Analog Devices AFDF7021 Installation and operating instructions

AN-1258
APPLICATION NOTE
One Technology Way •P. O . Box 9106 •Norwood, MA 02062-9106, U.S.A. •Tel: [phone] •Fax: [phone] •www.analog.com
Image Rejection Calibration on the ADF7021, ADF7021-N, and ADF7021-V
by Michael Dalton
Rev. 0 | Page 1 of 12
INTRODUCTION
Heterodyne radios, such as the ADF7021 family of transceivers,
use a mixer to downconvert received RF signals to an inter-
mediate frequency (IF). The output of the mixer contains the
wanted frequency component along with an unwanted
component at the image frequency. Unwanted signals present
at the image frequency may cause desensitization of the
receiver, resulting in loss of signal on the wanted channel.
In theory, transceivers employing an IQ receive architecture
can be configured to infinitely reject the effect of the image
frequency. This theory assumes that the gain balance and the
phase orthogonality of the mixer quadrature paths are perfectly
aligned. In practice, some imbalance exists due to imperfections
in the mixer. The image calibration process adjusts the gain and
phase of the mixer via a digital control register until the
quadrature signals are optimally balanced, providing maximum
image rejection.
This application note provides information on the mechanism
which generates the image frequency and describes how image
calibration can be implemented on the ADF7021, ADF7021-N,
and ADF7021-V.
ABBREVIATIONS
The following abbreviations are used in this application note:
•Intermediate frequency (IF)
•In-phase and quadrature components of a signal (IQ)
•Image rejection (IR)
•Radio frequency (RF)
•Received signal strength indication (RSSI)
Figure 1. Image Calibration Functional Block Diagram
INTERNAL
SIGNAL
SOURCE
MUX
RFIN
RFINB LNA
AGC_MODE
LNA_GAIN
LNA_CURRENT (BIAS)
IR_CAL_SOURCE ÷ 2
IR_CAL_SOURCE_DRIVE_LEVE L
FILTER_GAIN
IF_BW
IR_GAIN_ADJUST_UP/DN
IR_GAIN_ADJUST_IQ
IR_GAIN_ADJUST_MAG
IR_PHASE_ADJUST_DIRECTION
IR_PHASE_ADJUST_MAG
ADF7021/ADF7021-N/ADF7021-V
POLYPHASE
IF FILTER
PHASE ADJUST
GAIN ADJUST
IQ
FROM LO
GAINADJUST
REGISTER 5
PHASE ADJUST
REGISTER 5
SERIAL
INTERFACE
4
MICROCONTROLLER
4
RSSI/
LOG AMP
7-BIT ADC
RSSI READBACK
I/Q GAIN/PHASE ADJUST AND
RSSI MEASUREMENT
ALGORITHM
11774-003

AN-1258 Application Note
Rev. 0 | Page 2 of 12
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction ...................................................................................... 1
Abbreviations .................................................................................... 1
Revision History ............................................................................... 2
Implementing Image Calibration ................................................... 3
Image Frequency Mechanism..................................................... 3
Image Calibration Overview....................................................... 3
Register Settings............................................................................ 4
Internal Tone Setup.......................................................................5
Brute Force Sweep .............................................................................7
Gradient Descent Algorithm Overview .........................................9
Gradient Descent Algorithm Terminating Conditions............. 10
Other Considerations .................................................................... 11
REVISION HISTORY
11/13—Revision 0: Initial Version

