title: Nonlinear channelizer.
abstract: The nonlinear channelizer is an integrated circuit made up of large parallel arrays of analog nonlinear oscillators, which, collectively, serve as a broad-spectrum analyzer with the ability to receive complex signals containing multiple frequencies and instantaneously lock-on or respond to a received signal in a few oscillation cycles. The concept is based on the generation of internal oscillations in coupled nonlinear systems that do not normally oscillate in the absence of coupling. In particular, the system consists of unidirectionally coupled bistable nonlinear elements, where the frequency and other dynamical characteristics of the emergent oscillations depend on the system's internal parameters and the received signal. These properties and characteristics are being employed to develop a system capable of locking onto any arbitrary input radio frequency signal. The system is efficient by eliminating the need for high-speed, high-accuracy analog-to-digital converters, and compact by making use of nonlinear coupled systems to act as a channelizer (frequency binning and channeling), a low noise amplifier, and a frequency down-converter in a single step which, in turn, will reduce the size, weight, power, and cost of the entire communication system. This paper covers the theory, numerical simulations, and some engineering details that validate the concept at the frequency band of 1-4 GHz.
authors.affiliation: Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, 53560 Hull Street, San Diego, California 92152-5001, USA. visarath@spawar.navy.mil
authors.forename: Visarath
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: In
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Longhini
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kho
authors.forename: Joseph D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Neff
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Norman
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Brian K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Meadows
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: Adi R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Bulsara
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palacios