WO2017074299A1

WO2017074299A1 - Differential cqi reporting for optimizing throughput of systems operating on link adaptation

Info

Publication number: WO2017074299A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/057377
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joachim Wehinger; Peter Breun; Rawad RAHME
Original assignee: Intel IP Corp
Current assignee: Intel IP Corp
Priority date: 2015-10-26
Filing date: 2015-10-26
Publication date: 2017-05-04
Anticipated expiration: 2018-04-26

Abstract

A User Equipment (UE) to improve resolution of a Feedback Information (FI) sent to an evolved enode B (eNB) in a communication system. The UE comprises a receiver component configured to receive a signal from the eNB, wherein the signal comprises a plurality of sub-frames. The UE further comprises a processor component configured to generate a quality indicator based on at least one of the sub-frames of the received signal. Further, the UE comprises a differentiator component configured to compute a variation in the quality indicator over a time period based on the quality indicator generated. The UE further comprises a transmitter component configured to transmit the variation in the quality indicator to the eNB.

Description

DIFFERENTIAL CQI REPORTING FOR OPTIMIZING THROUGHPUT OF SYSTEMS OPERATING ON LINK ADAPTATION

FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication system and a method to improve the throughput thereof.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Throughput is a significant Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for a mobile communication system such as High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and other mobile communication systems operating on link-adaptation. The User Equipment (UE) uses a pilot channel to estimate the quality of the downlink channel. The UE receives data from a Base Station or evolved enode B (eNB) and based on the received data, the UE estimates the quality of the downlink channel. This estimated quality is fed back to the Base Station. The eNB is configured to adapt a Transport Block Size (TBS) based on the feedback information received from the UE. A typical indicator of this quality is the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) of the Common Pilot Channel (CPICH) symbols. The feedback information is usually a Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) data that is fed from the UE to the eNB.

[0003] However, the large quantization steps in the CQI data results in a non-optimal throughput of the communication system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example user equipment (UE) useable in connection with various aspects described herein.

[0005] Fig. 2 illustrates a standard CQI reporting and mapping table.

[0006] Fig. 3 illustrates a User Equipment system to improve the resolution of the feedback information

[0007] Fig. 4 illustrates a Base Station system to optimize the throughput in a communication system.

[0008] Fig. 5 illustrates a method to improve the feedback information and optimize the throughput in a communication system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] In the present disclosure, an apparatus of a User Equipment (UE) configured to improve resolution of a Feedback Information (Fl) sent to an evolved node B (eNB) is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a receiver component configured to receive a signal from the eNB, wherein the signal comprises a plurality of sub-frames. The apparatus further comprises a processor or controller circuit configured to generate a quality indicator based on at least one of the sub-frames of the received signal. The apparatus further comprises a differentiator component configured to compute a variation in the quality indicator over a time period based on the generated quality indicator. Further, the apparatus comprises a transmitter component configured to transmit the variation in the quality indicator to the evolved enode B (eNB). In one embodiment, the quality indicator generated by the processor component is a channel metric based on at least one of the sub-frames of the received signal. In some embodiments, the channel metric is a Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) of at least one of the sub-frames of the received signal. The differentiator component is configured to compute a variation in the quality indicator over a time period based on the quality indicator generated.

[0010] An apparatus of en evolved enode B (eNB) configured to improve the data throughput in the downlink of a communication system is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a transmitter component configured to transmit a signal to User Equipments (UE). The transmit signal comprises a plurality of sub-frames. The apparatus comprises a receiver component configured to receive feedback information from the UE. The feedback information, in one embodiment, is generated at the UE based on at least one of the sub-frames of the transmit signal. The feedback information is a variation in a quality indicator over a time period based on a quality indicator generated based on at least one of the sub-frames of the transmit signal. The apparatus further comprises a mapper component configured to map the feedback information to a Transport Block Size (TBS) in a look-up table. The look-up table comprises a plurality of TBSs. The transmitter component is further configured to transmit a data with a TBS obtained from the look-up table.

[0011] A non-transitory machine readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed, improve resolution of a Feedback Information (Fl) from a User Equipment (UE) to an evolved enode B (eNB) in a communication system, and cause the apparatus of the UE to receive by a UE, a signal from the eNB, wherein the signal comprises a plurality of sub-frames. The instructions further cause the apparatus of the UE to generate at the UE, using a processor, a quality indicator based on at least one of the sub-frames of the received signal. Further, the instructions cause the apparatus of the UE to compute at the UE, using a differentiator circuit, a variation in the quality indicator over a time period based on the quality indicator generated. The instructions further cause the apparatus of the UE to transmit at the UE, by a transmitter circuit, the variation in the quality indicator to the eNB. The quality indicator generated at the UE, by the processor, is in one embodiment a Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) based on at least one of the sub-frames of the received signal. In one embodiment, the variation in the quality indicator is a difference between the quality indicator of the received sub-frame and the quality indicator of the subsequent received sub-frame. The instructions further cause receiving at the eNB, by a receiver circuit, the variation in the quality indicator from the UE. Further, the instructions cause mapping at the eNB, by a mapper circuit, the variation in the quality indicator to a Transport Block Size (TBS) in a look-up table, wherein the look-up table comprises a plurality of TBSs.

[0012] The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the attached figures, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout, and wherein the illustrated structures and devices are not necessarily drawn to scale. As utilized herein, terms "component," "system," "interface," "decoder" and the like are intended to refer to a computer-related entity, hardware, software (e.g., in execution), or firmware. For example, a component can be a processor, a process running on a processor, an object, an executable, a program, a storage device, an electronic circuit or a computer with a processing device. By way of illustration, an application running on a server or processor and the server can also be a component. One or more components can reside within a process, and a component can be localized on one computer or processor and/or distributed between two or more computers or processors.

[0013] Further, these components can execute from various non-transitory computer readable storage media having various data structures stored thereon such as with a module, for example. The components can communicate via local and/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., data from one component interacting with another component in a local system, distributed system, and/or across a network, such as, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network, or similar network with other systems via the signal).

