Transmitter Signal Alignment Using Closed-Loop Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in accurately aligning signal transmission delays between multiple antennas, particularly in multi-antenna systems with independent modules, due to factors like FIFO apparatus delays, frequency changes, and temperature variations, making it difficult to maintain timing alignment and requiring extensive testing for compensation.
Innovation Solution
A transmitter and base station device configuration that includes a signal generating unit, coupler, and signal processing unit to generate and measure test signals between antennas, allowing for closed-loop detection and adaptive alignment of signal transmission delays, enabling simultaneous observation and measurement of signals from multiple transmitters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If top-down design is used to make delays between different channels consistent, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using top-down design to make delays consistent, the patent inverts the approach by allowing delays to be different and using bottom-up adaptive alignment. The signal processing unit measures actual delays between channels and adjusts transmission signals accordingly, achieving delay consistency through measurement and adaptation rather than predetermined design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by having the signal processing unit continuously measure timing differences between channels and use this information to adjust transmission signals. This closed-loop feedback mechanism automatically compensates for delay variations without requiring complex predetermined design calculations.
2Manufacturing precision
If extensive test data is used to generate compensation data tables, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time increases and productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-alignment by automatically measuring its own delay characteristics and adjusting its transmission signals accordingly. The signal processing unit measures timing differences and adjusts signals without requiring external testing or pre-generated compensation tables, enabling the system to self-correct delay variations in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs delay measurement and alignment as a preliminary action during system initialization or periodic calibration, rather than requiring extensive continuous testing. Once aligned, the system maintains synchronization without needing repeated extensive testing, reducing overall time loss while preserving accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If open-loop solution with data table compensation is used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the open-loop data table compensation approach with a closed-loop feedback system. The signal processing unit continuously measures actual timing differences between channels and adjusts transmission signals in real-time based on measured deviations, significantly improving alignment accuracy while maintaining ease of operation through automatic adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static data table compensation to dynamic real-time adjustment. The signal processing unit continuously adapts transmission signals based on current timing measurements, allowing the system to compensate for dynamic variations in delay caused by temperature, frequency, and component variations, thereby improving precision while keeping operation simple.
Data Source
AI summary
A transmitter, a base station device, and a method for aligning a signal output from a transmitter are provided in the embodiments of the present invention. The transmitter is connected to a first antenna, and the first antenna detects a second test signal transmitted by a second antenna that is connected to another transmitter. The transmitter includes: a signal generating unit, which generates a first test signal, where the first test signal is correlated with the second test signal; a directional coupler, which receives the first test signal generated by the signal generating unit and the second test signal detected by the first antenna; and a signal processing unit, which measures a timing difference between the first test signal and the second test signal that are received by the directional coupler, and uses the measured timing difference to control signal generation of the signal generating unit, so as to align a signal transmission delay between the two transmitters. In the embodiments of the present invention, closed-loop detection and an adaptive rectification mechanism for transmission signals of multiple transmitters can be implemented, and accuracy of aligning a signal at each transmitting antenna is improved.