Digital Data Phase Tracking via FIR Tap Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional communication devices require complex configurations and external analog components like VCOs, filters, and D/A converters for clock synchronization, leading to increased costs and noise issues.

Innovation Solution

A data phase tracking device using an FIR filter and tap coefficient adjuster for digital signal processing, eliminating the need for external analog components by adjusting tap coefficients to synchronize sampling with a fixed-frequency oscillator, allowing phase tracking without external circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional clock synchronization using PLL and analog VCO is used, then clock synchronization is achieved, but device complexity increases and noise characteristics worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclock synchronizationVSAvoiddevice configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/analog PLL system with a digital sampling system. Instead of using analog VCO and external filters, the invention uses digital sampling of the reception signal at multiple phases followed by digital signal processing to determine the optimal sampling phase, thereby substituting complex analog clock synchronization circuitry with simpler digital processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If analog VCO and external circuits are used for clock synchronization, then phase locking is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephase lockingVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention substitutes expensive analog components (VCO, external filters, D/A converters) with digital processing circuits. The phase locking function is achieved through digital sampling and correlation processing, eliminating the need for costly analog components and simplifying manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If analog VCO is used for clock generation, then frequency adjustment is possible, but noise characteristics deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency adjustmentVSAvoidnoise characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the noisy analog VCO with a digital sampling system that uses a fixed-frequency oscillator. The frequency adjustment and phase optimization are achieved through digital processing of multiple phase samples, eliminating the noise inherent in analog voltage-controlled oscillation while maintaining adaptability through digital control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3276873B1Data phase tracking device, data phase tracking method, and communication device
Publication Date: 2019.11.27 NTT ELECTORNICS CORP
  • EP3276873B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3276873B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3276873B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An FIR filter (7) convolutes sampled data obtained by sampling a reception signal with tap coefficients. A phase difference detector (8) detects a phase difference between a synchronization timing of a signal waveform estimated from an output signal of the FIR filter (7) and a sampling timing of the output signal. A tap coefficient adjuster (9) adjusts the tap coefficients so as to reduce the phase difference detected by the phase difference detector (8) and causes the sampling timing of the output signal of the FIR filter (7) to track the synchronization timing.