Antenna compensation system and method in a communications device

• US 8,369,906 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2006
• Issued: 02/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Kasha, Dan B., Vancorenland, Peter J., Rafi, Aslamali A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Appiah, Charles
• Assistant Examiner(s): SCHWARTZ, JOSHUA L
• Application Number:
  US11/396,129
• Publication Number:
  US 20070232367A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,503 Days
• Field of Search: 455/107, 455/108, 455/574, 455/121, 455/125, 455/126, 455/127.1, 455/127.2, 455/129
• US Class Current: 455/574
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/0458 Arrangements for matching and coupling between power amplifier and antenna or between amplifying stages matching circuits in general H03H

Abstract

A communications device is provided. The communications device includes an antenna port, transmitter circuitry configured to broadcast a radio frequency (RF) output signal across the antenna port, and a controller configured to adjust a signal level of the RF output signal in accordance with antenna compensation information. The antenna port, the transmitter circuitry, and the controller are at least partially integrated on the same integrated circuit.

Claims

1. A communications device comprising:

an antenna port configured for coupling to any given one of multiple different antennas;

transmitter circuitry configured to broadcast a radio frequency (RF) output signal across any given one of the multiple different antennas that is coupled to the antenna port at a first frequency;

stored antenna compensation information corresponding to each given one of the multiple different antennas that indicates an amount of amplitude compensation to apply depending on which given one of the multiple antennas is coupled to the antenna port in order to adjust the corresponding amplitude level at which the RF output signal is broadcast at the first frequency across a given one of the multiple antennas when it is coupled to the antenna port, the amplitude compensation indicated by the stored antenna compensation information being different at the first frequency for each of the multiple different antennas; and

a controller configured to adjust an amplitude level at which the RF output signal is broadcast at the first frequency across a first one of the multiple antennas when it is coupled to the antenna port by the amount indicated by the stored antenna compensation information corresponding to the first antenna for the first frequency so as to set the amplitude of the RF output signal to a first amplitude level at which the RF output signal is broadcast at the first frequency across the first antenna coupled to the antenna port, based on the antenna compensation information;

wherein the antenna compensation information is configured to compensate for properties of each given one of the multiple antennas when it is coupled to the antenna port while the RF output signal is being broadcast at the first frequency, and wherein the antenna port, the transmitter circuitry, and the controller are at least partially integrated on the same integrated circuit.

2. The communications device of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to access the antenna compensation information within the communications device, the antenna compensation information being stored information that indicates an amount of amplitude compensation to apply at each of multiple different frequencies depending on which given one of the multiple antennas is coupled to the antenna port in order to adjust the corresponding amplitude level at which the RF output signal is broadcast across a given one of the multiple antennas when it is coupled to the antenna port.

3. The communications device of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to receive a selection of the antenna compensation information from a user.

4. The communications device of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to increase the amplitude level at which the RF output signal is broadcast across the first antenna for the first frequency of the RF output signal based on the stored antenna compensation information, and wherein the controller is configured to decrease the amplitude level at which the RF output signal is broadcast across the first antenna for a second frequency of the RF output signal that differs from the first frequency based on the stored antenna compensation information.

5. The communications device of claim 1 where the antenna compensation information comprises at least one stored table of different amplitude level adjustment amounts corresponding to different respective frequencies at which the RF output signal is broadcast across multiple different antennas, the amplitude compensation indicated by the stored antenna compensation information being different for each of the multiple different antennas.

6. The communications device of claim 1, wherein the stored antenna compensation information further indicates an amount of amplitude compensation to apply at each of multiple different frequencies for each given one of the multiple different antennas, the amount of amplitude compensation being different for each of the multiple different frequencies for each of the multiple different antennas;

and wherein the controller is further configured to adjust an amplitude level at which the RF output signal is broadcast at each of the multiple different frequencies across a given one of the multiple antennas when it is coupled to the antenna port by the amount indicated by the stored antenna compensation information corresponding to the given antenna coupled to the antenna port based on the current selected frequency so as to set the amplitude of the RF output signal to a current amplitude level at which the RF output signal is broadcast at the current selected frequency across the given antenna coupled to the antenna port based on the antenna compensation information.

7. The communications device of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to adjust the amplitude level at which the RF output signal is broadcast at the first frequency across a first one of the multiple antennas when it is coupled to the antenna port by the amount indicated by the stored antenna compensation information corresponding to the first antenna for the first frequency so as to change the amplitude of the RF output signal from a first amplitude level at which the RF output signal is broadcast at the first frequency across the first antenna to a second and different amplitude level at which the RF output signal is broadcast at the first frequency across the same antenna coupled to the same antenna port, the RF output signal remaining at the first frequency in response to the amplitude level being adjusted by the amount indicated by the antenna compensation information.

