Detection and compensation of dielectric resonator oscillator frequency drift

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for detection and compensation of dielectric resonator oscillator frequency drift. DRO frequency drift detection and compensation may be applied in a system, such as an outdoor unit, during handling of received signals. The DRO frequency drift detection and compensation may include, for each input signal, obtaining DRO frequency drift related information, related to the input signal; determining, based on the obtained DRO frequency drift related information, one or more adjustments applicable to processing of the input signal and/or the generation of the output signal using the at least portion of the input signal; and applying the one or more adjustments. The DRO frequency drift detection and compensation may be applied continually, occasionally, and/or periodically.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 one or more circuits for use in handling received signals, said one or more circuits being operable to:
 receive an input signal; 
 process the input signal; 
 generate an output signal comprising at least a portion of the input signal and one or more other portions from one or more other input signals; and 
 apply during said processing of said input signal and/or said generating of said output signal, dielectric resonator oscillator (DRO) frequency drift detection and compensation, wherein said DRO frequency drift detection and compensation comprises:
 obtaining DRO frequency drift related information, related to said input signal; 
 determining, based on said obtained DRO frequency drift related information, one or more adjustments applicable to processing of said input signal and/or said generation of said output signal using said at least portion of the input signal; and 
 apply said one or more adjustments. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more circuits are operable to obtain said DRO frequency drift related information based on analysis of an intermediate signal generated during said processing of said input signal. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said one or more circuits are operable to process said intermediate signal to make it suitable for said analysis. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said processing of said intermediate signal comprises applying signal spectrum estimation and conversion to frequency domain. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said one or more circuits are operable to, during said analysis:
 detect one or more channels present in intermediate signal; and   determine for each detected channel, an upper edge frequency and a lower edge frequency.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein one or more adjustments comprise at least one adjustment relating to optimize capturing at least one of said one or more detected channels, for inclusion in said output signal. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein said one or more circuits are operable to determine, during said analysis, a center frequency for each detected channel, based on said upper edge frequency and said lower edge frequency. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said one or more circuits are operable to determine, during said analysis, a frequency offset for each detected channel, based on said determined center frequency. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein said one or more circuits are operable to determine, during said analysis, an overall frequency offset for said input signal based on determined frequency offsets for all detected channels. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more circuits are operable to apply said DRO frequency drift detection and compensation continually, occasionally, and/or periodically. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more circuits are operable to synchronize applying of said one or more adjustments to different circuits used during one or more of said receiving of the input signal, said processing of the input signal, and said receiving of the output signal. 
     
     
         12 . A method for handling reception of one or more signals in an electronic system, the method comprising:
 receiving an input signal;   processing the input signal;   generating an output signal comprising at least a portion of the input signal and one or more other portions from one or more other input signals; and   applying, during said processing of said input signal and/or said generating of said output signal, dielectric resonator oscillator (DRO) frequency drift detection and compensation, wherein said DRO frequency drift detection and compensation comprises:
 obtaining DRO frequency drift related information, related to said input signal; 
 determining, based on said obtained DRO frequency drift related information, one or more adjustments applicable to processing of said input signal and/or said generation of said output signal using said at least portion of the input signal; and 
 applying said one or more adjustments. 
   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising obtaining said DRO frequency drift related information based on analysis of an intermediate signal generated during said processing of said input signal. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising processing said intermediate signal to make it suitable for said analysis. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising applying, during said processing of said intermediate signal, signal spectrum estimation and conversion to frequency domain. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising, during said analysis:
 detecting one or more channels present in intermediate signal; and   determining for each detected channel, an upper edge frequency and a lower edge frequency.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein one or more adjustments comprise at least one adjustment relating to optimizing capturing at least one of said one or more detected channels, for inclusion in said output signal. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , comprising determining, during said analysis, a center frequency for each detected channel, based on said upper edge frequency and said lower edge frequency. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , comprising determining, during said analysis, a frequency offset for each detected channel, based on said determined center frequency. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , comprising determining, during said analysis, an overall frequency offset for said input signal based on determined frequency offsets for all detected channels.