Cross-Domain Radio Analysis Device for Interference Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Radio systems using license-free frequency bands face interference issues due to uncoordinated access, leading to coexistence problems and limited monitoring capabilities, with existing solutions like spectrum analyzers and protocol analyzers being inadequate for identifying mutual interference between different radio protocols.

Innovation Solution

A device that performs cross-domain analysis by generating baseband signals, transforming them into a time-frequency domain for spectrogram analysis, demodulating radio packets, and synchronizing properties to detect and diagnose faults, including interference and hardware defects, using a combination of spectrogram and demodulated packet information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If spectrum analyzers are used to monitor radio frequency bands, then radio spectrum usage can be visualized, but detailed spectral analysis and protocol identification are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradio spectrum monitoring capabilityVSAvoidprotocol identification information
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines spectrum analyzer functionality with protocol analyzer functionality into a single integrated system. The spectrum analyzer monitors radio frequency bands and visualizes spectrum usage, while the protocol analyzer simultaneously identifies radio protocols by analyzing packet contents. These two previously separate functions are merged to provide both spectral analysis and protocol identification without information loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it monitors radio spectrum usage, identifies radio protocols, analyzes packet contents, and detects coexistence problems. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate spectrum analyzers and protocol analyzers, providing comprehensive radio system analysis in a single universal device.

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

2Loss of information

If protocol analyzers are used to analyze radio packet contents, then protocol-specific information can be obtained, but mutual interference between different radio protocols cannot be identified

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotocol packet informationVSAvoidcoexistence problem detection capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges protocol analyzer capabilities with spectrum analyzer capabilities in a single integrated system. The protocol analyzer extracts detailed packet information and protocol-specific data, while the spectrum analyzer simultaneously monitors the radio frequency environment for interference and coexistence problems. This combination enables both protocol information retrieval and mutual interference detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated system acts as an intermediary that correlates data from both spectrum monitoring and protocol analysis. By combining the spectral domain information with the packet domain information, the system can identify coexistence problems that neither analyzer could detect alone, such as temporal and spatial superimposition of different radio signals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If separate spectrum analyzers and protocol analyzers are used, then comprehensive radio system information can be collected, but the systems remain complex and require manual interpretation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradio system status informationVSAvoidanalysis system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates separate spectrum analyzer and protocol analyzer functions into a single unified device, reducing system complexity. The integrated system automatically correlates spectral data with protocol information, eliminating the need for manual interpretation and correlation of data from separate analyzers. This single device provides comprehensive radio system status information with automated analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Measurement precision

If manual operation of spectrum analyzers is used, then radio spectrum can be monitored, but detailed analysis requires sound knowledge and cannot identify specific interference causes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradio spectrum monitoringVSAvoidautomatic fault diagnosis capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated system performs automatic fault diagnosis and interference identification without requiring manual operation or expert knowledge. The system automatically monitors the radio spectrum, identifies radio protocols, analyzes packet contents, and diagnoses interference causes such as temporal and spatial superimposition. This self-service capability eliminates the need for operators to manually interpret spectral data or have deep radio system knowledge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3499941B1Device and method for cross-domain analysis of wireless systems
Publication Date: 2021.12.22 FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV
  • EP3499941B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3499941B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3499941B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A device for analyzing one or more radio systems is provided. The device comprises one or more high-frequency assemblies (120) for generating one or more baseband signals from one or more radio signals. Furthermore, the device comprises a spectral analysis module (130) for performing a spectral analysis, whereby one of the one or more baseband signals is transformed into a time-frequency domain to obtain a spectrogram in the time-frequency domain. The device also comprises one or more demodulators (140) for generating two or more demodulated radio packets of the one or more radio systems from the one or more baseband signals, wherein the one or more demodulators (140) are further configuredto provide additional information for each of the two or more demodulated radio packets. Furthermore, the device comprises a spectrogram analyzer (135) for detecting two or more detected radio packets in the spectrogram in the time-frequency domain and for determining one or more properties for each of the two or more detected radio packets based on the spectrogram in the time-frequency domain. The device also comprises a synchronization module (170) configured to determine one or more pairs, wherein each of the one or more pairs contains exactly one demodulated radio packet of the two or more demodulated radio packets and contains the one or more properties of exactly one detected radio packet of the two or more detected radio packets, wherein the synchronization module (170) is configured to determine each of the one or more pairs such thatthat the one or more properties of the radio packet found in the spectrogram of the two or more found radio packets are linked with the demodulated radio packet of the pair corresponding to the demodulated radio packet of the pair, wherein the synchronization module (170) is configured to determine each of the one or more pairs depending on the additional information of the two or more demodulated radio packets and depending on the properties of the two or more found radio packets, and wherein the synchronization module (170) is configured to output each of the one or more pairs or information that depends on the one or more pairs.