FLEXIBLE CODING SCHEMES

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication using various coding schemes for data transmission are described. A wireless communication system may support multiple coding schemes such as, for example, turbo codes and low density parity check codes. The system may support selection of the coding scheme based on explicit signaling or implicit evaluation of transmission parameters. A transmitting device may select a coding scheme, encode a message using the selected coding scheme, and transmit the encoded message over a wireless connection. The receiving device may receive the encoded message, select the coding scheme, and decode the message using the select coding scheme.

BACKGROUND

The following relates generally to wireless communication, and more specifically to flexible coding schemes.

These multiple access technologies have been adopted in various telecommunication standards to provide a common protocol that enables different wireless devices to communicate on a municipal, national, regional, and even global level. An example telecommunication standard is Long Term Evolution (LTE). LTE is designed to improve spectral efficiency, lower costs, improve services, make use of new spectrum, and better integrate with other open standards. LTE may use OFDMA on the downlink (DL), single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) on the uplink (UL), and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology. A wireless multiple-access communications system (including an LTE system) may include a number of base stations, each supporting communication for multiple communication devices, which may be otherwise known as user equipment (UE).

Some wireless systems may support communication using coding schemes, which may enable forward error correction for wireless data transmissions. The coding schemes may include turbo codes and low density parity check (LDPC) codes. Different coding schemes may have different characteristics, including differences in spectral efficiency and computational complexity.

SUMMARY

A wireless communication system may support multiple coding schemes such as, for example, turbo codes (TC) and low density parity check (LDPC) codes. The system may support selection of a coding scheme based on explicit signaling or implicit evaluation of transmission parameters. A transmitting device may select a coding scheme, encode a message using the selected coding scheme, and transmit the encoded message over the wireless connection. The receiving device may receive the encoded message, identify the coding scheme, and decode the message using the selected coding scheme.

A method of wireless communication is described. The method may include selecting a coding scheme from a plurality of coding schemes available for a wireless connection, encoding a message using the selected coding scheme, and transmitting the encoded message over the wireless connection.

An apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatus may include means for selecting a coding scheme from a plurality of coding schemes available for a wireless connection, means for encoding a message using the selected coding scheme, and means for transmitting the encoded message over the wireless connection.

A further apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatus may include a processor, memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor, to cause the apparatus to select a coding scheme from a plurality of coding schemes available for a wireless connection, encode a message using the selected coding scheme, and transmit the encoded message over the wireless connection.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication is described. The code may include instructions executable to select a coding scheme from a plurality of coding schemes available for a wireless connection, encode a message using the selected coding scheme, and transmit the encoded message over the wireless connection.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, or non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for transmitting an indication of the coding scheme to a user equipment, wherein the encoded message is a downlink message. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples the indication of the coding scheme comprises a semi-static indication or a dynamic indication.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, or non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for receiving an indication of the coding scheme from a base station, wherein the message is an uplink message. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples the indication of the coding scheme comprises a semi-static indication or a dynamic indication.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, or non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for determining a transmission parameter for the encoded message, wherein selecting the coding scheme is based at least in part on the transmission parameter. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples the transmission parameter comprises a data rate, a decoding latency budget a device capability, or a combination thereof.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, or non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the coding scheme is selected based at least in part on the wireless connection using a contention based spectrum. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples the plurality of coding schemes comprises at least a turbo coding scheme and a low density parity check coding scheme. The selected coding scheme may include the turbo coding scheme for a first portion of a transmission time interval and the low density parity check coding scheme for a second portion of the transmission time interval.

A method of wireless communication is described. The method may include selecting a coding scheme from a plurality of coding schemes available for a wireless connection, the plurality of coding schemes comprising at least a turbo coding scheme and a low density parity check coding scheme, receiving a message over the wireless connection, and decoding the message using the selected coding scheme.

An apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatus may include means for selecting a coding scheme from a plurality of coding schemes available for a connection, the plurality of coding schemes comprising at least a turbo coding scheme and a low density parity check coding scheme, means for receiving a message over the wireless connection, and means for decoding the message using the selected coding scheme.

A further apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatus may include a processor, memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to select a coding scheme from a plurality of coding schemes available for a connection, the plurality of coding schemes comprising at least a turbo coding scheme and a low density parity check coding scheme, receive a message over the wireless connection, and decode the message using the selected coding scheme.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication is described. The code may include instructions executable to select a coding scheme from a plurality of coding schemes available for a connection, the plurality of coding schemes comprising at least a turbo coding scheme and a low density parity check coding scheme, receive a message over the wireless connection, and decode the message using the selected coding scheme.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, or non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for transmitting an indication of the coding scheme to a user equipment, wherein the message is an uplink message. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples the indication of the coding scheme comprises a semi-static indication or a dynamic indication.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, or non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for receiving an indication of the coding scheme from a base station, wherein the message is a downlink message. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples the indication of the coding scheme comprises a semi-static indication or a dynamic indication.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, or non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for determining a transmission parameter for the message, wherein selecting the coding scheme is based at least in part on the transmission parameter. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples the transmission parameter comprises a data rate, a decoding latency budget, a device capability, or a combination thereof.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, or non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the coding scheme is selected based at least in part on the wireless connection using contention based spectrum. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples the selected coding scheme comprises at least a turbo coding scheme and a low density parity check coding scheme. The selected coding scheme may include the turbo coding scheme for a first portion of a transmission time interval and the low density parity check coding scheme for a second portion of the transmission time interval.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some wireless systems may apply forward error correction (FEC) to reduce or correct errors in data transmissions using coding schemes such as Turbo Codes (TC) and Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) codes. For example, some wireless wide area networks (WWANs) (e.g., LTE and other types of cellular networks) use TC to achieve a high spectral efficiency. By contrast, many wireless local area networks (WLANs), (e.g., WiFi) use LDPC to meet tight decoding latency specifications at lower computational cost. Additional coding schemes used for FEC in wireless communications include, for example, polar codes, Reed-Solomon codes, Reed-Muller codes, and convolutional codes.

