U.S. patent application number 17/692756 was filed with the patent office on 2022-06-23 for wireless circuitry with self-calibrated harmonic rejection mixers.
The applicant listed for this patent is Apple Inc.. Invention is credited to Sohrab Emami-Neyestanak, Abbas Komijani, Saihua Lin, Hongrui Wang.
Application Number | 20220200709 17/692756 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-06-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220200709 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wang; Hongrui ; et
al. |
June 23, 2022 |
Wireless Circuitry with Self-Calibrated Harmonic Rejection
Mixers
Abstract
An electronic device may include a harmonic rejection mixer with
a delay line, mixer array, and load. The delay line may generate LO
phases. Each mixer in the array may have a first input that
receives an LO phase and a second input coupled to an input switch
and the first input of the next mixer circuit through an
inter-mixer switch. The load may include a set of switches. In a
transmit mode, the input switches and set of switches may be closed
while the inter-mixer switches are open. In a self-calibration
mode, the input switches and set of switches may be open while the
inter-mixer switches are closed. A controller may sweep through
phase codes for the programmable delay line while storing a digital
output from the load. The controller may calibrate the phase code
based on the digital output.
Inventors: |
Wang; Hongrui; (San Jose,
CA) ; Komijani; Abbas; (Mountain View, CA) ;
Lin; Saihua; (Santa Clara, CA) ; Emami-Neyestanak;
Sohrab; (Pasadena, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Apple Inc. |
Cupertino |
CA |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/692756 |
Filed: |
March 11, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
17031753 |
Sep 24, 2020 |
11296802 |
|
|
17692756 |
|
|
|
|
International
Class: |
H04B 17/21 20060101
H04B017/21; H03B 5/18 20060101 H03B005/18; H04B 17/345 20060101
H04B017/345 |
Claims
1. A mixer array comprising: a first mixer circuit with a first
input configured to receive a first local oscillator (LO) phase, a
second input coupled to an input path, and a first output coupled
to an output path; a second mixer circuit with a third input
configured to receive a second LO phase, a fourth input coupled to
the input path, and a second output coupled to the output path; and
a switch coupled between the second input and the third input.
2. The mixer array of claim 1 wherein the second LO phase is
phase-delayed with respect to the first LO phase.
3. The mixer array of claim 1, wherein the mixer array is
configured to receive an input signal on the input path and is
configured to produce an output signal on the output path, the
output signal having a higher frequency than the input signal.
4. The mixer array of claim 3, wherein the output signal comprises
a radio-frequency signal.
5. The mixer array of claim 1 further comprising: a third mixer
circuit having a fifth input configured to receive a third LO
phase, a sixth input coupled to the input path, and a third output
coupled to the output path; and an additional switch coupled
between the fourth input and the fifth input.
6. The mixer array of claim 5, wherein the second LO phase is
phase-delayed with respect to the first LO phase and the third LO
phase is phase-delayed with respect to the first LO phase and the
second LO phase.
7. The mixer array of claim 1, wherein the first input and the
third input are coupled to a programmable delay line.
8. The mixer array of claim 7, wherein the first input is coupled
to a first delay cell in the programmable delay line and the second
input is coupled to a second delay cell in the programmable delay
line.
9. The mixer array of claim 1, further comprising: an additional
switch that couples the input path to the second input.
10. The mixer array of claim 9, wherein the mixer array is
configured to generate an output signal on the output path while
the additional switch is closed and while the switch between the
second input and the third input is open.
11. The mixer array of claim 10, wherein the mixer array is
configured to generate a direct current (DC) voltage on the output
path while the switch between the second input and the third input
is closed and while the additional switch is open.
12. The mixer array of claim 1, wherein the output path comprises
first and second differential output lines.
13. A method of operating mixer circuitry comprising: with a first
mixer circuit, mixing a first LO phase with a second LO phase that
is phase-delayed with respect to the first LO phase; with a second
mixer circuit, mixing the second LO phase with a third LO phase
that is phase-delayed with respect to the second LO phase; with at
least the first and second mixer circuits, outputting a direct
current (DC) voltage onto an output path; and with a controller,
adjusting the first, second, and third LO phases based on the DC
voltage on the output path.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: with an adjustable
load coupled to the output path, amplifying the DC voltage to
generate an amplified DC voltage.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: with an
analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to the output path,
generating a digital output based on the amplified DC voltage.
16. The method of claim 14, further comprising: with the
controller, adjusting the first, second, and third LO phases based
on the digital output.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein adjusting the first LO phase
produces a first calibrated LO phase, adjusting the second LO phase
produces a second calibrated LO phase, and adjusting the third LO
phase produces a third calibrated LO phase, the method further
comprising: with the first mixer circuit, mixing the first
calibrated LO phase with an input signal; with the second mixer
circuit, mixing the second calibrated LO phase with the input
signal; with the first and second mixer circuits, generating
radio-frequency signals on the output path based on the input
signal, the first calibrated LO phase, and the second calibrated LO
phase; amplifying the radio-frequency signals to produce amplified
radio-frequency signals; and with an antenna, transmitting the
amplified radio-frequency signals.
18. Wireless circuitry comprising: an input path; an output path; a
programmable delay line configured to generate a set of local
oscillator (LO) phases; a mixer array coupled between the input
path and the output path, the mixer array being configured to
generate a radio-frequency signal on the output path based on an
input signal on the input path and based on the set of LO phases;
and an adjustable load coupled to the output path.
19. The wireless circuitry of claim 18, wherein the adjustable load
comprises: an inductor coupled to the output path; a first switch
coupled in series between the inductor and a circuit node; a power
supply terminal; a second switch coupled between the power supply
terminal and the circuit node; a transistor coupled between the
output path and the power supply terminal, the transistor having a
gate terminal coupled to the circuit node; and a resistor coupled
between the inductor and the circuit node in parallel with the
first switch.
20. The wireless circuitry of claim 18, further comprising: a
controller configured to operate the wireless circuitry in a
transmit mode and in a calibration mode, wherein the mixer array is
configured to output the radio-frequency signal on the output path
in the transmit mode and is configured to output a direct-current
(DC) voltage on the output path in the calibration mode; and an
analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to the output path, the
ADC being configured to generate a digital output based on the DC
voltage in the calibration mode, and the controller being
configured to adjust the set of LO phases produced by the
programable delay line based on the digital output in the
calibration mode.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 17/031,753, filed Sep. 24, 2020, which is
hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] This disclosure relates generally to electronic devices and,
more particularly, to electronic devices with wireless
communications circuitry.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Electronic devices are often provided with wireless
communications capabilities. An electronic device with wireless
communications capabilities has wireless communications circuitry
that includes one or more antennas. Wireless transmitter circuitry
in the wireless communications circuitry generates radio-frequency
signals using a local oscillator. The antennas transmit the
radio-frequency signals.
[0004] It can be challenging to form satisfactory wireless
transmitter circuitry for an electronic device. If care is not
taken in the wireless transmitter circuitry design, harmonics of
the local oscillator can undesirably degrade the radio-frequency
signals transmitted by the antennas.
SUMMARY
[0005] An electronic device may include wireless circuitry for
performing wireless Communications. The wireless circuitry may
include a baseband processor, a transmitter, and an antenna. The
transmitter may include a local oscillator generator and a harmonic
rejection mixer. The local oscillator generator may generate local
oscillator (LO) waveforms. The harmonic rejection mixer may include
a programmable delay line, a mixer array, an adjustable load, and a
controller. The programmable delay line may generate a set of LO
phases based on the LO waveforms. The harmonic rejection mixer may
be operable in a transmit mode and in a calibration mode.
[0006] The mixer array may include a set of mixer circuits. Each
mixer circuit may have a first input and a second input. The first
input may receive a respective one of the LO phases. The second
input may be coupled to an input path through an input switch. The
second input may also be coupled to the first input of the next
mixer circuit in the mixer array through an inter-mixer switch. The
adjustable load may include a set of switches. In the transmit
mode, the input switches in the mixer array may be closed, the
inter-mixer switches in the mixer array may be open, and the set of
switches in the adjustable load may be closed. The mixer array may
generate radio-frequency signals on an output path based on input
signals on the input path and the set of LO phases generated by the
programmable delay line. The adjustable load may amplify the
radio-frequency signals for transmission by an antenna.
