RF Delay Estimation Using Custom Phase Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for estimating RF delay in transmitter systems are complex and require precise calculations of baseband and RF delays, often relying on noise-like signals and pre-simulations, leading to variable and time-consuming results.
Innovation Solution
A simplified method and apparatus for estimating RF delay using customized phase signals and a figure of merit, eliminating the need for a hardware delay block and allowing online calculation of RF delay based on phase characteristics, reducing dependency on noise-like signals and simplifying transmitter architecture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional methods use complex delay alignment blocks with hardware optimization algorithms to estimate RF delay, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and calculation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the RF delay estimation function from the complex hardware delay alignment block and implements it through a simplified figure of merit calculation unit. This separates the delay measurement function from the overall signal alignment system, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision through dedicated FOM computation based on phase signal correlations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical hardware optimization algorithm (sweeping through different RF delay values in the delay block) with a computational approach using figure of merit calculations on phase signals. This substitution eliminates the need for complex hardware delay blocks and iterative hardware optimization, reducing device complexity while achieving equivalent or better measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If conventional methods perform hardware optimization algorithms by sweeping through different RF delay values, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by calculating the figure of merit based on phase signal correlations before final RF delay determination. The FOM calculation uses pre-processed phase signals from the I/Q to phase converter, allowing the system to quickly evaluate delay accuracy without sweeping through multiple hardware delay values, thus reducing calculation time while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the time-consuming hardware sweep algorithm with a computational FOM-based estimation method. Instead of iteratively adjusting hardware delay blocks and measuring signal alignment, the system computes FOM from phase signals mathematically, dramatically reducing calculation time while preserving measurement precision through the same underlying correlation principles.
3Ease of operation
If conventional methods use noise-like signals for delay estimation, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to signal-dependent results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter used for delay estimation from noise-like signal characteristics to phase signal correlations. By using the phase component of the transmit signal and computing FOM based on phase alignment rather than noise signal properties, the system achieves results that are independent of the specific signal waveform, improving measurement precision while maintaining ease of operation through automated FOM calculation.
4Measurement precision
If conventional methods perform offline baseband delay calculations using RTL simulations, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes time-consuming offline RTL hardware simulations with real-time FOM calculations based on actual phase signals from the transmitter. Instead of simulating baseband delay characteristics beforehand, the system directly measures phase signal correlations during operation, eliminating offline simulation time while maintaining or improving precision through actual signal-based measurements.
Data Source
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AI summary
A transmitter for calculating a radio frequency delay caused by front-end components in a transmitter. The transmitter includes a transmit circuitry configured to modulate a custom phase signal and transmit the modulated custom phase signal, a coupler configured to couple the transmitted custom phase signal as a feedback signal, a receive circuitry configured to mix the feedback signal with a phase-modulated custom phase signal and demodulate the mixed signal to extract a phase component from the mixed signal, and a delay measurement unit configured to calculate a figure of merit using the phase component of the demodulated signal and calculate an RF delay based on the figure of merit. The custom phase signal may be a trapezoidal phase signal or a periodic phase signal with a constant envelop.