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US 12,111,350 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for RF built-in test system for a beamforming module in a radar system
OwnerAndrew John Bonthron, Wei-Min Kuo +3inventors
InventorsAndrew John Bonthron, Wei-Min Kuo, Viktor Yevgenyevich Novozhilov, Phuoc Thanh Nguyen, Michael Terry Nilsson
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Abstract
An on-chip or built-in self-test (BIST) module for an RFIC is provided. The BIST module can be implemented in an RFIC system, which may include a beamforming module of a radar system. The BIST module may include components and methods to up-convert a signal from a test frequency to RF at an input to the RFIC and down-convert and output signal.
Claims9
A method for testing an integrated circuit (IC), comprising:
- receiving, at an on-chip frequency multiplier block (MULT), a test signal at an input test frequency;
- converting, via a single-sideband modulator (SSB), the test signal to a radio frequency (RF) test signal at an operational frequency for the IC, wherein the operational frequency is higher than the input test frequency;
- providing, via a directional coupler, the RF test signal to at least one input of the IC;
- detecting, via a first detector coupled to a first analog to digital converter (ADC), an RF input signal at the at least one input;
- processing the RF input signal through the IC;
- detecting, via a second detector coupled to a second ADC, an RF output signal at a corresponding at least one output-of the IC;
- and
- down converting, via a signal down converter, the RF output signal to generate an output test signal at an output test frequency, wherein the output test frequency is lower than the operational frequency.
5 more elements
A built-in self-test (BIST) circuit for a radio frequency integrated circuit (RF IC), comprising:
- an on-chip RF test signal generator configured to convert a test signal having a frequency to a signal having a higher frequency than the frequency of the test signal;
- a multi-port directional coupler module, comprising:
- a transmission line coupled to the on-chip RF test signal generator;
- and
- a plurality of couplers distributed along the transmission line, each coupler of the plurality of couplers proximate at least one port of the RF IC and configured to couple the signal to the at least one port of the RF IC;
- and
- a detection system having a plurality of detectors positioned proximate the plurality
- of couplers.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.