Pre-processor for Multicarrier Receiver ICI Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication receivers struggle to maintain performance across varying channel types, particularly in mobile and outdoor environments due to limitations in channel estimation and interference handling, leading to sub-optimal data recovery and increased errors.
Innovation Solution
A pre-processor is introduced to modify the communication channel observed by the receiver, generating a channel estimate that matches the receiver's capabilities, thereby expanding its operational range and improving performance by reducing the effects of frequency offsets, multipath, and Inter-Carrier Interference (ICI).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a receiver is designed for operation over a narrow range of channel types, then the receiver structure can be simplified and optimized for specific channels, but the receiver cannot effectively operate on channels beyond its design capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
A pre-processor is introduced as an intermediary component between the communication channel and the receiver. The pre-processor modifies the received signal to compensate for channel distortions (frequency offsets, multipath effects, ICI) before passing it to the receiver, enabling the receiver to operate effectively on channel types beyond its original design capabilities without modifying the receiver's internal structure
2Device complexity
If channel estimation is performed using conventional methods, then the implementation can be kept simple, but the channel estimates become erroneous in mobile and outdoor environments, degrading performance
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-processor performs preliminary channel compensation operations before the receiver's channel estimator processes the signal. By pre-compensating for frequency offsets, multipath effects, and ICI in the received signal, the channel estimator receives a pre-conditioned signal that enables accurate channel estimation even in mobile and outdoor environments, without requiring complex estimation algorithms
3Adaptability or versatility
If the receiver operates in mobile environments with Doppler effects, then coverage and mobility support are improved, but Inter-Carrier Interference increases and degrades demodulation performance
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-processor converts the harmful ICI caused by Doppler effects into a compensable distortion. By estimating and pre-compensating for ICI in the received signal before demodulation, the system enables reliable operation in mobile environments where Doppler effects are present, transforming what would be a performance-degrading condition into a manageable parameter
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and apparatus are described for improving receiver performance in a multicarrier communication network in which an encoded symbol (250) is transmitted over a transmission channel (20) in the communications system. A model of the transmission channel (20) is estimated (718, 760), said model characterising an effect of intercarrier interference on at least one carrier in the multicarrier system. The received symbol (250) is decoded (720, 762) using the estimated model to remove a predicted effect of intercarrier interference. A pre-processor (40) is also described for operation in conjunction with a communications receiver (30) in the network. The pre-processor (40) includes a channel estimator (42) operable to estimate at least one feature of the communication channel based on a received signal. The pre-processor (40) modifies the received signal dependent on the at least one estimated feature and provides the modified signal to the communications receiver (30).