Downlink Control Channel Encoding for Poor Radio Conditions
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Solution Overview
Problem
The High Speed Signalling Control Channel (HS-SCCH) is costly in terms of downlink power, particularly in poor radio conditions, due to its high power consumption during decoding.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where channel conditions are assessed, and if below a threshold, predetermined control information bits are either encoded or omitted to reduce the number of bits in the downlink control channel transmission, allowing for reduced decoding complexity and power usage at the User Equipment (UE).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If all control information bits are transmitted in the downlink control channel, then the completeness of control information is improved, but the decoding complexity and power consumption at the UE increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by transmitting only a subset of control information bits when channel conditions are poor, rather than all bits. The network determines that channel conditions are below a threshold and selectively omits certain control information bits from the downlink control channel transmission, reducing the decoding burden on the UE while maintaining essential control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of control information bit quantity based on channel conditions. By dynamically adjusting the number of transmitted control information bits according to channel quality thresholds, the system optimizes the balance between information completeness and decoding power consumption at the UE.
2Device complexity
If the number of control information bits is reduced in poor channel conditions, then the decoding complexity at the UE is reduced, but the completeness of control information is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by transmitting only essential control information bits when channel conditions deteriorate below a threshold. The network selectively omits non-critical control information bits, achieving reduced decoding complexity at the UE while preserving the most important control functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the parameter of control information bit quantity based on channel condition parameters. When channel quality falls below a threshold, the number of transmitted control information bits is adjusted downward, optimizing the trade-off between decoding complexity and information completeness.
3Reliability
If downlink power is increased to improve coverage in poor radio conditions, then the network coverage is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes non-essential control information bits from the downlink control channel transmission when channel conditions are poor. By taking out redundant or less critical information bits, the system reduces the required transmission power while maintaining adequate coverage for essential control functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of transmitted bit quantity based on channel conditions, allowing reliable communication at lower power levels by adapting the information payload to match the channel capacity in poor radio conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for encoding and decoding a downlink control channel transmission, such as but not exclusively a High Speed Signalling Control Channel, HS-SCCH, transmission, in a wireless communications network. A method in a network node for encoding a downlink control channel transmission, comprises determining that channel conditions are below a threshold level, and in response to determining that channel conditions are below the threshold level, performing at least one of: encoding one or more predetermined control information bits into the downlink control channel transmission, and encoding a reduced number of control information bits into the downlink control channel transmission by omitting one or more control information bits, wherein the one or more omitted control information bits are predetermined control information bits. The method further comprises transmitting the downlink control channel transmission to a user equipment. A method in a user equipment for decoding a downlink control channel transmission, comprises receiving the downlink control channel transmission, and decoding the downlink control channel transmission based on knowledge of the predetermined control information bits.