Analog Transceiver Delay Calibration for Wireless Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication technologies face challenges in accurately measuring signal transit time due to uncertainty in transmit and receive delays through analog RF circuitry, which affects precise distance calculations, especially with proposed higher time resolutions for location services.
Innovation Solution
A method to calibrate analog transceiver delay by generating and transmitting signals to determine the duration between known times at different circuitry points, allowing for the apportionment of delays in transmit and receive circuitry, which can be averaged and stored for accurate signal transit time measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If time resolution is increased to 0.1 ns for better location services, then measurement precision is improved, but the uncertainty in transmit delay and receive delay becomes comparable to the resolution, making precise measurements difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing calibration measurements before actual location measurements. The system measures and stores delay values through controlled signal transmissions and receptions at known times, establishing baseline delay characteristics before operational use. This preliminary calibration ensures that subsequent location measurements are made with accurate delay compensation already in place.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring and measuring actual signal transmission and reception times, then using this information to update and refine delay values. The system compares measured delays against expected values and adjusts calibration parameters accordingly, creating a closed-loop process that improves measurement accuracy over time.
2Measurement precision
If delay calibration is performed to improve measurement accuracy, then time measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional calibration procedures and circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the calibration system to serve multiple functions. The same hardware infrastructure used for normal wireless communication operations is utilized for calibration purposes, eliminating the need for separate dedicated calibration equipment. The calibration process leverages existing transmit and receive circuitry, antennas, and processing units to perform delay measurements and updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service calibration by autonomously measuring its own transmission and reception characteristics without requiring external calibration equipment or manual intervention. The device automatically generates test signals, measures their round-trip times, calculates delay values, and updates its calibration parameters independently, reducing the need for complex external calibration systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of calibrating analog transceiver delay includes generating a signal in a portion of a first device to arrive at a first known time at analog transmit circuitry of the first device, transmitting the signal from the analog transmit circuitry of the first device, receiving the transmitted signal, and deriving transceiver delay from the received signal. The transmitting may be performed via a closed loop to analog receiver circuitry of the first device, detecting the signal at a second known time at an output of the analog receiver circuitry of the first device. The transmitting also may be performed wirelessly to receiver circuitry of a second device placed at a predetermined distance from the first device, detecting the received signal at a second known time at the receiver circuitry of the second device. Transceiver delay can be determined from transit time and apportioned between transmit delay and receive delay.