Communication Channel Characterization Without Pilot Tone Overhead

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data communication methods face challenges in dynamically characterizing changing communication channels, particularly in mobile and dynamic environments, where rapid changes in channel characteristics require frequent updates, often at the expense of channel bandwidth.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a common digital signal within digital packets to characterize communication channels, eliminating the need for pilot tones and allowing continuous channel characterization with minimal bandwidth loss, by contrasting the received signal with a replica signal to adapt filters and compensate for channel effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If pilot tones are transmitted frequently to characterize rapidly changing channels, then channel characterization accuracy is improved, but bandwidth loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel characterization accuracyVSAvoidbandwidth loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The common digital signal in the packet frame serves multiple functions: it acts as both data payload and as the reference signal for channel characterization. By making the common digital signal serve dual purposes, the patent eliminates the need for separate pilot tones while maintaining channel tracking capability in dynamic environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the channel characterization function with the data transmission function by using the common digital signal that is already present in every packet frame. This combines what were previously separate operations (data transmission and channel sounding) into a unified process, eliminating redundant signal transmissions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If pilot tones are used for channel characterization, then channel compensation is achieved, but channel bandwidth is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel compensationVSAvoidchannel bandwidth

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The common digital signal performs dual roles as both information-carrying data and as the reference for deriving channel magnitude and phase response. This multi-functionality ensures reliable channel compensation while utilizing only the bandwidth already allocated for data transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own data signal (the common digital signal already being transmitted) to perform channel characterization, rather than requiring external pilot tones. The data signal serves itself as the reference for channel estimation, eliminating the need for separate characterization signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If pre-characterization is performed in static channels, then channel effects are measured and compensated, but dynamic channel changes are not captured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel effect measurementVSAvoiddynamic channel tracking

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The common digital signal appears periodically in every packet frame, enabling continuous and periodic channel characterization. This periodic occurrence of the reference signal allows the system to track channel changes over time dynamically, updating channel compensation parameters with each new packet reception.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from static pre-characterization to dynamic continuous characterization by utilizing the recurring common digital signal in each packet. This enables the system to adapt to changing channel conditions in real-time, making the channel compensation dynamic rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables efficient dynamic channel characterization and compensation with minimal bandwidth loss, effectively maintaining signal quality in changing environments without the need for additional pilot tones, thus improving robustness in diverse communication scenarios.

Implementation Method 1

sampling a signal associated with the received signal to provide a sampled signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSampling:

Implementation Method 2

performing a channel characterization by contrasting a signal representative of the sampled signal with a signal representative of the common digital signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCorrelation:

Data Source

PatentUS8160189B2Method and system for communication channel characterization

Publication Date: 2012.04.17 RAYTHEON CO

AI summary

In accordance with the present invention, a method of processing a signal is described that includes receiving a signal having an encoded digital packet, wherein the digital packet includes packet data and a packet frame, wherein the packet frame includes a common digital signal that is common to each one of a plurality of digital packets. The method further includes sampling a signal associated with the received signal to provide a sampled signal. The method further includes performing a channel characterization by contrasting a signal representative of the sampled signal with a signal representative of the common digital signal. A corresponding system is also described.