Analog I/Q Calibration Circuit for Phase Imbalance Correction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication devices face inefficiencies in processing large amounts of data due to baseband electronics components not being configured to handle high-frequency signals effectively, leading to increased power consumption and potential phase relation degradation between in-phase (I) and quadrature-phase (Q) components, which can result in spurious signals and require costly image rejection filters.
Innovation Solution
Calibrating I and Q components in the analog domain using an analog correction circuit, which adjusts the magnitudes of currents associated with these components to achieve a 90° phase relation, thereby freeing processing resources in the digital domain and enabling power-efficient and accelerated baseband performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If baseband electronics components process large amounts of data at high speed, then data transfer capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the I/Q calibration function from the digital baseband processor and implements it in dedicated analog circuitry (IQ calibration circuit). This separation removes the calibration burden from the main processor, allowing it to focus on data processing while the analog circuit handles phase/magnitude adjustments, thus improving overall system efficiency and reducing power consumption during calibration operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs I/Q calibration in the analog domain before signals are processed digitally. By pre-adjusting the phase and magnitude of I and Q components in analog circuitry before they enter the digital baseband processor, the system prepares signals in advance, reducing the computational burden on the processor and enabling more efficient subsequent data processing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If I and Q components are calibrated in the digital domain, then processing flexibility is improved, but processing resources are consumed and performance is slowed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces digital signal processing operations with analog circuit operations for I/Q calibration. Instead of using digital algorithms to adjust phase and magnitude, the system uses analog components (variable gain amplifiers, phase shifters, mixers) to perform these adjustments in the analog domain, thereby freeing digital processing resources and improving baseband processing speed.
3Reliability
If image rejection filters are used to correct phase imbalance, then signal quality is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs phase and magnitude balancing of I and Q components before signal mixing and transmission. By pre-calibrating the I/Q paths using analog circuitry to ensure proper 90-degree phase relationship and equal magnitudes, the system prevents image signal generation at the source, eliminating the need for complex post-processing image rejection filters.
Data Source
AI summary
In a particular embodiment, a method of generating in-phase (I) and quadrature-phase (Q) signals includes generating a first I output signal based on a first I input signal, a second I input signal, a first Q input signal, and a second Q input signal. The method further includes generating a second I output signal based on the first I input signal, the second I input signal, the first Q input signal, and the second Q input signal. A first Q output signal is generated based on the first I input signal, the second I input signal, the first Q input signal, and the second Q input signal. A second Q output signal is generated based on the first I input signal, the second I input signal, the first Q input signal, and the second Q input signal. According to further embodiments, an apparatus is disclosed.