Pseudo-Flexible Rate-Matching for Downlink Channel Efficiency

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems, particularly in UMTS networks, face inefficiencies in downlink channel usage, leading to reduced capacity and performance in voice transmission due to fixed rate-matching modes that do not effectively reuse symbol durations when control channels are not active.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a pseudo-flexible rate-matching mode that allows reuse of symbol durations assigned to control channels by traffic channels when control channels are not active, along with blind transport format detection hypothesis testing to dynamically adjust transmission based on channel availability, enhancing the efficiency of downlink channel usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If fixed rate-matching mode is used for downlink channel, then control channel transmission is ensured, but traffic channel efficiency is reduced due to inability to reuse symbol durations when control channel is not active

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedownlink channel efficiencyVSAvoidsymbol duration reuse flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic rate-matching that adapts between fixed and flexible modes based on control channel activity. When control channel is not active, the system dynamically reuses symbol durations for traffic channel, transforming the static fixed rate-matching into a dynamic system that responds to channel conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the rate-matching parameter from fixed to pseudo-flexible based on control channel presence. This parameter change enables the traffic channel to utilize additional symbol durations when control channel bits are not transmitted, thereby improving downlink efficiency without compromising control channel functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If symbol durations are allocated to control channels, then control information is transmitted reliably, but available bandwidth for voice packets is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol channel transmissionVSAvoidbits available for voice packets
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies discarding and recovering by temporarily releasing symbol durations from control channel allocation when control channel bits are not present. These recovered symbol durations are then made available for traffic channel use, increasing the quantity of bits for voice packets while maintaining control channel reliability when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The symbol durations are designed to serve dual purposes: control channel transmission when control bits are present, and traffic channel transmission when control bits are absent. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the same resource serve different functions based on operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If format information is transmitted to indicate channel assignment, then receiver can correctly decode, but overhead increases reducing net data throughput

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport format detection accuracyVSAvoidnet data throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The receiver performs self-service by autonomously detecting transport format through blind hypothesis testing without requiring explicit format indicator transmission. This eliminates the overhead of format information while maintaining detection accuracy through intelligent algorithms that analyze received signal characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces blind transport format detection as an intermediary mechanism between transmitter and receiver. Instead of direct format indication requiring overhead bits, the intermediary detection process infers format from signal properties, preserving throughput while enabling accurate decoding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3031235B1Method and apparatus for improving efficiency of traffic communication over a downlink (DL) channel
Publication Date: 2018.09.19 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3031235B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3031235B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3031235B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus and method for communication including determining an assignment for one of a plurality of symbol durations in a format combination; determining if at least one bit from one or more first upper channels is available if the assignment is associated with the one or more first upper channels and occupying the one of the plurality of symbol durations with the at least one bit, or if unavailable, occupying the one of the plurality of symbol durations with at least one bit from one or more second upper channels or another first upper channel, wherein the first upper channels and the second upper channels are different; and disabling transmission of format information; or including enabling a BTFD hypothesis testing mode; receiving one or more symbol durations on a physical channel; and attempting to decode the received symbol duration with a first hypothesis that a DCCH channel is not transmitted.