UE Receive Chain Reuse for Irregular NR Channel Bandwidths
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Solution Overview
Problem
User equipment hardware, such as channel filters, are typically configured to align with predefined NR channel bandwidths, making it challenging to support irregular channel bandwidths that could enhance spectrum utilization efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Reconfigure existing user equipment hardware to utilize extra antenna paths for diversity or MIMO, applying frequency offsets during down-conversion, and combine filtered signals to form irregular bandwidths, allowing existing hardware to support irregular bandwidths without significant changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If channel filters are configured to align with predefined NR channel bandwidths, then hardware compatibility is maintained, but irregular channel bandwidths cannot be supported
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the irregular bandwidth reception into two separate regular bandwidth channels. The receiver divides the incoming signal into two paths, each processed by a separate channel filter configured for standard NR bandwidths (e.g., 5MHz, 10MHz, 20MHz). This segmentation allows the use of existing hardware filters while achieving irregular bandwidth coverage through combination of the two filtered paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the outputs of two separate channel filters to form the complete irregular bandwidth signal. After filtering each path through standard bandwidth filters, the processed signals are combined in the baseband to create the final irregular bandwidth channel. This merging approach enables support for non-standard bandwidths using only standard hardware components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single antenna feeds two receive chains for irregular bandwidth reception, then hardware reuse is achieved, but signal separation and processing becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces frequency offset as an intermediary mechanism to separate signals from a single antenna into two distinct receive chains. By applying different frequency offsets to each path during down-conversion, the system creates separable signal components that can be independently filtered and processed. This intermediary frequency shift simplifies the routing and processing complexity that would otherwise result from direct signal splitting.
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
Enables efficient use of licensed spectrum by supporting irregular bandwidths using existing hardware, improving signal reception and throughput without hardware modifications beyond additional oscillators or switches.
Implementation Method 1
a first means for frequency translating a wireless communication signal in a frequency bandwidth that is different to a predefined bandwidth
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus such as a user equipment configured to support an irregular bandwidth signal. The apparatus comprising multiple means for frequency translating a wireless communication signal in a frequency bandwidth that is different to a predefined bandwidth and for filtering said frequency translated wireless communication signals. Means for adjusting a centre frequency used by the multiple means for frequency translating; and control means. The control means being responsive to receipt of a signal indicating a wireless communication network is currently supporting an irregular channel bandwidth, said irregular channel bandwidth covering two partially overlapping regular channel bandwidths each having said predefined bandwidth, to route a received wireless communication signal to each of the multiple means for frequency translating and to control the means for adjusting to set a respective centre frequency of the multiple means for frequency translating such that said centre frequency of each of the multiple means for frequency translating is offset with respect to each other