Dynamic Modulation Order Determination in Downlink Control Information

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in determining optimal modulation orders for control and data channels, leading to suboptimal data throughput and resource utilization due to reliance on fixed modulation techniques based on transport block sizes signaled in downlink control information.

Innovation Solution

The method involves including additional fields in downlink control information to explicitly or implicitly indicate modulation orders, allowing for adjustments based on channel conditions, separate from the transport block size, enabling dynamic modulation order selection among QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM, and 256QAM techniques.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If fixed modulation techniques based on transport block sizes are used, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but data throughput and spectral efficiency deteriorate due to inability to adapt to changing channel conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata throughputVSAvoidmodulation determination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic modulation order determination by introducing a two-stage process: first establishing a default modulation order based on transport block size, then allowing adjustment through a separate indication mechanism. This enables the system to adapt modulation orders dynamically according to channel conditions while maintaining a structured baseline, resolving the contradiction between fixed simplicity and adaptive performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the modulation order parameter independently from the transport block size by introducing a separate indication field. This allows the modulation order to be adjusted as an independent variable based on channel quality, enabling optimization of data throughput without being constrained by fixed mappings between transport block sizes and modulation schemes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If fixed modulation techniques are used, then system reliability is maintained through standardized procedures, but spectral efficiency and resource utilization deteriorate due to lack of adaptation to channel conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidspectral efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the modulation determination process into distinct components: a default modulation order determined by transport block size, and an optional adjustment indicated through a separate field. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliable standardized procedures for the baseline while enabling adaptive optimizations for improved spectral efficiency under varying channel conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional fields are added to downlink control information for modulation indication, then modulation order flexibility and adaptability are improved, but downlink control information length and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodulation order adaptabilityVSAvoidcontrol information processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the modulation order indication from the traditional unified control information structure by introducing a separate indication field. This extraction allows the modulation order to be indicated independently, providing enhanced adaptability while maintaining a modular control information structure that can be processed efficiently through dedicated interpretation routines

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3619845B1Enhancements to modulation order determination based on using a default or an adjusted modulation order
Publication Date: 2024.10.30 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3619845B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3619845B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3619845B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. For example, aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for determining one or more modulation orders to be used for the communication of control channels and/or data channels. An exemplary method, performed by a UE, may include receiving downlink control information (DCI) that allocates resources for a communication, the DCI may include a first field that indicates a transport block size (TBS) of the communication and a second field, different from the first field, that indicates a modulation order of the communication, wherein the communication includes a transmission or a reception, and processing the communication according to the indicated modulation order. Numerous other aspects are provided.