Pilot Signal Encoding for Backchannel Control Without Throughput Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional communication systems reduce packet data throughput by transmitting backchannel information in place of packet data, leading to decreased efficiency in data transmission.
Innovation Solution
Encode backchannel information onto pilot symbols interspersed among data symbols, allowing the pilot symbols to maintain their conventional role as reference symbols while conveying control data for transmitter adjustments, thereby maintaining data throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If backchannel information is transmitted in a packet header, then signal quality can be improved through transceiver adjustment, but packet data throughput decreases due to overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines backchannel information transmission with pilot symbols that are already present in the communication signal. By encoding control data onto existing pilot symbols rather than using separate overhead resources, the system achieves transceiver adjustment capability without sacrificing packet data throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
Pilot symbols serve dual functions: their traditional role as reference symbols for signal processing and an additional role as carriers for backchannel control information. This multi-functionality allows the same signal elements to provide both channel estimation and feedback transmission, eliminating the need for dedicated overhead resources.
2Reliability
If backchannel information is transmitted using dedicated overhead resources, then control data can be reliably delivered, but transmission time for packet data is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges control data transmission with the pilot symbol structure already embedded in the data stream. By utilizing the existing pilot symbol positions and modifying their encoding to carry backchannel information, the system delivers control data reliably without consuming additional transmission time that would otherwise be available for packet data.
Solution Approach 2:
Pilot symbols act as intermediaries that facilitate the transmission of backchannel control information without requiring separate dedicated resources. These intermediary signal elements enable indirect communication of control data through the existing communication framework, avoiding the time loss associated with separate overhead transmission channels.
Data Source
AI summary
A first communication device receives control data that are to be communicated to a transceiver of a second communication device, the control data for use by the transceiver to adjust one or more operating parameters of the transceiver. The first communication device encodes the control data on multiple pilot symbols so that each pilot symbol of the multiple pilot symbols encodes less than all of the multiple bits of control data. The first communication device receives information bits that are to be communicated to the second communication device via data symbols, and generates a plurality of data symbols using the information bits. The first communication device transmits the plurality of data symbols and the multiple pilot symbols to the second communication device via a communication medium. When transmitted, the multiple pilot symbols and encoded portions of the multiple bits of control data are interspersed among the plurality of data symbols.