Sequence Alignment for Triggerless Data Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high bit error rate (BER) environments, especially in satellite communications, synchronizing frames for BER measurement is challenging due to factors like atmospheric turbulence and noise, and traditional methods fail to handle bit insertions and deletions effectively, requiring external triggers that can introduce complexity and fail in low signal-to-noise situations.
Innovation Solution
The use of sequence alignment modules, such as Smith-Waterman and Needleman-Wunsch, originally developed for genetic sequence alignment, to align received digital sequences with known sequences without requiring external synchronization triggers, enabling accurate BER measurement by comparing bit-wise certainty and correcting corrupted data through multiple sequence alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional synchronization methods are used to align data frames for BER measurement, then the system can achieve accurate alignment under ideal conditions, but the system fails in high BER environments with bit insertions and deletions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using only the necessary portions of sequence alignment algorithms (Smith-Waterman, Needleman-Wunsch) for synchronization purposes rather than implementing complete genetic sequence alignment systems. This allows achieving reliable synchronization in high BER environments while avoiding the complexity of full biological sequence alignment implementations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of sequence alignment algorithms by adapting them for digital communication data alignment. It modifies the scoring functions and alignment criteria to work with binary or digital sequences instead of biological sequences, enabling the algorithms to handle bit insertions and deletions effectively in high BER environments.
2Ease of operation
If external triggers are used for data synchronization, then the system can achieve simple alignment in low BER conditions, but the system complexity increases and performance degrades in noisy conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service synchronization where the data stream itself contains the information needed for alignment. The sequence alignment algorithms automatically identify corresponding positions between transmitted and received frames using intrinsic features of the data, eliminating the need for external trigger signals and making the system self-synchronizing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback mechanisms where the alignment process continuously monitors the quality of synchronization and adjusts accordingly. The sequence alignment algorithms provide feedback on match quality and positional accuracy, enabling the system to maintain reliable synchronization even when bit errors occur in the data stream.
3Productivity
If simple bit comparison is used for BER calculation, then the system can achieve fast processing, but the system produces meaningless results when bit insertions and deletions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing sequence alignment to establish correct positional correspondence between transmitted and received frames before conducting bit comparison. This preliminary alignment step ensures that bits are compared at their correct positions, preventing erroneous BER calculations due to bit insertions or deletions, while maintaining processing efficiency through optimized alignment algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain implementations of the disclosed technology may include systems and methods for data alignment without requiring an external synchronizing trigger. A method is provided that can include receiving a signal that represents a plurality of frames, each of the plurality of the frames include an optional data portion and a predetermined portion. The method includes sampling and buffering at least a portion of the received signal to produce a buffered digital sequence. The method includes processing, by a sequence alignment module, the buffered digital sequence using a known sequence, where the known sequence corresponds to the predetermined portion. The method includes determining, using the sequence alignment module, respective positions of the buffered digital sequence corresponding to the known sequence, comparing the known sequence with the buffered digital sequence at the respective determined positions, and outputting one or more parameters based at least in part on the comparing.