Rate Matching with Irregular Modulation for 5G Channel Coding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current channel coding methods, such as turbo codes used in LTE, may not meet the performance requirements for new use cases in 5G New Radio (NR) systems, particularly for ultra-low latency and massive machine-type communications.

Innovation Solution

A method for channel coding that involves dividing coded bits from a circular buffer into two parts and mapping them according to different modulation orders. The lengths of these parts are determined based on the modulation orders and derived from a length resulting from puncturing the coded bits using a rate-matching function.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional turbo codes are used for channel coding in LTE systems, then the system maintains compatibility with existing infrastructure, but the performance is insufficient for new 5G use cases requiring ultra-low latency and massive machine-type communication

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel coding performanceVSAvoidadaptability to new use cases
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of channel coding by transitioning from turbo codes to polar codes, which provide superior performance for 5G requirements. This parameter change enables both ultra-low latency and massive machine-type communication use cases while maintaining systematic approach to code design and rate matching

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If coded bits are divided into multiple parts with different modulation orders, then the system achieves better performance optimization for diverse use cases, but the device complexity increases due to multiple modulation schemes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication performanceVSAvoidmodulation scheme complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the coded bit stream into multiple parts, where each part can be modulated with different modulation orders. This segmentation allows optimization for different use cases (e.g., ultra-low latency vs. massive machine-type communication) while maintaining a systematic framework. The divided coded bits are processed through separate rate matching functions with different parameters, enabling flexible adaptation without requiring complete system redesign

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic modulation order selection for different parts of the coded bit stream. Instead of using a fixed modulation scheme, the system dynamically assigns different modulation orders (e.g., QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM) to different parts based on the specific use case requirements, achieving performance optimization while maintaining manageable complexity through structured dynamic adaptation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If rate matching is performed with puncturing to achieve target code rates, then the system achieves flexible code rate adaptation, but the computational load increases in the rate matching process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecode rate flexibilityVSAvoidcomputational load
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the rate matching process into multiple independent rate matching functions, each handling a specific part of the coded bit stream. Each rate matching function operates with its own parameters (e.g., different circular buffer sizes, different puncturing patterns), enabling flexible code rate adaptation for different parts while distributing the computational load across multiple simpler functions rather than one complex monolithic function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different rate matching parameters and puncturing patterns to different parts of the coded bit stream based on local requirements. Each part undergoes rate matching with parameters optimized for its specific purpose, achieving overall system flexibility while reducing computational complexity by avoiding uniform complex processing across the entire bit stream

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3523905B1Rate matching and HARQ with irregular modulation
Publication Date: 2025.04.16 INTERDIGITAL PATENT HOLDINGS INC
  • EP3523905B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3523905B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3523905B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

A method and system for rate matching in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method comprises receiving K information bits at a channel encoder and generating N output bits. The N output bits may be interleaved by an interleaver. In a HARQ retransmission the output bits may be placed into a circular buffer. The N output bits may be divided into two or more parts comprising at least a first part and a second part. The method further comprises mapping a first part of one or more parts of the N output bits to a M1 (=2m 1)-ary modulation and mapping a second part of one or more parts of the N output bits to a M2 (=2m 2 ))-ary modulation. The output bits may be transmitted by a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), a base station, or the like.