[0007] In the calibration mode, the input switches in the mixer
array may be open, the inter-mixer switches in the mixer array may
be closed, and the set of switches in the adjustable load may be
open. The mixer array may act as a phase detector and generate a
direct current (DC) voltage on the output path based on the LO
phases generated by the programmable delay line. The programable
load may output the DC voltage. An analog-to-digital converter may
generate a digital output based on the amplified DC voltage. The
controller may store the digital output. The controller may sweep
through different phase codes provided to the programmable delay
line while gathering and storing the digital output. The controller
may process the stored digital output to identify a zero crossing
point of the DC voltage. The controller may identify a calibrated
phase code associated with the zero crossing point and may provide
the calibrated phase code to the programmable delay line. The
programmable delay line may generate calibrated LO phases for the
mixer array for use during subsequent radio-frequency signal
transmission. This may allow the harmonic rejection mixer to cancel
out harmonic interference from harmonic modes of the LO even as
operating conditions for the device change over time.
[0008] An aspect of the disclosure provides an electronic device.
The electronic device can have a mixer array. The mixer array can
upconvert input signals on an input path to produce radio-frequency
signals on an output path. The mixer array can have a first mixer
circuit. The first mixer circuit can have a first input that
receives a first local oscillator (LO) phase, a second input that
receives the input signals, and a first output coupled to the
output path. The mixer array can have a second mixer circuit. The
second mixer circuit can have a third input that receives a second
LO phase that is phase-delayed with respect to the first LO phase,
a fourth input that receives the input signals, and a second output
coupled to the output path. The mixer array can have an inter-mixer
switch coupled between the second input of the first mixer circuit
and the third input of the second mixer circuit.
[0009] An aspect of the disclosure provides a method for operating
mixer circuitry. The method can include, with a programmable delay
line, generating a first local oscillator (LO) phase, a second LO
phase, and a third LO phase. The second LO phase can be
phase-delayed with respect to the first LO phase. The third LO
phase can be phase-delayed with respect to the second LO phase. The
method can include, with a first mixer circuit in a mixer array,
mixing the first LO phase with the second LO phase. The method can
include, with a second mixer circuit in the mixer array, mixing the
second LO phase with the third LO phase. The method can include,
with the mixer array, outputting a direct current (DC) voltage onto
an output path. The DC voltage can be produced by at least the
first and second mixer circuits. The method can include, with an
adjustable load coupled to the output path, amplifying the DC
voltage to generate an amplified DC voltage. The method can
include, with an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to the
output path, generating a digital output based on the amplified DC
voltage. The method can include, with a controller coupled to the
ADC, adjusting the first, second, and third LO phases based on the
digital output.
[0010] An aspect of the disclosure provides an electronic device.
The electronic device can have an input path that receives input
signals. The electronic device can have first and second output
lines. The electronic device can have a programmable delay line
that generates a set of local oscillator (LO) phases. The
electronic device can have a mixer array coupled between the input
path and the first and second output lines. The mixer array can
generate radio-frequency signals on the first and second output
lines based on the input signals and the set of LO phases. The
electronic device can have an adjustable load coupled to the first
and second output lines.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative electronic
device having a wireless transmitter with a harmonic rejection
mixer in accordance with some embodiments.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of an illustrative harmonic
rejection mixer in accordance with some embodiments.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a state diagram showing how an illustrative
harmonic rejection mixer may be operable in a transmit mode and in
a calibration mode in accordance with some embodiments.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing the harmonic rejection
mixer of FIG. 2 operated in the transmit mode in accordance with
some embodiments.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing the harmonic rejection
mixer of FIG. 2 operated in the calibration mode in accordance with
some embodiments.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of an illustrative mixer circuit
that may be used in a harmonic rejection mixer in accordance with
some embodiments.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in
calibrating the phase code for a harmonic rejection mixer in
accordance with some embodiments.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a plot illustrating how a zero-crossing point may
be identified while calibrating the phase code for a harmonic
rejection mixer in accordance with some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Electronic device 10 of FIG. 1 may be a computing device
such as a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a computer monitor
containing an embedded computer, a tablet computer, a cellular
telephone, a media player, or other handheld or portable electronic
device, a smaller device such as a wristwatch device, a pendant
device, a headphone or earpiece device, a device embedded in
eyeglasses or other equipment worn on a user's head, or other
wearable or miniature device, a television, a computer display that
does not contain an embedded computer, a gaming device, a
navigation device, an embedded system such as a system in which
electronic equipment with a display is mounted in a kiosk or
automobile, a wireless internet-connected voice-controlled speaker,
a home entertainment device, a remote control device, a gaming
controller, a peripheral user input device, a wireless base station
or access point, equipment that implements the functionality of two
or more of these devices, or other electronic equipment.
[0020] As shown in the schematic diagram FIG. 1, device 10 may
include components located on or within an electronic device
housing such as housing 12. Housing 12, which may sometimes be
referred to as a case, may be formed of plastic, glass, ceramics,
fiber composites, metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, metal
alloys, etc.), other suitable materials, or a combination of these
materials. In some situations, parts or all of housing 12 may be
formed from dielectric or other low-conductivity material (e.g.,
glass, ceramic, plastic, sapphire, etc.). In other situations,
housing 12 or at least some of the structures that make up housing
12 may be formed from metal elements.
[0021] Device 10 may include control circuitry 14. Control
circuitry 14 may include storage such as storage circuitry 16.
Storage circuitry 16 may include hard disk drive storage,
nonvolatile memory (e.g., flash memory or other
electrically-programmable-read-only memory configured to form a
solid-state drive), volatile memory (e.g., static or dynamic
random-access-memory), etc. Storage circuitry 16 may include
storage that is integrated within device 10 and/or removable
storage media.
[0022] Control circuitry 14 may include processing circuitry such
as processing circuitry 18. Processing circuitry 18 may be used to
control the operation of device 10. Processing circuitry 18 may
include on one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital
signal processors, host processors, baseband processor integrated
circuits, application specific integrated circuits, central
processing units (CPUs), etc. Control circuitry 14 may be
configured to perform operations in device 10 using hardware (e.g.,
dedicated hardware or circuitry), firmware, and/or software.
Software code for performing operations in device 10 may be stored
on storage circuitry 16 (e.g., storage circuitry 16 may include
non-transitory (tangible) computer readable storage media that
stores the software code). The software code may sometimes be
referred to as program instructions, software, data, instructions,
or code. Software code stored on storage circuitry 16 may be
executed by processing circuitry 18.
[0023] Control circuitry 14 may be used to run software on device
10 such as satellite navigation applications, internet browsing
applications, voice-over-internet-protocol (VOIP) telephone call
applications, email applications, media playback applications,
operating system functions, etc. To support interactions with
external equipment, control circuitry 14 may be used in
implementing communications protocols. Communications protocols
that may be implemented using control circuitry 14 include internet
protocols, wireless local area network (WLAN) protocols (e.g., IEEE
802.11 protocols--sometimes referred to as Wi-Fi.RTM.), protocols
for other short-range wireless communications links such as the
Bluetooth.RTM. protocol or other wireless personal area network
(WPAN) protocols, IEEE 802.11ad protocols (e.g., ultra-wideband
protocols), cellular telephone protocols (e.g., 3G protocols, 4G
(LTE) protocols, 5G protocols, etc.), antenna diversity protocols,
satellite navigation system protocols (e.g., global positioning
system (GPS) protocols, global navigation satellite system
(GLONASS) protocols, etc.), antenna-based spatial ranging protocols
(e.g., radio detection and ranging (RADAR) protocols or other
desired range detection protocols for signals conveyed at
millimeter and centimeter wave frequencies), or any other desired
communications protocols. Each communications protocol may be
associated with a corresponding radio access technology (RAT) that
specifies the physical connection methodology used in implementing
the protocol.
[0024] Device 10 may include input-output circuitry 20.
Input-output circuitry 20 may include input-output devices 22.
