Intermittently Nonlinear Analog Filtering for Impulsive Noise Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for mitigating non-Gaussian noise, such as impulsive noise, in communication and data acquisition systems are ineffective as they often require digital nonlinear filtering after analog-to-digital conversion, which reduces signal bandwidth and is computationally intensive, making real-time processing challenging. Additionally, existing filters struggle with real-time implementation due to increased memory and DSP intensity.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating intermittently nonlinear analog filters before the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to filter out impulsive noise, which allows for real-time processing and maintains signal bandwidth, while avoiding the detrimental effects of traditional nonlinear filtering by behaving linearly except when responding to noise outliers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If digital nonlinear filtering is used after analog-to-digital conversion to mitigate impulsive noise, then noise reduction effectiveness is improved, but signal bandwidth is reduced and computational intensity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise reduction effectivenessVSAvoidcomputational intensity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies nonlinear filtering in the analog domain before analog-to-digital conversion, performing the noise mitigation action beforehand. This preliminary nonlinear processing removes impulsive noise components from the analog signal, so that subsequent digital processing operates on already-cleaned data, reducing computational burden while maintaining noise reduction effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex digital nonlinear filtering operations with simpler analog nonlinear circuit operations. By implementing the nonlinear filtering function in the analog domain using electronic circuits rather than digital algorithms, the system achieves noise mitigation with significantly reduced computational intensity and memory requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If digital nonlinear filtering is used after analog-to-digital conversion to mitigate impulsive noise, then noise reduction effectiveness is improved, but real-time processing becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise reduction effectivenessVSAvoidreal-time processing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs nonlinear noise filtering in the analog domain before conversion to digital signals. This preliminary action removes impulsive noise components beforehand, so that the subsequent digital system only needs to process already-filtered signals at standard sampling rates, enabling real-time processing without the computational burden of digital nonlinear filtering

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes complex computationally-intensive digital nonlinear filtering operations with simpler analog electronic circuit operations. This replacement enables the system to achieve noise mitigation in real-time using continuous analog processing rather than discrete digital computations, significantly improving processing speed and real-time capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If traditional nonlinear filtering is used to filter out impulsive noise, then noise mitigation is achieved, but detrimental effects are introduced and signal bandwidth is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise mitigationVSAvoiddetrimental effects

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements intermittently nonlinear filtering that operates linearly most of the time and switches to nonlinear behavior only when impulsive noise outliers are detected. This localized nonlinear action targets specifically the noise components while preserving the linear signal, avoiding the detrimental effects of continuous nonlinear filtering on signal bandwidth and quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a dynamic filtering approach where the filter characteristics change based on the input signal conditions. The filter operates in linear mode during normal conditions and switches to nonlinear mode only when impulsive noise is detected, allowing the system to adapt its behavior to minimize detrimental effects while maintaining noise mitigation effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10404268B2Method and apparatus for nonlinear filtering and for mitigation of interference

Publication Date: 2019.09.03 NIKITIN ALEXEI V

AI summary

Method and apparatus for nonlinear signal processing include mitigation of outlier noise in the process of analog-to-digital conversion and adaptive real-time signal conditioning, processing, analysis, quantification, comparison, and control. Methods, processes and apparatus for real-time measuring and analysis of variables include statistical analysis and generic measurement systems and processes which are not specially adapted for any specific variables, or to one particular environment. Methods and corresponding apparatus for mitigation of electromagnetic interference, for improving properties of electronic devices, and for improving and/or enabling coexistence of a plurality of electronic devices include post-processing analysis of measured variables and post-processing statistical analysis.