Location-Independent Reference Signal for Phase Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional communication systems face challenges in determining a reference signal at any location along a transmission media due to phase shifts caused by environmental effects on hardware components and cables, leading to misalignment of the main beam in radar and communication systems.
Innovation Solution
The method involves sensing a forward and reverse signal along the transmission media, calculating a sum and difference signal, and then using exponentiation signals to derive a reference signal that is independent of location, allowing for phase adjustment of communication signals to counteract environmental effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional communication systems use fixed reference signals at specific locations, then the system structure is simple, but phase shifts caused by environmental effects on hardware components and cables lead to beam misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the reference signal from a fixed location-based approach to a location-independent mathematical construction. By using sum and difference signals combined through exponentiation, the reference signal parameters are transformed to eliminate dependence on physical location while maintaining phase accuracy for beamforming operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate sum and difference signals as mediators between the forward/reverse signals and the final reference signal. These intermediate signals serve as mathematical constructs that facilitate the elimination of location-dependent phase shifts through the exponentiation process
2Adaptability or versatility
If reference signals are determined at multiple locations along the transmission media, then location-specific phase adjustments are possible, but the complexity of determining and managing multiple reference signals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal reference signal determination method that works at any location along the transmission media without requiring location-specific calibration. The mathematical construction using sum and difference signals produces a location-independent reference signal that can be universally applied throughout the system, eliminating the need for multiple location-specific reference signals
3Reliability
If phase shifts are not compensated, then the system operation is simple, but the main beam is steered in the wrong direction reducing system performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary phase compensation by determining the reference signal through mathematical operations on sum and difference signals before the actual beamforming operation. This preliminary construction of the reference signal embeds the phase correction information, so that when the reference signal is used for beamforming, the phase shifts are automatically compensated without requiring additional real-time correction mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
Methods (200, 300) for determining a reference signal (Vref). The methods involve (202, 204, 302, 304) sensing at a first location along the transmission media (108, 502) a first signal (Vf) propagated thereover in a forward direction and a second signal (Vr) propagated thereover in a reverse direction opposed from the forward direction. The second signal being a reflected version of the first signal. A sum signal (S) is determined (206, 306) by adding the first and second signals together. A difference signal (D) is determined (208, 308) by subtracting the second signal from the first signal. Thereafter, a first exponentiation signal (ES) is determined (210, 310) using S. A second exponentiation signal (ED) is determined (212, 312) using D. The first exponentiation signal is subtracted (214, 314) from the second exponentiation signal to obtain a reference signal (Vref). Vref can be determined at any location along the transmission media. Vref can be used to control the phases and/or amplitudes of communication signals.