[0014] As another example, a component can be an apparatus with specific functionality provided by mechanical parts operated by electric or electronic circuitry, in which the electric or electronic circuitry can be operated on its own by a software application or a firmware application executed by one or more processors. The one or more processors can be internal or external to the apparatus and can execute at least a part of the software or firmware application. As yet another example, a component can be an apparatus that provides specific functionality through electronic components without mechanical parts; the electronic components can include one or more processors therein to execute software and/or firmware that confer(s), at least in part, the functionality of the electronic components.

[0015] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.).

[0016] Use of the word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular examples only and is not intended to be limiting of examples. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes" and/or "including," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.

[0017] In the following description, a plurality of details is set forth to provide a more thorough explanation of the embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form rather than in detail in order to avoid obscuring embodiments of the present disclosure. In addition, features of the different embodiments described hereinafter may be combined with each other, unless specifically noted otherwise.

[0018] While the methods are illustrated and described below as a series of acts or events, it will be appreciated that the illustrated ordering of such acts or events are not to be interpreted in a limiting sense. For example, some acts may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other acts or events apart from those illustrated and/or described herein. In addition, not all illustrated acts may be required to implement one or more aspects or embodiments of the disclosure herein. Also, one or more of the acts depicted herein may be carried out in one or more separate acts and/or phases.

[0019] As used herein, the term "circuitry" may refer to, be part of, or include an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group), and/or memory (shared, dedicated, or group) that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality. In some embodiments, the circuitry may be implemented in, or functions associated with the circuitry may be implemented by, one or more software or firmware modules. In some embodiments, circuitry may include logic, at least partially operable in hardware. [0020] Embodiments described herein may be implemented into a system using any suitably configured hardware and/or software. Figure 1 illustrates, for one embodiment, example components of a User Equipment (UE) device 100. In some embodiments, the UE device 100 may include application circuitry 102, baseband circuitry 104, Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry 106, front-end module (FEM) circuitry 108 and one or more antennas 1 10, coupled together at least as shown.

[0021] The application circuitry 102 may include one or more application processors. For example, the application circuitry 102 may include circuitry such as, but not limited to, one or more single-core or multi-core processors. The processor(s) may include any combination of general-purpose processors and dedicated processors (e.g., graphics processors, application processors, etc.). The processors may be coupled with and/or may include memory/storage and may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory/storage to enable various applications and/or operating systems to run on the system.

[0022] The baseband circuitry 104 may include circuitry such as, but not limited to, one or more single-core or multi-core processors. The baseband circuitry 104 may include one or more baseband processors and/or control logic to process baseband signals received from a receive signal path of the RF circuitry 106 and to generate baseband signals for a transmit signal path of the RF circuitry 106. Baseband processing circuity 104 may interface with the application circuitry 102 for generation and processing of the baseband signals and for controlling operations of the RF circuitry 106. For example, in some embodiments, the baseband circuitry 104 may include a second generation (2G) baseband processor 104a, third generation (3G) baseband processor 104b, fourth generation (4G) baseband processor 104c, and/or other baseband processor(s) 104d for other existing generations, generations in development or to be developed in the future (e.g., fifth generation (5G), 6G, etc.). The baseband circuitry 104 (e.g., one or more of baseband processors 104a-104d) may handle various radio control functions that enable communication with one or more radio networks via the RF circuitry 106. The radio control functions may include, but are not limited to, signal modulation/demodulation, encoding/decoding, radio frequency shifting, etc. In some embodiments, modulation/demodulation circuitry of the baseband circuitry 104 may include Fast-Fourier Transform (FFT), precoding, and/or constellation

mapping/demapping functionality. In some embodiments, encoding/decoding circuitry of the baseband circuitry 104 may include, but is not limited to, convolution, tail-biting convolution, turbo, Viterbi, and/or Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) encoder/decoder functionality. Embodiments of modulation/demodulation and encoder/decoder functionality are not limited to these examples and may include other suitable functionality in other embodiments.

[0023] In some embodiments, the baseband circuitry 104 may include elements of a protocol stack such as, for example, elements of an evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (EUTRAN) protocol including, for example, physical (PHY), media access control (MAC), radio link control (RLC), packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), and/or radio resource control (RRC) elements. A central processing unit (CPU) 104e of the baseband circuitry 104 may be configured to run elements of the protocol stack for signaling of the PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP and/or RRC layers. In some embodiments, the baseband circuitry may include one or more audio digital signal processor(s) (DSP) 104f. The audio DSP(s) 104f may be include elements for compression/decompression and echo cancellation and may include other suitable processing elements in other embodiments. Components of the baseband circuitry may be suitably combined in a single chip, a single chipset, or disposed on a same circuit board in some embodiments. In some embodiments, some or all of the constituent components of the baseband circuitry 104 and the application circuitry 102 may be implemented together such as, for example, on a system on a chip (SOC).

[0024] In some embodiments, the baseband circuitry 104 may provide for communication compatible with one or more radio technologies. For example, in some embodiments, the baseband circuitry 104 may support communication with an evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (EUTRAN) and/or other wireless metropolitan area networks (WMAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wireless personal area network (WPAN). Embodiments in which the baseband circuitry 104 is configured to support radio communications of more than one wireless protocol may be referred to as multi-mode baseband circuitry. [0025] RF circuitry 106 may enable communication with wireless networks using modulated electromagnetic radiation through a non-solid medium. In various embodiments, the RF circuitry 106 may include switches, filters, amplifiers, etc. to facilitate the communication with the wireless network. RF circuitry 1 06 may include a receive signal path which may include circuitry to down-convert RF signals received from the FEM circuitry 108 and provide baseband signals to the baseband circuitry 104. RF circuitry 106 may also include a transmit signal path which may include circuitry to up-convert baseband signals provided by the baseband circuitry 1 04 and provide RF output signals to the FEM circuitry 108 for transmission.

