Information bits for polar codes with mixed criteria

According to some embodiments, a method performed by a wireless device for polar encoding payload bits comprises: identifying payload bits of a data channel that have known values; placing a first subset of the known payload bits at input positions of a polar encoder that correspond to the earliest decoding bit positions of the polar encoder; placing a second subset of the known payload bits at input positions of the polar encoder that correspond to the least reliable decoding bit positions of the polar encoder after placement of the first subset of the known payload bits; and transmitting the polar encoded payload bits to a wireless receiver. The first subset of the known payload bits are placed in earliest decoding bit positions to improve early termination gain. The second subset of the known payload bits are placed in least reliable decoding bit positions to enhance error performance.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Particular embodiments are directed to wireless communications and, more particularly, to polar coding and selection of information bit placement based on mixed criteria.

INTRODUCTION

Generally, all terms used herein are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the relevant technical field, unless a different meaning is clearly given and/or is implied from the context in which it is used. All references to a/an/the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc. are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise.

The steps of any methods disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless a step is explicitly described as following or preceding another step and/or where it is implicit that a step must follow or precede another step. Any feature of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be applied to any other embodiment, wherever appropriate. Likewise, any advantage of any of the embodiments may apply to any other embodiments, and vice versa. Other objectives, features and advantages of the enclosed embodiments will be apparent from the following description.

Polar codes, proposed by E. Arikan, “Channel Polarization: A Method for Constructing Capacity-Achieving Codes for Symmetric Binary-Input Memoryless Channels,” IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, vol. 55, pp. 3051-3073, July 2009, are a class of constructive coding schemes that achieve the symmetric capacity of the binary-input discrete memoryless channels under a low-complexity successive cancellation (SC) decoder. The finite-length performance of polar codes under SC, however, is not competitive compared to other modern channel coding schemes such as low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes and Turbo codes. An SC list (SCL) decoder is proposed in I. Tal and A. Vardy, “List Decoding of polar codes,” Proceedings of IEEE Symp. Inf. Theory, pp. 1-5, 2011, that approaches the performance of optimal maximum-likelihood (ML) decoder. By concatenating a simple cyclic redundancy check (CRC) coding, the performance of a concatenated polar code is competitive with that of well-optimized LDPC and Turbo codes. As a result, polar codes are being considered as a candidate for future fifth generation (5G) wireless communication systems.

Polar coding transforms a pair of identical binary-input channels into two distinct channels of different qualities, one better and one worse than the original binary-input channel. Repeating such a pair-wise polarizing operation on a set of N=2nindependent uses of a binary-input channel results in a set of 2n“bit-channels” of varying qualities. Some of the bit channels are nearly perfect (i.e., error free) while the rest of them are nearly useless (i.e., totally noisy).

Polar coding uses the nearly perfect channel to transmit data to the receiver and sets the input to the useless channels to have fixed or frozen values (e.g., 0) known to the receiver. For this reason, the input bits to the nearly useless and the nearly perfect channel are commonly referred to as frozen bits and non-frozen (or information) bits, respectively. Only the non-frozen bits are used to carry data in a polar code. Loading the data into the proper information bit locations has direct impact on the performance of a polar code. The set of information bit locations is commonly referred to as an information set. An illustration of the structure of a length-8 polar code is illustrated inFIG. 1.

FIG. 2illustrates the labeling of the intermediate information bits sl,i, where l∈{0, 1, . . . , n} and i∈{0, 1, . . . , N−1} during polar encoding with N=8. The intermediate information bits are related by the following equation:

The reliability of bit channels can be sorted into a polar information sequence, which specifies the index of the bit channels of any given reliability rank.

In the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) fifth generation (5G) new radio (NR) standard, the polar information sequence, or just polar sequence, Q0Nmax-1={Q0Nmax, Q1Nmax, . . . , QNmax-1Nmax} is given by Table 1 below, where 0≤QiNmax≤Nmax−1 denotes a bit index before polar encoding for i=0, 1, . . . , N−1 and Nmax=1024. The polar sequence Q0Nmax-1is in ascending order of reliability W(Q0Nmax)<W(Q1Nmax)< . . . <W(QNmax-1Nmax), where W(QiNmax) denotes the reliability of bit index QiNmax.

For any code block encoded to N bits, the same polar sequence Q0N-1={Q0N, Q1N, Q2N, . . . , QN-1N} is used. The polar sequence Q0N-1is a subset of polar sequence Q0Nmax-1with all elements QiNmaxof values less than N, ordered in ascending order of reliability W(Q0N)<W(Q1N)<W(Q2N)< . . . <W(QN-1N).

TABLE 1Polar sequence Q0Nmax−1and its corresponding reliability W(QiNmax)WWWWWWWW(QiNmax)QiNmax(QiNmax)QiNmax(QiNmax)QiNmax(QiNmax)QiNmax(QiNmax)QiNmax(QiNmax)QiNmax(QiNmax)QiNmax(QiNmax)QiNmax001285182569438421451236464041476881989696611129542572043853095136546412237698148977552213083258298386188514659642663770439898859341315725940038744951533564369277192989994048132521260608388217516480644835772490900830516133112261352389408517315645619773623901911632134135262325390609518221646472774671902871731357826353339159651937064745577573990363985136289264155392551520613648796776916904888964137194265210393650521422649809777463905479109138852663053942295224256507147788439069461161392762675473951595234516517217793819077501217140522268300396420524614652837780497908969131014158269109397310525543653716781930909508141814216827018439854152623565486478282191086115128143139271534399773527412655810783726911757161214499272537400610528343656606784961912970173314586273115401657529372657912785872913919186514660274167402333530775658722786492914875192014728027522540311953131765969678763191586220256148892763264046005322226603777887299167582134149290277306405339533426661435789700917948222415052927877240621853445366281779044391897723361515242791574073685352376633197917419199232471521962806564086525365596646217928459209722512915314128132940923053783366581279392092176126661541012821104103915388046664847943829228772751215514728311741131353971266743079582292395228111561762842124124505408346688387968519244952940157142285171413542541661669667797730925703306815853028677641433454280867048879849892693531130159321287330415233543779671239799880927978321916031288226416555544617672378800742928883331316120028954941777454560467345980144592976234481629029053841817554643367462280247193050335141635452913874191235477206756278036359319253672164292292308420658548816676437804932932878372571653222932164216125498366773808056879337353821166532294416422341550347678818806903934993391321672632952714237775518976794618078259358854035168149296279424220552243680496808500936939412581691022971584253145536626816698098469379945396181386309199437616565840693441821487949751546718215031078443834256662569446982269595094255411831533111794393165672386952478237469519965614418416531222844024156835969668382482895297157281851063133384417785694576978428257539538905869186553143124425635703996987388268549545095942187328315704443345571787699899827857955949605161885363163904444525725917006708285049569736149189577317174445397573678701783829799957100062741905483185544464035744347028498302559588926327219111331958144720757567770382083196495995064160192154320393448674576349704728832909960863655201937932128344955857724570592883371996175966288194269322122450785578458706791834477962100867528195108323448451432579666707367835915963510681921965783243534523575806207089018366389649796954419722432556145318758136370963083774896595370701981663262034542365821277106858389449667637144199519327634556645831917118448398699679747213120055232834045662458478271263384049196895473812011953293944575875854077137118416999698797450202270330527458780586436714253842754970981757320364133158245970558762671569184385897198276152045233325564601265885717168248444789729277732020527533318146124258946571790284596897399578133206580334295462565590681718686846383974765795220729133528546339859124671974084791097595680232085933623246434659270772085084881597688781134209169337124465456593350721375849976977985823842105603382054663585945997224448508709789978376211114339182467405595668723470851917979986841372122773406434683035967907244838527279809439643224526352645480647608689736797864918992100997982251773535934813486093747379068655029939559851522629335453548241961042373871586693399410049988227388355240483406611466739807867743995101010014022891356206484464612793740474868760996957101302295843579548568061325074163686988199798310214623076935832748680161437174269487049499895810371231198359564487362615481743254871702999987104262232172360800488590616574744717872921100010121052652331203614024894096174137455758735011001999106161234201362356490570618603746913874876100210161075762353363633074917886193667477988758471003767108452366236430149259762046874881187699210049891091002372823654174935726216557493798774471005100311064023814336621349421962290075069787873310069901115123910336756849531162380575143187982710071005112148240178368832496708624615752607880934100895911346241294369588497598625684753489881882100910111147524293370186498601626710754866882937101010131152662436443716464996516274297557238839631011895116273244202372404500421628794756486884747101210061175172455923732275017926292527579088855051013101411810424632337489650280263037375871888685510141017119162247392375594503611631605759813887924101510181205324829737641850460263284876047688873410169911211932497703773025054106336907618568898291017102012215225010737864950623163471376283989096510181007123772511803797715076886356327637258919381019101512416425215138036050865363648276469889288410201019125768253209381539509248637806765914893506102110211262682542843821115103696384277667528947491022102212727425564838333151119063990476786889594510231023

