Distortion compensation circuit

BACKGROUND

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 from <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US62120711A"><text>U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62,120,711</text></patcit>, entitled "Distortion Compensation Circuit," filed on February 25, 2015, and from <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="US62134389A"><text>U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62,134,389</text></patcit>, entitled "Distortion Compensation Circuit," filed on March 17, 2015, which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to distortion compensation, and more particularly to circuits and methods for correcting distortion for in phase and quadrature component signals.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Communication systems include various circuits, such as receiver demodulators and baseband amplifiers, which have nonlinearities that may lead to "unwanted signals." The nonlinear behavior of such circuits induces intermodulation products that, together with the system noise, increase the amount of signal distortion, thereby lowering the system performance. Unwanted signals that occur at multiples of the input frequency are referred to as harmonic distortion (HD). Unwanted signals that occur at frequencies that are linear combinations of the input frequencies are referred to as intermodulation distortion (IM). Nonlinear distortion products include a 2^nd Order Intermodulation Term (IM2), a 2^nd Order Harmonic Distortion Term (HD2), a 3^rd Order Intermodulation Term (IM3), and a 3^rd Order Harmonic Distortion Term (HD3).

There have been attempts to remove or compensate for the distortions by using the in-phase I or quadrature Q baseband signals to directly calculate distortion products that are then removed from the same in-phase or quadrature baseband signals. For example, <patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="US8848824B"><text>U.S. Patent 8,848,824</text></patcit> uses a complex system that may only correct for odd-order nonlinearities, such as IM3. It uses non-linear distortion generators driven appreciably into their non-linear regions. The compensating distortion signals are generated from the in-phase or quadrature path independently.

In <patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="US8050649B"><text>U.S. Pat. 8,050,649</text></patcit>, an RF IM2 generator is configured to only correct for mixer IM2 distortion. The '649 patent is not readily applicable to baseband signal paths and cannot be readily used to correct for both mixer baseband distortion and baseband amplifier distortion. The method of the '649 patent uses the RF signal and a non-linear distortion generator to produce an IM2 signal to sum into the baseband. Because of such summation, distortion generated in the baseband path may not be cancelled.

In <patcit id="pcit0005" dnum="US8483646B"><text>U.S. Pat. 8,483,646</text></patcit> the common-mode to differential-mode feedback is configured to correct for only IM2. The method of the '646 patent relies on the common-mode IM2 distortion products already present in the mixer output to generate a differential IM2 compensation signal. If the mixer already has low common-mode IM2 distortion products, there may not be enough IM2 input signal to generate the required output differential IM2 compensation signal.

<patcit id="pcit0006" dnum="US7876867B"><text>U.S. Pat. 7,876,867</text></patcit> represents an approach where DSP methods are used to calculate distortion components (i.e., an analog solution is not used). The method of the '867 patent uses a digital IM2 generator that calculates the squared magnitude of the I and Q signals, and generates an IM3 signal based on this digital IM2. Since the '867 patent uses a digital approach, it does not have the potential precision that is offered by calculating IM2 distortion in the analog domain. The methods of the '824, '649, and '646 patents may not allow for independent control of all of the distortion components, namely IM2, HD2, IM3, HD3. There are many older approaches that involve feed-forward or pre-distortion and make use of delay lines and couplers, which cannot be easily integrated on chip. It is with respect to these considerations and others that the present disclosure has been written.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The drawings are of illustrative embodiments. They do not illustrate all embodiments. Other embodiments may be used in addition or instead. Details that may be apparent or unnecessary may be omitted to save space or for more effective illustration. Some embodiments may be practiced with additional components or steps and/or without all of the components or steps that are illustrated. When the same numeral appears in different drawings, it refers to the same or like components or steps. <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none"><li><figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1</figref> is a block diagram of an example circuit that can provide IM2 compensation signals that may be used in a distortion compensation circuit, consistent with an exemplary embodiment.</li><li><figref idref="f0001">FIG. 2</figref> is a block diagram of an example circuit that can provide HD2 compensation signals at 0° that may be used in a distortion compensation circuit, consistent with an exemplary embodiment.</li><li><figref idref="f0002">FIG. 3</figref> is a block diagram of an example circuit that can provide HD2 compensation signals at 90° that may be used in a distortion compensation circuit, consistent with an exemplary embodiment.</li><li><figref idref="f0002">FIG. 4</figref> is a block diagram of an example circuit that can provide IM3 compensation signals at 0° that may be used in a distortion compensation circuit, consistent with an exemplary embodiment.</li><li><figref idref="f0003">FIG. 5</figref> is a block diagram of an example circuit that can provide IM3 compensation signals at 90° that may be used in a distortion compensation circuit, consistent with an exemplary embodiment.</li><li><figref idref="f0003">FIG. 6</figref> is a block diagram of an example circuit that can provide HD3 compensation signals at 0° that may be used in a distortion compensation circuit, consistent with an exemplary embodiment.</li><li><figref idref="f0004">FIG. 7</figref> is a block diagram of an example circuit that can provide HD3 compensation signals at 90° that may be used in a distortion compensation circuit, consistent with an exemplary embodiment.</li><li><figref idref="f0004">FIG. 8a</figref> is a symbolic representation of a current fold block.</li><li><figref idref="f0004">FIG. 8b</figref> is a schematic diagram of an example current fold block that may be used as the current fold block illustrated in <figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004">FIGS. 1 to 7</figref>.</li><li><figref idref="f0005">FIG. 9a</figref> is a symbolic representation of a transconductance amplifier.</li><li><figref idref="f0005">FIG. 9b</figref> is a schematic diagram of an example differential pair of transistors that may be used as the transconductance amplifier of a distortion compensation circuit, consistent with an exemplary embodiment.</li><li><figref idref="f0005">FIG. 10a</figref> is a symbolic representation of a multiplier.</li><li><figref idref="f0005">FIG. 10b</figref> is a schematic diagram of an example multiplier that may be used as the multiplier of a distortion compensation circuit, consistent with an exemplary embodiment.</li><li><figref idref="f0006">FIG. 11</figref> is a schematic diagram of an example input attenuator and voltage buffers that may be used as each of the input attenuators and voltage buffers illustrated in <figref idref="f0007">FIG. 13</figref>.</li><li><figref idref="f0006">FIG. 12</figref> is a schematic diagram of an example circuit that may be used to transform control currents into control voltages.</li><li><figref idref="f0007">FIG. 13</figref> is a block diagram of an example distortion compensation circuit.</li><li><figref idref="f0007">FIG. 14</figref> is a block diagram illustrating use of a distortion compensation circuit to linearize a demodulation circuit.</li><li><figref idref="f0008">FIG. 15</figref> is a block diagram illustrating use of a distortion compensation circuit to linearize an amplifier.</li><li><figref idref="f0008">FIG. 16</figref> is a graph of typical distortion versus a differential control current I_CD.</li></ul>

