US 9,432,222 B2 · Broadband amplifier linearization using captured histogram data

Abstract

A transmitter's operation is characterized using components having relatively low cost and low complexity. A device includes comparator(s) that compare a transmitter's analog output to predetermined level(s) to generate count(s) associated with analog output range bin(s). Each of the predetermined levels is associated with a corresponding one of the analog output range bins. A transfer function of the transmitter is generated using the comparison count values associated with the analog output range bin(s). A histogram may be generated from the comparison count values associated with the various analog output range bins. An equalizer is implemented to process data that will be transmitted by the transmitter. The equalizer uses equalizer parameter(s) that are selected based on the characterization of the transmitter (e.g., its transfer function, its histogram, etc.). The equalizer may use default or start up parameters until the transmitter's operation is characterized.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A communication device comprising:

an equalizer configured to process data to generate equalized data using one or more equalizer parameters that compensate for nonlinear operation of analog circuitry of the communication device;
a digital to analog converter (DAC) configured to process the equalized data to generate analog output;
a power amplifier (PA) configured to amplify the analog output to generate amplified analog output;
one or more comparators configured to perform comparisons of the amplified analog output with predetermined analog output range bins;
one or more counters configured to count, based on the comparisons, occurrences of the amplified analog output exceeding levels associated with the predetermined analog output range bins to generate comparison count values associated with the predetermined analog output range bins;
and
a processor configured to:
determine a transfer function of the DAC and the PA based on the comparison count values;
and
modify the one or more equalizer parameters based on the transfer function of the DAC and the PA to generate modified one or more equalizer parameters.

7 more elements

A communication device comprising:

an equalizer configured to process data to generate equalized data using one or more equalizer parameters that compensate for nonlinear operation of analog circuitry of the communication device;
a digital to analog converter (DAC) configured to process the equalized data to generate analog output;
a power amplifier (PA) configured to amplify the analog output to generate amplified analog output;
a communication interface configured to transmit the amplified analog output;
a first comparator configured to perform first comparisons of the amplified analog output to a first predetermined level associated with a first predetermined analog output range bin;
a second comparator configured to perform second comparisons of the amplified analog output to a second predetermined level associated with a second predetermined analog output range bin;
a first counter configured to count, based on the first comparisons, first occurrences of the amplified analog output exceeding the first predetermined level associated with the first predetermined analog output range bin to generate a first comparison count value;
a second counter configured to count, based on the second comparisons, second occurrences of the amplified analog output exceeding the second predetermined level associated with the second predetermined analog output range bin to generate a second comparison count value;
and
a processor configured to:
generate a histogram that includes the first comparison count value and the second comparison count value;
determine a transfer function of the DAC and the PA based on the histogram;
and
modify the one or more equalizer parameters based on the transfer function of the DAC and the PA to generate modified one or more equalizer parameters.

11 more elements

A method for execution by a communication device, the method comprising:

equalizing data using one or more equalizer parameters that compensate for nonlinear operation of analog circuitry of the communication device to generate equalized data;
operating a digital to analog converter (DAC) to process the equalized data to generate analog output;
operating a power amplifier (PA) to amplify the analog output to generate amplified analog output;
performing comparisons of the amplified analog output with predetermined analog output range bins;
counting, based on the comparisons, occurrences of the amplified analog output exceeding levels associated with the predetermined analog output range bins to generate comparison count values associated with the predetermined analog output range bins;
processing the comparison count values to determine a transfer function of the DAC and the PA;
and
modifying the one or more equalizer parameters based on the transfer function of the DAC and the PA to generate modified one or more equalizer parameters.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Broadband amplifier linearization using captured histogram data

Life of this patent

Broadband amplifier linearization using captured histogram data

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20