JP4780482B2 - COMMUNICATION PROCESSING DEVICE, COMMUNICATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM THEREOF - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication processing device, a communication processing method, and a program thereof.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a protocol hierarchy of a radio interface assumed in a W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) system.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the protocol hierarchy of the radio interface assumed in the W-CDMA system includes a PHY (physical) layer 201, a MAC (Medium Access Control) layer 202, and an RLC (Radio Link Control) layer 203. A PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol) layer 204, an application layer 205, an RRC (Radio Resource Control) layer 206, and a NAS (No Access Stratum) layer 207.

  The PHY layer 201 is a layer that measures radio transmission, radio quality, and the like using a transport channel.

  The MAC layer 202 is a layer that performs logical channel transmission and radio resource allocation to the RLC layer 203.

  The RLC layer 203 is a layer that provides a data transmission service to the PDCP layer 204 that is an upper layer. Data transfer between the RLC layer 203 and the application layer 205 is performed via the PDCP layer 204.

  The RRC layer 206 is a layer that controls radio resources, and is connected to the NAS layer 207.

  Transfer of control information between the RLC layer 203 and the application layer 205 is performed via the RRC layer 206 and the NAS layer 207.

  In the current W-CDMA (3GPP UMTS), HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Access: introduced from 3GPP Release.5), E-DCH (Enhanced DCH: introduced from 3GPP Release.6) and the like are added. . With these additions, higher throughput is being realized for both the uplink and the downlink. In the future, there will always be a need to reduce processing in mobile phones in order to achieve high throughput.

  When the downlink radio band increases, the amount of data that must be processed in a certain time increases. That is, assuming that the size of RLC PDU (Protocol Data Unit) is fixed, the number of RLC PDUs that must be processed in a certain time in the RLC layer 203 increases. In general, an increase in the number of RLC PDUs to be processed within a certain period of time increases the number of steps to be processed within a certain period of time in the RLC layer 203, leading to an increase in processing load.

  Applying this to specific numerical values in the HSDPA environment is as follows.

  FIG. 14 shows the correspondence between the maximum number of HS-DSCH transport blocks received in 1 TTI in the RLC layer 203 and the theoretical maximum number of RLC PDUs to be processed in 1 TTI in the RLC layer 203. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating each category of HSDPA. Note that 1 TTI (TTI: Transmit Time Interval) is 2 msec, and the data size of the RLC PDU is 42 bytes. In addition, the maximum downlink rate is 3.6 Mbps under the category 6 HSDPA environment, the maximum downlink rate is 7.2 Mbps under the category 8 environment, and the maximum downlink rate is under the category 10 environment. 14.4 Mbps.

  Here, the size of the MAC-hs header used in MAC-hs (MAC for HS-DSCH) is 21 bits in the case of a basic channel configuration with only one communication path.

  For this reason, the value (maximum number) shown in FIG. 14 is a value obtained by applying the following formula (1) as “MAC-hs header size = 21 bits”.

(Theoretical maximum number of RLC PDUs to be processed in 1 TTI) = (Maximum number of bits of transport block of HS-DSCH received in 1 TTI) / 336 (bits) (1) )
As shown in FIG. 14, the wider the band, the greater the number of RLC PDUs that must be processed in the RLC layer 203 within a fixed time (1 TTI).

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing how the name and form of the data frame change for each layer in the case of a basic channel configuration with only one communication path.

  As illustrated in FIG. 15, the RLC PDU is a 336-bit frame including a 16-bit RLC AM (AM: Acknowledge Mode) header and a 320-bit payload portion.

  The MAC-d PDU (MAC for dedicated channel) is also a 336-bit frame.

  The MAC-hs SDU (SDU: Service Data Unit) is a frame of 7277 bits in total obtained by adding 221 bits of padding to 21 MAC-d PDUs (21 × 336 = 7056 bits).

  The MAC-hs PDU is a frame obtained by adding a MAC-hs header to the MAC-hs SDU. For example, in the case of a MAC-hs PDU in which a 21-bit MAC-hs header is added to one MAC-hs SDU, the frame has a total of 7298 bits. This MAC-hs PDU becomes a transport block.

  Next, RLC PDU structure and protocol specifications will be described.

  FIG. 16 shows the structure of RLC PDU.

  The structure of RLC PDU is defined in “3GPP TS25.322 Chapter 9.2 Formats and parameters”.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the data amount and contents of each identification information constituting the RLC header. Each identification information is generally referred to as an IE (Information Element) of the header.