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. However, it should be apparent that the present teachings may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and/or circuitry have been described at a relatively high-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present teachings. Some embodiments may be practiced with additional components or steps and/or without all of the components or steps that are described.

The various methods and circuits disclosed herein generally relate to circuits and methods for correcting distortion for in-phase and quadrature component signals. In one aspect, a distortion compensation circuit compensates for distortion in a baseband quadrature Q signal and a corresponding baseband in-phase I signal. The distortion compensation circuit includes an in-phase I attenuator that attenuates the baseband in-phase I signal. There is an in-phase Q attenuator that attenuates the baseband quadrature Q signal. There are one or more calculation circuits that are configured to receive the attenuated in-phase I signal and the attenuated baseband Q signal. Based on these signals, the one or more calculation circuits calculate parameters, such as at least one of: IM2, HD2@0°, HD2@90°, IM3@ 0°, IM3@ 90°, HD3@0°, and HD3@90°. In one aspect, the distortion compensation circuit is configured to use the result of at least one of the calculation circuits to generate I and Q distortion compensation output signals.

In various embodiments, the distortion compensation circuit may generate the I and Q distortion compensation signals by substantially using the result of a single calculation circuit, a plurality of the calculation circuits, or all of the calculation circuits, depending on the application.

In one aspect, the circuits and methods described herein can correct or compensate for the distortion in IQ communication signal paths with substantially independent control of each distortion component. To that end the circuit may use an analog computation method to directly calculate from the I and Q signals the distortion products independently. Advantageously, in one aspect, the circuits and methods described herein are low-current and lend themselves to monolithic integration.

With the foregoing overview, it may be helpful to provide a mathematical explanation of the concepts discussed herein. In this regard, consider I and Q baseband 2-tone signals provided in equations A1 and A2 below: <maths id="math0001" num="eq. a1"><math display="block"><mrow><mi>I</mi><mo>=</mo><mi>cos</mi><mfenced separators=""><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced><mo>+</mo><mi>cos</mi><mfenced separators=""><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced></mrow></math><img file="EP3062437A2_D0001.tif" /></maths><maths id="math0002" num="eq. a2"><math display="block"><mrow><mi>Q</mi><mo>=</mo><mi>sin</mi><mfenced separators=""><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced><mo>+</mo><mi>sin</mi><mfenced separators=""><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced></mrow></math><img file="EP3062437A2_D0002.tif" /></maths>

If these base-band signals are passed through a non-linearity comprising up to 3^rd order terms, the following can be written: <maths id="math0003" num="eq. b1"><math display="block"><mrow><msub><mi>I</mi><mi mathvariant="italic">DIST</mi></msub><mo>=</mo><msub><mi>a</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mi>I</mi><mo>+</mo><msub><mi>a</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><msup><mi>I</mi><mn>2</mn></msup><mo>+</mo><msub><mi>a</mi><mn>3</mn></msub><msup><mi>I</mi><mn>3</mn></msup></mrow></math><img file="EP3062437A2_D0003.tif" /></maths>

Equation B1 can be expanded as provided in equation B2 below: <maths id="math0004" num="eq. b2"><math display="block"><mrow><mtable columnalign="left" width="auto"><mtr><mtd><msub><mi>I</mi><mi mathvariant="italic">DIST</mi></msub><mo>=</mo><mfenced separators=""><msub><mi>a</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mo>+</mo><mn>9</mn><msub><mi>a</mi><mn>3</mn></msub><mo>/</mo><mn>4</mn></mfenced><mi>cos</mi><mfenced separators=""><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced><mo>+</mo><mfenced separators=""><msub><mi>a</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mo>+</mo><mn>9</mn><msub><mi>a</mi><mn>3</mn></msub><mo>/</mo><mn>4</mn></mfenced><mi>cos</mi><mfenced separators=""><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced><mo>+</mo><msub><mi>a</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mo>+</mo></mtd></mtr><mtr><mtd><msub><mi>a</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>cos</mi><mfenced separators=""><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>t</mi><mo>−</mo><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced><mo>+</mo></mtd></mtr><mtr><mtd><msub><mi>a</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>cos</mi><mfenced separators=""><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>t</mi><mo>+</mo><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced><mo>+</mo><msub><mi>a</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>cos</mi><mfenced separators=""><mn>2</mn><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced><mo>/</mo><mn>2</mn><mo>+</mo><msub><mi>a</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>cos</mi><mfenced separators=""><mn>2</mn><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced><mo>/</mo><mn>2</mn><mo>+</mo></mtd></mtr><mtr><mtd><mn>3</mn><msub><mi>a</mi><mn>3</mn></msub><mi>cos</mi><mfenced separators=""><mn>2</mn><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mi>t</mi><mo>−</mo><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced><mo>/</mo><mn>4</mn><mo>+</mo><mn>3</mn><msub><mi>a</mi><mn>3.</mn></msub><mi>cos</mi><mfenced separators=""><mn>2</mn><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>t</mi><mo>−</mo><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced><mo>/</mo><mn>4</mn><mo>+</mo></mtd></mtr><mtr><mtd><mn>3</mn><msub><mi>a</mi><mn>3</mn></msub><mi>cos</mi><mfenced separators=""><mn>2</mn><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>t</mi><mo>+</mo><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced><mo>/</mo><mn>4</mn><mo>+</mo><mn>3</mn><msub><mi>a</mi><mn>3.</mn></msub><mi>cos</mi><mfenced separators=""><mn>2</mn><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mo>+</mo><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced><mo>/</mo><mn>4</mn><mo>+</mo><msub><mi>a</mi><mn>3</mn></msub><mi>cos</mi><mfenced separators=""><mn>3</mn><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced><mo>/</mo><mn>4</mn><mo>+</mo><msub><mi>a</mi><mn>3</mn></msub><mi>cos</mi><mfenced separators=""><mn>3</mn><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced><mo>/</mo><mn>4</mn></mtd></mtr></mtable></mrow></math><img file="EP3062437A2_D0004.tif" /></maths>

