Market Context — Why This Technology, Why Now

The relentless expansion of 5G/6G networks, coupled with the proliferation of IoT devices and autonomous systems, creates immense pressure on existing communication infrastructure. Efficient spectrum utilization and robust signal integrity are paramount. This technology offers a critical solution by stabilizing signal quality in complex hierarchical modulation schemes, enabling higher data throughput and reliability in dense urban environments and remote areas. Companies seeking to lead in next-generation wireless communication and industrial IoT must prioritize such foundational improvements to maintain competitive edge and meet evolving regulatory demands for network performance.

Key Competitive Advantages
01

Maintains Signal Quality During Relay: Preserves retransmission symbol quality and suppresses reception characteristic degradation even in overlapping LDM signal constellation regions.

02

Demonstrates High Technical Uniqueness: Identified with only 3 prior art documents, showcasing significant technical superiority and potential for early market share.

03

Optimizes Complex Signal Processing: Generates high-precision retransmission symbols by creating soft-decision replicas for lower-layer signals based on upper-layer constellation points and multiplying by symbol probabilities.

Market Opportunity
📶 Mobile Communication Infrastructure
$5B–$6B globally (AI est.)
As 5G/6G base stations advance and coverage expands, demand for relay technology increases. Maintaining quality in high-density communication environments is directly linked to competitiveness.
Tier 1 telecom operators 5G/6G infrastructure providers Network equipment manufacturers
📡 Satellite Communication & Broadcasting
$1.5B–$2.5B globally (AI est.)
LDM-like hierarchical transmission methods are increasingly utilized in high-efficiency satellite communication and next-generation broadcasting. Stabilizing relay quality enhances service reliability.
Satellite communication service providers Broadcasting equipment manufacturers Aerospace communication integrators
🏭 Industrial IoT & Smart Factories
$1B–$2B globally (AI est.)
Real-time performance and reliability are critical for communication between numerous sensors and devices within factories. Improving wireless relay quality contributes to increased productivity.
Industrial automation solution providers Smart factory platform developers IoT device manufacturers
🚗 In-Vehicle Communication & Autonomous Driving
$0.5B–$1B globally (AI est.)
Highly reliable data transmission is essential for safety in vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication. Relay technology complements communication range.
Automotive Tier 1 suppliers Autonomous driving technology developers Telematics system providers
IP Defensibility — Why Competitors Can't Replicate This
What This Patent Covers

This patent protects a symbol determination device and relay apparatus for Hierarchical Division Multiplexing (LDM) signals, specifically focusing on maintaining signal quality in overlapping constellation regions. With 8 claims and a low number of cited prior art documents (3), the patent demonstrates strong technical uniqueness and robust protection against invalidation, offering licensees a clear competitive advantage.

Competitive White Space

This patent primarily covers LDM symbol determination and relay apparatus. White space exists in advanced adaptive modulation schemes beyond LDM, novel error correction codes, or specific hardware architectures for ultra-low latency applications not directly addressed by the current claims.

Economic Impact
~$350K/year estimated communication infrastructure maintenance cost reduction (est.)
estimated ROI · USD · AI analysis
ROI Calculation Logic

Implementing this technology reduces the load from retransmission and error correction processing caused by signal quality degradation in communication equipment, improving overall system throughput. This could extend the lifespan of existing communication infrastructure and reduce maintenance frequency, leading to an estimated ~10% reduction in annual operational costs. For example, for a facility with $3.5M (AI est.) in annual communication infrastructure maintenance costs, a 10% reduction would yield ~$350K/year (AI est.) in savings.

Speed to Market
6× faster than in-house development
This technology features established algorithms for LDM signal processing, clearly defined within the patent claims. The specific configuration of the relay apparatus, including the transmission path equalization unit and symbol determination device, is also detailed, making integration into existing communication systems relatively straightforward. This could shorten development time by approximately 2.5 years compared to developing equivalent technology from scratch, enabling faster market entry and competitive advantage for licensees.
Competitive Positioning

X: Communication Quality Stability
Y: Frequency Utilization Efficiency

Business Models & Applications
🗼 Communication Infrastructure Provision
Provide high-efficiency, high-quality relay apparatuses incorporating this technology to telecommunication carriers, supporting 5G/6G network deployment. This contributes to upgrading existing infrastructure and reducing operational costs.
🤝 Technology Licensing
License this technology to communication equipment and semiconductor manufacturers for integration into their products, promoting widespread adoption and monetization. This enables deployment across various devices.
💡 Solution Sales
Offer customized communication solutions utilizing this technology to clients with specific challenges, such as disaster preparedness or regional communication network enhancement. This is expected to contribute to social infrastructure.
Adjacent Application Opportunities
🛰️ Space Communication
Enhancing Deep Space Data Relay Reliability
Applying this technology to relay weak signals from deep space probes to Earth could significantly suppress signal quality degradation over long distances, dramatically improving data recovery rates and reliability. It enables stable communication even in harsh space environments.
🚨 Disaster & Emergency Communication
Rapid Restoration of Emergency Communication Networks During Disasters
In the event of communication infrastructure disruption due to disaster, deploying portable relay devices equipped with this technology could support the rapid establishment of temporary emergency communication networks. By suppressing signal degradation and ensuring stable communication paths, it is expected to facilitate swift information sharing and rescue operations.
🚁 Drone Communication
Building Wide-Area Drone Surveillance Networks
Applying this technology to drone-mounted relays in wide-area drone surveillance networks could ensure stable data transmission. It could effectively compensate for signal attenuation caused by obstacles in mountainous or urban areas, improving the reliability of continuous video transmission and control signals.
Integration Roadmap — Estimated 12-Month Deployment
Phase 1: Technology Validation and Requirements Definition
Duration: 3 months
Evaluate the algorithm's compatibility with existing systems and define performance targets and functional requirements for the licensee's specific communication environment.
Phase 2: Prototype Development and Testing
Duration: 6 months
Develop a prototype relay apparatus or software module incorporating this technology based on defined requirements, then conduct performance validation and optimization under near real-world conditions.
Phase 3: Production Deployment and Operational Optimization
Duration: 3 months
Deploy the final product, reflecting test results, into the production environment. Conduct continuous performance monitoring and further optimization based on operational data to ensure stable operation.
Technical Feasibility
This technology, related to LDM signal symbol determination processing and relay apparatus configuration, can be integrated into existing wireless communication system relay sections or receivers via software updates or module additions. The patent claims clearly specify cooperation with a transmission path equalization unit, suggesting easy implementation on general-purpose digital signal processing platforms. As it does not require extensive hardware changes, its technical feasibility is considered high.
Success Scenario
Implementing this technology could significantly improve the relay reliability of LDM signals in communication infrastructure. This would stabilize communication quality, particularly in high-traffic urban areas and regions with unstable radio conditions, enhancing user experience. Furthermore, reduced retransmission due to signal degradation could lower system processing load, estimated to improve operational efficiency of existing equipment by up to 20% and extend equipment investment cycles.
Patent Record
APPLICATION NO.
特願2021-069280
REGISTRATION NO.
7644649
FILING DATE
2021/04/15
GRANT DATE
2025/03/04
EXPIRATION DATE
2041/04/15
PATENT HOLDER
日本放送協会
Examination History
2024年03月15日
出願審査請求書
2025年02月04日
特許査定