Polar SCL Decoder Power Gating for Lower Decoding Energy

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The successive cancellation list (SCL) decoding method for polar codes improves error correction performance but requires approximately L times more computation and power consumption compared to the existing successive cancellation (SC) decoding method.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a power gating circuit that controls current supply to a subset of successive cancellation list decoders, using a signal generator and current controller to block power to specific decoders during decoding, reducing the amount of calculation and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the successive cancellation list (SCL) decoding method is used to improve error correction performance, then the error correction performance is improved, but the computation and power consumption increase approximately L times compared to the existing SC decoding method

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror correction performanceVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the SCL decoding process into multiple sections and introduces a section control signal to selectively activate or deactivate specific sections during decoding. This segmentation allows the system to maintain error correction performance while reducing power consumption by only activating necessary decoding sections based on the received signal characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic control of the decoding process by using a section control signal that can change the operational state of different decoding sections during the decoding process. This dynamic approach enables the system to adapt power consumption to the actual decoding needs, maintaining reliability when necessary while saving energy when possible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the successive cancellation list (SCL) decoding method is used to improve error correction performance, then the error correction performance is improved, but the computation increases approximately L times compared to the existing SC decoding method

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror correction performanceVSAvoidcomputation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the decoding computation into multiple sections that can be independently controlled. By dividing the computational workload and selectively activating only necessary sections based on signal characteristics, the system reduces overall computation while maintaining the error correction benefits of SCL decoding where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by using a section control signal to activate only the necessary portions of the SCL decoding computation rather than always executing the full L-times computation. This allows the system to achieve sufficient error correction performance with reduced computational effort by activating additional decoding sections only when the signal conditions require them.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4482039A1Apparatus and method for successive cancellation list decoding of polar code using power gating
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 AJOU UNIV IND ACADEMIC COOP FOUND
  • EP4482039A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4482039A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4482039A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An apparatus and method for successive cancellation list decoding of polar codes using power gating are provided. The apparatus for successive cancellation list decoding of polar codes using power gating according to one embodiment includes a plurality of successive cancellation list decoders configured to receive a polar encoded codeword and decode the codeword using a successive cancellation list technique and a power gating circuit connected to a preset number of successive cancellation list decoders among the plurality of successive cancellation list decoders to control current supply.