A Frequency Plan Evaluation Tool for Multi-standard Wireless Transceivers

This paper introduces a frequency plan evaluation tool for multi-band, multi-standard wireless transceivers. The implemented algorithm allows RF engineers to systematically analyze the effects of the intermodulation products as well as the harmonic components associated with the input signals, the local oscillator and interfering signals. The effect of the out-of-band blockers is also evaluated. This provides very valuable information that helps finding the best intermediate frequency and filter bandwidths to the designer. This evaluation tool is part of a suite of tools called TACT, the purpose of which is to explore the design space of multi-standard radio transceivers. Simulation results on a multi-band WCDMA system verify the validity of the implemented frequency planning scheme