Multicarrier Coding With Constellation Shaping for High-SNR Links

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication systems, particularly those using copper wires, face challenges in achieving high efficiency in high SNR regions due to error correction coding schemes being optimized for low channel quality, and the application of FEC schemes like LDPC is problematic due to varying channel quality along the frequency spectrum.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a communication system that uses probabilistic constellation shaping combined with LDPC coding and Reed-Solomon codes, allowing for adaptable bit allocations based on channel quality and efficient noise processing, which includes a shell mapper and QAM modulator to optimize performance across different SNR regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional FEC schemes like LDPC are used, then error correction capability is improved, but performance degrades in high SNR regions due to optimization for low channel quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror correction capabilityVSAvoidtransmission efficiency in high SNR regions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic bit allocation across multiple carriers where the number of bits per carrier is adjusted based on channel quality measurements. This allows the system to optimize transmission efficiency for each carrier's specific SNR conditions while maintaining robust error correction where needed, resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity across different channel conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different modulation and coding schemes to different carriers based on their individual channel qualities. High SNR carriers use higher-order modulation with fewer redundancy bits, while low SNR carriers use lower-order modulation with more redundancy, allowing each part of the system to operate at its optimal quality level rather than using a uniform approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If uniform bit allocation is used across all carriers, then system complexity is reduced, but transmission efficiency decreases due to varying channel quality along the frequency spectrum

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebit allocation complexityVSAvoidoverall transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the frequency spectrum into multiple carriers and applies independent bit allocation to each carrier based on its channel quality. This segmentation allows the system to optimize transmission efficiency for each frequency component separately, achieving high overall productivity without requiring complex centralized optimization, as each carrier can be independently configured.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If higher order modulation is used to increase throughput, then data rate is improved, but error rate increases in low SNR regions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata rateVSAvoiderror rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the modulation parameter (order of QAM) dynamically for each carrier based on measured channel quality. Carriers with high SNR use higher-order modulation (e.g., 64-QAM, 256-QAM) to achieve high data rates, while carriers with low SNR use lower-order modulation (e.g., QPSK, 16-QAM) to maintain low error rates, thus resolving the contradiction between throughput and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3573267B1Capacity achieving multicarrier modulation and coding systems and methods
Publication Date: 2024.09.11 MAXLINEAR ASIA SINGAPORE PTE LTD
  • EP3573267B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3573267B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3573267B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A multi-carrier transmitter apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes an outer encoder, a shell mapper and an inner encoder. The outer encoder is configured to receive a signal, perform error correction using an outer code on the received signal and generate an outer encoder signal. The shell mapper is configured to perform constellation shaping on a subset of bits from the outer encoder signal and generate one or more constellation shaping bits. The inner encoder is configured to perform inner error correction/encoding using an inner code on a second subset of bits from the outer encoder signal and generate an inner correction signal.