Serial Interconnection Phase Calibration via Node Injection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for phase and magnitude calibration of serial interconnections require predictable transmission characteristics, which are costly and difficult to achieve, especially in large electrical systems like phased arrays, where phase skews need to be compensated to a high precision without relying on expensive materials and high fabrication tolerances.

Innovation Solution

A method for calibrating serial interconnections using continuous wave signals to measure and correct phase and magnitude differences between nodes, allowing for phase-synchronized and equal magnitude signal distribution without relying on predictable transmission characteristics, suitable for implementation with low-cost digital circuits and scalable across various frequencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If expensive materials and high fabrication tolerances are used to ensure predictable transmission characteristics, then manufacturing precision and reliability are improved, but device cost and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission characteristic predictabilityVSAvoidfabrication cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the approach from ensuring predictable transmission characteristics through expensive materials to actively measuring and correcting transmission parameters (phase and magnitude) through calibration. The system measures actual transmission characteristics and applies compensation factors, transforming the problem from manufacturing precision to post-fabrication adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-calibration by measuring its own transmission characteristics and automatically computing compensation factors. The calibration process is autonomous, requiring no external intervention or expensive precision components, as the system serves its own calibration needs through built-in measurement and correction capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If phase calibration is performed to achieve precise global phase alignment in phased arrays, then signal distribution accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase alignment accuracyVSAvoidcalibration system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration process is segmented into independent per-node measurements. Each node's transmission characteristics are measured and calibrated separately, allowing parallel processing and simplifying the overall system architecture. This segmentation avoids the need for complex global calibration systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by measuring transmission characteristics and using these measurements to compute compensation factors that are applied back to correct phase and magnitude errors. This closed-loop feedback mechanism achieves high precision without requiring complex open-loop calibration systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of time

If pre-production calculations and simulations are used to determine time delays, then calibration time is reduced, but accuracy deteriorates when transmission properties vary due to manufacturing variations or environmental conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalibration timeVSAvoidtime delay accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary measurements during factory calibration to establish baseline compensation factors for each node. These pre-computed factors account for manufacturing variations, allowing rapid field recalibration without time-consuming measurements. The preliminary action captures static characteristics that can be reused across different operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system separates static transmission parameters (measured during factory calibration) from dynamic environmental effects. By measuring and compensating for permanent manufacturing variations upfront, the system reduces field calibration time while maintaining accuracy for static characteristics, focusing field efforts only on environmental drift compensation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3347993B1Calibrating a serial interconnection

Publication Date: 2021.02.24 BLUE DANUBE SYSTEMS INC

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AI summary

A method for calibrating a serial interconnection system having a first node, a second node, calibration nodes that are electrically connected in series by the serial interconnection system, and connection nodes corresponding to the serially connected calibration nodes, the connection nodes electrically connected in series by the serial interconnection system, the calibration method involving: for each of the calibration nodes performing a measurement procedure involving: injecting a corresponding reference signal into that calibration node; and while the corresponding reference signal is being injected into that calibration node, measuring the phase difference of signals appearing at the first and second nodes; from the measured phase differences for the calibration nodes, computing phase corrections for each of the calibration nodes; and applying the phase corrections computed for each of the calibration nodes to the corresponding connection nodes.