Synchronizer, method of synchronizing signals and MIMO transceiver employing the same

• US 20060109927A1
• Filed: 11/19/2004
• Published: 05/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Magee, David P., DiRenzo, Michael T.
• Application Number:
  US10/993,790
• Publication Number:
  US 20060109927A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 375/267
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 2200/02 Algorithm used as input for AFC action alignment receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/04 using two or more spaced independent antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/06 using space diversity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2027/003 at baseband only
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2027/0065 Frequency error detectors H04L2027/0067 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention provides a synchronizer for use with a multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) transceiver employing multiple individual transceivers. In one embodiment, the synchronizer includes a synthesizing unit coupled to a reference oscillator and configured to generate separately synthesized radio frequency (RF) signals having relative phase differences. Additionally, the synchronizer also includes a synchronizing unit coupled to the synthesizer unit and configured to adjust the relative phase differences of the separately synthesized RF signals to be less than a predetermined difference to provide synchronization of the multiple individual transceivers based on the predetermined difference.

Claims

1. A synchronizer for use with a multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) transceiver employing multiple individual transceivers, comprising:

a synthesizing unit coupled to a reference oscillator and configured to generate separately synthesized radio frequency (RF) signals having relative phase differences; and

a synchronizing unit coupled to said synthesizer unit and configured to adjust said relative phase differences of said separately synthesized RF signals to be less than a predetermined difference to provide synchronization of said multiple individual transceivers based on said predetermined difference.

2. The synchronizer as recited in claim 1 wherein said synthesizing unit provides said separately synthesized RF signals at a same nominal frequency.

3. The synchronizer as recited in claim 1 wherein said synchronizing unit employs a set number of reference oscillator cycles to adjust said relative phase differences to be less than said predetermined difference.

4. The synchronizer as recited in claim 1 wherein said synchronizing unit employs relative error terms from said synthesizing unit to adjust said relative phase differences to be less than said predetermined difference.

5. The synchronizer as recited in claim 1 wherein said synchronization of said multiple individual transceivers is employed in conjunction with baseband data to generate transmit RF data.

6. The synchronizer as recited in claim 1 wherein said synchronization of said multiple individual transceivers is employed in conjunction with receive RF data to generate baseband data.

7. The synchronizer as recited in claim 1 further configured to be employed with an intermediate frequency (IF) signal.

8. A method of synchronizing signals for use with a multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) transceiver employing multiple individual transceivers, comprising:

generating separately synthesized radio frequency (RF) signals having relative phase differences; and

adjusting said relative phase differences of said separately synthesized RF signals to be less than a predetermined difference to provide synchronization of said multiple individual transceivers based on said predetermined difference.

9. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said generating provides said separately synthesized RF signals at a same nominal frequency.

10. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said adjusting employs a set number of reference oscillator cycles.

11. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said adjusting employs relative error terms from said generating.

12. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said synchronization of said multiple individual transceivers is employed in conjunction with baseband data to generate transmit RF data.

13. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said synchronization of said multiple individual transceivers is employed in conjunction with receive RF data to generate baseband data.

14. The method as recited in claim 8 further employing an intermediate frequency (IF) signal.

15. A multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) transceiver for use with multiple concurrent transmissions, comprising:

a first individual transceiver coupled to a first antenna;

a second individual transceiver coupled to a second antenna; and

a synchronizer, coupled to said first and second individual transceivers, including;

a synthesizing unit, coupled to a reference oscillator, that generates separately synthesized radio frequency (RF) signals having relative phase differences; and

a synchronizing unit, coupled to said synthesizer unit, that adjusts said relative phase differences of said separately synthesized RF signals to be less than a predetermined difference to provide synchronization of said first and second individual transceivers based on said predetermined difference.

16. The MIMO transceiver as recited in claim 15 wherein said synthesizing unit provides said separately synthesized RF signals at a same nominal frequency.

17. The MIMO transceiver as recited in claim 15 wherein said synchronizing unit employs a set number of reference oscillator cycles to adjust said relative phase differences to be less than said predetermined difference.

18. The MIMO transceiver as recited in claim 15 wherein said synchronizing unit employs relative error terms from said synthesizing unit to adjust said relative phase differences to be less than said predetermined difference.

19. The MIMO transceiver as recited in claim 15 wherein said synchronization of said first and second individual transceivers is employed in conjunction with baseband data to generate transmit RF data.

20. The MIMO transceiver as recited in claim 15 wherein said synchronization of said first and second individual transceivers is employed in conjunction with receive RF data to generate baseband data.

21. The MIMO transceiver as recited in claim 15 wherein said synchronizer is further employed with an intermediate frequency (IF) signal.