Packet Transmission Sequence Mapping for URLLC Deduplication Overhead

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Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), the access network device incurs high overheads due to the need for deduplication and replication of packets, which is inefficient.

Innovation Solution

The method involves converting the sequence number of the first protocol layer to the second protocol layer without deduplication, reducing overheads by sending packets with sequence numbers of the second protocol layer directly, using methods like redundant transmission paths or core network control plane indications to determine when conversion is necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the access network device performs deduplication processing followed by packet replication, then high reliability transmission is achieved, but device overheads become excessively high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacket transmission reliabilityVSAvoidaccess network device overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional processing order by performing packet replication at the first protocol layer before deduplication at the second protocol layer, rather than the traditional deduplication-first approach. This inversion allows the system to maintain high reliability while reducing access network device overhead by leveraging the terminal device's deduplication capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the terminal device as an intermediary that performs deduplication processing at the second protocol layer. By offloading the deduplication function from the access network device to the terminal device, the system achieves high reliability transmission while significantly reducing the computational overhead and complexity of the access network device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If sequence number conversion is performed on each packet, then proper routing and deduplication at the second protocol layer is enabled, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacket routing and deduplication efficiencyVSAvoidsequence number conversion time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs sequence number conversion at the first protocol layer as a preliminary action before packets reach the second protocol layer. This advance conversion ensures that packets are properly labeled with second protocol layer sequence numbers, enabling efficient routing and deduplication operations downstream without adding processing delays at critical stages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes a continuous sequence number conversion process that operates seamlessly across protocol layers. By maintaining uninterrupted sequence number mapping from the first to the second protocol layer, the system ensures smooth packet flow and eliminates processing interruptions, thereby reducing overall processing time while maintaining operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP3799375B1Message transmission method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3799375B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3799375B1 patent drawingFigure 2
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AI summary

This application provides a packet transmission method and an apparatus. The method includes: A first device supports a first protocol layer, and the first device replicates a packet at the first protocol layer. A second device supports a second protocol layer, and the second device deduplicates the packet at the second protocol layer. When receiving a first packet, a first access device converts a sequence number of the first protocol layer in the first packet into a sequence number of the second protocol layer, and then sends, to the second device, a second packet that carries the sequence number of the second protocol layer and a data packet of the first packet. For example, if the first access network device receives two packets having same data packets, the first access network device separately coverts sequence numbers in the two packets without performing operations of first deduplicating and then replicating the packet. Therefore, overheads of the first access network device can be reduced.