Adaptive MCS Subset Selection for Fast-Varying Wireless Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adaptive modulation and coding (AMC) schemes in mobile communication systems face challenges in efficiently coping with channel variations, especially for fast-moving stations and high-speed data services, due to limited MCS granularity and increased feedback overhead, which can lead to transmission rate failures and system complexity.

Innovation Solution

The method employs MCS subsets with greater granularity than traditional MCS sets, allowing adaptive selection based on channel status and resource allocation, reducing feedback information, and combining with power control for efficient link adaptation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional MCS sets with fine granularity are used for link adaptation, then transmission rate accuracy is improved, but feedback overhead and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission rate accuracyVSAvoidfeedback overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The MCS set is segmented into multiple MCS subsets based on service types and channel conditions. Each subset contains MCS levels optimized for specific scenarios (e.g., low-speed vs. high-speed services). The base station selectively activates appropriate subsets, reducing the effective feedback range while maintaining fine granularity where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the granularity and range of MCS levels based on detected service types and channel conditions. For high-speed services, a broader MCS range with coarser granularity is used; for low-speed services, a narrower range with finer granularity is applied. This dynamic adaptation reduces overall feedback overhead while preserving transmission accuracy where critical.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If AMC scheme varies transmission rate to match channel environment, then adaptability to channel variations is improved, but system complexity increases compared to fixed power control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to channel variationsVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the modulation and coding parameters (MCS levels) based on channel quality indicators. Instead of varying transmission power as in traditional power control, the AMC scheme adjusts the spectral efficiency parameters to match channel conditions, providing adaptability through parameter optimization rather than power adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The MCS set is divided into multiple subsets with different complexity levels and spectral efficiency characteristics. The base station selects appropriate subsets based on service requirements and channel conditions, managing system complexity by not maintaining all MCS levels simultaneously active but rather switching between predefined subsets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If feedback information quantity is increased to improve MCS selection accuracy, then link adaptation precision is improved, but uplink control overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelink adaptation precisionVSAvoidfeedback information quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback mechanism is segmented into different modes corresponding to different MCS subset selections. When a narrow MCS subset is selected, fewer feedback bits are required to indicate the chosen MCS level. The system adapts the feedback information quantity based on the active MCS subset, reducing overhead when fine granularity is not required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial feedback action by only transmitting MCS selection information when channel conditions warrant changes within the active subset. For stable channels or services with tolerance to rate variations, the system reduces feedback frequency and detail, transmitting only when necessary to maintain link adaptation precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2242200B1Method for performing an adaptive modulation and coding scheme in mobile communication system
Publication Date: 2012.01.18 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2242200B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

An efficient link adaptive scheme according to a channel status in a broadband wireless communication system is disclosed. In applying an adaptive modulation and coding (AMC) scheme, modulation and coding selection (MCS) subsets are determined from all or part of MCS set in accordance with a service type or channel status, whereby feedback overhead is reduced and efficient link adaptation is performed in conjunction with a downlink power control scheme.