Single MAC Entity Multiplexing Multiple RLC Entities
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G and NR systems, the high communication speed of the physical layer is not fully realized due to bottlenecks in the PDCP and RLC layers, leading to redundant processes and increased overhead, particularly in uplink transmission and dual connectivity scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A radio communication apparatus is designed with a PDCP processing unit, an RLC processing unit, and a MAC processing unit, where multiple RLC entities are set in the RLC layer and a single MAC entity is used in the MAC layer, allowing for efficient parallelization by avoiding redundant MAC processes and optimizing data multiplexing across layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple MAC entities are set to correspond to multiple RLC entities in dual connectivity, then each RLC entity can be independently processed, but redundant MAC processes such as buffer status report and power head room reporting are performed, increasing overhead and reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple MAC entities into a single MAC entity that serves multiple RLC entities. The MAC layer is configured with multiple logical channels corresponding to multiple RLC entities, allowing the single MAC entity to handle multiple RLC entities without performing redundant MAC processes such as separate buffer status reports and power head room reports for each MAC entity.
2Productivity
If multiple MAC entities are set to correspond to multiple RLC entities, then independent processing is enabled, but the base station must individually transmit PDCCH to each MAC entity, increasing signaling overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple MAC entities into one MAC entity that manages multiple logical channels. This allows the base station to transmit a single PDCCH that schedules multiple logical channels instead of transmitting separate PDCCH for each MAC entity, thereby reducing control channel overhead while maintaining parallel processing capability through multiple logical channels within the single MAC entity.
3Reliability
If MAC entities and RLC entities are associated as one-to-one pairs, then each MAC entity can process its corresponding RLC entity, but a MAC entity cannot multiplex RLC PDU from different RLC entities, reducing multiplexing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the single MAC entity universal by enabling it to handle multiple logical channels that correspond to multiple RLC entities. The MAC entity can multiplex RLC PDU from different RLC entities through different logical channels, thereby improving data multiplexing efficiency while maintaining reliable entity association through the logical channel to RLC entity mapping.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A technology for realizing an efficient parallelization process in PDCP/RLC layers is provided. According to an embodiment of the invention, a radio communication apparatus includes: a PDCP processing unit configured to perform a process in a PDCP layer; an RLC processing unit configured to perform a process in an RLC layer; and a MAC processing unit configured to perform a process in a MAC layer. The RLC processing unit includes a plurality of RLC entities and the MAC processing unit includes a single MAC entity.