5G Protocol Stack Segmentation for HARQ Timing and Hardware Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for implementing the 5G protocol stack face challenges in meeting the stringent time and throughput requirements, particularly with the hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) demands, and require extensive code updates for function upgrades, leading to difficulties in hardware configuration and development costs.
Innovation Solution
A multi-dimensional segmentation method for the 5G protocol stack that segments the MAC layer and places the physical layer and HARQ entity into predetermined physical resources for processing, with modules related to the FPGA being moved based on calculation and functional requirements, optimizing resource utilization and facilitating flexible module configuration and code debugging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the general purpose processor (GPP) platform is used to run the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), the radio link control (RLC), the medium access control (MAC), and the physical layer (PHY), then the overall consistency of code development is better and the development cycle is shorter, but there is no guarantee of real time and throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The protocol stack is segmented into different parts: the MAC layer remains on the GPP platform for ease of development, while the physical layer and HARQ entity are extracted and placed on the FPGA platform to ensure real-time performance and throughput guarantees.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical layer and HARQ entity are extracted from the GPP platform and relocated to the FPGA platform. This extraction allows the time-critical components to run on hardware that guarantees real-time performance, while the less time-critical MAC layer remains on the flexible GPP platform.
2Productivity
If the physical layer code is achieved by field-programmable gate array (FPGA) and digital signal processing (DSP), then the performance is better, but the development cost is high and development cycle is long
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into two parts: the performance-critical physical layer runs on FPGA/DSP, while the less performance-critical MAC layer runs on GPP. This segmentation allows high performance where needed while avoiding the high development costs and complexity for the entire protocol stack.
Solution Approach 2:
Different quality levels are applied to different parts of the system: the physical layer gets high-performance FPGA/DSP implementation, while the MAC layer uses standard GPP implementation. This local quality approach optimizes resources by applying high-performance hardware only where it is most needed.
3Reliability
If the physical layer and HARQ entity are placed in predetermined physical resources, then the time requirement of HARQ is satisfied, but the flexibility of module configuration is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system adopts a dynamic architecture where the MAC layer can be configured and updated on the GPP platform without affecting the physical layer on FPGA. This dynamic separation allows flexibility in MAC layer configuration while maintaining the fixed, reliable timing of the physical layer and HARQ entity.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a multi-dimensional segmentation method and apparatus for a 5G-oriented protocol stack, and a terminal. The method comprises: segmenting an MAC layer in a protocol stack, and putting HARQ entities of a physical layer and the MAC layer together in a pre-set physical resource for processing; and moving a relevant partial module of the physical layer to an FPGA for processing according to a calculation amount and functional requirements. The hardware configuration requirements are reduced on the basis of guaranteeing the performance.