CRC interleaving may be used with polar coding. To improve the performance of early decoding termination or block error rate, the input to the polar encoder may be first interleaved after adding CRC bits computed based on a CRC polynomial. The interleaving distributes a subset of CRC bits among the CRC-interleaved payload bits.

FIG. 3is a block diagram illustrating the general operation of CRC-interleaved polar encoding, which is also referred to as a distributed CRC method. The data bits u are first encoded using CRC encoder10whose output, referred to as payload bits, are interleaved using CRC interleaver12to form the input of polar encoder core14, which in turn generates the coded bits. The set of data bits may contain bits with known or partially known values (shown as dashed lines inFIG. 3), such as the timing bits or the reserved bits, which are placed in positions that cannot be effectively used by the polar decoder.

5G NR communication systems can operate with carrier frequencies ranging from hundreds of MHz to hundreds of GHz. When operating in very high frequency band, such as the millimeter-wave (mmW) bands (˜30-300 GHz), radio signals attenuate much more quickly with distance than those in lower frequency band (e.g., 1-3 GHz). Thus, to broadcast system information to user equipment (UE) over the same intended coverage area, beamforming is typically used to achieve power gain to compensate the path loss in high frequencies.

Because the signal coverage of each beam can be quite narrow when many antennas are used to form the beam, the system information needs to be broadcast or transmitted at a different beam direction one at a time. The process of transmitting signals carrying the same information using beams with different (azimuth and/or elevation) directions one at a time is commonly referred to as beam sweeping.

Because typically only one of the many beams carrying the same system information can reach a particular receiver with good signal strength, the receiver does not know the location of the received beam in the overall radio frame structure. To enable the receiver to determine the start and the end of a periodic radio frame, a time index is often included when broadcasting the system information through beam sweeping.

For example,FIG. 4illustrates an example of how system information can be broadcast together with a reference synchronization signal (SS) through beam sweeping. InFIG. 4, the system information is carried by a physical channel, called new radio physical broadcast channel (NR-PBCH), which is transmitted in multiple synchronization blocks (SSB), each beamformed in a different direction. The SSBs are repeated within a certain NR-PBCH transmission time interval (TTI) (e.g., 80 ms in the illustrated example). Within a NR-PBCH TTI, the system information carried by NR-PBCH master information block (MIB) in each SSB is the same. Each NR-PBCH also carries a time index for the receiver to determine the radio frame boundaries. NR-PBCH may be encoded using polar codes.

A preferred construction of the content of PBCH is shown below.

InformationNumber of bitsCommentSFN10RMSI configuration8Includes all information needed to receive thePDCCH and PDSCH for RMSI includingRMSI presence flag, RMSI/MSG2/4 SCS,possible QCL indication, and indication ofinitial active bandwidth part(if needed). 8 bitsis the target with exact number of bits to beconfirmed.RMSI Numerology1SS block time index3Only present for above 6 GHzHalf frame indication1“CellBarred” flag21st PDSCH DMRS1Working assumptionpositionPRB grid offset4Working assumptionReserved bits[4] (sub 6 GHz)There will be at least 4 reserved bits.[1] (above 6 GHz)In addition, reserved bits are added toachieve byte alignment.Any additional agreed fields will reducethe number of reserved bitsReserved RAN21CRC24Aligned with PDCCH.Total including CRC56Working assumption

SUMMARY

Based on the description above, certain challenges currently exist. For example, A new radio physical broadcast channel (NR-PBCH), or any broadcast channel, often carries a subset of bits that are either known or partially known (e.g., a known relationship may exist between particular bits and other bits in adjacent blocks). Examples of the known or partially-known bits are timing bits (such as system frame number (SFN) and SS Block Time Index, which are known to have a fixed increment from one block to the next and may be known to the receiver in certain situations) and reserved bits (which are often set to known value such as 0 when they are not used). In existing solutions, the known or partially known bits are placed in arbitrary positions, which does not enable the decoder to effectively use the known bit values during the decoding process to optimize given performance criteria.

In addition, often two or more competing performance criteria affect the choice of the placement of known or partially known bits. For example, minimizing the block error rate may be accomplished by placing the known or partially known bits in the least reliable positions among the set of the most reliable positions for the given number of data bits. Alternatively, minimizing the decoding latency may be accomplished by maximizing the early decoding termination rate to reduce latency and energy consumption. This can be accomplished by placing the known or partially known bits in the bit positions that are decoded earliest. However, to accomplish both goals, it is not clear how to place the known and partially known bits to achieve a good compromise.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure and their embodiments may provide solutions to the challenges described above. Particular embodiments identify the payload bits of a new radio (NR) physical broadcast channel (PBCH) that have known values (typically all zero or some hypothesized values based on their relationship with adjacent blocks) and a subset of the known or partially known bits that is suited for achieving the first performance criteria, such as the early decoding termination gain. The subset of bits are placed accordingly to optimize the first performance criteria. Another subset of the rest of the known bits that is suitable for achieving the second performance criteria is identified. The subset of bits are then placed accordingly to optimize the second performance criteria. The process is repeated until all performance criteria have been addressed. If known bits still remain, they may be placed arbitrarily.

Particular embodiments include a known-bit interleaver for the known bits to compensate for the effect of bit-channel reliability ordering and cyclic redundancy check (CRC) interleaving so that the known or partially known (timing or reserved) bits can be placed in an advantageous position for the polar decoder to enhance performance according to one or multiple criteria. The interleaver can be determined by extracting the relevant known bits for each performance criteria one at a time until all performance criteria have been addressed.

Alternatively, the known-bit interleaver may be effectively substituted by a known-bit mapper that directly places the known bits into advantageous positions that satisfy the performance criteria at the input of the CRC interleaver or at the input of the polar encoder.

A number of specific known-bit mappers of known or partially known bits at the input of the CRC interleaver for the PBCH broadcast channel of the 5G-NR systems are presented that improve both the early termination performance and the block error performance. Particular embodiments place known bits to reach a compromise between competing performance criteria.

