MAC Layer Pre-Scheduling for Ping Traffic Latency Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current scheduling methods for uplink Ping in communication networks experience significant time delays, particularly when User Equipment (UE) needs to send a Scheduling Request (SR) to an Evolved NodeB (eNB), which can lead to inefficient resource utilization and increased system capacity reduction.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where a high layer reports traffic statistics to the MAC layer, allowing the MAC layer to learn and predict when UE is performing a Ping, enabling pre-scheduling and reducing the need for UE to send an SR by determining the optimal data packet sending period, thereby minimizing time delays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If pre-scheduling is not adopted and UE sends SR when service comes, then resource allocation is based on actual need, but time delay increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime delayVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The eNB performs preliminary scheduling by granting DCIO authorization to UE in advance based on predicted Ping traffic patterns. The MAC layer learns the periodicity of Ping packets and proactively allocates uplink resources before UE actually needs to send data, thereby eliminating the SR waiting time and reducing overall latency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the MAC layer continuously monitors traffic patterns and adjusts scheduling decisions. By learning from historical traffic statistics and detecting periodic Ping behavior, the eNB adapts its resource allocation strategy to match actual UE needs, optimizing the balance between latency reduction and resource efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of time

If eNB grants enough authority to UE directly after receiving SR, then time delay for Ping is reduced, but system effective capacity decreases due to potential padding transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime delayVSAvoidsystem effective capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of granting full buffer size authorization, the eNB grants partial DCIO authorization based on the learned periodicity and predicted data amount for Ping traffic. This partial action approach provides enough resources to cover the actual Ping packet needs while avoiding excessive resource allocation that would lead to padding transmission and wasted system capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the DCIO authorization parameters based on detected traffic patterns. When Ping periodicity is detected, the eNB adjusts the granted buffer size and timing parameters to match the specific requirements of Ping traffic, rather than using fixed or conservative allocation parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If eNB determines UE is carrying out Ping before granting authority, then uplink resources are used effectively, but additional detection complexity is introduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoiddetection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The MAC layer performs self-learning by automatically detecting Ping periodicity from traffic statistics without requiring higher-layer involvement or complex detection algorithms. The system uses simple pattern recognition on traffic intervals to identify Ping behavior, keeping the detection mechanism lightweight while achieving effective resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2947830B1Method and apparatus for implementing scheduling in ping process
Publication Date: 2018.09.19 ZTE CORP
  • EP2947830B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2947830B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided are a method and apparatus for implementing scheduling in a Ping process. An MAC layer of an eNB learns about the traffic of UE, determines whether the UE is carrying out Ping according to a learning result, determines a period of sending a data packet by the UE when determining that the UE is carrying out Ping and carries out pre-scheduling according to the period. According to the technology of implementing scheduling in the Ping process in the present disclosure, a high layer can report the traffic statistic to the MAC layer; and the MAC layer learns continuously based on a set learning period so as to judge whether the UE is carrying out Ping, and determines the period of sending a data packet by the UE when determining that the UE is carrying out Ping to predict the coming of a next data packet for the Ping and carry out pre-scheduling, thereby saving the time of sending an SR by the UE; in this way, the time delay for the Ping is considered, moreover, the technology can be used in the network all the time and do not affect the traffic of a system.