Divider Phase Alignment for Multi-Chain Beamforming Radios
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Solution Overview
Problem
Phase misalignment among transmit and receive chains in wireless communication systems, particularly due to local oscillator (LO) signals and divider misalignment, leads to degraded performance in beamforming and MIMO operations, especially in devices that operate for extended periods without calibration.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for calibrating phase alignment by using a shared or common reference signal to determine and correct phase misalignment in transmit and receive chains, utilizing phase estimators to adjust divider alignment in both transmit and receive chains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple transmit and receive chains are used for beamforming and MIMO operations, then network capacity and signal directionality are improved, but phase misalignment among chains degrades system performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing phase calibration of multiple transmit and receive chains before beamforming and MIMO operations. A phase calibrator measures and adjusts phase differences among chains in advance, ensuring proper phase alignment is established prior to data transmission, thereby preventing phase misalignment from degrading system performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through a phase calibrator that continuously monitors phase differences among multiple transmit and receive chains. The calibrator measures actual phase alignment status and provides correction signals back to the chains, creating a closed-loop system that maintains phase coherence despite environmental variations or drift during operation
2Adaptability or versatility
If local oscillator signals and dividers are used for frequency reduction in each chain, then signal processing capability is improved, but divider misalignment causes large phase errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary phase calibrator device that mediates between the multiple independent local oscillator signals and dividers used in each chain. The calibrator measures phase differences caused by divider misalignment and provides correction mechanisms, acting as a intermediary that reconciles the frequency processing needs of each chain with the overall phase coherence requirement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting phase parameters of the local oscillator signals and divider outputs based on measurements from the phase calibrator. The system modifies timing and phase parameters in real-time to compensate for divider misalignment, maintaining accurate phase relationships despite variations in frequency processing across different chains
3Duration of action of stationary object
If devices operate for extended periods between calibration, then operational continuity is improved, but phase alignment drift accumulates and impairs operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by scheduling regular phase calibration operations at predetermined intervals during device operation. The phase calibrator periodically re-measures and re-adjusts phase alignment among transmit and receive chains, preventing phase drift from accumulating to problematic levels while allowing continuous operation between calibration cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by implementing continuous or near-continuous phase monitoring and adjustment capabilities. The phase calibrator operates continuously or at frequent intervals to maintain phase alignment, ensuring that phase coherence is preserved throughout extended operational periods without interruption to normal communication functions
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices for wireless communications that support enhanced phase calibration operations. In a first aspect, an apparatus for wireless communications includes a processing system. The processing system is configured to cause the wireless communication device to: receive a reference signal at a respective input of a plurality of receive chains; process, by each receive chain, the reference signal to generate a respective output signal; determine, for each receive chain, a phase alignment difference between the respective output signal of the receive chain and a reference output signal of a reference receive chain of the plurality of receive chains; and adjust a phase alignment of a divider of at least one receive chain of the plurality of receive chains based on the determined phase alignment difference for the at least one receive chain. Other aspects and features are also claimed and described.