MAC Data Scheduling Consistency in LTE Single Frequency Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless networks face challenges in ensuring consistent MAC data scheduling across multiple eNBs in the same Single Frequency network Area (SFA), leading to inconsistencies in data transmission and making it difficult for User Equipment (UE) to perform air interface combination effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where data scheduling rules, including multiplexing criteria and sequencing rules for MAC Protocol Data Units (PDUs) and Service Data Units (SDUs), are standardized across multiple eNBs through a Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service Control Entity (MCE) control procedure, ensuring all eNBs in the same SFA apply the same data scheduling rules, facilitating consistent MAC data scheduling and air interface combination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data scheduling rules are not standardized across multiple eNBs, then each eNB can independently optimize its own data transmission, but inconsistencies in MAC data scheduling occur across different eNBs in the same SFA
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a unified data scheduling rule that is applied universally across all eNBs in the same Single Frequency Network Area. The MCE configures and distributes this common scheduling rule to multiple eNBs, ensuring that each eNB follows the same MAC PDU multiplexing criteria and MAC SDU sequencing rules, thereby achieving consistent MAC data scheduling across the network without requiring complex individual coordination mechanisms.
2Productivity
If multiple MAC SDUs from different logical channels are multiplexed onto the same transmission channel without standardized sequencing rules, then transmission channel utilization is improved, but the order of MAC SDUs becomes unpredictable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary sequencing rules to MAC SDUs before they are multiplexed onto the transmission channel. The scheduling rule specifies that MAC SDUs shall be sequenced in ascending order of their logical channel identity (LCID) values. This preliminary ordering ensures that even when multiple MAC SDUs are multiplexed together to improve channel utilization, their transmission order is predetermined and predictable, preventing loss of ordering information.
3Adaptability or versatility
If RLC PDUs are split and concatenated by the RLC layer without standardized multiplexing criteria, then flexibility in packet handling is improved, but inconsistencies in PDU composition occur at the MAC layer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality control by specifying particular multiplexing criteria for MAC PDUs at the MAC layer. The scheduling rule dictates that when multiple MAC SDUs are multiplexed onto the same transmission channel, they shall be arranged in ascending order of their LCID values. This localized sequencing rule at the MAC layer ensures consistent PDU composition despite the flexibility provided by RLC layer packet splitting and concatenation operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, system and apparatus for scheduling data are provided to schedule Media Access Control (MAC) data. The method includes: obtaining data scheduling rules which include multiplexing criteria of MAC Protocol Data Units (PDUs) and rules of sequencing MAC Service Data Units (SDUs) inside the MAC PDUs; sequencing data of the MAC SDUs inside the received MAC PDUs according to the rules of sequencing the MAC SDUs; and multiplexing the data of the sequenced MAC SDUs according to the multiplexing criteria of the MAC PDUs. A system and apparatus for scheduling data are provided so that all evolved NodeBs (eNBs) in one Single Frequency network Area (SFA) use the same MAC data scheduling rule. Thus, it is ensured that the MAC data scheduling is consistent for all eNBs in the same SFA, and it is convenient for the User Equipment (UE) to perform air interface combination for the received data.