The ambiguity of frequency determination in digital microwave frequency discriminators

Abstract

Instantaneous frequency measurement devices are designated for very fast measurements of the current frequency value of microwave signals, even if they are very short in the time domain. Fast measurements of frequency temporary values may be based on the evaluation of the phase difference of signal propagating through the microwave transmission lines with unequal, but known, lengths. This paper presents the principle of determination of temporary values of the microwave signal frequency using the digitalized signals and the binary value of them eventually. In the purpose of increase the frequency discrimination resolution, additional tracks with lines with a larger length are proposed. For the system with elements with analytical model transmission characteristics it is typical that bands of ambiguity of frequency measurement occurs. To tackle this problem in addition to 4 x 4 Butler matrix implementation the method of using combination sine and cosine signals is proposed.