discussion thereof is unnecessary at this time. 
     However, there are several prior art control circuits which are of some significance, inasmuch as they indirectly concern subject matter that is pertinent to the linearizing circuit for a high frequency voltage controlled oscillator constituting the instant invention. 
     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,038,612 to R. P. Borofka and L. R. Barton discloses a circuit which makes use of a controllable oscillator (VCO) responsive to a control voltage ramp. Accurately controlled error-sensing means are provided for detecting variations of the instantaneous frequency of a frequency ramp generated by the VCO at predetermined accurately-timed points. The discrete errors at these plural points throughout the frequency ramp are computed and integrated over a plurality of sweep cycles and then are used to compensate the control voltage ramp. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,129,832 to G. W. Neal and R. M. Montgomery dicloses a circuit for linearizing a voltage controlled oscillator which has a random access digital controlled memory coupled with the voltage control terminal of a voltage controlled oscillator to be linearized, a power divider coupled with the output terminal of the oscillator, a mixer coupled with the power divider by two conductive lines of differing time delays, and an X-Y axis signal display coupled with the mixer, whereby the memory may be programmed to input a ramp control signal to the oscillator and a difference frequency signal detected in the chirp output signal generated by the oscillator and compared with a frequency signal on the display to detect nonlinearities in the chirp output signal of the voltage controlled oscillator which may be substantially reduced by programming of the control memory. 
     Although the aforementioned circuits of the prior art have linearized voltage controlled oscillators, their degree of success has been limited. Typically, utilization of these prior art devices have achieved linearization in the range of ±0.5% with the upper limit being approximately ±0.1%. In addition, the time involved in performing a linearization operation on individual oscillators has been quite substantial. Furthermore, the aforementioned devices of the prior art do not operate in exactly the same manner as the subject invention and contain a combination of elements that is somewhat different from the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject invention overcomes some of the disadvantages of the prior art, including those mentioned above, in that it comprises a relatively simple circuit for linearizing the output characteristic curve of a voltage controlled oscillator. 
     Included in the subject invention is an input terminal adapted to receive a horizontal sync signal having a series of uniformly spaced horizontal sync pulses, and timing means for producing fifty, eight-bit digital addresses, which are repetitive whenever the aforesaid timing means receives at the input thereof a sync pulse of the horizontal sync signal. 
     Each digital address is then supplied to an erasable programmable read only memory which provides in response to each digital address an eight-bit digital word. Each digital word is converted to an analog voltage by a digital-to-analog converter, and supplied to the aforementioned voltage controlled oscillator. The voltage controlled oscillator, in turn, provides in response to each analog voltage, a frequency signal such that a linear oscillator sweep output frequency signal is formed at the output of the voltage controlled oscillator between sync pulses of the horizontal sync signal. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a combination block and schematic diagram of the linearizing circuit for a voltage controlled oscillator constituting the subject invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electronics circuit used to generate an output characteristic curve for the voltage controlled oscillator of the invention of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an output characteristic curve for the voltage controlled oscillator of the invention of FIG. 1 wherein the oscillator sweep output frequency varies as a function of the input voltage; 
     FIG. 4 depicts idealized representations of various signal waveforms which emanate from some of the components of the invention of FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 5 is an output characteristic curve for the voltage controlled oscillator wherein the oscillator sweep output frequency varies as a function of time. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The preferred embodiment of the subject invention will now be discussed in some detail in conjunction with all of the figures of the drawing wherein like parts are designated by like reference numerals, insofar as it is possible and practical to do so. 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, the invention is shown as including a variable frequency clock 11, which may be operated at any frequency that is appropriate for the invention&#39;s intended use. Nevertheless, it has been determined that the preferred operational frequency of clock 11 is 2 megahertz. In addition, the subject invention includes an input terminal 13 adapted to receive a horizontal sync signal. The aforementioned sync signal may, in turn, have a frequency of either 15 kilohertz or 30 kilohertz, the frequencies respectively of a 525 and 1023 line television system. Nevertheless, for the purpose of illustration, it may be assumed that a 30 kilohertz sync signal is supplied to input terminal 13. 
