Receiver Calibration Using Neighboring LO Paths for Multi-Pipe RX
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing receiver calibration methods for wireless communications are time-consuming and costly due to the increased number of receiver down-conversion pipes, particularly in systems supporting carrier aggregation and MIMO, which require calibration of multiple bands and pipes simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an apparatus and method for receiver calibration that utilizes a first receiver with a phase-locked loop (PLL) to generate oscillating signals, which are split and provided to multiple mixers in a second receiver. This setup allows for simultaneous calibration of multiple receiver down-conversion pipes across different bands, reducing calibration time and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional calibration methods are used for each receiver down-conversion pipe individually, then calibration accuracy can be maintained, but calibration time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple receiver down-conversion pipes into a single calibration process by connecting multiple receiver inputs to a common signal source. This allows simultaneous calibration of multiple pipes that would traditionally require separate calibration procedures, thereby reducing calibration time while maintaining accuracy through the use of a single reference signal.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration signal source is designed to serve multiple functions by providing calibration signals to multiple receiver down-conversion pipes simultaneously. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate calibration equipment for each pipe, reducing both time and cost while maintaining calibration quality.
2Productivity
If multiple receiver down-conversion pipes are calibrated simultaneously using shared signal paths, then calibration time is reduced, but coupling issues between source and target RX paths may arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the calibration signal distribution into multiple independent paths from a common source. Each receiver pipe receives calibration signals through separate, isolated paths that prevent mutual interference and coupling issues, while still enabling simultaneous calibration of multiple pipes for improved efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards apparatus and techniques for receiver calibration. An example apparatus generally includes: a first receiver having a first oscillating signal generation circuit, an output of the first oscillating signal generation circuit being coupled to an input of a first splitter, wherein the first splitter has multiple outputs; a second receiver having a second oscillating signal generation circuit coupled to an LO input of each of a first plurality of mixers of the second receiver; and signal paths between the multiple outputs of the first splitter and signal inputs of the first plurality of mixers, respectively.