According to some embodiments, a method performed by a wireless device for polar encoding payload bits comprises: identifying payload bits of a data channel that have known values; placing a first subset of the known payload bits at input positions of a polar encoder that correspond to the earliest decoding bit positions of the polar encoder; placing a second subset of the known payload bits at input positions of the polar encoder that correspond to the least reliable decoding bit positions of the polar encoder after placement of the first subset of the known payload bits; polar encoding the payload bits; and transmitting the polar encoded payload bits to a wireless receiver.

In particular embodiments, the first subset of the known payload bits are placed in earliest decoding bit positions to improve early termination gain. The second subset of the known payload bits are placed in least reliable decoding bit positions to enhance error performance.

The payload bits that have known values may include one or more reserved bits. In particular embodiments, the identified payload bits that have known values include a half frame indication (HFI) bit, one or more SS block time index bits, and SFN bits. The first subset of the known payload bits may include HFI bit and one or more SS block time index bits, and the second subset of the known payload bits may include SFN bits. The one or more SS block time index bits may comprise the three most significant SS block time index bits. The SFN bits may comprise the second and third least significant SFN bits followed by the remaining SFN bits.

In particular embodiments, placing the first and second subset of known bits comprises placing the bits using a bit interleaver or a bit mapper. In particular embodiments, the wireless transmitter comprises a network node.

According to some embodiments, a wireless transmitter is configured to polar encode payload bits. The wireless transmitter comprises processing circuitry operable to: identify payload bits of a data channel that have known values; place a first subset of the known payload bits at input positions of a polar encoder that correspond to the earliest decoding bit positions of the polar encoder; place a second subset of the known payload bits at input positions of the polar encoder that correspond to the least reliable decoding bit positions of the polar encoder after placement of the first subset of the known payload bits; and transmit the polar encoded payload bits to a wireless receiver.

In particular embodiments, the first subset of the known payload bits are placed in earliest decoding bit positions to improve early termination gain. The second subset of the known payload bits are placed in least reliable decoding bit positions to enhance error performance.

In particular embodiments, the identified payload bits that have known values include a HFI bit, one or more SS block time index bits, and SFN bits. The first subset of the known payload bits may include HFI bit and one or more SS block time index bits, and the second subset of the known payload bits may include SFN bits. The one or more SS block time index bits may comprise the three most significant SS block time index bits. The SFN bits may comprise the second and third least significant SFN bits followed by the remaining SFN bits.

In particular embodiments, the processing circuitry operable to place the first and second subset of known bits comprises a bit interleaver or a bit mapper. The wireless transmitter may comprise a network node.

According to some embodiments, a method performed by a wireless receiver for polar decoding payload bits comprises receiving a wireless signal corresponding to a data channel that includes payload bits that have known values and decoding the wireless signal.

According to some embodiments, a wireless receiver is configured to polar decode payload bits. The wireless receiver comprises processing circuitry operable to receive a wireless signal corresponding to a data channel that includes payload bits that have known values and polar decode the wireless signal.

The known payload bits include a first subset of the known payload bits that are polar decoded earliest of the payload bits in the data channel and a second subset of the known payload bits that are polar decoded with least reliability of the payload bits in the data channel after polar decoding of the first subset of payload bits. In particular embodiments, the first subset of the known payload bits are in bit positions that are decoded earliest to improve early termination gain. The second subset of the known payload bits are in the least reliable bit positions of the polar encoder after placement of the first subset to enhance error performance.

In particular embodiments, the identified payload bits that have known values include a HFI bit, one or more SS block time index bits, and SFN bits. The first subset of the known payload bits may include HFI bit and one or more SS block time index bits, and the second subset of the known payload bits may include SFN bits. The one or more SS block time index bits may comprise the three most significant SS block time index bits. The SFN bits may comprise the second and third least significant SFN bits followed by the remaining SFN bits.

In particular embodiments, the wireless receiver comprises a network node.

According to some embodiments, a wireless transmitter is configured to polar encode payload bits. The wireless transmitter comprises an encoding unit and a transmitting unit. The encoding unit is operable to: identify payload bits of a data channel that have known values; place a first subset of the known payload bits at input positions of a polar encoder that correspond to the earliest decoding bit positions of the polar encoder; place a second subset of the known payload bits at input positions of the polar encoder that correspond to the least reliable decoding bit positions of the polar encoder after placement of the first subset of the known payload bits; and polar encode the payload bits. The transmitting unit is operable to transmit the polar encoded payload bits to a wireless receiver.

According to some embodiments, a wireless receiver is configured to polar decode payload bits. The wireless receiver comprises a receiving unit and a decoding unit. The receiving unit is operable to receive a wireless signal corresponding to a data channel that includes payload bits that have known values. The decoding unit is operable to polar decode the wireless signal. The known payload bits include a first subset of the known payload bits that are polar decoded earliest of the payload bits in the data channel and a second subset of the known payload bits that are polar decoded with least reliability of the payload bits in the data channel after polar decoding of the first subset of payload bits.

Also disclosed is a computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer readable program code, the computer readable program code operable, when executed by processing circuitry, to perform any of the methods performed by the wireless transmitter described above.

Another computer program product comprises a non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer readable program code, the computer readable program code operable, when executed by processing circuitry, to perform any of the methods performed by the wireless receiver described above.

There are, proposed herein, various embodiments which address one or more of the issues disclosed herein. Certain embodiments may provide one or more of the following technical advantages. A particular advantage is that multiple, mixed performance criteria can be fulfilled simultaneously. In particular, a specific placement of the known or partially known bits may provide early termination benefits of PBCH decoding and improve the error performance of the code (e.g., reducing the block error rate). The former alone can be achieved by placing bits with known values or partially known values in locations that will be decoded first. The latter alone can be achieved by judiciously placing bits with known values in locations with lower reliability. Bits with unknown values are assigned to locations with higher reliability in polar encoding. Thus, bits with unknown values are more likely to be decoded correctly. However, with existing solutions it is unclear how multiple criteria may be satisfied with the placement of known or partially known bits. Particular embodiments determine specific placements of the known or partially known bits to provide both early termination benefits and error performance enhancements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Particular embodiments include an additional interleaver for the known bits to compensate for the effect of bit-channel reliability ordering and cyclic redundancy check (CRC) interleaving so that the known or partially known (e.g., reserved) bits can be placed in an advantageous position for the polar decoder to enhance performance according to one or multiple criteria. The interleaver can be determined by extracting relevant known bits for each performance criteria one at a time.

In some embodiments, the known-bit interleaver may be effectively substituted by a known-bit mapper that directly places the known bits into advantageous positions that satisfy the performance criteria at the input of the CRC interleaver or at the input of the polar encoder. An example is illustrated inFIG. 5.

FIG. 5is a block diagram illustrating an example known-bit interleaver, according to particular embodiments. CRC encoder10, interleaver12, and polar encoder14are similar to CRC encoder10, interleaver12, and polar encoder14described with respect toFIG. 3. Known-bit interleaver16interleaves known timing and/or reserved bits to compensate for the effect of bit-channel reliability ordering and CRC interleaving so that the known or partially known (e.g., reserved) bits can be placed in an advantageous position for the polar decoder to enhance performance according to one or multiple criteria (e.g., early termination gain, enhanced error performance, etc.).

