Frequency agile modulator

Abstract

A frequency-agile phase modulator with glitch-free multiplexer in CMOS process technologies for applications including wireless communications, radar, automotive radar, etc. Examples herein offer a novel phase modulator architecture that, when combined with either a wideband power amplifier or multiple narrowband amplifiers, allows for a single transmitter to transmit radar, communication, telemetry, or other similar waveforms across multiple frequency bands. The embodiments herein allow one transmitter to cover a very large operating frequency range, resulting in a decrease in size, weight, power consumption, and cost for future 'small' platform systems. In an embodiment, the phase modulator circuit includes a reconfigurable delay-locked loop (DLL) circuit that is configured to receive a radio frequency (RF) input signal (RF) and a configuration signal. The phase modulator circuit also includes a frequency-agile, glitch-free multiplexer circuit configured to receive an oversampled baseband clock signal (clk) and a phase select data input signal.