Reconfigurable NoC MIMO OFDM ASIC for Throughput-Range Trade-offs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radio communication systems lack reconfigurability to effectively trade off throughput for range and power efficiency, especially in adverse environments with jammers or noise sources, and require compatibility with multiple modulation schemes and radio standards.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable Network on a Chip (NoC) MIMO OFDM ASIC architecture that supports 4×4 MIMO OFDM systems, featuring a 32-bit RISC, Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) computation engine, radiation-hardened phase-locked loop, and multiple clusters for flexible operation modes, including beamforming and open loop systems, with advanced equalizers and FFT capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the system is configured for high throughput modes, then data transmission rate is improved, but power consumption increases and range decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic reconfigurability through multiple operational modes (4x4 MIMO OFDM, 4x2 MIMO OFDM, 2x2 MIMO OFDM, 1x1 SISO) that can be switched based on channel conditions and requirements. The baseband processing architecture allows dynamic adjustment of FFT sizes and MIMO configurations to optimize the trade-off between throughput and power consumption in real-time
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters including FFT size (64, 128, 256, 512, 1024 points), MIMO configuration (4x4, 4x2, 2x2, 1x1), and modulation schemes to adapt to different channel conditions. These parameter changes enable the system to achieve high throughput when conditions permit while conserving power when range is prioritized
2Length of moving object
If the system is configured for long range communication, then transmission distance is improved, but throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different MIMO configurations and modulation schemes based on channel quality indicators. When channel conditions deteriorate with distance, the system can transition from high-throughput 4x4 MIMO OFDM modes to more robust 1x1 SISO modes with lower data rates but extended range capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts operational parameters including reducing FFT size, switching to more robust modulation schemes, and changing MIMO configuration to optimize for range when channel conditions are poor. These parameter changes enable the system to maintain communication over longer distances at reduced throughput levels
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system implements multiple operational modes and reconfigurability, then adaptability to different environments is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The baseband processing architecture is designed as a universal platform that can perform multiple functions: 4x4 MIMO OFDM reception and transmission, 4x2 MIMO OFDM, 2x2 MIMO OFDM, and 1x1 SISO operations. The same hardware resources (FFT engines, SVD computation engine, equalizers) are reused across different operational modes, achieving multi-functionality without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The baseband processing is segmented into functional modules including FFT engines, SVD computation engine, equalizers, and modulators/demodulators. Each module can be independently configured and activated based on the required operational mode, allowing the system to achieve reconfigurability through modular architecture rather than duplicating entire processing chains
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to devices and methods which implement a reconfigurable network-on-a-chip (NoC) multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) architecture which fully implements a 4×4 MIMO OFDM receiver and transmitter, which has a radiation hardened phase-locked loop (PLL) that provides a 1 GHz or 500 MHz clock to a NoC switch fabric, and at least two NoC Clusters on said NoC switch fabric, an Up/Down conversion cluster and a main MIMO OFDM and Single Carrier system cluster.