Linear and nonlinear terms may be identified as follows: <maths id="math0005" num="eq. b3"><math display="block"><mrow><mtable columnalign="left" width="auto"><mtr><mtd><msub><mi>I</mi><mi mathvariant="italic">DIST</mi></msub><mo>=</mo><mi>Linear Terms and DC Offset</mi><mo>+</mo></mtd></mtr><mtr><mtd><msup><mn>2</mn><mi>nd</mi></msup><mspace width="1em" /><mi>Order Intermodulation Term IM</mi><mn>2</mn><mo>+</mo></mtd></mtr><mtr><mtd><msup><mn>2</mn><mi>nd</mi></msup><mspace width="1em" /><mi>Order Harmonic Distortion Terms HD</mi><mn>2</mn><mo>+</mo></mtd></mtr><mtr><mtd><msup><mn>3</mn><mi>rd</mi></msup><mspace width="1em" /><mi>Order Intermodulation Terms IM</mi><mn>3</mn><mo>+</mo></mtd></mtr><mtr><mtd><msup><mn>3</mn><mi>rd</mi></msup><mspace width="1em" /><mi>Order Harmonic Distortion Terms HD</mi><mn>3</mn></mtd></mtr></mtable></mrow></math><img file="EP3062437A2_D0005.tif" /></maths>

A similar expansion can be performed for the quadrature distortion component <i>Q_DIST.</i>

Then, each of the following distortion components can be directly calculated as provided in equations 1 to 7 below: <maths id="math0006" num="eq. 1"><math display="block"><mrow><mi mathvariant="italic">IM</mi><mn>2</mn><mo>=</mo><msup><mi>I</mi><mn>2</mn></msup><mo>+</mo><msup><mi>Q</mi><mn>2</mn></msup><mo>=</mo><mn>2</mn><mi>cos</mi><mfenced separators=""><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>t</mi><mo>−</mo><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced><mo>+</mo><mn>2</mn></mrow></math><img file="EP3062437A2_D0006.tif" /></maths><maths id="math0007" num="eq. 2"><math display="block"><mrow><mi mathvariant="italic">HD</mi><mn>2</mn><mi>@</mi><mn>0</mn><mi>°</mi><mo>=</mo><msup><mi>I</mi><mn>2</mn></msup><mo>−</mo><msup><mi>Q</mi><mn>2</mn></msup><mo>=</mo><mn>2</mn><mi>cos</mi><mfenced separators=""><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>t</mi><mo>+</mo><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced><mo>+</mo><mi>cos</mi><mfenced separators=""><mn>2</mn><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced><mo>+</mo><mi>cos</mi><mfenced separators=""><mn>2</mn><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced></mrow></math><img file="EP3062437A2_D0007.tif" /></maths><maths id="math0008" num="eq. 3"><math display="block"><mrow><mi mathvariant="italic">HD</mi><mn>2</mn><mi>@</mi><mn>90</mn><mi>°</mi><mo>=</mo><mn>2</mn><mi mathvariant="italic">IQ</mi><mo>=</mo><mn>2</mn><mi>sin</mi><mfenced separators=""><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>t</mi><mo>+</mo><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced><mo>+</mo><mi>sin</mi><mfenced separators=""><mn>2</mn><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced><mo>+</mo><mi>sin</mi><mfenced separators=""><mn>2</mn><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced></mrow></math><img file="EP3062437A2_D0008.tif" /></maths><maths id="math0009" num="eq. 4"><math display="block"><mrow><mi mathvariant="italic">IM</mi><mn>3</mn><mi>@</mi><mn>0</mn><mi>°</mi><mo>=</mo><msup><mi>I</mi><mn>3</mn></msup><mo>+</mo><msup><mi>Q</mi><mn>2</mn></msup><mi>I</mi><mo>=</mo><mn>2</mn><mi>cos</mi><mfenced separators=""><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>t</mi><mo>−</mo><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced><mo>+</mo><mi>cos</mi><mfenced separators=""><mn>2</mn><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mi>t</mi><mo>−</mo><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced><mo>+</mo><mn>3</mn><mi>cos</mi><mfenced separators=""><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced><mo>+</mo><mn>3</mn><mi>cos</mi><mfenced separators=""><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced></mrow></math><img file="EP3062437A2_D0009.tif" /></maths><maths id="math0010" num="eq. 5"><math display="block"><mrow><mi mathvariant="italic">IM</mi><mn>3</mn><mi>@</mi><mn>90</mn><mi>°</mi><mo>=</mo><msup><mi>I</mi><mn>2</mn></msup><mi>Q</mi><mo>+</mo><msup><mi>Q</mi><mn>3</mn></msup><mo>=</mo><mi>sin</mi><mfenced separators=""><mn>2</mn><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>t</mi><mo>−</mo><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced><mo>+</mo><mi>sin</mi><mfenced separators=""><mn>2</mn><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mi>t</mi><mo>−</mo><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced><mo>+</mo><mn>3</mn><mi>sin</mi><mfenced separators=""><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced><mo>+</mo><mn>3</mn><mi>sin</mi><mfenced separators=""><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced></mrow></math><img file="EP3062437A2_D0010.tif" /></maths><maths id="math0011" num="eq. 6"><math display="block"><mrow><mi mathvariant="italic">HD</mi><mn>3</mn><mi>@</mi><mn>0</mn><mi>°</mi><mo>=</mo><msup><mi>I</mi><mn>3</mn></msup><mo>−</mo><mn>3</mn><msup><mi>Q</mi><mn>3</mn></msup><mi>I</mi><mo>=</mo><mn>3</mn><mi>cos</mi><mfenced separators=""><mn>2</mn><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>t</mi><mo>+</mo><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced><mo>+</mo><mn>3</mn><mi>cos</mi><mfenced separators=""><mn>2</mn><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mi>t</mi><mo>+</mo><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced><mo>+</mo><mi>cos</mi><mfenced separators=""><mn>3</mn><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced><mo>+</mo><mi>cos</mi><mfenced separators=""><mn>3</mn><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced></mrow></math><img file="EP3062437A2_D0011.tif" /></maths><maths id="math0012" num="eq. 7"><math display="block"><mrow><mi mathvariant="italic">IM</mi><mn>3</mn><mi>@</mi><mn>90</mn><mi>°</mi><mo>=</mo><mn>3</mn><msup><mi>I</mi><mn>2</mn></msup><mi>Q</mi><mo>−</mo><msup><mi>Q</mi><mn>3</mn></msup><mo>=</mo><mn>3</mn><mi>sin</mi><mfenced separators=""><mn>2</mn><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>t</mi><mo>+</mo><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced><mo>+</mo><mn>3</mn><mi>sin</mi><mfenced separators=""><mn>2</mn><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mi>t</mi><mo>+</mo><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced><mo>+</mo><mi>sin</mi><mfenced separators=""><mn>3</mn><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced><mo>+</mo><mi>sin</mi><mfenced separators=""><mn>3</mn><msub><mi>ω</mi><mn>1</mn></msub><mi>t</mi></mfenced></mrow></math><img file="EP3062437A2_D0012.tif" /></maths>