While different types of wireless communications systems are conventionally associated with static coding schemes for FEC, in some cases a multi-mode wireless device may include hardware supporting multiple coding methods for FEC. For example, a wireless device may include an LTE modem having a TC encoder/decoder and a WLAN modem having a LDPC encoder/decoder. In these cases, the modems may be interoperable such that either coding scheme can be used to implement FEC for either modem. This capability may enable dynamic toggling of coding schemes to accommodate different types of wireless transmissions, which may increase the overall performance and efficiency of the wireless device. Accordingly, this disclosure outlines techniques and selection criteria by which a coding scheme may be identified and selected for a given wireless connection.

The selection and use of a coding scheme for the wireless connection may occur implicitly or through signaling over the connection. The implicit selection of a coding scheme may be based on a data rate of the data transmission, a decoding latency budget, a user equipment (UE) or base station capability, or a combination thereof. When signaling is used to communicate the selection of a coding scheme, one wireless device may select the coding scheme and then indicate that selection to one or more other wireless devices associated with the connection in a downlink (DL) or uplink (UL) grant or other message.

Aspects of the disclosure are initially described in the context of a wireless communication system. Specific examples are then described for selecting a coding scheme from a set of coding schemes available for a wireless connection, encoding a message using the selected coding scheme, transmitting the encoded message over the wireless connection, and decoding the message using the selected coding scheme. These and other aspects of the disclosure are further illustrated by and described with reference to apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flowcharts that relate to flexible coding schemes.

As used in this description and the appended claims, the term “coding scheme” refers to an algorithm or process by which data bits are encoded with redundant data at the physical layer for forward error correction in a wireless transmission.

As used in this description and the appended claims, the term “semi-static indication” refers to a) a message signaling a selection of a coding scheme that remains in force until the selection is modified by a subsequent transmitted message or b) a message signaling rules for selecting a coding scheme wherein the rule remains in force until modified by a subsequent transmitted message.

As used in this description and the appended claims, the term “dynamic indication” refers to a message signaling a selection of a coding scheme specific to an instantaneous transmission or set of transmissions or associated with an expiration.

FIG. 1illustrates an example of a wireless communications system100in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The wireless communications system100includes base stations105, user equipment (UEs)115, and a core network130. In some examples, the wireless communications system100may be a Long Term Evolution (LTE)/LTE-advanced (LTE-A) network. Wireless communications system100may support dynamic selection of different coding schemes such as TC or LDPC coding schemes.

Base stations105may wirelessly communicate with UEs115via one or more base station antennas. Each base station105may provide communication coverage for a respective geographic coverage area110. Communication links125shown in wireless communications system100may include uplink (UL) transmissions from a UE115to a base station105, or downlink (DL) transmissions from a base station105to a UE115. UEs115may be dispersed throughout the wireless communications system100, and each UE115may be stationary or mobile. A UE115may also be referred to as a station (STA), a mobile station, a subscriber station, a remote unit, a wireless device, an access terminal, a handset, a user agent, a client, or some other suitable terminology. A UE115may be a cellular phone, a wireless modem, a handheld device, a personal computer, a tablet, a personal electronic device, a machine type communication (MTC) device or other wireless device.

Wireless communications system100may employ one or more methods for improving the reliability of communications. These methods may include forward error correction (FEC) and hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ). In some cases, FEC may use a data coding scheme such as a turbo code (TC), which may use a combination of data permutations and a convolutional code. In other cases, FEC may be based on a low density parity check (LDPC) code using a bipartite graph.

HARQ may be based on a combination of error detection (e.g., using a cyclic redundancy check (CRC)), forward error correction (FEC), and retransmission (e.g., automatic repeat request (ARQ)). HARQ may improve throughput at the medium access control (MAC) layer in poor radio conditions (e.g., signal-to-noise conditions). In HARQ, incorrectly received data (including systematic and redundancy bits) may be stored in a buffer and combined with subsequent transmissions to improve the overall likelihood of successfully decoding the data. In Incremental Redundancy (IR) HARQ, additional redundancy bits are added to subsequent transmission (i.e. retransmission), which, combined with the initial transmissions, effectively lowers the code rate and thus increases the chance of successful decoding. In chase combining (CC) HARQ, the same systematic and redundancy bits are transmitted at each retransmission, effectively increasing the signal-to-noise ratio at the receiver and thus increasing the chance of successful decoding. In HARQ, retransmissions are initiated after the transmitter of the original message receives a negative acknowledgement (NACK) indicating a failed attempt to decode the information. The chain of transmission, response and retransmission may be referred to as a HARQ process. In some examples, a limited number of HARQ processes may be used for a given communication link125.

