Interference-Mitigated Pilot Channel Estimation in Wireless Links

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication technologies face challenges in accurately estimating transmission channels due to noise and interference affecting pilot signals, which leads to reduced performance in channel estimation and data transmission reliability.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that mitigate interference by determining the level of interference for each pilot, calculating interference-mitigated pilots based on this interference, and using these pilots to estimate the transmission channel, thereby enhancing channel estimation accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If pilots are used to estimate the channel in wireless communication, then channel estimation can be performed, but noise and interference affecting the pilots significantly degrades the channel estimation accuracy and data transmission reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel estimation accuracyVSAvoidnoise and interference on pilots

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the channel estimation process by separating pilot-based estimation into two stages: first obtaining a preliminary channel estimate using all received pilots, then identifying and excluding corrupted pilots based on deviation from this preliminary estimate. This segmentation allows the system to handle interference by processing pilots in stages rather than simultaneously, improving robustness against noise and interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary preliminary channel estimate as a mediator between the raw pilot signals and the final channel estimation result. This intermediary estimate serves as a reference to identify corrupted pilots, acting as a buffer that protects the final estimation from the direct impact of noise and interference on individual pilots.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If all pilots are used for channel estimation, then estimation coverage is maximized, but interference on some pilots degrades the overall estimation quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel estimation reliabilityVSAvoidinterference on pilots

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically changes the parameter set used for channel estimation by identifying corrupted pilots through deviation analysis and excluding them from the final estimation. This parameter change approach allows the system to adapt to interference conditions by modifying which pilots are included in the estimation, thereby maintaining reliability even when some pilots are affected by interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If pilots are embedded in the communication signal for channel estimation, then coherent communication can be achieved, but the same signal path exposes pilots to interference from other transmission signals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoherent communication capabilityVSAvoidinterference from other transmission signals

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of interference into a beneficial identification mechanism. By using the preliminary channel estimate to detect deviations in individual pilots, the system transforms interference-induced corruption into a detectable anomaly that triggers exclusion of the corrupted pilot. This approach turns the presence of interference into an opportunity to identify and remove bad data points, thereby improving overall estimation reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS12328277B2Method and system for estimating a transmission channel of a communication link

Publication Date: 2025.06.10 AIRBUS (SAS)

AI summary

A system and a method for estimating a transmission channel of a communication link. A transmitter can transmit a first transmission signal and a receiver can receive the first transmission signal through the transmission channel. The first transmission signal includes data elements and pilots, each of the pilots being located at specified locations within a time-frequency domain of the first transmission signal. The receiver can determine a level of interference for each of the pilots, the level of interference being indicative of an extent of distortion on a respective pilot caused by a second transmission signal interfering with the first transmission signal. The receiver can further determine an interference-mitigated pilot for each pilot based on the determined level of interference determined for each respective pilot. The receiver can use the determined interference-mitigated pilots to estimate the transmission channel of the first transmission signal.