Modulation Order Selection for RF Spur Resilience

Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication systems face reliability issues due to RF spurs, which impair signal-to-noise ratios, making it difficult to demodulate signals using high-order modulation schemes like 4k or 16k QAM, and using lower modulation orders reduces communication efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method where a base station and user equipment (UE) dynamically select different modulation orders for subcarriers associated with RF spurs and those not associated with them, using higher orders for non-spur subcarriers and lower orders for spur-impacted subcarriers, allowing for efficient and reliable communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high-order modulation schemes (4k or 16k QAM) are used, then communication efficiency is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to RF spurs impacting signal-to-noise ratio

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidsignal demodulation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different modulation orders to different subcarrier sets based on their specific conditions. Subcarriers without RF spurs use high-order modulation (e.g., 16k QAM) for maximum efficiency, while subcarriers with RF spurs use lower-order modulation (e.g., 4k QAM or 16 QAM) for reliable demodulation. This localized adaptation of modulation quality resolves the contradiction between overall efficiency and local reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the frequency spectrum into multiple subcarrier sets, where each set is independently evaluated for RF spur presence and assigned appropriate modulation orders. This segmentation allows the system to treat different frequency resources differently, applying high-order modulation only where conditions permit and lower-order modulation where RF spurs are detected, thus resolving the efficiency-reliability tradeoff.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If lower modulation orders are used, then reliability against RF spurs is improved, but communication efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal demodulation reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different modulation orders to different subcarrier sets based on their specific conditions. Subcarriers without RF spurs use high-order modulation (e.g., 16k QAM) for maximum efficiency, while subcarriers with RF spurs use lower-order modulation (e.g., 4k QAM or 16 QAM) for reliable demodulation. This localized adaptation of modulation quality resolves the contradiction between overall efficiency and local reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the frequency spectrum into multiple subcarrier sets, where each set is independently evaluated for RF spur presence and assigned appropriate modulation orders. This segmentation allows the system to treat different frequency resources differently, applying high-order modulation only where conditions permit and lower-order modulation where RF spurs are detected, thus resolving the efficiency-reliability tradeoff.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If uniform modulation order is used across all subcarriers, then system complexity is reduced, but adaptability to RF spur conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodulation selection complexityVSAvoidadaptability to RF spur conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the modulation order adaptive rather than fixed. The network node dynamically determines appropriate modulation orders for different subcarrier sets based on detected RF spur conditions and communicates these assignments to the UE. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to respond to changing RF conditions while maintaining manageable complexity through automated determination and signaling procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by varying the modulation order parameter across different subcarrier sets based on RF spur conditions. Instead of using a single uniform modulation order, the system changes the modulation parameter (e.g., from 16k QAM to 4k QAM or 16 QAM) for specific subcarriers where RF spurs are detected, thereby achieving adaptability to local conditions while maintaining overall system coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12113658B1Modulation order selection associated with resiliency against spur impairment

Publication Date: 2024.10.08 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for wireless communication. In one aspect of the disclosure, a method for wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE) includes receiving first and second indications of respective first and second sets of subcarriers associated with respective first and second modulation orders. Each subcarrier of the second set of subcarriers is associated with a first RF spur associated with the network node. The method further includes demodulating respective first and second signals concurrently received on the respective first and second sets of subcarriers in accordance with the respective first and second modulation orders. Other aspects and features are also claimed and described.