Downlink Information Processing With MACCE Feedback for NB-IoT Coding

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems like LTE and NB-IOT, the downlink channel quality reporting methods are inefficient, leading to suboptimal resource utilization and high bit error rates due to inaccurate coding mode selection, especially in NB-IOT systems where eNodeB estimates downlink quality based on uplink quality, resulting in resource waste and inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that utilize Media Access Control Control Elements (MACCE) to directly report downlink channel quality and scheduling information from terminals to the base station, enabling timely adaptation of coding modes to channel changes, using RSRP, RSRQ, SINR, CQI, MCS, and repetition numbers, with reporting modes including periodic, event, and change reporting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high-order coding is used in downlink transmission, then spectrum efficiency is improved, but bit error rate increases when channel quality is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum efficiencyVSAvoidbit error rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic coding mode adjustment by enabling terminals to report downlink channel quality information through MACCE, allowing the base station to adaptively select appropriate coding modes based on real-time channel conditions, thus optimizing spectrum efficiency while maintaining acceptable bit error rates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where terminals measure downlink reference signals, determine channel quality, and report this information back to the base station via MACCE, enabling the base station to adjust coding modes according to actual channel conditions rather than relying on uplink quality estimation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of energy

If eNodeB estimates downlink channel quality through uplink channel quality, then resource overhead is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource overheadVSAvoiddownlink channel quality estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the indirect uplink quality estimation method with a direct downlink quality feedback mechanism, where terminals measure actual downlink reference signals and report channel quality information through MACCE, significantly improving measurement precision while maintaining acceptable resource overhead

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the indirect estimation mechanism (inferring downlink quality from uplink quality) with a direct measurement and feedback mechanism, where terminals directly measure downlink reference signals and communicate actual channel quality to the base station

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If low-order modulation is used in downlink transmission, then bit error rate is reduced, but spectrum efficiency deteriorates when channel quality is good

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebit error rateVSAvoidspectrum efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic modulation order adjustment by enabling terminals to report channel quality information through MACCE, allowing the base station to select appropriate modulation orders (e.g., QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM) based on real-time channel conditions, thus achieving high spectrum efficiency in good conditions while maintaining low bit error rates in poor conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3780823B1Downlink information processing method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 ZTE CORP
  • EP3780823B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3780823B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3780823B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

Disclosed are a downlink information processing method and apparatus, the method comprising: a terminal acquiring configuration information; and according to the configuration information, the terminal carrying downlink channel quality information and scheduling information in a MAC control element (MACCE), and reporting same to a base station.