LTE MAC Protocol Simplification for IoT
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Solution Overview
Problem
The LTE cellular network has a complex and costly protocol stack that is not optimized for low-rate, low-mobility, low-power consumption applications, making it inefficient for Internet of Things (IoT) services, which require a simpler and more cost-effective solution.
Innovation Solution
A data sending and receiving method that simplifies the LTE protocol stack by integrating some RLC layer functions into the MAC layer, reducing signaling and device complexity, and optimizing the protocol architecture to support IoT services by using sequence numbers for error detection and retransmission, and prioritizing transmission resources based on channel priority.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the LTE cellular network protocol stack is used, then the network can support voice and large data volume applications with high-speed mobility, but the protocol structure becomes excessively complex and costly for IoT applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the protocol stack into essential and non-essential parts for IoT applications. It removes unnecessary protocol layers and functions from the standard LTE stack, retaining only the critical components needed for IoT data transmission, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining adaptability to IoT requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes redundant protocol elements from the LTE stack that are not needed for IoT applications. By taking out unnecessary protocol layers and simplifying the remaining structure, it reduces device complexity and cost while preserving the core functionality needed for IoT service support
2Productivity
If the standard LTE protocol stack is implemented, then high throughput and user experience are achieved, but terminal device structure becomes complex and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the terminal device structure by separating essential IoT communication functions from non-essential LTE features. This segmentation allows the terminal to implement only the necessary protocol functions for IoT data transmission, reducing structural complexity while maintaining adequate throughput for low-rate IoT applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by implementing only the sufficient level of protocol complexity needed for IoT applications rather than the full LTE stack. This partial implementation achieves the required throughput for IoT while avoiding the excessive complexity of complete LTE compliance
3Ease of operation
If the LTE cellular network is optimized for high-speed mobility and large data volume, then user experience is improved, but the network becomes inefficient for low-rate, low-power consumption IoT services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by optimizing the protocol stack specifically for IoT characteristics rather than using a uniform LTE configuration. It tailors the protocol functions to match the local requirements of low-rate, low-power IoT applications, reducing unnecessary processing and power consumption while maintaining ease of operation for IoT devices
Data Source
AI summary
A data sending method is provided. The method includes: receiving, by a MAC entity of a sending device, a MAC SDU sent by a PDCP entity of the sending device by using a logical channel; multiplexing, by the MAC entity of the sending device, the MAC SDU to generate a first MAC data packet; segmenting or concatenating, by the MAC entity of the sending device, the first MAC data packet to generate a second MAC data packet; adding, by the MAC entity of the sending device, a MAC header to the second MAC data packet to generate a MAC PDU; and sending, by the MAC entity of the sending device, the MAC PDU to a MAC entity of a receiving device by using a physical entity of the sending device and a physical entity of the receiving device.