UE Relay RLC Channel Mapping for Multi-Destination Data Routing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in UE-to-UE relay communication is the multiplexing of data from different destination terminal equipments to the same RLC channel, and the unclear method for data transmission by the MAC layer to distinguish between different destination UEs.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for a relay terminal equipment to determine distinct egress RLC channels for different destination terminal equipments, enabling data transmission to the correct destination via these channels, and for a source terminal equipment to determine appropriate egress RLC channels for data transmission to multiple destinations without explicit identifiers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data from different destination UEs is multiplexed to the same RLC channel, then resource utilization is improved, but data transmission reliability deteriorates due to unclear destination identification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the RLC channel into multiple logical channels, each dedicated to a specific destination UE. This is achieved by introducing a logical channel identifier (LCID) field in the MAC PDU structure, which allows the MAC layer to differentiate between multiple destinations while using the same physical RLC channel resources. The segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining resource efficiency through channel sharing while ensuring reliable destination identification through logical channel separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different logical channel characteristics (identified by LCID) to different data streams within the same RLC channel. Each logical channel is locally optimized for its specific destination UE, with appropriate quality of service parameters and identification mechanisms. This allows the system to maintain high resource utilization while ensuring each destination receives its data with the required reliability through destination-specific logical channel properties.
2Reliability
If distinct egress RLC channels are allocated for different destination UEs, then data transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the MAC layer as an intermediary between the upper layers and the RLC channels. The MAC layer handles the complexity of destination identification and logical channel management through standardized procedures and fields (such as LCID in MAC PDU). This intermediary approach maintains simple RLC channel structures while providing robust destination differentiation at the MAC layer, thus improving reliability without significantly increasing RLC layer complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the RLC channel universal by allowing it to carry data for multiple destination UEs through the introduction of logical channel identifiers. Instead of creating dedicated physical RLC channels for each destination (which would increase complexity), the same RLC channel structure is made multi-functional through the MAC layer's ability to identify and route data to different destinations using LCID fields. This universality maintains channel management simplicity while ensuring reliable destination-specific transmission.
3Ease of operation
If multiplexing is supported for different destination UEs on the same RLC channel, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to difficulty in distinguishing data destinations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where logical channels are nested within the RLC channel framework. The MAC layer introduces logical channel identifiers (LCID) that are nested within the MAC PDU structure, which in turn carries data over the RLC channel. This nested organization allows the system to maintain simple RLC channel configuration (ease of operation) while providing precise destination identification through the nested logical channel identifiers. The nested structure enables multiple levels of abstraction, keeping the RLC layer simple while adding destination differentiation capabilities at the MAC layer.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for receiving and transmitting data, configured in a relay terminal equipment, includes: a receiver configured to receive a first data packet transmitted by a source terminal equipment to a destination terminal equipment, the first data packet comprising data transmitted by the source terminal equipment to the destination terminal equipment; processor circuitry configured to determine a first egress RLC (Radio Link Control) channel according to mapping relationship of radio bearers (RBs) and egress RLC channels for a pair of the source terminal equipment and the destination terminal equipment configured by a first configuration information, wherein the first configuration information comprising an identifier of the source terminal equipment, an identifier of the destination terminal equipment, and mapping relationship information of radio bearers (RBs) and egress RLC channels corresponding to the pair of the source terminal equipment and the destination terminal equipment; and a transmitter.