Receiver System Self-Calibration Using Modulated Carrier Signal Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Calibration of communications receivers and modular instrumentation systems is challenging due to frequency-dependent signal delays, making it difficult to maintain phase linearity and predict system performance, especially when components are exchanged or cabling is modified, as existing methods require expensive and bulky external equipment.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for characterizing phase response using a modulated carrier signal with known timing, routed through the receiver system, allowing for onboard self-calibration without external equipment, using a shared synchronization signal to measure delays and generate an equalization filter for distortion compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If phase response is characterized at the factory using expensive and bulky test equipment, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver system performs self-calibration by routing its own modulated carrier signal through its receiver path and measuring the phase response internally. The system uses its onboard signal source, modulator, and digitizer to characterize its own phase response without external test equipment, enabling the system to service itself
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver system uses its existing components (signal source, modulator, receiver path, digitizer) for dual purposes: normal signal reception and self-calibration. The same hardware infrastructure serves both operational and characterization functions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated calibration equipment
2Reliability
If calibration is performed on a regular basis to account for component exchanges or cabling modifications, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases due to impractical field calibration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables rapid field calibration by allowing the receiver to self-characterize its phase response whenever components or cabling are modified. This eliminates the need for time-consuming external equipment setup and allows calibration to be performed quickly in the field rather than requiring lengthy factory calibration processes
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-establishes the calibration capability within the receiver architecture itself, so that when component exchanges or cabling modifications occur, the calibration process can immediately begin using existing onboard resources without requiring preliminary setup of external equipment
3Adaptability or versatility
If modular components are exchanged or interconnection cabling is modified, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to unpredictable system performance
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the receiver measures its own phase response after component exchanges or cabling modifications and uses this information to generate appropriate correction. The system continuously monitors and adjusts for changes in its configuration, ensuring accurate phase response measurements regardless of modular component variations
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically characterizes phase response parameters for different frequency components and uses these measured parameters to generate frequency-dependent correction factors. By measuring and adjusting parameters based on actual system state rather than fixed factory settings, the system maintains precision across varying configurations
Data Source
AI summary
Receiving a modulated carrier signal that is modulated using a reference signal, wherein an acquisition by a digitizer is synced to the reference signal such that the modulated carrier signal has known timing with respect to a start of an acquisition within the digitizer. Further including routing the modulated carrier signal through a receiver system to generate a processed signal, receiving the processed signal at the digitizer, digitizing the processed signal at the digitizer, and determining a delay of the modulated carrier signal routed through the receiver system based on the timing of the processed signal.