Adaptive hybrid ARQ coding schemes for slow fading channels in mobile radio systems

A method of transmitting a signal to a receiver across a wireless communications channel. the method comprising the steps of:

• encoding a first portion of the signal with a first code to generate a first encoded signal portion;
• transmitting the first encoded signal portion across the channel to the receiver:
• receiving acknowledgement data from the receiver, said acknowledgement data comprising information representative of whether the transmitted signal portion was received by the receiver without error:
• determining a second code based on the received acknowledgement data:
• encoding a second portion of the signal with the second code to generate a second encoded signal portion;
• and
• transmitting the second encoded signal portion across the channel to the receiver.
• wherein at least one of the first and second codes comprises a combination of a punctured convolutional code and an error correcting code.

A method of transmitting a signal to a receiver across a wireless communications channel, the method comprising the steps of:

• encoding a first portion of the signal with a first code to generate a first encoded signal portion;
• transmitting the first encoded signal portion across the channel to the receiver;
• receiving acknowledgement data from the receiver, said acknowledgement data comprising information representative of whether the transmitted signal portion was received by the receiver without error;
• determining a second code based on the received acknowledgement data;
• encoding a second portion of the signal with the second code to generate a second encoded signal portion;
• and
• transmitting the second encoded signal portion across the channel to the receiver,
• wherein at least one of the first and second codes comprises an error correcting code and
• wherein the error correcting code comprises a Reed Solomon code,
• wherein the acknowledgement data received from the receiver further comprises information representative of a number of errors detected by the receiver when the transmitted signal portion was not received by the receiver without error, and
• wherein the step of determining the second code is based on said number of errors detected by the receiver.

An apparatus for transmitting a signal to a remote receiver across a wireless communications channel, the apparatus comprising:

• an encoder adapted to encode a first portion of the signal with a first code to generate a first encoded signal portion and adapted to encode a second portion of the signal with a second code to generate a second encoded signal portion;
• a transmitter adapted to transmit the first encoded signal portion across the channel to the remote receiver and adapted to transmit the second encoded signal portion across the channel to the remote receiver;
• an acknowledgement receiver adapted to receive acknowledgement data from the remote receiver, said acknowledgement data comprising information representative of whether the first encoded signal portion transmitted by the transmitter was received by the remote receiver without error;
• and
• means for determining the second code based on the received acknowledgement data
• wherein at least one of the first and second codes comprises a combination of a full convolutional code and an error correcting code.

An apparatus for transmitting a signal to a remote receiver across a wireless communications channel, the apparatus comprising:

• an encoder adapted to encode a first portion of the signal with a first code to generate a first encoded signal portion and adapted to encode a second portion of the signal with a second code to generate a second encoded signal portion;
• a transmitter adapted to transmit the first encoded signal portion across the channel to the remote receiver and adapted to transmit the second encoded signal portion across the channel to the remote receiver;
• an acknowledgement receiver adapted to receive acknowledgement data from the remote receiver, said acknowledgement data comprising information representative of whether the first encoded signal portion transmitted by the transmitter was received by the remote receiver without error;
• and
• means for determining the second code based on the received acknowledgement data,
• wherein at least one of the first and second codes comprises a combination of a punctured convolutional code and an error correcting code.

An apparatus for transmitting a signal to a remote receiver across a wireless communications channel, the apparatus comprising:

• an encoder adapted to encode a first portion of the signal with a first code to generate a first encoded signal portion;
• a transmitter adapted to transmit the first encoded signal portion across the channel to the remote receiver and adapted to encode a second portion of the signal with a second code to generate a second encoded signal portion;
• an acknowledgement receiver adapted to receive acknowledgement data from the remote receiver, said acknowledgement data comprising information representative of whether the first encoded signal portion transmitted by the transmitter was received by the remote receiver without error;
• and means for determining the second code based on the received acknowledgement data,
• wherein at least one of the first and second codes comprises an error correcting code and
• wherein the error correcting code comprises a Reed Solomon code,
• wherein the acknowledgement data received from the remote receiver further comprises information representative of a number of errors detected by the remote receiver when the transmitted signal portion was not received by the remote receiver without error, and wherein the means for determining the second code is based on ,said number of errors detected by the remote receiver.