[0026] In some embodiments, the RF circuitry 106 may include a receive signal path and a transmit signal path. The receive signal path of the RF circuitry 106 may include mixer circuitry 1 06a, amplifier circuitry 106b and filter circuitry 106c. The transmit signal path of the RF circuitry 106 may include filter circuitry 106c and mixer circuitry 106a. RF circuitry 106 may also include synthesizer circuitry 106d for synthesizing a frequency for use by the mixer circuitry 106a of the receive signal path and the transmit signal path. In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 106a of the receive signal path may be configured to down-convert RF signals received from the FEM circuitry 108 based on the synthesized frequency provided by synthesizer circuitry 106d. The amplifier circuitry 106b may be configured to amplify the down-converted signals and the filter circuitry 106c may be a low-pass filter (LPF) or band-pass filter (BPF) configured to remove unwanted signals from the down-converted signals to generate output baseband signals. Output baseband signals may be provided to the baseband circuitry 104 for further processing. In some embodiments, the output baseband signals may be zero- frequency baseband signals, although this is not a requirement. In some embodiments, mixer circuitry 1 06a of the receive signal path may comprise passive mixers, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.

[0027] In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 106a of the transmit signal path may be configured to up-convert input baseband signals based on the synthesized frequency provided by the synthesizer circuitry 106d to generate RF output signals for the FEM circuitry 108. The baseband signals may be provided by the baseband circuitry 104 and may be filtered by filter circuitry 1 06c. The filter circuitry 1 06c may include a low-pass filter (LPF), although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.

[0028] In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 106a of the receive signal path and the mixer circuitry 106a of the transmit signal path may include two or more mixers and may be arranged for quadrature downconversion and/or upconversion respectively. In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 106a of the receive signal path and the mixer circuitry 106a of the transmit signal path may include two or more mixers and may be arranged for image rejection (e.g., Hartley image rejection). In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 1 06a of the receive signal path and the mixer circuitry 106a may be arranged for direct downconversion and/or direct upconversion, respectively. In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 106a of the receive signal path and the mixer circuitry 106a of the transmit signal path may be configured for super-heterodyne operation.

[0029] In some embodiments, the output baseband signals and the input baseband signals may be analog baseband signals, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect. In some alternate embodiments, the output baseband signals and the input baseband signals may be digital baseband signals. In these alternate embodiments, the RF circuitry 106 may include analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuitry and the baseband circuitry 104 may include a digital baseband interface to communicate with the RF circuitry 106.

[0030] In some dual-mode embodiments, a separate radio IC circuitry may be provided for processing signals for each spectrum, although the scope of the

embodiments is not limited in this respect.

[0031] In some embodiments, the synthesizer circuitry 106d may be a fractional-N synthesizer or a fractional N/N+1 synthesizer, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect as other types of frequency synthesizers may be suitable. For example, synthesizer circuitry 106d may be a delta-sigma synthesizer, a frequency multiplier, or a synthesizer comprising a phase-locked loop with a frequency divider. [0032] The synthesizer circuitry 106d may be configured to synthesize an output frequency for use by the mixer circuitry 106a of the RF circuitry 1 06 based on a frequency input and a divider control input. In some embodiments, the synthesizer circuitry 106d may be a fractional N/N+1 synthesizer.

[0033] In some embodiments, frequency input may be provided by a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), although that is not a requirement. Divider control input may be provided by either the baseband circuitry 104 or the applications processor 102 depending on the desired output frequency. In some embodiments, a divider control input (e.g., N) may be determined from a look-up table based on a channel indicated by the applications processor 1 02.

[0034] Synthesizer circuitry 1 06d of the RF circuitry 106 may include a divider, a delay-locked loop (DLL), a multiplexer and a phase accumulator. In some embodiments, the divider may be a dual modulus divider (DMD) and the phase accumulator may be a digital phase accumulator (DPA). In some embodiments, the DMD may be configured to divide the input signal by either N or N+1 (e.g., based on a carry out) to provide a fractional division ratio. In some example embodiments, the DLL may include a set of cascaded, tunable, delay elements, a phase detector, a charge pump and a D-type flip- flop. In these embodiments, the delay elements may be configured to break a VCO period up into Nd equal packets of phase, where Nd is the number of delay elements in the delay line. In this way, the DLL provides negative feedback to help ensure that the total delay through the delay line is one VCO cycle.

[0035] In some embodiments, synthesizer circuitry 1 06d may be configured to generate a carrier frequency as the output frequency, while in other embodiments, the output frequency may be a multiple of the carrier frequency (e.g., twice the carrier frequency, four times the carrier frequency) and used in conjunction with quadrature generator and divider circuitry to generate multiple signals at the carrier frequency with multiple different phases with respect to each other. In some embodiments, the output frequency may be a LO frequency (f_Lo)- In some embodiments, the RF circuitry 106 may include an IQ/polar converter.

[0036] FEM circuitry 108 may include a receive signal path which may include circuitry configured to operate on RF signals received from one or more antennas 1 10, amplify the received signals and provide the amplified versions of the received signals to the RF circuitry 106 for further processing. FEM circuitry 108 may also include a transmit signal path which may include circuitry configured to amplify signals for transmission provided by the RF circuitry 106 for transmission by one or more of the one or more antennas 1 1 0.

[0037] In some embodiments, the FEM circuitry 108 may include a TX/RX switch to switch between transmit mode and receive mode operation. The FEM circuitry may include a receive signal path and a transmit signal path. The receive signal path of the FEM circuitry may include a low-noise amplifier (LNA) to amplify received RF signals and provide the amplified received RF signals as an output (e.g., to the RF circuitry 106). The transmit signal path of the FEM circuitry 108 may include a power amplifier (PA) to amplify input RF signals (e.g., provided by RF circuitry 106), and one or more filters to generate RF signals for subsequent transmission (e.g., by one or more of the one or more antennas 1 1 0).

[0038] In some embodiments, the UE device 100 may include additional elements such as, for example, memory/storage, display, camera, sensor, and/or input/output (I/O) interface.