In some cases, a UE115or base station105may operate in a shared or unlicensed frequency spectrum. These devices may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) prior to communicating in order to determine whether the channel is available. A CCA may include an energy detection procedure to determine whether there are any other active transmissions. For example, the device may infer that a change in a signal strength of a power meter indicates that a channel is occupied. Specifically, signal power is that is concentrated in a certain bandwidth and exceeds a predetermined noise floor may indicate another wireless transmitter. A CCA may also include detection of specific sequences that indicate use of the channel. For example, another device may transmit a specific preamble prior to transmitting a data sequence. In some cases, wireless communications system100may support the use of different coding schemes, or combinations of coding schemes for unlicensed spectrum.

In some cases, wireless communications system100may utilize one or more enhanced component carriers (eCCs). An enhanced component carrier (eCC) may be characterized by one or more features in comparison to other types of component carriers including: flexible bandwidth, different transmission time interval (TTIs), and modified control channel configuration. In some cases, an eCC may be associated with a carrier aggregation (CA) configuration or a dual connectivity configuration (e.g., when multiple serving cells have a suboptimal backhaul link). An eCC may also be configured for use in unlicensed spectrum or shared spectrum (e.g., where more than one operator is licensed to use the spectrum). An eCC characterized by flexible bandwidth may include one or more segments that may be utilized by UEs115that do are not capable of monitoring the whole bandwidth or prefer to use a limited bandwidth (e.g., to conserve power).

In some cases, an eCC may use a different TTI length than other component carriers (CCs), which may include use of a reduced or variable symbol duration as compared with TTIs of the other CCs. The symbol duration may remain the same, in some cases, but each symbol may represent a distinct TTI. In some examples, an eCC may include multiple hierarchical layers associated with the different TTI lengths. For example, TTIs at one hierarchical layer may correspond to uniform 1 ms subframes, whereas in a second layer, variable length TTIs may correspond to bursts of short duration symbol periods. In some cases, a shorter symbol duration may also be associated with increased subcarrier spacing. In conjunction with the reduced TTI length, an eCC may utilize dynamic time division duplex (TDD) operation (i.e., it may switch from downlink (DL) to uplink (UL) operation for short bursts according to dynamic conditions.)

Flexible bandwidth and variable TTIs may be associated with a modified control channel configuration (e.g., an eCC may utilize an enhanced physical downlink control channel (ePDCCH) for DL control information). For example, one or more control channels of an eCC may utilize frequency-division multiplexing (FDM) scheduling to accommodate flexible bandwidth use. Other control channel modifications include the use of additional control channels (e.g., for evolved multimedia broadcast multicast service (eMBMS) scheduling, or to indicate the length of variable length UL and DL bursts), or control channels transmitted at different intervals. An eCC may also include modified or additional HARQ related control information.

In some cases, an eCC of a cellular network may be implemented over a channel in an unlicensed radio spectrum or other contention-based shared spectrum. The unlicensed or shared spectrum may be shared among various radio access technologies, including one or more wireless local area networks (WLANs). The different radio access technologies may contend with each other for access to the spectrum using a listen-before-talk structure. Some wireless devices may be capable of using multiple radio access technologies over the same spectrum. For example, a UE115or base station105may have both a cellular modem and a WLAN modem, both of which may operate over the same band of unlicensed spectrum. The cellular modem may use a turbo code (TC) encoder/decoder and the WLAN modem may use a low density parity check (LDPC) encoder/decoder. In some cases, both encoder/decoders may be available to either modem.

Thus, certain base stations105and UEs115of wireless communications system100may support multiple coding schemes such as TCs and LDPC codes. Selection of the coding scheme may be based on explicit signaling or implicit evaluation of transmission parameters. A transmitting device (UE115or base station105) may select a coding scheme, encode a message using the selected coding scheme, and transmit the encoded message over the wireless connection. The receiving device (UE115or base station105) may identify the coding scheme, receive the encoded message over the wireless connection, and decode the message using the selected coding scheme.

FIG. 2illustrates an example of a wireless communications system200for flexible coding schemes in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Wireless communications system200may include a UE115-aand base station105-a, which may be respective examples of a UE115base station105described with reference toFIG. 1. UE115-aand base station105-amay each have a first encoder/decoder205-a,205-bimplementing a first coding scheme and a second encoder/decoder210-b,210-bimplementing a second encoding scheme. Base station105-amay transmit data using either the first encoding scheme or the second encoding scheme, and configure UE115-ato transmit and decode data using either the first encoding scheme or the second encoding scheme. While the remainder ofFIG. 2is described using the example of TC and LDPC as the first and second encoding schemes, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other types of coding schemes may be used in addition to or in place of TC and LDPC. Examples of other coding schemes include polar coding schemes, convolutional coding schemes, and the like.

