Communication Circuit Calibration Using Multi-Frequency Signal Merging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional communication device calibration methods are inefficient due to the need for multiple iterations across various frequencies and gain modes, consuming significant time and resources, and fail to effectively account for interference and mutual influence between multiple signal paths.
Innovation Solution
A calibration technique that uses a single calibration signal with multiple coexisting component signals at different frequencies to evaluate power measurement accuracy across a frequency range in a single iteration, incorporating demodulation and frequency error compensation to suppress interference and account for mutual influence between signal paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional gain calibration is performed by supplying single CW tones at each resolving frequency separately, then power measurement accuracy can be evaluated at each frequency, but the calibration process requires K iterations for K frequencies, consuming significant time and resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple single-frequency calibration signals into a single multi-frequency calibration signal. Instead of supplying K separate CW tones at K different frequencies requiring K iterations, the invention supplies one calibration signal containing multiple coexisting component signals at different frequencies, allowing power measurement accuracy to be evaluated at all frequencies simultaneously in a single iteration.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration signal is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it enables power measurement accuracy evaluation at multiple frequencies, supports multiple gain modes calibration, and allows interference rejection all within a single calibration procedure, eliminating the need for separate calibration iterations for each frequency and mode combination.
2Measurement precision
If calibration is performed for N gain modes and K frequencies separately, then comprehensive power measurement accuracy can be achieved, but the conventional method requires N*K iterations, making the process highly inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the calibration processes for multiple gain modes and multiple frequencies into a single unified calibration operation. By supplying one calibration signal with multiple component signals and performing demodulation and power calculation in context of different modes, the system achieves comprehensive calibration across N gain modes and K frequencies in just N iterations instead of N*K iterations.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration process maintains continuous useful action by processing all frequency components and all gain modes within each calibration iteration. The demodulation block continuously demodulates the calibration signal by multiple demodulation frequencies, and the power calculation continuously evaluates power measurement accuracy across all frequencies and modes without requiring repeated iterations for each combination.
3Reliability
If conventional calibration methods are used, then calibration can be completed, but interference from other frequencies and mutual influence between multiple signal paths are not effectively addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates the calibration signal components at different frequencies through demodulation by multiple demodulation frequencies. This extraction process separates the desired calibration components from interfering signals at other frequencies, allowing accurate power measurement evaluation while rejecting interference. The demodulation block extracts baseband signals corresponding to each calibration frequency component, effectively filtering out unwanted interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces demodulation as an intermediary process between receiving the calibration signal and evaluating power measurement accuracy. The demodulation block acts as a mediator that processes the multi-frequency calibration signal, separating and identifying individual frequency components while rejecting interference from other frequencies and mutual influence between signal paths, thereby enabling accurate calibration evaluation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method for calibrating a communication circuit. In an embodiment, the method may include: cooperating start of a calibration procedure, and, by the communication circuit, signaling a calibration signal between a test equipment and the communication circuit. The calibration signal may include a plurality of coexisting component signals respectively at a plurality of calibration frequencies. Associated communication circuit is also disclosed.