RLC Status PDU NACK Range Field Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Next-generation wireless access networks face challenges in efficiently managing RLC status reporting, leading to increased overhead and inability to meet low-latency and high-reliability data transmission requirements due to the removal of the RLC concatenation function, which results in a higher number of RLC PDUs being lost during transmission.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for configuring and transmitting RLC status PDUs that include a NACK sequence number field and a NACK range field, allowing for efficient detection and reporting of lost RLC data units without performing data unit connection functions in the RLC layer, but rather in the MAC layer, thereby reducing system overload and ensuring reliable data transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the RLC concatenation function is removed and data unit connection is performed in the MAC layer, then terminal processing speed is improved, but RLC PDU loss increases and status reporting overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveterminal processing speedVSAvoidRLC PDU delivery reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the status reporting mechanism into two parts: a compact status PDU for normal operation and an extended status PDU for loss detection. This segmentation allows the system to maintain fast processing while providing reliable loss detection when needed, resolving the contradiction between speed and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic status reporting mechanism where the terminal switches between normal status reporting and loss detection reporting based on channel conditions and transmission requirements. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize for speed when conditions permit and switch to reliability mode when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If traditional status reporting is used without NACK range field, then protocol simplicity is maintained, but overhead increases when multiple PDUs are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestatus reporting protocol simplicityVSAvoidstatus reporting overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple NACK indicators into a single NACK range field that can represent multiple lost PDUs using start and end sequence numbers. This combining approach maintains protocol simplicity while dramatically reducing the overhead required to report multiple losses compared to sending individual NACKs for each lost PDU.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter representation from individual binary NACK flags to a compact range notation using start and end sequence numbers. This parameter transformation allows the system to represent the same information with fewer bits, reducing overhead while maintaining simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10880222B2Method and apparatus for transmitting a RLC layer status report

Publication Date: 2020.12.29 KT CORP

AI summary

A method of a terminal may be provided for transmitting an RLC status protocol data unit (PDU). The method may include receiving an RLC data unit from a base station, configuring the RLC status PDU indicating whether the RLC data unit is received, where the RLC status PDU includes at least one of a negative acknowledgement (NACK) sequence number field and a NACK range field; and transmitting the RLC status PDU to the base station.