Composite Signal Analysis for MIMO Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing measuring devices for wireless communication systems, particularly MIMO/MISO systems, face challenges in efficiently and quickly analyzing signals due to complex modeling requirements and the need for multiple input connections, leading to increased costs and test time.

Innovation Solution

A measuring device with a receiver and processing unit that connects multiple transmission units one after the other, using a known communication system as a reference to analyze and determine the transmission channel, allowing for precise and fast analysis without requiring known transmitted symbols, and utilizing orthogonal preambles to simplify error vector calculation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple input connections are provided on the measuring device to test all transmitter units simultaneously, then testing speed is improved, but device complexity and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting speedVSAvoidnumber of input connections
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple transmitter units into a single composite signal that is received through one input connection. The receiving unit processes this composite signal to extract information from all transmitter units simultaneously, eliminating the need for multiple input connections while maintaining testing speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single input connection and receiving unit are designed to handle multiple transmitter units universally. The receiving unit can process composite signals containing data from any number of transmitter units, making the measuring device adaptable to different MIMO configurations without requiring additional hardware connections.

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

2Productivity

If multiple input connections are provided on the measuring device to test all transmitter units simultaneously, then testing speed is improved, but production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting speedVSAvoidproduction costs
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple transmitter unit testing into a single input connection, reducing the bill of materials and assembly complexity. This consolidation directly lowers production costs by eliminating redundant input connections and associated circuitry while maintaining the ability to test all transmitter units in parallel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If only one input connection is retained on the measuring device, then device complexity is reduced, but test time increases linearly with the number of transmitter units

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of input connectionsVSAvoidtest time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary signal combination at the transmitter side, where multiple transmitter units transmit their signals simultaneously through the composite signal path. This preliminary action allows the receiving unit to process all transmitter units in parallel through a single connection, avoiding sequential testing and eliminating the linear time increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving unit creates separate processed signals for each transmitter unit from the single composite input signal. This copying process allows simultaneous analysis of all transmitter units through one connection, maintaining fast testing while using minimal hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

4Measurement precision

If transmission path modeling is performed in the measuring device to analyze MIMO signals, then signal analysis capability is improved, but device complexity increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal analysis capabilityVSAvoidmodeling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the transmission path modeling function from the measuring device and relocates it to the transmitting units themselves. The transmitting units apply predetermined modeling parameters to generate their signals, so the measuring device only needs to receive and process the already-modeled composite signal, dramatically reducing its complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

5Measurement precision

If pilot tones are used to calculate error vector value, then measurement capability is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates because pilot tones are modulated more robustly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror vector calculation accuracyVSAvoidsignal representation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses data symbols from the actual transmitted data streams themselves to calculate the error vector magnitude, rather than relying on separately transmitted pilot tones. The receiving unit extracts data symbols from the composite signal and uses them for EVM calculation, ensuring the measurement reflects the actual data transmission conditions including the specific modulation and channel effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2434670B1Analysis of composite signals
Publication Date: 2016.01.20 ROHDE & SCHWARZ GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2434670B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~2
  • EP2434670B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The measuring device (1) has transmitting units which have receiving unit (4) and processing unit (3). The transmitting units of wireless communication system (2) are successively connected with the measuring device through switching unit (6). The transmitting units of to-be-checked wireless communication system are connected with measuring device by combiner. The data streams (7-1-7-4) of wireless communication system are received by transmit unit and are processed by processing unit. An independent claim is included for method for analysis of signals.