[0039] Fig. 2 illustrates a standard CQI reporting and mapping table. The table in Fig. 2 is taken from 3GPP TS 25.214, which specifies only 30 transport block formats which is a small subset of the 295 sizes specified in 3GPP TS 25.321 . Element 201 denotes a column which is a CQI values sent by the UE to the eNB. The CQI value is an estimate of the quality of the downlink channel used to communicate between the UE and the eNB. In response to the received CQI value received from the UE, the eNB maps the CQI value to one of the plurality of Transport Block Size (TBS) values represented by the element 202, the second column in the table. The mapped TBS value defines the size of the data signal that is transmitted by the eNB in a time interval. The TBS value changes as the estimated channel quality changes. The eNB, after mapping to the appropriate TBS using the received CQI value, transmits a data signal with the TBS corresponding to the mapped value. If the channel conditions are good, then the CQI value estimated by the UE is very high and hence the TBS value also is high. The eNB transmits a data signal with a very high rate, thus adaptively changing the data rate of the communication system.

[0040] For illustrative purposes, the CQI values of 26 and 27 are considered which is represented by elements 203 and 204 respectively. At one time instant, if the UE estimates a CQI value of 26, the eNB on receiving the CQI value from the UE, transmits a data signal of a TBS corresponding to 1 5776 bits as represented by element 205. At the next time instant, if the UE estimates a CQI value of 27, the eNB on receiving the CQI value from the UE, transmits a data signal of a TBS corresponding to 21768 bits as represented by element 206. As can be seen in this example, the small change in a CQI value from 26 to 27 results in a relatively large change in the Transport Block Size change of 5992 bits. With such large steps, it is not possible to optimally adapt to the actual channel conditions by means of standard CQI mapping. This results in a non- optimal throughput of the communication system, as the estimated channel quality estimated by the UE is a mapping to the nearest integer value in the column

represented by element 201 . It is possible that the large TBS of 21768 bits cannot be handled by the communication channel which may result in a very high Bit Error Rate (BER). Further, with the same channel conditions, the TBS of 15776 bits might be transmitted with a very low block error rate, which indicates that the optimal TBS lies between the two highlighted TBS sizes. An optimal throughput of a communication system maintains a high data rate without compromising the Bit Error Rate (BER). In order to achieve this optimal throughput, the CQI values and the corresponding TBSs should have a better quantization.

[0041] Fig. 3 illustrates an apparatus of a User Equipment (UE) configured to improve the resolution of a Feedback Information (Fl) sent to an evolved enode B (eNB) in a communication system. The UE 300 of Fig 3, comprises a receiver component 302, a processor or controller circuit 303, a differentiator component 304 and a transmitter component 305. The receiver component 302 is configured to receive a signal 301 from the eNB. The signal comprises a plurality of sub-frames. The processor component 303 is configured to receive the received signal from the receiver component 302 and generate a quality indicator 307 based on at least one of the sub- frames of the received signal. The quality indicator 307 generated by the processor component 303 is a channel metric based on at least one of the sub-frames of the received signal 301 . The channel metric, in some embodiments, is a Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) of at least one of the sub-frames of the received signal. The differentiator component 304 is configured to compute a variation in the quality indicator 306 over a time period based on the generated quality indicator 307 over two or more sub-frames. The differentiator component 304 is configured to compute the variation in the quality indicator 306 by calculating the difference between the quality indicator 307 of the received sub-frame and the quality indicator 307 of the subsequent received sub-frame. In some embodiments, the variation in the quality indicator is the difference between the SNR of a first received frame and the SNR of the second received frame. For example, if the SNR of the first received frame is 8 dB and the SNR of the second received frame is 5 dB, then the variation in the quality indicator 306 is 3 dB. In other embodiments, the variation in the quality indicator 306 is calculated based on a plurality of sub-frames. The transmitter component 305 is configured to transmit the variation in the quality indicator 306 to the eNB.

[0042] Fig. 4 illustrates an apparatus of an evolved enode B (eNB) configured to improve throughput in the downlink of a communication system. The eNB 400 of Fig. 4 comprises a transmitter component 401 , a receiver component 402, a mapper component 403 and a look-up table 404. The transmitter component 401 is configured to transmit a signal 405 to a User Equipment. The transmit signal 405 comprises a plurality of sub-frames. The receiver component 402 is configured to receive a feedback information 406 from the UE. The feedback information 406 is generated at the UE based on at least one of the sub-frames of the transmit signal. Further, in one embodiment, the feedback information 406 is a variation in a quality indicator over a time period based on the generated quality indicator over the sub-frames of the transmit signal. The eNB further comprises a mapper component 403 configured to map the feedback information 406 to Transport Block Size (TBS) in a look-up table 404, wherein the look-up table 404 comprises a plurality of TBSs. The transmitter component 401 is further configured to transmit a data signal with the TBS obtained from the look-up table 404.

[0043] Fig. 5 illustrates functionality resulting from execution of instructions stored on a non-transitory storage medium that when executed on a processor improve resolution of a Feedback Information (Fl) from a User Equipment (UE) to an evolved enode B (eNB) in a communication system. Act 501 denotes receiving, by the UE, a signal from the eNB. The signal received comprises a plurality of sub-frames. Act 502 denotes generating at the UE, using a processor, a quality indicator based on at least one of the sub-frames of the received signal. Act 508 denotes the reporting of the absolute quality indicator by the UE to the eNB based on a trigger known by both the UE and the eNB. Act 509 denotes the transmission of the absolute quality indicator to the eNB on activating the trigger. If the trigger is not activated, Act 503 denotes computing at the UE, using a differentiator, a variation in the quality indicator over a time period based on the quality indicator generated. Act 504 denotes transmitting at the UE, by a

transmitter, the variation in the quality indicator to the eNB. The quality indicator generated at the UE, by the processor, for example, is a Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) or a mutual information (Ml) based on at least one of the sub-frames of the received signal, although other quality metrics may be employed and are contemplated by the disclosure. The variation in the quality indicator is a difference between the previously received quality indicator and the quality indicator of the concerned received sub-frame, or the difference between the previously received variation in the quality indicator and the quality indicator of the concerned received sub-frame, or both. Act 505 denotes receiving at the eNB, by a receiver, the quality indicator or the variation in the quality indicator from the UE. Act 506 denotes mapping at the eNB, by a mapper, the variation in the quality indicator to a Transmit Block Size (TBS) in a look-up table. The look-up table comprises a plurality of TBSs. Act 507 indicates transmitting at the eNB, by a transmitter, a data corresponding to the TBS mapped by the mapper.