Network components, such as wireless device110and network node160described with respect toFIG. 23, may include the components illustrated inFIG. 5. The components ofFIG. 5may be included in the transceiver circuitry described with respect toFIG. 5, and may comprise any suitable combination of one or more of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software and/or encoded logic operable to perform the steps described herein.

Particular embodiments may be described generally by the following known-bit placement procedure. A first step includes identifying payload bits of NR PBCH that have known values (typically all zero or some hypothesized values based on their relationship with adjacent blocks) and a first subset of the known (or partially known) bits that is suitable for achieving first performance criteria, such as an early decoding termination gain. The bits in the first subset of bits are placed accordingly to optimize the first performance criteria.

A second step includes identifying a second subset of the rest of the known bits that is suitable for achieving the second performance criteria. The second subset of bits are placed accordingly to optimize the second performance criteria.

The method may return to the first step above until all performance criteria have been addressed. If known bits remain, they may be placed arbitrarily.

Particular embodiments place known or partially known bits, such as the timing bits (SFN, SS block time index, half frame indicator, etc.) or the reserved bits to achieve both early termination benefits and error performance enhancements. In this case, the above procedure can be described as the following.

A first step includes selecting a subset of known or partially known bits, such as the SS Block Time index, that is suitable to improve the early termination gain and then place the bits at the bit positions that will be decoded earliest. In PBCH in 5G NR for example, the bit positions can be determined by the CRC interleaver mapping Π: {0, 1, . . . , K−1}→{0, 1, . . . , K−1}, where K=56 is the number of payload plus CRC bits. For example, when a set of S known bits are selected, then these bits are placed at locations with indices in the image set Π({0, 1, . . . , S−1}) at the input of the CRC interleaver.

Particular embodiments include specific known-bit placement for PBCH in 5G-NR. For the specific system of 5G-NR, particular embodiments may use various sets of known-bit placement strategies as described herein. A direct known-bit mapping for each known bit to an index at the input of CRC interleaver is presented in the associated table below for each set of known-bit placement strategies.

Known bits are placed at the earliest decoding positions to achieve early termination benefits:

An example is illustrated inFIG. 6.FIG. 6illustrates a set of known bits to be placed in the earliest decoding positions, according to a particular embodiment.

Known bits to be placed at the least reliable positions to achieve error performance enhancements after placing the above bits:

An example is illustrated inFIG. 7.FIG. 7illustrates a set of known bits to be placed in the bit positions with lowest reliabilities, according to a particular embodiment.

Known bits to be placed at the earliest decoding positions to achieve early termination benefits (an example is illustrated inFIG. 6):

Known bits to be placed at the least reliable positions to achieve error performance enhancements after placing the above bits:

An example is illustrated inFIG. 8.FIG. 8illustrates another set of known bits to be placed in the bit positions with lowest reliabilities, according to a particular embodiment.

Known bits to be placed at the earliest decoding positions to achieve early termination benefits (an example is illustrated inFIG. 6):

Known bits to be placed at the least reliable positions to achieve error performance enhancements after placing the above bits:

An example is illustrated inFIG. 9.FIG. 9illustrates another set of known bits to be placed in the bit positions with lowest reliabilities, according to a particular embodiment.

Known bits to be placed at the earliest decoding positions (to achieve early termination benefits) (FIG. 6):

Known bits to be placed at the least reliable positions (to achieve error performance enhancements) after placing the above bits:

An example is illustrated inFIG. 10.FIG. 10illustrates another set of known bits to be placed in the bit positions with lowest reliabilities, according to a particular embodiment.

Known bits to be placed at the earliest decoding positions (to achieve early termination benefits) (FIG. 6):

Known bits to be placed at the least reliable positions (to achieve error performance enhancements) after placing the above bits:

An example is illustrated inFIG. 11.FIG. 11illustrates another set of known bits to be placed in the bit positions with lowest reliabilities, according to a particular embodiment.

Known bits to be placed at the earliest decoding positions (to achieve early termination benefits) (FIG. 6):

Known bits to be placed at the least reliable positions (to achieve error performance enhancements) after placing the above bits:

An example is illustrated inFIG. 12.FIG. 12illustrates another set of known bits to be placed in the bit positions with lowest reliabilities, according to a particular embodiment.

Known bits to be placed at the earliest decoding positions (to achieve early termination benefits) (FIG. 6):

Known bits to be placed at the least reliable positions (to achieve error performance enhancements) after placing the above bits:

An example is illustrated inFIG. 13.FIG. 13illustrates another set of known bits to be placed in the bit positions with lowest reliabilities, according to a particular embodiment.

Known bits to be placed at the earliest decoding positions (to achieve early termination benefits) (FIG. 6):

Known bits to be placed at the least reliable positions (to achieve error performance enhancements) after placing the above bits:

An example is illustrated inFIG. 14.FIG. 14illustrates another set of known bits to be placed in the bit positions with lowest reliabilities, according to a particular embodiment.

Known bits to be placed at the earliest decoding positions (to achieve early termination benefits (FIG. 15):

Known bits to be placed at the least reliable positions (to achieve error performance enhancements) after placing the above bits:

An example is illustrated inFIG. 16.FIG. 16illustrates another set of known bits to be placed in the bit positions with lowest reliabilities, according to a particular embodiment.

Known bits to be placed at the earliest decoding positions (to achieve early termination benefits (FIG. 15):

Known bits to be placed at the least reliable positions (to achieve error performance enhancements) after placing the above bits:

An example is illustrated inFIG. 17.FIG. 17illustrates another set of known bits to be placed in the bit positions with lowest reliabilities, according to a particular embodiment.

Known bits to be placed at the earliest decoding positions (to achieve early termination benefits (FIG. 15):

Known bits to be placed at the least reliable positions (to achieve error performance enhancements) after placing the above bits:

An example is illustrated inFIG. 18.FIG. 18illustrates another set of known bits to be placed in the bit positions with lowest reliabilities, according to a particular embodiment.

Known bits to be placed at the earliest decoding positions (to achieve early termination benefits (FIG. 19):

Known bits to be placed at the least reliable positions (to achieve error performance enhancements) after placing the above bits:

An example is illustrated inFIG. 20.FIG. 20illustrates another set of known bits to be placed in the bit positions with lowest reliabilities, according to a particular embodiment.

Known bits to be placed at the earliest decoding positions (to achieve early termination benefits (FIG. 19):

Known bits to be placed at the least reliable positions (to achieve error performance enhancements) after placing the above bits:

An example is illustrated inFIG. 21.FIG. 21illustrates another set of known bits to be placed in the bit positions with lowest reliabilities, according to a particular embodiment.

Known bits to be placed at the earliest decoding positions (to achieve early termination benefits (FIG. 19):

Known bits to be placed at the least reliable positions (to achieve error performance enhancements) after placing the above bits:

An example is illustrated inFIG. 22.FIG. 22illustrates another set of known bits to be placed in the bit positions with lowest reliabilities, according to a particular embodiment.

As used herein, network node refers to equipment capable, configured, arranged and/or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with a wireless device and/or with other network nodes or equipment in the wireless network to enable and/or provide wireless access to the wireless device and/or to perform other functions (e.g., administration) in the wireless network.

Examples of network nodes include, but are not limited to, access points (APs) (e.g., radio access points), base stations (BSs) (e.g., radio base stations, Node Bs, evolved Node Bs (eNBs) and NR NodeBs (gNBs)). Base stations may be categorized based on the amount of coverage they provide (or, stated differently, their transmit power level) and may then also be referred to as femto base stations, pico base stations, micro base stations, or macro base stations.