In some cases, TC may support a higher spectral efficiency than LDPC, and LDPC may be implemented at a lower cost and lower latency than TC. Thus, in an unlicensed frequency spectrum (e.g., a contention based frequency spectrum), it may be appropriate to include flexible use of TC and LDPC. This flexibility may allow reuse of TC and LDPC without exceeding capability or adding hardware. Using multiple encoders/decoders such as encoders/decoders205and210may support flexible use of TC and LDPC.

In some cases, it may be appropriate to select the coding scheme based on one or more transmission parameters associated with a communication link125-abetween UE115-aand base station105-a. For example, the transmission parameter may be correlated with throughput or latency such that TC is selected for lower throughput or higher-latency data connections and LDPC is selected for higher throughput and lower latency data connections.

Examples of possible transmission parameters include: data rate (e.g., connections having a nominal data rate that is higher than a predefined threshold use LDPC and having a nominal data rate that is lower than the predefined threshold use TC), channel bandwidth (e.g., connections over a channel bandwidth that is higher than a predefined threshold use LDPC and connections over a channel bandwidth that is lower than the predefined threshold use TC), modulation and coding scheme (MCS) (e.g., connections with an MCS index that is higher than a predefined threshold use LDPC and connections with an MCS index that is lower than the predefined threshold use TC), transmission rank (e.g., connections with a transmission rank that is higher than a predefined threshold use LDPC and connections with a transmission rank that is lower than the predefined threshold use TC), decoding or ACK/NACK timing budgets (e.g., connections with budgets that are higher than a predefined threshold use TC, and connections with lower budgets than the predefined threshold use LDPC).

The coding scheme may be selected based on the receiver's decoder capability, in particular, the decoder throughput (i.e. how many bits the decoder can decode at a given time). In some examples, UE115-amay signal an indication of its decoder throughput to base station105-a, and base station105-amay select the coding scheme and signal the selected coding scheme back to UE115-a.

The selection of thresholds for the above-referenced transmission parameters may be implementation-specific based on device capabilities, resource availability, and field conditions. Some examples may use a combination of thresholds for different transmission parameters to select an appropriate coding scheme. In one example, TC may be used for data connections over a 20 MHz channel bandwidth or over an 80 MHz bandwidth with low MCS indices (e.g., below a predefined threshold). In this example, LDPC may be used for data connections over the 80 MHz channel bandwidth with high MCS indices (e.g. at or above the predefined threshold).

Additionally, TC may be used in conjunction with incremental redundancy (IR), chase combining (CC), or ARQ, and LDPC may be used in conjunction with CC or ARQ but not IR. In some cases, TC and LDPC may be mixed in one transmission time interval (TTI). For example, the turbo coding scheme may be used for a first portion of a transmission time interval and the low density parity check coding scheme may be used for a second portion of the transmission time interval. Some codeblocks (CBs) and codewords (CWs) (e.g., spatial layers) may use TC and others may use LDPC. For example, one CW may have high MCS and use LDPC, and the other CW may have low MCS and use TC.

In wireless communications system200, the selection of TC or LDPC for a connection may be determined independently by both the base station105-aand UE115-ausing one or more of the above-referenced transmission parameters. Alternatively, one of the base station105-aor UE115-amay select the coding scheme and notify the other device of the selected coding scheme using explicit signaling. For example, an indication of whether to use TC or LDPC may be included in a downlink (DL) or uplink (UL) grant (e.g., a bit indicating either TC or LDPC). The selected coding scheme may be signaled dynamically or semi-statically. Additionally or alternatively, one of the devices may signal to the other device a set of dynamic, static, or semi-static selection criteria thresholds for use by the other device to independently select the appropriate coding scheme.

FIG. 3illustrates an example of a process flow300for flexible coding schemes in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Process flow300may include a UE115-band base station105-b, which may be examples of a UE115and base station105described with reference toFIGS. 1-2. UE115-band base station105-bmay be configured for communication using multiple coding schemes. Although process flow300illustrates an example in which base station105-bencodes messages and transmits to UE115-b, either device could be the transmitting device or the receiving device.

At305, base station105-band UE115-bmay establish a wireless connection. The wireless connection may be established over a contention-based or unlicensed frequency spectrum, and may include one or more eCCs. The wireless connection may support flexible use of multiple coding schemes, such as TC, LDPC, or other coding schemes.

At310, base station105-bmay select a coding scheme from the set of coding schemes available for the wireless connection (e.g., a TC scheme and an LDPC coding scheme). The coding schemes available for the wireless connection may be defined by the hardware encoders installed in both the base station105-band the UE115-b. In some cases, UE115-bmay signal its set of supported coding schemes to base station105-b, and base station105-bmay determine the set of coding schemes available for the wireless connection as the set of coding schemes supported by both base station105-band UE115-b.

The base station105-bmay identify a transmission parameter of a message to be transmitted to the UE and select the coding scheme based on the transmission parameter. The transmission parameter may include a data rate, a decoding latency budget or a device capability. Additionally, base station105-bmay select the coding scheme based on the wireless connection using a contention based (or unlicensed) spectrum.