[0044] In some embodiments, the TBS is calculated by interpolation based on the variation in the quality indicator received. Referring to the table in Fig. 2, the CQI value 26 has a TBS value of 15776 and the CQI value 27 has a TBS value of 21786. For example, if the variation in the quality indicator received (variation in the channel metric) is 26.2, then Act 506 of the method according to Fig. 5, calculates a value of the TBS between 15776 (TBS for CQI value 26) and 21786 (TBS for CQI value 27), thus adaptively changing the data rate according to channel conditions.

[0045] The feedback information according to the method illustrated in Fig. 5, is a variation in the quality indicator in contrast to the feedback information used in the Standard CQI reporting. The variation in the quality indicator, also termed as a differential quality indicator or differential CQI, maps the difference in the estimated channel quality to the corresponding TBS. In some embodiments, the table illustrated in Fig. 2 has additional rows in between each of the rows, such that the differential quality indicator is mapped to the corresponding TBS. Further, the quality of the channel in a communication setup does not change randomly or abruptly. The change in the quality of the channel is normally relatively smooth, meaning that significant changes do not occur substantially abruptly. Since these changes are limited in magnitude, the estimated channel quality can be quantized more accurately. Therefore, the present disclosure illustrates a method for efficiently using the available feedback bandwidth by reducing the dynamic range of the feedback data and thus increasing the resolution of the quantized channel quality measurement.

[0046] In some embodiments, the absolute value of the CQI is transmitted initially or periodically or non-periodically, based on triggers established beforehand and known to both UE and eNB. The differential quality indicator is the difference between the quality indicator of one sub-frame to the quality indicator of the next sub-frame. However, a possibility of bad communication would lead to bad results if the quality indicator of one of the sub-frames is received in error. Therefore it is advantageous to transmit the absolute value of the CQI periodically, thus making the system robust. In some embodiments, the UE is configured to transmit the absolute value of the CQI to the eNB based on a trigger known by both the UE and the eNB. The eNB is knowledgeable of the time-instances during which it receives the absolute value of the CQI from the eNB. Hence, in these embodiments, the transmission of the absolute value of the CQI from the UE to the eNB is non-periodic and is based on the trigger or a flag that is mutually agreed upon by the UE and the eNB. [0047] According to 3GPP specifications, the CQI is reported once per sub-frame from the UE to NodeB. The mapping of the estimated SNR to a CQI value is denoted by Q_3GPp(. ) for the CQI reporting of absolute values. Q_k (. ) is used to denote the proposed mapping function, where k is the corresponding subframe. Consequently, for the regular CQI reporting according to 3GPP we get,

[0048] In one embodiment, for every N e Msubframes, the regular CQI is reported, whereas for all the other subframes, the modified CQI is calculated. The differential quality reporting has the following equation.

ise

[0049] The resolution of the differential quality reporting is higher than the regular quality reporting. For example, in standardized 3GPP CQI mapping with SNR dynamic range of 40dB, ranging from -5dB to 35 dB, the SNR estimates smaller than -5dB are mapped to CQI 1 and the SNR estimates larger than 35dBs are mapped to a CQI value of 30. Consequently, the dynamic range of 40dBs, in accordance with this example, is represented by 30 CQI steps. Therefore, the average SNR difference is 1 .33dBs per CQI step. However, as appreciated above, the quality of the channel does not change drastically. Therefore, it is safe to assume the variation in the channel quality with respect to a reported absolute quality indicator has a dynamic range of 20dB. The resolution of the differential quality reporting is improved as 30 CQI values are used to represent a 20dB variation range. That is, if a differential CQI value of 16 is reported, there is no change in the last reported value of an absolute CQI. If a differential CQI value of 1 is reported, the SNR has decreased by 10dB and if a differential CQI value of 30 is reported, the SNR has increased by 9.33dB. By this measure, the resolution of the CQI reporting has effectively been doubled, which would imply an extra line between the all existing CQI formats in the standard CQI table illustrated in Fig. 2.

[0050] The standard Multi Input Multi Output (MIMO) systems use Type A and Type B CQI reporting. The Type A CQI reporting is used in the context of MIMO to report one CQI value if only one transport block is requested by the UE (single stream) or two CQI values if two transport blocks are requested (dual stream). The Type B CQI reporting refers to a CQI reporting for a single transport block and can therefore be seen analogous to the regular non-MIMO CQI reporting. The same mechanism for Type A reporting can be used to signal if an absolute CQI value is reported (analogous to single stream MIMO) or a differential value is reported (analogous to dual stream MIMO). Thus, the signaling of the differential CQI reporting reuses the MIMO CQI reporting to differentiate between an absolute CQI and a differential CQI.

[00051 ] In Example 1 of the disclosure, an apparatus of a User Equipment (UE) to improve resolution of a Feedback Information (Fl) sent to an evolved enode B (eNB) in a communication system comprises a receiver component configured to receive a signal from the eNB, wherein the signal comprises a plurality of sub-frames. The apparatus further comprises a processor component configured to generate a quality indicator based on at least one of the sub-frames of the received signal, a differentiator component configured to compute a variation in the quality indicator over a time period based on the quality indicator generated; and a transmitter component configured to transmit the absolute quality indicator and variation in the quality indicator to the eNB.

