Phase Correction Circuitry for Frequency Divider Restart Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Frequency dividers in radio transceivers experience random phase shifts when reset or powered down, leading to potential catastrophic phase differences in transmit or receive chains, and existing solutions like sharing dividers increase power consumption and signal coupling.
Innovation Solution
A circuit arrangement with phase comparison and correction circuitry to maintain a desired phase relationship between frequency divider outputs, allowing dividers to be powered down without phase shift, using phase detection and correction mechanisms to ensure consistent phase parity or opposition between outputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If frequency dividers are reset or powered down to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but random phase shifts occur leading to catastrophic phase differences in transmit or receive chains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms including phase comparison circuitry that continuously monitors the phase relationship between divider outputs and provides feedback signals to correction circuitry. This feedback loop ensures that when dividers are re-enabled after being powered down, their phase relationships are automatically corrected to match the stored reference phase, thus maintaining reliability while allowing power savings from periodic shutdowns
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action by storing reference phase information in memory circuits before the dividers are powered down. When the dividers are re-enabled, the stored reference phase is used to guide the correction process, ensuring that the dividers restart with the correct phase relationship rather than random phases. This preliminary storage of phase information prevents catastrophic phase shifts upon restart
2Reliability
If a shared divider is used between multiple mixers to guarantee fixed phase relationship, then phase stability is improved, but signal coupling between mixers increases leading to unwanted signal interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the frequency division function into separate independent divider circuits for each mixer path, rather than using a single shared divider. Each divider is equipped with its own phase memory and correction circuitry, allowing independent phase control. This segmentation maintains phase stability through individual phase management while eliminating the signal coupling problems inherent in shared divider architectures
3Object-generated harmful factors
If separate dividers are used for each mixer to provide isolation between paths, then signal coupling is reduced, but random phase shifts occur when dividers are reset or powered down
Solution Approach 1:
Each separate divider is equipped with feedback mechanisms including phase comparison circuitry that monitors its output phase and provides feedback to correction circuitry. This feedback ensures that when dividers are independently reset or powered down, their phase relationships are automatically corrected to match stored reference phases, maintaining reliability while preserving the isolation benefits of separate divider architecture
Solution Approach 2:
Reference phase information is preliminarily stored in memory circuits associated with each separate divider before power-down events. When dividers are re-enabled, the stored reference phase guides the correction process, ensuring that independent dividers restart with correct phase relationships rather than random phases, thus maintaining reliability without requiring continuous operation
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement is described in which phase parity or phase opposition between two signals can be determined, and if necessary remedial action may be taken.