At315, base station105-bmay signal the selected coding scheme to UE115-b. The signal may include a semi-static indication or a dynamic indication of the coding scheme. Upon receiving the coding scheme, UE115-bmay transmit a message (e.g., an uplink message) to base station105-busing the coding scheme. UE115-bmay also use the coding scheme to decode data packets sent by base station105-b.

In some cases, base station105-bmay not send an explicit signal. That is, in some cases, UE115-bmay implicitly determine the coding scheme used for transmitting and decoding. Implicit determination may be based on one or more transmission parameters or device constraints such as data rate, channel bandwidth, MCS, transmission rank, decoding or ACK/NACK timing budgets, or device capabilities, as described above with reference toFIG. 2.

At320, UE115-bmay identify the coding scheme based on the one or more transmission parameters and their associated thresholds, as described above with reference toFIG. 2. In some cases the coding scheme is identified prior to the data transmission, but in other cases the transmission is received and aspects of the transmission may be used to identify the coding scheme.

At325, base station105-bmay encode data using the selected coding scheme. At330, base station105-bmay transmit the encoded message over the wireless connection. At330, UE115-bmay decode the encoded message received from base station105-b. UE115-bmay decode the message using the coding scheme (as signaled by base station105-bor implicitly determined). It will be understood by those of skill in the art that the operations of blocks325,330, and335may be reversed such that the UE performs the encoding of block325and transmitting of block330and the BS performs the decoding of block335.

FIG. 4shows a block diagram of a wireless device400configured for flexible coding schemes in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Wireless device400may be an example of aspects of a UE115or base station105described with reference toFIGS. 1-3. Wireless device400may include a receiver405, a flexible coding scheme module410, and a transmitter415. Wireless device400may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with each other.

The receiver405may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to flexible coding schemes, etc.). Information may be passed on to the flexible coding scheme module410, and to other components of wireless device400.

The flexible coding scheme module410may select a coding scheme from a set of coding schemes, including a turbo coding scheme and a low density parity check (LDPC) coding scheme, available for a wireless connection, encode a message using the selected coding scheme, and transmit the encoded message over the wireless connection.

The transmitter415may transmit signals received from other components of wireless device400. In some examples, the transmitter415may be collocated with the receiver405in a transceiver module. The transmitter415may include a single antenna, or it may include a plurality of antennas.

FIG. 5shows a block diagram of a wireless device500for flexible coding schemes in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Wireless device500may be an example of aspects of a wireless device400, a UE115or base station105described with reference toFIGS. 1-4. Wireless device500may include a receiver405-a, a flexible coding scheme module410-a, or a transmitter415-a. Wireless device500may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with each other. The flexible coding scheme module410-amay also include a coding scheme selection module505, encoder/decoder510-aand510-b, and a messaging module515.

The receiver405-amay receive information which may be passed on to flexible coding scheme module410-a, and to other components of wireless device500. The flexible coding scheme module410-amay perform the operations described with reference toFIG. 4. The transmitter415-amay transmit signals received from other components of wireless device500.

The coding scheme selection module505may select a coding scheme from a set of coding schemes (e.g., a set including a turbo coding scheme and a low density parity check (LDPC) coding scheme) available for a wireless connection as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3. The coding scheme selection module505may also determine a transmission parameter for the message and select the coding scheme based on the transmission parameter. In some examples, the transmission parameter includes a data rate, a decoding latency budget or a device capability. In some examples, the coding scheme may be selected based on the wireless connection using contention based spectrum.

The encoder/decoder510-aor510-bmay be an example of one or more of the encoder/decoders205-a,205-b,210-a,210-bdescribed with reference toFIG. 2. The encoder/decoder510-aor510-bmay encode a message using the selected coding scheme as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3. The messaging module515may transmit the encoded message over the wireless connection as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3. The messaging module515may also receive a message over the wireless connection, and the encoder/decoder510-aor510-bmay decode the message using the selected coding scheme.

FIG. 6shows a block diagram600of a flexible coding scheme module410-bwhich may be a component of a wireless device400or a wireless device500for flexible coding schemes in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The flexible coding scheme module410-bmay be an example of aspects of a flexible coding scheme module410described with reference toFIGS. 4-5. The flexible coding scheme module410-bmay include a coding scheme selection module505-a, encoder/decoder510-cand510-d, and a messaging module515-a. Each of these modules may perform the functions described with reference toFIG. 5. The flexible coding scheme module410-bmay also include a coding scheme signaling module605.

The coding scheme signaling module605may transmit an indication of the coding scheme to a UE in a downlink message, receive an indication of the coding scheme from a base station in a downlink message, transmit an indication of the coding scheme to a base station in an uplink message, and receive an indication of the coding scheme from a UE in an uplink message, as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3. In some examples, the indication of the coding scheme includes a semi-static indication or a dynamic indication.

The encoder/decoder510-cor510-dmay decode the message using the selected coding scheme as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3.

FIG. 7shows a diagram of a system700configured for flexible coding schemes in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. System700may include UE115-cand base station105-c. UE115-cmay be an example of a wireless device400, a wireless device500, or a UE115described with reference toFIGS. 1, 2 and 4-6. UE115-cmay include a flexible coding scheme module710, which may be an example of a flexible coding scheme module410described with reference toFIGS. 4-6. UE115-cmay also include an eCC module725, which may enable eCC operations as described with reference toFIG. 1(including operation in contention based spectrum).