A base station may be a relay node or a relay donor node controlling a relay. A network node may also include one or more (or all) parts of a distributed radio base station such as centralized digital units and/or remote radio units (RRUs), sometimes referred to as Remote Radio Heads (RRHs). Such remote radio units may or may not be integrated with an antenna as an antenna integrated radio. Parts of a distributed radio base station may also be referred to as nodes in a distributed antenna system (DAS). Yet further examples of network nodes include multi-standard radio (MSR) equipment such as MSR BSs, network controllers such as radio network controllers (RNCs) or base station controllers (BSCs), base transceiver stations (BTSs), transmission points, transmission nodes, multi-cell/multicast coordination entities (MCEs), core network nodes (e.g., MSCs, MMEs), O&M nodes, OSS nodes, SON nodes, positioning nodes (e.g., E-SMLCs), and/or MDTs.

As another example, a network node may be a virtual network node as described in more detail below. More generally, however, network nodes may represent any suitable device (or group of devices) capable, configured, arranged, and/or operable to enable and/or provide a wireless device with access to the wireless network or to provide some service to a wireless device that has accessed the wireless network.

InFIG. 23, network node160includes processing circuitry170, device readable medium180, interface190, auxiliary equipment184, power source186, power circuitry187, and antenna162. Although network node160illustrated in the example wireless network ofFIG. 23may represent a device that includes the illustrated combination of hardware components, other embodiments may comprise network nodes with different combinations of components.

It is to be understood that a network node comprises any suitable combination of hardware and/or software needed to perform the tasks, features, functions and methods disclosed herein. Moreover, while the components of network node160are depicted as single boxes located within a larger box, or nested within multiple boxes, in practice, a network node may comprise multiple different physical components that make up a single illustrated component (e.g., device readable medium180may comprise multiple separate hard drives as well as multiple RAM modules).

Similarly, network node160may be composed of multiple physically separate components (e.g., a NodeB component and a RNC component, or a BTS component and a BSC component, etc.), which may each have their own respective components. In certain scenarios in which network node160comprises multiple separate components (e.g., BTS and BSC components), one or more of the separate components may be shared among several network nodes. For example, a single RNC may control multiple NodeB's. In such a scenario, each unique NodeB and RNC pair, may in some instances be considered a single separate network node.

In some embodiments, network node160may be configured to support multiple radio access technologies (RATs). In such embodiments, some components may be duplicated (e.g., separate device readable medium180for the different RATs) and some components may be reused (e.g., the same antenna162may be shared by the RATs). Network node160may also include multiple sets of the various illustrated components for different wireless technologies integrated into network node160, such as, for example, GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, WiFi, or Bluetooth wireless technologies. These wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chip or set of chips and other components within network node160.

Processing circuitry170may comprise a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software and/or encoded logic operable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other network node160components, such as device readable medium180, network node160functionality.

For example, processing circuitry170may execute instructions stored in device readable medium180or in memory within processing circuitry170. Such functionality may include providing any of the various wireless features, functions, or benefits discussed herein. In some embodiments, processing circuitry170may include a system on a chip (SOC).

Interface190is used in the wired or wireless communication of signaling and/or data between network node160, network106, and/or WDs110. As illustrated, interface190comprises port(s)/terminal(s)194to send and receive data, for example to and from network106over a wired connection. Interface190also includes radio front end circuitry192that may be coupled to, or in certain embodiments a part of, antenna162.

Radio front end circuitry192comprises filters198and amplifiers196. Radio front end circuitry192may be connected to antenna162and processing circuitry170. Radio front end circuitry may be configured to condition signals communicated between antenna162and processing circuitry170. Radio front end circuitry192may receive digital data that is to be sent out to other network nodes or WDs via a wireless connection. Radio front end circuitry192may convert the digital data into a radio signal having the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters198and/or amplifiers196. The radio signal may then be transmitted via antenna162. Similarly, when receiving data, antenna162may collect radio signals which are then converted into digital data by radio front end circuitry192. The digital data may be passed to processing circuitry170. In other embodiments, the interface may comprise different components and/or different combinations of components.

Power circuitry187may comprise, or be coupled to, power management circuitry and is configured to supply the components of network node160with power for performing the functionality described herein. Power circuitry187may receive power from power source186. Power source186and/or power circuitry187may be configured to provide power to the various components of network node160in a form suitable for the respective components (e.g., at a voltage and current level needed for each respective component). Power source186may either be included in, or external to, power circuitry187and/or network node160.

For example, network node160may be connectable to an external power source (e.g., an electricity outlet) via an input circuitry or interface such as an electrical cable, whereby the external power source supplies power to power circuitry187. As a further example, power source186may comprise a source of power in the form of a battery or battery pack which is connected to, or integrated in, power circuitry187. The battery may provide backup power should the external power source fail. Other types of power sources, such as photovoltaic devices, may also be used.

As used herein, wireless device (WD) refers to a device capable, configured, arranged and/or operable to communicate wirelessly with network nodes and/or other wireless devices. Unless otherwise noted, the term WD may be used interchangeably herein with user equipment (UE). Communicating wirelessly may involve transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals using electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared waves, and/or other types of signals suitable for conveying information through air.

In some embodiments, a WD may be configured to transmit and/or receive information without direct human interaction. For instance, a WD may be designed to transmit information to a network on a predetermined schedule, when triggered by an internal or external event, or in response to requests from the network. Examples of a WD include, but are not limited to, a smart phone, a mobile phone, a cell phone, a voice over IP (VoIP) phone, a wireless local loop phone, a desktop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless cameras, a gaming console or device, a music storage device, a playback appliance, a wearable terminal device, a wireless endpoint, a mobile station, a tablet, a laptop, a laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), a laptop-mounted equipment (LME), a smart device, a wireless customer-premise equipment (CPE). a vehicle-mounted wireless terminal device, etc. A WD may support device-to-device (D2D) communication, for example by implementing a 3GPP standard for sidelink communication, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) and may in this case be referred to as a D2D communication device.

As yet another specific example, in an Internet of Things (IoT) scenario, a WD may represent a machine or other device that performs monitoring and/or measurements and transmits the results of such monitoring and/or measurements to another WD and/or a network node. The WD may in this case be a machine-to-machine (M2M) device, which may in a 3GPP context be referred to as an MTC device. As one example, the WD may be a UE implementing the 3GPP narrow band internet of things (NB-IoT) standard. Examples of such machines or devices are sensors, metering devices such as power meters, industrial machinery, or home or personal appliances (e.g. refrigerators, televisions, etc.) personal wearables (e.g., watches, fitness trackers, etc.).

In other scenarios, a WD may represent a vehicle or other equipment that is capable of monitoring and/or reporting on its operational status or other functions associated with its operation. A WD as described above may represent the endpoint of a wireless connection, in which case the device may be referred to as a wireless terminal. Furthermore, a WD as described above may be mobile, in which case it may also be referred to as a mobile device or a mobile terminal.

Antenna111may include one or more antennas or antenna arrays, configured to send and/or receive wireless signals, and is connected to interface114. In certain alternative embodiments, antenna111may be separate from WD110and be connectable to WD110through an interface or port. Antenna111, interface114, and/or processing circuitry120may be configured to perform any receiving or transmitting operations described herein as being performed by a WD. Any information, data and/or signals may be received from a network node and/or another WD. In some embodiments, radio front end circuitry and/or antenna111may be considered an interface.

