Multi-Component Signal Frame Synchronization via Segmented Correlation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for high-throughput data transmission face challenges in efficiently processing multi-component communications signals, particularly in maintaining frame synchronization and minimizing interference between independently-modulated components, which affects data integrity and processing efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A frame synchronization module is introduced in the communications receiver that includes a buffer, search correlator, and state machines to identify and maintain synchronization with sample frames, utilizing differential and non-differential decoding modes to locate and verify distinct sample patterns, ensuring accurate frame alignment and minimizing distortions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If frame synchronization is maintained for multi-component signals, then data integrity is improved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata integrityVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the multi-component signal into multiple independently processed component signals, where each component signal is despread and processed separately through its own correlator and frame synchronization mechanism. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple signals simultaneously, maintaining data integrity for each component while distributing the processing complexity across multiple independent channels rather than requiring complex joint processing of all components together.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If high-throughput data transmission is achieved, then productivity is improved, but frame synchronization accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission throughputVSAvoidframe synchronization accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary frame synchronization detection before full data processing by using correlation techniques to identify frame boundaries and synchronization patterns in advance. The system performs preliminary correlation between the received signal and expected frame structures, detects synchronization states ahead of time, and uses this preliminary information to guide subsequent high-speed data processing, thereby maintaining synchronization accuracy even at high throughput rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If multiple independently-modulated components are processed, then data capacity is improved, but interference between components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata capacityVSAvoidinterference between components
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and separates each independently-modulated component signal through dedicated despreading operations using component-specific spreading codes. By taking out each component signal and processing it through its own correlation detector and frame synchronization mechanism, the system isolates each component from interference caused by other components, allowing high data capacity through multiple components while minimizing inter-component interference through separate processing paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3837782B1Synchronizing and aligning sample frames received on multi-component signals at a communications receiver
Publication Date: 2024.02.07 EFFECT PHOTONICS BV
  • EP3837782B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3837782B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3837782B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A frame synchronization system and method is disclosed. The system can comprise controller, a search correlator, and a buffer. The controller can operate on a first stream of first digital sample blocks associated with a first signal and a second stream of second digital sample blocks associated with a second signal. The search correlator can determine an index of a first unique word (UW) pattern within first searchable digital sample blocks corresponding to the first digital sample blocks and an index of a second UW pattern within second searchable digital sample blocks corresponding to the second digital sample blocks. The buffer can be configured to store the first digital sample blocks and the second digital sample blocks and to release the buffered first and the second digital sample blocks for flow downstream when the stream of first digital sample blocks and the stream of second digital sample blocks are aligned.