Parallel Downlink Data Capture and Buffering for Latency Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

In telecommunications systems, capturing and processing downlink data streams introduces latency, which can slow system configuration times and user experience due to the need to wait for complete data capture before transferring and processing.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a high-speed data capture and analysis system that uses an analog-to-digital converter, a memory device, and processing devices to capture and store downlink data blocks in parallel, allowing partial data transfer and processing to begin before the entire data stream is captured, utilizing a DDR3 memory and controller to manage data transfer and processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the entire downlink data stream is captured before transferring to system memory, then data integrity is ensured, but latency increases and system configuration time is extended

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata integrityVSAvoidlatency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by capturing and storing data blocks in a buffer memory before they are fully processed. The system captures downlink data blocks from the analog-to-digital converter and stores them in buffer memory in advance, allowing the processing device to retrieve and process the data without waiting for the entire data stream to be captured. This reduces latency while maintaining data integrity through the buffer storage mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If data is transferred to system memory immediately after capture, then processing speed is improved, but data completeness may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoiddata completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data handling process into distinct stages: capture, buffer storage, and processing. The downlink data stream is divided into individual data blocks that are captured and stored in buffer memory separately. The processing device then retrieves and processes these segmented data blocks at its own pace, allowing high-speed processing while ensuring data completeness through the buffer storage mechanism that holds all captured blocks until processing is complete.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of time

If a buffer memory is introduced between the analog-to-digital converter and the processing device, then parallel operations are enabled reducing latency, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelatency reductionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces buffer memory as an intermediary component between the analog-to-digital converter and the processing device. This buffer memory acts as a mediator that temporarily stores captured data blocks, enabling the capture operation to proceed independently and in parallel with the processing operation. The buffer memory absorbs the timing differences between capture and processing rates, reducing latency while adding only a single, well-defined system component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach significantly reduces latency by enabling faster data capture and analysis, saving time in decoding and processing, and improving overall system performance and user experience.

Implementation Method 1

an analog-to-digital converter configured for receiving wireless communication signals from the base station. The analog-to-digital converter digitizes the wireless communication signals into a first set of downlink data blocks and a second set of downlink data blocks

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAnalog-to-digital conversion:

Data Source

PatentEP3216138B1High-speed capture and analysis of downlink data in a telecommunications system
Publication Date: 2020.06.24 COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • EP3216138B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3216138B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3216138B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Certain features relate to optimizing the processing of downlink data in a telecommunications system by capturing a downlink data stream and transferring the downlink data to a memory device in parallel. A processing device can capture a first set of downlink data blocks from a base station and store the first set of downlink data blocks to a memory device. Once a sufficient number of downlink data blocks are written to the memory device, the first set of data blocks can be transferred to a digital signal processor. A second set of data blocks can be captured substantially simultaneous to the first set of data blocks being transferred to the digital signal processor. In additional aspects, the second set of data blocks can be processed by the digital signal processor substantially simultaneous to additional data blocks being captured and stored in the memory device.