[00052] In example 2 of the disclosure, the apparatus of example 1 includes the apparatus wherein the quality indicator generated by the processor component is a channel metric based on at least one of the sub-frames of the received signal.

[00053] In example 3 of the disclosure, the apparatus of example 2 includes the apparatus of claim 2, wherein the channel metric is a Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) or a mutual information (Ml) of at least one of the sub-frames of the received signal.

[00054] In example 4 of the disclosure, in the apparatus of any of examples 1 -3, the differentiator component is configured to compute the variation in the quality indicator by calculating the difference between the previously received quality indicator and the quality indicator of the concerned received sub-frame, or the difference between the previously received variation in the quality indication and the quality indicator of the concerned received sub-frame, or both.

[00055] In example 5 of the disclosure, in the apparatus of any of the examples 1 - 3, the transmitter component is configured to transmit the quality indicator to the eNB.

[00056] In example 6 of the disclosure, in the apparatus of example 5, the transmitter component is configured to transmit the quality indicator to the eNB in a periodic manner or in a non-periodic manner or based on one or more triggers established beforehand, wherein the one or more triggers are known both to the UE and the eNB.

[00057] In example 7 of the disclosure, in the apparatus of any of examples 1 -3, the transmitter is configured to adapt a standard Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) CQI reporting protocol to differentiate between the absolute quality indicator and variation in the quality indicator.

[00058] In example 8 of the disclosure, in the apparatus of any of examples 1 -3, the resolution of the Fl is improved by reducing a dynamic range of the Fl, wherein the reduction of the dynamic range of the Fl is based on the transmission of the absolute quality indicator and a variation in the quality indicator to the eNB.

[00059] In example 9 of the disclosure an apparatus of an evolved enode B (eNB) to improve data throughput in the downlink of a communication system is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a transmitter component configured to transmit a common signal to a User Equipment (UE), wherein the transmit signal comprises a plurality of sub-frames, and a receiver component configured to receive a feedback information from the UE. The feedback information is generated at the UE based on at least one of the sub-frames of the transmit signal, and the feedback information is an absolute quality indicator or a variation in a quality indicator over a time period based on a quality indicator generated based on at least one of the sub-frames of the transmit signal. The apparatus further comprises a mapper component configured to map the feedback information to a Transport Block Size (TBS) in a lookup table, wherein the lookup table comprises a plurality of TBSs.

[00060] In example 10 of the disclosure, in the apparatus of example 9, the transmitter component is further configured to transmit a data with a TBS obtained from the look- up table.

[00061 ] In example 1 1 of the disclosure, in the apparatus of examples 9 or 10, the feedback information received from the UE is the quality indicator generated based on at least one of the sub-frames of the transmit signal.

[00062] In example 12 of the disclosure, in the apparatus of claim 1 1 , the mapper component is configured to map the feedback information to a TBS in the lookup table, wherein the lookup table comprises a plurality of TBSs. [00063] In example 13 of the disclosure, in the apparatus of examples 9 or 10, the receiver is configured to adapt a standard Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) CQI reporting protocol to differentiate between the absolute quality indicator and the variation in the quality indicator.

[00064] In example 14 of the disclosure, a non-transitory machine readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed, improve resolution of a Feedback Information (Fl) from a User Equipment (UE) to a evolved enode B (eNB) in a communication system is disclosed. The instructions cause an apparatus of the UE to receive, by the UE, a signal from the eNB, wherein the signal comprises a plurality of sub-frames, generate at the UE, using a processor, a quality indicator based on at least one of the sub-frames of the received signal, and compute at the UE, using the differentiator, a variation in the quality indicator over a time period based on the quality indicator generated.

[00065] In example 15 of the disclosure, the non-transitory machine readable medium of example 14 further comprises instructions that cause the apparatus of the UE to transmit at the UE, by a transmitter, the variation in the quality indicator to the eNB.

[00066] In example 16 of the disclosure, in the non-transitory machine readable medium of examples 14 or 15, the quality indicator generated at the UE, by the processor, is a Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) or a mutual information (Ml) based on at least one of the sub-frames of the received signal.

[00067] In example 17 of the disclosure, in the non-transitory machine readable medium of examples 14 or 15, the variation in the quality indicator is a difference between the previously received quality indicator and the quality indicator of the concerned received sub-frame, or the difference between the previously received variation in the quality indicator and the quality indicator of the concerned received sub- frame, or both.

[00068] In example 18 of the disclosure, the non-transitory machine readable medium of examples 14 or 15 further comprises instructions that cause the apparatus of at the eNB to receive at the eNB, by a receiver, the variation in the quality indicator from the UE.

[00069] In example 19 of the disclosure, the non-transitory machine readable medium of examples 14 or 15 further comprises instructions that cause the apparatus of the eNB to map at the eNB, by a mapper, the variation in the quality indicator to a Transport Block Size (TBS) in a lookup table, wherein the lookup table comprises a plurality of TBSs.

[00070] In example 20 of the disclosure, the non-transitory machine readable medium of examples 14 or 15 further comprises instructions that cause the apparatus of the UE to transmit at the UE, by a transmitter, the quality indicator to the eNB.

[00071 ] In example 21 of the disclosure, the non-transitory machine readable medium of example 20 further comprises instructions that further cause the apparatus of the eNB to receive at the eNB, by a receiver, the quality indicator from the UE.

[00072] In example 22 of the disclosure, the non-transitory machine readable medium of example 21 further comprises instructions that cause the apparatus of the eNB to map at the eNB, by a mapper, the indicator to a Transmit Block Size (TBS) in a lookup table, wherein the lookup table comprises a plurality of TBSs.

[00073] In example 23 of the disclosure, the non-transitory machine readable medium of example 22 further comprises instructions that cause the apparatus of the eNB to transmit at the BS, by a transmitter, a data corresponding to the TBS mapped by the mapper.

[00074] In example 24 of the disclosure, the non-transitory machine readable medium of example 22 further comprises instructions that cause the apparatus of the eNB to transmit at the BS, by a transmitter, a data corresponding to the TBS mapped by the mapper.

