Wireless Control Signaling Using Transmit Antenna Count

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Solution Overview

Problem

In broadband wireless systems, particularly OFDMA-based systems, the precision and scope of control information transmission regarding data streams are limited by the implicit signaling of control channels, which affects transmission rates and decoding accuracy, especially in MU-MIMO transmissions where the number of transmit antennas is not effectively utilized.

Innovation Solution

The method involves signaling the number of transmit antennas to receivers, allowing them to interpret control signal bits differently based on the number of antennas, thereby expanding the scope and precision of data stream parameter information without increasing the information transmitted, using customized indexing schemes for each base station's number of antennas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If implicit signaling via control channel is used, then the system complexity is reduced, but the precision and scope of control information transmission is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidprecision and scope of control information
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a new dimension for control information transmission by utilizing the number of transmit antennas as an additional signaling parameter. Instead of solely relying on the content of control signal bits, the system now uses the antenna count itself to convey additional parameter information, effectively adding a dimensional layer to the existing control channel signaling mechanism without increasing its complexity

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the interpretation parameters of the control signal by establishing different mapping relationships between control signal bits and data stream parameters based on the number of transmit antennas. The same control signal bits can represent different parameter allocations depending on the antenna configuration, thereby expanding the information scope without increasing signaling overhead

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the number of transmit antennas is not utilized in signaling, then the control channel structure remains simple, but the transmission rate and decoding accuracy are affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol channel structureVSAvoidtransmission rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the transmit antenna configuration to serve dual purposes: its original function for MIMO transmission and an additional function for conveying parameter allocation information. The antenna configuration essentially 'pays for itself' by providing free signaling capacity that improves transmission rate and decoding accuracy without requiring additional dedicated signaling resources

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If customized indexing schemes are used for each number of antennas, then the precision of parameter information is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of parameter informationVSAvoidindexing scheme complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different indexing schemes locally according to the specific antenna configuration. Each antenna count (2, 4, or 8) has its own customized mapping table that optimizes parameter information precision for that specific configuration. This local customization approach allows high precision without requiring a single complex universal indexing scheme

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2604011B1Feed-forward control signaling and decoding schemes
Publication Date: 2014.12.10 NEC CORP
  • EP2604011B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2604011B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2604011B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Systems and methods for conveying wireless transmission allocation information are disclosed. In accordance with one method, an index indicating selected data stream parameters is received. In addition, an indication of a number of transmit antennas at a transmitter from which the data stream is transmitted is also received. Further, the selected parameters are determined from the index based on the number of transmit antennas at the transmitter. Moreover, data signals are received and processed with a processor in accordance with the selected data stream parameters.