Digital Pre-Distortion Sample Screening for Accurate Coefficient Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital pre-distortion systems face challenges in accurately estimating pre-distortion coefficients for power amplifiers due to the need for large memory capacity and the inclusion of inappropriate samples, which degrades linearization performance and increases hardware and cost burdens.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that determine the validity of samples using a low-capacity memory by classifying input samples into valid and invalid groups based on magnitude distribution, ensuring only valid samples are used to estimate pre-distortion coefficients, thereby preventing errors and optimizing linearization performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a sufficiently large number of samples are collected using a large-capacity memory, then the accuracy of pre-distortion parameter estimation is improved, but the hardware load and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepre-distortion parameter estimation accuracyVSAvoidmemory capacity and hardware load
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by classifying samples into valid and invalid groups before estimation using magnitude distribution criteria. This pre-screening ensures that only valid samples enter the estimation process, eliminating the need to store and process excessive invalid samples, thus reducing memory capacity requirements while maintaining estimation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of sample selection from quantity-based to quality-based by introducing magnitude distribution criteria. Instead of collecting a large number of samples regardless of quality, the system evaluates sample validity based on magnitude distribution characteristics, allowing accurate estimation with fewer, higher-quality samples.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If inappropriate samples are included in the collected samples, then the memory capacity requirement is reduced, but the accuracy of pre-distortion characteristics deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of samplesVSAvoidpre-distortion characteristics accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the sample selection criterion from quantity to quality by introducing magnitude distribution as a validity parameter. Samples are evaluated based on whether their magnitudes fall within expected distributions, ensuring that even with a limited number of samples, only those meeting quality standards are used for estimation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts valid samples from the collected sample set by applying magnitude distribution criteria. This extraction process separates valid samples (those with appropriate magnitude distributions) from invalid samples (such as zero-signal samples in TDD systems), ensuring that only the extracted valid samples are used for accurate pre-distortion characteristics estimation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the power amplifier is driven in a low-power level to operate with linear characteristics, then signal quality is improved, but the efficiency of the power amplifier is lowered by about 10% to 20%

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal qualityVSAvoidpower amplifier efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action through digital pre-distortion, which pre-compensates the input signal before it reaches the power amplifier. By calculating pre-distortion parameters based on valid samples and applying the inverse of the amplifier's nonlinear characteristics to the input signal, the system ensures that the amplifier operates efficiently at high power levels while the output remains linearized, thus improving efficiency without sacrificing signal quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3249809B1Method and apparatus for determining validity of samples for digital pre-distortion apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.03.17 KMW INC
  • EP3249809B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3249809B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3249809B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and an apparatus for determining validity of samples for a digital pre-distortion apparatus is disclosed. It is an object of at least one embodiment to provide a method and an apparatus for determining validity of samples for a digital pre-distortion apparatus that is configured to compensate for nonlinearity of a power amplifier in an efficient manner by accurately estimating a pre-distortion coefficient with a low-capacity memory.