Input-output devices 22 may be used to allow data to be supplied to
device 10 and to allow data to be provided from device 10 to
external devices. Input-output devices 22 may include user
interface devices, data port devices, and other input-output
components. For example, input-output devices 22 may include touch
sensors, displays, light-emitting components such as displays
without touch sensor capabilities, buttons (mechanical, capacitive,
optical, etc.), scrolling wheels, touch pads, key pads, keyboards,
microphones, cameras, buttons, speakers, status indicators, audio
jacks and other audio port components, digital data port devices,
motion sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, and/or compasses that
detect motion), capacitance sensors, proximity sensors, magnetic
sensors, force sensors (e.g., force sensors coupled to a display to
detect pressure applied to the display), etc. In some
configurations, keyboards, headphones, displays, pointing devices
such as trackpads, mice, and joysticks, and other input-output
devices may be coupled to device 10 using wired or wireless
connections (e.g., some of input-output devices 22 may be
peripherals that are coupled to a main processing unit or other
portion of device 10 via a wired or wireless link).
[0025] Input-output circuitry 20 may include wireless circuitry 24
to support wireless communications. Wireless circuitry 24
(sometimes referred to herein as wireless communications circuitry
24) may include a baseband processor such as baseband processor 26,
radio-frequency (RF) transmitter circuitry such as transmitter 28,
and one or more antennas 30. Baseband processor 26 may be coupled
to transmitter 28 over baseband path 32. Transmitter 28 may be
coupled to antenna(s) 30 over radio-frequency transmission line
path 52. If desired, radio-frequency front end circuitry may be
interposed on radio-frequency transmission line path 52.
[0026] In the example of FIG. 1, wireless circuitry 24 is
illustrated as including only a single baseband processor 26 and a
single transmitter 28 for the sake of clarity. In general, wireless
circuitry 24 may include any desired number of baseband processors
26, any desired number of transmitters 28, and any desired number
of antennas 30. Each antenna may be coupled to transmitter 28 over
a respective radio-frequency transmission line path, for example.
Transmitter 28 may transmit radio-frequency signals RF' using
antenna(s) 30. If desired, wireless circuitry 24 may also include
one or more radio-frequency receivers for receiving radio-frequency
signals using antenna(s) 30 (e.g., the radio-frequency receiver and
transmitter 28 may collectively form a radio-frequency transceiver
for wireless circuitry 24).
[0027] Radio-frequency transmission line path 52 may be coupled to
antenna feed(s) on antenna(s) 30. Each antenna feed may, for
example, include a positive antenna feed terminal and a ground
antenna feed terminal. Radio-frequency transmission line path 52
may have a positive transmission line signal path such that is
coupled to the positive antenna feed terminal. Radio-frequency
transmission line path 52 may have a ground transmission line
signal path that is coupled to the ground antenna feed terminal.
This example is merely illustrative and, in general, antenna(s) 30
may be fed using any desired antenna feeding scheme. If desired,
each antenna 30 may have multiple antenna feeds that are coupled to
one or more radio-frequency transmission line paths 52.
[0028] Radio-frequency transmission line path 52 may include
transmission lines that are used to route radio-frequency antenna
signals within device 10. Transmission lines in device 10 may
include coaxial cables, microstrip transmission lines, stripline
transmission lines, edge-coupled microstrip transmission lines,
edge-coupled stripline transmission lines, transmission lines
formed from combinations of transmission lines of these types, etc.
Transmission lines in device 10 such as transmission lines in
radio-frequency transmission line path 52 may be integrated into
rigid and/or flexible printed circuit boards.
[0029] Radio-frequency signals RF' may be produced by transmitter
28 at a carrier frequency. The carrier frequency may lie within a
corresponding frequency band (sometimes referred to herein as a
communications band or simply as a "band"). The frequency bands
handled by transmitter 28 may include wireless local area network
(WLAN) frequency bands (e.g., Wi-Fi.RTM. (IEEE 802.11) or other
WLAN communications bands) such as a 2.4 GHz WLAN band (e.g., from
2400 to 2480 MHz), a 5 GHz WLAN band (e.g., from 5180 to 5825 MHz),
a Wi-Fi.RTM. 6E band (e.g., from 5925-7125 MHz), and/or other
Wi-Fi.RTM. bands (e.g., from 1875-5160 MHz), wireless personal area
network (WPAN) frequency bands such as the 2.4 GHz Bluetooth.RTM.
band or other WPAN communications bands, cellular telephone
frequency bands (e.g., bands from about 600 MHz to about 5 GHz, 3G
bands, 4G LTE bands, 5G New Radio Frequency Range 1 (FR1) bands
below 10 GHz, 5G New Radio Frequency Range 2 (FR2) bands between 20
and 60 GHz, etc.), near-field communications frequency bands (e.g.,
at 13.56 MHz), satellite navigation frequency bands (e.g., a GPS
band from 1565 to 1610 MHz, a Global Navigation Satellite System
(GLONASS) band, a BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) band,
etc.), ultra-wideband (UWB) frequency bands that operate under the
IEEE 802.15.4 protocol and/or other ultra-wideband communications
protocols, and/or any other desired frequency bands of
interest.
[0030] Antenna(s) 30 may be formed using any desired antenna
structures. For example, antenna(s) 30 may include an antenna with
a resonating element that is formed from loop antenna structures,
patch antenna structures, inverted-F antenna structures, slot
antenna structures, planar inverted-F antenna structures, helical
antenna structures, monopole antennas, dipoles, hybrids of these
designs, etc. Filter circuitry, switching circuitry, impedance
matching circuitry, and other circuitry may be interposed within
radio-frequency transmission line path 52, may be incorporated into
front end circuitry for antenna(s) 30, and/or may be incorporated
into antenna(s) 30 (e.g., to support antenna tuning, to support
operation in desired frequency bands, etc.). These components,
sometimes referred to herein as antenna tuning components, may be
adjusted (e.g., using control circuitry 14) to adjust the frequency
response and wireless performance of antenna(s) 30 over time.
[0031] In radio-frequency transmitters, radio-frequency signals may
be constructed using local oscillator (LO) waveforms. For example,
as shown in FIG. 1, transmitter 28 may include LO generator
circuitry such as LO generator 40. LO generator 40 may produce
local oscillator waveforms LOC on path 41 (sometimes referred to
herein as local oscillator path 41 or LO path 41). In performing
wireless transmission, baseband processor 26 may provide baseband
signals to transmitter 28 over baseband path 32. Transmitter 28 may
include mixer circuitry that up-converts the baseband signals to
radio frequencies based on the local oscillator waveforms LOC
output by LO generator 40.
[0032] Spectral purity is important for signal quality and
integrity in the mixer circuitry of transmitter 28. However,
hard-switching mixers are rich with odd-order harmonics of the
local oscillator. If care is not taken, these odd-order harmonics
can generate spurious signals or tones that cause error vector
magnitude (EVM) degradation, blocker de-sense, and/or spurious
emission mask violations in transmitter 28. For example, if the
frequency of the local oscillator is close to the frequency of the
signals input to the mixer circuitry for upconversion, the strong
third-order harmonic of the local oscillator would create an
unwanted signal at a frequency equal to three-times the frequency
of the local oscillator minus the frequency of the signals input to
the mixer circuitry for upconversion. This frequency is close to
the desired frequency output by the mixer circuitry (e.g., the
frequency of the local oscillator plus the frequency of the signals
input to the mixer circuitry for upconversion). This unwanted
signal would degrade the EVM of transmitter 28 if it overlaps with
the in-band signal and would violate the emission mask if it lies
out-of-band. In arrangements where a direct up-conversion mixer is
used, the mixer would exhibit counter third-order intermodulation
(CIM3) issues.
[0033] The mixer circuitry in transmitter 28 may perform
up-conversion using the fundamental mode of the local oscillator
(e.g., as identified by waveforms LOC) or, in another suitable
arrangement, may perform up-conversion using the third-order
harmonic mode of the local oscillator. In these scenarios, a
frequency tripler may be used in LO generator 40. The frequency
tripler includes a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) that
generates a lower frequency local oscillator that is tripled to a
desired frequency (e.g., a frequency that is three-times the
fundamental mode frequency of the lower frequency local
oscillator). In this case, the third-order harmonic of the local
oscillator (e.g., as identified by waveforms LOC) may be used by
the mixer circuitry rather than the fundamental mode of the local
oscillator.
