Signal Processing Device for Wireless Interference Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems operating in the 920 MHz band, the lack of licensed frequency allocation leads to difficulties in identifying and suppressing unknown interference waves, resulting in reduced reception sensitivity due to strong interfering signals.

Innovation Solution

A signal processing apparatus and method that compresses the reception signal to a predetermined level or lower, allowing for decoding of transmission data and reducing the influence of strong interfering waves by generating an approximate replica of the signal, thereby suppressing interference and maintaining reception sensitivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If signal processing is performed to improve reception sensitivity for long-distance communication, then reception sensitivity is improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to strong interfering waves that reduce detection accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereception sensitivityVSAvoidinterference from strong signals
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The clipping level is dynamically adjusted based on the received signal level. When a strong interfering wave is detected, the clipping level is raised to that signal's level, allowing the system to adapt to varying interference conditions and maintain optimal reception sensitivity across different signal strengths

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the clipping parameter (clipping level) based on the received signal characteristics. By setting the clipping level to match the level of strong interfering waves, the system transforms the parameter to suppress interference while preserving weak signal detection capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a replica-based interference suppression method is used, then interference suppression is effective, but the method cannot suppress unknown interference waves with different modulation schemes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference suppressionVSAvoidability to handle unknown interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the amplitude information from the received signal by clipping at a predetermined level, discarding phase and frequency information. This extracted amplitude envelope is then used to suppress interference, allowing the method to work effectively against any modulation scheme without needing to identify or replicate the specific signal characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The clipping operation acts as an intermediary that transforms the complex modulated signal into a simplified amplitude envelope. This intermediate representation contains the interference characteristics needed for suppression while being independent of the original modulation scheme, enabling universal interference suppression

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If signal level compression is applied to suppress interference, then reception sensitivity is maintained, but weak signals may be compressed along with strong interfering waves

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference suppressionVSAvoidweak signal detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The clipping operation applies partial action by only affecting signals that exceed the predetermined clipping level. Weak signals below this threshold pass through unchanged, while only the excessive portions of strong interfering waves are compressed, achieving interference suppression without degrading weak signal detection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3595182B1Signal processing device and method
Publication Date: 2022.07.13 SONY SEMICON SOLUTIONS CORP
  • EP3595182B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3595182B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3595182B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present technology relates to a signal processing apparatus and method which are able to suppress a reduction in reception sensitivity. A reception signal is compressed so as to have a predetermined signal level or lower, and transmission data transmitted from a transmitter side and included in the reception signal compressed so as to have the signal level or lower is decoded. For example, an approximate replica signal reproducing large amplitude changes of the reception signal is generated, and the approximate replica signal is subtracted from the reception signal to compress the reception signal so as to have the signal level or lower. The present disclosure is applicable to, for example, a signal processing apparatus, a reception apparatus, a transmission/reception apparatus, a communication apparatus, an information processing apparatus, an electronic device, a computer, a program, a storage medium, a system, and so on.