IQ Imbalance Calibration Using LO Pulse-Adjusted Delay Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication devices face performance degradation due to in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) component imbalances, leading to amplitude and phase mismatches in signal transmission and reception, which existing technologies have not effectively addressed.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus and method that include an oscillator circuit generating LO signals, in-phase and quadrature delay circuits, and a controller to determine and adjust the LO signals for amplitude and phase calibration, ensuring balanced I and Q components through pulse adjustments, thereby calibrating IQ imbalance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If IQ imbalance calibration is performed using traditional methods, then amplitude and phase balance between I and Q components is improved, but device complexity and calibration time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration process is segmented into two independent stages: amplitude calibration and phase calibration. The controller separately adjusts amplitude parameters and phase parameters through distinct calibration routines, allowing each aspect to be optimized independently without increasing overall system complexity. This segmentation enables targeted calibration of specific imbalance components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary determination of whether IQ imbalance calibration is needed before executing the full calibration process. The controller assesses the current balance state and only initiates calibration when imbalance is detected, avoiding unnecessary calibration operations and reducing overall calibration time and computational overhead.
2Reliability
If comprehensive IQ imbalance calibration is performed, then transmission and reception performance is improved, but calibration time and processing duration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration process is designed as a periodic operation that can be triggered at specific intervals or under specific conditions rather than continuously. The controller determines when calibration is necessary and executes it periodically, balancing performance optimization with time efficiency by avoiding redundant calibration operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial calibration by selecting only the necessary calibration type (amplitude, phase, or both) based on the detected imbalance characteristics. If only amplitude imbalance is detected, only amplitude calibration is performed, and similarly for phase imbalance, avoiding unnecessary calibration steps and reducing overall calibration time.
3Manufacturing precision
If pulse adjustment of LO signals is used for calibration, then IQ imbalance is reduced and signal balance is improved, but control complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the controller monitors the balance between I and Q components and adjusts LO signal pulses accordingly. The controller receives feedback on calibration effectiveness and iteratively refines the pulse adjustments until optimal balance is achieved, automating the control process and reducing manual intervention requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration system is designed to be self-regulating, where the controller automatically determines the calibration needs and executes the appropriate calibration routine without external intervention. The system monitors its own performance and initiates calibration when imbalance is detected, reducing operational complexity and enabling autonomous optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, circuits, and apparatus for calibrating an in-phase and quadrature (IQ) imbalance of a communication signal including an in-phase component and a quadrature component in a communication apparatus, the method including determining whether to calibrate the IQ imbalance of the communication signal in the communication apparatus; selecting, in response to a determination to calibrate the IQ imbalance of the communication signal, at least one of an amplitude calibration or a phase calibration; controlling, in accordance with the selected amplitude calibration or phase calibration, at least one of an in-phase delay circuit or a quadrature delay circuit to adjust a pulse of at least one of a first LO signal or a second LO signal to thereby generate at least one pulse-adjusted LO signal; and multiplying the at least one pulse-adjusted LO signal with the communication signal to thereby calibrate the IQ imbalance.