Variable Delay Pulse Generator Phase Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pulse generators for quadrature frequency converters cannot achieve better than 1-2° phase balance due to manufacturing spreads and tolerances, limiting the suppression performance of sideband cancellation in radio frequency tuners.
Innovation Solution
A pulse generator with selectable variable width and/or delay, comprising an oscillator, variable delay elements, a selecting arrangement, a measuring circuit, and a control circuit that adjusts delay elements to maintain a predetermined relationship between measured and reference pulse durations, thereby improving phase balance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional delay elements with fixed delays are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the phase balance precision deteriorates to 1-2° due to manufacturing spreads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the delay elements variable rather than fixed. Each delay element can be dynamically adjusted through control inputs that modify the delay amount, allowing the system to compensate for manufacturing tolerances and achieve precise phase balance. The delay elements respond to control signals that adjust their delay characteristics in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through a phase detection mechanism that monitors the actual phase relationship between signals and provides correction information to the delay element controls. This closed-loop feedback system continuously adjusts the delay elements to maintain the desired quadrature phase balance, overcoming the limitations of fixed delay elements with manufacturing spreads.
2Measurement precision
If variable delay elements with control inputs are used, then the phase balance precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the delay parameter of each delay element through control inputs. By varying the delay parameter dynamically rather than using fixed physical delays, the system achieves precise phase balance. The control inputs modify electrical or operational parameters of the delay elements to achieve the desired phase relationships.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static fixed delay elements to dynamic variable delay elements that can adapt their delay characteristics. This dynamic capability allows precise phase balance while the control mechanism manages the complexity through systematic parameter adjustment.
3Measurement precision
If manufacturing tolerances are reduced to improve phase balance, then the phase balance precision is improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-adjustment through automatic phase detection and control. The phase detection mechanism monitors the actual phase relationship and automatically adjusts the delay elements without requiring manual calibration or precision manufacturing. This self-service capability compensates for manufacturing tolerances through automated feedback control.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback mechanism detects phase errors caused by manufacturing tolerances and automatically corrects them through dynamic adjustment of delay elements. This closed-loop control eliminates the need for high manufacturing precision by compensating for tolerances through real-time phase correction.
Data Source
AI summary
A pulse generator is provided for generating pulses with a selectable variable width and/or delay. The pulse generator comprises an oscillator and a selecting arrangement for selecting how many of a first group of delay elements are connected in series for delaying the oscillator signal. Identical delay elements are connected in series to form a second group. A measuring circuit repeatedly measures the delay provided by the second group, for example providing output pulses whose width or duration is equal to the delay. A reference pulse generator generates a series of reference pulses, each of which is a predetermined fraction of the oscillator period. A control circuit compares the measurement and reference pulses to generate an error signal that is fed back to timing delay control inputs of all the delay elements such that the widths of the measurement and reference pulses are made substantially equal to each other.