Relay Node Multiplexing MAC PDUs for Network Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems are inefficient as they can only transmit one MAC PDU per transport block per user agent, limiting the ability of relay nodes to combine transport blocks from multiple users, which restricts network capacity and resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a mechanism for relay nodes to multiplex multiple MAC PDUs from different user agents into a Super-MAC PDU, which is then transmitted to an access node for demultiplexing and delivery to individual user agents, enhancing network efficiency and capacity by increasing transport block size and reducing overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If relay nodes transmit one MAC PDU per transport block per user agent, then system complexity is reduced, but network capacity and resource utilization are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple MAC PDUs from different user agents into a single Super-MAC PDU at the relay node. This merging approach increases network capacity by allowing multiple users to share a single transport block, thereby improving resource utilization without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay node is designed with multi-functionality to perform both traditional single-user MAC PDU transmission and the new multi-user Super-MAC PDU multiplexing. This universal design allows the system to support multiple operational modes, enhancing network capacity while maintaining compatibility with existing protocols and reducing the need for completely new system architecture.
2Productivity
If relay nodes multiplex multiple MAC PDUs into Super-MAC PDU, then network capacity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the Super-MAC PDU into multiple individual MAC PDUs at the access node for delivery to specific user agents. This segmentation approach allows the relay node to focus on the simpler task of multiplexing without handling the complexity of demultiplexing and individual user delivery, thereby limiting the increase in relay node complexity while still achieving increased network capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The access node acts as an intermediary between the relay node and user agents. It receives the Super-MAC PDU from the relay node, performs demultiplexing, and delivers individual MAC PDUs to the appropriate user agents. This intermediary approach offloads the complexity of multi-user management from the relay node, allowing the relay node to increase network capacity without proportionally increasing its own device complexity.
3Productivity
If transport block size is increased through multiplexing, then network throughput improves, but control channel overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple MAC PDUs into a single Super-MAC PDU, which increases the transport block size and thereby improves network throughput. By combining multiple users' data into one transmission unit, the system achieves higher throughput while the control channel overhead is amortized across multiple users, effectively reducing the overhead per user rather than increasing total overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
A relay node is described herein, the relay node comprising a network connectivity device configured to receive a plurality of medium access control layer (MAC) packet data units (PDUs) from a plurality of user agents; a processor configured to multiplex the plurality of MAC PDUs to form a Super-MAC PDU; and wherein the network connectivity device is further configured to transmit the Super-MAC PDU to an access node.