Signal Adjustment Device for Intermodulation Distortion Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing testing equipment is insufficient to test high-specification integrated circuits, leading to increased costs due to the need for higher-performance equipment to acquire credible testing results.
Innovation Solution
A signal adjustment device comprising a frequency adjustment circuit, a filter circuit, and a power estimation circuit that receives a two-tone signal, filters and downconverts it to reduce intermodulation distortion, and adjusts coefficients to minimize IMD3 signal power, thereby improving signal linearity and reducing hardware implementation complexities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing testing equipment is used to test high-specification integrated circuits, then testing cost is reduced, but testing accuracy and credibility are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a signal adjustment device as an intermediary component between the signal generator and the circuit under test. This device includes a frequency adjustment circuit, filter circuit, and power estimation circuit that work together to condition the two-tone signal before it reaches the device under test, enabling accurate testing without requiring the entire testing equipment to have higher specifications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts signal parameters (frequency, power levels of IMD3 components) through the signal adjustment device. By changing these parameters to optimize the two-tone signal characteristics, the system achieves accurate testing results with existing equipment rather than requiring upgraded equipment specifications
2Reliability
If higher-performance testing equipment is used to test integrated circuits, then testing credibility is improved, but testing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The signal adjustment device serves as a mediator that enhances the capability of existing testing equipment. By preprocessing the test signal to have optimized characteristics (controlled IMD3 power, appropriate frequency), it enables credible testing results without requiring the main testing equipment to be upgraded to higher performance levels
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the power estimation circuit monitors the IMD3 power level and feeds this information back to adjust the signal parameters. This closed-loop control ensures the two-tone signal maintains optimal characteristics for accurate testing, thereby ensuring testing credibility with existing equipment
3Measurement precision
If signal linearity is improved by reducing IMD3 power, then testing accuracy is enhanced, but signal generator complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the complexity of signal linearity adjustment from the signal generator to a separate signal adjustment device. This intermediary device contains the frequency adjustment circuit, filter circuit, and power estimation circuit that handle the complex task of IMD3 power control, keeping the signal generator itself relatively simple while achieving high signal linearity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the signal generation and adjustment functionality into separate modules: the signal generator produces a basic two-tone signal, while the signal adjustment device (with its segmented circuits for frequency adjustment, filtering, and power estimation) handles the complex linearity optimization. This segmentation allows each component to have a simpler design while the system achieves high overall performance
Data Source
AI summary
A signal adjustment device includes a frequency adjustment circuit, a filter circuit, and a power estimation circuit. The frequency adjustment circuit is configured to receive a two-tone signal from a signal generator and to generate a first signal according to the two-tone signal, wherein the signal generator generates the two-tone signal according to a first coefficient and a second coefficient. The filter circuit is configured to filter the first signal, in order to generate a second signal. The power estimation circuit is configured to detect a power of an intermodulation distortion from the third order signal component, which is associated with the two-tone signal, in the second signal, and to adjust at least one of the first coefficient and the second coefficient according to the power, in order to reduce the power.