Self-Diagnosis Device for Millimeter-Wave Radar Phase Shifter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional self-diagnosis methods for millimeter-wave radar systems are limited in their ability to perform comprehensive phase error evaluation and frequency band characteristic diagnosis due to the equal frequencies of received and local signals, resulting in simple DC gain inspection and inability to assess phase shifter performance accurately.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a self-diagnosis signal generation unit that uses a programmable frequency divider to generate orthogonal IQ signals, an IQ orthogonal mixer, and an adder circuit to produce a high-quality on-chip BIST signal source with good C/N and frequency accuracy, allowing for accurate phase evaluation and image interference suppression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional self-diagnosis method using equal frequency signals is used, then DC gain inspection can be performed, but phase error evaluation and frequency band characteristic diagnosis cannot be performed accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency parameter by introducing a frequency offset between the received signal and local signal. The frequency mixer mixes signals with different frequencies to produce an intermediate frequency signal, enabling phase error evaluation and frequency band characteristic diagnosis that were impossible with equal frequency signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the diagnosis method more dynamic by allowing variable frequency offsets and using multiple frequency points for analysis. This enables comprehensive evaluation of phase shifters across different frequencies, transforming the static DC gain inspection into a dynamic multi-frequency characterization process.
2Device complexity
If simple DC gain inspection is performed, then the diagnosis process is simple, but comprehensive phase error evaluation and frequency band characteristic diagnosis are not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the diagnosis process into distinct functional blocks: frequency mixer for frequency conversion, phase shifter for phase control, and intermediate frequency signal processing for analysis. This segmentation enables comprehensive phase error evaluation while maintaining a structured, manageable system architecture.
3Measurement precision
If equal frequency signals are used in frequency mixer, then only DC gain inspection can be performed, but accurate phase evaluation and image interference suppression cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate frequency signal as a mediator between the received signal and local signal. The frequency mixer converts the high-frequency signals to an intermediate frequency, which is easier to process and analyze. This intermediary approach enables accurate phase evaluation while simplifying the overall implementation by operating at a lower, more manageable frequency.
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
Enables accurate phase error calculation and phase shifter diagnosis at a lower frequency, improving the overall self-diagnosis capability of the radar system by suppressing image interference and enhancing phase evaluation precision.
Implementation Method 1
a received signal received via loopback of a transmission channel is mixed with a local signal generated by an oscillator by using a frequency mixer to output a DC voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A self-diagnosis device of a module including a general-purpose multi-channel IC and a reception phase shifter IC having a plurality of transmission output terminals and reception terminals is configured to perform a self-diagnosis of the reception phase shifter IC by utilizing a signal that is generatable by the general-purpose multi-channel IC, which is enabled by a self-diagnosis signal generation unit that generates a self-diagnosis signal by using (a) a first output signal supplied to a multi-channel receiver of the general-purpose multi-channel IC and (b) a third output signal and a self-diagnosis clock signal synchronously output from a single PLL.