Channel Equalization Tracking Device Reducing Hardware Complexity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing channel equalization and tracking systems in digital communications face increased hardware complexity and power costs due to the need for phase rotation operations on each subcarrier in multicarrier systems, which complicates clock recovery and channel tracking.

Innovation Solution

A channel equalization and tracking apparatus and method that transform received time-domain signals into frequency-domain signals, performing phase compensation and frequency-domain equalization using a single multiplication operation based on time delay information and equalizer coefficients, without phase rotation, thereby reducing system complexity and hardware demands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If phase rotation operations are performed on each subcarrier in multicarrier systems, then clock recovery and channel tracking functions are achieved, but hardware complexity and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclock recovery and channel tracking functionsVSAvoidhardware complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines phase rotation and frequency-domain equalization into a single operation by integrating the phase compensation factor into the equalizer coefficient. This merging eliminates separate phase rotation operations for each subcarrier, reducing hardware complexity while maintaining clock recovery and channel tracking functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The equalizer coefficient is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it performs both frequency-domain equalization and phase compensation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate phase rotation operations, reducing hardware complexity and power consumption while achieving the same technical effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If phase rotation operations are performed on each subcarrier in multicarrier systems, then clock recovery and channel tracking functions are achieved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclock recovery and channel tracking functionsVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges phase rotation and equalization operations into a single computational step, eliminating redundant calculations. This reduction in the number of operations directly lowers power consumption while maintaining the necessary clock recovery and channel tracking functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The equalizer coefficient performs dual functions of equalization and phase compensation, reducing the total computational load. This multi-functionality decreases the number of power-consuming operations while achieving the same reliability outcomes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If separate phase rotation and equalization operations are performed, then processing accuracy is maintained, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines phase rotation and equalization into a single operation using an integrated equalizer coefficient. This merging maintains processing accuracy by preserving the mathematical equivalence of the separate operations while eliminating the need for multiple processing stages, thus reducing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3136668B1Channel equalization and tracking device and method, and receiver
Publication Date: 2020.02.19 FUJITSU LTD
  • EP3136668B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3136668B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3136668B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A channel equalization and tracking apparatus and method and a receiver. The apparatus includes: a Fourier transforming unit configured to transform a received time-domain signal into a frequency-domain signal; a compensating and equalizing unit configured to perform phase compensation and frequency-domain equalization on the signal outputted by the Fourier transforming unit by using one time of multiplication according to time delay information and an equalizer coefficient; a deciding unit configured to decide the equalized signal; and a channel tracking unit configured to track a channel according to the signal outputted by the Fourier transforming unit and an error signal obtained by the deciding unit. With embodiments of the present disclosure, not only complexity and hardware demands of the whole system are lowered, but also performance of the system is not affected.