Radio Receiver Channel Estimator Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Signal switching in radio communications systems introduces discontinuities that impair channel estimation performance, leading to degradation in Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) and receiver performance.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced where a control signal indicative of signal switching information is used to adapt the channel estimation process, allowing the channel estimator to account for discontinuity levels, thereby avoiding blind averaging or interpolation across different discontinuity levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If signal switching is used in the receiver, then receiver functionality and adaptability are improved, but channel estimation precision deteriorates due to introduced discontinuities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereceiver functionalityVSAvoidchannel estimation precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The received signal is segmented into multiple signal portions based on switching control information, where each portion corresponds to a specific switching state. The channel estimation is then performed separately for each segment, preventing contamination from discontinuities introduced by signal switching between different antenna ports or configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different channel estimation methods are applied to different signal portions depending on the switching state. The estimator adapts its processing characteristics locally to match the specific conditions of each signal segment, optimizing estimation accuracy for each portion while accounting for the discontinuities introduced by switching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If conventional channel estimation is used without considering signal switching, then device complexity is reduced, but receiver performance deteriorates due to SNR degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveestimation process complexityVSAvoidreceiver performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Switching control information is obtained in advance before channel estimation is performed. This preliminary acquisition of switching state information allows the estimator to pre-configure the appropriate estimation method or parameters for each signal portion, avoiding the need for complex real-time adaptation while maintaining high estimation accuracy and receiver performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Switching control information serves as an intermediary that bridges the signal switching operation and the channel estimation process. This control information enables the estimator to understand and compensate for the effects of signal switching without requiring complex direct analysis of the discontinuities, thus improving performance while controlling complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8428538B2Channel estimator

Publication Date: 2013.04.23 APPLE INC

AI summary

A radio receiver comprises a processing unit configured to subject a received radio signal to signal switching. A control unit is configured to output a control signal indicative of information related to the signal switching. A channel estimator is coupled to an output of the processing unit and configured to provide channel parameters based on the control signal received from the control unit.