  As shown in FIG. 17, “D / C” is a 1-bit D / C field for identifying a control PDU (Control PDU: control PDU) and a data PDU (Data PDU). That is, if the value of the D / C field is “0”, it indicates that the RLC PDU is a control PDU, and if the value of the D / C field is “1”, it indicates that the RLC PDU is a data PDU. Show.

  The “sequence number (hereinafter abbreviated as SN)” is 12-bit data indicating the sequence number of the PDU. That is, SN is any value from 0 to 4095. When the number of PDUs exceeds 4096, the sequence number is used cyclically.

  “P” is a 1-bit polling bit (Polling bit) for indicating the presence / absence of a request for status report. If the value of “P” is “0”, it indicates that delivery confirmation is not requested, and if the value of “P” is “1”, it indicates that delivery confirmation is requested.

  “HE” is a 2-bit header extension type (Header Extension Type) for identifying whether or not a length indicator is present as subsequent data. If the value of “HE” is “00”, it indicates that the next 8 bits are data, and if the value of “HE” is “01”, the next 8 bits are a length indicator and will be described later. E (E bit) ".

  “E” is a 1-bit extension bit. If the value of “E” is “0”, it indicates that the next field is one of data, piggybacked status PDU (paggybacked STATUS PDU), and padding. If the value of “E” is “1”, it indicates that the next field is a length indicator and E bit.

  The “Length Indicator (LI)” has a variable number of bytes. The LI is used to indicate the PDU constituting the last segment among the PDUs constituting the RLC SDU.

  For example, if the value of LI is [0010100 (= 20)], it indicates that the 20th byte in the PDU having the LI is the end of the SDU (end of data).

  If the value of LI is [1111111], it indicates that the remaining data is padding.

  Here, the characteristics of RLC PDU under a general environment using TCP / IP will be considered.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating the correspondence between RLC SDUs and RLC PDUs in an environment where RLC SDU size = 1500 bytes and RLC PDU size = 42 bytes.

  As shown in FIG. 18, when the size of RLC SDU = 1500 bytes and the size of RLC PDU = 42 bytes, one RLC SDU is divided into 38 segments.

  An RLC PDU is configured by adding a header to each segment.

  In this case, the data size is 40 bytes for a total of 37 segments from the first segment (No. 1) to the 37th segment (No. 37). For these 37 segments, the value of P (polling bit) in the header to be added is “0” and the value of HE (header extension type) is “00”. And no LI (length indicator) is added.

  Only the last segment (No. 38) has a data size of, for example, 20 bytes (because of 1500−37 × 40 = 20). For this final segment, the value of P (polling bit) in the header to be added is “1”, the value of HE (header extension type) is “01”, and there is a delivery confirmation request. LI (length indicator) is added.

  These 38 RLC PDUs are assigned consecutive SNs (sequence numbers) (for example, in the example of FIG. 18, SNs of 0 to 37 are assigned).

  FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing a general downlink data transfer operation in an environment where the RLC PDU size is 42 bytes and the RLC SDU size is 1500 bytes. That is, FIG. 19 shows the data transfer from the MAC layer 202 to the RLC layer 203 and the downlink from the RLC layer 203 to the PDCP layer 204 in the protocol hierarchy of the radio interface assumed in the W-CDMA communication system. The general operation of data transfer at the time is shown.

  Since the RLC header is included in the payload portion of the MAC-hs, generally, as shown in FIG. 19, the RLC PDU is transferred from the MAC layer 202 to the RLC layer 203 as it is (received). hand over).

  That is, as shown in FIG. 19, when performing data transfer for one RLC SDU (= 1500 bytes) from the MAC layer 202 to the RLC layer 203, a total of 38 RLC PDUs of SN = 0 to 37 are stored in the MAC. The data is transferred from the layer 202 to the RLC layer 203.

  Further, in the data transfer from the RLC layer 203 to the PDCP layer 204, RLC SDUs are generated by combining the payload portions of individual RLC PDUs in the RLC layer 203, and the generated RLC SDUs are PDCP layers as upper layers. Deliver to 204.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 18, in the data transfer from the RLC layer 203 to the PDCP layer 204, RLC SDUs are combined by combining each of the payload parts excluding the headers from 38 RLC PDUs into one. The generated RLC SDU is transferred from the RLC layer 203 to the PDCP layer 204.

  FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing a general uplink data transfer operation contrary to FIG. Also in this case, an operation in an environment where the RLC PDU size is 42 bytes and the RLC SDU size is 1500 bytes is shown. That is, FIG. 20 shows general operations of data transfer from the PDCP layer 204 to the RLC layer 203 and data transfer from the RLC layer 203 to the MAC layer 202.

  As shown in FIG. 20, when transferring one RLC SDU from the PDCP layer 204 to the RLC layer 203, a group of RLC SDUs are transmitted from the PDCP layer 204 to the RLC layer 203.

  In the data transfer from the RLC layer 203 to the MAC layer 202, the RLC SDU is divided into a total of 38 data of SN = 0 to 37, and a header is attached to each data, so that a total of 38 RLC PDUs are provided. Is generated. Then, these 38 RLC PDUs are transferred from the RLC layer 203 to the MAC layer 202.

  In addition, there exists patent document 1-3 as a prior art document relevant to this invention.

Patent Documents 1-3 disclose a technique for performing communication processing for combining a plurality of frames and transferring them to another layer.
JP 2000-059435 A JP-A-2005-318211 JP 2008-005493 A

  As described above, when the wireless band increases, the amount of data that must be processed in a certain time increases. That is, assuming that the size of the RLC PDU is fixed, the number of RLC PDUs that must be processed in a certain time in the RLC layer 203 increases. In general, an increase in the number of RLC PDUs to be processed within a certain period of time increases the number of steps to be processed within a certain period of time in the RLC layer 203, leading to an increase in processing load. Therefore, a mechanism that does not increase the number of RLC PDUs to be processed even if the amount of data increases is effective.

  In the communication device described in Patent Literature 1, portions other than the header (expressed as “packet” in Patent Literature 1) of a plurality of frames including the header are combined. Then, only one header is added to the combined “packet”. This reduces overhead and enables efficient packet transmission ([0009], [0011], etc.).

  In the communication apparatus described in Patent Document 2, a plurality of TTI PDUs are collected and output to other layers. As a result, overhead information such as a header is reduced ([0094], [0098], etc.).

  In the communication apparatus described in Patent Document 3, a plurality of PDCP PDUs are combined and connected as RLC PDUs. As a result, there is only one PDCP sequence number, and radio resources are saved ([0016] etc.).

  As described above, in the communication device described in Patent Documents 1-3, the number of frames to be transmitted or transferred to other layers is reduced, and the overhead due to the header portion is certainly reduced.

  However, the content of the header included in a frame handled by a general communication apparatus is complicated and is not limited to simple information such as a sequence number (SN). Since SN can use the continuity of its value, it is also possible to add one SN as a representative for a plurality of frames.

  However, header information other than SN, for example, header information that identifies the type of protocol processing in each layer, is generally not the same for all frames. Of course, such header information cannot be inferred from the header information of other frames.

  For example, P = 0 for the first to 37th MAC PDU, but P = 1 for the 38th. In such a case, after determining whether P = 0 for each MAC PDU, it is necessary to determine whether or not the header information of each frame can be deleted, and to integrate the frames.

  However, the communication device described in Patent Documents 1-3 does not take into consideration that it is necessary to delete the header and combine the frames after determining the contents of the header information of each frame. Therefore, it is not possible to cope with the case where the contents of the header information of a plurality of frames are different. That is, in the communication device described in Patent Documents 1-3, in a general case where header information is not the same, it is not possible to use a method of header deletion and frame combination.

  For this reason, the communication device described in Patent Documents 1-3 has a problem that communication efficiency cannot be improved by reducing overhead in a general case. Alternatively, in the communication device described in Patent Documents 1-3, in a general case, the processing load of the communication processing device cannot be reduced by reducing the number of frames managed in the communication processing device. There is.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a communication processing apparatus, a communication processing method, and a program thereof that can solve the above problems.

In order to solve the above problems, a communication processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a first layer processing unit that performs communication processing in a first layer, and a second layer processing unit that performs communication processing in a second layer. wherein the first layer processing means includes data, among the plurality of first frames including the identification information used for predetermined communication processing on the data in the second layer mutually the data A first process for determining a first frame to be combined in accordance with a content of the identification information; combined data obtained by combining the data of the first frame determined to combine the data; Processing for generating a second frame including identification information for combined data indicating contents of communication processing performed in the second layer for the data included in the combined data; The frame is characterized by performing the receiving and passes processing to the second layer processing means.

