Adaptive Equalizer Coefficient Stabilization via Barycenter Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adaptive equalizers in high-speed optical transmission systems face challenges in stabilizing coefficients due to time-varying channel losses and IQ skew, leading to increased system errors and the need for complex convergence processes, which are not flexible enough to cover all channel scenarios and can result in significant code errors.

Innovation Solution

An adaptive equalizer comprising a coefficient generation module, a filter module, and a coefficient control module that calculates and adjusts coefficients to maintain their position within a tap center range by interpolating error signals and adjusting integer sampling points based on energy ratios and barycenter differences, allowing for flexible and effective control of X-polarization and Y-polarization coefficients.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the adaptive equalizer uses conventional coefficient adjustment methods, then the system can operate, but the coefficients drift away from the center leading to increased error codes and potential service interruption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoidconvergence process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors the barycenter position of FIR coefficients and automatically triggers coefficient re-initialization when the barycenter drifts beyond a threshold. This closed-loop feedback system prevents coefficient drift without requiring complex manual intervention or multiple convergence processes, thereby improving system reliability while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The adaptive equalizer performs self-diagnosis and self-correction by autonomously detecting coefficient drift through barycenter monitoring and automatically re-initializing coefficients when needed. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external intervention or complex convergence procedures, resolving the contradiction between system reliability and operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Stability of the object's composition

If the system performs twice convergence of the adaptive equalizer, then coefficient stability can be improved, but the process becomes more complex and affects system startup time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoefficient stabilityVSAvoidsystem startup time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary coefficient re-initialization based on barycenter position monitoring before coefficient drift causes system failure. By proactively resetting coefficients when the barycenter approaches the threshold, the system maintains stability without requiring a second full convergence process, thus reducing startup time while preserving coefficient stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameter from performing twice full convergence to performing conditional partial re-initialization based on barycenter threshold detection. This parameter change transforms the stability maintenance approach from a time-consuming dual-convergence process to a rapid threshold-triggered re-initialization, resolving the contradiction between coefficient stability and startup time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the adaptive equalizer operates with time-varying channel losses and IQ skew, then it can adapt to channel conditions, but the FIR coefficients slowly move away from the center requiring intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel adaptation capabilityVSAvoidcoefficient position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous feedback monitoring of the barycenter position to detect when channel adaptations cause coefficient drift. When the barycenter moves beyond the threshold due to time-varying channel conditions, the feedback mechanism triggers automatic re-initialization, thereby maintaining coefficient stability while preserving the adaptive equalizer's ability to adapt to changing channel conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic threshold-based re-initialization that adapts to time-varying channel conditions. The system dynamically monitors coefficient behavior and selectively re-initializes only when necessary, balancing the need for channel adaptation with the need to prevent coefficient drift, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and coefficient position stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If the system directly zeroizes filter output after moving coefficients, then frame alignment is not affected, but energy loss is not considered causing large code errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe alignment simplicityVSAvoidcode error rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary barycenter monitoring and threshold detection before coefficient re-initialization. By proactively detecting when coefficients approach the drift threshold and resetting them before significant energy loss occurs, the system maintains frame alignment simplicity while preventing large code errors that would result from abrupt coefficient changes without energy consideration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3316535B1Self-adaptive equalizer and method of implementing adaptive equalization
Publication Date: 2020.10.07 ZTE CORP
  • EP3316535B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3316535B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3316535B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Provided are an adaptive equalizer and adaptive equalization method thereof. The method includes obtaining an X-polarization error signal based on a first distance between a tap center and a barycenter of coefficients for mapping H and V onto X and a Y-polarization error signal based on a second distance between a tap center and a barycenter of coefficient for mapping H and V onto Y, performing an interpolation for the X-polarization data with the X-polarization error signal and an interpolation for the Y-polarization data with the Y-polarization error signal in a clock synchronization. Since X-polarization and Y-polarization are considered separately when errors are calculated, and are adjusted separately, an X-polarization coefficient and a Y-polarization coefficient are flexibly and effectively controlled to approach a tap center.