RF Auto-Correlation Matrix Estimation Without High-Speed ADCs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for estimating an auto-correlation matrix in transceivers require high-speed analog-to-digital converters, leading to high processing hardware and power costs, which are inefficient and expensive.
Innovation Solution
Estimate the auto-correlation matrix using power measurements obtained in the RF domain by employing power sensors for each antenna and phase shifters to generate shifted signals, allowing for the calculation of combined power measurements, which are then used to solve a system of power equations and estimate the auto-correlation matrix.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-speed analog-to-digital converters are used to digitize incoming analog signals in near real-time, then the auto-correlation matrix can be calculated using statistical methods, but the processing hardware cost and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical/electronic signal digitization process (high-speed ADC) with an optical measurement approach. Power sensors measure the power of RF signals directly in the optical/electromagnetic domain, eliminating the need for high-speed analog-to-digital conversion. This substitution fundamentally changes how the auto-correlation matrix is obtained, using optical power measurements instead of electrical signal digitization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from voltage domain (requiring high-speed ADC) to power domain (using power sensors). By measuring signal power directly in the RF domain using power sensors, the system avoids the high-speed digitization requirement. This parameter change enables accurate auto-correlation matrix estimation without the expensive high-speed ADC hardware.
2Measurement precision
If high-speed analog-to-digital converters are used to digitize incoming analog signals, then the auto-correlation matrix can be calculated using statistical methods, but the processing hardware cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex high-speed ADC hardware system with simpler power sensor measurements. Instead of requiring expensive high-speed analog-to-digital converters and complex signal processing hardware, the system uses power sensors to measure RF signal power directly. This substitution dramatically reduces the processing hardware cost while maintaining the ability to calculate the auto-correlation matrix accurately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive power sensors instead of expensive high-speed ADC converters. The power sensors are simpler, cheaper components that can measure the required power information without requiring the complex, costly high-speed digitization hardware. This approach uses affordable measurement devices to achieve the same functional goal of auto-correlation matrix estimation.
3Measurement precision
If conventional IQ demodulation and high-speed ADC are used, then the auto-correlation matrix can be estimated using statistical methods, but the overall system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the entire conventional signal processing chain (IQ demodulation + high-speed ADC + statistical processing) with a direct optical measurement approach using power sensors. This substitution eliminates the need for complex analog signal digitization and processing hardware, significantly reducing the overall system cost while maintaining accurate auto-correlation matrix estimation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and measures only the essential information needed for auto-correlation matrix estimation (signal power) directly in the RF domain using power sensors, rather than converting the entire signal to the digital domain through high-speed ADC. This extraction approach obtains the necessary measurements with minimal hardware complexity and reduced system cost.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are provided for estimating an auto-correlation matrix for a transceiver that is coupled to a multi-antenna array. A different power sensor may measure the power of the signals received at a corresponding antenna of the multi-antenna array. The signals received at one antenna of each unique pair of antennas may be shifted in phase using a plurality (e.g., three) of different phase settings to generate a plurality of different shifted signals for each unique pair of antennas. Each of one or more power sensors, for each unique pair of antennas, may measure different combined powers based on the shifted signals and the RF signals received at the other antenna of the unique pair. A module may use the different combined powers with the power measured for each antenna to estimate the auto-correlation matrix.