Neural Network Antenna Selection for OFDM Error Rate

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing antenna diversity receivers in OFDM wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in selecting the optimal reception antenna due to time-consuming binary error rate calculations, especially when frequent changes occur.

Innovation Solution

A process utilizing a neural network to estimate binary error rates based on the frequency response of transmission channels, leveraging a fast Fourier transform module and a multilayer perceptron model, which learns to determine the necessary signal power for a predetermined error rate, allowing for rapid and efficient antenna selection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If binary error rate calculation is performed by decoding a large number of bits from the preamble, then measurement precision of the transmission channel quality is improved, but loss of time increases due to the expensive calculation time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebinary error rate calculation accuracyVSAvoidcalculation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The neural network is pre-trained offline with大量的preamble data to learn the relationship between frequency response characteristics and binary error rates. During runtime, the network directly estimates error rates from frequency response without performing expensive decoding operations, thus achieving accurate measurement with minimal time loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical decoding-based error rate calculation method with a neural network-based estimation approach. The neural network processes frequency response data through learned patterns rather than through sequential bit decoding, dramatically reducing calculation time while maintaining measurement accuracy

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

2Measurement precision

If traditional binary error rate calculation method is used, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases due to inability to perform frequent antenna switching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror rate measurement accuracyVSAvoidantenna switching frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The neural network performs preliminary learning offline to capture the relationship between channel characteristics and error rates. This pre-computed knowledge enables rapid online estimation that supports frequent antenna switching while maintaining measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the slow, sequential decoding-based measurement system with a fast neural network estimation system. This substitution enables the receiver to evaluate multiple antennas rapidly and switch between them frequently, greatly improving productivity while preserving measurement precision

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

3Productivity

If neural network estimation method is used, then productivity is improved by enabling rapid antenna selection, but device complexity increases due to adding neural network components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna selection speedVSAvoidreceiver structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The neural network shares the frequency response calculation module with the existing OFDM receiver, utilizing the same FFT processing infrastructure. This multi-functionality approach adds estimation capability without duplicating existing components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a neural network as an intermediary component that bridges the frequency response data and the antenna selection decision. This intermediary processes the data through learned patterns to produce error rate estimates, enabling rapid antenna selection while keeping the overall system architecture relatively simple

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If frequent antenna switching is performed, then reliability is improved by selecting the best transmission channel, but loss of time increases due to repeated calculations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission link reliabilityVSAvoidtime for repeated error rate calculations
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The neural network is pre-trained with extensive data to capture the statistical relationships between channel characteristics and error rates. This preliminary action enables the system to perform rapid error rate estimation during antenna switching without repeated expensive decoding operations, thus maintaining reliability while reducing time loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the time-consuming decoding-based error rate calculation with neural network estimation. This substitution allows frequent antenna switching to be performed rapidly, enabling the system to select the most reliable transmission channel without incurring significant time penalties from repeated calculations

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

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 enables swift and accurate selection of the antenna with the lowest binary error rate, improving the reliability of the transmission link by automating the choice based on estimated error rates and safety margins, thus enhancing the robustness of the communication system.

Implementation Method 1

A process for selecting a transmission channel in a wireless digital communication system with antenna diversity uses a neural network fed with data representative of the frequency response of the transmission channel calculated by a module for calculating the fast Fourier transform

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFast Fourier Transform:

Implementation Method 2

the process consists in estimating the binary error rate for each transmission channel by feeding a neural network with data representative of the frequency response of the transmission channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNeural Network Processing:

Data Source

PatentUS7639752B2Process for selecting a transmission channel and receiver of signals with antenna diversity
Publication Date: 2009.12.29 INTERDIGITAL MADISON PATENT HLDG
  • US7639752B2 patent drawing
  • US7639752B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A process for selecting a transmission channel from several transmission channels of a receiver of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) radio signals with antenna diversity, with a view to favoring the transmission channel delivering a signal with the lowest binary error rate, consists in estimating the binary error rate for each transmission channel by feeding a neural network with data Radio Frequency Channel (RFC) representative of the frequency response of the transmission channel.