Soft Modulation for Reliable Data Forwarding

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Solution Overview

Problem

The conventional data forwarding method (DF) in communication systems reduces forwarding performance when a forwarding node incorrectly decodes data from a previous sending node, as it prevents the forwarding of data.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a data sending method that uses soft modulation to generate modulation symbols, allowing forwarding nodes to still forward data even if they incorrectly decode the previous data, thereby improving forwarding performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If decoding forwarding (DF) manner is used, then data forwarding is simple and reliable for correct decoding, but forwarding performance deteriorates when decoding is incorrect

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforwarding performanceVSAvoidmodulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of modulation from hard modulation (binary symbols) to soft modulation (continuous values with reliability information). This allows the forwarding node to forward data based on soft decisions rather than hard decoding results, thereby maintaining forwarding performance even when decoding is incorrect. The soft modulation symbol includes both the modulated value and reliability information, enabling the receiving node to make informed decisions about data validity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If hard modulation is used for data transmission, then implementation is simple, but forwarding nodes cannot forward data after incorrect decoding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoiddata forwarding capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating reliability information into the modulation process itself. Instead of waiting for decoding to determine whether to forward data, the soft modulation symbol pre-provides reliability metrics that enable the receiving node to assess data quality before forwarding. This preliminary inclusion of reliability information allows the system to maintain forwarding capability even when decoding fails, as the reliability information guides subsequent forwarding decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If conventional decoding forwarding is used, then error correction is straightforward for correct packets, but block error rates increase and multi-hop forwarding fails

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblock error rateVSAvoiddata transmission range
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces reliability information as an intermediary element between the modulation and decoding processes. This intermediary allows each node in the communication chain to assess the quality of received data and make informed forwarding decisions. The reliability information acts as a mediator that enables multi-hop forwarding by allowing nodes to trust soft decisions from previous hops, thereby extending the data transmission range and reducing block error rates even when decoding is not perfectly accurate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3849115B1Method and device for transmitting data
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3849115B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3A
  • EP3849115B1 patent drawingFigure 3B~3D
  • EP3849115B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

This application provides a data sending method and an apparatus. The method includes: performing, by a node, soft modulation to generate a modulation symbol; preprocessing, by the node, the modulation symbol to obtain to-be-sent data, where the preprocessing includes one or more of layer mapping, antenna port mapping, precoding, or transform precoding; and mapping, by the node, the to-be-sent data to a physical resource, and sending the to-be-sent data on the physical resource. According to provided embodiments, when a forwarding node incorrectly decodes data of a previous sending node, the data can still be forwarded, thereby improving forwarding performance.