Project Idea
Radio astronomy receivers inherently suffer fromI/Q imbalance — amplitude (α) and phase (φ) mismatches between I and Q channels, corrupting calibration system for the 21-cm Hydrogenspectral measurements and degrading image rejection. This work presents a wideband software Line at 1420 MHz using MATLAB. A 5th-order polynomial fitted to 64 noise diode subbands enables real-time correction across 200 MHz bandwidth. Validated across four Riyadh seasonal temperatures(0°C – 45°C). IRR improvements exceed +40 dB — surpassing the 40 dB target in all conditions.
01
The Beginning
The idea started from the I/Q Imbalance problem in Radio Astronomy receivers, which affects measurement accuracy and degrades image rejection. A software calibration method was therefore developed to compensate for amplitude and phase mismatches.
02
The Idea
The project provides a wideband software calibration system using MATLAB to correct I/Q Imbalance in real time across 200 MHz around 1420 MHz, achieving an IRR exceeding 40 dB.
03
The Experience
The project progressed from identifying the effects of I/Q Imbalance to collecting data from 64 noise diode subbands and developing a 5th-order polynomial model. The real-time correction was then implemented and tested under different temperatures, with IRR exceeding the target in all conditions.
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