Merging RLC and MAC Layers for Wireless Data Reassembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems, particularly in LTE networks, face inefficiencies due to repeated functions and complexity in data reordering processes across protocol layers, leading to increased delay and overhead, which are exacerbated by separate handling of ARQ and HARQ processes.
Innovation Solution
The method involves merging the RLC layer into the MAC layer and simplifying data reordering by eliminating redundant functions, allowing for a single reordering process at the base station, which reduces data interaction delay and overhead by directly transmitting and reassembling data blocks without intermediate reordering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is reordered separately at both MAC layer and RLC layer, then data blocks can be correctly reassembled, but the number of reorderings increases leading to increased delay and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the RLC layer into the MAC layer, eliminating the separate RLC reordering step. The MAC layer performs both HARQ reordering and ARQ reordering in a single integrated process, reducing the number of reordering operations from two to one while maintaining data reassembly correctness
Solution Approach 2:
The MAC layer is enhanced to perform multiple functions previously distributed across MAC and RLC layers, including both HARQ and ARQ reordering, segmentation, concatenation, and data reassembly. This multi-functionality reduces inter-layer interactions and associated delays
2Reliability
If RLC layer segments and concatenates data with headers, then data can be properly reassembled, but protocol complexity and overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the RLC layer's segmentation and concatenation functions into the MAC layer. The MAC layer now handles both HARQ and ARQ segmentation/concatenation operations, eliminating redundant protocol layers and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining data integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the RLC layer entirely from the protocol stack and integrates its essential functions directly into the MAC layer. This extraction eliminates the need for separate RLC protocol headers and reduces protocol overhead
3Reliability
If separate ARQ and HARQ reordering processes are implemented, then data reliability is improved, but the number of reordering operations increases leading to increased overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the separate ARQ and HARQ reordering processes into a single integrated reordering mechanism at the MAC layer. The MAC entity maintains buffers for both HARQ and ARQ processes and performs reordering in a unified manner, reducing protocol overhead while maintaining the reliability benefits of both mechanisms
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for reassembling data in wireless communication system and an apparatus thereof. The said method comprises: after the MAC entity at the receiving side receives the transmission block decoded correctly, the transmission block is sent to the link control entity; the link control entity at the receiving side de-encapsulates the received transmission block, reassembles and re-classes the de-encapsulated up-layer PDU and acquires the SDU. The the apparatus comprises: the first re-transmitting unit for directly sending the received transmission block to the second re-transmitting unit; the second re-transmitting unit connected with the first re-transmitting unit, for de-encapsulating the received transmission block, then acquiring the up-layer PDU, and reassembling and re-classing the the up-layer PDU, acquiring the SDU, then sending the SDU to the up-layer. The transmission delay and the cost of the data are reduced by reducing the reassembling times of the data between the protocol layers and simplifying the information of data header.