Dual-Layer MAC Structure for Wireless Terminal QoS Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In OFDMA-TDMA wireless Internet systems, the short time frame for bandwidth allocation and the complexity of QoS-based data transmission pose challenges for both software and hardware processing, leading to difficulties in maintaining quality of service and causing delays that can affect real-time applications.
Innovation Solution
A dual-layer MAC structure is implemented, with a software part for complex QoS decision-making and a hardware part for rapid priority-based packet transmission, utilizing a QoS profile to classify and prioritize data packets and efficiently arrange them within allocated bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If QoS-based data transmission is processed by software, then fine control of QoS transmission is achieved, but transmission delay increases due to processing time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the MAC layer into two separate functional modules: a software-based QoS control module that handles classification, priority assignment, and policy decision-making, and a hardware-based transmission module that executes rapid packet forwarding based on pre-computed priorities. This segmentation allows complex QoS processing to be performed in advance by software while time-critical transmission operations are handled by hardware, resolving the contradiction between control precision and transmission speed.
2Speed
If QoS processing is done by hardware, then transmission speed increases, but fine control of QoS transmission becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary QoS processing by the software module before transmission. The classifier categorizes incoming packets according to QoS policies, assigns priority levels, and determines transmission parameters in advance. These pre-computed control parameters are then passed to the hardware transmission module, which simply executes the predetermined transmission actions. This preliminary action approach enables hardware to operate at high speed while maintaining sophisticated QoS control capabilities that would be too complex for pure hardware implementation.
3Productivity
If bandwidth allocation interval is short, then network resource utilization improves, but terminal preparation time for data transmission becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal performs preliminary data preparation operations continuously before the bandwidth allocation interval begins. The MAC layer maintains ready queues and pre-processes data packets, so when the coordinator allocates bandwidth, the terminal can immediately transmit pre-prepared data without requiring extensive preparation time within the short allocation window. This eliminates the bottleneck of data preparation during the actual transmission interval.
4Productivity
If modem/RF reception and transmission delay times are reduced, then transmission efficiency improves, but QoS-based transmission control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements advance computation of transmission parameters including timing, priority levels, and QoS control settings before the actual transmission occurs. The software QoS control module calculates all necessary control parameters in advance based on packet characteristics and network conditions, storing them in transmission control structures. When transmission time arrives with reduced delay margins, the hardware module simply executes these pre-calculated parameters without requiring complex real-time decision-making, thus maintaining both high efficiency and sophisticated QoS control.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a terminal of an OFDMA-TDMA wireless Internet system capable of reducing transmission delay time while securing QoS for uplink data and a packet transmission method. A MAC layer of the terminal is divided into a MAC software part and a MAC hardware part to control priorities of data packets at a high level and low level. The high level priority controller carries out various fine control operations according to a QoS policy and the low level priority controller performs mechanical control operations based on a predetermined simple fixed priority policy.