Out-of-Sequence ACK Delivery via RLC Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication networks, the delivery and processing of communication acknowledgments (ACKs) are hindered by interference and sequence reordering requirements, leading to delays and reduced performance, especially in high-data-rate and power-limited scenarios.
Innovation Solution
The method involves detecting ACKs at the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer and using special definitions of header bits, grants, and logical channels to expedite the delivery and processing of ACKs, allowing them to be delivered and processed out of sequence, thereby reducing latency and improving network performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ACKs are delivered in sequence order as per traditional RLC layer processing, then data integrity is maintained, but latency increases and network performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ACK delivery process from the traditional sequential RLC layer processing. By extracting ACKs from data packets and delivering them through a separate path (directly to MAC layer or upper layers), the system divides the processing flow into independent parallel paths, allowing ACKs to be delivered without waiting for sequential data packet processing to complete.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension in the protocol stack by enabling cross-layer ACK delivery. ACKs can be delivered from the RLC layer directly to the MAC layer or upper layers, bypassing the traditional sequential processing path. This dimensional change in information flow allows simultaneous data integrity verification and accelerated ACK delivery.
2Productivity
If special mechanisms are introduced to deliver ACKs out of sequence, then latency is reduced and throughput increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ACK delivery function from the traditional sequential RLC processing path. By identifying and separating ACK packets from regular data packets at the RLC layer, the system can process and deliver ACKs through an expedited path while maintaining normal sequential processing for other data packets. This extraction reduces the complexity burden on the entire system by isolating the acceleration mechanism to specific packet types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary mechanisms (such as specific RLC packet structures, headers, or control fields) that enable the system to identify and handle ACK packets differently from regular data packets. These intermediaries facilitate the complex out-of-sequence delivery without requiring fundamental changes to the entire protocol stack, thereby managing device complexity while achieving improved throughput.
3Speed
If ACK detection and extraction is performed at the RLC layer, then delivery speed improves, but processing complexity at the RLC layer increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring and pre-identifying ACK packets within the RLC layer processing flow. By using predefined packet structures, headers, or markers that indicate ACK content, the RLC layer can quickly identify and extract ACKs without requiring complex real-time analysis. This preliminary structuring of data reduces the processing complexity while maintaining high delivery speed.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods adapted to provide transmission of communication acknowledgments to facilitate effective delivery and processing of acknowledgments are disclosed. Embodiments may utilize one or more special definition of header and/or control bits (e.g., length indicator, extension field, etc.), special grants (e.g., a grant to carry control PDUs and/or data PDUs with one or more ACKs), and/or one or more special logical channel/radio bearer (e.g., a logical channel having higher priority than regular data bearer traffic) for delivery of acknowledgments, to expedite processing of the acknowledgments, etc. A device receiving such acknowledgments may identify a packet as including one or more acknowledgment upon decoding/deciphering the received packet, such as by detecting a header field containing special data or by receiving the acknowledgment via a special bearer channel, whereby the acknowledgments may be extracted and delivered to upper layers without waiting for all the in-sequence packets to be received or processed.