Unciphered SDAP Header for Wireless QoS Prioritization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently prioritizing and processing data packets across multiple protocol layers, particularly in maintaining quality of service (QoS) flows during transmission and reception, which affects data integrity and transmission efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a method where a transmitting device maps quality of service (QoS) flows to data radio bearers and transmits media access control (MAC) protocol data units (PDUs) with a partially ciphered packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) payload, including an unciphered service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) header, allowing for prioritization and efficient processing at both the transmitting and receiving devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the entire PDCP payload is ciphered for security, then data confidentiality is improved, but the receiving device cannot read QoS information until after decryption, increasing processing time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata confidentialityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The PDCP payload is segmented into two parts: a non-ciphered portion containing the SDAP header with QoS information, and a ciphered portion containing the actual data payload. This segmentation allows the receiver to access QoS information immediately without waiting for full decryption, while still maintaining confidentiality of the data content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The SDAP header containing QoS information is extracted from the ciphered payload and placed in a non-ciphered portion of the PDCP payload. This extraction enables the receiving device to read prioritization and QoS information before deciphering the main payload, reducing processing delay while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If QoS flows are prioritized at the MAC layer, then transmission efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple protocol layer mappings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission efficiencyVSAvoidprotocol layer complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

QoS prioritization information is prepared and embedded in the SDAP header at the PDCP layer before MAC layer processing. This preliminary action allows the MAC layer to perform prioritization based on pre-configured QoS parameters without complex real-time analysis, reducing processing complexity while maintaining efficient prioritization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The SDAP header acts as an intermediary carrier of QoS information between the PDCP layer and MAC layer. It provides structured QoS parameters that the MAC layer can use for prioritization without requiring the MAC layer to interpret complex protocol details, simplifying the interface between layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3689020B1Header formats in wireless communication
Publication Date: 2023.05.24 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3689020B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3689020B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3689020B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatuses for wireless communication using a protocol data unit (PDU) including a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) PDU that has an unciphered header. The unciphered SDAP header facilitates various optimizations in wireless communication.