RLC ACK Status Reporting for Faster Buffer Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in managing memory resources due to slow confirmation of successful data reception at the radio link control (RLC) layer, leading to prolonged buffer retention and unnecessary delays in feedback reporting, particularly in hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) and RLC processes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing ACK-specific status reporting for RLC packets, where a receiver transmits a status report with a first sequence number indicating all successfully received packets, allowing the transmitter to discard successfully received data and reduce memory consumption, while also providing flexible feedback for non-consecutive or partially received packets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional RLC status reporting is used, then all received packets are acknowledged individually, but memory resources are consumed longer due to slow confirmation and prolonged buffer retention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the status reporting mechanism into two types: traditional individual packet acknowledgments and the new ACK-specific status reports that acknowledge multiple packets with the same ACK status together. This segmentation allows the system to confirm multiple packets simultaneously when they share the same acknowledgment state, reducing overall buffer retention time while maintaining reliable confirmation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous buffer management by allowing the transmitter to clear buffers as soon as ACK-specific status reports confirm successful reception. This creates a continuous flow of buffer release opportunities rather than waiting for individual packet acknowledgments, optimizing memory resource utilization while maintaining reception reliability.
2Loss of information
If traditional status reporting is used, then feedback is provided for each packet, but device complexity increases due to prolonged buffer management and slower resource release
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual packet status reports into a single ACK-specific status report that covers multiple packets with the same acknowledgment status. This merging reduces the number of separate feedback messages and simplifies buffer management operations, decreasing device complexity while preserving complete feedback information through the consolidated report structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic buffer management where the transmitter can release buffers at multiple intermediate points based on ACK-specific status reports, rather than following a fixed sequential clearance pattern. This dynamic approach allows flexible resource allocation and simplifies buffer management by enabling early release when groups of packets are confirmed, reducing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If individual packet acknowledgments are sent, then reception status is confirmed, but latency increases due to slower feedback reporting and buffer management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary buffer release actions triggered by ACK-specific status reports. When the transmitter receives such a report indicating successful reception of multiple packets, it can proactively clear those buffers in advance, rather than waiting for individual packet confirmations. This preliminary action reduces latency and improves communication efficiency while maintaining reliable reception status confirmation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enhances the feedback mechanism by introducing ACK-specific status reports that provide consolidated reception status information. This improved feedback allows the transmitter to make faster decisions about buffer management and resource allocation, reducing latency and improving overall communication efficiency while preserving accurate reception status confirmation through the structured report format.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a receiver may receive a set of radio link control (RLC) packets. The receiver may transmit an RLC status report that includes a first sequence number of an RLC packet of the set of RLC packets, the first sequence number indicating that all RLC packets, of the set of RLC packets, having sequence numbers less than the first sequence number were successfully received by the receiver. Numerous other aspects are described.