Frequency-Selective Occupancy Detection Using Adaptive Threshold Curves
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for frequency-selective spectrum occupancy measurement of radio channels face challenges in accurately determining channel occupancy due to changes in the receive spectrum and hardware-dependent thresholds, leading to measurement errors.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that determine node frequencies and node level values within a frequency band, using these to create a threshold curve that adapts to the noise floor, allowing for flexible and hardware-independent occupancy detection by comparing current power levels with a reference power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed threshold is set for occupancy detection, then the device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to receive spectrum changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic threshold determination method where the threshold is no longer fixed but adapts to changing receive spectrum conditions. The receiver continuously monitors the receive spectrum and adjusts the threshold accordingly, transforming the static threshold into a dynamic parameter that responds to environmental changes, thereby maintaining measurement precision without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the measured receive spectrum is fed back into the threshold determination process. The system uses the actual received signal characteristics to continuously refine and adjust the threshold value, creating a closed-loop control system that automatically compensates for spectrum variations and maintains accurate occupancy detection
2Measurement precision
If the threshold is determined adaptively from the noise floor, then measurement precision is improved, but measurement errors increase in non-flat receive spectra
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by determining the noise floor and threshold separately for different frequency regions within the receive spectrum. Instead of using a single global threshold, the system divides the spectrum into multiple regions and establishes locally adapted thresholds that account for the specific characteristics of each region, thereby handling non-flat spectra more accurately and reducing measurement errors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the receive spectrum into multiple frequency regions or channels, allowing independent threshold determination for each segment. This segmentation enables the system to handle varying spectral conditions in different parts of the frequency band separately, improving overall measurement reliability by addressing local spectral characteristics rather than applying a uniform approach
3Measurement precision
If frequency-selective occupancy measurement is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to hardware dependencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal threshold determination method that can be applied across different frequency bands and receiver configurations without requiring hardware-specific calibration. The system uses generalizable algorithms that adapt to various receiver types and frequency ranges, reducing hardware dependencies while maintaining frequency-selective measurement precision through software-based adaptation
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for frequency-selective occupancy detection of a channel in a frequency band includes a detector for detecting a receive spectrum in the frequency band, a provider for providing node frequencies, a determiner for determining node level values, a determiner for determining the threshold curve and a comparer. The provider provides the node frequencies for a threshold curve with respect to a noise floor in the frequency band. The determiner determines the node level values at the node frequencies based on receive level values of the receive spectrum. The determiner determines the threshold curve in the frequency band based on the provided node frequencies and the node level values at the node frequencies. The comparer compares a current power of the receive level values in the channel with a reference power in the channel predetermined by the threshold curve to detect occupancy or non-occupancy of the channel depending on the comparison.