[0034] In order to mitigate EVM degradation and emission mask
violation in transmitter 28 due to harmonics of the local
oscillator, the mixer circuitry in transmitter 28 may include a
harmonic rejection mixer such as harmonic rejection mixer 38. In
one suitable arrangement that is described herein as an example,
harmonic rejection mixer 38 may up-convert intermediate frequency
(IF) signals IFIN to radio-frequency signals (e.g., radio-frequency
signals RF' for transmission by antenna(s) 30). This is merely
illustrative and, if desired, harmonic rejection mixer 38 may
up-convert baseband signals or signals at other frequencies to
radio frequencies.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, transmitter 28 may include IF
upconverter circuitry such as IF up-converter 34. IF upconverter 34
may upconvert the baseband signals received over baseband path 32
into corresponding IF signals IFIN. IF signals IFIN may be at
frequencies between the frequency of radio-frequency signals RF'
and the baseband frequency of the baseband signals. IF upconverter
34 may provide IF signals IFIN to harmonic rejection mixer 38 over
signal path 36. Signal path 36 may sometimes be referred to herein
as IF path 36.
[0036] Harmonic rejection mixer 38 may include local oscillator
phase generation circuitry such as programmable delay line 42, may
include an array of mixers such as mixer array 46, may include
adjustable load circuitry such as adjustable load 50, and may
include control circuitry such as controller 54. While control
circuitry 14 is shown separately from wireless circuitry 24 in the
example of FIG. 1 for the sake of clarity, wireless circuitry 24
may include processing circuitry that forms a part of processing
circuitry 18 and/or storage circuitry that forms a part of storage
circuitry 16 of control circuitry 14 (e.g., portions of control
circuitry 14 may be implemented on wireless circuitry 24). As an
example, baseband processor 26, some or all of controller 54,
and/or other portions of transmitter 28 may form a part of control
circuitry 14.
[0037] Controller 54 may be coupled to programmable delay line 42
over control path 60. Controller 54 may provide control signals to
programmable delay line 42 over control path 60 that control the
operation of programmable delay line 42. Controller 54 may be
coupled to mixer array 46 over control path 58. Controller 54 may
provide control signals to mixer array 46 over control path 58 that
control the operation of mixer array 46. Controller 54 may be
coupled to adjustable load 50 over control path 56. Controller 54
may provide control signals to adjustable load 50 over control path
56 that control the operation of adjustable load 50. Adjustable
load 50 may include analog-to-digital converter circuitry that
provides digital signals to controller 54 over control path 56
(e.g., for use in calibrating harmonic rejection mixer 38).
Adjustable load 50 may be coupled to antenna(s) 30 over
radio-frequency transmission line path 52.
[0038] Harmonic rejection mixer 38 is a multi-phase mixer that
performs upconversion on IF signals IFIN using multiple phases of
the local oscillator. For example, programmable delay line 42 may
receive waveforms LOC from LO generator 40 over LO path 41.
Programmable delay line 42 may produce N LO phases LOi based on
waveforms LOC (e.g., a first LO phase LO0, a second LO phase LO1, a
third LO phase LO2, an Nth LO phase LON, etc.). Programable delay
line 42 may provide LO phases LOi to mixer array 46 over phase
paths 44.
[0039] Mixer array 46 may receive IF signals IFIN from IF
upconverter 34 over IF path 36. Mixer array 46 may include multiple
mixer circuits arranged in an array pattern (e.g., as a Gilbert
cell). Mixer array 46 may produce output signals RFOUT on output
path 48 based at least on the LO phases LOi received over phase
paths 44. For example, when transmitter 28 is transmitting
radio-frequency signals RF', mixer array 46 may upconvert IF
signals IFIN using LO phases LOi to produce output signals RFOUT at
radio frequencies. Adjustable load 50 may amplify the output
signals RFOUT on output path 48 and may output the output signals
to other circuitry in transmitter 28 for transmission by antenna(s)
30. Power amplifier circuitry, digital-to-analog converter (DAC)
circuitry, and/or other circuitry in transmitter 28 (not shown in
FIG. 1 for the sake of clarity) may operate on output signals RFOUT
(e.g., at radio frequencies) to produce the radio-frequency signals
RF' that are transmitted by antenna(s) 30.
[0040] In general, the LO phases LOi used by mixer array 46 need to
be arranged in a way such that the third-order harmonic of the
local oscillator can be canceled out. However, if care is not
taken, phase accuracy can be difficult to maintain over channel
frequency, operating temperature, and process variations,
particularly for transmission at centimeter/millimeter wave
frequencies. Closed loop solutions to these issues such as delay
lock loop (DLL) solutions can work to combat variations but also
exhibit excessive phase noise. In order to mitigate these issues
regardless of variations in channel frequency, operating
temperature, and process, harmonic rejection mixer 38 may perform
open loop self-calibration operations.
[0041] The self-calibration operations may update the settings of
programmable delay line 42 over time so that the optimal local
oscillator phases LOi are provided to mixer array 46 as device
operating conditions change over time. Harmonic rejection mixer 38
may therefore be operable in two operating modes: a normal transmit
mode in which harmonic rejection mixer 38 produces radio-frequency
signals RF' for transmission by antenna(s) 30 and a calibration
mode in which harmonic rejection mixer 38 self-calibrates the
settings of programable delay line 42. Performing self-calibration
in the calibration mode may ensure that, when harmonic rejection
mixer 38 is placed back into the transmit mode, radio-frequency
signals RF' are transmitted without undesirable EVM degradation or
emission mask violation.
[0042] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of harmonic rejection mixer 38.
In the example of FIG. 2, harmonic rejection mixer 38 performs
upconversion using N phases of the local oscillator. N may be any
desired integer (e.g., N may be equal to two, three, four, five,
six, seven, eight, more than eight, etc.). As shown in FIG. 2,
harmonic rejection mixer 38 may include controller 54, adjustable
load 50, mixer array 46, and programmable delay line 42. Controller
54 may be coupled to adjustable load 50 over control path 56 and
may be coupled to mixer array 46 over control path 58. Controller
54 may provide control signals CTRL1 to adjustable load 50 via
control path 56 and may provide control signals CTRL2 to mixer
array 46 via control path 58. Control signals CTRL1 may, for
example, reconfigure switches in adjustable load 50 as harmonic
rejection mixer 38 transitions between the transmit mode and the
calibration mode. Similarly, control signals CTRL2 may reconfigure
switches in mixer array 46 as harmonic rejection mixer 38
transitions between the transmit mode and the calibration mode.
[0043] Controller 54 may be coupled to programmable delay line 42
over control path 60. Controller 54 may provide control signals
CTRL3 to programmable delay line 42 via control path 60. Control
signals CTRL3 may, for example, identify phase tuning settings such
as a phase code for programmable delay line 42. Programmable delay
line 42 may receive local oscillator waveforms LOC from LO
generator 40 (FIG. 1) over LO path 41. Programmable delay line 42
may generate N LO phases LOi based on waveforms LOC and may output
LO phases LOi onto phase paths 44 (e.g., programmable delay line 42
may output a first LO phase LO0 on a first phase path 44-0, may
output a second LO phase LO1 on second phase path 44-1, may output
a third LO phase LO2 on third phase path 44-2, may output an Nth LO
phase LON on Nth phase path 44-N, etc.).
[0044] Programmable delay line 42 may include N cascaded delay
cells 62 (e.g., a first delay cell 62-0, a second delay cell 62-1,
a third delay cell 62-2, an Nth delay cell 62-N, etc.). Each delay
cell 62 may include a first inverter 64 (e.g., a logic NOT gate), a
second inverter 66 (e.g., a logic NOT gate), and an adjustable
capacitance 68. The output of first inverter 64 may be coupled to
the input of second inverter 66 and to the input of the first
inverter 64 of the next delay cell 62 of programmable delay line
42. The output of second inverter 66 may be coupled to a respective
phase path 44. The input of first inverter 64 may be coupled to the
output of the first inverter 64 and the input of the second
inverter 66 of the previous delay cell 62 of programmable delay
line 42. Adjustable capacitance 68 may be coupled between the
output of first inverter 64, the input of the second inverter 66,
and control path 60. The output of the first inverter in Nth delay
cell 62-N may be coupled to the input of the second inverter in Nth
delay cell 62-N without being coupled to the input of any other
delay cells 62 (e.g., because programmable delay line 42 includes
only N delay cells 62). The input of the first inverter 64 in first
delay cell 62-0 may be coupled to LO path 41.