UE115-cmay also include a processor705, and memory715(including software (SW))720, a transceiver735, and one or more antenna(s)740, each of which may communicate, directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g., via buses745). The transceiver735may communicate using the antenna(s)740or wired or wireless links, with one or more networks, as described above. For example, the transceiver735may communicate bi-directionally with base station105-c. The transceiver735may include a modem to modulate the packets and provide the modulated packets to the antenna(s)740for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the antenna(s)740. While UE115-cmay include a single antenna740, UE115-cmay also have multiple antennas740capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions.

The memory715may include random access memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM). The memory715may store computer-readable, computer-executable software/firmware code720including instructions that, when executed, cause the processor705to perform various functions described herein (e.g., flexible coding schemes, etc.). Alternatively, the computer-executable software/firmware code720may not be directly executable by the processor705but cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein. The processor705may include an intelligent hardware device, (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.)

FIG. 8shows a diagram of a system800including one or more base stations105configured for flexible coding schemes in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. System800may include base station105-d, which may be an example of a wireless device400, a wireless device500, or a base station105described with reference toFIGS. 1, 2 and 5-7. Base Station105-dmay include a base station flexible coding scheme module810, which may be an example of a base station flexible coding scheme module810described with reference toFIGS. 5-7. Base Station105-dmay also include components for bi-directional voice and data communications including components for transmitting communications and components for receiving communications. For example, base station105-dmay communicate bi-directionally with UE115-dor UE115-e.

In some cases, base station105-dmay have one or more wired backhaul links. Base station105-dmay have a wired backhaul link (e.g., S1 interface, etc.) to the core network130. Base station105-dmay also communicate with other base stations105, such as base station105-eand base station105-fvia inter-base station backhaul links (e.g., an X2 interface). Each of the base stations105may communicate with UEs115using the same or different wireless communications technologies. In some cases, base station105-dmay communicate with other base stations such as105-eor105-futilizing base station communications module825. In some examples, base station communications module825may provide an X2 interface within a Long Term Evolution (LTE)/LTE-A wireless communication network technology to provide communication between some of the base stations105. In some examples, base station105-dmay communicate with other base stations through core network130. In some cases, base station105-dmay communicate with the core network130through network communications module830.

The base station105-dmay include a processor805, memory815(including software (SW)820), transceiver835, and antenna(s)840, which each may be in communication, directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g., over bus system845). The transceivers835may be configured to communicate bi-directionally, via the antenna(s)840, with the UEs115, which may be multi-mode devices. The transceiver835(or other components of the base station105-d) may also be configured to communicate bi-directionally, via the antennas840, with one or more other base stations (not shown). The transceiver835may include a modem configured to modulate the packets and provide the modulated packets to the antennas840for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the antennas840. The base station105-dmay include multiple transceivers835, each with one or more associated antennas840. The transceiver may be an example of a combined receiver405and transmitter415ofFIG. 4.

The memory815may include RAM and ROM. The memory815may also store computer-readable, computer-executable software code820containing instructions that are configured to, when executed, cause the processor805to perform various functions described herein (e.g., flexible coding schemes, selecting coverage enhancement techniques, call processing, database management, message routing, etc.). Alternatively, the computer-executable software code820may not be directly executable by the processor805but be configured to cause the computer, e.g., when compiled and executed, to perform functions described herein. The processor805may include an intelligent hardware device, e.g., a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, etc. The processor805may include various special purpose processors such as encoders, queue processing modules, base band processors, radio head controllers, digital signal processor (DSPs), and the like.

The base station communications module825may manage communications with other base stations105. In some cases, a communications management module may include a controller or scheduler for controlling communications with UEs115in cooperation with other base stations105. For example, the base station communications module825may coordinate scheduling for transmissions to UEs115for various interference mitigation techniques such as beamforming or joint transmission.

FIG. 9shows a flowchart illustrating a method900for flexible coding schemes in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method900may be implemented by a device such as a UE115or base station105or its components as described with reference toFIGS. 1-8. For example, the operations of method900may be performed by the flexible coding scheme module410as described with reference toFIGS. 4-7. In some examples, the device may execute a set of codes to control the functional elements of the device to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the device may perform aspects the functions described below using special-purpose hardware.

At block905, the device may select a coding scheme from a set of coding schemes available for a wireless connection, as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3. The set of available coding schemes may include a turbo coding scheme and an LDPC coding scheme. In certain examples, the operations of block905may be performed by the coding scheme selection module505as described with reference toFIG. 5.

At block910, the device may encode a message using the selected coding scheme as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3. In certain examples, the operations of block910may be performed by the encoder/decoder510-aor510-bas described with reference toFIG. 5.

At block915, the device may transmit the encoded message over the wireless connection as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3. In certain examples, the operations of block915may be performed by the messaging module515as described with reference toFIG. 5.

FIG. 10shows a flowchart illustrating a method1000for flexible coding schemes in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method1000may be implemented by a device such as a base station105or its components as described with reference toFIGS. 1-8. For example, the operations of method1000may be performed by the flexible coding scheme module410as described with reference toFIGS. 4-7. In some examples, a base station105may execute a set of codes to control the functional elements of the device to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the base station105may perform aspects the functions described below using special-purpose hardware. The method1000may also incorporate aspects of method900ofFIG. 9.

