Receiver Jitter Compensation Using Reference-Signal Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Clock-jitter and mixer-jitter in data-converter systems limit the dynamic range and signal quality in receiver architectures, particularly in modern radio receivers, by introducing timing inaccuracies and noise that degrade signal-to-noise ratio and bit-error-rate performance.
Innovation Solution
A circuit and method for jitter compensation involving a combiner block, a converter stage, and a compensation unit that uses a reference signal to generate a jitter compensating signal by combining and processing the input signal with a mixing frequency derived from the reference signal, effectively canceling out jitter in the output signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a clock signal is used to sample data in data-converter systems, then the converter can operate and convert signals, but clock-jitter introduces timing inaccuracies that limit the dynamic range and signal quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by detecting jitter in the clock signal and generating a compensation signal that is fed back to compensate for the detected jitter. The compensation signal is derived from the jittered clock signal itself, creating a closed-loop system that continuously corrects timing inaccuracies, thereby improving dynamic range and signal quality without sacrificing converter operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the dynamic range and bandwidth of converter systems are increased, then the system can handle more complex signals, but clock-jitter becomes more prominent and limits the achieved performance
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback mechanism detects jitter components in the clock signal and generates compensation signals that are applied to correct timing errors. This allows the system to maintain high dynamic range performance even when operating with increased bandwidth and complex signal processing requirements, as the compensation continuously counteracts jitter effects.
3Measurement precision
If circuit noise is reduced to achieve higher dynamic range specification, then the noise level in the ADC decreases, but power consumption must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional approach of reducing circuit noise through increased power consumption with a signal processing approach. Instead of physically reducing noise by adding more power to the converter circuits, the system uses digital signal processing to detect and compensate for jitter effects, achieving high dynamic range with lower power consumption by substituting mechanical/electrical noise reduction with computational correction.
4Measurement precision
If a reference signal is added to the input signal for jitter compensation, then jitter can be detected and compensated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a reference signal as an intermediary to facilitate jitter detection and compensation. The reference signal, which is a clean sinusoidal signal at a known frequency, serves as a mediator that allows the system to isolate and measure jitter components without directly analyzing the complex input signal. This intermediary approach simplifies the detection mechanism while maintaining accurate jitter measurement capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Circuits and methods for jitter compensation in a receiver system are useful to improve performance. One such circuit includes a combiner block for combining a reference signal with an input signal (Sin) of the circuit, and a converter stage for converting the input signal (Sin) together with the reference signal. The converter stage is clocked by a clock signal modulated by a jitter signal. A forward path having a first mixer unit is provided for multiplying a copy of an output signal (A) of the converter stage with the frequency of the reference signal in order to generate a jitter compensating signal (B). A compensation unit for compensating jitter in the output signal (A) of the converter stage in a direct output path with the jitter compensating signal (B) is also provided.