Polar Code Rate Selection for 5G Control Channel Aggregation

Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G networks, face challenges in efficiently encoding and decoding information on control channels due to the limitations of using a single baseline code rate for polar codes, which fails to handle various payload and aggregation level combinations effectively.

Innovation Solution

The method involves selecting a code rate from a set of baseline code rates based on downlink control channel aggregation size, uplink control channel assignment, or payload size to optimize encoding and decoding using polar codes, allowing for more efficient resource utilization and balancing coding gain and decoding complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single baseline code rate is used for polar codes, then the encoding and decoding process is simple, but it fails to handle various payload and aggregation level combinations effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling various payload and aggregation level combinationsVSAvoidencoding and decoding process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic code rate selection where the code rate is adjusted based on channel conditions, payload size, and aggregation level. The system selects from multiple baseline code rates (e.g., 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5) depending on the specific transmission requirements, making the encoding process adaptive rather than static.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the code rate parameter based on different transmission scenarios. By selecting appropriate code rates from a predefined set based on payload size and aggregation level, the system optimizes the balance between error correction capability and spectral efficiency for different channel conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If code rates are adapted to specific channel conditions, then communication efficiency is enhanced, but the complexity of selecting and managing multiple code rates increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidcode rate selection and management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-establishes a set of baseline code rates and predefined selection criteria based on payload size ranges and aggregation levels. This preliminary configuration allows the system to quickly select appropriate code rates without complex real-time calculations, reducing the operational complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex adaptive modulation and coding algorithms with a simpler lookup-based selection mechanism. By using predefined code rate sets and basic comparison logic against payload size and aggregation level, the system achieves efficient code rate selection without requiring complex mechanical or computational systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple baseline code rates are supported, then diverse payload and aggregation levels are accommodated, but the decoding complexity at the receiver increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupporting diverse payload and aggregation levelsVSAvoiddecoding complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic code rate selection where the code rate is adjusted based on channel conditions, payload size, and aggregation level. The system selects from multiple baseline code rates (e.g., 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5) depending on the specific transmission requirements, making the encoding process adaptive rather than static.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the code rate parameter based on different transmission scenarios. By selecting appropriate code rates from a predefined set based on payload size and aggregation level, the system optimizes the balance between error correction capability and spectral efficiency for different channel conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10805939B2Control channel code rate selection

Publication Date: 2020.10.13 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communications and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus for code rate selection for control channels. An exemplary method generally includes selecting, from a set of code rates, a code rate to be used to encode a stream of bits using a polar code, based on at least one of a downlink control channel aggregation size, an uplink control channel assignment, or a payload size of the stream of bits, encoding the stream of bits using the polar code and the selected code rate, and transmitting the encoded stream of bits.