As illustrated, interface114comprises radio front end circuitry112and antenna111. Radio front end circuitry112comprise one or more filters118and amplifiers116. Radio front end circuitry114is connected to antenna111and processing circuitry120and is configured to condition signals communicated between antenna111and processing circuitry120. Radio front end circuitry112may be coupled to or a part of antenna111. In some embodiments, WD110may not include separate radio front end circuitry112; rather, processing circuitry120may comprise radio front end circuitry and may be connected to antenna111. Similarly, in some embodiments, some or all of RF transceiver circuitry122may be considered a part of interface114.

Radio front end circuitry112may receive digital data that is to be sent out to other network nodes or WDs via a wireless connection. Radio front end circuitry112may convert the digital data into a radio signal having the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters118and/or amplifiers116. The radio signal may then be transmitted via antenna111. Similarly, when receiving data, antenna111may collect radio signals which are then converted into digital data by radio front end circuitry112. The digital data may be passed to processing circuitry120. In other embodiments, the interface may comprise different components and/or different combinations of components.

As illustrated, processing circuitry120includes one or more of RF transceiver circuitry122, baseband processing circuitry124, and application processing circuitry126. In other embodiments, the processing circuitry may comprise different components and/or different combinations of components. In certain embodiments processing circuitry120of WD110may comprise a SOC. In some embodiments, RF transceiver circuitry122, baseband processing circuitry124, and application processing circuitry126may be on separate chips or sets of chips.

In alternative embodiments, part or all of baseband processing circuitry124and application processing circuitry126may be combined into one chip or set of chips, and RF transceiver circuitry122may be on a separate chip or set of chips. In still alternative embodiments, part or all of RF transceiver circuitry122and baseband processing circuitry124may be on the same chip or set of chips, and application processing circuitry126may be on a separate chip or set of chips. In yet other alternative embodiments, part or all of RF transceiver circuitry122, baseband processing circuitry124, and application processing circuitry126may be combined in the same chip or set of chips. In some embodiments, RF transceiver circuitry122may be a part of interface114. RF transceiver circuitry122may condition RF signals for processing circuitry120.

In certain embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein as being performed by a WD may be provided by processing circuitry120executing instructions stored on device readable medium130, which in certain embodiments may be a computer-readable storage medium. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functionality may be provided by processing circuitry120without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrete device readable storage medium, such as in a hard-wired manner.

In any of those embodiments, whether executing instructions stored on a device readable storage medium or not, processing circuitry120can be configured to perform the described functionality. The benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to processing circuitry120alone or to other components of WD110, but are enjoyed by WD110, and/or by end users and the wireless network generally.

Processing circuitry120may be configured to perform any determining, calculating, or similar operations (e.g., certain obtaining operations) described herein as being performed by a WD. These operations, as performed by processing circuitry120, may include processing information obtained by processing circuitry120by, for example, converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or converted information to information stored by WD110, and/or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or converted information, and as a result of said processing making a determination.

User interface equipment132may provide components that allow for a human user to interact with WD110. Such interaction may be of many forms, such as visual, audial, tactile, etc. User interface equipment132may be operable to produce output to the user and to allow the user to provide input to WD110. The type of interaction may vary depending on the type of user interface equipment132installed in WD110. For example, if WD110is a smart phone, the interaction may be via a touch screen; if WD110is a smart meter, the interaction may be through a screen that provides usage (e.g., the number of gallons used) or a speaker that provides an audible alert (e.g., if smoke is detected).

User interface equipment132may include input interfaces, devices and circuits, and output interfaces, devices and circuits. User interface equipment132is configured to allow input of information into WD110and is connected to processing circuitry120to allow processing circuitry120to process the input information. User interface equipment132may include, for example, a microphone, a proximity or other sensor, keys/buttons, a touch display, one or more cameras, a USB port, or other input circuitry. User interface equipment132is also configured to allow output of information from WD110, and to allow processing circuitry120to output information from WD110. User interface equipment132may include, for example, a speaker, a display, vibrating circuitry, a USB port, a headphone interface, or other output circuitry. Using one or more input and output interfaces, devices, and circuits, of user interface equipment132, WD110may communicate with end users and/or the wireless network and allow them to benefit from the functionality described herein.

Auxiliary equipment134is operable to provide more specific functionality which may not be generally performed by WDs. This may comprise specialized sensors for doing measurements for various purposes, interfaces for additional types of communication such as wired communications etc. The inclusion and type of components of auxiliary equipment134may vary depending on the embodiment and/or scenario.

Power source136may, in some embodiments, be in the form of a battery or battery pack. Other types of power sources, such as an external power source (e.g., an electricity outlet), photovoltaic devices or power cells, may also be used. WD110may further comprise power circuitry137for delivering power from power source136to the various parts of WD110which need power from power source136to carry out any functionality described or indicated herein. Power circuitry137may in certain embodiments comprise power management circuitry.

Power circuitry137may additionally or alternatively be operable to receive power from an external power source; in which case WD110may be connectable to the external power source (such as an electricity outlet) via input circuitry or an interface such as an electrical power cable. Power circuitry137may also in certain embodiments be operable to deliver power from an external power source to power source136. This may be, for example, for the charging of power source136. Power circuitry137may perform any formatting, converting, or other modification to the power from power source136to make the power suitable for the respective components of WD110to which power is supplied.

In the depicted embodiment, input/output interface205may be configured to provide a communication interface to an input device, output device, or input and output device. UE200may be configured to use an output device via input/output interface205.

An output device may use the same type of interface port as an input device. For example, a USB port may be used to provide input to and output from UE200. The output device may be a speaker, a sound card, a video card, a display, a monitor, a printer, an actuator, an emitter, a smartcard, another output device, or any combination thereof.

UE200may be configured to use an input device via input/output interface205to allow a user to capture information into UE200. The input device may include a touch-sensitive or presence-sensitive display, a camera (e.g., a digital camera, a digital video camera, a web camera, etc.), a microphone, a sensor, a mouse, a trackball, a directional pad, a trackpad, a scroll wheel, a smartcard, and the like. The presence-sensitive display may include a capacitive or resistive touch sensor to sense input from a user. A sensor may be, for instance, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a tilt sensor, a force sensor, a magnetometer, an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, another like sensor, or any combination thereof. For example, the input device may be an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a digital camera, a microphone, and an optical sensor.

RAM217may be configured to interface via bus202to processing circuitry201to provide storage or caching of data or computer instructions during the execution of software programs such as the operating system, application programs, and device drivers. ROM219may be configured to provide computer instructions or data to processing circuitry201. For example, ROM219may be configured to store invariant low-level system code or data for basic system functions such as basic input and output (I/O), startup, or reception of keystrokes from a keyboard that are stored in a non-volatile memory.

Storage medium221may be configured to include memory such as RAM, ROM, programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disks, optical disks, floppy disks, hard disks, removable cartridges, or flash drives. In one example, storage medium221may be configured to include operating system223, application program225such as a web browser application, a widget or gadget engine or another application, and data file227. Storage medium221may store, for use by UE200, any of a variety of various operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

InFIG. 24, processing circuitry201may be configured to communicate with network243busing communication subsystem231. Network243aand network243bmay be the same network or networks or different network or networks. Communication subsystem231may be configured to include one or more transceivers used to communicate with network243b. For example, communication subsystem231may be configured to include one or more transceivers used to communicate with one or more remote transceivers of another device capable of wireless communication such as another WD, UE, or base station of a radio access network (RAN) according to one or more communication protocols, such as IEEE 802.2, CDMA, WCDMA, GSM, LTE, UTRAN, WiMax, or the like. Each transceiver may include transmitter233and/or receiver235to implement transmitter or receiver functionality, respectively, appropriate to the RAN links (e.g., frequency allocations and the like). Further, transmitter233and receiver235of each transceiver may share circuit components, software or firmware, or alternatively may be implemented separately.

