RLC Protocol Layer Retransmission Latency Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, deploying multiple protocol layers with respective retransmission mechanisms introduces unnecessary latency due to serial execution of these mechanisms, particularly at the Radio Link Control (RLC) protocol layer.
Innovation Solution
Implementing mechanisms at the Physical (PHY) and/or Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol layers to inform the RLC protocol layer when retransmissions have been completed, allowing early termination of RLC timers and initiating RLC retransmissions, thereby reducing latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple protocol layers with respective retransmission mechanisms are deployed, then data packet reliability is improved, but latency increases due to serial execution of retransmission mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The lower protocol layer performs retransmission actions in advance and provides early termination indication to the RLC layer before the RLC timer would naturally expire. This allows the RLC layer to stop waiting and proceed with higher layer processing, reducing overall latency while maintaining reliability through the coordinated retransmission mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a feedback mechanism where the lower protocol layer informs the RLC layer about the completion status of retransmission mechanisms. This feedback allows the RLC layer to adjust its timer operation and make informed decisions about packet delivery, resolving the contradiction by enabling the RLC layer to terminate waiting early when retransmission is complete
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, method, and computer program for causing a receiver to perform: receiving, at a lower protocol layer of the receiver from a lower protocol layer of a transmitter, an indication of when a first retransmission mechanism between the transmitter and receiver at the lower protocol layer will terminate; causing retransmission of a data packet according to the first retransmission mechanism; determining, at the lower protocol layer of the receiver using the received indication, that the first retransmission mechanism has been completed in respect of the data packet; and signaling, from the lower protocol layer of the receiver to a radio link control, RLC, protocol layer of the receiver, an indication that the data packet has not been received.