Hybrid instantaneous frequency measurement compressive receiver

Abstract

The present invention hybrid instantaneous frequency measurement (IFM) compressive receiver processes a wide bandwidth of incoming signals in two processing channels, where a small time delay is introduced to one of the two channels by a time delay stage. A comb generator provides for folding, or collapsing this wide input band into a much narrower bandwidth by overlapping sub-bands of the input band in the same frequency space. A compressive receiver is coupled to the spectrum folding circuitry for accurately measuring the frequency and amplitude of signals in this folded band, which have a sub-band ambiguity due to the folding. Logic circuitry is included for resolving the sub-band ambiguity in order to provide a unique description of the frequencies of input signals in the wide band input frequency range. The hybrid receiver overcomes the limitations of conventional IFM receivers by providing amplitude as well as frequency information for multiple time overlapped input signals with improved sensitivity. It also overcomes the limitations of a conventional compressive receiver by handling much wider input bandwidths than would otherwise be possible.