Carrier Power Measurement via Harmonic Signal Cancellation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In carrier aggregated wireless communication systems, accurate measurement of transmission power levels for individual carriers is hindered by interference from harmonically-related signals, leading to erroneous power readings and degraded signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), particularly due to LO harmonics and ADC aliasing issues.
Innovation Solution
A measurement receiver system that includes signal cancellation circuitry to align and cancel down-converted harmonically-related carrier signals, using a single coupler and digital processing to isolate and correct the power measurement of individual carriers, thereby improving SNR without requiring additional hardware or increased power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a feedback signal is converted to digital form for evaluation of power level of each carrier in a multiple carrier embodiment, then power level measurement can be performed, but one carrier transmission affects power reading of another carrier causing erroneous readings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful harmonically-related signals from the feedback signal before power level measurement. The measurement receiver identifies and eliminates interference from other carriers, allowing accurate measurement of the desired carrier's power level without contamination from adjacent carrier transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing stage between signal reception and measurement. The measurement receiver acts as an intermediary that processes the composite feedback signal, separating desired signal components from harmful harmonically-related interference before performing power level evaluation.
2Productivity
If carrier aggregation is used to increase data transmission rates, then throughput is improved, but interference from signal power and frequency conflicts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the measurement receiver continuously monitors the transmitted carrier aggregated signal and provides information about actual power levels to the transmitter. This feedback loop enables dynamic adjustment of transmission parameters to maintain optimal performance while minimizing interference between aggregated carriers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional hardware-based interference cancellation mechanisms with signal processing techniques. Instead of using additional physical filters or isolation components, the system uses digital signal processing in the measurement receiver to identify and eliminate harmonically-related interference, reducing hardware complexity while maintaining effectiveness.
3Manufacturing precision
If outgoing power level is controlled for each carrier in carrier aggregation, then transmission accuracy is improved, but accurate measurement becomes difficult due to mutual interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary signal processing to remove harmonically-related interference before power level measurement takes place. The measurement receiver pre-processes the feedback signal by identifying and eliminating unwanted carrier components, ensuring that subsequent power level readings are not corrupted by mutual interference between aggregated carriers.
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 transmission power level measurements for individual carriers, reducing measurement errors and maintaining efficient IC real estate and hardware costs, while improving SNR by effectively canceling interference from harmonically-related signals.
Implementation Method 1
analog front end circuitry for down converting a first carrier signal within the feedback signal from RF to one of intermediate frequency or baseband frequency
Implementation Method 2
signal cancellation circuitry for aligning a down converted and harmonically-related second carrier signal with the second carrier signal and for substantially canceling the down converted harmonically-related second carrier
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for transmitting and for detecting a transmission power level of a carrier of aggregated carrier signals is configured to generate a plurality of carrier signals as a carrier aggregated signal and to generate an outgoing radio frequency (RF) signal based on the carrier aggregated signal and to produce a feedback signal based the outgoing RF signal. The system process the feedback signal by down converting a first carrier signal within the feedback signal from RF, canceling a down converted harmonically-related signal or an ADC Fs related signal of a second carrier of the carrier aggregated signal and producing a signal representative of the output power of the first carrier of the carrier aggregated signal within the feedback signal.