Inverse Chirp Z-Transform Using Structured Matrix Inversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inverse chirp z-transform (ICZT) algorithms require O(n^3) operations, which is inefficient, and existing methods for reducing complexity to O(n log n) are not generalizable to the case where A and W are complex numbers.

Innovation Solution

An efficient O(n log n) ICZT algorithm is developed using structured matrices, specifically Vandermonde and Toeplitz matrices, which allows for the inversion of a specially constructed Toeplitz matrix Ŵ, reducing the computational complexity by expressing the ICZT as a product of structured matrices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If standard matrix inversion algorithm is used for ICZT, then the transform can be inverted, but the computational complexity increases to O(n^3)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinversion capabilityVSAvoidcomputational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The ICZT computation is segmented into three distinct stages: (1) precomputation of chirp sequences, (2) convolution operation, and (3) post-processing. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, with the convolution stage being the core inversion operation that achieves O(n log n) complexity through FFT-based methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary convolution operation that acts as a bridge between the input spectrum and output signal. This convolution-based approach replaces direct matrix inversion, achieving the inversion function through a computationally efficient intermediate process that maintains mathematical equivalence while reducing complexity from O(n^3) to O(n log n).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If O(n log n) ICZT algorithm is implemented, then computational efficiency is improved, but memory requirements increase to O(n^2)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomputational efficiencyVSAvoidmemory usage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The algorithm segments the computation into stages that process data in manageable chunks rather than requiring full O(n^2) matrix storage. By dividing the inversion process into precomputation, convolution, and post-processing phases, memory usage is reduced to O(n) for storing intermediate results while maintaining O(n log n) computational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need to store the complete transform matrix by using generating vectors to represent structured matrices (Vandermonde, Toeplitz, circulant) in compact O(n) form. This extraction of essential structural properties allows efficient computation without the memory burden of explicit matrix storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Volume of stationary object

If generating vectors are used to represent structured matrices, then memory usage is reduced to O(n), but the algorithm complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvememory usageVSAvoidalgorithm complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the representation parameters of structured matrices from full n×n elements to compact generating vectors of size O(n). This parameter change exploits the mathematical structure of these matrices (where entire rows/columns can be generated from single vectors through operations like multiplication or reversal), reducing memory requirements while the algorithmic operations remain systematically manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3659052B1Systems and methods for inverting the chirp z-transform in o(n log n) time and o(n) memory
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 IOWA STATE UNIV RES FOUND INC
  • EP3659052B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3659052B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3659052B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure describe an efficient O(n log n) method that implements the Inverse Chirp Z-Transform (ICZT). This transform is the inverse of the well-known forward Chirp Z-Transform (CZT), which generalizes the fast Fourier transform (FFT) by allowing the sampling points to fall on a logarithmic spiral contour instead of the unit circle. Thus, the ICZT can be viewed as a generalization of the inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT).