Multi-Dimensional Error Definition, Error Measurement, Error Analysis, Error Function Generation, Error Information Optimization, and Error Correction for Communications Systems

Abstract

The present invention is related to multi-dimensional error definition, error measurement, error analysis, error function generation, error information optimization, and error correction for communication systems. Novel techniques are provided that can be applied to a myriad of applications for which an input to output transfer characteristic must be corrected or linearized. According to embodiments of the present invention, error can be described, processed, and geometrically interpreted. Compact formulations of error correction and calibration functions can be generated according to the present invention, which reduce memory requirements as well as computational time.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method for calibrating a system, comprising:
 determining a point of calibration within the system;   determining a plurality of calibration states of the system respectively corresponding to potential states of operation of the system, wherein a calibration state of the system is a function of one or more parameters of calibration;   sampling the system, for each of the plurality of calibration states, according to an input sampling trajectory; and   generating an input/output transfer characteristic error function, for each of the plurality of calibration states, based on response of the system to the input sampling trajectory.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the system includes a vector power amplifier, and wherein the one or more parameters of calibration include one or more of:
 VPA power supply;   VPA power gain;   VPA carrier frequency;   temperature variations;   process variations;   VPA output waveform bandwidth;   VPA Adjacent Channel Power Ratio (ACPR); and   VPA Adjacent Channel Leakage Ratio (ACLR).   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the input sampling trajectory is selected according to an expected input dynamic range of the system. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the input/output transfer characteristic error function characterizes a difference between an actual input/output transfer characteristic of the system and a desired input/output transfer characteristic of the system. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said generating step comprises generating a plurality of input/output transfer characteristic error functions, the method further comprising:
 combining the plurality of input/output transfer characteristic error functions to generate a multi-dimensional error function, wherein the multi-dimensional error function characterizes a difference between an actual input/output transfer characteristic of the system and a desired input/output transfer characteristic of the system for each of the potential states of operation of the system.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 generating an approximation of the multi-dimensional error function; and   storing the approximation of the multi-dimensional error function in a memory associated with the system.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 generating a polynomial approximation of the multi-dimensional error function; and   storing a set of coefficients representative of the polynomial approximation of the multi-dimensional error function in a memory associated with the system.