P-ICMV Beam Former for Multiple Interference Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beam formers, such as LCMV and ICMV, are limited in processing multiple interferences due to the degree of freedom (DoF) constraint, leading to restricted applications, especially in environments with multiple speakers, and are unsolvable in cases with limited inequality constraints.
Innovation Solution
The P-ICMV beam former employs Convex Optimization Techniques and an iterative ADMM algorithm to introduce penalizing variables in the cost function, allowing for increased inequality constraints without making the system unsolvable, enabling the processing of multiple interferences under limited DoF conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If inequality constraints are increased to process multiple interferences, then the number of interferences that can be processed increases, but the system becomes unsolvable due to limited degree of freedom
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mathematical parameter formulation by introducing a penalizing variable λ and transforming the constrained optimization problem into an unconstrained one through parameter adjustment. This allows the system to process multiple interferences without becoming unsolvable by modifying the optimization criteria rather than increasing array DoF.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of trying to satisfy multiple inequality constraints directly (which leads to unsolvability), the patent inverts the approach by using a penalizing function that transforms the constrained problem into an unconstrained optimization problem, thereby solving the system from the opposite direction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If degree of freedom is increased to process more interferences, then more interferences can be handled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent avoids increasing physical device complexity by changing the mathematical parameters and optimization criteria. The same microphone array can process more interferences by adjusting the penalizing variable and optimization approach rather than adding more microphones or increasing array complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If LCMV beam former is used for target protection and interference suppression, then noise and interference reduction is excellent with accurate ATF, but performance deteriorates significantly with ATF estimation errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing inequality constraints that anticipate and prepare for ATF estimation errors before they affect performance. The penalizing variable λ is designed to cushion against the harmful effects of estimation errors, ensuring stable performance even when ATF is not perfectly accurate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms through the iterative optimization process where the penalizing variable adjusts based on the satisfaction of inequality constraints, continuously adapting to maintain robustness against ATF estimation errors while preserving interference suppression capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a beam former, comprising: an apparatus for receiving a plurality of input signals; an apparatus for optimizing a mathematical model and solving an algorithm, which obtains a beam forming weight coefficient for carrying out linear combination on the plurality of input signals; and an apparatus for generating an output signal to the beam forming weight coefficient and the plurality of input signals.