RF Carrier Synchronization and Phase Alignment Methods and Systems

A method comprising:

• generating a baseband information signal by mixing an arbitrary received modulated carrier signal with a local oscillator (LO) signal having an LO frequency;
• obtaining baseband signal samples of the baseband information signal each having an in-phase signal sample and a quadrature signal sample over a period of time;
• determining an offset frequency rotation based on both the in-phase signal samples and the quadrature signal samples;
• and
• processing the baseband information signal using the offset frequency rotation, thereby reducing an effective LO frequency error to less than 100 parts per billion.

An apparatus comprising;

• a mixer and a local oscillator (LO) configured to generate a baseband information signal by mixing an arbitrary received modulated carrier signal with an LO signal having an LO frequency;
• an analog to digital converter configured to generate baseband signal samples of the baseband information signal;
• a phase accumulator configured to receive the baseband signal samples and to determine a cumulative phase measurement associated with the baseband signal samples using the plurality of baseband signal samples over a period of time;
• and
• an LO correction module configured to apply a correction signal to compensate for an LO frequency offset of the LO frequency based on the cumulative phase, and configured to thereby reduce an effective LO frequency error to less than 100 parts per billion.