UMTS Transport Block Decoding With Reliability-Based Code Block Skipping
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Solution Overview
Problem
In UMTS networks, the existing decoding methods for transport blocks in wireless communication devices require unnecessary time and energy as they decode each code block multiple times, even if one code block contains incorrect bits, leading to inefficient power consumption and increased error rates.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for improved transport block decoding that involves generating a reliability indicator for each code block, comparing it to a threshold, and determining whether to decode subsequent code blocks based on this indicator, thereby reducing unnecessary decoding and power consumption by skipping unreliable code blocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the receiving device decodes each code block multiple times using brute-force approach, then the transport block can be fully decoded and CRC can be performed, but unnecessary time and energy are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a reliability check on the first decoded code block before proceeding to decode subsequent code blocks. The receiving device generates a reliability indicator for the first code block and compares it to a threshold, making a preliminary determination about whether to continue decoding. This preliminary assessment prevents unnecessary full decoding of the entire transport block when the first code block is already unreliable, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining decoding reliability.
2Reliability
If the receiving device decodes each code block multiple times, then complete transport block decoding is achieved, but data transmission cycle time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the skipping principle by allowing the receiving device to skip the decoding of subsequent code blocks when the reliability indicator of the first decoded code block falls below the threshold. Instead of systematically decoding all code blocks multiple times as in the brute-force approach, the device rushes through the decision process by skipping unnecessary decoding operations. This significantly reduces the data transmission cycle time while maintaining acceptable decoding accuracy by avoiding wasted time on code blocks that would likely fail anyway.
3Reliability
If brute-force decoding is implemented to ensure complete transport block decoding, then all code blocks are decoded, but unnecessary decoding operations increase power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by separating the reliability assessment function from the complete decoding process. The receiving device extracts and evaluates the reliability indicator of the first code block independently, then uses this extracted information to determine whether to proceed with decoding subsequent code blocks. This extraction of the reliability check as a separate, early step allows the system to eliminate unnecessary decoding operations that would waste energy, while still maintaining the option to decode all code blocks when reliability is high.
4Reliability
If multiple decoding iterations are performed on all code blocks, then thorough error detection is achieved, but processing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a reliability assessment on the first code block before committing to full multi-iteration decoding of all code blocks. The receiving device generates a reliability indicator and compares it to a threshold in advance, making a preliminary decision about whether to invest the significant processing resources required for multiple decoding iterations. This preliminary check maintains error detection capability by being thorough when needed, while preserving processing efficiency by avoiding unnecessary multi-iteration decoding when the first code block is already unreliable.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes methods and apparatuses for improved transport block decoding in devices capable of wireless communication, which may include user equipment and network entities. For example, the present disclosure presents methods and apparatuses for decoding a code block from a plurality of code blocks corresponding to a transport block, obtaining a reliability indicator that identifies a reliability of the decoding of the code block, comparing the reliability indicator to a reliability threshold, and determining whether to decode a subsequent code block from the plurality of code blocks based on the comparing. Furthermore, these methods and apparatuses may include determining not to decode at least one subsequent code block of the transport block where the comparing indicates that the reliability indicator is less than the reliability threshold. As such, device power is not unnecessarily consumed by decoding likely superfluous code blocks.