Receiver I/Q Imbalance Calibration Using Observed Interferers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional communication systems face I/Q imbalances due to gain and phase response mismatches between transmitter and receiver processing branches, leading to data recovery degradation, especially under varying operating conditions not accounted for during factory calibration.
Innovation Solution
A communications receiver with a digital signal processor (DSP) and I/Q compensation module adjusts gain and phase parameters in real-time using observational interferers and images to compensate for I/Q imbalances, improving data recovery accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If factory calibration is performed under controlled operating conditions, then calibration accuracy is improved, but adaptability to varying operating conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic calibration by continuously tracking interferer signals and adjusting compensation parameters in real-time based on current operating conditions. The calibration is no longer static but adapts dynamically to temperature, frequency, and other environmental variations, resolving the contradiction between initial calibration accuracy and ongoing adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms by monitoring interferer signals and using this information to continuously refine I/Q imbalance compensation parameters. The received signal quality serves as feedback to adjust calibration parameters, ensuring optimal performance across varying operating conditions while maintaining the benefits of initial factory calibration.
2Reliability
If specific calibration parameters are programmed for each receiver, then compensation accuracy is improved, but manufacturing complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables receivers to perform self-calibration by automatically tracking interferer signals and determining optimal compensation parameters without requiring external calibration equipment or manual intervention. This self-service capability maintains high compensation accuracy while significantly simplifying the manufacturing process, as each receiver calibrates itself during operation rather than requiring individual factory calibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically adjusts calibration parameters based on detected interferer characteristics and operating conditions. Instead of programming fixed parameters during manufacturing, the receiver dynamically changes parameters to optimize compensation, maintaining reliability while reducing manufacturing complexity to a single standardized design.
3Reliability
If I/Q imbalance compensation is implemented, then data recovery ability is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal interferer tracking and compensation mechanism that handles multiple types of interferers and operating conditions through a single integrated system. This multi-functional approach improves data recovery ability across diverse scenarios while avoiding the need for separate compensation circuits for each condition, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus is disclosed to compensate for an in-phase/quadrature phase (I/Q) imbalance in a communications receiver. The communications receiver may utilize information gained from observing one or more observational interferers to adjust one or more sequence parameters, such as gain and/or phase to provide some examples. The one or more observational interferers including one or more images outside of a desired frequency band of interest. The communications receiver provides one or more sequence parameter values to allow for real-time adjustment of the sequence parameters to compensate for the I/Q imbalances.