RIS OTA Interferometer Modulation for Low-Complexity UEs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in enabling data transmission for UEs with limited circuitry capabilities, such as UEs with simple envelop detectors and single radio frequency chains, due to their inability to estimate channel phase and perform coherent detection, making media-based modulation techniques infeasible.
Innovation Solution
An over-the-air (OTA) interferometer based modulation technique is employed to modulate incident signals using a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), which divides the RIS into portions and applies phase components to redirect signals across multiple time slots, allowing for data transmission and modulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If media-based modulation technique is used to modulate incident signals, then data transmission capability is improved, but UE circuitry complexity requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an OTA interferometer as an intermediary device that performs the complex modulation and detection functions. The interferometer compares multiple signals in terms of phase, frequency or signal strength, and enables modulation without requiring complex circuitry at the UE end. This mediator approach allows simple UEs to participate in advanced modulation schemes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional coherent detection mechanisms (which require complex circuitry for phase and quadrature component measurement) with an OTA interferometer-based approach. The interferometer performs signal comparison and modulation through over-the-air signal processing rather than requiring complex electronic detection circuits at the receiver.
2Measurement precision
If coherent detection is performed to estimate channel phase, then detection precision is improved, but UE circuitry complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The OTA interferometer serves as an intermediary that performs channel phase estimation and signal comparison functions. Instead of requiring the UE to perform complex coherent detection and phase estimation, the interferometer handles these tasks through its ability to compare multiple signals in terms of phase, frequency or signal strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple signal copies or versions that are processed by the OTA interferometer. By comparing multiple signal copies in terms of phase and frequency, the system achieves precise channel estimation without requiring complex detection circuitry at the receiving end.
3Productivity
If multiple time-frequency resources are used for signal transmission, then data transmission capacity is improved, but transmission time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic modulation across multiple time slots using the OTA interferometer. By applying phase components to RIS portions in a periodic manner across time slots, the system achieves efficient use of time-frequency resources while maintaining manageable transmission timing through structured periodic operations.
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
Enables data transmission and modulation for UEs with limited capabilities by utilizing an OTA interferometer to modify signal phases and strengths across time slots, facilitating efficient communication.
Implementation Method 1
The RIS consists of an array of configurable elements that can manipulate the phase of signals that are redirected by the RIS. For example, a RIS element can manipulate the phase of an incident wave/signal to redirect the signal in a given direction.
Implementation Method 2
an OTA interferometer is utilized to compare multiple signals, for example, in terms of phase, frequency or signal strength
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure provide an over-the-air (OTA) interferometer that enables redirecting, by a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) to a destination, a signal that impinges the RIS at each of a plurality of time slots, thereby modulating the signal. The RIS is virtually divided into a plurality of RIS portions. In each time slot, phase components to be applied to the plurality of RIS portions are determined based on one or more phase values. The phase values may include an underlying phase related to redirecting a source signal, an additional phase related to data that an input operatively connected to the RIS aims to transmit to the destination by modulating the signal being redirected, and/or a further phase related to interference patterns that can help extract the data phase at the destination. The destination may demodulate the received signals based on the signal strength measurements.