Variable-Bitrate Transmission Mode Selection for Wireless Links

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Telecommunications systems face challenges in selecting the optimal transmission mode to ensure high throughput and quality of service (QoS) at varying distances, particularly due to factors like multi-path effects and attenuation, which affect the reliability and efficiency of communication signals.

Innovation Solution

A method that calculates a corrected metric by combining a relative degradation metric with a throughput ratio metric to select the most suitable transmission mode, taking into account frame losses and HARQ repetition mechanisms, ensuring the best throughput and QoS by adjusting radiation power based on excess power availability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a high physical bitrate transmission mode is selected, then the data transmission speed is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to frame losses and HARQ repetitions beyond a certain distance threshold

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission speedVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic selection of transmission modes based on calculated metrics that account for distance, multi-path effects, and attenuation. The system transitions from static mode selection to dynamic adaptation, adjusting the transmission mode according to real-time channel conditions to maintain both speed and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter used for mode selection from purely physical bitrate to a corrected metric that incorporates reliability factors. By modifying the selection criterion to include HARQ repetition considerations and distance-based attenuation, the system optimizes the trade-off between transmission speed and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Area of stationary object

If transmission distance increases, then the coverage area is improved, but the signal quality deteriorates due to attenuation and multi-path effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidsignal quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary calculation of a corrected metric that predicts signal quality degradation before transmission occurs. By pre-computing the expected impact of attenuation and multi-path effects at different distances, the system can select appropriate transmission modes in advance to maintain signal quality across extended coverage areas

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a corrected metric as an intermediary between transmission distance and signal quality. This metric serves as a mediator that quantifies the combined effect of attenuation and multi-path phenomena, enabling the system to compensate for distance-related degradation through appropriate mode selection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If HARQ repetition mechanisms are used to improve reliability, then the error rate is reduced, but the average throughput decreases due to retransmission overhead

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror rateVSAvoidaverage throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial HARQ repetition by selecting transmission modes that incorporate an optimal number of repetitions based on the corrected metric. Rather than applying full repetition consistently, the system applies just enough repetition to achieve acceptable reliability while minimizing throughput impact, using the metric to determine the appropriate level of redundancy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3732809B1Method of variable-bitrate communication with selection of a transmission interface and corresponding device
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 ORANGE SA
  • EP3732809B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3732809B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3732809B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention pertains to a method for selecting a mode of transmission intended for a first telecommunication entity comprising various modes (MODE i ) of transmission, of a communication signal intended for a second telecommunication entity, each mode (MODE i ) determining a physical bitrate (D i ) in bits/s. The method comprises: a determination (2) for a given mode of transmission (MODE i ) of the value of a first metric (α i ) corrected by a second metric (v1), the first metric (α i ) measuring at a given distance d a relative degradation introduced by the medium for transmitting the communication signal resulting from a relative degradation linked to a multipath effect (MCM) at the link level with respect to a Gaussian channel and resulting from a relative degradation linked to an effect of attenuation of the transmission medium (MCBE) with respect to a model of attenuation in free space, the second metric (v i ) determining a ratio between a mean bitrate (D i moy) and the physical bitrate (D i ) for this same mode of transmission, a step (3) of comparing for various modes (MODE i i = 1,... N) of transmission, the values of the first metric (α i ) corrected so as to select at least one mode of transmission ({ MODE i ,... }) for a given distance d.