Single-Chain Signal Reception for Non-Contiguous Carrier Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
User equipment (UE) operating in non-contiguous spectrum regimes face challenges in suppressing in-gap interference when using a single receiver chain, leading to relaxed receiver performance and poor reception in near-far situations, necessitating improved methods to maintain effective decoding of wanted signals.
Innovation Solution
The UE dynamically adjusts the configuration of the analogue to digital converter (ADC) in a single receiver chain by increasing resolution and gain settings based on received signal strength, particularly in the presence of unwanted signals, to ensure effective decoding of wanted signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single receiver chain is used to receive signals across non-contiguous frequency blocks, then device complexity is reduced, but reception reliability deteriorates due to in-gap interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the ADC configuration adjustable and adaptive rather than fixed. The system dynamically changes ADC resolution and gain settings based on real-time signal conditions, particularly when unwanted signals are detected in frequency blocks between desired non-contiguous frequency blocks. This dynamic adaptation allows the single receiver chain to maintain reliable signal decoding despite the simplified architecture.
2Measurement precision
If ADC resolution is increased to improve signal decoding in presence of unwanted signals, then measurement precision improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts ADC resolution based on detected signal conditions. When unwanted signals are present in frequency blocks between desired frequency blocks, the ADC resolution is increased to maintain decoding precision. When such interference is absent, the resolution is reduced to conserve energy. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining measurement precision and minimizing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the ADC configuration parameters (resolution and gain) based on detected signal conditions. The system monitors for unwanted signals in intermediate frequency blocks and adjusts the ADC parameters accordingly, transforming from a static configuration to an adaptive one that optimizes both precision and energy efficiency based on real-time conditions.
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AI summary
Various example embodiments relate to signal reception. In particular, described arrangements relate to an apparatus, method, and computer program product for signal reception. One arrangement provides a method performed by user equipment, the method comprising: determining that the apparatus is to receive signals across a frequency range using a single receiver chain, the frequency range containing at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks containing wanted signals, the at least two non-contiguous frequency blocks being separated by at least one frequency block in which unwanted signals to the apparatus may be transmitted; determining whether a trigger condition for adjusting configuration of an analogue to digital converter in the single receiver chain has been met by: determining whether an indication of received signal strength of at least one frequency block in which unwanted signals may be transmitted has passed a threshold level at which effective decoding of received wanted signals in the non-contiguous frequency blocks is compromised; and adjusting the configuration of the analogue to digital converter in the single receiver chain in response to determining the trigger condition has been met. Further arrangements provide an apparatus and computer program product configured to perform the method. Arrangements generally recognise that it is possible to implement a method for dynamic selection of analogue to digital converter resolution in relation to apparatus which supports single receiver chain non-contiguous carrier aggregation operation.