Receiver Spur Cancellation with Coherent Averaging for RF ADCs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network test devices face challenges in effectively attenuating continuous wave spurs in the digitized output of RF ADCs, which are exacerbated by high density multiple transceiver designs and the need for complex hardware designs to manage spurs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a spur cancellation method based on frequency planning with coherent averaging, which treats spurs as periodic signals and applies cancellation without requiring exact frequency values of LOs and reference clocks, thereby simplifying the hardware design and relaxing isolation requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If high density multiple transceiver designs are used, then device integration and functionality are improved, but continuous wave spurs are exacerbated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful continuous wave spurs from the digitized output signal through digital signal processing. The spur cancellation mechanism identifies and eliminates these spurious signals while preserving the desired communication signals, thereby resolving the contradiction between high device integration and spur generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary digital processing stage between the RF ADC and the final output. This intermediary processing block applies spur cancellation algorithms that act as a mediator to reduce the harmful spurs generated by the high-density transceiver design without requiring changes to the physical hardware layout.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If complex hardware designs are implemented to manage spurs, then spur attenuation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex hardware-based spur management mechanisms with digital signal processing techniques. Instead of using additional analog filters, isolators, or shielding hardware, the solution uses digital algorithms to cancel spurs, thereby achieving effective spur attenuation without increasing hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from physical parameter adjustments (such as analog filtering frequencies or hardware isolation distances) to digital parameter processing. By operating in the digital domain, the system can dynamically adjust spur cancellation parameters without adding physical complexity to the hardware design.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If frequency planning with coherent averaging is applied, then spur cancellation effectiveness is improved, but processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic coherent averaging operations to cancel spurs. By averaging multiple periodic measurements of the signal at carefully selected time intervals, the system enhances the cancellation of periodic spur signals while suppressing random noise and desired signals, achieving effective spur reduction with manageable processing requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
In some implementations, a receiver may obtain a digitized output of a radio frequency (RF) analog-to-digital-converter (ADC) of the receiver. The receiver may apply a spur cancellation to the digitized output of the RF ADC to attenuate one or more continuous wave spurs from the digitized output of the RF ADC, wherein the spur cancellation is based on a frequency planning with coherent averaging.