Application Note AN-1258
Rev. 0 | Page 3 of 12
IMPLEMENTING IMAGE CALIBRATION
IMAGE FREQUENCY MECHANISM
Figure 2 shows two signals applied to the input of a quadrature
receiver.
Figure 2. Quadrature Receiver
On the ADF7021 series of parts, the intermediate frequency,
ωIF, is set at 100 kHz. Equation1 describes this mechanism.
   = =100 kHz (1)
If another signal is present at ωIMG, 200 kHz below ωLO, a signal
is also be generated at −ωIF which interferes with the wanted
signal at +ωIF. This is the image frequency. Equation 2 describes
this mechanism.
   = =100 kHz (2)
Figure 3 shows the relative location of these frequencies.
In theory, the image frequency component can be infinitely
rejected if the gain balance and phase orthogonality between
the I and Q paths are perfectly aligned. The image calibration
procedure identifies gain and phase settings which optimally
match the quadrature paths.
Figure 3. Frequencies for the ADF7021 Series of Parts
IMAGE CALIBRATION OVERVIEW
Image calibration is carried out by applying a tone at the image
frequency, monitoring the amplitude, and attenuating using the
gain and phase adjust register settings.
Figure 1 gives an overview of the image calibration functional
block on the ADF7021 series of parts. The RSSI is read back via
the 7-bit on-chip ADC. The gain and phase are adjusted with a
digital register write to Register 5 and the RSSI readback is
repeated.
This process is repeated until gain and phase values are
identified which result in a minimum RSSI value.
A tone can be applied at the image frequency using an external
signal source or an internally generated tone. The method
for generating an internal tone is explained in detail in this
application note.
Identifying the optimum gain and phase values can be achieved
using a brute force method or the gradient descent algorithm.
The brute force method is simply an exhaustive sweep of all
possible gain and phase values. The gradient descent algorithm
is a tested algorithm for finding the RSSI minimum in fewer
operations than a brute force sweep. This algorithm is explained
in detail in this application note.
cos (ω
SIG
) + cos (ω
IMG
)
cos (ω
LO
)
sin (ω
LO
)
I
Q
11774-001
11774-002
100kHz
–100kHz DC 100kHz
(ωIF)
100kHz
ωIMG ωLO
ωIMG – ωLO
ωSIG – ωLO
ωSIG

AN-1258 Application Note
Rev. 0 | Page 4 of 12
REGISTER SETTINGS
Table 1 gives an overview of the primary registers adjusted during the calibration process. Recommended values are provided in the Notes
column of this table. The parameters are also displayed in Figure 3.
Table 1. Register Settings
Setting Register Notes
Tx/Rx R0_DB27 This sets the device in Tx or Rx mode. The required setting is Receive (Decimal 1).
IR_CAL_SOURCE ÷ 2 R6_DB30 This affects the power of the internal tone. The recommended setting is On
(Decimal 1).
IR_CAL_SOURCE_DRIVE_LEVEL R6_DB[28:29] This affects the power of the internal tone. The recommended setting is High
(Decimal 3).
IR_GAIN_ADJUST_UP/DN R5_DB31 This determines whether the level applied is a gain or attenuation. It is
recommended to use only Attenuate (Decimal 1).
IR_GAIN_ADJUST_I/Q R5_DB30 This sets whether the gain adjust is applied to either the I Channel (Decimal 0) or
Q Channel (Decimal 1).
IR_GAIN_ADJUST_MAG R5_DB[25:29]In attenuate mode, only 4 gain adjust level bits (Settings 0 to 15) are used. In
gain mode, all 5 bits (Settings 0 to 31) can be used. However, the results wrap
around with 5 bits and, thus,this is not recommended.
IR_PHASE_ADJUST_DIRECTION R5_DB24 This sets whether the phase adjust is applied to either the I Channel (Decimal 0)
or Q Channel (Decimal 1).
IR_PHASE_ADJUST_MAG R5_DB[20:23]This sets the level of phase adjust.
IF_CAL_COARSE R5_DB4 This sets to Do Cal (Decimal 1). Fine calibration is not necessary.
AGC_MODE R9_DB[18:19]This sets to Manual (Decimal 1) during calibration.
LNA_GAIN R9_DB[20:21]The optimum setting with external tone depends on the power of the tone
applied. The recommended setting when using the internal tone is Low
(Decimal 0). This ensures that the impact of external noise at the image
frequency picked up at the antenna is minimized. Although the tone is injected
after the LNA, this setting still affects the power of the internal tone. The LNA
gain should only be increased as a last resort when trying to increase the power
of the internal tone.
FILTER_GAIN R9_DB[22:23]This affects the power of the internal and external tone. The optimum setting
depends on the power of the external tone applied or the configuration of the
internal source power level.
LNA_CURRENT (BIAS) R9_DB[26:27] The default value for this is Default (Decimal 0). In cases where the internal tone
is used, this should be increased to High (Decimal 3). This provides isolation
from any noise present on the RFIN pins which could distort the calibration.
DEMOD_CLK_DIVIDE R3_DB[6:9] Sets the DEMOD_CLK, that is, the fundamental frequency of the internal tone.
Setting this to the minimum value possible results in a stronger tone.
Depending on the value of XTAL, it may be necessary to increase this value to
generate a tone near the frequency of operation.
IF_BW R4_DB[30:31] Set this to the Widest Setting (Decimal 2).

