The goal of the project is to propose a way for faster calibration of Xampling system (by Moshe Mishali). The project explores two different approaches, one by finding an appropriate model for analog frequency mixer and merging it in software calibration process, the other – by creating LabView scripts for automating hardware calibration. The second approach proved to be successful.
Xampling System description
Xampling system is designed for lower-than-Niquist sampling of wide-band signal and lossless recovering information-containing bands from it.
The system relies on certain hardware-dependent matrix to deduce outputs from measured inputs. Presence of frequency mixer elements in the hardware requires the matrix to be measured experimentally, the process nicknamed as “calibration”.
The goal of the project is to overcome this shortcoming.
Mixer modeling
An attempt was made to create frequency mixer mathematical model to allow for software-only calibration. The study showed, that prohibitively large amount of measurements should be taken to get the satisfying set of model coefficients. Because of this, approach of automated hardware calibration utilizing LabView scripts was decided upon.
Labview System Description
Hardware: The LabView script system runs on National Instruments modular stand installed in Technion Digital Systems Laboratory.
Software: The LabView script system allows the user to run wide set of experiments on NI stand.
Various user-defined sets of points in frequency and power domains can be measured.
System operation is realized via LabView graphical programming language.