Passive Intermodulation Source Localization in RF Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for identifying and localizing sources of passive intermodulation (PIM) in RF systems are inefficient, requiring significant resources and costly equipment for accurate measurements, and often struggle to distinguish between internal and external PIM sources.
Innovation Solution
The method involves injecting a signal into a transmit path of an RF system and monitoring multiple receive paths, where some share electrical components with the transmit path and others do not, to detect PIM products and determine if the source is internal or external based on signal detection across these paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If time and phase delay measurement methods are used to locate PIM sources, then distance estimation is achieved, but high-resolution measurement equipment is required which increases cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex measurement equipment with signal processing methods. Instead of using expensive time and phase resolution measurement devices, the system uses correlation processing of received signals to determine time delays and locate PIM sources, substituting mechanical/physical measurement systems with computational approaches
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple receive paths that receive copies of the transmitted signal to perform comparative analysis. By having multiple receiving antennas capture signal copies and comparing them through correlation processing, the system achieves accurate time delay measurement without requiring high-resolution measurement equipment
2Measurement precision
If multiple receive paths are monitored to distinguish internal and external PIM sources, then source localization accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monitoring function across multiple receive paths, with each path independently receiving and processing signals. This segmentation allows the system to compare signals from different paths to determine whether PIM sources are internal or external, achieving accurate localization through distributed simple receivers rather than a single complex system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback from multiple receive paths to determine PIM source location. By continuously monitoring and comparing signals from multiple paths and using correlation results to identify whether PIM sources are internal or external, the system achieves accurate localization through iterative comparative analysis
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes various embodiments for detecting and/or localizing a passive intermodulation distortion signal in a radio frequency system having multiple transmit and/or receive paths.