Each distortion calculation in equations 1 to 7 uses two tone I and Q elements in the analog domain to represent a distortion component. Equations 1 to 7 above have the same form as the nonlinear terms in the expanded <i>I_DIST</i> and <i>Q_DIST</i> expressions. The advantage of having isolated distortion components in each equation 1 to 7, is that, for a particular application, the distortion levels of the components may be different, and these equations show that the distortion components can be independently controlled. The equations show that the distortion components can be generated directly by algebraic operations on the in-phase and quadrature signals, whereas prior art distortion compensation signals have used non-linear distortion generators implemented with degenerated differential pairs, or DSP methods that inherently suffer from high-current consumption, have limited bandwidth, and other drawbacks.

Each of these equations can be realized at a mixer or amplifier output as combinations of multipliers and current summation or subtraction elements. The input signal level (e.g., voltage or current) can be scaled with an attenuator to provide the appropriate scaling factor for the overall distortion level. The overall distortion level may have some variation for a particular application, such as an integrated circuit, where process parameter variation and device matching may be a contributing factor. The appropriate scaling factor for the attenuator in this case may be chosen to provide a signal large enough to compensate for the worst case distortion level expected. In one embodiment, the output currents from each distortion compensation circuit are scaled for independent control of each distortion component. By scaling the output currents independently, the distortion level variation due to process parameter variation and device matching errors may be better compensated for each device.

Reference now is made to <figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004">FIGS. 1 to 7</figref>, which illustrate example embodiments of circuits that implement the functions of equations 1 to 7, respectively. Each of the <figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004">FIGS. 1 to 7</figref> includes an "I side" and a "Q side," which may be substantially similar, in some cases. In this regard, aspects of each circuit may be discussed in the context of the "I side" and not repeated for the "Q side," for brevity.

<figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1</figref> is a block diagram of an example circuit that can provide IM2 compensation signals that may be used in a distortion compensation circuit. <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1</figref> is a second order intermodulation circuit configured to calculate a second order intermodulation correction signal IM2 based on Eq. 1 above (i.e., <i>IM</i> 2 = <i>I</i>² + <i>Q</i>²).

Circuit 100 includes in phase inputs I (i.e., IP2_A2/IM2_A2 and IP2_A3/IM2_A3) and quadrature inputs Q (i.e., QP2_A3/QM2_A3 and QP2_A2/QM2_A2), where the I inputs (IP2_A2/IM2_A2 and IP2_A3/IM2_A3) and Q inputs (QP2_A3/QM2_A3 and QP2_A2/QM2_A2) may be attenuated (e.g., by use of a voltage attenuator) versions of the I and Q inputs, respectively. The I side of circuit 100 includes a transconductance block 102a, a multiplier 104a, a fold circuit 106a, and an output multiplier 108a. The multiplier 104a multiplies the two input I signals, providing at its output the I² term in equation 1. The multiplier 104b multiplies the two Q signals, providing the Q² of equation 1.

The I² term and the Q² are summed by the folding circuit 108a for the I side, and the folding circuit 108b for the Q side, thereby providing the second order intermodulation correction signal of equation 1. In one embodiment the output signals of the I side and Q side may be scaled independently by multipliers 108a and 108b, based on inputs V_IM2I and V_IM2Q, respectively. V_IM2I and V_IM2Q are differential DC control voltages that can be generated by passing a differential control current through diodes as shown in <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 12</figref>. The V_IM2I and V_IM2Q components can be adjusted independently to obtain the optimal amount and polarity of IM2 distortion to cancel the IM2 distortion present in the original I or Q signal paths. In one embodiment, the determination of the optimal amount of distortion is performed by a calibration step for the IQ signal path, wherein the IM2 component generated by a 2-tone test signal of the form shown in Eq. A1 and A2 is measured in the analog or digital domain using a measuring receiver capable of frequency selectively measuring the IM2 tone power present at the IM2 distortion frequency. Optimization algorithms could be applied to iteratively measure and reduce the IM2 level by calculating an updated control current value at each iteration.

<figref idref="f0001">FIG. 2</figref> is a block diagram of an example circuit that can provide HD2 compensation signals at 0° that may be used in a distortion compensation circuit. Circuit 200 is a second order harmonic distortion circuit configured to calculate a second order harmonic correction signal HD2@0° based on equation 2 above (i.e., <i>HD2</i>@0°=<i>I</i>²<i>-Q</i>²). The inputs and components of circuit 200 are substantially similar to those of circuit 100, and will therefore not be repeated here for brevity.