At block1005, the base station105may select a coding scheme from a plurality of coding schemes available for a wireless connection as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3. The plurality of coding schemes may comprise at least a turbo coding scheme and an LDPC coding scheme. In certain examples, the operations of block1005may be performed by the coding scheme selection module505as described with reference toFIG. 5.

At block1010, the base station105may transmit an indication of the coding scheme to a UE, wherein the message is a downlink message as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3. In certain examples, the operations of block1010may be performed by the coding scheme signaling module605as described with reference toFIG. 6.

At block1015, the base station105may encode a message using the selected coding scheme as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3. In certain examples, the operations of block1015may be performed by the encoder/decoder510-aor510-bas described with reference toFIG. 5.

At block1020, the base station105may transmit the encoded message over the wireless connection as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3. In certain examples, the operations of block1020may be performed by the messaging module515as described with reference toFIG. 5.

FIG. 11shows a flowchart illustrating a method1100for flexible coding schemes in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method1100may be implemented by a UE115or its components as described with reference toFIGS. 1-8. For example, the operations of method1100may be performed by the flexible coding scheme module410as described with reference toFIGS. 4-7. In some examples, a UE115may execute a set of codes to control the functional elements of the UE115to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the UE115may perform aspects the functions described below using special-purpose hardware. The method1100may also incorporate aspects of methods900, and1000ofFIGS. 9-10.

At block1105, the UE115may receive an indication of the coding scheme from a base station in a downlink message as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3. In certain examples, the operations of block1105may be performed by the coding scheme signaling module605as described with reference toFIG. 6.

At block1110, the UE115may select a coding scheme from a set of coding schemes available for a wireless connection based on the indication, as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3. The set of coding schemes may include a turbo coding scheme and an LDPC coding scheme. In certain examples, the operations of block1110may be performed by the coding scheme selection module505as described with reference toFIG. 5.

At block1115, the UE115may encode a message using the selected coding scheme as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3. In certain examples, the operations of block1115may be performed by the encoder/decoder510-aor510-bas described with reference toFIG. 5.

At block1120, the UE115may transmit the encoded message over the wireless connection as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3. In certain examples, the operations of block1120may be performed by the messaging module515as described with reference toFIG. 5.

FIG. 12shows a flowchart illustrating a method1200for flexible coding schemes in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method1200may be implemented by a device such as a UE115or base station105or its components as described with reference toFIGS. 1-8. For example, the operations of method1200may be performed by the flexible coding scheme module410as described with reference toFIGS. 4-7. In some examples, a device may execute a set of codes to control the functional elements of the device to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the device may perform aspects the functions described below using special-purpose hardware. The method1200may also incorporate aspects of methods900,1000, and1100ofFIGS. 9-11.

At block1205, the device may determine a transmission parameter for a message as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3. In certain examples, the operations of block1205may be performed by the coding scheme selection module505as described with reference toFIG. 5.

At block1210, the device may select a coding scheme from a set of coding schemes available for a wireless connection based on the transmission parameter as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3. The set of coding schemes may include a turbo coding scheme and an LDPC coding scheme. In certain examples, the operations of block1210may be performed by the coding scheme selection module505as described with reference toFIG. 5.

At block1215, the device may encode the message using the selected coding scheme as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3. In certain examples, the operations of block1215may be performed by the encoder/decoder510-aor510-bas described with reference toFIG. 5.

At block1220, the device may transmit the encoded message over the wireless connection as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3. In certain examples, the operations of block1220may be performed by the messaging module515as described with reference toFIG. 5.

FIG. 13shows a flowchart illustrating a method1300for flexible coding schemes in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method1300may be implemented by a UE115or a base station105or its components as described with reference toFIGS. 1-8. For example, the operations of method1300may be performed by the flexible coding scheme module410as described with reference toFIGS. 4-7. In some examples, a device may execute a set of codes to control the functional elements of the device to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the device may perform aspects the functions described below using special-purpose hardware. The method1300may also incorporate aspects of methods900,1000,1100, and1200ofFIGS. 9-12.

At block1305, the device may select a coding scheme from a set of coding schemes available for a wireless connection, as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3. The set of coding schemes may include a turbo coding scheme and a low density parity check (LDPC) coding scheme. In certain examples, the operations of block1305may be performed by the coding scheme selection module505as described with reference toFIG. 5.

At block1310, the device may receive a message over the wireless connection as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3. In certain examples, the operations of block1310may be performed by the messaging module515as described with reference toFIG. 5.

At block1315, the device may decode the message using the selected coding scheme as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3. In certain examples, the operations of block1315may be performed by the encoder/decoder510-aor510-bas described with reference toFIG. 5.

FIG. 14shows a flowchart illustrating a method1400for flexible coding schemes in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method1400may be implemented by a base station105or its components as described with reference toFIGS. 1-8. For example, the operations of method1400may be performed by the flexible coding scheme module410as described with reference toFIGS. 4-7. In some examples, a base station105may execute a set of codes to control the functional elements of the base station105to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the base station105may perform aspects the functions described below using special-purpose hardware. The method1400may also incorporate aspects of methods900,1000,1100,1200, and1300ofFIGS. 9-13.

