Channel Decoder Metric Evaluation for Residual Bit Error Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data transmission methods in automation technology are limited by outdated technologies and restricted device connectivity and line lengths, leading to inadequate data transmission rates and compromised security, which can result in errors that threaten machine safety and productivity.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses a channel decoder to correct noisy digital code words, employs a metric to assess validity, and discards invalid code words, allowing for increased data transmission rates while maintaining high security through error minimization, utilizing error protection codes like BCH codes and advanced modulation techniques.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional error correction and detection methods are used, then data transmission security is maintained, but data transmission rate is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission rateVSAvoiddata transmission security
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the error detection process into two distinct stages: first, the channel decoder performs initial error correction and validity checking; second, a metric evaluation unit performs additional validation by comparing the decoded code word with the received signal characteristics. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both high transmission rates and high reliability by distributing detection functions across multiple independent units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a metric evaluation unit as an intermediary between the channel decoder and the final data processing stage. This intermediary computes a metric (such as correlation coefficient or Euclidean distance) that assesses the quality of the decoded code word, providing an additional layer of verification without blocking the high-rate transmission flow established by modern modulation techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If modern modulation techniques are used to increase data transmission rate, then productivity improves, but residual bit errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission rateVSAvoidresidual bit error probability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the metric evaluation unit continuously monitors the quality of decoded code words and provides feedback information about residual errors. Based on this feedback, the system can identify and discard code words with high error probability, thereby maintaining low residual bit error rates even when using high-rate modern modulation techniques like QAM or OFDM.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary metric evaluation immediately after channel decoding but before final data processing. By computing the metric in advance and comparing it against threshold values, the system proactively identifies and discards potentially erroneous code words before they can cause errors in subsequent processing, thus preventing residual bit errors from propagating through the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If channel decoder alone is used for error correction, then device complexity is reduced, but undetected errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereceiver structureVSAvoidundetected error rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the receiver to perform self-validation by computing metrics based on its own received signals and decoded outputs. The metric evaluation unit uses the received signal characteristics and the decoded code word to compute a quality metric, allowing the receiver to self-assess the reliability of its decoding without requiring additional external verification systems, thus maintaining low complexity while reducing undetected errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2681633B1Novel combination of error correction and error detection for the transmission of digital data
Publication Date: 2018.05.30 AS INT ASSOC
  • EP2681633B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2681633B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP2681633B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for transmitting digital data, in particular in automation technology, in which a digital code word (R) received via a channel is corrected and verified as to its validity by means of a channel decoder (7), and an invalid code word is rejected and optionally requested once again, while a valid code word (C") is further processed. If a metric (8) is cumulatively used with an encoding process, the probability of remaining bit errors in the whole method can be significantly reduced, thus making it possible to use the method in automation technology.