GFDM Transmitter With Adjustable Filtering For Spectrum Fragmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing frequency division multiplexing techniques, such as OFDM, face challenges in exploiting fragmented radio spectrum due to high peak-to-average power ratio and strong spectral leakage, which hinders efficient use of white spaces and causes interference with legacy signals.

Innovation Solution

The Generalized Frequency Division Multiplexing (GFDM) method employs a digital multi-carrier transmitter concept with adjustable Tx-filtering, cyclic prefix insertion, and efficient FFT-based equalization, allowing for lower peak-to-average power ratio and ultra-low out-of-band radiation, enabling flexible allocation of white spaces and efficient spectrum aggregation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If OFDM is used to exploit spectrum vacancies, then flexibility in switching sub-carriers on and off is improved, but strong spectral leakage occurs causing interference to legacy signals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in switching sub-carriersVSAvoidspectral leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the transmitted signal into multiple independent carriers, each modulated separately and assigned to specific frequency bands. This segmentation allows selective activation of carriers in white spaces while maintaining spectral containment through individual carrier filtering, thereby reducing overall spectral leakage compared to traditional OFDM.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different modulation and filtering characteristics to different carriers based on their specific frequency band requirements. Each carrier can be independently optimized for its allocated spectrum, with adjustable bandwidth and spectral shape to minimize interference to adjacent legacy signals while maximizing utilization of available white spaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-generated harmful factors

If pulse shaping techniques or guard carriers are used in OFDM, then spectral leakage is reduced, but peak-to-average power ratio remains high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral leakageVSAvoidpeak-to-average power ratio
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts the activation state of individual carriers based on real-time spectrum sensing results. Carriers are switched on or off independently according to the presence of white spaces, allowing the system to adapt to varying spectrum conditions without requiring all carriers to be active simultaneously, thereby reducing peak power requirements while maintaining spectral containment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If receivers and transmitters are designed for high sensitivity to detect weak signals, then white space exploration capability is improved, but out-of-band radiation increases causing interference to legacy TV signals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal detection sensitivityVSAvoidout-of-band radiation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces spectrum sensing as an intermediary function that mediates between the need for high sensitivity detection and the requirement to protect legacy signals. The sensing mechanism identifies actual spectrum usage conditions, and this information guides selective carrier activation, ensuring that transmission only occurs in genuinely available white spaces and not in bands occupied by legacy signals, thus preventing out-of-band interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2200244B1Method and apparatus for multi-carrier frequency division multiplexing transmission
Publication Date: 2019.02.20 VODAFONE HOLDING GMBH
  • EP2200244B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2200244B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2200244B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

A general frequency division multiplex (GFDM) transmission system is proposed. Vacant frequency ranges are detected and subsequently used for transmission, wherein a single carrier transmission system with cyclic prefixing is deployed. A corresponding transmitter and receiver are disclosed.