Outer-loop adjustment for link adaptation

A network node configured to perform link adaptation, the network node comprising:

• processing circuitry including a memory and a processor;
• the memory configured to store a channel quality measure, gain increment values, and a hysteresis value;
• the processor configured to:
• compare the channel quality measure to a first predetermined amount;
• and
• when the channel quality measure is greater than the first predetermined amount, perform a first outer loop adjustment process, the first outer loop adjustment process directed to determining link adaptation for a first data transmission transmitted to a wireless device, wherein the first outer loop adjustment process comprises three loops;
• and
• when the channel quality measure is less than a second predetermined amount, perform a second outer loop adjustment process, the second outer loop adjustment process directed to determining link adaptation for a second data transmission to the wireless device,
• wherein the second outer loop adjustment process comprises a single loop, and
• wherein the first data transmission is two code words and the first outer loop adjustment process uses a first increment to adjust a first gain to interference plus noise ratio (GINR) and uses a second increment to adjust a second GINR.

A method in a wireless communication system for performing link adaptation, the method comprising:

• operating a first outer loop to determine link adaptation for a first code word based on a first gain increment during one of one code word transmission and a first code word transmission of a two code word transmission, wherein the first outer loop adjustment process comprises three loops;
• incrementing a first gain to interference plus noise ratio (GINR) by the first gain increment and determining based at least in part on the incremented first GINR at least one of a modulation and coding level to apply to data to be transmitted on a first code word;
• and
• operating a second outer loop to determine link adaptation for a second code word based on a second gain increment during two code word transmission, the first outer loop converging faster than the second outer loop.

A network node configured to perform link adaptation, the network node comprising:

• processing circuitry including a memory and a processor;
• the memory configured to store gain increment values;
• and
• the processor configured to:
• operate a first outer loop to determine link adaptation for a first code word in the first outer loop based on a first gain increment during one of one code word transmission and a first code word transmission of a two code word transmission, wherein the first outer loop adjustment process comprises three loops;
• increment a first gain to interference plus noise ratio (GINR) by the first gain increment and determine based at least in part on the incremented first GINR at least one of a modulation and coding level to apply to data to be transmitted on a first code word;
• and
• operate a second outer loop to determine link adaptation for a second code word in the second outer loop based on a second gain increment during two code word transmission, the first outer loop converging faster than the second outer loop.