Integrated Base Station Protocol Stack Latency Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cellular communications systems, such as UMTS and CDMA2000, face issues with high end-to-end latency and data packet loss due to the division of functionality between RNC and Node B, leading to stale timely-data and inefficient bandwidth use, as well as delays in resynchronization and retransmission.
Innovation Solution
An integrated base station with a single processing entity that combines the functionality of RNC and Node B, featuring a protocol stack with a single buffer to match transmission speeds and optimize data transmission directly between the core network and mobile devices, allowing for timely-data transmission and immediate error handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If functionality is divided between RNC and Node B, then control and transmission functions are separated, but end-to-end latency increases and timely-data becomes stale
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the RNC and Node B functionalities into an integrated base station where the protocol stack (PDCP, RLC, MAC) executes in a single processing entity. This eliminates the need for multiple pipelined staging buffers between separate components, directly reducing end-to-end latency while maintaining all necessary control and transmission functions.
2Productivity
If multiple pipelined staging buffers are used, then data can be staged between RNC and Node B, but latency increases and timely-data becomes obsolete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the unnecessary intermediate buffering stages that exist between separate RNC and Node B components. By consolidating functionality into a single processing entity, the system eliminates multiple pipelined staging buffers, keeping data in fewer buffers for shorter durations and preventing timely-data from becoming obsolete.
3Reliability
If RLC-AM PDUs contain acknowledgment state, then reliable transmission is achieved, but bandwidth is wasted when data becomes stale
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic buffer management where the integrated base station can quickly adapt to changing channel conditions and data freshness requirements. The single processing entity can dynamically adjust transmission decisions based on current state, eliminating the waste of transmitting stale acknowledged data that occurs in separated architectures where state information becomes outdated.
4Adaptability or versatility
If RNC has limited control on Node B scheduling, then Node B can make independent transmission decisions, but coordination delays occur and packet loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges scheduling control into the single integrated base station processing entity. This eliminates the coordination delays and information asymmetry between separate RNC and Node B components, allowing the system to maintain independent transmission decisions while ensuring proper coordination, thereby reducing packet loss from resynchronization delays.
Data Source
AI summary
Integrated base stations and a method of transmitting data units in a communications system for mobile devices. In one embodiment, an integrated base station includes a communications processor having a protocol stack configured with a media access control layer and a physical layer.