Application Note AN-1258
Rev. 0 | Page 5 of 12
INTERNAL TONE SETUP
The internal tone is generated from integer multiples of the
DEMOD_CLK. The power of the tone varies with the reference
crystal and the RF band used. Therefore, some evaluation is
required to derive the optimum settings for generating the tone.
The aim of the evaluation is to generate a tone strong enough to
provide a significant swing in RSSI when the sweep of gain and
phase is carried out.
Table 1outlines the register settings to adjust to generate
the tone. This section of the application note describes the
mechanism and method for generating the tone.
  =

__
   =__ ×
where N= 1, 2, 3, and so on, or
   =
_
2×
when IR CAL SOURCE ÷ 2 = ON.
The ADF7021 family of transceivers should be programmed to
the following:
7021  =   +200 kHz
It is recommended to keep the DEMOD_CLK_DIVIDE value
low to produce stronger tones. Odd harmonics also generate a
stronger tone (where N= 1, 3, 5, and so on).
For example, consider the following:
RF Band = 868 MHz
XTAL = 19.68 MHz
DEMOD_CLK_DIVIDE =2
IR_CAL_SOURCE ÷ 2=ON
 =19.68 MHz
2= 9.84 MHz
  =9.84 MHz
2= 4.92 MHz
when N= 177 and Internal RF Tone = 870.84 MHz.
Program the transceiver to
870.84 MHz +200 kHz =871.04 MHz
Although the internal tone is not produced at precisely
868 MHz, results taken at 870.84 MHz are a good estimate of
the optimum calibration values at 868 MHz. Always select the
odd harmonic which is closest to the center of the operating
band.
Having defined the registers as outlined in Table 1, follow the
steps outlined in Figure 4 to set up the internal tone. At the
steps in the flowchart labeled TONE PRESENT?, execute a
readback of the RSSI. Figure 5 gives more detail on this step.
When an RSSI readback is executed, a value between 0 to 80
is read back from the ADC. It is not necessary to convert this
to an RSSI value in decibels referenced to 1 milliwatt (dBm)
although the methods for this are explained in the product
data sheet.
An ADC value of 0 can be considered a weak tone whereas 80 is
a strong tone.
As highlighted in the flowchart, when deciding whether a
suitable tone has been generated, the RSSI should be read back
with the device programmed to extreme ends of the I/Q range.
This accounts for the possibility that the RSSI minimum lies
near the current I/Q setting, which could mislead the user into
concluding that a weak tone is present.
It is recommended to readback the RSSI value several times
and calculate an average. The flowchart specifies 10 readings,
but this can be reduced, if necessary, with the trade-off that
accuracy near the minimum will be reduced.
Ideally, uncalibrated readback values are in the range of 60 to
80. This ensures a sufficient swing in values when searching for
the minimum RSSI. If successive RSSI readbacks are yielding
inconsistent results varying between 0 and 30, it is probable
that there is only noise present on the receiver. There are steps
outlined on the right side of the flowchart in Figure 4 to correct
this situation and increase the power of the tone.

AN-1258 Application Note
Rev. 0 | Page 6 of 12
Figure 4. Internal Tone Setup
Figure 5. Procedure for Determining if a Tone is Present
START
END
NO
YES
WRITE TO REGISTER 1
(DELAY 700µs) INCREASE
IR_CAL_SOURCE_DRIVE_LEVEL
TO HIGH (DECIMAL3)
SET UPREGISTERS WITH
DIFFERENT HARMONICS.
TRY SETTING
IR_CAL_SOURCE ÷ 2
TO DECIMAL0
INCREASE LNA_GAIN
TO HIGH (DECIMAL2)
WRITE TO REGISTER 3
SETS DEMOD CLOCK
WRITE TO REGISTER 9
SETS AGC MODE, LNA_CURRENT,
LNA, AND FILTER GAIN
TONE
PRESENT?
WRITE TO REGISTER 0
SETS ADF7021 RF
(DELAY 40µs)
WRITE TO REGISTER 4
WRITE TO REGISTER 5
EXECUTES FILTER CALIBRATION
SET GAIN = 15, PHASE = 15
ON Q CHANNEL
(DELAY 40µs)
NO
YES TONE
PRESENT?
NO
YES TONE
PRESENT?
11774-004
START
END
READBACK RSSI
(AVERAGE OVER 10 READBACKS)
SET GAINAND PHASE
TO 15 ON Q CHANNEL
SET GAINAND PHASE
TO 15 ON I CHANNEL
NO
YES
NO
YES
RSSI > 60? ALREADY
CHECKED
I CHANNEL?
11774-005

