Uplink Resource Allocation for Multiple Flow Control Mechanisms
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Solution Overview
Problem
In communication systems, operating multiple flow control mechanisms can lead to performance degradation and deadlocks, particularly when base stations assign small uplink resource allocations, causing terminals to transfer data at low rates despite having a large volume of data to transfer.
Innovation Solution
A method where a mobile communication terminal calculates resource allocations based on the size of data already received from the application layer and the size of pending data, ensuring that the base station allocates uplink resources matching the total size across multiple protocol layers, thereby avoiding deadlocks and improving uplink performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the terminal uses traditional flow control mechanisms to regulate data transfer based on layer-2 buffer status, then the layer-2 flow control is maintained, but the uplink throughput is limited and deadlocks may occur when base station assigns small resource allocations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges application layer flow control with layer-2 flow control by having the MAC layer consider both application layer buffer status and layer-2 buffer status when calculating resource allocation. This integration allows the system to maintain layer-2 flow control while simultaneously improving uplink throughput by preventing deadlocks through coordinated control at multiple layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the terminal reports buffer status information to the base station, and the base station adjusts resource allocation based on this feedback. The MAC layer receives feedback about application layer buffer status and uses it to calculate appropriate resource allocations, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing conditions and prevents deadlocks.
2Reliability
If the base station assigns small uplink resource allocations to control data transfer rate, then flow control is achieved, but the terminal transfers data at low rates despite having large volume of data to transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes resource allocation dynamic by calculating it based on the current state of both application layer and layer-2 buffers. The MAC layer dynamically adjusts resource allocation requests according to the fill status of buffers at different layers, allowing the system to adapt resource distribution to actual data availability and transfer needs, thereby improving data transfer rates while maintaining flow control effectiveness.
3Ease of operation
If the terminal buffers data in layer-2 buffers for transmission, then data is prepared for sending, but the buffer fill status does not reflect the total data volume including pending application layer data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds another dimension to buffer status measurement by considering not only layer-2 buffer fill status but also application layer buffer status. The MAC layer calculates resource allocation based on the sum of data volumes from both layers, providing a more comprehensive and accurate measurement of total data volume available for transmission, thereby improving measurement precision without complicating the buffering operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes, in a mobile communication terminal, accepting from an application layer first data having a first data size for transmission to a base station over a radio channel. An indication of a second data size of second data, which is to be transmitted over the radio channel but was not yet accepted from the application layer, is accepted from the application layer. A resource allocation on the radio channel is calculated in the terminal depending on both the first data size and the second data size. The base station is requested for the resource allocation, and at least part of the first and second data is transmitted from the terminal in accordance with the resource allocation.