Normalization methods for automatic requency compensation in bluetooth applications

Abstract

An improved automatic frequency compensation (AFC) technique and apparatus is provided for piconet applications, e.g., BLUETOOTH(TM) applications. In particular, the present invention provides an offset normalizer which normalizes frequency offset against maximum deviations. By normalizing the frequency offset, before determination of an adjustment of a local oscillator, the local oscillator adjustment becomes uncorrelated with respect to gain along the receiving path (including in a demodulator). Thus, extremely precise adjustments can be made to the local oscillator in a piconet device to provide extremely precise automatic frequency compensation.

Description

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention[0002] The present invention relates to piconet wireless networks. More particularly, it relates to frequency offset compensation between piconet devices such as BLUETOOTH.TM. conforming wireless piconet devices.[0003] 2. Background of Related Art[0004] Piconets, or small wireless networks, are being formed by more and more devices in many homes and offices. In particular, a popular piconet standard is commonly referred to as a BLUETOOTH piconet. Piconet technology in general, and BLUETOOTH technology in particular, provides peer-to-peer communications over short distances.[0005] The wireless frequency of piconets may be 2.4 GHz as per BLUETOOTH standards, and / or typically have a 20 to 100 foot range. The piconet RF transmitter may operate in common frequencies which do not necessarily require a license from the regulating government authorities, e.g., the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States. Alternatively, the wireless commun...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Alternatively, the wireless communication can be accomplished with infrared (IR) transmitters and receivers, but this is less preferable because of the directional and visual problems often associated with IR systems.

However, this requirement poses a challenge because there are only five (5) bits of preamble 10101 used to train the receiver before the sync word needs to be demodulated and recognized.

Unfortunately, the real world is far from this ideal.

Moreover, the received signal may be interfered with in transmission and may, in fact, be varied from the exact ideal RF carrier frequency.

When there is an offset between a received RF signal and a local oscillator, the offset becomes added to the deviations in the received RF signal, causing difficulties in correct demodulation thereof.

In particular, as can be seen in FIG. 4, this causes a greatly reduced signal in the expected locations + / -150 KHz about the center frequency F.sub.C, significantly raising the number of errors in the detection of the received signal.

As can be imagined, detection of the frequency offset is the difficult part of automatic frequency control. FIG. 5 shows a conventional technique for providing automatic frequency control in the analog domain to adjust for a frequency offset between a received RF signal and a local oscillator.

Therefore, adjustment to the local oscillator is not entirely accurate based on a typical K.sub.0.

In some cases, if the K.sub.0 variation is very large, automatic frequency control may not work properly at all.

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