     Connected to input terminal 13 is the first input of a NAND gate 15, the second input of which is connected to the output of a direct current voltage source 17. The output of NAND gate 15 is connected to the first input of a NAND gate 19, the reset input of a counter 23, and the reset input of a counter 25. 
     The output of clock 11 is connected to the second input of NAND gate 19, the output of which is connected to the first input of a NAND gate 27, with the output thereof connected to the clock inputs of counters 23 and 25. The four data outputs of counter 25 are respectively connected to the first, second, third, and fourth inputs of an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM) 29, while the four outputs of counter 23 are respectively connected to the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth data inputs of EPROM 29. The enable output of counter 25 is connected to the enable input of counter 23. In addition, the second output of counter 25 is connected to the first input of a NAND gate 31, while the first and second outputs of counter 23 are respectively connected to the second and third inputs of NAND gate 31, the output of which is connected to the second input of NAND gate 27. 
     The eight outputs of EPROM 29 are respectively connected to the eight inputs of a digital-to-analog converter 33, the output of which is connected to the negative input of an operational amplifier 35, with the output thereof connected to the input of a voltage controlled oscillator 36. The output of voltage controlled oscillator 36, in turn, is connected to an output terminal 37. Connected between the negative input of operational amplifier 35 and the output thereof is the parallel combination of a resistor R1 and a capacitor C1. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown an electronics circuit which may be utilized to generate an output characteristic curve for voltage controlled oscillator 36. The aforementioned output characteristic curve of voltage controlled oscillator 36 is similar to that depicted in FIG. 3 wherein the oscillator sweep output frequency varies as a function of the input voltage in a nonlinear manner. The electronics circuit of FIG. 2, in turn, includes a variable direct current voltage source 39, the output of which is connected to the input of voltage controlled oscillator 36. The output of voltage controlled oscillator 36 is, in turn, connected to the input of a spectrum analyzer 41. 
     In the exemplary linearizing circuit for a high frequency voltage controlled oscillator of FIG. 1, according to the subject invention, components successfully utilized are as follows: 
     
         ______________________________________Component   Model No.   Manufacturer______________________________________15, 19, 27  9002        Fairchild23, 25      9316        Fairchild29          2716        Motorola31          9003        Fairchild33          1002        National                   Semiconductor35          TL084       Texas Instrument36          VO-25-50    Radio Development                   Labs.______________________________________ 
    
     The operation of the subject invention will now be discussed in conjunction with all of the figures of the drawing. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, direct current voltage source 39 provides at the output thereof a variable direct current voltage, the magnitude of which may be varied over a predetermined voltage range. The positive direct current voltage provided by direct current voltage source 39 is supplied to the input of voltage controlled oscillator 36. Voltage controlled oscillator 36 will then provide at the output thereof a frequency which is recorded by spectrum analyzer 41. The voltage applied to the input of voltage controlled oscillator 36 is, in turn, plotted as a function of the frequency appearing at the output of voltage controlled oscillator 36 such that the output characteristic curve of FIG. 3 for voltage controlled oscillator 36 is generated. 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, a horizontal sync signal, similar to that depicted in FIG. 4A, is applied to input 13. The horizontal sync signal, in turn, has a series of sync pulses 43, the frequency of which is 30 kilohertz. The horizontal dashed line 45 represents the line of zero voltage for FIGS. 4A thru 4D. 
     Direct current voltage source 17 supplies a direct current voltage signal to NAND gate 15 such that NAND gate 15 will invert the horizontal sync signal of FIG. 4A and thereby provide at the output thereof an inverted horizontal sync signal similar to that depicted in FIG. 4B. Each sync pulse 43 of the signal of FIG. 4B will, in turn, reset counters 23 and 25 such that each data output of the aforementioned counters 23 and 25 are in the logic &#34;0&#34; state. 
