Polar Decoder Pipeline for Flexible Low-Energy Codeword Decoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current polar decoders, such as unrolled deeply-pipelined polar decoders (UDPPDs), are inflexible and inefficient in processing various codeword types, requiring separate hardware units and consuming high energy, making them unsuitable for real-life communication systems.
Innovation Solution
A polar code decoder architecture featuring a codeword node decoding pipeline with three logic units - an F-G processing unit, a specialized decoding unit, and a partial sum unit - that adjusts dynamically based on codeword type and length, allowing for efficient decoding of multiple codeword types with reduced energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate hardware units are implemented for different codeword types, then decoding capability for various codeword types is achieved, but hardware complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal polar decoder architecture that can handle multiple codeword types (different lengths and code rates) using a single hardware unit. The decoder uses configurable parameters including codeword length N, number of information bits K, and code rate R to adapt to different codeword types without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each type, thereby reducing overall hardware complexity while maintaining versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The decoder employs dynamic configuration capabilities where parameters such as the polar code construction method, frozen bit positions, and decoding metrics can be adjusted based on the specific codeword type being processed. This dynamic adaptability allows a single hardware unit to efficiently handle various codeword types by reconfiguring its operation rather than requiring static dedicated hardware for each type
2Productivity
If unrolled deeply-pipelined architecture is used, then decoding throughput is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a streamlined polar decoder that processes only the necessary components of the polar code decoding algorithm required for the specific codeword type being decoded. Rather than implementing a fully unrolled deeply-pipelined architecture that processes all possible operations, the decoder selectively executes only the required F and G operations, partial sum calculations, and metric updates needed for the current codeword, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining high throughput through efficient resource utilization
3Reliability
If conventional polar decoder architecture is used, then decoding accuracy is maintained, but adaptability to different codeword types is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a polar decoder with configurable parameters that can be adjusted to match different codeword types. The decoder accepts inputs for codeword length N, number of information bits K, code rate R, and polar code construction method, and uses these parameters to configure its internal operations including the positions of frozen bits, the specific F and G operations to perform, and the metric calculation methods. This parameter-based configuration maintains decoding accuracy for each specific codeword type while providing broad adaptability across different polar code variants
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed structures and methods are directed to decoders and to methods for decoding codes, for example, polar codes. The decoder comprises: a codeword node decoding pipeline having three logic units, and configured to, for each encoded codeword node: based on a received instruction sequence, adjust the three logic units for decoding of each encoded codeword node, and decode a set of logarithmic likelihood ratios (LLRs) corresponding to the encoded codeword node to generate decoded bits. The decoder also has an output storage configured to store the decoded bits corresponding to each encoded codeword node, and generate a decoded codeword based on the decoded bits. The decoding method comprises adjusting the codeword node decoding pipeline to each encoded codeword node based on codeword node length and a codeword node type, as well as a bit index of the encoded codeword node.