Configurable ACS Circuit for Flexible Trellis Decoding

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current baseband signal processing in advanced wireless communication systems, such as 3G mobile radio systems, faces challenges in achieving efficient power consumption, surface area, and data throughput due to the complexity of trellis-based decoding methods, particularly in implementing flexible channel coding and decoding methods using common hardware.

Innovation Solution

A configurable computation circuit for trellis-based algorithms that performs add compare select (ACS) operations and extends to calculate branch metrics, allowing for multiple computation operations and flexible data paths, reducing chip surface area and power losses compared to dedicated hardware solutions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If dedicated hardware is used for trellis-based decoding, then data throughput rate is improved, but adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata throughput rateVSAvoidadaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal decoding circuit that can perform multiple trellis-based algorithms (Viterbi, MAP, SOVA) using the same hardware structure. The circuit uses configurable parameters and a unified ACS operation core that can be adapted through parameter settings rather than hardware changes, enabling one hardware platform to support various channel coding methods while maintaining high data throughput rate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If purely software-based solutions are used, then adaptability is improved, but power consumption increases and data throughput rate deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces software-based processing with a dedicated hardware circuit implementation that performs trellis-based decoding operations. The ACS operation circuit uses hardware adders, comparators, and multiplexers to execute decoding algorithms directly in hardware, significantly reducing power consumption and increasing data throughput rate compared to software solutions while maintaining adaptability through configurable parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If purely software-based solutions are used, then adaptability is improved, but data throughput rate deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddata throughput rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a hardware circuit that substitutes software-based decoding with dedicated electronic processing. The circuit uses parallel adder structures, comparator units, and multiplexers to perform ACS operations in hardware, achieving high data throughput rate by eliminating software interpretation overhead and enabling simultaneous processing of multiple decoding paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The decoding circuit is segmented into functional units (adder operation elements, compare operation elements, select operation elements) that can operate independently and in parallel. This segmentation allows the hardware to process multiple decoding paths simultaneously, significantly increasing data throughput rate while maintaining the ability to handle different algorithms through configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If flexible hardware implementation is used, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a universal ACS operation circuit that serves multiple decoding algorithms (Viterbi, MAP, SOVA) through parameter configuration rather than separate hardware implementations. The circuit uses a standardized structure with configurable parameters that can be set to implement different algorithms, reducing device complexity by avoiding redundant hardware for each algorithm while maintaining full adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7565601B2Circuit for carrying out the add compare select operation with a functionality going beyond this

Publication Date: 2009.07.21 INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG

AI summary

A circuit is disclosed that is designed to carry out add compare select operations for determination of state metrics. The circuit is also designed to carry out a computation operation which goes beyond an add compare select operation for state metric determination, wherein the circuit is either configurable for this purpose and/or has an output for emitting at least one circuit-internal variable which goes beyond the output variable from the add compare select operation.