     Clock 11 provides at the output thereof a clock signal similar to that depicted in FIG. 4C. The clock signal of FIG. 4C, in turn, has a plurality of pulses 47, the frequency of which is 2 megahertz. The sync signal of FIG. 4B and the clock signal of FIG. 4C are respectively supplied to the first and second inputs of NAND gate 19 which will, in turn, provide at the output thereof a clock signal the inverse of that depicted in FIG. 4D. It should be noted that each pulse 43 of the signal of FIG. 4B inhibits NAND gate 19 such that the signal of FIG. 4C will be inverted by NAND gate 19 only when the signal of FIG. 4B is in the logic &#34;1&#34; state. This, in turn, results in the aforementioned signal of FIG. 4D being provided at the output of NAND gate 27. 
     As discussed above, each pulse 43 of the signal of FIG. 4B resets counters 23 and 25 such that the data outputs of counters 23 and 25 are in the logic &#34;0&#34; state. This, in turn, will cause the output of NAND gate 31 to be in the logic &#34;1&#34; state so as to allow the signal of FIG. 4D to be output by NAND gate 27 to the clock inputs of counters 23 and 25. In addition, whenever at least one of the four data outputs of counter 25 is in the logic &#34;0&#34; state the enable output thereof will also be in the logic &#34;0&#34; state. This, in turn, will inhibit counter 23 since a logic &#34;0&#34; applied to the enable input thereof will prevent the aforesaid counter 23 from counting. 
     In response to the signal of FIG. 4B, counter 25 will count in binary to fifteen, and then the enable output of counter 25 will change from a logic &#34;0&#34; state to a logic &#34;1&#34; state, thereby enabling counter 23. Counters 23 and 25, which operate in a synchronous mode, count in binary to fifty. When the count becomes fifty, the second data output of counter 25 and the first and second data outputs of counter 23 will be in the logic &#34;1&#34; state, thereby causing the output of NAND gate 31 to change from a logic &#34;1&#34; state to a logic &#34;0&#34; state. This, in turn, will prevent the clock signal of FIG. 4D from passing through NAND gate 27 until the sync signal of FIG. 4B resets counters 23 and 25 such that counters 23 and 25 will again count in binary to fifty in the manner described above. 
     It should be noted at this time that the count provided by counters 23 and 25 may be varied from 1 to 255. Thus, for example, if it is desired to obtain a count of 96, the second and third outputs of counter 23 would be connected to a two input NAND gate, not shown, the output of which would be connected to the second input of NAND gate 27. 
     Each clock pulse 47 of the signal of FIG. 4D will cause counters 23 and 25 to provide at the data outputs thereof an eight bit digital address, which is then supplied to the inputs of EPROM 29. Stored within the memory of EPROM 29 are fifty eight-bit digital words with each eight-bit digital word being assigned a particular address or location in memory. The following is an illustrative table of the data which may be stored in the memory of EPROM 29. 
