Interleaved Multi-User Block Transmission With Non-Coherent Signal Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current multi-user access schemes in wireless communication, particularly in LTE and 5G networks, face challenges with high pilot contamination and overhead due to coherent signaling, especially in scenarios with high mobility and large numbers of users, leading to inefficiencies in channel estimation and spectral usage.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of multi-user frequency-division multiplexing using modulation on conjugate-reciprocal zeros (MOCZ) with interleaved frequency-division multiplexing techniques, which allows for non-coherent communication and efficient separation of user signals in the frequency domain, reducing the need for pilot signals and enhancing spectral efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If coherent signaling with pilot signals is used for channel estimation, then channel estimation accuracy is improved, but pilot contamination and overhead increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel estimation accuracyVSAvoidpilot signal overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the pilot signal component from the communication system by transitioning to non-coherent detection. This eliminates the need for pilot signals entirely, resolving the contradiction by taking out the harmful element (pilot overhead) while maintaining channel estimation capability through alternative means (energy detection and combinatorial modulation).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/coherent signaling system with a non-coherent detection system. Instead of using pilot signals and coherent channel estimation, the system uses energy detection and combinatorial modulation schemes that do not require channel state information, thereby eliminating pilot overhead while maintaining measurement capability.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If coherent signaling is used in high mobility scenarios with large numbers of users, then user access capability is improved, but pilot contamination and system overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser access capabilityVSAvoidpilot signal overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The non-coherent detection system serves itself by using energy detection and signal structure analysis rather than external pilot signals. Each user's signal carries its own identification through combinatorial modulation patterns, eliminating the need for separate pilot resources and enabling scalable user access without increasing overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of detection methodology from coherent to non-coherent. This parameter change allows the system to maintain user access capability through alternative signal differentiation methods (combinatorial modulation patterns) while eliminating pilot signal requirements entirely.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If conventional frequency-division multiplexing is used, then user signal separation is achieved, but peak-to-average power ratio is high and interference occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser signal separationVSAvoidpeak-to-average power ratio
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary time-shifting to user signals before transmission. This time-domain offset allows signals from different users to be separated in time, eliminating the need for high PAPR mitigation techniques and reducing interference while maintaining reliable user signal separation through simple time-domain processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Measurement precision

If more pilot signals are used for channel estimation, then channel estimation accuracy is improved, but spectral efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel estimation accuracyVSAvoidspectral efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes pilot signals from the system by implementing non-coherent detection. This eliminates the trade-off entirely by taking out the element that causes spectral efficiency loss while maintaining measurement capability through energy detection and combinatorial modulation schemes that use the data signals themselves for identification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4179711B1Multi-user interleaved frequency-division multiplexing for block transmissions
Publication Date: 2024.11.27 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4179711B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4179711B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4179711B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A computer-implemented method for multi-user multiplexing for block transmissions by an electronic device includes generating a user signal that includes a number of first samples in time domain. The number of first samples are generated based on a discrete-time baseband signal and a predetermined guard period. A discrete Fourier transform (DFT) operation is performed on the number of first samples to obtain a number of second samples in frequency domain. An interleaving operation is performed on the number of second samples to obtain a number of third samples in frequency domain. An inverse-DFT (IDFT) operation is performed on the number of third samples to obtain a number of fourth samples in time domain. A time shifting is performed on the number of fourth samples to obtain a number of shifted fourth samples. A block transmission is sent using the number of shifted fourth samples.