Wireless Device Analog Front End Response Estimation for Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication technologies face challenges in accurately estimating channels for sensing applications, particularly in ranging and angle estimation, due to the influence of analog front end (AFE) response, which can lead to errors in distance and direction determination.
Innovation Solution
A method where a wireless device receives channel estimation sequences and data from another device, estimates the AFE response based on thermal noise variance, and uses this estimate to correct the overall channel response, thereby improving channel estimation accuracy for sensing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional channel estimation methods are used in wireless sensing applications, then the sensing process can be implemented, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to AFE response interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the channel response into two distinct components: the physical channel response and the AFE response. By separately estimating and processing these components, the method isolates the harmful AFE response from the useful physical channel information, thereby improving measurement precision without sacrificing sensing functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the AFE response component from the overall channel response by estimating it separately using thermal noise variance. This extracted AFE response is then removed from the total channel estimate, leaving only the clean physical channel response for accurate sensing measurements
2Reliability
If AFE response is included in channel estimation, then the sensing process can proceed with available data, but the reliability of distance and direction determination deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces thermal noise variance as an intermediary parameter to estimate the AFE response. This intermediary measurement allows the system to characterize and remove the AFE response without directly measuring it, preserving the integrity of the physical channel response for reliable sensing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the estimated AFE response is continuously refined and used to correct the channel estimation. This iterative process improves the reliability of sensing measurements by systematically eliminating AFE-related errors from the measurement chain
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the accuracy of channel estimation and sensing measurements by isolating the physical channel response from the AFE response, reducing errors and improving time of flight (ToF) precision in ranging applications.
Implementation Method 1
estimates the AFE response based on an estimate of variance of thermal noise
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are presented herein of apparatuses, systems, and methods for a wireless device to perform improved channel estimates for sensing applications such as ranging. The wireless device may determine noise characteristics, e.g., a spectrum of the variance of noise on a channel and may use the noise characteristics to estimate a response of an analog front end of the wireless device. The wireless device may correct a channel estimate based on the estimated response of the analog front end.