LO Phase Correction Circuits for Multi-Output PLL Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contemporary wireless communication systems face challenges in maintaining phase continuity and accuracy for multiple local oscillator (LO) signals generated using a single phase-locked loop (PLL), particularly in MIMO configurations, where phase detection and correction are crucial for ensuring signal stability and tunability across different frequencies.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a phase correction technique that involves frequency dividing an oscillating signal to generate a PLL feedback signal, detecting phase errors, and adjusting the phase of the frequency-divided signal using a phase correction circuit to align the LO signals with a reference phase, ensuring phase continuity across multiple LO signals generated by a single PLL.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single PLL is used to generate multiple LO signals, then device complexity is reduced, but phase continuity and accuracy across multiple LO signals deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the phase correction function by providing separate phase adjustment circuits for each LO signal path. Each phase adjustment circuit independently corrects the phase of its associated LO signal based on phase error detection, allowing multiple LO signals to maintain phase continuity while being generated from a single PLL.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where phase detectors continuously monitor the phase of each LO signal and generate phase error signals. These error signals are fed back to phase adjustment circuits that modify the LO signals to eliminate phase errors, ensuring phase continuity across all LO signals generated by the single PLL.
2Measurement precision
If phase correction circuits are added to maintain phase continuity, then phase accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the phase adjustment functionality into the existing LO signal generation path by coupling phase adjustment circuits directly to the LO signal paths. This integration allows phase correction to be performed inline without requiring separate, standalone phase correction systems, thereby reducing overall circuit complexity while maintaining phase continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase adjustment circuits are designed to be universally applicable across multiple LO signal paths. The same phase detection and adjustment mechanism can be applied to any number of LO signals generated by the single PLL, providing a scalable solution that maintains phase continuity without proportionally increasing complexity for each additional LO signal.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to techniques and circuits for phase correction, or at least adjustment, of multiple local-oscillator (LO) signals. For example, certain aspects provide an apparatus for phase adjustment. The apparatus generally includes a phase-locked loop (PLL), at least one frequency divider coupled to an output of the PLL, the at least one first frequency divider being external to the PLL, a phase adjustment circuit having an input coupled to an output of the frequency divider, and at least one mixer having an input coupled to at least one output of the phase adjustment circuit.