The multiplier 204a, multiplies the two input I signals, providing the I² term of equation 2. The multiplier 204b multiplies the two Q signals, providing the Q² of equation 2. Since the I² term and the Q² are coupled to the inverse polarities of folding circuits 206a and 206b, each folding circuit 108a/108b subtracts the I² and Q² signals from each other for the I side and Q side, respectively. In one embodiment the output signals of the I side and Q side may be scaled independently by multipliers 208a and 208b, based on inputs V_HD2IX and V_HD2QX, respectively.

<figref idref="f0002">FIG. 3</figref> is a block diagram of an example circuit that can provide HD2 compensation signals at 90° that may be used in a distortion compensation circuit. Circuit 300 is a second order harmonic distortion circuit configured to calculate a second order harmonic correction signal HD2@90° based on equation 3 above (i.e., <i>HD</i>2@90° = 2<i>IQ</i>). The inputs and components of circuit 300 are substantially similar to those of circuits 100 and 200, and will therefore not be repeated here for brevity.

The multiplier 304a, multiplies the input I signal by the input Q signal, providing an IQ term. Similarly multiplier 304b multiplies the input Q signal with the input I signal, providing another IQ term. Both IQ terms are summed by the folding circuits 306a and 306b, respectively, thereby providing the 2IQ term of equation 3. In one embodiment the output signals of the I side and Q side may be scaled independently by multipliers 308a and 308b, based on inputs V_HD2IY and V_HD2QY, respectively.

<figref idref="f0002">FIG. 4</figref> is a block diagram of an example circuit that can provide IM3 compensation signals at 0° that may be used in a distortion compensation circuit. Circuit 400 is a third order intermodulation circuit configured to calculate a third order intermodulation correction signal IM3@0° based on equation 4 above, (i.e., <i>IM3</i>@0° =<i>I</i>³ + <i>Q</i>²<i>I</i>)<i>.</i> Since the equation 4 is more involved, it will be understood that circuit 400 is a bit more complicated.

Circuit 400 includes in phase inputs I (i.e., IP2_A2/IM2_A2, IP2_A3/IM2_A3, and IP2_A1/IM2_A1) and quadrature inputs Q (i.e., QP2_A3/QM2_A3 and QP2_A2/QM2_A2). The I side of circuit 400 includes a transconductance block 402a, a first multiplier 404a, a second multiplier 406a, a fold circuit 408a, and an output multiplier 410a. The first multiplier 404a provides an I² output, which is multiplied by another I by the second multiplier 406a, thereby providing the I³ component of equation 4.

On the Q side, the output of the first multiplier 404b provides the Q² component. The second multiplier on the Q side 406b multiplies the Q² component by I, thereby providing the Q²I component of equation 4. The I³ and the Q²I components are summed together by the folding circuits 408a and 408b, respectively, thereby providing the third order intermodulation correction signal of equation 4. In one embodiment the output signals of the I side and Q side may be scaled independently by multipliers 410a and 410b, based on inputs V_IM3IX and V_IM3QX, respectively.

<figref idref="f0003">FIG. 5</figref> is a block diagram of an example circuit that can provide IM3 compensation signals at 90° that may be used in a distortion compensation circuit. Circuit 500 is a third order intermodulation circuit configured to calculate a third order intermodulation correction signal IM3@ 90° based on equation 5 above (i.e.,<i>IM</i>3@90°=<i>I</i>²<i>Q</i>+Q³). Circuit 500 includes in phase inputs I (i.e., IP2_A2/IM2_A2, and IP2_A3/IM2_A3) and quadrature inputs Q (i.e., QP2_A3/QM2_A3, QP2_A2/QM2_A2, and QP2_A1/QM2_A1. The components of the circuit 500 are substantially similar to those of circuit 400, and will therefore not be repeated here for brevity.

On the Q side, the first multiplier 504b provides a Q² output, which is multiplied by another Q by the second multiplier 506b, thereby providing the Q³ component of equation 5.

On the I side, the output of the first multiplier 504a provides the I² component. The second multiplier on the I side 506a multiplies the I² component by Q, thereby providing the I²Q component of equation 5. The Q³ and the I²Q components are summed together by the folding circuits 508a and 508b, respectively, thereby providing the third order intermodulation correction signal of equation 5. In one embodiment the output signals of the I side and Q side may be scaled independently by multipliers 510a and 510b, based on inputs V_IM3IY and U_IM3QY, respectively.

<figref idref="f0003">FIG. 6</figref> is a block diagram of an example circuit that can provide HD3 compensation signals at 0° that may be used in a distortion compensation circuit. Circuit 600 is a third order harmonic distortion circuit configured to calculate a third order harmonic correction signal HD3@0° based on equation 6 above (i.e., <i>HD3</i>@0°=<i>I</i>³-3<i>Q</i>²<i>I</i>).

Circuit 600 includes in phase inputs I (i.e., IP2_A2/IM2_A2, IP2_A3/IM2_A3, IP2_A1/IM2_A1, and IP1_A1/IM1_A1) and quadrature inputs Q (i.e., QP1_A3/QM1_A3 and QP1_A2/QM1_A2). The components of the circuit 600 are substantially similar to those of circuits 400 and 500, and will therefore not be repeated here for brevity.

On the I side, the first multiplier 604a provides an I² output, which is multiplied by another I by the second multiplier 606a, thereby providing the I³ component of equation 6.

On the Q side, the signals are provided by a Q-side attenuator that provides signals that are greater than the I-side signals by a factor of 3^(1/3). Accordingly, the first multiplier 604b on the Q side calculates 3^(1/3)Q *3^(1/3)Q = 3^(2/3)Q². The second multiplier 606b on the Q side calculates 3^(1/3)I *3^(2/3)Q² = 3IQ², thereby providing the remaining component of equation 6. Since the I³ term and the 3IQ² are coupled to the inverse polarities of folding circuits 608a and 608b, each folding circuit 608a/608b subtracts the I³ and 3IQ² signals from each other for the I side and Q side, respectively.

