Receiver Unit Iterative Symbol Detection Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing receiver units for signal processing, particularly in wireless channels, face instability and non-convergence issues during iterative processing, achieving reliable symbol detection only in special channel conditions or with channel decoders.

Innovation Solution

A receiver unit with a signal input, symbol detection circuit, reliability measuring circuit, and feedback loop that iteratively detects and improves symbol detection by determining reliability values and optimizing overlapping signal blocks based on channel impulse response, reducing error propagation and inter-block interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If iterative processing is applied to improve symbol detection quality, then symbol detection precision is improved, but system stability deteriorates and convergence is not achieved reliably

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesymbol detection precisionVSAvoidsystem stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The received signal is divided into multiple signal blocks, with overlapping portions between adjacent blocks. The iterative processing is applied selectively to different blocks, segmenting the overall processing into manageable units that can be handled independently while maintaining global convergence through the overlapping regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Before applying iterative processing to improve symbol detection, the signal blocks are pre-processed with overlapping generation. This preliminary action prepares the signal structure in advance, ensuring that when iterative processing begins, the stability conditions are already favorable for convergence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If iterative processing with feedback loop is used to achieve precise symbol detection, then symbol detection quality is improved, but error propagation increases causing instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesymbol detection qualityVSAvoiderror propagation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The overlapping end portions are extracted and separated from the main signal blocks after iterative processing. This extraction removes the portions most susceptible to error propagation from the feedback loop, preventing errors from accumulating and propagating through subsequent processing stages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The overlapping regions, which could be sources of error propagation, are converted into beneficial elements by using them as transition zones between blocks. The iterative processing is applied in a controlled manner across these overlaps, transforming potential error sources into stability-enhancing connection points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Measurement precision

If overlapping signal blocks are processed iteratively to reduce inter-block interference, then reception precision is improved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereception precisionVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The signal processing is segmented into distinct stages: overlapping block generation, iterative processing of specific blocks, and overlapping end removal. Each stage handles a specific aspect of the problem, reducing the overall processing complexity compared to applying iterative processing uniformly to all signal blocks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of applying iterative processing to all signal blocks equally, the method applies it selectively to specific blocks with controlled overlapping. This partial action reduces the total computational complexity while still achieving the necessary reception precision through the strategically processed overlapping regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3065362B1Receiver unit and receiving method
Publication Date: 2019.05.08 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3065362B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3065362B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3065362B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

A receiver unit comprising a signal input configured to receive a receive signal including a plurality of data symbols, a symbol detection circuit configured to detect a subset of data symbols, a reliability measuring circuit configured to determine a reliability value for the data symbols, a feedback loop configured to detect the subset of data symbols and the reliability value iteratively, and a signal output circuitry configured to determine output values of the subset of data symbols on the basis of the detected subset of data symbols and the determined reliability value.