[00075] In example 25 an apparatus of a User Equipment (UE) to improve resolution of a Feedback Information (Fl) sent to an evolved enode B (eNB) in a communication system is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a means for receiving a signal from the eNB, wherein the signal comprises a plurality of sub-frames, and a processing means for generating a quality indicator based on at least one of the sub- frames of the received signal. The apparatus further comprises a differentiating means for computing a variation in the quality indicator over a time period based on the quality indicator generated, and a means for transmitting the absolute quality indicator and variation in the quality indicator to the eNB.

[00076] In example 26, within the apparatus of example 25, the quality indicator generated by the processing means is a channel metric based on at least one of the sub-frames of the received signal. Further, the channel metric is a Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) or a mutual information (Ml) of at least one of the sub-frames of the received signal.

[00077] In example 27, in either the apparatus of examples 25 or 26, the differentiating means computes the variation in the quality indicator by calculating the difference between the previously received quality indicator and the quality indicator of the concerned received sub-frame, or the difference between the previously received variation in the quality indication and the quality indicator of the concerned received sub-frame, or both.

[00078] In example 28, an apparatus of a User Equipment (UE) to improve resolution of a Feedback Information (Fl) sent to an evolved enode B (eNB) in a communication system is disclosed. The apparatus comprises means for receiving, by the apparatus, a signal from the eNB, wherein the signal comprises a plurality of sub- frames, and means for generating at the apparatus, using a processing means, a quality indicator based on at least one of the sub-frames of the received signal. The apparatus further comprises means for computing at the UE, using the differentiator, a variation in the quality indicator over a time period based on the quality indicator generated.

[00079] In example 29, within the apparatus of example 28 the quality indicator generated at the UE, by the processing means, is a Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) or a mutual information (Ml) based on at least one of the sub-frames of the received signal.

[00080] In example 30, within the apparatus of examples 28 or 29 the variation in the quality indicator is a difference between the previously received quality indicator and the quality indicator of the concerned received sub-frame, or the difference between the previously received variation in the quality indicator and the quality indicator of the concerned received sub-frame, or both.

[00081 ] In example 31 , a method to improve resolution of a Feedback Information (Fl) from a User Equipment (UE) to an evolved enode B (eNB) in a communication system is disclosed. The method comprises receiving, by the UE, a signal from the eNB, wherein the signal comprises a plurality of sub-frames, generating at the UE, using a processor, a quality indicator based on at least one of the sub-frames of the received signal, and computing at the UE, using the differentiator, a variation in the quality indicator over a time period based on the quality indicator generated.

[00082] In example 32, the method of example 31 , further comprises transmitting at the UE, by a transmitter, the variation in the quality indicator to the eNB. [00083] In example 33, in the method of examples 31 or 32, the quality indicator generated at the UE, by the processor, is a Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) or a mutual information (Ml) based on at least one of the sub-frames of the received signal.

[00084] In example 34, in method of examples 31 or 32, the variation in the quality indicator is a difference between the previously received quality indicator and the quality indicator of the concerned received sub-frame, or the difference between the previously received variation in the quality indicatior and the quality indicator of the concerned received sub-frame, or both.

[00085] In example 35, in the method of examples 31 or 32, the method further comprises receiving at the eNB, by a receiver, the variation in the quality indicator from the UE.

[00086] In example 36, in the method of example 35, the method further comprises mapping at the eNB, by a mapper, the variation in the quality indicator to a Transport Block Size (TBS) in a lookup table, wherein the lookup table comprises a plurality of TBSs.

[00087] In example 37, in the method of examples 31 or 32, the method further comprises transmitting at the UE, by a transmitter, the quality indicator to the eNB.

[00088] In example 38, in the method of claim 37, the method further comprises receiving at the eNB, by a receiver, the quality indicator from the UE.

[00089] In example 39, the method of example 38, further comprises mapping at the eNB, by a mapper, the indicator to a Transmit Block Size (TBS) in a lookup table, wherein the lookup table comprises a plurality of TBSs.

[00090] In example 40, the method of example 39, further comprises transmitting at the eNB, by a transmitter, a data corresponding to the TBS mapped by the mapper.

[00091 ] In example 41 , the method of example 39, further comprises

transmitting at the eNB, by a transmitter, a data corresponding to the TBS mapped by the mapper.

[00092] In example 42, a non-transitory machine readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause an apparatus of a UE to perform the method of any of examples 31 -41 .

[00093] Although the disclosure has been illustrated and described with respect to one or more implementations, alterations and/or modifications may be made to the illustrated examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. [00094] One or more of the operations described can constitute computer readable instructions stored on one or more non-transitory computer readable media, which if executed by a computing device, will cause the computing device to perform the operations described. The order in which some or all of the operations are described should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. Alternative ordering will be appreciated by one skilled in the art having the benefit of this description. Further, it will be understood that not all operations are necessarily present in each embodiment provided herein.

[00095] Moreover, in particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described components or structures (assemblies, devices, circuits, systems, etc.), the terms (including a reference to a "means") used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component or structure which performs the specified function of the described component (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary

implementations. In addition, while a particular feature may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and

advantageous for any given or particular application. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms "including", "includes", "having", "has", "with", or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description and the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising".

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1 . An apparatus of User Equipment (UE) to improve resolution of a Feedback Information (Fl) sent to an evolved node B (eNB) in a communication system, the UE comprising:

a receiver component configured to receive a signal from the eNB, wherein the signal comprises a plurality of sub-frames;

a processor component configured to generate a quality indicator based on at least one of the sub-frames of the received signal;

a differentiator component configured to compute a variation in the quality indicator over a time period based on the quality indicator generated; and

a transmitter component configured to transmit the absolute quality indicator and variation in the quality indicator to the eNB.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the quality indicator generated by the processor component is a channel metric based on at least one of the sub-frames of the received signal.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the channel metric is a Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) or a mutual information (Ml) of at least one of the sub-frames of the received signal.

