Receiver Parameter Training for Low-Resolution ADC SNR Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The need for low-resolution ADCs/DACs in 5G and beyond wireless networks to reduce hardware power consumption and complexity at mmWave and sub-THz frequencies requires higher granularity in antenna and time domains, necessitating a proper signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) to maintain performance, especially for multi-amplitude modulations.

Innovation Solution

A training procedure adjusts the client device's receiver SNR by measuring reference signal power with high pilot density, allowing the automatic gain control (AGC) to prevent signal saturation, and enabling multi-amplitude modulations through dynamic signaling and pilot resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If low-resolution ADCs/DACs are used, then hardware power consumption and complexity are reduced, but signal-to-noise ratio performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehardware complexityVSAvoidsignal-to-noise ratio
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary channel estimation and signal quality assessment before actual data transmission. By pre-evaluating channel conditions and adjusting receiver parameters in advance, the system ensures that low-resolution ADCs can operate effectively without compromising SNR performance during actual communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts receiver parameters such as gain control, filtering characteristics, and processing algorithms based on channel conditions. This parameter adaptation allows the system to optimize performance for low-resolution ADCs under varying SNR conditions, effectively compensating for the reduced resolution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If low-resolution ADCs/DACs are used, then power consumption is reduced, but quantization performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidquantization precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces intermediate processing stages including analog filtering, gain control, and digital signal processing between the ADC and higher-level processing. These intermediary components compensate for quantization losses by pre-conditioning signals to maximize the effective use of limited ADC resolution, thereby maintaining measurement precision while using low-power converters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Signal conditioning and filtering are performed preliminarily before quantization to concentrate signal energy in the frequencies of interest. This preliminary action ensures that the limited bits of the low-resolution ADC are used most efficiently, capturing the essential signal information while minimizing quantization noise impact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If higher granularity in antenna domain is used, then signal reception quality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal reception qualityVSAvoidantenna domain complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna array is divided into multiple sub-arrays or groups, each processed independently with its own signal processing chain. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high granularity in signal reception by processing individual antenna elements or small groups, while reducing overall complexity through modular architecture and parallel processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically configures antenna grouping and processing parameters based on channel conditions and traffic requirements. Rather than maintaining fixed high-granularity processing for all antennas at all times, the system adapts the level of granularity dynamically, achieving high reception quality when needed while reducing complexity during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4354740B1Adjusting a client device receiver parameter, and related devices, methods and computer programs
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP4354740B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4354740B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4354740B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Devices, methods and computer programs for adjusting a client device receiver parameter are disclosed. A client device (200) transmits to a network node device (210) a first capability indication indicating at least a low-resolution analog-to-digital converter capability of the client device (200), and a second capability indication indicating whether the client device (200) is capable of receiving signal information associated with low-resolution receiver processing. Based on these, the network node device (210) may determine that adjusting at least one receiver parameter of the client device (200) is needed, generate and transmit network assistance information and signal information to the client device (200) for use in adjusting at least one receiver parameter of the client device (200). The client device (200) may then perform power measurements of the received signal information and adjust receiver parameter(s) of the client device (200) accordingly.