SDAP QoS Flow Mapping for Priority-Aware PDCP Transmission

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communications networks face challenges in efficiently handling diverse data traffic profiles and prioritizing data units with varying priorities without degrading the reliability of other data transmissions.

Innovation Solution

A method where a communications device receives service data units at a Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer, maps them to quality of service (QoS) flows, and rearranges the order of transmission based on determined relative priorities among service data units, using packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) radio bearers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If data units are transmitted in the order they are received at the SDAP layer, then the transmission process is simple and reliable, but high-priority data units cannot be transmitted faster

Engineering Contradiction:
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the transmission order of protocol data units dynamic rather than fixed. The PDCP entity determines transmission order based on priority information in service data units, allowing high-priority data to be transmitted faster when needed. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between simple transmission and fast high-priority data delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by treating different service data units differently based on their priority levels. The PDCP entity identifies priority information in specific service data units and applies different transmission handling to high-priority versus low-priority data. This localized differentiation enables fast transmission of critical data without fundamentally changing the entire transmission process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Speed

If the transmission order of protocol data units is changed based on priority, then high-priority data can be transmitted faster, but the reliability of data delivery may be degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by having the PDCP entity continuously monitor priority information in service data units and adjust transmission order accordingly. The feedback mechanism ensures that transmission order changes are based on actual priority indicators, allowing the system to maintain reliability by only reordering when priority information justifies the change.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the PDCP entity prepare and identify priority information in service data units before transmission occurs. By preliminarily determining which data units require faster transmission based on embedded priority indicators, the system can execute ordered transmission without compromising reliability - only reordering when priority information is present and valid.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If service data units are mapped to multiple radio bearers with different priorities, then data transmission efficiency is improved, but the complexity of mapping and management increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by having the PDCP entity perform multiple functions: it processes service data units, identifies priority information, determines transmission order, and manages mapping to radio bearers. This multi-functional approach consolidates complexity into a single entity rather than distributing it across multiple components, thereby improving transmission efficiency without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3788816B1Wireless communications apparatus and methods
Publication Date: 2025.10.15
  • EP3788816B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3788816B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3788816B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of transmitting data by a communications device, the method comprising receiving a plurality of service data units including a first service data unit and a second service data unit at a Service Data Adaptation Protocol, SDAP, service access point, SAP, according to one or more quality of service, QoS, flows, each of the QoS flows defining a quality of service for the data received from the service data units,mapping the service data units received according to the one or more QoS flows on to one or more radio bearers, each of the one or more radio bearers being defined by a packet data convergence protocol, PDCP, entity within a PDCP layer,forming the service data units into protocol data units for transmission via the radio bearer to which the corresponding QoS flow has been mapped, and transmitting the protocol data units via the corresponding radio bearer according to the mapping, wherein the communications device is configured to change an order of transmission via one of the radio bearers of protocol data units formed from the first and second service data units in accordance with a determined relative priority of one or more of the service data units with respect to one or more other service data units.