RLC Entity Segmentation for Mixed Numerology Carrier Aggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing radio link control (RLC) functions across carriers with different numerologies in carrier aggregation, leading to suboptimal resource usage, increased latency, and decreased throughput due to the need for a single RLC entity to handle multiple configurations with distinct parameters.
Innovation Solution
Implementing multiple RLC entities, each associated with a specific numerology and set of RLC parameters, allows for parallel processing of RLC functions across carriers with different configurations, optimizing resource consumption and improving communication reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single RLC entity is used to handle multiple carrier configurations, then device complexity is reduced, but resource usage efficiency deteriorates and latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the RLC functionality by creating separate RLC entities for each carrier configuration or numerology. Instead of one unified RLC entity handling all carriers, multiple specialized RLC entities are instantiated, each optimized for specific carrier parameters. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by accepting increased device complexity in exchange for significant improvements in resource usage efficiency and reduced latency.
2Device complexity
If a single RLC entity handles multiple carrier configurations, then device complexity is reduced, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing RLC processing into separate entities per carrier configuration, the patent eliminates the sequential processing bottleneck. Each RLC entity can process its assigned carriers independently and in parallel, directly reducing RLC processing latency while accepting the trade-off of increased device complexity through multiple entity instances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic RLC entity management where entities can be instantiated, activated, or deactivated based on current carrier aggregation configurations. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize latency by having dedicated RLC entities ready for specific numerologies while managing device complexity through selective entity creation rather than always maintaining all possible entities.
3Productivity
If multiple RLC entities are implemented for different numerologies, then resource usage efficiency improves and latency reduces, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements RLC entities with universal functionality that can handle multiple numerologies and carrier configurations through configurable parameters. Rather than creating entirely separate specialized entities for each numerology, the RLC entities are designed to be multi-functional, adapting their behavior based on configuration parameters. This reduces device complexity by having a smaller set of versatile entities compared to fully specialized entities for each scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes to manage RLC entity behavior across different numerologies. By configuring RLC entities with adjustable parameters that match specific carrier characteristics (such as subcarrier spacing, slot duration, etc.), the system achieves optimized resource usage for each numerology without requiring completely separate entity implementations. This parameter-based adaptation balances resource efficiency with manageable device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a wireless communication device may establish a first carrier of a carrier aggregation (CA) configuration, wherein the first carrier is associated with a first configuration. The wireless communication device may establish a second carrier of the CA configuration, wherein the second carrier is associated with a second configuration different than the first configuration. The wireless communication device may receive information indicating a first set of radio link control (RLC) parameters for the first configuration and a second set of RLC parameters for the second configuration. The wireless communication device may perform an RLC function for a first communication on the first carrier using the first set of RLC parameters and for a second communication on the second carrier using the second set of RLC parameters. Numerous other aspects are described.