Method and apparatus providing calibration technique for RF performance tuning

Abstract

A method is disclosed for operating a RF receiver of a communications equipment, as is circuitry for implementing the method. The method includes, while operating under the control of a data processor of the communications equipment, generating a calibration signal; injecting the calibration signal into a low noise amplifier (LNA) of the RF receiver; measuring a downconverted response of the receiver at a plurality of different frequencies of the calibration signal, or measuring the downconverted response of the receiver at a plurality of different LNA tuning combinations using a fixed calibration frequency, and at least one of tuning a resonance frequency of at least one LNA resonator based on the measured downconverted response so as to compensate at least for variations in component values that comprise the at least one resonator, or adjusting the linearity of the receiver.

1 . A low noise amplifier comprising at least one gain element and at least one resonant circuit coupled to said gain element, further comprising at least one further gain element coupled to said resonant circuit for operating as an oscillator for generating a calibration signal for calibrating at least said low noise amplifier.  
   
   
       2 . A low noise amplifier as in  claim 1 , and further comprising a phase lock loop circuit coupled to said oscillator, where said oscillator output is set to a center frequency of said low noise amplifier.  
   
   
       3 . A low noise amplifier as in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one resonant circuit comprises an LC tank circuit.  
   
   
       4 . An integrated circuit comprising a low noise amplifier, the low noise amplifier comprising at least one gain element configured to be coupled to at least one resonant circuit, further comprising at least one further gain element configured to be coupled to said resonant circuit for operating as an oscillator for generating a calibration signal for calibrating at least said low noise amplifier.  
   
   
       5 . An integrated circuit as in  claim 4 , wherein said low noise amplifier further comprises a phase lock loop circuit coupled to said oscillator, where said oscillator output is set to a center frequency of said low noise amplifier.  
   
   
       6 . An integrated circuit as in  claim 4 , wherein said at least one resonant circuit comprises an LC tank circuit.  
   
   
       7 . An integrated circuit as in  claim 4 , wherein said at least one resonant circuit is external to said integrated circuit.  
   
   
       8 . An integrated circuit as in  claim 4 , wherein said at least one resonant circuit is internal to said integrated circuit.  
   
   
       9 . A method for operating a mobile station comprising, during a time that a receiver is not required, operating a data processor of said mobile station for at least partially disabling a receiver low noise amplifier LNA, generating a calibration signal within said mobile station, coupling said calibration signal into said receiver, measuring a downconverted response of the receiver to said calibration signal, and at least one of tuning a resonance frequency of at least one LNA resonator based on the measured downconverted response, or adjusting the linearity of a receiver chain.