Unequal Modulation Coding Scheme Allocation for Wireless Throughput

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in throughput due to the use of a single Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) across all wireless resources, which fails to adapt to varying Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) conditions across different frequency channels and spatial streams, leading to suboptimal performance.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an Unequal Modulation and Coding Scheme (UEM) allocation scheme, which assigns different MCSs to various frequency segments and spatial streams based on their specific SNR conditions, enhancing throughput by optimizing resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single MCS is used across all wireless resources, then device complexity and protocol simplicity are maintained, but throughput is reduced due to inability to adapt to varying SNR conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidMCS allocation scheme complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless resources are segmented into multiple frequency segments, and different MCS indices are allocated to each segment based on its specific SNR conditions. This segmentation allows the system to adapt to varying channel qualities across different frequency bands, thereby improving throughput without requiring completely new allocation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different MCS indices are assigned to different frequency segments according to their local SNR characteristics. Each frequency segment receives a locally optimized MCS that matches its specific channel conditions, rather than applying a uniform MCS across all resources. This local optimization enables the system to achieve higher overall throughput by adapting to spatial and spectral variations in channel quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If different MCSs are assigned to various frequency segments and spatial streams, then throughput is enhanced by adapting to SNR conditions, but signaling overhead and protocol complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a new dimension for MCS allocation by incorporating frequency segment indices into the MCS indication mechanism. Instead of using a single MCS index, the system uses combinations of frequency segment identifiers and MCS indices to convey the necessary allocation information. This dimensional approach allows efficient representation of multiple MCS assignments without proportionally increasing signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If unequal MCS allocation is implemented, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but difficulty in detecting and measuring channel conditions increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidchannel condition assessment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where channel quality indicators (CQI) are measured and reported for different frequency segments. Based on this feedback, the access point determines appropriate MCS indices for each segment and communicates them to the station. The station then uses these allocated MCS indices for transmission, and the process repeats with continuous feedback. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt to changing channel conditions while maintaining manageable measurement and detection complexity through structured reporting mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4492713A1Apparatus, system, and method of communicating unequal modulation and coding scheme (MCS) (UEM) information
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 INTEL CORP
  • EP4492713A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4492713A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4492713A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

For example, an Access Point (AP) may be configured to set Resource Unit (RU) allocation information for a user station (STA) in a user information (info) field for the user STA, the RU allocation information for the user STA configured to indicate an RU allocation for a Trigger-Based (TB) Uplink (UL) transmission from the user STA; to determine Unequal Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) (UEM) information for the user STA, the UEM information for the user STA configured to indicate an assignment of a plurality of MCSs to a plurality of UL resources in the RU allocation for the user STA, respectively, wherein the plurality of UL resources includes at least one of a plurality of frequency sub-channels or a plurality of spatial streams; and to transmit a trigger frame including the user info field for the user STA, and the UEM information for the user STA.