Selective Packet Payload Compression in 5G User Equipment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current approaches fail to effectively handle network congestion in 5G broadband cellular networks by not leveraging available computational bandwidth at 'last mile' devices for selective packet payload data compression, leading to increased latency and degraded user experiences.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that wirelessly receives a congestion signal by user equipment (UE) connected to a broadband cellular network, determines current processor utilization, and based on this information, decides whether to automatically enable selective packet payload data compression. If enabled, the method compresses payload data of data packets and forwards them for transmission on the network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If packet payload data compression is performed at UE during network congestion, then radio link traffic is reduced and network congestion is alleviated, but device complexity and processing overhead at UE increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork throughputVSAvoidcompression processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes the compression parameter (enabled/disabled) based on network congestion conditions. When congestion is detected via congestion signals from the network, the UE activates compression for specific packet types (HTTP, HTTPS, DNS), and disables it when congestion clears, optimizing network throughput while managing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The compression functionality is made dynamic rather than static. The UE continuously monitors for congestion signals and packet type information, adjusting the compression state in real-time based on current network conditions and packet characteristics, allowing the system to adapt between low-complexity and high-performance states

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of time

If selective packet payload data compression is enabled at UE, then application-to-network packet transmission latency is reduced, but processor utilization and energy consumption at UE increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacket transmission latencyVSAvoidprocessor energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of compressing all packets uniformly, the system applies compression selectively based on packet type (HTTP, HTTPS, DNS) and network congestion conditions. This localized approach compresses only the packets that will benefit from reduced transmission time while avoiding unnecessary processing energy consumption for other packet types

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs partial compression action by enabling compression for specific packet types rather than all packets. This partial approach reduces latency for critical data while limiting processor energy consumption to only what is necessary for selected packet types during congestion periods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If automatic compression enabling based on congestion signals is implemented, then network resource utilization is optimized, but control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork adaptation capabilityVSAvoidcontrol logic complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the UE monitors congestion signals sent by the network, automatically adjusts compression based on these feedback signals, and adapts its behavior according to real-time network conditions. This feedback loop enables optimized network resource utilization through automatic adaptation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The UE autonomously manages compression without requiring complex external control. It self-monitors for congestion signals, self-determines which packet types to compress based on received information, and self-adjusts the compression state, simplifying the overall control system while maintaining high adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4397073B1Selective compression of packet payload data in a 5g network
Publication Date: 2025.02.19 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION
  • EP4397073B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4397073B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4397073B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Selective compression of packet payload data in a 5G network includes receiving a congestion signal by user equipment (UE) connected to a broadband cellular network based on network traffic congestion in hardware of the network and indicating the network traffic congestion, determining current processor utilization of the UE, based on the received congestion signal, the determined current processor utilization, and known times for data compression and decompression, determining whether to automatically enable selective packet payload data compression on the UE, and based on determining to automatically enable selective packet payload data compression, compressing payload data of data packet(s) generated by the UE, and forwarding the data packet(s) with the compressed payload data for transmission on the broadband cellular network.