Built-in performance monitoring of mixed-signal/RF front ends using real-time parameter estimation

In this paper, a novel methodology for continuous real time monitoring of the performance metrics of RF front end modules is proposed. The presented technique involves determination of the RF system parameters using time domain parameter estimation techniques with minimal hardware overhead. The computation of the behavioral parameters of the RF modules is performed at periodic intervals using real time signals through the use of a "parallel model" of the RF front end in the baseband DSP. During specific intervals corresponding to high signal power levels, parameter estimation of the RF front end is performed using a model in the baseband as a reference. The presented technique is used for detection/tracking of performance degradation in analog/RF front ends in real-time and does not require the use of supervised learning algorithms as with prior performance monitoring techniques. Simulation results showing accurate tracking of the distortion parameters of an RF transmitter used to demonstrate the core ideas of this research.