Phase-Shifted RF Signal Approximation Under Time Quantization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional polar transmitters face challenges in minimizing out-of-band noise and spurious signal components due to time quantization, requiring sophisticated and power-consuming Digital-to-Time Converter (DTC) circuits, which affects the accuracy of RF signal generation in mobile communication systems.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that approximate a first signal within a quantized time interval using a second signal by calculating and shifting the phase offset of the second signal to match the phase offset of the first signal, allowing for high-accuracy RF signal generation without the need for complex DTC circuits, thereby reducing power consumption and improving signal accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a large time quantization is used in the polar transmitter, then the technical implementation is easier, but the out-of-band noise increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of implementationVSAvoidout-of-band noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing phase offset values in a lookup table before the actual signal generation process. The phase offset, which compensates for time quantization effects, is determined in advance based on the oscillation period and stored for quick retrieval during transmission, eliminating the need for complex real-time calculations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary element - the phase offset - that mediates between the time quantization and the output signal. This phase offset acts as a compensation mechanism that bridges the gap caused by coarse time quantization, allowing the system to achieve fine timing accuracy without requiring fine time quantization hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a small time quantization is used in the polar transmitter, then the out-of-band noise is reduced, but the Digital-to-Time Converter circuits become sophisticated and power consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveout-of-band noiseVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses copying by creating a lookup table that stores pre-calculated phase offset values. Instead of performing complex real-time calculations to determine the phase offset, the system copies the appropriate pre-computed value from the lookup table based on the oscillation period, significantly reducing the computational burden and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive, power-consuming sophisticated Digital-to-Time Converter circuits with a simple lookup table implementation. The lookup table is a low-cost, static data structure that requires minimal processing power to query, effectively substituting complex hardware with a simple data retrieval operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If periodic time quantization is used in the polar transmitter, then the implementation is straightforward, but spurious signal components appear in the output RF signal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidspurious signal components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the phase offset parameter based on the oscillation period. The phase offset is calculated and stored as a function of the oscillation period, allowing the system to adapt to different input signal characteristics. This parameter adjustment eliminates the periodic pattern that causes spurious components while maintaining implementation simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Measurement precision

If phase offset calculation and shifting is performed for each quantized time interval, then the approximation accuracy of the RF signal is improved, but the processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal approximation accuracyVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by performing the complex phase offset calculation in advance and storing the results in a lookup table. During actual signal generation, the system only needs to retrieve the pre-calculated phase offset value corresponding to the current oscillation period, maintaining high approximation accuracy while minimizing real-time processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3353976B1An apparatus and a method for approximating a first signal using a second signal
Publication Date: 2020.10.21 INTEL IP CORP
  • EP3353976B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3353976B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP3353976B1 patent drawingFigure 2d~2e

AI summary

A method for approximating a first signal having a first oscillation period within a quantized time interval using a second signal is provided. The second signal has a second oscillation period. The method includes calculating a phase offset of the first signal at at least one position within the quantized time interval. Further, the method comprises shifting the second signal within the quantized time interval until a phase offset of the second signal at the at least one position satisfies a quality criterion related to the phase offset of the first signal.