Code Rate

Simply put, the code rate can be defined as the ratio of the data rate that is allocated for a
subframe and the maximum data rate that ideally can be allocated in the subframe. In other
words, it means "The code rate is defined as the ratio between the transport block size and
the total number of physical layer bits per subframe that are available for transmission of
that transport block". A lower code rate means that more redundency bits are inserted
during the channel coding process and a higher code rate means that less redundency bits
are insterted.

Exact Calculation of Code Rate would be a little tricky and explaining the calculation method
in writing may be even trickier. If you are the type of person (like me) who can grasp the
meaning from visualized from, refer to following illustration first and then try to read the
rest of this page.

For this there is a guideline in 3GPP specification. TS36.213 7.1.7 Modulation order and
transport block size determination and it says as follows.

The UE may skip decoding a transport block in an initial transmission if the effective channel
code rate is higher than 0.930, where the effective channel code rate is defined as the
number of downlink information bits (including CRC bits)divided by the number of physical
channel bits on PDSCH. If the UE skips decoding, the physical layer indicates tohigher layer
that the transport blockis not successfully decoded. For the special subframe configurations
0 and 5 withnormal CP or configurations 0 and 4 with extended CP, shown in table 4.2-1 of
TS 36.211: Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Physical channels
andmodulation, there shall be no PDSCH transmissionin DwPTS of the special subframe.

Let's take an example with MCS = 8 and No of RBs = 3.

For this we have to get the two numbers based on specification quoted above.
(i) number of downlink information bits (including CRC bits )
(ii) number of physical channel bits

(i) refers to "(Transport Block Size + CRC bits)" which is the size of the message that gets
channel coded.
(ii) refers to the number of available bits in the PHYSICAL LAYER. Each resource
element(RE) can carry 2, 4, or 6 bits depending on the modulation scheme.We just have to
count the number of REs reserved for PDSCH transmission on each subframe, and then
multiply it by 2, 4, or 6 (accordint to modulation scheme) and then we will have the number
of physical channel bits on PDSCH.
Getting back to our example condition MCS = 8 and No of RBs = 3. In this case,

for item (i), we can easily figure this out from TS36.213 Table7.1.7.1-1
for item (ii) we have
a) 3 x 12 REs/symbol
b) (14 symbols/subframe) x (3 x 12 REs/symbols) = 504 REs/subframe. Out of this 504
REs, we have to remove those REs allocated for PDCCH since it is not carrying the real data.
Let's assume that 3 symbols/subframe are allocated for PDCCH. In this case, the number of
REs for available in PHY LAYER for data transmission is 504 - (3 x (3 x 12)) which is 396.
Now we have to convert this number into "number of bits". In our sample case, the
modulation scheme is QPSK which carries 2 bits per RE. Therefore, the value for item (ii) is
2 x 396 = 792. This assumes that the subframe does not carry PBCH, PSS, SSS. If it is the
subframe that carries these signals, we have to remove the REs for PBCH, PSS, SSS as well.
Now we have the value (i) and (ii). If you take (i)/(ii), you will get the Code Rate.
I admit the explanation above would sound too complicated and messy. I asked on this to
another expert on this area and he gave me much clearer explanation as follows :

The code rate is the result (consequence) of the combination of TBS, MCS, and N_RB we
have chosen for the transmission. Effective channel code rate is defined as the number of

downlink information bits (including CRC bits) divided by the number of physical channel
bits on PDSCH

Let us take the caseMCS=8; ITBS=8, TBS=808; N_PRB=6

The number of downlink information bits =808+24 (CRC bits) = 832The number of physical
channel bits on PDSCH = 6 (N_PRB)*12(no. of subcarriers in a PRB)*7(number of OFDM
symbols in a slot)*2(no. of slots in a subframe)*2(number of bits per modulated
symbols)=2016

Effective channel code rate = 832/2016 = 0.4127

Basically, the encoder is a fixed 1/3 code. The rate matching unit takes out different number
of coded bits before transmission in the channel

Still now clear ? Don't worry, you are not the only one who get confused. I am also one of
them.

I just found a useful source clips from LTE Protcol Conformance TTCN (MAC_717.ttcn). For
many engineers, one source code would worth 1000 words.

function fl_CalculateCodingRate ( integer p_I_MCS,

integer p_N_PRB,
integer p_TBSize) return boolean
{
const integer tsc_REs_Per_PRB := 138;

/* @sic R5s100155 sic@

* 12 * 12 - 6 [Cell specific reference symbols] total 8, and

2 in symbols 0]
* with DCI =2, symbols o and 1 are used for REGs */

var integer v_BitsPerSymbol;

var float v_CodingRate;

// initialise v_BitsPerSymbol
if (p_I_MCS < 10)
{
v_BitsPerSymbol := 2 ; //QPSK
}
else if (p_I_MCS < 17)
{
v_BitsPerSymbol := 4 ; //16QAM
}
else if (p_I_MCS < 29)
{
v_BitsPerSymbol := 6 ; //64QAM
}
else
{
FatalError(__FILE__, __LINE__, "invalid imcs");
}

v_CodingRate := (int2float(p_TBSize + 24)) / (int2float(p_N_PRB * tsc_REs_Per_PRB *

v_BitsPerSymbol));

if ( v_CodingRate <= 0.930)

{
return true; // TB size applicable
}
else
{
return false; // Coding rate is high hence TB size is not applied
}
} // end of f_CalculateCodingRate

As you see in the code above, the basic formula for code rate is
Code Rate = (Transport Block Size + Size of CRC Bits)/(Total number of REs x Number of
Bits per Symbol)

The equation itself would look simple, but real calculation is not that simple mainly because
it is hard figure out 'Total number of REs'. This 'RE (Resource Elements)' is the one that can
carry PDSCH or PUSCH data. The REs carrying other bits (e.g, RS, PHICH, PDCCH, SRS etc)
are not counted. Even though you allocated the same number of RBs and MCS, the number
of REs within the allocated block would get different depending on various situation as
follows :
i) Is it Uplink or Downlink (Frame Structure for UL/DL is different)
ii) How many symbols are allocated for control channel (PCFICH value) for
Downlink ?
iii) What is transmission mode ? (Depending on Transmission mode, number of
symbols for Reference Signal would vary)
iv) Does it carry SRS (Uplink) ?
etc

For more practical examples, refer to Reiver He's LTE Note : LTE FDD DL code rate
calculation. You would see every detailed factors you need to consider if you want to
calculate Code rate by hand.