FIG. 25illustrates a flowchart of an example method in a wireless transmitter for polar encoding payload bits, according to certain embodiments. In particular embodiments, one or more steps ofFIG. 25may be performed by or network node160described with respect toFIG. 23.

The method begins at step2512, where the wireless transmitter (e.g., network node160) identifies payload bits of a data channel that have known values. As used herein, a known value refers to a value that a wireless receiver either knows or can determine (i.e., partially known) without decoding the received payload bit. For example, the known value may be a predetermined constant (e.g.,0for reserved fields) or may be determinable based on other information (e.g., an incrementing SFN, a SS time index, etc.).

At step2514, the wireless transmitter places a first subset of the known payload bits at input positions of a polar encoder that correspond to the earliest decoding bit positions of the polar encoder. For example, a first performance criterion may comprise early termination gain, and the wireless transmitter may place the first subset of the known payload bits in bit positions that are decoded earliest to improve early termination gain.

As a specific example, the identified payload bits that have known values include a HFI bit, one or more SS block time index bits, and SFN bits. The first subset of the known payload bits may include HFI bit and SS block time index bits. Other examples include any of the embodiments described with respect toFIGS. 6-22.

At step2516, the wireless transmitter places a second subset of the known payload bits at input positions of a polar encoder that correspond to the least reliable decoding bit positions of the polar encoder after placement of the first subset of the known payload bits. For example, a second performance criterion may comprise enhanced error performance, and the wireless transmitter may place the second subset of the known payload bits in least reliable bit positions of the polar encoder to enhance error performance.

As a specific example, the identified payload bits that have known values include a HFI bit, one or more SS block time index bits, and SFN bits. The second subset of the known payload bits may include SFN bits. Other examples include any of the embodiments described with respect toFIGS. 6-22.

At step2518, the wireless transmitter polar encodes the payload bits. For example, with respect toFIG. 5, polar encoder14may polar encode the payload bits from CRC encoder10and interleaver12. Known bit interleaver16placed the known bits at the proper inputs to CRC encoder10so that after encoding and interleaving, the known bits are at the desired inputs of polar encoder14.

At step2520, the wireless transmitter transmits the polar encoded payload bits to a wireless receiver. The wireless receiver may decode the payload bits according to method2600described with respect toFIG. 26.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to method2500ofFIG. 25. Additionally, one or more steps in the method ofFIG. 25may be performed in parallel or in any suitable order.

FIG. 26illustrates a flowchart of an example method in a wireless receiver for receiving polar encoded payload bits, according to certain embodiments. In particular embodiments, one or more steps ofFIG. 26may be performed by wireless device110described with respect toFIG. 23.

The method begins at step2612, where the wireless receiver (e.g., wireless device110) receives a wireless signal corresponding to a data channel that includes payload bits that have known values. The known payload bits include a first subset of the known payload bits that are polar decoded earliest of the payload bits in the data channel and a second subset of the known payload bits that are polar decoded with least reliability of the payload bits in the data channel after polar decoding of the first subset of payload bits. For example, the payload bits may have been encoded according to steps2512-2518described with respect toFIG. 25.

At step2614, the wireless receiver decodes the wireless signal. The wireless receiver benefits from the known bit positions. For example, known bits may be positioned so that the wireless device can determine early in the decoding process whether the decoding is successful. Minimizing the decoding latency may be accomplished by maximizing the early decoding termination rate to reduce latency and energy consumption. As another example, known bits may be positioned to minimize the block error rate. Known bits may be positioned in the least reliable positions among the set of positions available.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to method2600ofFIG. 26. Additionally, one or more steps in the method ofFIG. 26may be performed in parallel or in any suitable order.

FIG. 27illustrates a schematic block diagram of two apparatuses in a wireless network (for example, the wireless network illustrated inFIG. 23). The apparatuses include a wireless device and a network node (e.g., wireless device110or network node160illustrated inFIG. 23). Apparatuses1600and1700are operable to carry out the example methods described with reference toFIGS. 25 and 26, respectively, and possibly any other processes or methods disclosed herein. It is also to be understood that the method ofFIGS. 25 and 26are not necessarily carried out solely by apparatus1600and/or apparatus1700. At least some operations of the method can be performed by one or more other entities.

In some implementations, the processing circuitry may be used to cause encoding unit1602, transmitting unit1604, and any other suitable units of apparatus1600to perform corresponding functions according one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Similarly, the processing circuitry described above may be used to cause receiving unit1702, decoding unit1704, and any other suitable units of apparatus1700to perform corresponding functions according one or more embodiments of the present disclosure

As illustrated inFIG. 27, apparatus1600includes encoding unit1602configured to: identify payload bits of a data channel that have known values; place a first subset of the known payload bits at input positions of a polar encoder to optimize a first performance criterion; place a second subset of the known payload bits at input positions of the polar encoder to optimize a second performance criterion; and polar encode the payload bits. Apparatus1600also includes transmitting unit1604configured to transmit polar encoded payload bits to a wireless receiver.

As illustrated inFIG. 27, apparatus1700includes receiving unit1702configured to receive a wireless signal corresponding to a data channel that includes payload bits that have known values. Apparatus1700also includes decoding unit1704configured to polar decode a wireless signal.

During operation, processing circuitry360executes software395to instantiate the hypervisor or virtualization layer350, which may sometimes be referred to as a virtual machine monitor (VMM). Virtualization layer350may present a virtual operating platform that appears like networking hardware to virtual machine340. As shown inFIG. 28, hardware330may be a standalone network node with generic or specific components. Hardware330may comprise antenna3225and may implement some functions via virtualization. Alternatively, hardware330may be part of a larger cluster of hardware (e.g. such as in a data center or customer premise equipment (CPE)) where many hardware nodes work together and are managed via management and orchestration (MANO)3100, which, among others, oversees lifecycle management of applications320.

In some embodiments, some signaling can be effected with the use of control system3230which may alternatively be used for communication between the hardware nodes330and radio units3200.

With reference toFIG. 29, in accordance with an embodiment, a communication system includes telecommunication network410, such as a 3GPP-type cellular network, which comprises access network411, such as a radio access network, and core network414. Access network411comprises a plurality of base stations412a,412b,412c, such as NBs, eNBs, gNBs or other types of wireless access points, each defining a corresponding coverage area413a,413b,413c. Each base station412a,412b,412cis connectable to core network414over a wired or wireless connection415. A first UE491located in coverage area413cis configured to wirelessly connect to, or be paged by, the corresponding base station412c. A second UE492in coverage area413ais wirelessly connectable to the corresponding base station412a. While a plurality of UEs491,492are illustrated in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to a situation where a sole UE is in the coverage area or where a sole UE is connecting to the corresponding base station412.

Communication system500further includes base station520provided in a telecommunication system and comprising hardware525enabling it to communicate with host computer510and with UE530. Hardware525may include communication interface526for setting up and maintaining a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of communication system500, as well as radio interface527for setting up and maintaining at least wireless connection570with UE530located in a coverage area (not shown inFIG. 30) served by base station520. Communication interface526may be configured to facilitate connection560to host computer510. Connection560may be direct, or it may pass through a core network (not shown inFIG. 30) of the telecommunication system and/or through one or more intermediate networks outside the telecommunication system. In the embodiment shown, hardware525of base station520further includes processing circuitry528, which may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. Base station520further has software521stored internally or accessible via an external connection.