Application Note AN-1258
Rev. 0 | Page 7 of 12
BRUTE FORCE SWEEP
Figure 6 outlines a suggested method for sweeping all I and Q,
gain and phase values. The resulting array contains 31 × 31 =
961 RSSI values. The minimum value represents the optimum
settings.
Note that if gain mode is used, instead of attenuate mode, the
resulting array will be 63 × 31 = 1953 RSSI values. However, in
this mode, the results wrap around and there will be two
identical minimums on the 2D surface. Thus, there is no benefit
in using gain mode.
Figure 7 shows an example array of results obtained using the
IR_Sweep_Cal software, available from Analog Devices, Inc.,
installed with the evaluation software.
Figure 6. Brute Force Procedure
START
END
NO
YES
DECREMENT GAIN,
RECORD RSSI
SET IR_GAIN_ADJUST_I/Q = I CHANNEL(DECIMAL0)
SET IR_GAIN_ADJUST_UP/DN = ATTENUATE (DECIMAL1)
SET IR_GAIN_ADJUST_I/Q = Q CHANNEL(DECIMAL1)
SET IR_GAIN_ADJUST_MAG = (DECIMAL15)
SET IR_PHASE_ADJUST_DIRECTION = Q CHANNEL(DECIMAL1)
SET IR_PHASE_ADJUST_MAG = (DECIMAL15)
RECORD RSSI
INCREMENT GAIN
RECORD RSSI
INCREMENT PHASE
SET IR_GAIN_ADJUST_I/Q =
Q CHANNEL(DECIMAL0)
RECORD RSSI
SET IR_PHASE_ADJUST_DIRECTION
= I CHANNEL(DECIMAL0)
GAIN = 0?
NO
NO
NO
YES
YES
YES
YES
GAIN = 15?
PHASE = 15? PHASE = 0?
PHASE SET
TO Q CHANNEL?
11774-006

AN-1258 Application Note
Rev. 0 | Page 8 of 12
Figure 7. Brute Force Example Results
11774-007

Application Note AN-1258
Rev. 0 | Page 9 of 12
GRADIENT DESCENT ALGORITHM OVERVIEW
This algorithm is a more efficient alternative to performing a
brute force sweep. Calculating the gradient for a point on the
2D surface creates a vector towards the optimum calibration
value. The algorithm works on an iterative basis. Initial
conditions must be supplied as a starting coordinate on the
control surface. The gradient for the starting point is measured
and based on its magnitude and sign, the next point is chosen
to be equal to the starting point or 1 unit away from it. This
gradient measurement procedure is repeated until the
terminating conditions are satisfied.
An example of a single iteration is described here and illustrated
in Figure 8. Consider Point A as the starting point of the
iteration.
To measure the gradient in the x (gain) axis, the x-axis value is
increased by 1 to Point B. The image signal power is measured
at Point B and is referred to as IPB.
The gain gradient is calculated as ΔGain = IPA − IPB.
To measure the gradient in the y (phase) axis, the y-axis value is
increased by 1 to Point C. The image signal power is measured
at Point C and is referred to as IPC.
The phase gradient is calculated as ΔPhase = IPA− IPC.
If the image rejection at Point B is better than Point A, then
ΔGain > 0 and the gain should be increased by 1. If ΔGain < 0,
the gain should be decreased by 1. In the case where |ΔGain| <<
|ΔPhase|, the gain gradient is not significant when compared to
the phase gradient and the gain coordinate is left unchanged.
The same logic for the gain gradient is applied for calculating
the phase gradient. Assuming the terminating conditions have
not been met, the starting point in the next iteration could be
any of the eight coordinates surrounding Point A.
The flowchart in Figure 9 describes these steps in detail.
Figure 8. One Iteration of the Gradient Descent Algorithm
A B
C
GAIN AXIS
PHASE AXIS
(0,0) (1,0) (2,0)
(0,1)
(0,2)
(0,3)
(0,4)
(3,0)
(1,1)
(4,0)
(0,5)
11774-008