At block1405, the base station105may select a coding scheme from a plurality of coding schemes available for a connection as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3. The set of coding schemes may include a turbo coding scheme and an LDPC coding scheme. In certain examples, the operations of block1405may be performed by the coding scheme selection module505as described with reference toFIG. 5.

At block1410, the base station105may transmit an indication of the coding scheme to a UE, wherein the coding scheme is to be applied by the UE for an uplink message as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3. In certain examples, the operations of block1410may be performed by the coding scheme signaling module605as described with reference toFIG. 6.

At block1415, the base station105may receive a message over the wireless connection as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3. In certain examples, the operations of block1415may be performed by the messaging module515as described with reference toFIG. 5.

At block1420, the base station105may decode the message using the selected coding scheme as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3. In certain examples, the operations of block1420may be performed by the encoder/decoder510-aor510-bas described with reference toFIG. 5.

FIG. 15shows a flowchart illustrating a method1500for flexible coding schemes in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method1500may be implemented by a UE115or its components as described with reference toFIGS. 1-8. For example, the operations of method1500may be performed by the flexible coding scheme module410as described with reference toFIGS. 4-7. In some examples, a UE115may execute a set of codes to control the functional elements of the UE115to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the UE115may perform aspects the functions described below using special-purpose hardware. The method1500may also incorporate aspects of methods900,1000,1100,1200,1300, and1400ofFIGS. 9-14.

At block1505, the UE115may receive an indication of the coding scheme from a base station, wherein the message is a downlink message as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3. In certain examples, the operations of block1505may be performed by the coding scheme signaling module605as described with reference toFIG. 6.

At block1510, the UE115may select a coding scheme from a plurality of coding schemes available for a connection as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3. The plurality of coding schemes may include at least a turbo coding scheme and an LDPC coding scheme. In certain examples, the operations of block1510may be performed by the coding scheme selection module505as described with reference toFIG. 5.

At block1515, the UE115may receive a message over the wireless connection as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3. In certain examples, the operations of block1515may be performed by the messaging module515as described with reference toFIG. 5.

At block1520, the UE115may decode the message using the selected coding scheme as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3. In certain examples, the operations of block1520may be performed by the encoder/decoder510-aor510-bas described with reference toFIG. 5.

FIG. 16shows a flowchart illustrating a method1600for flexible coding schemes in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method1600may be implemented by a device such as a UE115or base station105or its components as described with reference toFIGS. 1-8. For example, the operations of method1600may be performed by the flexible coding scheme module410as described with reference toFIGS. 4-7. In some examples, a device may execute a set of codes to control the functional elements of the device to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the device may perform aspects the functions described below using special-purpose hardware. The method1600may also incorporate aspects of methods900,1000,1100,1200,1300,1400, and1500ofFIGS. 9-15.

At block1605, the device may determine a transmission parameter for a message as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3. In certain examples, the operations of block1605may be performed by the coding scheme selection module505as described with reference toFIG. 5.

At block1610, the device may select a coding scheme from a set of coding schemes available for a connection based on the transmission parameter as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3. The plurality of coding schemes may include at least a turbo coding scheme and an LDPC coding scheme. In certain examples, the operations of block1610may be performed by the coding scheme selection module505as described with reference toFIG. 5.

At block1615, the device may receive a message over the wireless connection as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3. In certain examples, the operations of block1615may be performed by the messaging module515as described with reference toFIG. 5.

At block1620, the device may decode the message using the selected coding scheme as described with reference toFIGS. 2-3. In certain examples, the operations of block1620may be performed by the encoder/decoder510-aor510-bas described with reference toFIG. 5.

Thus, methods900,1000,1100,1200,1300,1400,1500, and1600may provide for flexible coding schemes. It should be noted that methods900,1000,1100,1200,1300,1400,1500, and1600describe possible implementation, and that the operations and the steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified such that other implementations are possible. In some examples, aspects from two or more of the methods900,1000,1100,1200,1300,1400,1500, and1600may be combined.

The description herein provides examples, and is not limiting of the scope, applicability, or examples set forth in the claims. Changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements discussed without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Various examples may omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components as appropriate. Also, features described with respect to some examples may be combined in other examples.

The downlink transmissions described herein may also be called forward link transmissions while the uplink transmissions may also be called reverse link transmissions. Each communication link described herein—including, for example, wireless communications system100and200ofFIGS. 1 and 2—may include one or more carriers, where each carrier may be a signal made up of multiple sub-carriers (e.g., waveform signals of different frequencies). Each modulated signal may be sent on a different sub-carrier and may carry control information (e.g., reference signals, control channels, etc.), overhead information, user data, etc. The communication links described herein (e.g., communication links125ofFIG. 1) may transmit bidirectional communications using frequency division duplex (FDD) (e.g., using paired spectrum resources) or time division duplex (TDD) operation (e.g., using unpaired spectrum resources). Frame structures may be defined for frequency division duplex (FDD) (e.g., frame structure type 1) and TDD (e.g., frame structure type 2).