Uplink Framing Apparatus Using Segmented MAC Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mobile communication systems, implementing uplink framing with long frame periods leads to increased round trip time and congestion, making it difficult to support fast data transmission, especially when all functions are implemented by hardware, due to increased complexity and debugging challenges, and the need for external memory interfaces.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an uplink framing apparatus with a high MAC unit and a low MAC unit, where the high MAC unit handles connection settings and data processing, and the low MAC unit generates and stores MAC PDUs, using a combination of software and hardware to manage memory and radio resource allocation, thereby optimizing frame generation and transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If all functions are implemented by hardware, then data transmission speed is improved, but device complexity and debugging complexity are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The MAC layer is segmented into high MAC (software) and low MAC (hardware) units. The high MAC unit handles connection settings, data processing, and memory management, while the low MAC unit handles radio resource allocation and MAC PDU generation. This segmentation allows critical time-sensitive functions to be implemented in hardware for speed while keeping overall system complexity manageable through software control.
2Speed
If all functions are implemented by hardware, then data transmission speed is improved, but debugging complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the MAC functionality into high MAC (software) and low MAC (hardware) units, the patent enables independent debugging of each unit. The software-based high MAC unit can be tested and modified independently from the hardware-based low MAC unit, significantly reducing debugging complexity while maintaining fast data transmission through hardware acceleration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a plurality of external memories are connected, then traffic session connection is supported, but interface implementation difficulty and external interface delay are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple memory management functions into a unified memory buffer within the high MAC unit. Instead of requiring separate external memory interfaces for each traffic session, the system uses a single memory buffer that can be dynamically allocated to different traffic sessions through software control, eliminating the need for multiple external memory connections and reducing interface complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If external memories are connected, then traffic session connection is supported, but external interface delay occurs
Solution Approach 1:
By consolidating memory functions into an internal memory buffer within the high MAC unit, the patent eliminates external memory interface delays. The memory buffer provides direct access to data packets and control signals without requiring external memory interfaces, thereby supporting multiple traffic sessions while avoiding the time delays associated with external memory access.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an uplink framing method and apparatus in a mobile communication system. After a mobile terminal and a base station are connected to each other in a wireless manner, the base station allocates an uplink radio resource to a medium access control (MAC) layer of the mobile terminal, and then scheduling is performed for each connection in a buffer. Next, a packet data unit (PDU) is generated to satisfy the uplink time constraint and then transmitted to the base station. Therefore, hardware implementation complexity can be minimized in a mobile communication system that should support fast data transmission, and at the same time, a required uplink framing time can be minimized in a system that supports a short frame period.