8. The communications device of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to adjust the amplitude level at which the RF output signal is broadcast across the first antenna subsequent to completing a calibration mode of operation.

9. The communications device of claim 8 wherein the controller is configured to adjust tuning circuitry coupled to the antenna port during the calibration mode of operation.

10. The communications device of claim 1 wherein the transmitter includes output stage circuitry configured to generate the RF output signal using an intermediate signal, and wherein the controller is configured to adjust the amplitude level at which the RF output signal is broadcast across the first antenna by providing a first control signal to the output stage circuitry.

11. The communications device of claim 10 wherein the output stage circuitry includes adjustable level circuitry coupled to a transconductance amplifier and configured to receive the control signal.

12. The communications device of claim 10 wherein the transmitter includes driver circuitry configured to generate the intermediate signal and provide the intermediate signal to the output stage circuitry, and wherein the controller is configured to adjust a signal level of the intermediate signal by providing a second control signal to the driver circuitry.

13. The communications device of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to increase the amplitude level to first level at which the RF output signal is broadcast across a first antenna for the first frequency of the RF output signal based on the stored antenna compensation information when the first antenna is coupled to the antenna port;

and wherein the controller is configured to decrease the amplitude level to a second and lower level at which the RF output signal is broadcast across a second and different antenna for the first frequency of the RF output signal based on the stored antenna compensation information when the second antenna is coupled to the antenna port.

14. The communications device of claim 13 wherein the first antenna has a higher impedance than the second antenna.

15. A method performed by a controller in a communication device with transmitter circuitry, the method comprising:

accessing stored antenna compensation information corresponding to multiple different antennas that indicates an amount of amplitude compensation to apply depending on which given one of the multiple antennas is coupled to an antenna port of the communications device while a radio frequency (RF) output signal of a first frequency is being broadcast across the given one of the multiple antennas coupled to the antenna port, the amplitude compensation indicated by the stored antenna compensation information being different at the first frequency for each of the multiple different antennas; and

compensating for properties of the given antenna coupled to the antenna port while the RF output signal is being broadcast at the first frequency across the given antenna by adjusting an amplitude level of the RF output signal generated by the transmitter circuitry at the first frequency and broadcast across the given antenna by an amount indicated by the antenna compensation information for the first frequency so as to set the amplitude of the RF output signal to a first amplitude level at which the RF output signal is broadcast at the first frequency across the given antenna based on the antenna compensation information.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

adjusting the amplitude level of the RF output signal by increasing the amplitude level.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

adjusting the amplitude level of the RF output signal by decreasing the amplitude level.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

accessing the antenna compensation information within the communications device, the antenna compensation information being stored information that indicates an amount of amplitude compensation to apply at each of multiple different frequencies depending on which given one of the multiple antennas is coupled to the antenna port in order to adjust the corresponding amplitude level at which the RF output signal is broadcast across a given one of the multiple antennas when it is coupled to the antenna port.

19. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

receiving a selection of the antenna compensation information from a user.

20. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

adjusting the amplitude level of the RF output signal subsequent to completing a calibration mode of operation.

21. The method of claim 15 where the antenna compensation information comprises at least one stored table of different amplitude level adjustment amounts corresponding to different respective frequencies at which the RF output signal is broadcast across multiple different antennas, the amplitude compensation indicated by the stored antenna compensation information being different for each of the multiple different antennas.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein the stored antenna compensation information further indicates an amount of amplitude compensation to apply at each of multiple different frequencies for each given one of the multiple different antennas, the amount of amplitude compensation being different for each of the multiple different frequencies for each of the multiple different antennas;

and where the method further comprises compensating for properties of the given antenna coupled to the antenna port while the RF output signal is being broadcast at a current selected one of the multiple different frequencies by adjusting an amplitude level of the RF output signal generated by the transmitter circuitry at the given frequency and broadcast across the given antenna when it is coupled to the antenna port by the amount indicated by the stored antenna compensation information corresponding to the given antenna coupled to the antenna port based on the current selected frequency so as to set the amplitude of the RF output signal to a current amplitude level at which the RF output signal is broadcast at the current selected frequency across the given antenna coupled to the antenna port based on the antenna compensation information.

23. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

accessing the stored antenna compensation information for use in compensating for properties of the given one of the multiple antennas coupled to the antenna port of the communications device while a radio frequency (RF) output signal of the first frequency is being broadcast at different amplitude levels across the same given one of the multiple antennas coupled to the same antenna port; and

compensating for properties of the given antenna coupled to the antenna port while the RF output signal is being broadcast at the first frequency at different amplitude levels across the same given antenna by adjusting an amplitude level of the RF output signal generated by the transmitter circuitry at the first frequency and broadcast across the given antenna by an amount indicated by the antenna compensation information for the first frequency so as to change the amplitude of the RF output signal from a first amplitude level at which the RF output signal is broadcast at the first frequency across the given antenna to a second and different amplitude level at which the RF output signal is broadcast across the same given antenna coupled to the same antenna port, the RF output signal remaining at the frequency in response to the amplitude level being adjusted by the amount indicated by the antenna compensation information.