4. The apparatus of any of claims 1 -3, wherein the differentiator component is configured to compute the variation in the quality indicator by calculating the difference between the previously received quality indicator and the quality indicator of the concerned received sub-frame, or the difference between the previously received variation in the quality indication and the quality indicator of the concerned received sub-frame, or both.

5. The apparatus of any of claims 1 -3, wherein the transmitter component is configured to transmit the quality indicator to the eNB.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the transmitter component is configured to transmit the quality indicator to the eNB in a periodic manner or in a non-periodic manner or based on one or more triggers established beforehand, wherein the one or more triggers are known both to the UE and the eNB.

7. The apparatus of any of claims 1 -3, wherein the transmitter is configured to adapt a standard Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) CQI reporting protocol to differentiate between the absolute quality indicator and variation in the quality indicator.

8. The apparatus of any of claims 1 -3, wherein the resolution of the Fl is improved by reducing a dynamic range of the Fl, wherein the reduction of the dynamic range of the Fl is based on the transmission of the absolute quality indicator and a variation in the quality indicator to the eNB.

9. An apparatus of an evolved node B (eNB) to improve data throughput in the downlink of a communication system, the eNB comprising:

a transmitter component configured to transmit a common signal to a User Equipment (UE), wherein the transmit signal comprises a plurality of sub-frames;

a receiver component configured to receive a feedback information from the UE, wherein the feedback information is generated at the UE based on at least one of the sub-frames of the transmit signal,

wherein the feedback information is an absolute quality indicator or a variation in a quality indicator over a time period based on a quality indicator generated based on at least one of the sub-frames of the transmit signal; and a mapper component configured to map the feedback information to a Transport Block Size (TBS) in a lookup table, wherein the lookup table comprises a plurality of TBSs.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the transmitter component is further configured to transmit a data with a TBS obtained from the look-up table.

1 1 . The apparatus of claims 9 or 10, wherein the feedback information received from the UE is the quality indicator generated based on at least one of the sub-frames of the transmit signal.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 1 , wherein the mapper component is configured to map the feedback information to a TBS in the lookup table, wherein the lookup table comprises a plurality of TBSs.

13. The apparatus of claims 9 or 10, wherein the receiver is configured to adapt a standard Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) CQI reporting protocol to differentiate between the absolute quality indicator and the variation in the quality indicator.

14. A non-transitory machine readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed, improve resolution of a Feedback Information (Fl) from a User Equipment (UE) to an evolved enode B (eNB) in a communication system, and cause the UE to: receive, by the UE, a signal from the eNB, wherein the signal comprises a plurality of sub-frames;

generate at the UE, using a processor, a quality indicator based on at least one of the sub-frames of the received signal;

compute at the UE, using a differentiator, a variation in the quality indicator over a time period based on the quality indicator generated.

15. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 14, further comprising instructions that, when executed, cause the UE to:

transmit at the UE, by a transmitter, the variation in the quality indicator to the eNB.

16. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claims 14 or 15, wherein the quality indicator generated at the UE, by the processor, is a Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) or a mutual information (Ml) based on at least one of the sub-frames of the received signal.

17. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claims 14 or 15, wherein the variation in the quality indicator is a difference between the previously received quality indicator and the quality indicator of the concerned received sub-frame, or the difference between the previously received variation in the quality indicator and the quality indicator of the concerned received sub-frame, or both.

18. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claims 14 or 15, further comprising instructions that, when executed, cause the UE to:

receive at the eNB, by a receiver, the variation in the quality indicator from the

UE;

map at the eNB, by a mapper, the variation in the quality indicator to a Transport Block Size (TBS) in a lookup table, wherein the lookup table comprises a plurality of TBSs; and

transmit at the UE, by a transmitter, the quality indicator to the eNB.

19. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claims 14 or 15, further comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor within an apparatus of the eNB, cause:

receiving at the eNB, by a receiver, the quality indicator from the UE.

mapping at the eNB, by a mapper, the indicator to a Transmit Block Size (TBS) in a lookup table, wherein the lookup table comprises a plurality of TBSs; and

20. An apparatus of a User Equipment (UE) to improve resolution of a Feedback Information (Fl) sent to an evolved enode B (eNB) in a communication system, the apparatus comprising:

a means for receiving a signal from the eNB, wherein the signal comprises a plurality of sub-frames;

a processing means for generating a quality indicator based on at least one of the sub-frames of the received signal;

a differentiating means for computing a variation in the quality indicator over a time period based on the quality indicator generated; and

a means for transmitting the absolute quality indicator and variation in the quality indicator to the eNB.

21 . The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the quality indicator generated by the processing means is a channel metric based on at least one of the sub-frames of the received signal, and wherein the channel metric is a Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) or a mutual information (Ml) of at least one of the sub-frames of the received signal.

22. The apparatus of claims 20 or 21 , wherein the differentiating means computes the variation in the quality indicator by calculating the difference between the previously received quality indicator and the quality indicator of the concerned received sub-frame, or the difference between the previously received variation in the quality indication and the quality indicator of the concerned received sub-frame, or both.

23 An apparatus of a User Equipment (UE) to improve resolution of a Feedback Information (Fl) sent to an evolved enode B (eNB) in a communication system, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving, by the UE, a signal from the eNB, wherein the signal comprises a plurality of sub-frames;

means for generating at the UE, using a processing means, a quality indicator based on at least one of the sub-frames of the received signal; and

means for computing at the UE, using the differentiator, a variation in the quality indicator over a time period based on the quality indicator generated.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the quality indicator generated at the UE, by the processing means, is a Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) or a mutual information (Ml) based on at least one of the sub-frames of the received signal.

25. The apparatus of claims 23 or 24, wherein the variation in the quality indicator is a difference between the previously received quality indicator and the quality indicator of the concerned received sub-frame, or the difference between the previously received variation in the quality indicator and the quality indicator of the concerned received sub- frame, or both.