Uplink Downlink Discrimination Using Orthogonal Preambles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing unmanned mobile device systems face challenges in reliably distinguishing between uplink and downlink communications, leading to potential interference and increased computational costs due to the need for demodulation to determine communication types.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method using time division multiple access (TDMA) with orthogonal preambles for uplink and downlink communications, allowing receivers to determine communication type through convolution with reference preambles without demodulation, thereby reducing computational complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If demodulation is performed to determine communication type, then communication type identification accuracy is improved, but computational cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication type identification accuracyVSAvoidcomputational cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the communication type identification function from the demodulation process. Instead of performing full demodulation to determine communication type, the system uses a simplified correlation-based detection method that operates on the received signal directly, separating the identification function from the complex demodulation process and reducing computational requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing correlation detection with reference preambles before committing to full demodulation. The system pre-stores uplink and downlink preamble sequences and performs quick correlation checks to identify communication type in advance, allowing the receiver to prepare appropriate processing parameters before actual data demodulation begins

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If uplink and downlink communications share the same frequency band, then spectrum efficiency is improved, but interference between uplink and downlink increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum efficiencyVSAvoidinterference between uplink and downlink
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the communication protocol structure into distinct fields, including separate preamble sequences for uplink and downlink transmissions. By dividing the communication frame into identifiable segments with unique characteristics, the system allows frequency-division duplexing while maintaining clear distinction between uplink and downlink signals through structured protocol design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces preamble sequences as intermediary elements that mediate between uplink and downlink communications sharing the same frequency band. These preambles serve as recognizable markers that allow receivers to identify signal direction and apply appropriate processing, enabling full-duplex operation while managing interference through structured signal design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If multiple unmanned mobile devices communicate simultaneously, then system productivity is improved, but difficulty of detecting and measuring communication type increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem productivityVSAvoidcommunication type detection difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning distinct preamble characteristics to different communication directions (uplink vs. downlink) and potentially different device groups. Each communication type has locally optimized signal properties that make it easily distinguishable, allowing multiple devices to communicate simultaneously while maintaining clear identification of each signal's purpose through localized signal design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3516794B1Method for discrimination of uplink or downlink communications
Publication Date: 2020.05.27 SAFRAN ELECTRONICS & DEFENSE (FR)
  • EP3516794B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3516794B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4B
  • EP3516794B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

Method implemented in a system comprising a control station and at least one drone. Each communication of data in said system between the control station and a drone being made in the form of packets, each packet comprising a preamble and being transmitted in a modulated form according to a predefined modulation. The method comprises: using, in each packet communication from the control station to a drone, a preamble, known as the uplink preamble, orthogonal to the preamble, known as downlink preamble, used in each packet communication from a drone to the control station; and, upon receiving a modulated packet, determining whether said modulated packet has been transmitted as a result of uplink or downlink communication in accordance with a result of a convolution between said modulated packet with a reference preamble modulated according to the predefined modulation, said reference preamble corresponding to the uplink preamble or the downlink preamble.