SerDes Clock Distribution for Phase-Locked Remote Radio Tuners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Diversity reception schemes that employ separate frequency references for each radio module can be unreliable due to crystal frequency errors and are prone to start-up issues, especially when tuners are located near their respective antennas to reduce signal loss and prevent interference.
Innovation Solution
A communication system using serializer/deserializer technology to provide a reference signal from a first radio module to a second radio module, where the second radio module includes a deserializer to receive a serialized version of the signal and a clock recovery circuit to generate a second reference signal that is frequency and phase locked to the first reference signal, ensuring robust diversity reception across physically separate or remotely located radio modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate frequency references are used for each radio module, then each module can operate independently, but reliability deteriorates due to crystal frequency errors and start-up issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the frequency reference distribution by using a master clock in one radio module and distributing it to other modules through serialized transmission. Each module maintains operational independence while achieving frequency synchronization through the distributed clock signal, resolving the contradiction between independent operation and signal reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through clock recovery circuits in each radio module that continuously monitor and adjust to the received serialized clock signal. This feedback mechanism ensures frequency and phase lock between modules, eliminating crystal frequency errors and start-up issues while maintaining independent operation capability.
2Loss of energy
If tuners are located near their respective antennas, then signal loss is reduced, but device complexity increases due to separate frequency reference requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The serialized clock distribution system provides universal frequency reference functionality across multiple radio modules. A single master clock signal can be distributed to any number of modules through the serialization interface, eliminating the need for separate frequency reference circuits in each module and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining signal loss benefits.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If multiple radio modules are physically separated, then interference is prevented, but maintaining frequency lock becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The serialized clock signal acts as an intermediary carrier that transmits the master frequency reference through the physical separation between modules. The serialization interface and clock recovery circuits serve as mediators that maintain frequency and phase lock despite physical distance, preventing interference while ensuring reliable frequency synchronization.
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 provides a reliable frequency reference for multiple radio modules, reducing jitter and improving signal reliability by maintaining frequency and phase lock between modules, even when they are physically separate or remotely located.
Implementation Method 1
at least one signal output by the tuner is serialized
Implementation Method 2
a deserializer to receive a serialized version of the signal and deserialize the serialized version
Implementation Method 3
a clock recovery circuit to generate a second reference signal that is frequency and phase locked to the first reference signal
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system includes a first radio module and a second radio module. The first radio module includes a tuner communicatively coupled to a reference signal generator that is configured to generate a first reference signal for the tuner. The first radio module further includes a serializer configured to serialize a signal output by the tuner. The second radio module includes a deserializer configured to receive a serialized version of the signal from the serializer of the first radio module and deserialize the serialized version of the signal. The second radio module further includes a second tuner that is communicatively coupled to a clock recovery circuit. The clock recovery circuit is configured to generate a second reference signal for the second tuner based on a deserialized version of the first signal, where the second reference signal is frequency and phase locked to the first reference signal.