Broadcast Receiver Configuration for Multipath and Shadowing Fading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data receiving systems face challenges in accurately characterizing signal degradation due to multipath and shadowing fading, which limits their capacity and efficiency, especially since conventional distributions do not effectively account for simultaneous occurrences of these phenomena, and empirical data collection is time-consuming and location-specific.

Innovation Solution

A broadcast receiver apparatus is designed using a decision metric derived from the Suzuki distribution in closed form, allowing for optimized configuration and adaptation to signal impairments, eliminating the need for empirical channel modeling and enhancing performance across varying locations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional distributions (Rayleigh, Weibull, Nakagami) are used to describe multipath fading, then the description is adequate for multipath fading, but the description is not optimal or robust because it does not consider shadowing effect

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of signal degradation characterizationVSAvoidrobustness to different fading conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines Rayleigh distribution (for multipath fading) and Lognormal distribution (for shadowing) into a unified Suzuki distribution model. This merging allows the system to simultaneously characterize both multipath fading and shadowing effects, resolving the contradiction between adequate multipath description and robustness to shadowing by integrating both distributions into a single composite model that captures the combined statistical behavior of both fading mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If Suzuki distribution is used to describe both multipath and shadowing, then the description is comprehensive, but the probability density function cannot be solved explicitly making implementation impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of signal degradation characterizationVSAvoidcomplexity of receiver implementation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the computationally expensive and complex integral form of the Suzuki distribution with a simplified closed-form approximation that is mathematically tractable and easy to implement in receivers. This approximation maintains sufficient accuracy for practical applications while eliminating the computational burden of numerical integration, making the system implementable in real-world digital communication receivers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the Suzuki distribution from its original integral form into a closed-form expression by changing the mathematical representation parameters. This parameter transformation converts an unsolvable integral into a computable formula that can be directly used in receiver design and implementation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If empirical data is collected for shadowing compensation, then the compensation is location-specific, but the process is time-consuming and requires new data for each location

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecificity to receiver locationVSAvoidtime to obtain empirical data

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the receiver to automatically characterize its own fading channel conditions using the Suzuki distribution model without requiring external empirical data collection. The system self-adjusts to local conditions by fitting the Suzuki distribution parameters to observed signal characteristics, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual data collection and making the system immediately adaptable to any location

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent pre-establishes the Suzuki distribution framework that can be quickly applied to any location without requiring prior empirical data collection. The distributed model provides a ready-to-use structure that can be immediately parameterized with local measurements, eliminating the need for extensive preliminary data gathering campaigns at each deployment location

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8654907B2Data receiver with improved response to long and short term fading

Publication Date: 2014.02.18 ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC

AI summary

The invention relates to apparatus for the receipt of digital data which is transmitted as a data signal from a remote location and a method by which the receiving apparatus can be designed with a configuration to improve the ability to receive the data signal. The design of the configuration is generated with reference to at least one decision metric which is adapted to suit the known characteristics of the data signal which is being received.