Direct Transport Block Forwarding via PHY and HARQ Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, particularly in LTE and NR, face inefficiencies in relaying operations due to the need for transport blocks to traverse the entire protocol stack of relay nodes, which can lead to increased latency and complexity.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where transport blocks are directly forwarded from a source node to a destination node through only the Physical layer and the hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) portion of the Media Access Control (MAC) layer in the relay node, bypassing the need for processing through all layers of the protocol stack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If transport blocks traverse the entire protocol stack of relay nodes, then complete protocol processing is achieved, but latency increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The protocol stack processing is segmented into two parts: essential processing (PHY layer and HARQ) that must be performed, and non-essential processing (higher MAC layer functions, RLC, PDCP, RRC) that can be skipped. This segmentation allows the relay node to perform only the minimum necessary processing for transport block forwarding, reducing latency while maintaining essential protocol functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes unnecessary protocol processing steps from the relay node's operation. Specifically, the relay node is configured to skip processing in the higher MAC layer, RLC layer, PDCP layer, and RRC layer, performing only PHY layer processing and HARQ functions. This extraction eliminates redundant processing steps that contribute to latency without compromising the essential transport block forwarding function.
2Reliability
If transport blocks traverse the entire protocol stack of relay nodes, then full protocol processing is completed, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protocol stack is segmented into essential components (PHY layer, HARQ) and non-essential components (higher MAC layer, RLC, PDCP, RRC). The relay node is configured to process only the essential segment, dividing the complex protocol processing task into a manageable subset that maintains reliability while reducing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes complex protocol processing steps from the relay node, eliminating the need to process through the higher MAC layer, RLC, PDCP, and RRC layers. This extraction simplifies the relay node's processing requirements while maintaining the essential transport block forwarding capability through PHY layer and HARQ processing only.
3Productivity
If direct transport block forwarding is implemented, then latency is reduced and efficiency is improved, but compatibility with different TB sizes becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the relay node by configuring it with specific indication bits that control direct forwarding behavior. When direct forwarding is enabled, the relay node adjusts its processing parameters to skip higher protocol layers and forward transport blocks directly through PHY and HARQ only. This parameter change allows efficient direct forwarding while maintaining compatibility through proper configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay node is designed with multi-functionality to handle both conventional protocol stack processing and direct transport block forwarding modes. By incorporating configuration indications that can enable or disable direct forwarding, the relay node becomes universal, capable of adapting to different operational requirements and TB size scenarios while maintaining efficient direct forwarding when conditions are favorable.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for direct transport block (TB) forwarding in relaying operations. A method that may be performed by a relay node includes receiving, from a source node, an indication to directly forward a TB to a destination node, wherein directly forwarding includes transmitting the TB to the destination node through only a Physical (PHY) layer and a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARM) portion of a Media Access Control (MAC) layer in a protocol stack of the relay node and directly forwarding the TB to the destination node based, at least in part, on the indication.