Polar Code Decoding by Skipping Unnecessary Frozen-Bit Operations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing polar code decoding methods in communication systems suffer from high decoding complexity and latency, particularly in scenarios requiring support for various code lengths and rate matchings, such as in 3GPP NR, due to the inefficiencies of SC and SCL decoders.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that minimize additional operations and latency by optimizing polar code decoding processes, particularly for 3GPP NR, by reducing unnecessary decoding steps and supporting various code parameters through simplified SCL decoders.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional SC or SCL decoding methods are used for polar codes, then decoding can be performed with basic implementation, but decoding complexity and latency become high, especially when supporting various code lengths and rate matchings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport for various code lengths and rate matchingsVSAvoiddecoding complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the decoding process by identifying and skipping unnecessary decoding operations for frozen bits. Instead of uniformly decoding all bits in the polar code, the method divides the decoding task into necessary and unnecessary portions, performing operations only on information bits and relevant frozen bits, thereby reducing overall decoding complexity while maintaining support for various code lengths and rate matchings

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by performing decoding operations only on necessary bits rather than all bits. The method identifies the minimum required decoding operations based on the code parameters, executing only the essential decoding steps needed to recover information bits, thus reducing complexity without sacrificing adaptability to different code configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Reliability

If conventional SC or SCL decoding methods are used for polar codes, then basic decoding functionality is achieved, but latency increases due to high decoding complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecoding functionalityVSAvoiddecoding latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes unnecessary decoding operations from the conventional decoding process. By identifying frozen bits that do not require decoding and eliminating those redundant operations, the method reduces the time required for decoding while preserving the essential functionality needed to reliably recover information bits from the polar code

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements skipping of unnecessary decoding steps by identifying bits that can be directly determined without full decoding operations. The method rushes through the decoding process by bypassing redundant calculations for frozen bits and directly computing information bits, thereby reducing latency while maintaining decoding reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

3Manufacturing precision

If full decoding operations are performed on all bits including unnecessary frozen bits, then complete decoding is achieved, but operational time and hardware costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecoding accuracyVSAvoidoperational time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by treating different bits in the polar code differently based on their requirements. Information bits receive full decoding operations to ensure accuracy, while frozen bits that can be directly determined receive minimal or no decoding operations. This differentiated approach maintains decoding accuracy for critical bits while reducing overall operational time by avoiding redundant operations on non-critical bits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4075672B1Device and method for decoding polar code in communication system
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4075672B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4075672B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4075672B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a 5th generation (5G) or pre-5G communication system for supporting a data transmission rate higher than that of a post-4th generation (4G) communication system such as Long Term Evolution (LTE). The present disclosure is for decoding a polar code in a communication system. An operation method of a reception device comprises the steps of: receiving data encoded by means of a polar code and comprising a plurality of bits; confirming one or more bits which do not require a decoding operation among the plurality of bits; and decoding at least some of the bits remaining after excluding the one or more bits.