Fountain Code Handover Mechanism for LTE Data Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fountain code technology cannot effectively handle data packet transmission during handover scenarios in LTE networks, leading to data blocking issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize fountain codes to continue data packet transmission by encoding original data packets into multiple encoded packets, allowing the network to instruct terminal devices to request and receive the necessary packets during handover, ensuring seamless data restoration even if not all packets are received.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fountain code encoding is used to transmit data packets in LTE network, then data transmission reliability is improved, but handover scenario support is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data transmission process into distinct phases: before handover (first network device sends encoded packets) and after handover (second network device continues sending encoded packets). The fountain code encoding is applied separately in each phase with appropriate packet counting and state management, allowing handover to occur without disrupting the overall transmission reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the encoding process during handover by updating packet counters and transitioning between network devices. The first network device tracks sent packets and stops when reaching a threshold, then the second network device takes over and continues encoding with updated counters, maintaining adaptability while preserving reliability.
2Reliability
If multiple encoded data packets are sent to ensure restoration, then data restoration reliability is improved, but transmission complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the first network device monitors the number of encoded packets sent and compares it against a threshold. When the threshold is reached or handover is detected, the system provides feedback to stop further transmission from the first device and initiate transmission from the second device, reducing complexity while maintaining restoration reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key parameters during handover: the active network device identifier, packet counter values, and encoding state. These parameter transitions are managed systematically to reduce complexity - the second network device receives the packet count state from the first device and continues encoding from that point, avoiding redundant transmissions.
3Reliability
If fountain code technology is applied at PDCP/RLC/MAC layers, then data transmission reliability is improved, but handover continuity is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares for handover in advance by implementing packet counting and threshold monitoring at the first network device before handover occurs. When the packet count reaches the threshold or handover is detected, the system has already prepared the state transition information to be passed to the second network device, ensuring continuity without disruption to the fountain code encoding process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary state management mechanism that bridges the first and second network devices during handover. The packet counters, encoding state, and control parameters act as intermediaries that are transferred from the first device to the second device, allowing seamless continuation of fountain code encoding across the handover boundary and maintaining both reliability and continuity.
Data Source
AI summary
A network device and UE determine that the UE is handed over from a first network device to a second network device, and in a handover process, the first network device or the second network device sends a feedback control message to the UE to query for a quantity of fountain codes that are needed to continue to send, and the second network device continues to perform encoding according to the quantity of fountain codes that are needed to continue to send, and sends encoded data to the UE. In an uplink process, the UE sends a feedback control to the second network device and obtains a quantity of data packets that are needed to continue to encode, and sends a first data packet to the second network device. A receive end performs decoding according to the received first data packet to obtain an original data packet.