Polar Code Rate-Matching via Circular Buffer for Stable 5G-NR
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current error-correcting codes for 5G communication systems fail to provide stable performance across various scenarios such as enhanced mobile broadband, ultra-reliable and low latency communication, and massive machine-type communications without increasing complexity, particularly in memory usage.
Innovation Solution
A polar code rate-matching method that involves interleaving encoded bits, storing them in a circular buffer, and extracting them appropriately to achieve stable performance in encoding and decoding systems, simplifying operations through unified interleaver and buffer usage regardless of puncturing, shortening, or repetition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current error-correcting codes are used for 5G communication systems, then various scenarios such as enhanced mobile broadband, ultra-reliable and low latency communication, and massive machine-type communications can be supported, but stable performance cannot be provided without increasing complexity particularly in memory usage
Solution Approach 1:
The encoded bit sequence is divided into multiple sub-blocks, which are then independently interleaved using different patterns. This segmentation allows the system to achieve stable performance across various communication scenarios by distributing the error correction load across multiple smaller units, avoiding the need for large memory structures while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the interleaving pattern parameter based on the communication scenario. Different interleaving patterns are applied to different sub-blocks, allowing the system to adapt to various requirements (eMBB, URLLC, mMTC) without increasing memory complexity. This parameter variation enables flexible adaptation while keeping the base structure simple.
2Adaptability or versatility
If rate-matching operations such as puncturing, shortening, or repetition are performed, then code rate adaptation is achieved, but system operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal circular buffer structure that can handle all three rate-matching operations (puncturing, shortening, and repetition) through the same basic mechanism. The buffer stores interleaved sub-blocks, and depending on the required code rate, the system can selectively puncture, shorten, or repeat bits from the buffer using unified indexing logic, thereby achieving multi-functionality without increasing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The circular buffer acts as an intermediary structure between the interleaved sub-blocks and the rate-matching output. By introducing this buffer, the system simplifies the rate-matching operations because all three types of rate-matching (puncturing, shortening, repetition) can be performed by simply varying the read index and count from the buffer, rather than implementing three separate complex processing paths.
3Reliability
If encoded bits are interleaved and stored in circular buffer for rate-matching, then stable performance is achieved, but memory usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of storing all encoded bits in a single large memory structure, the patent segments the bit sequence into multiple smaller sub-blocks that are stored in a circular buffer. This segmentation reduces the peak memory usage at any given time because only a portion of the total bits needs to be held in memory simultaneously for the rate-matching operation, while maintaining the stability benefits of buffered storage.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication method and system for converging a 5th-generation (5G) communication system for supporting higher data rates beyond a 4th-generation (4G) system with a technology for internet of things (IoT) are provided. The disclosure may be applied to intelligent services based on the 5G communication technology and the IoT-related technology, such as smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car, connected car, health care, digital education, smart retail, security and safety services. The method and apparatus for polar encoding and rate-matching are disclosed.