Multi-Antenna Coherent Combining for Carrier Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in carrier sensing and symbol timing due to the lack of coherent combining of signals from multiple antennas, leading to suboptimal performance, especially at low signal-to-noise ratios and due to automatic gain control effects.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of multi-antenna coherent combining (MACC) techniques, where signals from multiple antennas are combined with coherent phases to improve signal-to-noise ratio and perform carrier sensing and symbol timing, using methods such as cross-correlation, phase estimation, and angle averaging to align and combine signals effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If signals from multiple antennas are combined with coherent phases, then carrier sensing and symbol timing accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal processing into distinct stages: first obtaining estimated phases from each antenna independently, then combining signals with these estimated phases. This segmentation allows the complex multi-antenna processing to be broken down into manageable steps, improving measurement precision while controlling device complexity through structured processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by obtaining estimated phases of signals from multiple antennas before performing the coherent combining operation. This preliminary phase estimation prepares the signals in advance, enabling more accurate carrier sensing and symbol timing detection when the signals are subsequently combined, thus improving measurement precision without excessively increasing device complexity.
2Reliability
If multi-antenna coherent combining is implemented, then signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by obtaining estimated phases rather than performing full channel estimation and equalization. This partial processing approach provides sufficient phase information for coherent combining to improve signal-to-noise ratio, while avoiding the excessive computational complexity of complete signal processing chains.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by obtaining estimated phases from each antenna's received signal independently, then applying these phase estimates to combine the signals. This approach copies the essential phase information needed for coherent combining without replicating entire signal processing pipelines, thus improving reliability while controlling computational complexity.
3Reliability
If phase estimation and coherent combining are performed, then detection robustness is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by obtaining estimated phases before the coherent combining operation. This preliminary phase estimation is performed once and then used for combining, avoiding repeated phase calculations during the combining process. This approach improves detection robustness through coherent combining while minimizing additional processing time by preparing phase information in advance.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure includes systems and techniques relating to multi-antenna coherent combining (MACC) for carrier sensing (CS) and symbol timing (ST) in a wireless communication system. In some implementations, a device includes a receiver and processor electronics. The receiver is configured to receive two or more signals from two or more antennas, each of the two or more signals including a known, periodic reference signal that has gone through a respective wireless channel via one of the two or more antennas. The processor electronics are configured to obtain estimated phases of the two or more signals from the two or more antennas; obtain a combined signal by combining the two or more signals with coherent estimated phases of the two or more signals; and perform carrier sensing and symbol timing of the two or more signals based on the combined signal.