Dynamic Interleaver Memory Allocation for DSL Modems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data communication systems face inefficiencies in memory allocation for interleaving and de-interleaving operations, particularly in DSL modems, as the optimal allocation of memory between interleaver and de-interleaver buffers depends on channel conditions that are often unknown at the time of configuration, leading to suboptimal noise protection and data rate maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for dynamically estimating upstream and downstream channel conditions to determine memory requirements for interleaver and de-interleaver buffers, reallocating memory based on priority and correction factors to ensure efficient use of available memory, even when actual channel conditions differ from expected values.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If memory is allocated based on configuration parameters representing worst-case, best-case or expected channel conditions, then the memory allocation can be determined before channel conditions are known, but the memory may not be optimally allocated between the interleaver and de-interleaver under some conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvememory allocation adaptabilityVSAvoidchannel condition estimation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic memory allocation between interleaver and de-interleaver buffers based on actual channel conditions. The system transitions from static configuration-based allocation to dynamic allocation that adapts to varying channel conditions, allowing optimal memory distribution under different operating scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system estimates actual upstream and downstream channel conditions and uses this feedback information to adjust memory allocation. By comparing estimated channel conditions with configuration parameters, the system determines optimal memory distribution and communicates allocation decisions between communication devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the interleaver buffer size is increased to improve noise protection capability, then burst error mitigation is enhanced, but the upstream and downstream data rates may be compromised due to fixed memory constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise protection capabilityVSAvoiddata rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables dynamic adjustment of interleaver and de-interleaver buffer sizes based on actual channel conditions. When channel conditions are poor, more memory is allocated to noise protection; when conditions are good, more memory is available for data transmission, optimizing the trade-off between reliability and productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the memory allocation parameters (interleaver depth, buffer sizes) based on estimated channel conditions. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system optimizes both noise protection capability and data rate according to actual operating conditions rather than fixed configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If memory is allocated to ensure optimal noise protection, then burst error mitigation is improved, but the available memory for maintaining optimal data rates is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveburst error mitigationVSAvoiddata rate maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic memory allocation that adjusts the balance between noise protection and data rate maintenance based on actual channel conditions. The system continuously estimates channel quality and reallocates memory to optimize the trade-off between these two competing objectives

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system modifies memory allocation parameters dynamically based on channel condition estimates. When burst error risk is high, parameters are adjusted to allocate more memory to protection; when data rate is the priority, parameters shift to allocate more memory to transmission, resolving the contradiction adaptively

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2520037B1Interleaver memory allocation method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2014.05.14 LANTIQ DEUT GBMH
  • EP2520037B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2520037B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2520037B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A first communication device estimates upstream channel conditions for an upstream channel and determines an upstream memory requirement for a first buffer at a second communication device and a first buffer at the first communication device based on the upstream channel conditions. A downstream memory requirement is received from the second communication device for a second buffer at the first communication device and a second buffer at the second communication device based on downstream channel conditions estimated at the second communication device for a downstream channel. The first communication device determines whether the sum of the upstream and downstream memory requirements exceeds an available amount of memory for implementing the first and second buffers at the first communication device and revises at least one of the memory requirements if the sum of the upstream and downstream memory requirements is different than the available amount of memory.