Dynamic Codec Mode Switching for Radio Condition Adaptation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies lack an effective method for dynamically switching codec modes in accordance with varying radio conditions of User Equipments (UEs) in a radio access network, leading to inefficient radio resource usage and potential speech quality deterioration.

Innovation Solution

A terminal and base station configuration that includes a codec mode request reception unit, a mode switching notification unit, and a mode switching acknowledgement unit, allowing the base station to determine and instruct the terminal to switch codec modes based on radio conditions, using the EUTRA-CMR mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If codec mode switching is not implemented dynamically, then system complexity is reduced, but speech quality deteriorates under varying radio conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeech qualityVSAvoidcodec mode switching mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic codec mode switching where the base station determines appropriate codec modes based on real-time radio conditions (congestion state, channel quality) and instructs terminals to switch between different codec modes (e.g., EVS, AMR-WB, AMR, GSM). This dynamic adaptation ensures speech quality is maintained under varying radio conditions while the switching mechanism itself is controlled and standardized.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the codec mode parameter based on radio conditions. The base station monitors congestion state and channel quality, then selects appropriate codec modes from available options (EVS, AMR-WB, AMR, GSM) and instructs terminals to switch. This parameter change approach allows speech quality to be maintained by selecting optimal codec modes for current radio conditions without requiring complex terminal-side decision-making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If higher bitrate codec modes are used continuously, then speech quality is improved, but radio resource usage efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeech qualityVSAvoidradio resource usage efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic codec mode switching where the base station determines appropriate codec modes based on real-time radio conditions (congestion state, channel quality) and instructs terminals to switch between different codec modes (e.g., EVS, AMR-WB, AMR, GSM). This dynamic adaptation ensures speech quality is maintained under varying radio conditions while the switching mechanism itself is controlled and standardized.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the codec mode parameter based on radio conditions. The base station monitors congestion state and channel quality, then selects appropriate codec modes from available options (EVS, AMR-WB, AMR, GSM) and instructs terminals to switch. This parameter change approach allows speech quality to be maintained by selecting optimal codec modes for current radio conditions without requiring complex terminal-side decision-making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If codec mode switching is implemented without base station control, then terminal autonomy is improved, but radio resource management efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveterminal autonomyVSAvoidradio resource management efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of allowing terminals to autonomously select codec modes based on their own measurements, the patent inverts the control approach: the base station determines the appropriate codec mode based on network-wide radio conditions and congestion state, then instructs the terminal to switch. This ensures radio resource management efficiency is maintained while still allowing the system to adapt to varying radio conditions through base station-controlled switching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the base station monitors radio conditions (congestion state, channel quality) and uses this information to determine appropriate codec modes. The base station then instructs terminals to switch to the determined codec mode. This feedback loop ensures radio resource management efficiency is maintained while allowing adaptive codec mode switching based on real-time network conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250150492A1Communication apparatus, base station, and codec mode switching method

Publication Date: 2025.05.08 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORP OF AMERICA

AI summary

A UE includes an EUTRA-CMR reception unit that receives a codec mode request (EUTRA-CMR) including a codec mode that is determined by an eNB in accordance with a radio condition of the UE, a mode switching notification unit that notifies an encoder of switching to the codec mode included in the received codec mode request; and a mode switching acknowledgement unit that transmits a response message to the eNB when confirming that the encoder switches the codec mode.