Smart Adaptive Dynamic Range Multiuser Detection Radio Receiver

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multiuser detection receivers face challenges in maintaining quality of service in interference multiple access wireless communication systems due to high dynamic ranges between interfering signals, which are exacerbated by automatic gain control and limited precision arithmetic, leading to noise-like effects that hinder the detection of lower power signals.

Innovation Solution

A communication device with multiple antennas, coarse analog beamforming capability, and a cognitive engine that intelligently selects receive beams to optimize signal quality metrics, such as SNR, to favorably manage the dynamic range between interfering signals and the signal of interest for successful detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If automatic gain control is used to adjust signal power, then receiver saturation is prevented, but dynamic range compression causes noise-like effects that impair lower power signal detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereceiver saturation preventionVSAvoidsignal detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the signal processing into multiple spatial channels through analog beamforming, creating separate receive beams that capture signals from different directions. This segmentation allows the system to process signals with different dynamic ranges in parallel, preventing the compression effects that occur when all signals are combined into a single channel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by optimizing the dynamic range characteristics for each individual receive beam based on its specific spatial direction and signal composition. Each beam can be independently configured to maintain appropriate signal levels, allowing lower power signals to be preserved in beams where they dominate while higher power signals are managed in beams where they prevail.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If limited precision arithmetic is used in processing, then hardware complexity is reduced, but noise-like effects are introduced that hinder detection of lower power signals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware complexityVSAvoidsignal detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex digital signal processing with simpler analog beamforming operations performed in the RF domain. The coarse analog beamforming uses analog components (phase shifters, attenuators, combiners) to perform spatial filtering before digital conversion, thereby avoiding the need for high-precision arithmetic in the digital domain while maintaining signal integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If digital beamforming is used to optimize signal quality, then interference management is improved, but system cost and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference managementVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes complex digital beamforming algorithms with simpler analog beamforming circuitry that operates in the RF domain. The analog beamforming uses phase shifters and attenuators controlled by the cognitive engine to create spatial filters, achieving interference management through analog signal manipulation rather than computationally intensive digital processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary cognitive engine that coordinates between the analog beamforming hardware and the multiuser detector. This cognitive engine intelligently configures the analog beamformer parameters based on detected interference conditions, providing adaptive interference management without requiring full digital beamforming complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If pre-specified coordination protocols are used for interference management, then communication reliability is improved, but system adaptability to dynamic environments is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidenvironmental adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adaptability through the cognitive engine that continuously monitors the wireless environment and reconfigures the analog beamforming parameters in real-time. The system dynamically adjusts receive beam patterns based on detected interference conditions, allowing it to adapt to changing environmental conditions while maintaining reliable communication through coordinated beam management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10686513B2Method and apparatus for smart adaptive dynamic range multiuser detection radio receiver

Publication Date: 2020.06.16 MASSACHUSETTS INST OF TECH

AI summary

A receiver includes multi-user detection (MUD) functionality and a cognitive engine. The receiver may also be coupled to multiple antennas and have analog beamforming capability. The cognitive engine is operative for selecting a beam or beams associated with the multiple antennas to enable successful demodulation by the MUD. The receiver has application in multiple access channels and in other communication scenarios.