Selective Attenuation Paths for Accurate RF Gain-Phase Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measurement apparatuses face challenges in accurately determining the gain and phase changes introduced by RF signal processing chains due to difficulties in ensuring that the gain/phase detectors used are more accurate than the signal processing chains they measure.
Innovation Solution
An attenuator arrangement with at least one attenuation path is introduced to couple between the signal processing chain and the measurement apparatus, providing selective attenuation to equalize the signal power from both terminals of the signal processing chain, thereby improving the accuracy and dynamic range of the measurement apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If gain/phase detectors are used to measure signal processing chains, then measurement capability is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates due to difficulty in ensuring detector accuracy exceeds signal processing chain accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
An attenuator arrangement is introduced as an intermediary component between the signal processing chain and the measurement apparatus. This attenuator equalizes signal power levels from different terminals before they reach the measurement apparatus, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring the detectors themselves to be more accurate than the signal processing chains.
2Measurement precision
If signal power levels are unequal from different terminals, then signal processing chain operation is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to cross-talk and mixer-induced errors
Solution Approach 1:
The attenuator arrangement acts as a mediator that equalizes signal power levels from different terminals before they reach the measurement apparatus. This equalization reduces cross-talk and mixer-induced errors, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining normal signal processing chain operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The attenuator arrangement dynamically adjusts attenuation parameters to equalize signal power levels from different terminals. By changing the attenuation parameter selectively applied to signals from different terminals, the system reduces harmful effects such as cross-talk and mixer-induced errors, thereby improving measurement accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
An attenuator arrangement comprising at least a first attenuation path configured to couple between a signal processing chain, SPC, and a measurement apparatus; said SPC comprising a first and second SPC terminal, said SPC configured to apply one or both of a gain and phase change on a signal passed between the SPC terminals; said measurement apparatus configured to measure one or both of the gain and the phase change applied by SPC by coupling to and receiving signals from said SPC terminals; wherein one of said first SPC terminal and said second SPC terminal is coupled to the measurement apparatus through said first attenuation path; and wherein the at least first attenuation path of the attenuator arrangement is configured to provide, selectively, for attenuation of the signal to the measurement apparatus to make the signal power of the signals from said SPC terminals more equal.