[0045] First delay cell 62 may output first LO phase LO0 on phase
path 44-0 based on the waveforms LOC received over LO path 41. The
inverters in each subsequent delay cell 62 may apply an equally
spaced phase delay .alpha. to the LOC waveforms received from the
output of the previous delay cell 62 to produce the remaining (N-1)
LO phases LOi on phase paths 44-1 through 44-N (e.g., second LO
phase LO1 may be at a phase that is -.alpha. with respect to the
phase of first LO phase LO0, third LO phase LO2 may be at a phase
that is -.alpha. with respect to the phase of second LO phase LO1
and that is -2.alpha. with respect to the phase of first LO phase
LO0, etc.).
[0046] Adjustable capacitances 68 may be formed from banks of
discrete capacitors or varactors, as examples. The phase code
identified by control signal CTRL3 may control adjustable
capacitances 68 to exhibit a selected capacitance. When harmonic
rejection mixer 38 is operating in the calibration mode, control
circuitry 54 may sweep through different phase codes in control
signal CTRL3 to adjust the selected capacitance of adjustable
capacitances 68. This change in the selected capacitance may serve
to tweak the LO phases LOi produced by programmable delay line 42
so optimal LO phases LOi can be provided to mixer array 46 even as
operating conditions change over time.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 2, mixer array 46 may include N mixer
circuits 70 (e.g., a first mixer circuit 70-0, a second mixer
circuit 70-1, an Nth mixer circuit 70-N, etc.). Mixer circuits 70
may, if desired, be arranged in a Gilbert cell configuration. Each
of the N mixer circuits 70 may be coupled in parallel between IF
path 36 and output path 48. Adjustable load 50 may also be coupled
to output path 48. Mixer array 46 may have an IF input port coupled
to IF path 36, an output port coupled to output path 48, and N LO
phase input ports coupled to phase paths 44. The gain coefficient
of each mixer circuit 70 may be given by the sizing, biasing,
and/or polarity swapping of the circuitry within the mixer circuit,
for example.
[0048] Each mixer circuit 70 in mixer array 46 may have a first
input coupled to a respective input path 78 and a second input
coupled to a respective phase path 44 (e.g., mixer circuit 70-0 may
have a first input coupled to input path 78-0 and a second input
coupled to phase path 44-0, mixer circuit 70-1 may have a first
input coupled to input path 78-1 and a second input coupled to
phase path 44-1, mixer circuit 70-N may have a first input coupled
to input path 78-N and a second input coupled to phase path 44-N,
etc.). Each mixer circuit 70 may receive a respective LO phase LOi
over the corresponding phase path 44 (e.g., mixer circuit 70-0 may
receive the LO phase LO0 produced by delay cell 62-0 over phase
path 44-0, mixer circuit 70-1 may receive the LO phase LO1 produced
by delay cell 62-1 over phase path 44-1, mixer circuit 70-N may
receive the LO phase LON produced by delay cell 62-N over phase
path 44-N, etc.). Each input path 78 may be coupled to IF path 36
through a respective IF switch 76 (e.g., IF switch 76-0 may couple
IF path 36 to input path 78-0, IF switch 76-1 may couple IF path 36
to input path 78-1, IF switch 76-N may couple IF path 36 to input
path 78-N, etc.).
[0049] The input path 78 for each mixer circuit 70 may be coupled
to the phase path 44 of the next mixer circuit 70 in mixer array 46
over a respective inter-mixer path 72. A respective inter-mixer
switch 74 may be interposed on each inter-mixer path 72. For
example, as shown in FIG. 2, input path 78-0 for mixer circuit 70-0
may be coupled to the phase path 44-1 for mixer circuit 70-1 via
inter-mixer path 72-0 and inter-mixer switch 74-0, input path 78-1
for mixer circuit 70-1 may be coupled to the phase path for the
next mixer circuit in mixer array 46 via inter-mixer path 72-1 and
inter-mixer switch 74-1, input path 78-N for mixer circuit 70-N may
be coupled to the phase path 44-0 for mixer circuit 70-0 via
inter-mixer path 72-N and inter-mixer switch 74-N, etc.
[0050] Controller 54 may control the state of the switches 76 and
74 in mixer array 46 (e.g., using control signals CTRL2) based on
whether harmonic rejection mixer 38 is being operated in the
transmit mode or the calibration mode. In the transmit mode,
controller 54 may open inter-mixer switches 74 while closing IF
switches 76. Mixer circuits 70 will thereby upconvert IF signals
WIN to produce output signals RFOUT at radio-frequencies (e.g.,
using the LO phases LOi received from programmable delay line 42).
In the transmit mode, controller 54 may also control adjustable
load 50 (e.g., using control signals CTRL1) to amplify output
signals RFOUT for transmission to antenna(s) 30 (e.g., as
radio-frequency signals RF' of FIG. 1).
[0051] In the calibration mode, controller 54 may open IF switches
76 while closing inter-mixer switches 74. This may configure mixer
array 46 to form a phase detector in which the LO phase from the
next mixer circuit 70 in mixer array 46 is provided to the first
input of each mixer circuit 70. Each inter-mixer path 72 may have a
path delay that produces a corresponding phase delay .delta., which
is output by mixer array 46 at output path 48 (e.g., output signals
RFOUT may be a DC voltage that identifies phase delay .delta. in
the calibration mode). Phase delay .delta. may sometimes be
referred to herein as routing phase delay .delta.. Adjustable load
50 may generate digital output DO based on the DC voltage output by
mixer array 46. Controller 54 may process digital output DO to
calibrate the LO phase settings of programmable delay line 42
(e.g., to provide programmable delay line 42 with a phase code in
control signals CTRL3 that produces LO phases LOi that optimize
performance by the transmitter for the current operating
conditions).
[0052] FIG. 3 is a state diagram illustrating how harmonic
rejection mixer 38 may toggle between a transmit mode 80 and a
calibration mode 82. When harmonic rejection mixer 38 is operated
in transmit mode 80 (sometimes referred to herein as normal mode
80), harmonic rejection mixer 38 upconverts IF signals IFIN to
radio frequencies and transmitter 28 transmits the corresponding
radio-frequency signals RF' to antenna(s) for transmission (FIG.
1).
[0053] In transmit mode 80, the inter-mixer switches 74 in mixer
array 46 are open. The IF switches 76 in mixer array 46 are closed.
Programmable delay line 42 generates LO phases LOi for mixer array
46. Mixer array 46 generates output signals RFOUT at radio
frequencies (on output path 48) by upconverting the IF signals IFIN
on IF path 36 using LO phases LOi. Switches in adjustable load 50
may be closed in transmit mode 80. Adjustable load 50 amplifies
output signals RFOUT and outputs the amplified signals onto
radio-frequency transmission line path 52 for transmission by
antenna(s) 30.
[0054] Controller 54 may monitor for a trigger condition that would
trigger a transition from transmit mode 80 to calibration mode 82.
The trigger condition may occur when wireless performance metric
data associated with transmitter 28 reaches a curtained
predetermined threshold (e.g., when gathered EVM data exceeds a
threshold value, when spectral violations occur, etc.), may occur
after a predetermined amount of time, may occur when the frequency
used to transmit radio-frequency signals RF' changes (e.g., when
transmitter 28 changes the frequency channel for transmission), may
occur when temperature sensor data gathered by controller 54
indicates that device 10 has undergone a predetermined change in
temperature, etc.
[0055] When harmonic rejection mixer 38 is operated in calibration
mode 82 (sometimes referred to herein as self-calibration mode 82),
harmonic rejection mixer 38 forms a phase detector that provides
digital output DO to controller 54 based on local oscillator phases
LOi. For example, in calibration mode 82, inter-mixer switches 74
may be closed. IF switches 76 may be open. The switches in
adjustable load 50 may be open. Mixer array 46 may form a phase
detector that generates output signals RFOUT as a DC voltage on
output path 48. The DC voltage may identify the routing phase delay
.delta. associated with inter-mixer paths 72 and/or the phase delay
.alpha. produced by delay cells 62. Adjustable load 50 may provide
the DC voltage to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The ADC may
generate digital output DO based on the DC voltage (e.g., a digital
signal that identifies routing phase delay .delta. and/or phase
delay .alpha.). Controller 54 may receive digital output DO.
