OFDM Timing Control with Filtering in 5G NR

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communications systems, particularly 5G NR, face challenges in achieving low peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) and efficient spectrum utilization, which affects data rates, transmission quality, and latency, especially with the increasing demand for high-bandwidth content.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of enhanced time-domain and frequency-domain filtering techniques in OFDM-based systems, including DFT-S-OFDM and CP-OFDM, with configurable filter parameters and timing corrections to manage delays, is proposed to improve waveform transmission and air interface efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If enhanced filtering techniques are implemented in OFDM-based systems, then PAPR is reduced and transmission quality is improved, but device complexity and computational requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission qualityVSAvoidfiltering operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filtering operation is divided into two separate domains: time-domain filtering and frequency-domain filtering. The system can selectively apply filtering in one domain or the other based on configuration, breaking down the complex filtering task into manageable segments that can be processed more efficiently

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically selects between time-domain filtering and frequency-domain filtering based on configuration parameters and operational conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize computational complexity while maintaining transmission quality by choosing the most efficient filtering domain for each scenario

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If filtering operations are applied to reduce PAPR, then data rates and spectrum utilization are improved, but timing delays are introduced requiring additional correction mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata rateVSAvoidfiltering-induced timing delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary timing alignment by identifying and compensating for the timing delay introduced by filtering operations before actual data transmission. By pre-calculating and applying timing corrections based on the selected filtering domain and parameters, the system eliminates delays that would otherwise require complex correction mechanisms during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If configurable filter parameters are used to optimize performance, then spectrum utilization is enhanced, but system configuration and control complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum utilizationVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a universal configuration framework that handles both time-domain and frequency-domain filtering through a single set of configurable parameters. The filtering configuration can selectively enable or disable filtering in either domain, providing multi-functional capability while maintaining a unified, manageable configuration interface that reduces overall system complexity

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

Data Source

PatentEP3679697B1Techniques for timing control with filtering in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-based systems
Publication Date: 2022.03.30 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3679697B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3679697B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3679697B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Various aspects described herein relate to techniques for timing control with filtering in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)-based wireless communications systems. In an aspect, the method includes determining whether time-domain filtering or frequency-domain filtering is used for a transmission signal waveform, and identifying a time delay based on a determination that the time-domain filtering is used for the transmission signal waveform. The method further includes applying a timing correction based on the identified time delay. The techniques described herein may apply to different communications technologies, including 5th Generation (5G) New Radio (NR) communications technology.