Obsolete Packet Dropping Control for Wireless Loss Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in managing packet loss, leading to degraded communications and increased latency due to inappropriate dropping of obsolete packets, which can interfere with network congestion handling.

Innovation Solution

A wireless device, such as a RAN network entity, determines a maximum quantity of obsolete packets to drop based on upstream and downstream packet loss information, allowing intentional dropping of unnecessary packets to optimize throughput and reduce latency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If obsolete packets are dropped to conserve power and processing resources, then energy efficiency is improved, but communication reliability deteriorates due to inappropriate packet dropping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcommunication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of packet dropping from a binary decision (drop or not) to a controlled quantity-based decision. The network entity determines a maximum quantity of obsolete packets that can be dropped based on upstream and downstream packet loss information, transforming the dropping behavior into a parameter-controlled process that balances energy savings with communication reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network entity receives information about upstream and downstream packet loss, and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the maximum quantity of obsolete packets that can be dropped. This feedback loop ensures that packet dropping decisions are based on actual network conditions, maintaining reliability while achieving energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of time

If obsolete packets are dropped to reduce latency, then transmission speed is improved, but communication quality deteriorates due to degraded communications

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovelatencyVSAvoidcommunication quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the packet dropping mechanism from an uncontrolled latency-reduction technique into a parameter-controlled process. By determining a maximum quantity of obsolete packets based on packet loss information, the system achieves latency reduction through selective dropping while preventing communication quality degradation through quantitative control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the packet dropping behavior dynamic by continuously adjusting the maximum quantity of droppable packets based on real-time network conditions. The network entity adapts the dropping quantity according to upstream and downstream packet loss information, creating a dynamic balance between latency reduction and communication quality maintenance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If obsolete packets are dropped to optimize throughput, then data transmission efficiency is improved, but network congestion handling deteriorates due to inappropriate packet dropping

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovethroughputVSAvoidcongestion handling

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses feedback from packet loss information to control the packet dropping process. The network entity receives information about upstream and downstream packet loss and adjusts the maximum quantity of obsolete packets that can be dropped accordingly, ensuring that throughput optimization does not compromise congestion handling capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the throughput optimization approach from uncontrolled packet dropping to parameter-based controlled dropping. By determining a maximum quantity of droppable packets based on network conditions, the system optimizes throughput while maintaining proper congestion handling through quantitative control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250392531A1Intentional dropping of obsolete packets

Publication Date: 2025.12.25 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a network entity may receive information about upstream and downstream packet loss that is associated with a determination that the network entity is allowed to intentionally drop obsolete packets that are not necessary for reconstructing source packets. The network entity may determine a maximum quantity of obsolete packets that can be dropped based at least in part on the information about upstream and downstream packet loss. The network entity may transmit the source packets while dropping obsolete packets, up to the maximum quantity of obsolete packets. Numerous other aspects are described.