LTE Cyclic Prefix Detection via Frequency Domain Correlation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In LTE wireless communication systems, the existing blind cyclic prefix (CP) detection methods face challenges in asynchronous cellular networks with varying CP lengths, leading to multiple correlation peaks and increased complexity, especially in scenarios where cells have different CP lengths.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that simultaneously determine the CP length and cell group by placing a single Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) window between estimated timing for long and short CP lengths, performing phase shifts in the frequency domain, and correlating the secondary synchronization signal (S-SyS) to detect the cell group and CP length with maximum energy, thereby avoiding multiple peak issues and reducing complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If time domain autocorrelation method is used for blind CP detection, then the method is simple to implement, but multiple correlation peaks occur in asynchronous networks with different CP lengths making detection complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoiddetection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the time-domain autocorrelation method with a frequency-domain correlation approach. Instead of performing autocorrelation in the time domain which produces multiple peaks in asynchronous networks, the invention transforms the signal to frequency domain using FFT, performs correlation there, and achieves unique peak identification. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining implementation simplicity while eliminating detection complexity in multi-CP-length scenarios.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the domain parameter from time domain to frequency domain for the correlation operation. By applying FFT to transform the received signal and synchronization sequences from time domain to frequency domain, the method achieves single-peak correlation even when multiple cells with different CP lengths are present, thus resolving the multiple peaks problem while keeping the approach simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If separate detection of CP length and cell group is performed, then each detection can be optimized independently, but the overall detection time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoiddetection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the CP length detection and cell group detection into a single unified frequency-domain correlation operation. By correlating the frequency-transformed received signal with frequency-transformed synchronization sequences that encode both CP length and cell group information, the method simultaneously determines both parameters in one step, achieving both high accuracy and reduced detection time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal detection method that handles both CP length identification and cell group identification through a single correlation process. The synchronization sequences are designed to encode multiple pieces of information, and the frequency-domain correlation approach can extract both types of information simultaneously, making the detection apparatus multi-functional without requiring separate detection mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2158738B1Method and apparatus for simultaneous cell group and cyclic prefix detection
Publication Date: 2011.09.07 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP2158738B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2158738B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2158738B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method, and associated apparatus and system, for simultaneous cell group and cyclic prefix (CP) detection, having the steps of determining primary synchronization signal (P-SyS) timing τ using the P-SyS; based on τ, determine a secondary synchronization signal (S-SyS) timing; placing a single Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) window; FFT processing the signal to obtain the frequency domain S-SyS symbols; equalizing the frequency domain S-SyS signal; phase correcting the S-SyS signal; and detecting the cell group and CP length by the correlation giving maximum energy.