User Equipment Frequency Translation for Irregular Bandwidth
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Solution Overview
Problem
User equipment struggles to efficiently support irregular channel bandwidths due to hardware limitations, as channel filters are typically configured for predefined NR channel bandwidths, leading to issues in receiving signals with non-standard bandwidths.
Innovation Solution
The user equipment is configured to utilize existing hardware by repurposing diversity or MIMO antenna paths with frequency offset during down-conversion, allowing signals to be frequency shifted and filtered differently on each path, and then recombined to form an irregular bandwidth signal, with minor hardware adjustments if necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If channel filters are configured for predefined NR channel bandwidths, then hardware compatibility and simplicity are maintained, but support for irregular channel bandwidths is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the irregular channel bandwidth into multiple segments that align with predefined NR channel bandwidths. By segmenting the bandwidth and using multiple channel filters configured for standard bandwidths, the system can collectively cover irregular bandwidth configurations without requiring custom hardware for each possible irregular bandwidth scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes existing channel filter hardware universal by configuring them to handle both predefined NR channel bandwidths and irregular channel bandwidths through software control and signal processing. The same physical hardware serves multiple functions: supporting standard bandwidths natively and processing irregular bandwidths through coordinated operation with multiple filters and frequency translation.
2Ease of manufacture
If existing hardware is reused for irregular bandwidth support, then manufacturing cost and complexity are reduced, but signal processing performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces frequency translation components as intermediaries between the received signal and the channel filters. These frequency translation blocks adjust the frequency of the received signal so that it aligns with the predefined bandwidths of the channel filters, enabling the existing hardware to process irregular bandwidth signals accurately without direct hardware modifications to the filters themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes operating parameters such as centre frequency and bandwidth configuration of the channel filters based on the detected irregular bandwidth. By adjusting these parameters in real-time, the system adapts the fixed hardware to handle variable bandwidth requirements, maintaining signal reception reliability across different irregular bandwidth configurations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple channel filters with different centre frequencies are used, then irregular bandwidth coverage is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system first detects the actual bandwidth of the received signal and then uses this information to determine which channel filters and frequency translation settings to activate. This feedback-driven approach automatically adapts the complex multi-filter configuration based on real-time signal characteristics, reducing manual control complexity while maintaining broad bandwidth coverage.
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 enables efficient reception of irregular bandwidth signals without significant hardware changes, improving signal processing and throughput by leveraging existing components and adapting center frequencies for optimal signal combination and concatenation.
Implementation Method 1
a first means for frequency translating a wireless communication signal in a frequency bandwidth that is different to a predefined bandwidth
Implementation Method 2
a first 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 signal
Data Source
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.