Clock Phase Error Estimation Using Channel Condition Weights

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current clock phase error estimation techniques in communication systems are inadequate for adapting to changing channel conditions, leading to timing errors and degradation of signal-to-noise ratio, especially in high-speed systems with closely spaced channels.

Innovation Solution

A method for managing clock-data recovery that involves determining clock phase error estimates based on weighted sums of frequency elements, where weights are calculated from measurements of channel conditions such as SNR, polarization mode dispersion, and frequency-selective fading, and used to adaptively adjust clock recovery processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional clock phase error estimation techniques are used, then the system structure remains simple, but clock recovery accuracy deteriorates under changing channel conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclock phase error estimation accuracyVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic weighting of frequency elements based on real-time channel condition measurements. The weights are adjusted adaptively according to measured parameters such as signal-to-noise ratio and polarization mode dispersion, allowing the clock phase error estimation to respond dynamically to changing channel conditions rather than using fixed traditional methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters used in clock phase error estimation by incorporating multiple measured channel conditions (SNR, PMD, PDL, frequency-selective fading) that modify the weighting factors applied to different frequency elements. This parameter adaptation enables accurate estimation under varying channel conditions while maintaining a manageable processing structure through systematic measurement and calculation approaches

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If adaptive weighting based on channel measurements is implemented, then clock recovery accuracy improves, but the number of processing steps increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclock recovery reliabilityVSAvoidprocessing steps
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary measurements of channel conditions (SNR, PMD, PDL, frequency-selective fading) before computing the clock phase error estimate. By obtaining these measurements in advance and using them to determine weights, the system prepares the necessary adaptation data beforehand, which streamlines the subsequent estimation process and improves reliability without excessive real-time processing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where channel condition measurements are continuously obtained and used to adjust the weighting of frequency elements in clock phase error estimation. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt to changing conditions, improving clock recovery reliability while the structured feedback approach keeps processing manageable through systematic measurement and calculation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple channel condition measurements are taken, then the adaptability to channel variations improves, but measurement and processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to channel conditionsVSAvoidmeasurement and processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the channel condition measurements into distinct categories (SNR, PMD, PDL, frequency-selective fading), each contributing to specific aspects of the weighting calculation. This segmentation allows the system to adapt to different types of channel variations independently, improving overall adaptability while managing measurement and processing time through organized, modular measurement approaches

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4018592B1Estimating clock phase error based on channel conditions
Publication Date: 2024.01.31 CIENA CORP
  • EP4018592B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4018592B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4018592B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Managing clock-data recovery for a modulated signal from a communication channel comprises: receiving the modulated signal and providing one or more analog signals, providing one or more digital input streams from samples of the analog signals, and processing the digital input streams to provide decoded digital data. The processing comprises: determining the decoded digital data based on information modulated over a plurality of frequency elements associated with the modulated signal, based at least in part on transforms of the digital input streams; a clock signal based on clock recovery from the digital input streams; and determining a clock phase error estimate associated with the determined clock signal based at least in part on a sum that includes different weights multiplied by different respective summands corresponding to different sets of frequency elements.