Reference Signal Placement for Single-Filter Frequency Offset Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Devices with low-precision oscillators or no crystal oscillator, such as wake-up receivers, suffer from frequency drift, leading to inaccurate filtering of target signals and reduced demodulation performance due to the inability to estimate frequency offset effectively, especially when only one filter is present.

Innovation Solution

A method for frequency offset estimation using a first reference signal transmitted at specific frequency domain positions within a bandwidth, allowing for envelope detection with a single filter, expanding the applicability of frequency offset estimation to scenarios with limited filter resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple filters are used for frequency offset estimation, then frequency offset estimation accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency offset estimation accuracyVSAvoidnumber of filters
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bandwidth is divided into multiple frequency bands (first frequency band, second frequency band, etc.), with each band containing specific frequency domain positions. The reference signal is transmitted at these segmented frequency positions, allowing a single filter to process different frequency components separately, achieving frequency offset estimation without requiring multiple filters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solution transitions from using multiple filters in the frequency domain to using a single filter processing signals at different frequency domain positions. By exploiting the frequency domain dimension and transmitting reference signals at specific frequency positions (first frequency domain position, second frequency domain position), the system achieves the functionality of multiple filters using only one filter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If a single filter is used in the receiver, then device cost and complexity are reduced, but frequency offset estimation capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of filtersVSAvoidfrequency offset estimation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The single filter is designed to handle multiple frequency bands and multiple frequency domain positions within those bands. By making the filter universal and configurable to process different frequency ranges, the system achieves frequency offset estimation capability with only one filter, rather than requiring dedicated filters for each frequency band.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the frequency domain position parameter of the reference signal transmission. By transmitting reference signals at different frequency domain positions (first frequency domain position, second frequency domain position) within different frequency bands, the single filter can estimate frequency offset for various frequency ranges by processing these parameter-varying reference signals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If frequency offset is not estimated and corrected, then processing simplicity is maintained, but demodulation performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing complexityVSAvoiddemodulation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Frequency offset estimation is performed in advance before demodulation by processing the reference signal transmitted at specific frequency domain positions. This preliminary frequency offset estimation allows the system to correct frequency drift before the actual demodulation process, ensuring high demodulation performance without adding complex real-time correction mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances the precision of frequency offset estimation in devices with limited filter capabilities, improving demodulation performance by accurately determining and adjusting for frequency offsets.

Implementation Method 1

the first device performs envelope detection on a reference signal used for frequency offset estimation by using each of multiple filters

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnvelope detection:

Data Source

PatentEP4712420A1Signal transmission method and communication device
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP4712420A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4712420A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4712420A1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A signal transmission method and communication device are provided. The method includes the following. A first device receives a first reference signal at a target frequency domain position within a first bandwidth. The first reference signal is used for frequency offset estimation. The target frequency domain position includes one or more of a first frequency domain position and a second frequency domain position. The first frequency domain position is within a first frequency band in the first bandwidth, where a frequency of the first frequency band is higher than a frequency domain of each frequency band other than the first frequency band in the first bandwidth. The second frequency domain position is within a second frequency band in the first bandwidth, where a frequency of the second frequency band is lower than a frequency domain of each frequency band other than the second frequency band in the first bandwidth. In the disclosure, the first reference signal is transmitted at the first frequency domain position and/or the second frequency domain position within the first bandwidth. Compared with a frequency offset estimation method based on multiple filters, the method in the embodiments of the disclosure does not overly limit the number of filters in the first device, which helps to expand the applicable scenarios of the frequency offset estimation method.