Patent attributes
The present invention provides a serrodyne architecture that is capable of operating at high frequencies. The architecture generally includes a coupler, a delay line, and a switching system. The delay line is coupled to a reflective port of the coupler. The switching system is coupled to the delay line at different points and is configured to selectively shunt those points on the delay line to change the effective electrical length of the delay line. The effective electrical length is changed throughout the period, corresponding to the amount the frequency of the input signal is shifted. In operation, an input signal is provided to an input port of the coupler, and an output signal is provided at the output port, wherein the input signal and the output signal vary by a translation frequency, which is controlled based on how the effective electrical length of the delay line is changed.