OFDM Tone Puncturing for PAPR Reduction With Lower Complexity

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication technologies face challenges in efficiently reducing peak to average power ratio (PAPR) in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) waveforms, particularly at high carrier frequencies, which can lead to hardware issues and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A tone puncturing procedure is implemented to reduce PAPR by selecting and tuning a set of tones based on amplitude thresholds and error correction capabilities, minimizing the number of tones dedicated to PAPR reduction and reducing computational complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional PAPR reduction techniques are used, then PAPR is reduced, but computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePAPR reduction effectivenessVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes specific tones (puncture tones) from the OFDM signal that contribute most to PAPR, rather than processing the entire signal. By selecting and removing only the problematic tones identified through amplitude threshold detection, the system achieves PAPR reduction with significantly lower computational complexity compared to traditional methods that process all tones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different processing to different tones based on their local characteristics. Tones are selected for puncturing based on their amplitude values exceeding a threshold, and different puncturing strategies are applied to different tone sets (first puncture tones, second puncture tones, third puncture tones) depending on their contribution to PAPR and signal-to-noise ratio considerations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If more tones are dedicated to PAPR reduction, then PAPR reduction performance improves, but spectral efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePAPR reduction performanceVSAvoidspectral efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by puncturing only a subset of tones rather than dedicating all tones to PAPR reduction. The system identifies and punctures only the specific tones that contribute most to PAPR peaks, leaving the majority of tones available for data transmission. This selective approach achieves adequate PAPR reduction while preserving spectral efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts the number and selection of puncture tones based on signal conditions. The amplitude threshold parameter is used to identify problematic tones, and the puncturing process is adapted based on the detected peak locations and amplitudes, allowing flexible optimization between PAPR reduction and spectral efficiency rather than using a fixed tone allocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If tone puncturing is applied, then PAPR is reduced, but signal loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePAPR reductionVSAvoidsignal loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by detecting and marking tones for puncturing before the actual PAPR reduction process. The system identifies tones exceeding amplitude thresholds in advance, determines which tones to puncture based on their contribution to peaks, and prepares the puncturing pattern before signal transmission. This allows for optimized selection of puncture tones that minimize information loss while achieving PAPR reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4589902A1Peak to average power ratio reduction
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP4589902A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4589902A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4589902A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: Obtaining a frequency domain signal comprising a plurality of tones. Generating, based on the frequency domain signal, a time domain signal comprising a plurality of samples. Determining whether at least one sample within the plurality of samples meets an amplitude threshold; and performing, in response to the at least one sample meeting the amplitude threshold, a tone puncturing procedure.