MAC Header Segmentation for 5G Processing Latency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G and NR, face challenges in meeting the demands for higher data throughput and lower latency due to inefficient processing and header management in MAC layer packet data units, leading to increased processing requirements and latency.

Innovation Solution

The method involves encoding and decoding MAC transport blocks with an enhanced MAC header format, where the MAC header size indicator is positioned at the end of the block, allowing for efficient encoding by separating MAC service data units and control elements, and splitting the MAC header into pre- and post-subheaders for adaptive placement, optimizing processing and transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the MAC header is encoded before the MAC transport block is fully constructed, then processing time is reduced, but the header size cannot be determined accurately

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing timeVSAvoidheader size determination

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The MAC header is divided into two separate parts: a first MAC header part encoded at the beginning of the transport block, and a second MAC header part encoded at the end. This segmentation allows the first part to be processed early for reduced latency while the second part contains the actual header size information that can be determined after full block construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first MAC header part is encoded in advance before the complete MAC transport block is constructed. This preliminary encoding action reduces processing time by allowing early header processing while the remaining block content is still being assembled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If the MAC header size indicator is placed at the beginning of the transport block, then the receiver can parse the header immediately, but the encoder cannot determine the correct header size until the block is fully constructed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheader parsing speedVSAvoidencoding time

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of placing the MAC header size indicator at the beginning of the transport block as in conventional approaches, the indicator is inverted to be placed at the end of the block. This allows the encoder to determine the correct header size after full block construction, while the receiver can still parse efficiently by reading the size indicator last.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Device complexity

If all MAC subheaders are encoded at the beginning of the transport block, then the structure is simple, but flexibility in handling variable-sized data is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveencoding structure complexityVSAvoidhandling variable-sized data

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The MAC header is segmented into two parts positioned at opposite ends of the transport block. This segmentation provides structural simplicity for each part while enabling flexibility in handling variable-sized data, as the second header part can accommodate variable length information without affecting the first header part.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3527000B1Media access control header and transport block formats

Publication Date: 2022.06.01 QUALCOMM INC

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AI summary

Various aspects described herein relate to encoding or decoding a media access control (MAC) layer transport block having an enhanced MAC header format, a split and partial MAC header, and a MAC transport block design. A method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The techniques described herein may apply to different communications technologies, including 5th Generation (5G) or New Radio (NR), wireless communications technology.