RF Receiver Frequency Domain Signal Strength Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for measuring received signal strength for multiple communication channels in cellular networks are time and resource intensive, especially in emerging standards like LTE, due to the need for sequential tuning of receivers, which increases processing time significantly.
Innovation Solution
A radio frequency (RF) receiver processes the received RF signal in the frequency domain to generate a power density spectrum across a range of communication channels, allowing for the estimation of channel signal strength by dividing the spectrum into segments that can be processed in series or parallel, reducing the overall time required for measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a user equipment device sequentially tunes the receiver to each channel to measure received signal strength, then the measurement can be performed with simple equipment, but the processing time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The frequency spectrum is divided into multiple segments, each processed by a separate receiver or processing unit. This allows parallel measurement of multiple channels simultaneously, reducing total processing time from sequential to parallel operation while maintaining manageable complexity for each segment processor
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple receiver functions are merged into a single frequency-domain processing system that can simultaneously analyze multiple channels. The patent combines the tuning and measurement functions into one integrated frequency-domain processor that handles all channels concurrently
2Loss of time
If the receiver bandwidth is increased to cover multiple channels simultaneously, then measurement time is reduced, but the receiver bandwidth limitations are exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The wide frequency spectrum is segmented into smaller sub-bands that fit within the receiver's bandwidth limitations. Each segment is processed separately, allowing the use of standard bandwidth receivers while achieving wideband measurement capability through multiple parallel processing units
Solution Approach 2:
The problem is solved by transitioning from a single-dimension sequential time domain approach to a multi-dimensional parallel frequency domain approach. By processing multiple frequency segments simultaneously in parallel, the system achieves wideband coverage without requiring a single ultra-wideband receiver
3Productivity
If frequency domain processing is used to generate power density spectrum for multiple channels, then processing efficiency is improved, but the computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frequency domain processing is segmented into smaller processing tasks for different frequency sub-bands. Each segment requires less computational resources individually, and the segmented approach allows for parallel processing that improves overall efficiency while managing computational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The signal is pre-processed and organized into frequency domain representation before the actual power density calculation. This preliminary transformation using efficient algorithms like FFT reduces the computational complexity of subsequent processing steps compared to direct time-domain analysis
Data Source
AI summary
A radio frequency (RF) receiver that reduces the total time required to generate communication channel received signal strength estimates, e.g., RSSI, RSRP, etc., for a plurality of communication channels. A received RF signal may be processed in the frequency domain to generate a power density spectrum for an RF spectrum frequency range that encompasses a plurality of communication channels. A communication channel received signal strength estimate may be generated based on the generated power density spectrum for each communication channels within the RF spectrum frequency range. Receiver RF bandwidth limitations may be overcome by dividing the RF spectrum frequency range into segments which may be separately processed by the RF receiver to produce communication channel received signal strength estimates for the communication channels within each RF spectrum segment. The respective RF spectrum segments may be processed in series, and/or in parallel, depending on the RF receiver configuration embodiment employed.