Uplink MAC Token Scheduling for Multi-Carrier 5G Data Grants

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 5G cellular wireless modems face inefficiencies in managing multiple carriers due to non-scalable processing units, leading to excessive memory usage, power consumption, and potential delays in data transmission, particularly in high-throughput and low-latency applications.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a 5G UE uplink MAC token scheduling scheme with distributed logical channel prioritization microcontrollers (uCs) and a token value system to manage data transmission across multiple carriers, optimizing memory usage and processing timelines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple processing units are used to handle multiple carriers, then data transmission capacity is improved, but memory usage and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission capacityVSAvoidmemory usage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the processing system into multiple microcontrollers, each dedicated to specific carriers. Each microcontroller independently manages a subset of carriers, segmenting the overall processing task. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple carriers simultaneously (improving productivity) while each microcontroller maintains its own local buffer, preventing excessive memory accumulation in a single processing unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If multiple processing units are used to handle multiple carriers, then data transmission capacity is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission capacityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments carrier handling across multiple microcontrollers, where each microcontroller processes a specific subset of carriers. This segmentation enables parallel processing that improves overall data transmission capacity while distributing power consumption across multiple low-power units rather than requiring a single high-power processor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If centralized processing is used, then coordination is simplified, but transmission delays increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoordination complexityVSAvoidtransmission delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements distributed processing where different microcontrollers handle different carriers simultaneously. Each microcontroller independently processes uplink grants and retrieves data for its assigned carriers without waiting for centralized coordination. This parallel processing approach reduces transmission delays significantly compared to centralized sequential processing, while the use of shared common buffers maintains coordination efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines centralized buffer management with distributed processing. Multiple microcontrollers operate independently for carrier-specific processing, while sharing common data buffers. This hybrid approach merges the benefits of distributed processing (reduced delays) with centralized resource management (simplified coordination), resolving the contradiction between coordination complexity and transmission delay.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Productivity

If dedicated processing per carrier is implemented, then transmission efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments carriers into groups, with each microcontroller dedicated to handling specific carriers. This segmentation provides dedicated processing for each carrier group, improving transmission efficiency through specialized handling. The complexity is managed by using identical microcontroller units repeated across segments, allowing complexity to be scaled through replication rather than requiring increasingly complex monolithic processors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12477534B2Uplink medium access control token scheduling for multiple-carrier packet data transmission

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 GREATER SHINE LTD

AI summary

An apparatus for data packet processing can include a plurality of microcontrollers configured to perform dedicated layer-two circuit control functions. The plurality of microcontrollers can be configured to concurrently retrieve data from a set of common logical channels. The dedicated layer-two circuit control functions can include logical channel prioritization. The apparatus can also include a data processing layer-two circuit configured to perform data processing on the set of common logical channels based on commands received from the plurality of microcontrollers. The plurality of microcontrollers can be configured to receive uplink grants from a plurality of component carriers, to perform scheduling of the data based on the uplink grants, and to instruct the data processing layer-two circuit to retrieve the data responsive to the uplink grants.