Integrated PDCP in Wireless Central Unit for Multi-Protocol Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless data networks, particularly those using 5G NR and LTE protocols, lack optimization for integrated Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) functionality across different radio technologies, leading to inefficiencies in data routing and management between Central Unit (CU) and Distributed Unit (DU) circuitry.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an integrated multi-protocol PDCP within the CU circuitry that routes and manages data and signaling across 5G NR, LTE, and WIFI protocols, enabling seamless communication and load balancing by mapping Quality-of-Service (QoS) markers and performing header compression and ciphering, while decoupling uplink/downlink data paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate PDCP implementations are used for different protocols (5G NR PDCP for 5G NR, LTE PDCP for LTE, WIFI PDCP for WIFI), then each protocol can be optimized independently, but the device complexity increases and data routing efficiency deteriorates due to multiple independent protocol stacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate PDCP implementations (5G NR PDCP, LTE PDCP, WIFI PDCP) into a single integrated PDCP component. This integrated PDCP receives data from multiple RLC components corresponding to different protocols and applies a unified PDCP implementation that handles all protocols through a single codebase, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining protocol-specific optimizations through configurable parameters and protocol-adapter layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated PDCP component is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple wireless protocols (5G NR, LTE, WIFI) simultaneously. It implements a universal data routing and processing mechanism that can adapt to different protocol requirements through configuration, eliminating the need for separate dedicated PDCP stacks for each protocol while maintaining optimized performance for each protocol type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If protocol slicing technology moves RRC and PDCP from DU to CU circuitry, then data management flexibility improves, but the device complexity and data routing overhead increase due to additional protocol layers in the backhaul path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the RRC and PDCP protocol layers into a single integrated component within the CU circuitry. This integration allows the CU to handle both control plane (RRC) and user plane (PDCP) functions through a unified architecture, reducing the complexity of managing separate protocol stacks while maintaining the flexibility benefits of protocol slicing.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated PDCP component acts as an intermediary between the RLC components (handling different wireless protocols) and the core network. It provides a standardized interface for data routing while handling protocol-specific processing internally, thereby simplifying the backhaul path complexity while maintaining data management flexibility.
3Ease of manufacture
If LTE PDCP is used for WIFI RLC data routing, then existing LTE infrastructure can be leveraged, but data routing efficiency deteriorates because LTE PDCP is not optimized for 5G NR and CU circuitry requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated PDCP component uses parameter changes to adapt to different protocol requirements. Instead of being fixed to LTE PDCP implementation, it dynamically adjusts its processing parameters, header formats, and routing logic based on the specific protocol (5G NR, LTE, or WIFI) being handled, thereby achieving optimal routing efficiency for each protocol while maintaining infrastructure reuse benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The PDCP implementation transitions from a static, protocol-specific design to a dynamic, protocol-agnostic architecture. The integrated PDCP can adapt its behavior and processing methods based on the incoming data's protocol type, enabling efficient data routing for 5G NR, LTE, and WIFI protocols within a single flexible framework that leverages existing infrastructure while optimizing for current requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Central Unit (CU) circuitry in a wireless data network serves wireless User Equipment (UE) with an integrated Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP). The CU circuitry receives downlink data from a Fifth Generation New Radio (5GNR) Service Data Adaption Protocol (SDAP) component. The CU circuitry executes the integrated PDCP to route the downlink data from the 5GNR SDAP component to an Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers 802.11 (WIFI) Radio Link Control (RLC) component. The CU circuitry receives uplink data from the WIFI RLC component. The CU circuitry executes the integrated PDCP to route the uplink data from the WIFI RLC receive memory to the 5 GNR SDAP component.