Flexible Bandwidth Reception via Overlapping Sub-band Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current user equipment transceiver architectures are limited by predefined bandwidths, which do not allow for efficient utilization of available spectrum, especially when it is not aligned with existing bandwidths, leading to suboptimal performance in terms of spectrum utilization and interference management.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus dynamically extends bandwidths by splitting a reception path into overlapping sub-bands, allowing for non-contiguous intraband carrier aggregation and processing these sub-bands using multiple downstream receiver circuitries, thereby avoiding intercarrier interference and efficiently utilizing licensed spectrum.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If predefined bandwidths are used, then device complexity is reduced, but spectrum utilization efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum utilization efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The received bandwidth is divided into multiple overlapping sub-bands, each processed by separate downstream receiver circuitry. This segmentation allows the system to handle non-standard bandwidths by breaking them down into manageable portions that can be processed in parallel, thereby improving spectrum utilization without requiring a complete redesign of the receiver architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically configures the number and configuration of downstream receiver circuitries based on the received bandwidth requirements. The controller adaptively determines whether to use single or multiple receiver circuitries and configures the switching arrangement accordingly, enabling the system to optimize spectrum utilization for different bandwidth scenarios while maintaining reasonable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If single downstream receiver circuitry is used, then device complexity is reduced, but interference management deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference managementVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the received bandwidth into multiple overlapping sub-bands and assigning each to separate downstream receiver circuitry, the system can independently process and manage interference in different frequency portions. This segmentation enables better interference management through parallel processing while keeping device complexity manageable through selective activation of receiver circuitries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The switching arrangement acts as an intermediary that dynamically routes different sub-bands to appropriate receiver circuitries. This intermediary component enables flexible interference management by allowing the system to select optimal processing paths based on interference conditions, without requiring all receiver circuitries to be simultaneously active.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple downstream receiver circuitries are used, then spectrum utilization efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum utilization efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically activates only the necessary number of downstream receiver circuitries based on the configured bandwidth and interference conditions. The controller adaptively determines the optimal configuration, enabling the system to achieve high spectrum utilization efficiency when needed while maintaining lower device complexity during normal operation by using fewer active circuitries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple downstream receiver circuitries are designed with universal functionality to process different sub-bands. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware components to be reused across different bandwidth configurations and interference scenarios, improving spectrum utilization efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4346107A1Flexible bandwidths
Publication Date: 2024.04.03 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP4346107A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~3(iii)
  • EP4346107A1 patent drawingFigure 4~7
  • EP4346107A1 patent drawingFigure 8A

AI summary

An apparatus comprising: a first reception path comprising a first low noise amplifier; multiple downstream receiver circuitry; a switching arrangement configured to, in a first state, couple the first reception path to one of the multiple downstream receiver circuitry and configured to, in a second state, simultaneously couple the first reception path to a plurality of the multiple downstream receiver circuitry; a controller configured to place the switching arrangement in the second state to support reception of a first bandwidth, wherein the switching arrangement is configured in the second state to enable processing of the received first bandwidth as a plurality of overlapping bandwidths wherein each of the plurality of overlapping bandwidths is processed via one of the plurality of the multiple downstream receiver circuitry.