Receiver Phase Coherency Reconstruction for Frequency Hopping Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication networks, achieving phase coherency in frequency hopping signals is challenging due to random phase changes during frequency hops, which affects localization accuracy and robustness, especially in multipath propagation and interference scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A receiver configured to receive radio signals using a frequency hopping method, where phase coherency is reconstructed by determining and linking phase differences between subcarriers in multiple multitone signals, allowing for quasi-coherent analysis and anchoring phase relations across frequency hops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If frequency hopping method is used to transmit multitone signals, then bandwidth utilization is improved, but phase coherency deteriorates due to random phase changes during frequency hops
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter pre-establishes phase relationships between subcarriers before frequency hopping occurs. By determining phase differences between subcarriers in advance and embedding this phase coherence information in the signal structure, the system prepares the necessary phase reference before the harmful phase disruption of frequency hopping takes place
Solution Approach 2:
A phase reference signal or pilot tone is introduced as an intermediary element that carries phase information across frequency hops. This intermediary maintains the phase relationship between different frequency instances, allowing the receiver to reconstruct phase coherency despite the frequency hopping-induced phase changes
2Stability of the object's composition
If precise phase-locked loops are used to maintain phase coherency, then phase stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential phase information from the complex phase-locked loop control mechanism and separates it into a dedicated phase reference component. By taking out only the necessary phase relationship data and embedding it directly in the signal, the system achieves phase stability without requiring the full complexity of traditional phase-locked loops
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex hardware to actively maintain phase coherence, the system creates a simplified copy or representation of the phase relationship through phase reference signals. This virtual copy of the phase information allows the receiver to reconstruct phase coherency through signal processing rather than complex hardware control
3Measurement precision
If phase coherency is maintained across frequency hops, then localization accuracy is improved, but susceptibility to interference increases in multipath propagation scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies phase coherence maintenance selectively rather than universally. By maintaining phase relationships only for the necessary subset of subcarriers and frequency instances required for localization, while allowing other components to be more robust to interference, the system achieves a balance between localization accuracy and interference resilience
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a method and a receiver configured to receive a radio signal carrying information, the radio signal including an overall frequency band having at least three different sub carriers. The receiver is further configured to receive, during a first time period, a first multitone signal carrying a first portion of the radio signal, the first multitone signal including a first and a second sub carrier which are received simultaneously, and to determine a first phase difference between the first and the second sub carrier. The receiver is further configured to receive, during a second time period, a second multitone signal carrying a second portion of the radio signal, the second multitone signal including the second and a third sub carrier which are received simultaneously, and to determine a second phase difference between the second and the third sub carrier. According to the invention, the receiver is configured to determine a phase difference between the first and the third sub carrier using the first phase difference and the second phase difference.