It is noted that host computer510, base station520and UE530illustrated inFIG. 30may be similar or identical to host computer430, one of base stations412a,412b,412cand one of UEs491,492ofFIG. 29, respectively. This is to say, the inner workings of these entities may be as shown inFIG. 27and independently, the surrounding network topology may be that ofFIG. 29.

Wireless connection570between UE530and base station520is in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of OTT services provided to UE530using OTT connection550, in which wireless connection570forms the last segment. More precisely, the teachings of these embodiments may improve the signaling overhead and reduce latency, which may provide faster internet access for users.

FIG. 31is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those described with reference toFIGS. 29 and 30. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references toFIG. 31will be included in this section.

In step610, the host computer provides user data. In substep611(which may be optional) of step610, the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In step620, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE. In step630(which may be optional), the base station transmits to the UE the user data which was carried in the transmission that the host computer initiated, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step640(which may also be optional), the UE executes a client application associated with the host application executed by the host computer.

FIG. 32is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those described with reference toFIGS. 29 and 30. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references toFIG. 32will be included in this section.

In step710of the method, the host computer provides user data. In an optional substep (not shown) the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In step720, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE. The transmission may pass via the base station, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step730(which may be optional), the UE receives the user data carried in the transmission.

FIG. 33is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those described with reference toFIGS. 29 and 30. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references toFIG. 33will be included in this section.

In step810(which may be optional), the UE receives input data provided by the host computer. Additionally, or alternatively, in step820, the UE provides user data. In substep821(which may be optional) of step820, the UE provides the user data by executing a client application. In substep811(which may be optional) of step810, the UE executes a client application which provides the user data in reaction to the received input data provided by the host computer. In providing the user data, the executed client application may further consider user input received from the user. Regardless of the specific manner in which the user data was provided, the UE initiates, in substep830(which may be optional), transmission of the user data to the host computer. In step840of the method, the host computer receives the user data transmitted from the UE, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure.

FIG. 34is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those described with reference toFIGS. 29 and 30. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references toFIG. 34will be included in this section.

In step910(which may be optional), in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the base station receives user data from the UE. In step920(which may be optional), the base station initiates transmission of the received user data to the host computer. In step930(which may be optional), the host computer receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the base station.

The foregoing description sets forth numerous specific details. It is understood, however, that embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known circuits, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the understanding of this description. Those of ordinary skill in the art, with the included descriptions, will be able to implement appropriate functionality without undue experimentation.

At least some of the following abbreviations may be used in this disclosure. If there is an inconsistency between abbreviations, preference should be given to how it is used above. If listed multiple times below, the first listing should be preferred over any subsequent listing(s).1×RTT CDMA2000 1× Radio Transmission Technology3GPP 3rd Generation Partnership Project5G 5th GenerationABS Almost Blank SubframeARQ Automatic Repeat RequestAWGN Additive White Gaussian NoiseBCCH Broadcast Control ChannelBCH Broadcast ChannelCA Carrier AggregationCC Carrier ComponentCCCH SDU Common Control Channel SDUCDMA Code Division Multiplexing AccessCGI Cell Global IdentifierCIR Channel Impulse ResponseCP Cyclic PrefixCPICH Common Pilot ChannelCPICH Ec/No CPICH Received energy per chip divided by the power density in the bandCQI Channel Quality informationC-RNTI Cell RNTICSI Channel State InformationDCCH Dedicated Control ChannelDL DownlinkDM DemodulationDMRS Demodulation Reference SignalDRX Discontinuous ReceptionDTX Discontinuous TransmissionDTCH Dedicated Traffic ChannelDUT Device Under TestE-CID Enhanced Cell-ID (positioning method)E-SMLC Evolved-Serving Mobile Location CentreECGI Evolved CGIeNB E-UTRAN NodeBePDCCH enhanced Physical Downlink Control ChannelE-SMLC evolved Serving Mobile Location CenterE-UTRA Evolved UTRAE-UTRAN Evolved UTRANFDD Frequency Division DuplexGERAN GSM EDGE Radio Access NetworkgNB Base station in NRGNSS Global Navigation Satellite SystemGSM Global System for Mobile communicationHARQ Hybrid Automatic Repeat RequestHO HandoverHSPA High Speed Packet AccessHRPD High Rate Packet DataIR-HARQ Incremental Redundancy HARQLLR Log Likelikhood RatioLOS Line of SightLPP LTE Positioning ProtocolLTE Long-Term EvolutionMAC Medium Access ControlMBMS Multimedia Broadcast Multicast ServicesMBSFN Multimedia Broadcast multicast service Single Frequency NetworkMBSFN ABS MBSFN Almost Blank SubframeMDT Minimization of Drive TestsMIB Master Information BlockMME Mobility Management EntityMSC Mobile Switching CenterNPDCCH Narrowband Physical Downlink Control ChannelNR New RadioOCNG OFDMA Channel Noise GeneratorOFDM Orthogonal Frequency Division MultiplexingOFDMA Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple AccessOSS Operations Support SystemOTDOA Observed Time Difference of ArrivalO&M Operation and MaintenancePBCH Physical Broadcast ChannelP-CCPCH Primary Common Control Physical ChannelPCell Primary CellPCFICH Physical Control Format Indicator ChannelPDCCH Physical Downlink Control ChannelPDP Profile Delay ProfilePDSCH Physical Downlink Shared ChannelPGW Packet GatewayPHICH Physical Hybrid-ARQ Indicator ChannelPLMN Public Land Mobile NetworkPMI Precoder Matrix IndicatorPRACH Physical Random Access ChannelPRS Positioning Reference SignalPSS Primary Synchronization SignalPUCCH Physical Uplink Control ChannelPUSCH Physical Uplink Shared ChannelRACH Random Access ChannelQAM Quadrature Amplitude ModulationRAN Radio Access NetworkRAT Radio Access TechnologyRLM Radio Link ManagementRNC Radio Network ControllerRNTI Radio Network Temporary IdentifierRRC Radio Resource ControlRRM Radio Resource ManagementRS Reference SignalRSCP Received Signal Code PowerRSRP Reference Symbol Received Power OR Reference Signal Received PowerRSRQ Reference Signal Received Quality OR Reference Symbol Received QualityRSSI Received Signal Strength IndicatorRSTD Reference Signal Time DifferenceSC Successive CancellationSCH Synchronization ChannelSCL Successive Cancellation ListSCell Secondary CellSDU Service Data UnitSFN System Frame NumberSGW Serving GatewaySI System InformationSIB System Information BlockSNR Signal to Noise RatioSON Self Optimized NetworkSS Synchronization SignalSSB Synchronization Signal BlockSSS Secondary Synchronization SignalTDD Time Division DuplexTDOA Time Difference of ArrivalTOA Time of ArrivalTSS Tertiary Synchronization SignalTTI Transmission Time IntervalUE User EquipmentUL UplinkUMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunication SystemUSIM Universal Subscriber Identity ModuleUTDOA Uplink Time Difference of ArrivalUTRA Universal Terrestrial Radio AccessUTRAN Universal Terrestrial Radio Access NetworkWCDMA Wide CDMAWLAN Wide Local Area Network