In one embodiment the output signals of the I side and Q side may be scaled independently by multipliers 610a and 610b, based on inputs V_HD3IX and V_HD3QX, respectively. It is noted that the attenuator connections such as M1 or P1 are 3^(1/3) larger in magnitude than the M2 or P2 signals, so that a signal like IM1A1 is 3^A(1/3) times greater than IM2A1.

<figref idref="f0004">FIG. 7</figref> is a block diagram of an example circuit that can provide HD3 compensation signals at 90° that may be used in a distortion compensation circuit. Circuit 700 is a third order harmonic distortion circuit configured to calculate a third order harmonic correction signal HD3@90° based on equation 7 above (i.e., <i>HD</i>3@90°=3<i>I</i>²<i>Q-Q</i>³).

Circuit 700 includes in phase inputs I (i.e., IP1_A2/IM1_A2, and IP1_A3/IM1_A3) and quadrature inputs Q (i.e., QP2_A3/QM2_A3, QP2_A2/QM2_A2, QP2_A1/QM2_A1, and QP1_A1/QM1_A1). The components of the circuit 700 are substantially similar to those of circuit 600, and will therefore not be repeated here for brevity.

On the Q side, the first multiplier 704b provides a Q² output, which is multiplied by another I by the second multiplier 706b, thereby providing the Q³ component of equation 7. In one embodiment, the quadrature Q attenuator attenuates the baseband quadrature Q signal such that it is greater than the attenuated baseband quadrature Q signal by a factor of 3^(1/3).

On the I side, the signals are provided by an I-side attenuator that provides signals that are greater than the Q-side signals by a factor of 3^(1/3). So the first multiplier 704a on the Q side calculates 3^(1/3)I * 3^(1/3)I = 3^(2/3)I². The second multiplier 706a on the I side calculates 3^(1/3)Q * 3^(2/3)I² = 3QI², thereby providing the remaining component of equation 7. Since the Q³ term and the 3QI² are coupled to the inverse polarities of folding circuits 708a and 708b, each folding circuit 708a/708b subtracts the I³ and 3QI² signals from each other for the I side and Q side, respectively.

In one embodiment the output signals of the I side and Q side may be scaled independently by multipliers 710a and 710b, based on inputs V_HD3IY and V_HD3QY, respectively. In essence, circuit 700 is substantially similar to circuit 600, except that the circuit has been flipped between the I side and Q side.

Accordingly, it has been shown that <figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004">FIGS. 1 to 7</figref> show block level schematics of an example implementation of each of the equations 1-7, respectively. In each of the figures, the blocks named "g_m" may each be transconductance amplifiers, such as the one discussed later in the context of in <figref idref="f0005">FIG.9b</figref>. The blocks marked with an X may each be multipliers, such as the one discussed in more detail later in the context of <figref idref="f0005">FIG. 10b</figref>. The blocks named "FOLD" may each be current folds, such as the one discussed in more detail in the context of <figref idref="f0004">FIG. 8b</figref>.

<figref idref="f0004">FIG. 8a</figref> is a symbol of a current fold block and <figref idref="f0004">FIG. 8b</figref> is an example schematic diagram of the symbol of <figref idref="f0004">FIG. 8a</figref>. Circuit 800 illustrates, by way of example, a circuit that may be used as the current fold block illustrated in <figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004">FIGS. 1 to 7</figref>. Circuit 800 includes a left side and a right side, which are mutually similar. The two halves can be viewed as single-ended circuits that have been mated together to form a differential configuration. Accordingly, resistor R1 (804a), transistor Q1 (806a), and current source I1 (808a) may be matched by R2 (804b), Q2 (806b), and I2 (808b), respectively. A differential current impressed on nodes I_INP and I_INM may be folded and output through nodes I_OUTP and I_OUTM. For example, the current provided at output node IOUTP is substantially similar to the current at the emitter of transistor Q1 (806a). The same is true on the right side of the circuit 800.

Voltage bias point V_BFOLD may be set so that the common mode voltage of the input nodes (i.e., I_INP and I_INM) does not cause the preceding transistors (i.e., Q1 and Q2, respectively) to saturate. For example, resistors R1/R2 may be configured to provide about a 500mV drop from the positive rail 810 (which may be Vcc for bipolar, Vdd for FET, or any other suitable voltage). Accordingly, the voltage at the common node V_BFOLD may be about 1.2V below the positive rail 810, due to the diode voltage drop from transistors Q1 and Q2, respectively.

<figref idref="f0005">FIG. 9a</figref> is a symbol of a transconductance amplifier and <figref idref="f0005">FIG. 9b</figref> is a schematic diagram of an example differential pair of transistors that may be used as the transconductance amplifier illustrated in <figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004">FIGS. 1 to 7</figref>. In the example of circuit 900, two transistors 904a and 904b share a common node at each emitter, respectively, which is coupled to a current source 906. In one embodiment, the transconductance g_m may be equal to I1/(2V_T), where V_T is the transistor thermal voltage.

<figref idref="f0005">FIG. 10a</figref> is a symbol of a multiplier and <figref idref="f0005">FIG. 10b</figref> is a schematic diagram of an example multiplier that may be used as the multiplier illustrated in <figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004">FIGS. 1 to 7</figref>. Circuit 1000 includes a first pair of transistors 1004 and 1006 sharing a common node at their collector. There is a second pair of transistors 1008 and 1010 sharing a common node at their emitter. The collector of transistor 1004 is coupled to the collector of transistor 1010, providing the I_OUTP node. The collector of transistor 1006 is coupled to the collector of transistor 1008, providing the I_OUTM node. A differential voltage at V_INP, V_INM may commutate a differential current at I_INP, I_INM to the outputs I_OUTP, I_OUTM. In one embodiment, the output current may be provided by equation 8: <maths id="math0013" num="eq. 8"><math display="block"><mrow><msub><mi mathvariant="italic">I</mi><mi mathvariant="italic">OUTP</mi></msub><mo>−</mo><msub><mi mathvariant="italic">I</mi><mi mathvariant="italic">OUTM</mi></msub><mo>=</mo><mfenced separators=""><msub><mi mathvariant="italic">I</mi><mi mathvariant="italic">INP</mi></msub><mo>−</mo><msub><mi mathvariant="italic">I</mi><mi mathvariant="italic">INM</mi></msub></mfenced><mi>tanh</mi><mfenced open="[" close="]" separators=""><mfenced separators=""><msub><mi mathvariant="italic">V</mi><mi mathvariant="italic">INP</mi></msub><mo>−</mo><msub><mi mathvariant="italic">V</mi><mi mathvariant="italic">INM</mi></msub></mfenced><mo>/</mo><mfenced separators=""><mn>2</mn><msub><mi>V</mi><mi>T</mi></msub></mfenced></mfenced></mrow></math><img file="EP3062437A2_D0013.tif" /></maths>

