Transpositional Modulation Carrier Extraction and Harmonic Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems face limitations in combining traditional modulation signals with transpositional modulation (TM) signals on the same carrier without interfering with the traditional signals, and in extracting carrier signals from modulated signals with minimal a priori information about the modulation type.

Innovation Solution

The method involves extracting a carrier signal from a traditional modulation signal using a carrier extraction process, modulating the third harmonic of the carrier with data to create a TM signal, and combining it with the original signal, allowing for transmission and separation of TM signals without affecting the traditional modulation. This process includes synchronizing phases and using harmonic generation and heterodyning to ensure minimal interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a TM signal is added to the carrier of a non-TM signal, then bandwidth and data capacity are increased, but interference to the non-TM signal may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth and data capacityVSAvoidinterference to non-TM signal
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the modulation process by applying different modulation techniques to different portions of the signal spectrum. Traditional modulation (AM, FM, PM, QAM) is applied to the fundamental carrier, while transpositional modulation is applied to harmonic components (particularly the third harmonic). This segmentation allows both signal types to coexist without interfering with each other, as they occupy different spectral regions and use different modulation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extends the modulation domain from the fundamental carrier frequency to include harmonic dimensions. By modulating the third harmonic of the carrier with TM while keeping the fundamental carrier modulated with traditional schemes, the system adds an additional dimension for information transmission. This dimensional extension increases bandwidth capacity without degrading the original signal quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of information

If carrier extraction is performed on modulated signals, then the carrier signal can be recovered, but the process requires information about the modulation type

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrier signal recoveryVSAvoidmodulation type information requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service carrier extraction through the CAREX (Carrier Extraction) process that automatically identifies and extracts the carrier signal without requiring external information about the modulation type. The CAREX algorithm analyzes the received signal characteristics and autonomously determines the carrier frequency and phase, making the system adaptable to different modulation schemes (AM, FM, PM, QAM) without additional complexity or prior knowledge requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If multiple modulation signals are combined on the same carrier, then data capacity increases, but signal separation and synchronization become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata capacityVSAvoidsignal separation and synchronization
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different modulation characteristics to different spectral components. The fundamental carrier maintains traditional modulation properties that are easily separable using conventional demodulation techniques, while the third harmonic component carries TM signals with distinct temporal transposition characteristics. This localized differentiation in modulation quality across spectral components simplifies signal separation at the receiver, as each component can be processed with appropriate demodulation strategies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs preliminary phase synchronization of the TM signal with the traditional modulation signal before combination. By synchronizing the phases in advance, the system prevents phase-related interference and simplifies the separation process at the receiver. The synchronized combination ensures that when signals are separated, the phase relationships are already optimized, reducing the complexity of subsequent synchronization operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach increases bandwidth and data capacity by enabling the combination of TM and traditional modulation signals on a single carrier, allowing for efficient transmission and reception without interfering with existing modulation schemes, and permits extraction of carrier signals regardless of the modulation type used.

Implementation Method 1

Detecting a frequency of the carrier signal by performing a carrier extraction (CAREX) process on the first signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCarrier extraction:

Implementation Method 2

adding the second modulation signal to the carrier signal includes modulating a third harmonic signal of the carrier signal of the first signal with data to produce the second modulation signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHarmonic generation:

Implementation Method 3

Mixing the modulated third harmonic signal with the second harmonic signal to produce the second modulation signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeterodyning: Heterodyne

Data Source

PatentEP3449567B1Transpositional modulation communications
Publication Date: 2022.06.01 TM IP HOLDINGS LLC
  • EP3449567B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3449567B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3449567B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium for receiving, by a first device, a first signal from a second device, the first signal including a carrier signal modulated with a first modulation signal. Detecting a frequency of the carrier signal by performing a carrier extraction (CAREX) process on the first signal. Adding a second modulation signal to the carrier signal of the first signal to produce a combined signal, wherein the second modulation signal is a transpositional modulation (TM) signal and the first modulation signal is a non-TM signal. Transmitting the combined signal.