Isofrequency Retransmission Coupling Echo Cancellation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current isofrequency retransmission techniques in digital terrestrial broadcasting suffer from coupling echoes between receiving and transmitting antennas, leading to signal disturbances and reduced coverage, as existing echo cancellation methods are inefficient due to adaptive algorithms requiring heavy computing resources and providing only partial echo cancellation.

Innovation Solution

A method involving precise extraction and processing of coupling echoes to generate a correction signal, which is then subtracted from the received signal, allowing for complete digital regeneration and cancellation of coupling echoes, along with other distortions like phase noise and fading, using deformation parameters such as gain, delay, and phase.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If isofrequency retransmission is used to extend coverage area, then coverage area is improved, but coupling echoes between receiving and transmitting antennas cause signal disturbances and reduce transmission quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidsignal disturbance from coupling echoes
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the harmful coupling echo signal from the received signal by identifying it as a distinct component that can be separated and eliminated through digital signal processing, allowing the useful signal to be recovered without distortion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of the coupling echo signal (amplitude, phase, delay) to match the actual measured coupling characteristics, then uses these adjusted parameters to generate a correction signal that accurately cancels the echo interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional echo cancellation methods using adaptive algorithms are used, then some echo suppression is achieved, but heavy computing resources are required and only partial echo cancellation is provided

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveecho suppressionVSAvoidcomputing resources requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex adaptive filtering algorithms with a direct measurement and subtraction approach, using the measured coupling parameters to directly compute and subtract the echo signal without requiring iterative adaptive processing

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary measurement of the coupling parameters (amplitude, phase, delay) between transmitting and receiving antennas before normal operation, storing these parameters for use in real-time echo cancellation without requiring complex processing during signal transmission

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If coupling echo level is reduced to prevent system locking, then transmission stability is improved, but transmission power must be reduced limiting coverage area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission stabilityVSAvoidcoverage area
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful coupling echo into a useful measurement tool by using the echo signal itself to determine the coupling parameters, then applying these parameters to generate a correction signal that eliminates the harmful effects while maintaining full transmission power

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

Data Source

PatentEP1744471B1Method and apparatus for isofrequency retransmission of a digital signal with echo-suppression
Publication Date: 2008.04.30 TEAMCAST
  • EP1744471B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1744471B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP1744471B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

The method involves extracting a coupling echo using a coupling echo extraction module (33) and processing the echo so as to generate a correction signal. The correction signal is subtracted from a source signal to generate an improved signal, and the improved signal is regenerated, using a digital regeneration module (36), by demodulation/modulation so as to be retransmitted on a transmitting antenna (32). The extraction of the echo implements a determination of a deformation parameter of signal to be re-emitted on the antenna. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a device for isofrequency retransmission of a digital signal (2) a computer program product comprising program code instructions for implementing steps of a digital signal retransmission method.