<figref idref="f0006">FIG. 11</figref> is a schematic diagram of an example input attenuator and voltage buffer circuit, which is sometimes referred to herein as an "attenuator." Circuit 1100 may be used, for example, to attenuate the baseband in-phase I signal of a distortion compensation circuit. It may also be used to attenuate the baseband quadrature signal. An example application will be illustrated later in the context of <figref idref="f0007">FIG. 13</figref>.

Circuit 1100 includes resistors R1 (1102), R2 (1104), R3 (1106), R4 (1108), and R5 (1110) connected in series. Circuit 1100 also includes transistors Q1 (1120), Q2 (1122), Q3 (1124), Q4 (1126), Q5 (1128), Q6 (1130), Q7 (1132), and Q8 (1134), which are each configured as emitter followers, having each emitter coupled to a corresponding current source (i.e., I1 (1140) to I8 (1154), respectively).

In one embodiment, the resistance pairs R1 / R5 and R2 / R4 match. The values of the resistances may be adjusted such that the voltage signal at the P1, M1 nodes is ³√3 times larger than the voltage signal at the P2, M2 nodes. The attenuator factor ³√3 may be chosen in order to implement the factor 3 in equations 6 and 7, since three signals are being multiplied together. In one embodiment, resistances R2 and R4 are set to be 0.2211 times the value of R3 to obtain this ³√3 factor.

Resistances R1 and R5 may be set to control the amount of signal attenuation for a desired range of distortion to be generated by the distortion compensation sub-blocks. Matched transistors Q1 to Q8 along with their associated current sources may be voltage buffers used for level shifting of the voltage signals from the attenuator to suitable bias points for the operation of the compensation circuits.

<figref idref="f0006">FIG. 12</figref> is a schematic diagram of an example circuit that may be used to transform control currents into control voltages. Circuit 1200 includes a left half and a right half that are mutually similar. The two halves can be viewed as single-ended circuits that have been mated together to form a differential configuration of current to voltage circuit.

Each half includes a diode connected transistor (1202a and 1202b, respectively) that is coupled to a current source (1204a and 1204b, respectively). Accordingly, circuit 1200 is a diode pre-distortion circuit that can be used to transform control currents to control voltages at each of the output multipliers of the compensation circuits. If <i>I_CP</i> =<i>I</i>₀ +<i>I_CD</i>/2, and <i>I_CM</i> =<i>I</i>₀<i>-I_CD</i>/2 are substituted, where <i>I</i>₀=(<i>I_CP</i>+<i>I_CM</i>)/2, the control voltage outputs can be written in terms of the control current inputs as provided in equation 9 below: <maths id="math0014" num="eq. 9"><math display="block"><mrow><msub><mi mathvariant="italic">V</mi><mi mathvariant="italic">CP</mi></msub><mo>−</mo><msub><mi mathvariant="italic">V</mi><mi mathvariant="italic">CM</mi></msub><mo>=</mo><mn>2</mn><msub><mi>V</mi><mi>T</mi></msub><mi>arctan</mi><mi>h</mi><mfenced open="[" close="]" separators=""><msub><mi>I</mi><mi mathvariant="italic">CD</mi></msub><mo>/</mo><mfenced separators=""><mn>2</mn><msub><mi>I</mi><mn>0</mn></msub></mfenced></mfenced></mrow></math><img file="EP3062437A2_D0014.tif" /></maths>

When circuit 1200 is used with the multiplier of <figref idref="f0005">FIG. 10</figref>, equation 8 may be modified to become: <maths id="math0015" num="eq. 10"><math display="block"><mrow><msub><mi mathvariant="italic">I</mi><mi mathvariant="italic">OUTP</mi></msub><mo>−</mo><msub><mi mathvariant="italic">I</mi><mi mathvariant="italic">OUTM</mi></msub><mo>=</mo><mfenced separators=""><msub><mi mathvariant="italic">I</mi><mi mathvariant="italic">INP</mi></msub><mo>−</mo><msub><mi mathvariant="italic">I</mi><mi mathvariant="italic">INM</mi></msub></mfenced><msub><mi>I</mi><mi mathvariant="italic">CD</mi></msub><mo>/</mo><mfenced separators=""><mn>2</mn><msub><mi>I</mi><mn>0</mn></msub></mfenced></mrow></math><img file="EP3062437A2_D0015.tif" /></maths>

<figref idref="f0007">FIG. 13</figref> is a block diagram of an example distortion compensation circuit. Distortion compensation circuit 1300 includes an in-phase I attenuator 1302 that is configured to attenuate the baseband in-phase I signal. There is an in-phase Q attenuator 1304 configured to attenuate the baseband Q signal. In the example of the distortion compensation circuit 1300, the I signal comprises differential signals IP and IM and the Q signal comprises differential signals QP and QM. The attenuators were described by way of example in the context of the discussion of <figref idref="f0006">FIG. 11</figref>.

In various embodiments, circuit 1300 may include one or more of the circuits that are represented by blocks 1310 to 1322, which are configured to receive the attenuated in-phase I signal and the attenuated baseband Q signal. Each of the circuits 1310 to 1322 is configured to implement the functions of equations 1 to 7 above, respectively.

For example, circuit 1310 is a second order intermodulation circuit configured to calculate a second order intermodulation correction signal IM2 based on <i>IM</i>2=<i>I</i>²+<i>Q</i>²<i>.</i>

Circuit 1312 is a second order harmonic distortion circuit configured to calculate a second order harmonic correction signal HD2@0° based on <i>HD2</i>@0° = <i>I</i>² - <i>Q</i>².