Controller 54 may calibrate harmonic rejection mixer 38 based on
the received digital output DO. For example, controller 54 may
sweep through different phase codes provided to programmable delay
line 42. Controller 54 may use the digital output DO produced
during each step of the sweep to identify a setting for
programmable delay line 42 (e.g., a phase code) that optimizes
performance. The phase code may correspond to a zero crossing point
of the DC voltage. Once the optimal setting for programmable delay
line 42, controller 54 may place harmonic rejection mixer 38 back
into transmit mode 80. Harmonic rejection mixer 38 may then produce
output signals RFOUT at radio frequencies for transmission (e.g.,
using LO phases LOi produced by the optimal setting for
programmable delay line 42 as identified in calibration mode
82).
[0056] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of harmonic rejection mixer 38
while operated in transmit mode 80. In the example of FIG. 4,
controller 54 and programmable delay line 42 are not shown for the
sake of clarity. In this example, there are N=3 mixer circuits 70
in mixer array 46 (e.g., a first mixer circuit 70-0, a second mixer
circuit 70-1, and a third mixer circuit 70-2). Similarly, there are
N=3 LO phases LOi that are produced by programmable delay line 42
(e.g., programmable delay line 42 may have a first delay cell 62-0
that produces a first LO phase LO0, a second delay cell 62-1 that
produces a second LO phase LO1, and a third delay cell 62-2 that
produces a third LO phase LO2). This is merely illustrative and, in
general, N may be any desired integer.
[0057] In the example of FIG. 4, IF signals IFIN and output signals
RFOUT are differential signals. Output signals RFOUT therefore
include differential signal pair RFOUTP/RFOUTN. Output path 48
(FIG. 2) includes differential output lines 48P/48N (e.g., where
differential output line 48P conveys differential output signal
RFOUTP and differential output line 48N conveys differential output
signal RFOUTN). Similarly, IF signals IFIN include differential
signal pair IFINP/IFINN. IF path 36 (FIG. 2) includes differential
IF lines 36P/36N (e.g., where differential IF line 36P conveys
differential IF signals IFINP and differential IF line 36N conveys
differential IF signals IFINN). FIG. 4 illustrates the operation of
mixer array 46 only on differential IF signals IFINP for the sake
of clarity. Similar operations may also be performed on
differential IF signals IFINN. This example is merely illustrative
and, in another suitable arrangement, IF signals IFIN and output
signals RFOUT may be single-ended signals.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 4, IF switches 76-0, 76-1, and 76-2 are
closed in transmit mode 80. At the same time, inter-mixer switches
74-0, 74-1, and 74-2 are open. Controller 54 may control the states
of inter-mixer switches 74 and IF switches 76 using control signals
CTRL2 provided over control path 58 (FIG. 2). Mixer circuit 70-0
may upconvert the IF signals IFIN that pass through IF switch 76-0
using LO phase LO0. Mixer circuit 70-1 may upconvert the IF signals
IFIN that pass through IF switch 76-1 using LO phase LO1. Mixer
circuit 70-2 may upconvert the IF signals IFIN that pass through IF
switch 76-2 using LO phase LO2. Mixer circuits 70-0, 70-1, and 70-3
may output corresponding output signals RFOUT (e.g., differential
signal pair RFOUTP/RFOUTN) on output path 48. Output signals RFOUT
may be at radio frequencies (e.g., frequencies within the frequency
band(s) of operation of antenna(s) 30 of FIG. 1).
[0059] In order to cancel out the third-order harmonic of the local
oscillator, mixer circuit 70-1 may be twice the size of mixer
circuit 70-0 and may be twice the size of mixer circuit 70-2 (e.g.,
the three mixer circuits in mixer array 46 may have a 1:2:1 size
ratio). If, for example, LO phase LO0 has a phase of zero degrees,
LO phase LO1 may have a phase of -.alpha. (e.g., as imparted by the
first and second delay cells in programmable delay line 42) and LO
phase LO2 may have a phase of -2.alpha. (e.g., as imparted by the
first, second, and third delay cells in programable delay line 42).
In this example, .alpha. may be 60, 120, or 240 degrees. In
scenarios where .alpha.=120 or 240, the output signals produced by
mixer circuit 70-0 and mixer circuit 70-2 may be inverted (e.g., at
outputs 97 coupled to output path 48). If desired, this phase
inverting may be performed by swapping the RFOUTP and RFOUTN
connections in the mixer circuit (in examples where the mixer
circuit is a differential circuit).
[0060] Adjustable load 50 may include transistor 94 (e.g., a PMOS
transistor), transistor 98 (e.g., a PMOS transistor), a first
inductor L1, a second L2, a first resistor R1, a second resistor
R2, a power supply terminal 92, a first switch 90, a second switch
84, and a third switch 86. The drain terminal of transistor 94 may
be coupled to differential output line 48P. The source terminal of
transistor 94 may be coupled to power supply terminal 92. The gate
terminal of transistor 94 may be coupled to circuit node 88. The
drain terminal of transistor 98 may be coupled to differential
output line 48N. The source terminal of transistor 98 may be
coupled to power supply terminal 92. The gate terminal of
transistor 98 may be coupled to circuit node 88. Switch 90 may be
coupled between circuit node 88 and power supply terminal 92. Power
supply terminal 92 may receive a power supply voltage such as power
supply voltage VDD.
[0061] Inductor L1 and switch 84 may be coupled in series between
differential output line 48P and circuit node 88. Resistor R1 may
be coupled in parallel with switch 84 between inductor L1 and
circuit node 88. Inductor L2 and switch 86 may be coupled in series
between differential output line 48N and circuit node 88. Resistor
R2 may be coupled in parallel with switch 86 between inductor L2
and circuit node 88. An ADC such as comparator 100 may have a first
input terminal coupled to differential output line 48P and a second
input terminal coupled to differential output line 48N. Comparator
100 may have an output terminal 102 that is coupled to controller
54 over control path 56 (FIG. 2). Comparator 100 may be unused
during transmit mode 80.
[0062] In transmit mode 80, switches 84, 86, and 90 are closed.
Controller 54 may control the states of switches 84, 86, and 90
using control signals CTRL1 provided over control path 56 (FIG. 2).
Circuit node 88 (e.g., a center tap of adjustable load 50) may be
shorted to power supply voltage V.sub.DD through switch 90. There
may be no or negligible current passing between the source and
drain terminals of transistors 98 and 94. Current may bypass
resistors R1 and R2 through switches 84 and 86. This may configure
adjustable load 50 to form a differential inductor at the radio
frequencies of output signals RFOUT (e.g., a differential inductor
having an inductance given by inductors L1 and L2).
[0063] The differential inductor and a parasitic capacitance
associated with mixer array 46 may form a resonant circuit. The
resonant circuit may resonate at the radio frequencies of output
signals RFOUT and may serve to convert current from mixer array 46
into a corresponding voltage. This voltage may form across
differential output lines 48P and 48N and may be passed to
additional circuitry in transmitter 28 for transmission by
antenna(s) 30. The resonant circuit may also serve to amplify the
voltage. Radio-frequency transmission line path 52 or other
circuitry in transmitter 28 (FIG. 1) may be coupled to output
terminals 104P and 104N on differential output lines 48P and 48N
and may receive the amplified voltage produced by adjustable load
50 over output terminals 104P and 104N (e.g., for transmission as
corresponding radio-frequency signals RF' of FIG. 4).
[0064] FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of harmonic rejection mixer 38
while operated in calibration mode 82 of FIG. 3. As shown in FIG.
5, in calibration mode 82, IF switches 76-0, 76-1, and 76-2 may be
open. Inter-mixer switches 74-0, 74-1, and 74-2 may be closed.
Switches 90, 84, and 86 in adjustable load 50 may be open. This may
configure mixer array 46 to form a phase detector and may configure
adjustable load 50 to form a DC amplifier.
