Dynamic RLC Timer Adjustment for LTE Base Stations

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Solution Overview

Problem

In LTE networks, improperly configured RLC timers lead to unnecessary retransmissions and resource wastage, increasing the risk of UE call drops due to increased scheduling delays and timeouts in high traffic scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A method for dynamically adjusting the length of RLC timers based on the number of accessing UEs, increasing the timer length by a preset increment when the UE count exceeds a threshold to prevent timeouts and resource wastage, and resetting to initial lengths when the UE count is within the threshold.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the polling retransmission timer configuration value is kept small to reduce waiting time, then the response speed is improved, but unnecessary retransmission occurs when UE scheduling delay exceeds timer length

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse speedVSAvoidretransmission accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the polling retransmission timer configurable and adjustable based on network conditions. The base station can dynamically set the timer length to adapt to different scheduling delays, transforming a static timer into a dynamic parameter that responds to actual network traffic patterns and UE scheduling intervals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of timer length from a fixed value to a configurable value. By adjusting the polling retransmission timer length parameter according to actual scheduling delays, the system optimizes the balance between response speed and retransmission accuracy, preventing both premature timeouts and excessive waiting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the status report prohibit timer configuration value is kept small to enable frequent status reports, then the status reporting frequency is improved, but resource waste occurs due to duplicate status reports

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestatus reporting frequencyVSAvoidradio resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the status report prohibit timer a dynamic parameter that can be configured based on network conditions. The base station adjusts the timer length to match the peer end's scheduling interval, ensuring status reports are sent at appropriate frequencies without causing duplicate transmissions or resource waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by monitoring whether status reports are successfully received and by detecting duplicate transmission conditions. When the base station determines that a status report has been or will be retransmitted by the peer end, it adjusts the prohibit timer to prevent duplicate reporting, creating a feedback loop that optimizes resource usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the RLC timer length is increased to prevent timeouts in high traffic scenarios, then the reliability is improved, but the timer responsiveness deteriorates in low traffic scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetimeout preventionVSAvoidtimer responsiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by implementing configurable RLC timer lengths that can be adjusted based on traffic conditions. In high traffic scenarios with long scheduling delays, the timer length is increased to prevent premature timeouts. In low traffic scenarios with short scheduling delays, the timer length is reduced to maintain responsiveness and avoid excessive waiting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the timer length parameter from a fixed value to a configurable value that adapts to traffic conditions. This parameter adjustment allows the system to optimize timer behavior for different network states, preventing both premature timeouts in high traffic and excessive delays in low traffic scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3197208B1Duration adjusting method for timer and base station
Publication Date: 2020.03.25 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3197208B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3197208B1 patent drawingFigure 3A
  • EP3197208B1 patent drawingFigure 3B

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method for adjusting a length of a timer and a base station, where the method includes: detecting whether a quantity of accessing user equipments UE in a cell exceeds a preset quantity threshold; and increasing a length of a Radio Link Control RLC timer by a preset increment when the quantity of accessing UEs exceeds the preset quantity threshold. In the embodiments of the present invention, a radio resource waste can be avoided, and a UE call drop risk can be reduced.