UMTS MAC Layer Inband Signaling for Fast Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
The UMTS radio interface's slow resource management due to inefficient signaling between user equipment and the RNC hinders fast and efficient data transmission over dedicated transport channels.
Innovation Solution
Implementing inband signaling at the MAC layer to differentiate between data and signaling transport blocks, moving RRC functionalities to the base station, and creating special signaling transport blocks to enable faster radio resource management and data exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If RRC signaling is performed via RNC using traditional protocol layers, then structural conformity with UMTS standard is maintained, but data transmission speed is slow due to inefficient resource management signaling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts RRC signaling functionality from the RNC and relocates it to the base station. This separation allows resource management signaling to be handled locally at the base station, eliminating the need for slow RNC-UE signaling paths while maintaining UMTS protocol structure. The MAC layer at the base station directly manages transport channel resources without RNC intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a MAC layer intermediary at the base station that mediates between the physical layer transport channels and the RRC layer. This MAC entity creates and manages signaling transport blocks, enabling fast local resource allocation while preserving the three-layer UMTS protocol architecture. The MAC layer acts as a bridge that accelerates signaling without requiring RNC involvement.
2Productivity
If data and signaling are transmitted through the same transport channel without differentiation, then protocol simplicity is maintained, but transmission efficiency is reduced due to inability to optimize resource allocation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments transport blocks into two distinct types: data transport blocks and signaling transport blocks. Each type has its own format and handling procedures. Data blocks carry user information while signaling blocks carry resource management commands. This segmentation enables optimized resource allocation for each type without requiring complex multiplexing schemes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different quality characteristics to different parts of the transport channel structure. Signaling transport blocks use a specialized format with specific field configurations optimized for control information, while data transport blocks use formats optimized for user payload. This local differentiation improves overall transmission efficiency without requiring complete structural redesign.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system and computer program product for the transmission of data from a transmitter to a receiver according to the standard universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS standard). The present invention is directed to improving data transmission according to the UMTS standard. To this end, the transmission of data is accelerated, and an inband-signaling of information is carried out on an MAC-layer plane, wherein the information is particularly relevant to the UMTS base station (BS).