UMTS MAC Layer Packet Forwarding for Congestion Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
UMTS communication networks experience congestion events, such as data packet loss or delay, which current solutions inadequately address, leading to inefficiencies in data packet forwarding and resource wastage.
Innovation Solution
A method for handling data packet streams in UMTS communication devices by determining whether a lost data packet can be retransmitted; if not, subsequent packets are immediately forwarded from the MAC protocol layer to the RLC protocol layer, skipping unnecessary waiting processes and reducing computational resource waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data packets are stored at the MAC protocol layer for a predetermined period to wait for retransmission of lost packets, then packet retransmission reliability is improved, but data packet forwarding speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the storage behavior of data packets at the MAC protocol layer based on real-time congestion detection. When congestion is detected, packets are stored for a predetermined period to allow retransmission opportunities. When no congestion is present, packets are forwarded immediately without storage. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the storage duration variable rather than fixed, optimizing both reliability and speed according to network conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of packet storage duration from a fixed predetermined period to a conditional time period based on congestion detection results. The system monitors network congestion status and adjusts whether packets should be stored or forwarded immediately. This parameter change allows the system to achieve high reliability when needed (during congestion) while maintaining high forwarding speed when conditions permit (during normal operation).
2Reliability
If a waiting process is implemented for lost data packet retransmission, then packet loss recovery is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of congestion events before implementing the waiting process. By detecting congestion status in advance and making decisions about packet storage or immediate forwarding, the system avoids unnecessary waiting time. The preliminary action of congestion detection ensures that the waiting process is only initiated when truly needed, thus reducing processing time while maintaining packet loss recovery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the waiting process from a mandatory sequential operation and makes it conditional. Instead of always waiting for retransmission opportunities, the system extracts the waiting functionality and only applies it when congestion detection indicates packets should be stored. This extraction allows the system to eliminate unnecessary waiting time while preserving the ability to recover lost packets when conditions are favorable.
3Stability of the object's composition
If all data packets are stored at the MAC protocol layer during congestion, then packet ordering is improved, but data throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial storage action rather than storing all packets unconditionally. Only packets that should be stored according to congestion detection results are held at the MAC protocol layer, while other packets are forwarded immediately. This partial action maintains packet ordering stability for affected packets while minimizing the impact on overall data throughput by avoiding unnecessary storage of all packets.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of handling a data packet stream at different communication protocol layer levels of a communication protocol layer stack of an UMTS communication device is provided. The method comprises: Receiving a data packet stream at the communication device; Determining whether, in case of a loss of a data packet of the data packet stream, it is possible to retransmit the lost data packet to the communication device; and immediately transmitting data packets of the data packet stream succeeding the lost data packet from a MAC protocol layer level to a RLC protocol layer level if it is determined that the lost data packet cannot be retransmitted to the communication device, and otherwise storing data packets of the data packet stream succeeding the lost data packet for a third period of time at the MAC protocol layer level, which third period of time is longer than the second time period.