RF Receiver Built-In Test Signal Generator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern RF transceivers, particularly in radar systems, lack effective self-test capabilities, which can lead to unreliable distance and speed measurements, necessitating improved reliability through enhanced testing mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a test signal generator with a digital harmonic oscillator and digital-to-analog converter to generate an RF test signal, which is then processed by an RF receiver circuit with a mixer and analog-to-digital converter, allowing for spectral analysis to verify the presence of specific spectral components, thereby enabling self-testing and detecting potential malfunctions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If self-test capabilities are added to RF transceivers, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the test signal generator with the existing RF transmitter circuitry, using the same modulator and frequency synthesizer components for both normal operation and self-testing. This merging approach allows self-test functionality to be added without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The RF transmitter and its components (modulator, frequency synthesizer, power amplifier) are designed to serve dual purposes: normal signal transmission and self-test signal generation. The test signal generator can inject test signals through the same RF path used for actual radar signals, making the hardware multi-functional and reducing the need for separate dedicated test equipment.
2Measurement precision
If spectral analysis is performed to verify spectral components, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs spectral analysis of the received signal to identify specific spectral components that correspond to the transmitted test signal frequency. By analyzing the spectral content rather than performing time-domain processing, the system can quickly verify signal integrity and detect malfunctions with minimal processing time, thus reducing the time penalty associated with verification.
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 solution enhances the reliability of RF transceivers by allowing for regular self-testing, quickly identifying component failures, and ensuring accurate distance and velocity measurements in radar systems and other applications.
Implementation Method 1
a digital harmonic oscillator that generates a digital oscillator signal with a first spectral component
Implementation Method 2
a first digital-to-analog-converter that generates an analog oscillator signal based on the digital oscillator signal
Implementation Method 3
a modulator configured to convert the analog oscillator signal into an RF band thus generating an RF test signal that includes the first spectral component frequency shifted to the RF band
Implementation Method 4
a mixer that receives the RF input signal and a local oscillator signal, down-converts the RF input signal into an intermediate frequency or base band
Implementation Method 5
an analog-to digital converter that provides a digital radar signal representing the mixer output signal
Implementation Method 6
A signal processor receives the digital radar signal and is configured to determine at least one spectral component of the digital radar signal
Data Source
AI summary
A radar device comprises a test signal generator including a digital harmonic oscillator that generates a digital oscillator signal with a first spectral component; a first digital-to-analog-converter that generates an analog oscillator signal based on the digital oscillator signal. Furthermore, the radar device comprises at least one radar channel receiving the analog oscillator signal during one or more self-tests.