Wireless Congestion Signaling Using Early PDCP CE Queues

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current L4S technology relies on ECN marking at the tail of the queue, which introduces additional delay in detecting congestion in wireless networks, particularly in highly dynamic environments like 5G networks, leading to buffer bloat and reduced throughput.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an early congestion indication mechanism at the PDCP layer by using a separate DRB or QoS flow for CE packets, allowing for immediate detection and signaling of congestion through a common CE queue, ensuring timely congestion management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If ECN marking is performed at the tail of the queue, then congestion detection is simplified, but latency increases and throughput decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecongestion detection complexityVSAvoidcongestion detection delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by implementing early congestion indication at the PDCP layer before packets reach the tail of the queue. The mechanism proactively detects congestion conditions and signals them through a separate DRB or QoS flow, enabling upstream nodes to take corrective action before buffer bloat occurs, thus reducing detection delay while maintaining implementation simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If a separate DRB or QoS flow is used for CE packets, then congestion detection speed improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecongestion detection speedVSAvoidqueue management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by separating congestion indication traffic from regular data traffic. A dedicated DRB or QoS flow is established solely for carrying CE packets, allowing independent management and prioritization of congestion signals. This segmentation enables fast congestion detection while the modular design keeps the complexity manageable through clear functional separation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a common CE queue that acts as a mediator between multiple queues and the congestion indication mechanism. This shared queue structure simplifies the overall system by providing a unified congestion signaling path that all queues can utilize, reducing the need for complex individual queue management while maintaining fast detection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20260012421A1Technologies for congestion signaling in wireless networks

Publication Date: 2026.01.08 APPLE INC

AI summary

The present application relates to devices and components including apparatus, systems, and methods for congestion signaling in wireless networks.