Wireless Modem Interference Mitigation via Digital Filtering

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing operating frequencies of device platform components interfere with wireless modem reception signals, leading to degraded data throughput and requiring costly RF shielding, which is not preferable due to increased thickness and cost, and conventional frequency shifting methods result in system performance degradation and are difficult to manage.

Innovation Solution

The device platform characterizes platform-emitted RF signals, generates an interference profile, and uses digital filtering or spatial-temporal whitening to mitigate interference, allowing the wireless modem to adjust its operations and avoid interference frequencies during cell selection and handover processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If RF shielding is used to confine interference signals from platform components, then wireless modem reception quality is improved, but device platform cost and thickness increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless modem reception qualityVSAvoiddevice platform thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical RF shielding approach with a software-based interference mitigation system. The wireless modem characterizes platform-emitted RF signals, generates interference profiles, and applies digital filtering or spatial-temporal whitening techniques to cancel interference signals in the received signal, eliminating the need for physical shielding materials and structures.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an interference mitigation mechanism as an intermediary between the platform components and the wireless modem reception. This mechanism includes signal characterization, interference profile generation, and digital filtering processes that mediate the interaction between platform RF emissions and modem reception, allowing both to coexist without physical isolation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the operating frequency of platform components is reduced to avoid interference, then wireless modem reception quality is improved, but system performance degradation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless modem reception qualityVSAvoidsystem performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of changing the operating frequency parameter of platform components (which would degrade system performance), the patent changes the reception signal processing parameters by applying digital filtering and spatial-temporal whitening techniques. This allows platform components to operate at their optimal frequencies while the reception signal is cleaned of interference through parameter adjustments in the signal processing domain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the frequency shifting approach with a signal processing approach. Rather than mechanically changing the operating parameters of platform components, the system uses digital signal processing techniques to remove interference from the received signal, substituting a non-intrusive method that preserves component performance.

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

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the operating frequency of platform components is reduced to avoid interference, then interference with wireless modem reception is reduced, but device complexity increases due to frequency monitoring and control

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRF interference levelVSAvoidfrequency monitoring and control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless modem performs self-service by autonomously characterizing platform-emitted RF signals, generating its own interference profile, and applying appropriate digital filtering or spatial-temporal whitening techniques. This self-contained approach eliminates the need for external frequency monitoring and control systems, reducing device complexity while effectively mitigating interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the wireless modem continuously monitors platform RF emissions, characterizes the interference signals, and adjusts its reception processing accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system automatically adapts to changing interference conditions without requiring complex external control, managing harmful factors through real-time signal processing adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Reliability

If conventional frequency shifting is used to mitigate interference, then wireless modem reception quality is improved, but the solution becomes difficult to manage when multiple platform components are involved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless modem reception qualityVSAvoidinterference mitigation management
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the interference mitigation functions for multiple platform components into a unified digital signal processing framework. Instead of managing separate frequency shifting operations for each component, the system combines all interference characteristics into a single interference profile and applies comprehensive digital filtering or spatial-temporal whitening, simplifying the management of multi-component interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a unified interference mitigation mechanism as an intermediary that handles all platform components simultaneously. This mediator characterizes RF signals from multiple sources, generates a composite interference profile, and applies appropriate filtering techniques, making the management of multi-component interference systematic and manageable rather than requiring individual control of each component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach effectively mitigates platform-emitted RF interference without degrading system performance, reduces the need for RF shielding, and manages interference from multiple components, providing a long-term solution for improved data throughput and user experience.

Implementation Method 1

The received signal is processed by a digital filter with digital filter coefficients that are selected based on information received in the message

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDigital filtering: Filter (electronic)

Implementation Method 2

spatial-temporal whitening is performed on the received signal if the interference signal is a wideband signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpatial-temporal whitening:

Data Source

PatentEP4250573A1Method and device to mitigate a radio frequency interference to a wireless modem caused by platform components
Publication Date: 2023.09.27 INTEL CORP
  • EP4250573A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4250573A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4250573A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Methods and apparatus for mitigating a platform-emitted interference to a modem in a device. A processor may detect, based on an application or a use case running on the device, a need to implement an interference mitigation measure by the modem to mitigate an interference caused by an interference signal emitted due to operation of other platform components in the device. The processor sends a message to the modem based on an interference profile stored in the device to implement the interference mitigation measure by the wireless modem. The interference profile includes frequency, bandwidth type, and bandwidth of an interference signal, or a filter number to be used for interference mitigation. The modem may perform an interference impact analysis based on the message and perform an interference mitigation measure to mitigate an interference to the received signal based on the interference impact analysis.