Radar MMIC Phase Measurement Using Frequency Multiplication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current Automated Test Equipment (ATE) methods for measuring phase and phase noise parameters in RF circuits are time-intensive and costly due to challenges with handling millimeter-wave signals, limiting the ability to efficiently test phase resolution and phase balance, especially in cascaded systems and slave mode operations.
Innovation Solution
A radio frequency (RF) system with a radar monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) that includes a transmission channel with a phase shifter, a test input port, a frequency multiplier, and a down-conversion mixer, allowing for the generation and measurement of transmission phase information using a continuous-wave signal with a single frequency, enabling faster and more efficient phase measurements and calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current ATE measurement methods are used for phase and phase noise parameters, then measurement capability is achieved, but test time becomes excessively long and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary frequency multiplication stage that converts the test signal from a lower frequency (e.g., 10 GHz) to a higher frequency (e.g., 76-81 GHz) that matches the radar MMIC operating frequency. This intermediary frequency conversion enables direct measurement without requiring external mm-wave sources, thereby reducing test time while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a copy of the local oscillator signal path by routing the LO signal through the transmission channel under test and then mixing it with a down-converted version of the same signal. This self-referential measurement approach eliminates the need for external reference sources and reduces test time
2Productivity
If direct measurement at transmitter output is attempted, then measurement speed could improve, but handling challenges at test hardware level prevent viable implementation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency parameter of the test signal through multiplication, transforming it from a lower frequency suitable for ATE output to the millimeter-wave frequency required by the radar MMIC. This parameter transformation enables direct measurement at the transmitter output while avoiding the handling challenges of generating mm-wave signals externally
Solution Approach 2:
The frequency multiplier acts as an intermediary device that bridges the gap between the ATE's capability to generate lower frequency signals and the radar MMIC's requirement for millimeter-wave signals. This intermediary enables direct measurement without external mm-wave sources
3Measurement precision
If external mm-wave sources are used for testing, then measurement capability is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the LO signal path and uses it for measurement purposes. By routing the LO signal through the transmission channel and then mixing it with a down-converted version, the system performs self-measurement without requiring external mm-wave sources, thereby reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the radar MMIC's own LO signal serve multiple functions: both as the source signal for the transmission channel and as the reference signal for measurement. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate external test sources, reducing overall system complexity
4Productivity
If measurement strategies are optimized for speed, then test time reduces, but measurement accuracy and coverage may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback-based measurement approach where the transmitted signal is mixed with a down-converted version of itself to generate an intermediate frequency signal. This feedback mechanism preserves phase information while enabling fast measurement through direct digital synthesis and processing
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces test time and costs by enabling accurate phase and phase noise measurements, improving test coverage, and allowing for functional testing in slave mode operations without the need for external mm-wave sources, thereby enhancing production testing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a frequency multiplier configured to receive the test signal and convert the test signal into a multiplied test signal having a second frequency
Implementation Method 2
a down-conversion mixer configured to mix the multiplied test signal and the first transmit monitoring signal to generate a first mixer output signal
Data Source
AI summary
A radar monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) includes a first transmission channel configured to output a first continuous-wave transmit signal based on a local oscillator signal having a first frequency; a first phase shifter provided on the first transmission channel and configured to apply a first phase setting to the first continuous-wave transmit signal to generate a first transmit signal having the first frequency; a first transmit monitoring signal path configured to couple out a portion of the first transmit signal from the first transmission channel as a first transmit monitoring signal; a frequency multiplier configured to receive a test signal and convert it into a multiplied test signal having a second frequency, where the first and the second frequencies are separated by a frequency offset; and a down-conversion mixer configured to mix the multiplied test signal and the first transmit monitoring signal to generate a first mixer output signal.