[0065] For example, mixer circuit 70-0 may have a first input that
receives LO phase LO1 from phase path 44-1 via inter-mixer path
72-0, inter-mixer switch 74-0, and input path 78-0. Mixer circuit
70-0 may have a second input that receives LO phase LO0 over phase
path 44-0. Similarly, mixer circuit 70-1 may have a first input
that receives LO phase LO2 from phase path 44-2 via inter-mixer
path 72-1, inter-mixer switch 74-1, and input path 78-1. Mixer
circuit 70-1 may have a second input that receives LO phase LO1
over phase path 44-1. At the same time, mixer circuit 70-2 may have
a first input that receives LO phase LO0 from phase path 44-0 via
inter-mixer path 72-2, inter-mixer switch 74-2, and input path
78-2. Mixer circuit 70-2 may have a second input that receives LO
phase LO2 over phase path 44-2.
[0066] Inter-mixer path 72-0 may impart a routing phase delay
.delta. to LO phase LO1 by the time LO phase LO1 is received at
mixer circuit 70-0. Inter-mixer path 72-1 may also impart routing
phase delay .delta. to LO phase LO2 by the time LO phase LO2 is
received at mixer circuit 70-1. Likewise, inter-mixer path 72-2 may
impart routing phase delay .delta. to LO phase LO0 by the time LO
phase LO0 is received at mixer circuit 70-2. In other words,
routing phase delay .delta. may be the routing delay associated
with the inter-mixer paths 72 in mixer array 46. Mixer circuits 70
may mix each of the LO phases together to produce a DC voltage
V.sub.DC across differential output lines 48P/48N (e.g., output
signals RFOUT of FIG. 2 may be DC voltage V.sub.DC in calibration
mode 82). DC voltage V.sub.DC is described mathematically by
equation 1.
V D .times. C = ( cos .function. ( .alpha. + .delta. ) - 2 .times.
cos .function. ( .alpha. + .delta. ) + cos .function. ( 2 .times.
.alpha. + .delta. ) ) .times. GAIN ( 1 ) ##EQU00001##
In equation 1, GAIN is the gain imparted by adjustable load 50. For
example, in calibration mode 82, inductors L1 and L2 and form a
short circuit for the DC voltage and power supply voltage V.sub.DD
may be decoupled from circuit node 88. This may configure
adjustable load 50 to form a differential amplifier that applies
gain GAIN to DC voltage V.sub.DC. The gain of the differential
amplifier may be provided by transistors 94 and 98 and resistors R1
and R2. The amplified DC voltage V.sub.DC carries information
identifying routing phase delay .delta. and phase delay a (e.g., as
given by equation 1) and may be passed to the first and second
inputs of an ADC such as comparator 100. Comparator 100 may convert
DC voltage V.sub.DC into digital output DO at output terminal 102
(e.g., control path 56 of FIG. 2). Digital output DO may identify
routing phase delay .delta. and/or phase delay .alpha.. The example
of FIG. 5 in which a comparator produces digital output DO is
merely illustrative and, in general, comparator 100 may be replaced
by any desired ADC circuitry.
[0067] Controller 54 (FIG. 2) may process digital output DO to
calibrate harmonic rejection mixer 38. For example, controller 54
may gather digital outputs DO as controller 54 sweeps through
different phase codes that are used by programmable delay line 42
to produce LO phases LOi. Controller 54 may process the gathered
digital outputs DO to identify a zero crossing point of DC voltage
V.sub.DC as a function of phase delay .alpha.. Assuming a routing
phase delay .delta. of zero for now, the zero crossing point may be
simplified from equation 1 and defined by equation 2 (the effects
of non-zero routing phase delays .delta. will be described
shortly).
2 .times. .times. cos 2 .function. ( .alpha. ) - cos .function. (
.alpha. ) - 1 = 0 ( 2 ) ##EQU00002##
The zero crossing point may, for example, be found by solving
equation 2 for phase delay .alpha.. Three solutions (zero crossing
points) for equation 2 may be found: a first solution at 0 degrees,
a second solution at 120 degrees, and a third solution at 240
degrees. The second solution at 120 degrees may exhibit asymmetry
and poor linear range for different routing phase delays .delta..
At the same time, the third solution at 240 degrees may exhibit
larger linear range for a relatively large range of routing phase
delays .delta. (e.g., equation 2 may resemble a line at the zero
crossing point at 240 degrees with a relatively constant slope for
a large range of routing phase delays such as routing phase delays
.delta. from 0 degrees to as high as 50 degrees or more). In
general, either the second or third solutions (e.g., the second or
third zero crossing points) may be used to perform harmonic
rejection calibration (e.g., for identifying an optimal phase code
for the programmable delay line).
[0068] FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of an illustrative mixer circuit
70 that may to form any of the N mixer circuits in mixer array 46.
As shown in FIG. 6, mixer circuit 70 may include a first transistor
108, a second transistor 114, a third transistor 112, a fourth
transistor 116, a fifth transistor 110, and a sixth transistor 118.
Transistors 108, 114, 112, 116, 110, and 118 may be NMOS
transistors, as an example. The source terminal of transistor 108
may be coupled to reference voltage 106 (e.g., ground). The source
terminal of transistor 110 may also be coupled to reference voltage
106.
[0069] The drain terminal of transistor 108 may be coupled to the
source terminals of transistors 114 and 112. The drain terminal of
transistor 110 may be coupled to the source terminals of
transistors 116 and 118. The drain terminals of transistors 114 and
116 may be coupled to differential output line 48P. The drain
terminals of transistors 112 and 118 may be coupled to differential
output line 48N. The gate terminal of transistor 108 may receive
differential IF signals IFINP. The gate terminal of transistor 110
may receive differential IF signals IFINN. In the differential
signal example of FIG. 6, the LO phases LOi produced by the
programmable delay line may include a differential pair of LO
phases LOiP/LOiN. The gate terminals of transistors 114 and 118 may
receive differential LO phases LOiP. The gate terminals of
transistors 112 and 116 may receive differential LO phases LOiN.
Mixer circuit 70 may mix differential IF signal pair IFINP/IFINN
using the differential pair of LO phases LOiP/LOiN to produce
differential output signal RFOUTP on differential output line 48P
and to produce differential output signal RFOUTN on differential
output line 48N. The example of FIG. 6 is merely illustrative.
Mixer circuit 70 may be implemented using other architectures
and/or may operate on single-ended signals if desired. The
connections of differential output lines 48P and 48N as shown in
FIG. 6 may be swapped to invert the output of the mixer circuit if
desired (e.g., for forming mixer circuits 70-0 and 70-3 of FIGS. 5
and 6).
[0070] FIG. 7 is a flow chart of illustrative steps that may be
performed by controller 54 in calibrating harmonic rejection mixer
38 based on digital output DO from adjustable load 50. The steps of
FIG. 7 may, for example, be performed by controller 54 while
harmonic rejection mixer 38 is in calibration mode 82 of FIG. 3
(e.g., while harmonic rejection mixer 38 is configured as shown in
the circuit diagram of FIG. 5).
[0071] At step 120, controller 54 may close inter-mixer switches 74
in mixer array 46 (e.g., using control signals CTRL2 of FIG.
2).
[0072] At step 122, controller 54 may open IF switches 76 in mixer
array 46 (e.g., using control signals CTRL2 of FIG. 2). Controller
54 may subsequently begin to control programmable delay line 42 to
sweep through different LO phases LOi that are provided to mixer
array 46. For example, controller 54 may begin to sweep through
different phase codes for programmable delay line 42.
[0073] At step 124, to begin sweeping through phase codes,
controller 54 may provide an initial phase code to programmable
delay line 42 (e.g., using control signals CTRL3 provided over
control path 60 of FIG. 2). The initial phase code may configure
adjustable capacitances 68 to exhibit a corresponding capacitance,
thereby configuring each delay cell 62 in programmable delay line
42 to introduce a corresponding phase delay .alpha. in producing LO
phases LOi based on LO waveforms LOC.
[0074] Mixer array 46 may receive the LO phases LOi produced by
programmable delay line 42 using the initial phase code. Mixer
array 46 may produce a corresponding DC voltage V.sub.DC on output
path 48. DC voltage V.sub.DC may identify the routing phase delay
.delta. produced by the inter-mixer paths 72 in mixer array 46
and/or the phase delay .alpha. of the programmable delay line.