24. The method of claim 15 further comprising increasing the amplitude level to a first level at which the RF output signal is broadcast across a first antenna for the first frequency of the RF output signal based on the stored antenna compensation information when the first antenna is coupled to the antenna port;

and decreasing the amplitude level to a second and lower level at which the RF output signal is broadcast across a second and different antenna for the first frequency of the RF output signal based on the stored antenna compensation information when the second antenna is coupled to the antenna port.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the first antenna has a higher impedance than the second antenna.

26. A communication device comprising:

an antenna port coupled to a first antenna;

transmitter circuitry including adjustable level circuitry and configured to broadcast a radio frequency (RF) output signal across the first antenna at a first frequency;

stored antenna compensation information corresponding to each given one of multiple different antennas that indicates an amount of amplitude compensation to apply depending on which given one of the multiple antennas is coupled to the antenna port in order to adjust the corresponding amplitude level at which the RF output signal is broadcast at the first frequency across a given one of the multiple antennas when it is coupled to the antenna port, the amplitude compensation indicated by the stored antenna compensation information being different at the first frequency for each of the multiple different antennas; and

a controller configured to provide a first control signal to the adjustable level circuitry to cause an amplitude level at which the RF output signal is broadcast at the first frequency across the first antenna coupled to the antenna port to be adjusted by the amount indicated by the stored antenna compensation information corresponding to the first antenna for the first frequency so as to set the amplitude of the RF output signal to a first broadcast amplitude level at which the RF output signal is broadcast at the first frequency across the first antenna based on the antenna compensation information;

wherein the antenna compensation information is configured to compensate for properties of each given one of the multiple antennas when it is coupled to the antenna port while the RF output signal is being broadcast at the first frequency and wherein the antenna port, the transmitter circuitry, and the controller are at least partially integrated on the same integrated circuit.

27. The communications device of claim 26 wherein the transmitter circuitry includes a transconductance amplifier, and wherein the adjustable level circuitry is coupled to the transconductance amplifier and is configured to receive the first control signal.

28. The communications device of claim 27 wherein the transmitter circuitry includes driver circuitry configured to generate an intermediate signal and provide the intermediate signal to the transconductance amplifier, and wherein controller is configured to provide a second control signal to the driver circuitry to cause the signal level of the intermediate signal to be adjusted.

29. The communications device of claim 28 wherein the driver circuitry includes RF conditioning circuitry, and wherein the RF conditioning circuitry is configured to receive the second control signal.

30. A communications system comprising:

a first antenna;

a communications device including;

an antenna port coupled to the first antenna;

transmitter circuitry configured to broadcast a radio frequency (RF) output signal across the first antenna coupled to the antenna port at a first frequency;

stored antenna compensation information corresponding to each given one of multiple different antennas that indicates an amount of amplitude compensation to apply depending on which given one of the multiple antennas is coupled to the antenna port in order to adjust the corresponding amplitude level at which the RF output signal is broadcast at the first frequency across a given one of the multiple antennas when it is coupled to the antenna port, the amplitude compensation indicated by the stored antenna compensation information being different at the first frequency for each of the multiple different antennas; and

a controller configured to adjust an amplitude level at which the RF output signal is broadcast at the first frequency across the first antenna coupled to the antenna port by the amount indicated by the stored antenna compensation information corresponding to the first antenna for the first frequency so as to set the amplitude of the RF output signal from a first amplitude level at which the RF output signal is broadcast at the first frequency across the first antenna based on the antenna compensation information;

wherein the antenna compensation information is configured to compensate for properties of each given one of the multiple antennas when it is coupled to the antenna port while the RF output signal is being broadcast at the first frequency and wherein the antenna port, the transmitter circuitry, and the controller are at least partially integrated on the same integrated circuit; and

an input/output system configured to communicate with the communications device.

31. The communications system of claim 30 wherein the controller is configured to access the antenna compensation information within the communications device, the antenna compensation information being stored information that indicates an amount of amplitude compensation to apply at each of multiple different frequencies depending on which given one of the multiple antennas is coupled to the antenna port in order to adjust the corresponding amplitude level at which the RF output signal is broadcast across a given one of the multiple antennas when it is coupled to the antenna port.

32. The communications system of claim 30 wherein the communications device is configured to receive a selection of the antenna compensation information from a user.

33. The communications system of claim 30 where the antenna compensation information comprises at least one stored table of different amplitude level adjustment amounts corresponding to different respective frequencies at which the RF output signal is broadcast across multiple different antennas, the amplitude compensation indicated by the stored antenna compensation information being different for each of the multiple different antennas.