Modem Datapath Control for Adaptive Low-Latency Modes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional modem solutions for low-latency modes in wireless devices continue to operate in a fixed mode regardless of application needs, leading to unnecessary power consumption and inefficient resource usage.

Innovation Solution

A modem configured to enable application-based dynamic configuration of its IPA and datapath parameters, allowing client software applications to determine when to enter low-latency mode and adjust operating parameters based on application conditions, balancing latency, performance, and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the modem operates in a fixed low-latency mode, then latency is reduced, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelatencyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The modem dynamically switches between different low-latency modes (LLM0, LLM1, LLM2) based on application requirements and network conditions. The system adjusts the datapath configuration in real-time, transitioning from aggressive low-latency mode (LLM0) during critical events to more power-efficient modes (LLM1, LLM2) during normal operation, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining low latency and reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by adjusting datapath configuration flags and modem operating modes based on trigger events. When specific conditions are met (e.g., application requests low latency, network conditions change), the system modifies parameters such as aggregation behavior, accumulation settings, and processing depth to optimize the balance between latency and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of time

If the modem operates in aggressive low-latency mode, then latency is minimized, but processing resource usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelatencyVSAvoidprocessing resource usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The modem dynamically adjusts its processing resources by switching between different low-latency modes. In aggressive mode (LLM0), full processing resources are allocated to minimize latency. In less aggressive modes (LLM1, LLM2), processing resources are scaled back while maintaining acceptable latency performance, thereby resolving the contradiction between minimizing latency and reducing processing resource usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial low-latency processing only when necessary. Instead of continuously operating in aggressive low-latency mode that consumes all processing resources, the system activates aggressive processing only during critical trigger events, and uses lighter processing modes during normal operation, thus resolving the contradiction between latency minimization and resource conservation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Loss of time

If data packets are moved without accumulation or aggregation, then latency is reduced, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelatencyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The datapath dynamically adjusts its data handling behavior based on operational mode. In aggressive low-latency mode (LLM0), packets are moved immediately without accumulation or aggregation to minimize latency. In less aggressive modes (LLM1, LLM2), the datapath selectively applies accumulation and aggregation to reduce power consumption while maintaining acceptable latency, thereby resolving the contradiction between these two objectives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes datapath configuration parameters such as aggregation thresholds, accumulation window sizes, and packet forwarding delays based on the current low-latency mode. These parameter adjustments allow the system to optimize the balance between immediate packet forwarding (low latency) and batch processing (low power consumption) according to application needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4260647B1Application based dynamic control of modem datapath behavior
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4260647B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4260647B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4260647B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods and systems for providing software applications on a client device with dynamic control over low-latency mode (LLM) operations of the client device. The client device may monitor downlink data packets of a client software application operating on the client device to detect trigger events. The client device may determine operating parameters of the modem based on a detected trigger event and dynamically adjust the low-latency mode of the modem based on the detect trigger event or the determined operating parameters.