RF Feedback Receiver Disturbance Calibration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing RF feedback receiver systems introduce disturbances into signal property measurements, distorting the results, as they measure signal properties like power in RF transmit arrangements.

Innovation Solution

An RF feedback receiver arrangement with a normal operating phase and a calibration phase uses two reference signals with different frequencies to detect transmit signal properties and acquire a calibration signal that describes the disturbing portion introduced by the system itself, allowing for accurate calibration and compensation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the RF feedback receiver arrangement measures the signal property of the transmit signal, then the signal property detection is performed, but the RF feedback receiver arrangement introduces a disturbing portion into the measured signal property, distorting the measurement result

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal property measurement accuracyVSAvoidself-introduced disturbance

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing calibration before normal signal property measurement. A calibration signal is generated and measured in advance to characterize the disturbing portion introduced by the RF feedback receiver arrangement. This calibration data is then used to compensate for disturbances during actual measurements, thereby improving measurement precision while accounting for the self-introduced harmful factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful self-introduced disturbance into a beneficial calibration reference. By deliberately measuring the disturbing portion during calibration phase and storing it as calibration data, the system transforms the harmful interference into useful information that enables compensation and correction during normal operation, thereby improving overall measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Measurement precision

If the RF feedback receiver arrangement uses a single reference signal frequency for detection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to separate and calibrate the disturbing portion from the actual signal property is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisturbance separation accuracyVSAvoidreference signal generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by alternating between calibration phase and normal measurement phase. During calibration phase, a second reference signal with different frequency is used to measure the disturbing portion. During normal phase, the first reference signal with original frequency is used for actual signal property measurement. This periodic switching enables separation of disturbance from actual signal while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the frequency parameter of the reference signal to differentiate between calibration and normal measurement modes. By using a second reference signal with different frequency during calibration phase and switching back to the first reference signal with original frequency during normal phase, the system enables effective disturbance separation without requiring complex additional hardware for each measurement mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables precise detection and compensation of self-introduced disturbances, improving the accuracy of signal property measurements in RF transmit and transceiver systems, reducing errors and maintaining system performance during continuous operation.

Implementation Method 1

detecting the transmit signal property based on a combination of the first reference signal with the transmit signal or with a signal derived from the transmit signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal mixing: Homodyne Detection

Data Source

PatentUS8639192B2RF feedback receiver arrangement, RF transmit arrangement and RF transceiver arrangement

Publication Date: 2014.01.28 APPLE INC

AI summary

An RF feedback receiver arrangement includes a reference signal provider configured to provide, in a normal operating phase, a first reference signal having a first reference signal frequency, and provide, in a calibration operating phase, a second reference signal having a second reference signal frequency different from the first reference signal frequency. In addition, the RF feedback receiver arrangement includes a signal property detector configured to detect a transmit signal property of the transmit signal in the normal operating phase based on combining the first reference signal with a transmit signal or with a signal derived from the transmit signal, and to obtain, in the calibration operating phase, a calibration signal based on combining the second reference signal with the transmit signal or the signal derived from the transmit signal, which describes a disturbing portion introduced into the detected transmit signal property by the RF feedback receiver arrangement itself.