UE Frame-Level Discard Timer for Low-Latency Wireless Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge in wireless communication systems is to efficiently manage limited radio resources to reduce delay and latency, particularly in applications sensitive to performance degradation due to delay or latency.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for performing frame level discard operations by user equipment (UE) involving the use of a discard timer to manage the transmission of data units, where data units are discarded upon expiration of the timer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If data units are transmitted continuously without discard operation, then resource utilization may be improved, but delay and latency increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilizationVSAvoiddelay and latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by starting a discard timer when the first data unit of a frame is received, before actual transmission occurs. This timer pre-determines the maximum waiting time for frame completion, enabling proactive discarding of incomplete frames rather than reactive discarding after transmission delays occur. This resolves the contradiction by establishing a time boundary in advance that prevents indefinite waiting while allowing sufficient time for complete frame reception when possible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of time by introducing a configurable discard timer with specific time values. This timer parameter transforms the indefinite transmission waiting process into a bounded process with defined time limits. By adjusting this time parameter, the system can optimize between transmitting more data (longer timer) versus reducing latency (shorter timer), directly addressing the contradiction between resource utilization and delay/latency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of time

If discard timer is used to reduce latency, then delay is improved, but unnecessary transmission may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelay and latencyVSAvoidunnecessary transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback through the discard timer mechanism that continuously monitors frame reception status and automatically triggers discarding when the timer expires. This closed-loop feedback system prevents unnecessary transmission by providing real-time information about frame completion status to the transmission controller, enabling dynamic adjustment of transmission behavior based on actual reception progress rather than static transmission schedules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

By pre-configuring the discard timer with appropriate time values before transmission begins, the system performs preliminary action to establish transmission boundaries. This prevents energy waste on incomplete or lost frames by determining in advance the maximum acceptable waiting time, allowing the system to discard frames proactively rather than attempting futile retransmissions of data that will not be received.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If frame level discard operation is implemented, then resource utilization is optimized, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilizationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the data transmission process into discrete frame-level units with independent discard timers. Instead of managing entire data streams or large blocks of data, the system segments control to the frame level, where each frame can be independently tracked and discarded. This segmentation simplifies the complexity by creating small, manageable control units rather than requiring complex global transmission management, while still achieving optimized resource utilization through precise control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4664864A1Method and apparatus for performing frame level discard operation by user equipment in wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4664864A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4664864A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4664864A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method of performing a frame level discard operation by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system. In particular, the method includes the steps of: receiving a first data unit associated with a frame from an upper layer, wherein a discard timer is started upon receiving the first data unit; and receiving a second data unit associated with the frame from the upper layer; transmitting the first data unit and the second data unit while the discard timer is running, wherein, based on the discard timer being expired, the first data units and the second data unit are discarded.