Unified Cellular Data-Plane Header for Lower Decoding Complexity

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless networks fail to efficiently process data packets due to independent headers in cellular data-plane layers, resulting in over-the-air inefficiency and decoding complexity.

Innovation Solution

Implement a unified data-plane header across all cellular data-plane layers, incorporating novel control/data sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If independent headers are used in each cellular data-plane layer, then each layer can process data independently, but header information is duplicated and decoding complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelayered data processing capabilityVSAvoidheader duplication and decoding complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the header structures across multiple cellular data-plane layers (SDAP, PDCP, RLC, MAC) into a single unified header. This unified header contains common fields that are reused by all layers, eliminating the need for duplicate header information at each layer while maintaining the layered processing architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The unified header is designed to serve multiple functions across different data-plane layers. A single header structure provides common control information that is interpreted and utilized by SDAP, PDCP, RLC, and MAC layers, making the header universal rather than layer-specific.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If independent headers are used in each cellular data-plane layer, then layer-specific control is maintained, but over-the-air efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelayer-specific control capabilityVSAvoidover-the-air efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

By combining multiple layer headers into one unified header transmitted over the air interface, the patent reduces the total number of bits transmitted. This eliminates redundant header information that would otherwise be sent multiple times across different layers, improving spectral efficiency and reducing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If a unified data-plane header is implemented, then header information is not duplicated and decoding complexity is reduced, but new header structure design is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheader structure simplicityVSAvoidheader structure design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The unified header is segmented into distinct fields and sections that can be independently defined and processed. The header includes a control section, headers section, and data sections, with each part serving specific functions. This segmentation makes the design more manageable while achieving the simplification goal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250392655A1Unified Cellular Data-Plane Headers and Control/Data Sections

Publication Date: 2025.12.25 APPLE INC

AI summary

An apparatus configured to receive, based on signals from another apparatus, a transport block comprising a control section, a headers section, and one or more data sections, the transport block having a unified data-plane header and process the transport block based on the unified data-plane header. In some examples, the unified data-plane header comprises a data/control field set to CTRL.