AN-1258 Application Note
Rev. 0 | Page 10 of 12
Figure 9. Gradient Descent Algorithm Flowchart
GRADIENT DESCENT ALGORITHM TERMINATING
CONDITIONS
The gradient descent algorithm continues to iterate until either
a minimum has been found or until one is satisfied that a
minimum cannot be found.
The first terminating condition is that a minimum has been
found. This is realized by keeping a variable (best) which stores
the lowest image power measured and the coordinates at which
it was measured.
In each iteration of the algorithm, a new center, Point A, is
chosen. If the image power measured at Point A is lower than
the existing best value, then Point A becomes the new best value
and best is updated with the value and coordinates of Point A.
If the value of Point A is no better than the existing best, then
it is a suboptimal calibration point and a counter, labeled
suboptimal, is incremented. If this counter reaches a threshold
(x), then x points to the point in best that failed to improve
upon the calibration. In this case, the point stored in best
is deemed to be the optimal solution and iterations of the
algorithm cease. It is recommended to set the maximum
allowable value of the suboptimal counter to 5.
For every iteration of the algorithm, an iteration counter is
incremented. If this counter exceeds a large number, a unique
optimal point cannot be located and the algorithm is
terminated. The value stored in best is the optimal point. It
is recommended to set the maximum allowable value of this
counter to 50.
These steps are outlined in the flowchart in Figure 10.
START
END
SET IR CALIBRATION VALUES
FOR POINT B (GAIN + 1)
SET IR CALIBRATION VALUES
FOR POINT A
MEASURE RSSI
INCREMENT
GAIN DECREMENT
GAIN
MEASURE RSSI
MEASURE RSSI
CALCULATE ΔGAIN, ΔPHASE
SET IR CALIBRATION VALUES
FOR POINT C (PHASE + 1)
11774-009
YES NO
YES
NO
ΔPHASE >
(ΔGAIN + 2)?
ΔGAIN > 0?
INCREMENT
PHASE DECREMENT
PHASE
YES
YES
NO
NO
YES
NO
ΔGAIN >
(ΔPHASE + 2)?
ΔPHASE > 0?
REACHED
TERMINATING
CONDITIONS?

Application Note AN-1258
Rev. 0 | Page 11 of 12
Figure 10. Gradient Descent Algorithm Terminating Conditions
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
IR calibration evaluation software is provided by Analog
Devices. This is included with the ADF7xxx evaluation
software.
The optimum calibration values vary with temperature.
Figure 11 shows the image rejection varying with changes
in temperature. It is recommended to recalibrate when the
temperature changes by 20°C. The on-chip temperature sensor
is suitable for detecting such temperature changes. Reading
back the temperature sensor is explained in the relevant
ADF7021, ADF7021-N, and ADF7021-V data sheet. Note that
the ADF7021 family of parts must be switched to Tx mode
when reading back the temperature sensor. Additionally, the
ADC must be enabled by writing to R8_DB8.
Figure 11. Image Rejection Variation with Temperature after Initial
Calibrations at −40°C, +25°C, and +85°C
START
NO
NO
NO
YES
YES
YES
SET BEST =A VALUE
SET SUBOPTIMALCOUNTER = 0
INCREMENT ITERATION COUNTER
END
REITERATE GRADIENT
CALCULATION
INCREMENT
SUBOPTIMAL
COUNTER
SET IR CALIBRATION
TO BEST STORED
VALUES
END
CALIBRATION
COMPLETE
RSSI VALUE AT
POINT A < BEST?
ITERATIONS
< MAX ALLOWABLE
VALUE?
SUBOPTIMAL
< MAX ALLOWABLE
VALUE?
11774-010
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
–60 –40 –20 020 40 60 80 100
V
DD
= 3.0V
IF BW = 25kHz
WANTED SIGNAL:
RF FREQ = 430MHz
MODULATION = 2FSK
DATA RATE = 9.6kbps,
PRBS9
f
DEV
= 4kHz
LEVEL= –100dBm
INTERFERER SIGNAL:
RF FREQ = 429.8MHz
MODULATION = 2FSK
DATA RATE = 9.6kbps,
PRBS11
f
DEV
= 4kHz
11774-011
TEMPERATURE (°C)
IMAGE REJECTION (dB)
CAL AT +25°C
CAL AT +85°C CAL AT –40°C

AN-1258 Application Note
Rev. 0 | Page 12 of 12
NOTES
©2013 Analog Devices, Inc. All rights reserved. Trademarks and
registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
AN11774-0-11/13(0)