Comparator 100 may produce digital output DO using DC voltage
V.sub.DC. Digital output DO may, for example, be a digital version
of DC voltage V.sub.DC.
[0075] At step 126, controller 54 may identify and store digital
output DO for further processing. The stored digital output DO may,
for example, identify a corresponding routing phase delay .delta.
and/or phase delay .alpha. (e.g., as given by equation 1).
[0076] If phase codes in the sweep remain for processing (e.g.,
phase codes from all of the possible phase codes for adjustable
capacitances 68 of FIG. 1), processing may proceed to step 130 as
shown by arrow 128. At step 130, controller 54 may increment the
current phase code (e.g., controller 54 may identify the next phase
code to use in the sweep of phase codes).
[0077] At step 132, controller 54 may provide the current phase
code (e.g., as identified set during processing of step 130) to
programmable delay line 42. The current phase code may configure
adjustable capacitances 68 to exhibit a different capacitance,
thereby configuring each delay cell 62 in programmable delay line
42 to introduce a different corresponding phase delay .alpha. in
producing LO phases LOi based on LO waveforms LOC. Processing may
then loop back to step 126, as shown by arrow 134. Controller 54
may then continue to gather and store the digital outputs DO
produced by adjustable load 50 for each of the phase codes in the
sweep.
[0078] When no phase codes remain in the sweep for processing,
processing may proceed to step 138 as shown by arrow 136. At step
138, controller 54 may process the digital outputs DO stored during
each iteration of step 126 (e.g., the digital outputs DO produced
using each phase code in the sweep of phase codes) to identify a
zero-crossing point of the stored digital outputs DO. As an
example, the stored digital outputs DO may include a sinusoidal
curve that plots DC voltage V.sub.DC (e.g., a digital version of
the magnitude of DC voltage V.sub.DC) as a function of phase delay
.alpha.. Controller 54 may have information that identifies which
phase code produced each phase delay .alpha. of the curve. This
curve may have a first zero crossing point at zero degrees, .alpha.
second zero crossing point at 180 degrees, and a third zero
crossing point at 240 degrees, for example. Controller 54 may
identify the second or the third zero crossing point as the zero
crossing point to use for subsequent processing.
[0079] At step 140, controller 54 may provide the phase code that
produced the phase delay .alpha. corresponding to the identified
zero crossing point (e.g., at 180 or 240 degrees) to programmable
delay line 42. This phase code may be used to set adjustable
capacitances 68 to exhibit a selected (e.g., calibrated)
capacitance. Programable delay line 42 may use the selected
capacitance in producing calibrated LO phases LOi.
[0080] At step 142, controller 54 may place harmonic rejection
mixer 38 back into transmit mode 80 (FIG. 3). Harmonic rejection
mixer 38 may produce output signals RFOUT at radio frequencies
based on the calibrated LO phases LOi produced by programmable
delay line 42 using the selected capacitance. Performing
up-conversion using calibrated LO phases LOi may allow harmonic
rejection mixer 38 to mitigate odd-order harmonic interference in
the radio-frequency signals transmitted by antenna(s) 30 given the
present operating conditions at device 10. In this way, controller
54 may periodically or occasionally calibrate the operation of
harmonic rejection mixer 38 so the harmonic rejection mixer can
minimize EVM and spectral regrowth in the radio-frequency signals
even as device temperature, operating frequency, or other device
conditions change over time.
[0081] In general, different zero-crossing points maybe produced as
the frequency of the radio-frequency signals changes over time.
FIG. 8 is a plot showing how different frequencies may produce
different zero-crossing points that are used for calibrating
harmonic rejection mixer 38. More particularly, FIG. 8 plots the DC
voltage V.sub.DC produced by mixer array 46 and adjustable load 50
(e.g., as identified by the digital outputs DO stored by controller
54 at each iteration of step 126 of FIG. 7) as a function of the
phase code from the phase code sweep that produced the DC voltage
V.sub.DC. Phase code is plotted on the horizontal axis as a phase
code index, where each phase code index corresponds to a respective
phase code from the sweep of phase codes performed while processing
the steps of FIG. 7 (e.g., a phase code of "25" represents the
25.sup.th phase code from the sweep, a phase code of "50"
represents the 50.sup.th phase code from the sweep, etc.).
[0082] Curve 144 plots the DC voltage V.sub.DC produced using a
first frequency channel, curve 146 plots the DC voltage V.sub.DC
produced using a second frequency channel, and curve 148 plots the
DC voltage V.sub.DC produced using a third frequency channel.
Curves 144, 146, and 148 are shown as only having a single zero
crossing point in FIG. 8 for the sake of clarity (e.g., the 180
degree or 240 degree zero crossing point). As shown by curves 144,
146, and 148, the particular frequency channel that is used will
change the zero crossing point of DC voltage V.sub.DC.
[0083] In scenarios where curve 144 is produced, controller 54 may
identify the corresponding zero crossing point 150 of DC voltage
V.sub.DC (e.g., the point where curve 150 crosses a voltage of
zero). Controller 54 may use the phase code corresponding to zero
crossing point 150 to configure the adjustable capacitances 68 in
programmable delay line 42. For example, as shown in FIG. 8,
controller 54 may use the 25.sup.th phase code from the sweep to
configure the adjustable capacitances 68 in programmable delay line
42. This may configure programmable delay line 42 to generate the
optimal LO phases LOi for mitigating harmonic interference while
operating using the first frequency channel.
[0084] Similarly, in scenarios where curve 146 is produced,
controller 54 may identify the corresponding zero crossing point
152 of DC voltage V.sub.DC (e.g., the point where curve 146 crosses
a voltage of zero). Controller 54 may use the phase code
corresponding to zero crossing point 152 to configure the
adjustable capacitances 68 in programmable delay line 42. For
example, as shown in FIG. 8, controller 54 may use the 50.sup.th
phase code from the sweep to configure the adjustable capacitances
68 in programmable delay line 42. This may configure programmable
delay line 42 to generate the optimal LO phases LOi for mitigating
harmonic interference while operating using the second frequency
channel.
[0085] Likewise, in scenarios where curve 148 is produced,
controller 54 may identify the corresponding zero crossing point
154 of DC voltage V.sub.DC (e.g., the point where curve 148 crosses
a voltage of zero). Controller 54 may use the phase code
corresponding to zero crossing point 154 to configure the
adjustable capacitances 68 in programmable delay line 42. For
example, as shown in FIG. 8, controller 54 may use the 75.sup.th
phase code from the sweep to configure the adjustable capacitances
68 in programmable delay line 42. This may configure programmable
delay line 42 to generate the optimal LO phases LOi for mitigating
harmonic interference while operating using the third frequency
channel.
[0086] The example of FIG. 8 is merely illustrative. In practice,
curves 144-148 may have other shapes. While FIG. 8 illustrates how
different zero crossing points and thus different optimal phase
codes may be identified as operating frequency changes, the process
of FIG. 7 may be used to identify the optimal phase code as device
temperature changes over time, as frequency changes, and/or as any
other operating conditions change over time. This may serve to
reduce the interference effects of harmonics of the LO on the
radio-frequency signals output by transmitter 28 (e.g.,
radio-frequency signals RF' of FIG. 1) by as much as 10 dB or more,
thereby optimizing the radio-frequency performance of device 10.
While the examples of FIGS. 1-8 describe harmonic rejection mixer
38 as being formed in a wireless transmitter such as transmitter
28, harmonic rejection mixer 38 may additionally or alternatively
be formed in a wireless receiver (e.g., for performing harmonic
rejection operations on signals received by antenna(s) 30).
[0087] Device 10 may gather and/or use personally identifiable
information. It is well understood that the use of personally
identifiable information should follow privacy policies and
practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding
industry or governmental requirements for maintaining the privacy
of users. In particular, personally identifiable information data
should be managed and handled so as to minimize risks of
unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of
authorized use should be clearly indicated to users.
[0088] The foregoing is merely illustrative and various
modifications can be made to the described embodiments. The
foregoing embodiments may be implemented individually or in any
combination.
* * * * *