Receiver Resampling Control for Long-Sequence Clock Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems face challenges in maintaining stable synchronization between transmitting and receiving devices, especially when the clock frequencies are asynchronous, leading to difficulties in correcting symbol timing differences, especially for long sequences of symbols exceeding 100,000, as conventional fractionally spaced equalizers have limitations in correcting clock frequency differences.

Innovation Solution

A receiving device configuration that includes a resampler, equalizer, correlation calculator, and rate controller to adjust the sampling rate and correct clock frequency differences by calculating correlation functions between oversampled signals, allowing for stable synchronization without relying on known sequences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If fractionally spaced equalization is used to correct symbol timing differences, then synchronization is improved, but the correctable difference in symbol phase is limited and stable synchronization cannot be maintained for long sequences exceeding 100,000 symbols

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesymbol timing synchronizationVSAvoidcontinuous demodulation duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the clock frequency correction function into two parts: fractionally spaced equalization for short-term symbol timing correction and a resampler with correlation-based timing detection for long-term clock synchronization. This segmentation allows each component to operate within its optimal range, with the resampler handling accumulated phase differences that exceed the equalizer's correction capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a resampler as an intermediary component between the equalizer and the demodulator. The resampler uses correlation calculation between the received signal and a local replica to detect symbol timing and generate timing correction signals, acting as a mediator that bridges the gap between the equalizer's limited correction range and the requirement for long-term stable synchronization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If known sequences are used for timing detection, then symbol timing can be detected, but the method cannot be applied when known sequences are not embedded in the communication signal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesymbol timing detectionVSAvoidapplicability to different signal formats
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service timing detection by using the received signal itself (or a processed version thereof) as the reference for correlation calculation, eliminating the need for external known sequences. The equalizer output or a filtered version of the received signal serves as its own reference, allowing timing detection to work with any signal format including those without embedded training sequences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the reference signal parameter from a fixed known sequence to a dynamically generated signal based on the received signal characteristics. By using the equalizer output or a locally generated replica that adapts to the transmitted signal format, the system maintains timing detection capability across different modulation schemes and signal formats without requiring predetermined known sequences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the clock frequencies of transmitting and receiving devices are asynchronous, then device independence is improved, but symbol timing difference accumulates making stable synchronization impossible for long sequences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice independenceVSAvoidsynchronization stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the resampler continuously calculates correlation between the received signal and local replica, detects timing errors, and adjusts the sampling rate accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system compensates for accumulated symbol timing differences caused by asynchronous clock frequencies, maintaining stable synchronization even when devices operate independently with different clock sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic adjustment of the sampling rate through the resampler, which continuously adapts to timing variations caused by asynchronous clocks. Unlike fixed-rate sampling in conventional systems, the resampler dynamically modifies the sampling instant based on real-time correlation-based timing detection, allowing the system to track and compensate for clock frequency differences over long transmission sequences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3393096B1Receiving device
Publication Date: 2022.07.20 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3393096B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3393096B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3393096B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A receiving device (100) according to the present invention includes: a resampler (5) to convert a sampling rate of a reception signal, and output a first signal that is a signal having been subjected to sampling rate conversion; an equalizer (6) to perform an adaptive equalization process using the first signal as an input, and output a second signal that is a signal having been subjected to the adaptive equalization process and having a sampling rate that is an integer fraction of an input signal; a correlation calculator (10) to calculate a correlation function between the first signal and the second signal; and a rate controller (11) to control a rate conversion ratio for sampling rate conversion in the resampler on a basis of the correlation function.