Circuit 1314 is a second order harmonic distortion circuit configured to calculate a second order harmonic correction signal HD2@90° based on <i>HD2@</i>90° = 2<i>IQ</i>.

Circuit 1316 is a third order intermodulation circuit configured to calculate a third order intermodulation correction signal IM3@0°based on <i>IM</i>3@0°=<i>I</i>³ +<i>Q</i>²<i>I.</i>

Circuit 1318 is a third order intermodulation circuit configured to calculate a third order intermodulation correction signal IM3@90°based on <i>IM</i>3@90°=<i>I²Q</i>+<i>Q</i>³.

Circuit 1320 is a third order harmonic distortion circuit configured to calculate a third order harmonic correction signal HD3@0° based on <i>HD</i>3@0°=<i>I</i>³-3<i>Q</i>²<i>I.</i>

Circuit 1322 is a third order harmonic distortion circuit configured to calculate a third order harmonic correction signal HD3@90° based on <i>HD</i>3@90° =3<i>I</i>²<i>Q-Q</i>³.

The distortion compensation circuit 1300 is configured to use the result of at least one of the calculation circuits 1310 to 1322 to generate an I distortion compensation signal (represented by differential signals IP/IM) at a first output, and a Q distortion compensation signal (represented by differential signals QP/QM) at a second output.

With the foregoing explanation of the distortion compensation circuit 1300, it may be useful to provide some of the many practical implementations of the distortion compensation circuits and techniques discussed herein. To that end, <figref idref="f0007">FIG. 14</figref> is a block diagram illustrating use of a distortion compensation circuit 1402 to linearize a demodulation circuit 1400. In one embodiment, the distortion compensation block 1402is the circuit illustrated in <figref idref="f0007">FIG. 13</figref>. Each R_LOAD(i.e., 1410a/b and 1412a/b) may be a load resistor. Each circled "X" may be a multiplier circuit (e.g., 1420a and 1420b), such as the one illustrated in <figref idref="f0005">FIG. 10b</figref>. Each transconductance unit (e.g., 1430a and 1430b) may be a transconductance circuit similar to that of <figref idref="f0005">FIG. 9b</figref>

<figref idref="f0008">FIG. 15</figref> is a block diagram illustrating use of a distortion compensation circuit 1502 to linearize an amplifier 1500. In one embodiment, the distortion compensation block 1502 is the circuit illustrated in <figref idref="f0007">FIG. 13</figref>. The amplifier 1500 comprises amplifiers 1530a and 1530b that may each be differential linear amplifiers. Each R_LOAD(i.e., 1510a/b and 1512a/b) may be a load resistor.

<figref idref="f0008">FIG. 16</figref> is a graph of typical distortion vs a differential control current I_CD. The control current I_CD may be better understood in view of <figref idref="f0006">FIG. 12</figref>, where I_CD represents the differential current between V_CP and V_CM. By way of example, <figref idref="f0008">FIG.16</figref> illustrates a typical response of one of the distortion components (e.g., IM2, HD2, IM3, and HD3), versus a corresponding differential control current I_CD as in <figref idref="f0006">FIG.12</figref>. Accordingly, <figref idref="f0008">FIG. 16</figref> illustrates that, at a calculated ICD, there is a spot where the distortion is reduced most effectively.

The components, steps, features, objects, benefits, and advantages that have been discussed are merely illustrative. None of them, nor the discussions relating to them, are intended to limit the scope of protection in any way. Numerous other embodiments are also contemplated. These include embodiments that have fewer, additional, and/or different components, steps, features, objects, benefits, and/or advantages. These also include embodiments in which the components and/or steps are arranged and/or ordered differently.

For example, any signal discussed herein may be scaled, buffered, scaled and buffered, converted to another mode (e.g., voltage, current, charge, time, etc.,), or converted to another state (e.g., from HIGH to LOW and LOW to HIGH) without materially changing the underlying control method. Further, higher order distortion products could be compensated for by using this same method. The use of more multipliers and/or different attenuation factors could be used to calculate the result of more complicated equations for higher order distortions such as IM5 HD4 HD5, etc.

In one example, the NPN transistors in <figref idref="f0005 f0006">FIGS. 9 to 12</figref>, could be replaced by NMOS transistors, and the PNP transistors of <figref idref="f0004">FIG. 8</figref> could be replaced with PMOS transistors. In other embodiments, the circuits could be reconfigured to use PNP transistors instead of NPN transistors (and PMOS transistors instead of NMOS) while still adhering to the principles of the subject matter disclosed herein.

Still further, the circuits shown in <figref idref="f0004 f0005">FIGS. 8 to 10</figref> could have their basic function implemented or improved in numerous ways. For example, the transconductor of <figref idref="f0005">FIG. 9</figref> could be made more linear by using an emitter degeneration resistance. This may be desirable if the input signals were larger because less attenuation was chosen. A pre-distortion circuit such as that illustrated by <figref idref="f0006">FIG.12</figref> could be used at the multiplier inputs from the attenuator in order to obtain a more linear response for larger input signals.

Even though the "loads" discussed herein are illustrated as resistors, other types of devices that include a resistance, including bipolar and MOS devices, are contemplated as well. Also, the circuits herein can be reconfigured to use current sinks instead of current sources. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only in terms of the appended claims.

Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, and other specifications that are set forth in this specification, are approximate, not exact. They are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistent with the functions to which they relate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain.

Except as stated immediately above, nothing that has been stated or illustrated is intended or should be interpreted to cause a dedication of any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent to the public, regardless of whether it is or is not recited in the claims.

All articles, patents, patent applications, and other publications that have been cited in this disclosure are incorporated herein by reference.

It will be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions with respect to their corresponding respective areas of inquiry and study except where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein. Relational terms such as "first" and "second" and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual relationship or order between them. The terms "comprises," "comprising," and any other variation thereof when used in connection with a list of elements in the specification or claims are intended to indicate that the list is not exclusive and that other elements may be included. Similarly, an element preceded by an "a" or an "an" does not, without further constraints, preclude the existence of additional elements of the identical type.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.