MAC-e Multiplexer E-TFC Quantization for Uplink Padding Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

In 3G cellular systems, uplink data transmission is limited by the granularity of EU transport format combinations (E-TFCs), leading to inefficient multiplexing and reduced effective data rates due to padding requirements that exceed the multiplexing block size, resulting in underutilization of physical resources.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves quantizing the amount of scheduled and non-scheduled data to match the selected E-TFC transport block size, allowing for increased or decreased data transmission to closely match the next larger or smaller E-TFC size, thereby optimizing MAC-e PDU multiplexing and improving radio resource utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If data is multiplexed into MAC-e PDUs based on scheduled and non-scheduled grants, then data transmission capacity is improved, but physical resources are underutilized due to padding requirements that exceed the multiplexing block size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capacityVSAvoidphysical resource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the multiplexing block size based on the selected E-TFC size. The system changes the effective data transmission parameters to match the granularity of available E-TFCs, thereby eliminating unnecessary padding and improving physical resource utilization while maintaining data transmission capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the multiplexing block size adaptive rather than fixed. The block size is dynamically adjusted according to the selected E-TFC and the amount of available data, allowing the system to optimize resource utilization in real-time while maintaining high data transmission capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If the multiplexing block size is fixed, then the MAC-e PDU structure is simplified, but data transmission efficiency is reduced due to excessive padding when the block size exceeds the selected E-TFC size

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveMAC-e PDU structure complexityVSAvoiddata transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a fixed multiplexing block size to a dynamic one that adapts to the selected E-TFC size. This dynamic adjustment eliminates excessive padding and improves data transmission efficiency while maintaining relatively simple MAC-e PDU structure through standardized adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If padding is added to match the next larger E-TFC size, then the MAC-e PDU can be transmitted, but the effective data rate is reduced due to unnecessary padding exceeding the multiplexing block size

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveMAC-e PDU transmission validityVSAvoideffective data rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of multiplexing block size to match the selected E-TFC size more closely. By adjusting this parameter, the system ensures that padding is minimized to only the extent necessary for valid MAC-e PDU transmission, thereby maintaining transmission validity while maximizing the effective data rate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by adding only the minimum necessary padding to achieve valid MAC-e PDU transmission, rather than excessively padding to match the next larger E-TFC size. This partial padding approach maintains transmission validity while preserving effective data rate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3355537B1Mac multiplexing and TFC selection procedure for enhanced uplink
Publication Date: 2018.11.21 INTERDIGITAL TECH CORP
  • EP3355537B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3355537B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3355537B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The user equipment produces medium access control-dedicated channel (MAC-d) for transfer of logical channels over an enhanced dedicated physical channel (E-DPCH) and receives power offset, serving grant. The equipment selects enhanced dedicated channel transport formal combination (E-TFC) not exceeding size derived from serving grant and the power offset. The equipment receives selected E-TFC and MAC-d flows and multiplexes data of MAC-d flows into MAC-enhanced dedicated channel packet data unit (MAC-e PDU) with size related to selected E-TFC. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) method for transferring data over enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH); (2) wide band code division multiple access (W-CDMA) frequency division duplex (FDD) base station; (3) W-CDMA FDD communication system; and (4) method for multiplexing data over E-DCH.