Network Coding in Integrated Access Backhaul Multi-Path Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication technologies, such as LTE and NR, face challenges in improving spectral efficiency and reducing latency in integrated access and backhaul networks, particularly in multi-hop networks where reliability and resource overhead are concerns.

Innovation Solution

The method involves determining a connection identifier for transmitting data through multiple paths in a wireless multi-hop network, encoding data into sets of packets, and transmitting these packets via different paths, with the network node receiving responses to adjust further data transmission based on decoding results, utilizing network coding to improve reliability and reduce latency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If data is transmitted through multiple paths in wireless multi-hop networks, then reliability of data transmission is improved, but device complexity and resource overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of data transmissionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments data into multiple codeblocks and distributes them across different paths for transmission. Each codeblock is independently encoded and transmitted through separate routes, allowing the system to achieve diversity gain without requiring complex coordination at intermediate nodes. The segmentation enables parallel transmission while maintaining manageable complexity at each network node.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces path diversity as an additional dimension for data transmission. Instead of relying on a single transmission path, the system utilizes multiple spatial paths simultaneously, effectively adding a dimensional aspect to the transmission architecture. This approach improves reliability by providing alternative routes without significantly increasing the operational complexity of individual nodes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If network coding is implemented across multiple paths, then spectral efficiency is improved, but measurement precision and packet identification become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidpacket identification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by associating specific identifiers (NewDataInd and codeblock indices) with individual codeblocks and their corresponding paths. Each codeblock carries localized identification information that enables precise tracking and decoding at the receiving end. This localized tagging system maintains measurement precision despite the complexity of multi-path network coding by providing clear, path-specific identifiers for each data segment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of time

If multiple paths are used for data transmission, then latency is reduced through parallel transmission, but device complexity and resource management increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelatencyVSAvoidresource management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring multiple transmission paths and pre-encoding data into separate codeblocks before transmission. The system prepares the data segmentation and path assignment in advance, which simplifies real-time resource management during actual transmission. This preliminary preparation reduces latency by eliminating on-the-fly decision-making while keeping resource management complexity manageable through pre-planned configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4046303B1Network coding in an integrated access and backhaul network
Publication Date: 2024.09.04 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4046303B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4046303B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4046303B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In some aspects, a network node may determine a connection identifier associated with transmitting data to a decoder node via multiple paths, wherein the connection identifier is associated with a single radio bearer of a user equipment (UE); encode a first portion of data into first packets and second packets; transmit the first packets and the connection identifier to the decoder node via a first path; transmit the second packets and the connection identifier to the decoder node via a second path; receive a response from the decoder node, wherein the response includes the connection identifier; and transmit, to the decoder node and based at least in part on the response, one of: third packets, encoded from the first portion of data, and the connection identifier, or one or more sets of packets, encoded from a second portion of data, and the connection identifier.