Dual Radio Protocol Stack Architecture for 6G User Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing toolbox approach to radio protocol design results in overly complex protocol stacks that are inefficient for both low bit rate and high bit rate services, leading to increased hardware dimensioning and power consumption, especially in 6G user equipment.
Innovation Solution
A dual radio protocol stack architecture is proposed, comprising a first radio protocol stack for low bit rate services and a second, more processing-friendly stack for high bit rate services, with a common layer feeding both stacks and allowing dynamic mapping of radio bearers based on data rate requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the toolbox approach with a single protocol stack is used to support all services, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protocol stack is segmented into multiple independent stacks (first protocol stack and second protocol stack) that can be selectively activated. Each stack is optimized for specific service types, allowing the system to divide the single complex stack into smaller, more manageable units that reduce overall complexity while maintaining versatility through selective composition.
2Reliability
If costly optimisations are included in the protocol stack for low bit rate services, then reliability is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically activates or deactivates specific protocol stacks based on service requirements. For low bit rate services, the first protocol stack with coverage-optimized features is activated, while for high bit rate services, the second protocol stack is used without those costly optimisations. This dynamic adaptation ensures reliability when needed while minimizing energy consumption when not required.
3Reliability
If bit-level optimisations are executed in the protocol stack, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Bit-level optimisations are applied locally and selectively only in the first protocol stack when low bit rate services are active, rather than being universally applied in all protocol processing paths. This localized application reduces the overall complexity burden while maintaining reliability benefits for the specific service type that requires them.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a single protocol stack handles all services through configuration, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single protocol stack is segmented into multiple specialized stacks (first and second protocol stacks), each optimized for specific service ranges. This segmentation replaces the need for extensive configuration within one complex stack with simpler, purpose-built stacks that can be selectively combined, reducing overall complexity while maintaining service coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a User Equipment, UE, comprising at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the UE at least to: provide a radio protocol stack architecture comprising a first radio protocol stack, a second radio protocol stack parallel to the first radio protocol stack, and a first radio protocol layer configured to feed both the first radio protocol stack and the second radio protocol stack; obtain a radio bearer; configure the first radio protocol layer with the obtained radio bearer; and at the first radio protocol layer: when the obtained radio bearer is a Signaling Radio Bearer, SRB, map the obtained SRB to the first radio protocol stack for processing the obtained SRB; when the obtained radio bearer is a Data Radio Bearer, DRB, associated with a first data rate, map the obtained DRB to the configured second radio protocol stack for processing the obtained DRB; and when the obtained radio bearer is a DRB associated with a second data rate smaller than the first data rate, map the obtained DRB to the configured first radio protocol stack for processing the obtained DRB.