     
         ______________________________________                  Output     Output8 Bit Address     8 Bit Word   Voltage of Frequencyto Memory Stored in Memory                  Converter 35                             of VCO 36of EPROM 29     of EPROM 29  (Volts)    (Megahertz)______________________________________00000001  00010010     .270       27500000010  00010101     .315       28000000011  00011000     .360       28500000100  00011011     .405       29000000101  00011110     .450       29500000110  00100001     .495       30000000111  00100100     .540       30500001000  00101111     .585       31000001001  00101010     .630       31500001010  00101101     .675       32000001011  00110001     .735       32500001100  00110100     .780       33000001101  00111000     .840       33500001110  00111100     .900       34000001111  01000000     .960       34500010000  01000100     1.020      35000010001  01000111     1.065      35500010010  01001011     1.125      36000010011  01001111     1.185      36500010100  01010010     1.230      37000010101  01010110     1.290      37500010110  01011011     1.365      38000010111  01100000     1.440      38500011000  01100100     1.500      39000011001  01101001     1.575      39500011010  01101110     1.650      40000011011  01110010     1.710      40400011100  01110110     1.770      40800011101  01111010     1.830      41200011110  01111110     1.890      41600011111  10000001     1.935      42000100000  10000011     1.970      42400100001  10000101     1.995      42800100010  10001000     2.040      43200100011  10001011     2.085      43600100100  10010000     2.160      44000100101  10010011     2.205      44400100110  10010110     2.250      44800100111  10011011     2.325      45200101000  10100000     2.400      45600101001  10100100     2.460      46000101010  10101000     2.520      46400101011  10101100     2.580      46800101100  10110000     2.640      47200101101  10110010     2.670      47600101110  10110101     2.715      48000101111  10111000     2.760      48400110000  10111100     2.820      48800110001  11000000     2.880      49200110010  11000110     2.970      496______________________________________ 
    
     Thus, for example, when the eight-bit address supplied to the inputs of EPROM 29 is 00010011, the digital word provided at the outputs thereof will be 01001111. As a further example, when the eight-bit address supplied to the inputs of EPROM is 00101001, the digital word provided at the outputs thereof will be 10101000. 
     At this time, it should be noted that the eight-bit digital words stored in the memory of EPROM 29 were obtained from the voltage controlled oscillator output characteristic curve of FIG. 2. In addition, it should be noted that the eight bits of each eight-bit digital word stored in the memory of EPROM 29 represent respectively analog voltages of 0.015, 0.030, 0.060, 0.090, 0.120, 0.240, 0.480, 0.960, and 1.920 volts. As an example, when it is desired to obtain an output frequency from voltage controlled oscillator 36 of 275 megahertz, the input voltage required in accordance with FIG. 2 is 0.270 volts. Therefore, a 00010010 digital word must be stored in the memory of EPROM 29 to obtain a frequency of 275 megahertz at the output of voltage controlled oscillator 36. 
     Each eight-bit digital word provided at the outputs of EPROM 29 is, in turn, supplied to the inputs of digital-to-analog converter 33, which converts each of the above-mentioned digital words to an analog voltage or signal in accordance with the aforementioned illustrative table. As an example, if the eight-bit signal word supplied to the inputs of digital-to-analog converter 33 is 01100100, the analog voltage provided at the output thereof will be 1.5 volts. 
     The analog voltages provided by digital-to-analog converter 33 are supplied to the negative input of operational amplifier 35 which amplifies the aforementioned analog voltages to a more useful current level, before supplying the aforesaid analog voltages to voltage controlled oscillator 36. In addition, it should be noted that capacitor C1 eliminates from the analog voltages amplified by operational amplifier 35 any noise inherent therein, and resistor R1 provides the current amplification factor for operational amplifier 35. 
     Upon receiving each analog voltage provided by digital-to-analog converter 33, voltage controlled oscillator 36 will provide at the output thereof a frequency signal in accordance with the aforesaid illustrative table. FIG. 5, in turn, depicts the oscillator sweep output frequency signal of voltage controlled oscillator 36 as a function of time during the twenty-five microsecond interval in which counters 23 and 25 are clocked by the fifty pulses 47 of FIG. 4D. With reference to FIG. 5, it may be observed that the oscillator sweep output frequency of voltage controlled oscillator 36 is linear as a function of time. In addition, it should be noted that the aforementioned frequency signal of voltage controlled oscillator 36 is repetitive and will cycle every 33 microseconds when the horizontal sync pulse of FIG. 4B resets counters 23 and 25 in the manner described above. 
     The oscillator sweep output frequency signal of voltage controlled oscillator 36 may then be supplied to a television system or the like for use thereby such that an image broadcast therefrom will be free from distortion. 
     From the foregoing, it may readily be seen that the subject invention comprise a new, unique, and exceedingly useful linearizing circuit for a voltage controlled oscillator which constitutes a considerable improvement over the known prior art. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than a specifically described.