RLP Header Routing for Wireless Packet Delivery

The patent introduces an intermediary tunneling mechanism between remote and serving access points. The serving AP acts as an intermediary that receives tunneled packets from remote APs, processes them through appropriate RLP modules, and delivers them to the AT. This intermediary approach maintains reliable packet delivery while distributing complexity across multiple specialized components rather than requiring every AP to handle all processing independently.

The patent segments the packet processing function into distinct RLP modules associated with different access points. Each RLP module is specialized for handling packets from its corresponding AP, and the system uses segmentation to route packets through the appropriate module. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliability through dedicated processing paths while managing complexity by dividing functionality into discrete, manageable units.

The patent extracts control information (such as reprocess indicators and addressing data) into separate header fields that can be independently processed. By taking out these control values from the main data payload and placing them in structured headers, the system achieves accurate packet routing and processing while allowing the data portion to be transmitted efficiently. The headers are processed separately by header processing modules, preventing them from becoming bottlenecks in the data transmission path.

The patent applies local quality by using different header structures and control values depending on the specific processing needs of each packet type and routing scenario. Rather than using a uniform header structure for all packets, the system employs localized header designs that include only the necessary control information for each particular case, thereby minimizing overhead while maintaining the required processing accuracy for each packet type.

The patent implements self-service through self-identifying packet structures that contain addressing information and control values enabling packets to automatically route themselves to the correct RLP module. Each packet carries its own routing information (such as source AP identifiers), allowing it to navigate the system independently without requiring complex centralized routing logic. This self-service mechanism provides adaptability across multiple APs while reducing processing complexity by distributing routing decisions to individual packets.

The patent creates a universal packet structure and addressing scheme that works across multiple different access points and RLP modules. The standardized header format and control values enable the same packet structure to be processed by any RLP module in the system, providing universality that enhances adaptability. This multi-functional approach allows a single packet design to serve multiple APs and processing scenarios without requiring separate specialized protocols for each case.