Software Equalizer Timing Adaptation for Multipath Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, especially CDMA cellular systems, multipath propagation causes signal fading and intersymbol interference, leading to increased processing complexity and power consumption in software equalizers, which is undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where a software equalizer in a wireless communication system dynamically selects between nominal and alternative equalizer time periods based on channel characteristics, allowing it to adapt to channel conditions and reduce processing costs without significantly compromising performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a software equalizer is used to mitigate multipath propagation effects, then signal quality is improved, but processing complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The equalizer time period is made dynamically adjustable between a nominal length and an alternative length based on channel conditions. The processor monitors channel characteristics and switches between equalizer configurations to optimize the balance between signal quality and processing complexity, using the alternative length when channel conditions permit reduced processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The equalizer's time period parameter is changed based on channel characteristics. By adjusting this parameter between two discrete values (nominal and alternative length), the system adapts processing complexity to match actual channel conditions, reducing processing when channel variations are small while maintaining signal quality when needed.
2Reliability
If a software equalizer is used to mitigate multipath propagation effects, then signal quality is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The equalizer operates dynamically with adjustable time period based on channel conditions. By switching between nominal and alternative lengths, the system reduces processing operations and associated power consumption when channel conditions allow, while maintaining signal quality when channel variations require more aggressive equalization.
Solution Approach 2:
The equalizer time period parameter is adjusted based on channel characteristics to optimize power consumption. When channel conditions are stable, the alternative (shorter) time period reduces the number of processing operations and power usage, while switching to the nominal time period when channel variations require more processing to maintain signal quality.
3Productivity
If the equalizer time period is increased to improve signal processing accuracy, then processing performance is improved, but unnecessary processing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The equalizer time period is adjusted based on channel characteristics to match actual processing needs. By using the alternative (shorter) time period when channel conditions permit, the system avoids unnecessary processing operations and associated costs, while switching to the nominal time period when channel variations require more extensive processing to maintain signal quality.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for processing a signal in a wireless communication system. The method comprises: receiving a signal at a receiver over a wireless channel; sampling the signal to produce a plurality of signal samples; and supplying the samples to an equaliser implemented in software running on a processor of the receiver, the equaliser being configured to process the samples using at least one equaliser time period having a nominal length. The method further comprises dynamically determining one or more characteristics of the channel; in dependence on the determined channel characteristics, dynamically selecting between a first operational state of the equaliser in which the nominal length is used and a second operational state of the equaliser in which an alternative length is used in place of the nominal length; and processing the samples in the equaliser using the determined equaliser time period length.