Reynold Shigeru Kagiwada

Parallel-to-serial signal processor using surface acoustic waves

A surface acoustic wave (SAW) device for converting multiple parallel signals to a smaller number of serial signals. The device includes a piezoelectric substrate and a surface acoustic wave (SAW) input transducer for propagating periodic surface acoustic waves across the substrate. The parallel signals are input to the device through an array of acoustic charge transport (ACT) input transducers, which convert the signals into packets of electrical charge that are transported across the device with the surface acoustic waves generated at the SAW input transducer. An ACT output transducer converts the charge packets back into electrical signals, but in serial rather than parallel form. The converter of the invention can be usefully combined with a SAW channelizer or spectrum analyzer, to provide serial outputs from the analyzer.