OFDM Signal Detection via Auto-Correlation Lag Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for detecting OFDM signals in communication systems are inefficient, leading to high latency and power consumption, as they require extensive scanning and correlation operations to determine signal presence and parameters.

Innovation Solution

A method that calculates auto-correlation values at specific lags-of-interest, determines rate of growth values across blocks of data samples, normalizes these values, and uses threshold comparisons to quickly determine the presence of an OFDM signal, reducing latency and improving power efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If extensive scanning and correlation operations are performed to determine signal presence and parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection latency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the correlation operation by identifying and processing only specific lags-of-interest rather than performing exhaustive scanning across all possible lags. This segmentation allows the receiver to focus computational resources on the most relevant correlation lags, thereby reducing detection time while maintaining sufficient accuracy for OFDM signal identification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by using rate of growth analysis on auto-correlation values to quickly identify potential signal presence before performing full parameter estimation. This preliminary detection step filters out non-signal conditions early, avoiding unnecessary extensive scanning and correlation operations for clear cases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If extensive scanning and correlation operations are performed to determine signal presence and parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal detection accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the correlation operation by identifying and processing only specific lags-of-interest rather than performing exhaustive scanning across all possible lags. This segmentation allows the receiver to focus computational resources on the most relevant correlation lags, thereby reducing detection time while maintaining sufficient accuracy for OFDM signal identification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by performing correlation operations only at selected lags-of-interest rather than exhaustive scanning. This partial processing approach consumes significantly less energy while providing sufficient detection accuracy for practical OFDM signal identification in communication systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Loss of time

If quick signal detection is implemented to reduce latency, then loss of time is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection latencyVSAvoidsignal detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces rate of growth analysis as an intermediary metric between raw auto-correlation values and final signal detection decisions. This intermediary step provides a quantitative measure that helps distinguish true signal presence from noise or interference more reliably, even when using reduced sets of lags-of-interest, thereby maintaining precision while enabling faster detection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring rate of growth values across multiple blocks and using threshold comparisons to adaptively determine signal presence. This feedback-based approach allows the system to make reliable detection decisions with fewer processing steps, reducing latency while maintaining accuracy through iterative validation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3367596B1OFDM signal presence detection
Publication Date: 2020.01.01 IMAGINATION TECH LTD
  • EP3367596B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3367596B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(d)
  • EP3367596B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6(a)

AI summary

A method of detecting the presence of an OFDM signal in a received input signal, the method comprising: calculating, for each block of a plurality of blocks of samples of the received input signal, an auto-correlation value at each of a plurality of lags-of-interest; determining, for each of the plurality of lags-of-interest, a rate of growth value across a group of two or more blocks of data samples based on the auto-correlation values; normalising the determined rate of growth values using a normalisation factor to generate normalised rate of growth values; and determining whether an OFDM signal is present in the received input signal based on the normalised rate of growth values.