Soft Buffer Memory Partitioning for HARQ and MIMO Processes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently allocating soft buffer memory between Hybrid Automatic Retransmit Request (HARQ) and Multiple Input/Multiple Output (MIMO) processes, leading to increased costs and memory requirements without providing hardware advantages.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication system that allocates soft buffer memory by determining the size of partitions based on the total number of soft channel bits and configured HARQ processes, using the formula N_IR = ⌊N_soft / (K_MIMO ⋅ min(M_DL_HARQ, M_limit)⌋, where N_IR is the partition size, N_soft is the total number of soft channel bits, K_MIMO is the maximum number of transport blocks, M_DL_HARQ is the maximum downlink HARQ processes, and M_limit is the configured maximum HARQ processes, allowing for efficient rate matching and memory usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If equal partitioning of HARQ memory is used, then memory allocation simplicity is improved, but hardware cost increases due to requiring more HARQ memory than necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the memory allocation parameter from equal partitioning to unequal partitioning based on actual usage requirements. Specifically, it allocates different soft buffer memory sizes to different HARQ processes according to their transport block sizes and retransmission needs, thereby reducing total memory requirements while maintaining system operability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different memory allocation characteristics to different HARQ processes based on their specific requirements. Each HARQ process receives memory allocation tailored to its particular traffic pattern, data size, and retransmission probability, rather than applying a uniform allocation scheme across all processes
2Reliability
If substantial soft buffer memory is allocated for HARQ and MIMO processes, then communication reliability is improved, but memory requirements increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by allocating memory dynamically based on actual needs rather than providing full memory allocation for all possible scenarios. It uses rate matching techniques to adapt the coded bits to the available soft buffer memory size, ensuring reliable communication while using only the necessary portion of available memory
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamics by making memory allocation adaptive rather than static. The soft buffer memory size for each HARQ process is determined dynamically based on current transmission conditions, transport block sizes, and retransmission requirements, allowing the system to optimize memory usage in real-time while maintaining reliability
3Quantity of substance
If non-equal memory allocation per HARQ process is used, then overall memory requirements are reduced, but allocation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the allocation parameters from uniform to non-uniform distribution based on measurable quantities such as transport block size, retransmission count, and channel conditions. This allows memory to be allocated proportionally to actual needs, reducing total requirements while maintaining manageable complexity through formula-based allocation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service by implementing automatic memory allocation algorithms that determine appropriate memory sizes for each HARQ process based on their own characteristics and current system state. The system autonomously adjusts memory allocation without requiring manual configuration, balancing reduced memory requirements with automated management
Data Source
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AI summary
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus, comprising a processor configured to determine a total number of soft channel bits, a first number associated with hybrid automatic retransmit request processes and a second number associated with hybrid automatic retransmit request processes; and the processor further configured to select a size of a soft buffer memory partition based at least in part on the total number of soft channel bits, the first number associated with hybrid automatic retransmit request processes and the second number associated with hybrid automatic retransmit request processes, is disclosed.