Methods and devices for modulating and coding data packets

A method for demodulating and decoding information in a data packet comprising digitally encoded information, wherein the method comprises:

• detecting a data packet, said data packet comprising at least two layers, a first layer comprising a first set of data with bits modulated and coded using a modulation and coding scheme with high order modulation, and at least one additional layer comprising a second set of data with bits modulated and coded using a modulation and coding scheme with a modulation order lower than said high order modulation, said second set of data being a subset of said first set of data and comprising bits different from the most robust bits of said first set of data;
• performing demodulation and decoding of said first layer of said data packet;
• determining whether to perform demodulation and decoding of said at least one additional layer;
• and
• performing, based on the outcome of the determining step, demodulation and decoding of said at least one additional layer in order to retrieve the information carried by said bits in said second set of data.

A network device configured for modulating and coding a data packet comprising digitally encoded information, wherein:

• the network device is configured to select a hierarchy of modulation and coding schemes to use for modulation and coding of said digitally encoded information;
• the network device is configured to identify, among the bits in said digitally encoded information and based on the selected hierarchy of modulation and coding schemes, two sets of data, a first set of data and a second set of data, said second set of data being a sub-set of said first set of data and comprising bits different from the most robust bits of said first set of data;
• the network device is configured to perform modulation and coding of said first set of data using a modulation and coding scheme with high order modulation in order to create a first layer of said data packet;
• and
• the network device is configured to perform modulation and coding of said second set of data by using at least one modulation and coding scheme from said hierarchy of modulation and coding schemes having a modulation order that is lower than said high order modulation, in order to create at least one additional layer of the data packet.

A communication unit configured to demodulate and decode information in a data packet comprising digitally encoded information, wherein:

• the communication unit is configured to detect a data packet, said data packet comprising at least two layers, a first layer comprising a first set of data with bits modulated and coded using a modulation and coding scheme with high order modulation, and at least one additional layer comprising a second set of data with bits modulated and coded using a modulation and coding scheme with a modulation order lower than said high order modulation, said second set of data comprising bits different from the most robust bits of said first set of data;
• the communication unit is configured to perform demodulation and decoding of said first layer of said data packet;
• the communication unit is configured to determine whether to perform demodulation and decoding of said at least one additional layer;
• and
• the communication unit is configured to perform, if it is determined that said at least one additional layer is to be demodulated and decoded, demodulation and decoding of said at least one additional layer in order to retrieve the information carried by said bits in said second set of data.

A computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to:

• select a hierarchy of modulation and coding schemes to use for modulation and coding;
• read digitally encoded information and identify, among the bits in said digitally encoded information and based on the selected hierarchy of modulation and coding schemes, two sets of data, a first set of data and a second set of data, said second set of data being a sub-set of said first set of data and comprising bits different from the most robust bits of said first set of data;
• control modulation and coding of said first set of data using a modulation and coding scheme with high order modulation in order to create a first layer of a data packet;
• and
• control modulation and coding of said second set of data by using at least one modulation and coding scheme from said hierarchy of modulation and coding schemes having a modulation order that is lower than said high order modulation, in order to create at least one additional layer of a data packet.

An apparatus for performing modulation and coding of a data packet comprising digitally encoded information, wherein the apparatus comprises:

• a selecting module for selecting a hierarchy of modulation and coding schemes to use for modulation and coding;
• an identifying module for reading digitally encoded information and identifying, among the bits in said digitally encoded information and based on the selected hierarchy of modulation and coding schemes, two sets of data, a first set of data and a second set of data, said second set of data being a sub-set of said first set of data and comprising bits different from the most robust bits of said first set of data;
• a controlling module for controlling modulation and coding of said first set of data using a modulation and coding scheme with high order modulation in order to create a first layer of a data packet;
• and
• a controlling module for controlling modulation and coding of said second set of data by using at least one modulation and coding scheme from said hierarchy of modulation and coding schemes having a modulation order that is lower than said high order modulation, in order to create at least one additional layer of a data packet.