The communication processing method of the present invention is a communication processing apparatus comprising: first layer processing means for performing communication processing in the first layer; and second layer processing means for performing communication processing in the second layer. a communication processing method for performing a communication process in at least the first layer, the communication processing in the first layer, data and the identification information used in the second layer to a predetermined communication processing of the data And determining the first frame that combines the data with each other according to the content of the identification information, and the first frame determined to combine the data. Of the communication processing performed in the second layer for the combined data obtained by combining the data of the frames of the frame and the data included in the combined data Is characterized in that it comprises a combined data identification information indicating, generating a second frame including, a, a step of transferring the second frame to the second layer.

A program of the present invention is a communication processing apparatus comprising: a first layer processing unit that performs communication processing in a first layer; and a second layer processing unit that performs communication processing in a second layer. a program for executing a communication process in the first layer to the computer, the communication process in the first layer, the data and the identification information used in the second layer to a predetermined communication processing of the data Among the plurality of first frames including, the processing for determining the first frame for combining the data according to the content of the identification information, and the first frame determined to combine the data In the second layer, the combined data obtained by combining the data of the frame with each other and the data included in the combined data And a process for generating a second frame including identification information for combined data indicating the contents of the communication process, and a process for delivering the second frame to the second layer. .

  According to the present invention, the first layer discriminates the first frame that couples the data to each other according to the content of the identification information of each first frame, and the data of the discriminated first frame is mutually Generating a second frame including the combined data combined with the data and identification information for combined data indicating the content of communication processing performed in the second layer for the data included in the combined data, and generating the second frame Is transferred from the first layer to the second layer, the number of frames transferred from the first layer to the second layer can be reduced. Therefore, the processing load in the second layer can be reduced. In addition, the number of data to be combined in the second layer can be reduced, and the processing load in the second layer can be reduced in that respect.

  Alternatively, according to the present invention, in the first layer, the first data is divided into a plurality of second data, and the “data transmission destination communication processing device performs the second processing for each of the second data. The identification information used for the “predetermined communication processing performed in the layer” is generated for each second data, and the second information includes each second data and the identification information generated corresponding to the second data. Are generated, and each second frame is transmitted to the destination communication processing apparatus, so that the number of frames transferred from the second layer to the first layer at the transmission source can be reduced. Therefore, the processing load in the second layer can be reduced. In addition, the number of data divisions in the second layer of the transmission source can be reduced, and the processing load in the second layer can also be reduced in this respect.

  Hereinafter, a communication processing device, a communication processing method, and a program thereof according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication processing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the communication processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 101 and a transmission / reception unit 102.

  The control unit 101 includes, for example, first layer processing means 103 that performs communication processing in the first layer (hereinafter referred to as first communication processing) and communication processing in the second layer (hereinafter referred to as second communication processing). 2nd layer processing means 104 which performs and 3rd layer processing means 105 which performs communication processing in the 3rd layer are provided.

  The first layer processing means 103 performs a first communication process in the first layer according to a predetermined standard.

  Similarly, the second layer processing means 104 performs the second communication processing in the second layer according to a predetermined standard, and the third layer processing means 105 performs the third communication processing in the third layer according to the predetermined standard. I do.

  In the present embodiment, the first to third layers have a hierarchical structure in the order of the first, second, and third layers. The upper / lower relationship between the first layer and the second layer and between the second layer and the third layer is not particularly limited. That is, the layers may be the first, second, and third layers in order from the higher layer, or vice versa.

  The transmission / reception unit 102 receives a frame from the outside of the communication processing apparatus 100 (for example, a network or an external communication processing apparatus), and transmits the frame to the outside of the communication processing apparatus 100 (for example, a network Or processing to transmit to an external communication processing device).

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the communication processing method according to the first embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first layer processing unit 103 receives a plurality of first frames from the outside of the communication processing apparatus 100 via the transmission / reception unit 102.

  Note that the number of first frames processed by the first layer processing unit 103 at any time is arbitrary, but here, for simplicity, the first frame processed at one time is the first frames 31, 32, An example of three of 33 will be described.

  Each first frame 31, 32, 33 is a predetermined communication process (second communication process) performed in the second layer for each data 1, 2, 3 and each data 1, 2, 3. And the identification information used in the above.

  The first frames 31 and 32 include the same identification information 11.

  The first frame 33 includes identification information 12 that is different from the identification information 11.

  The first layer processing means 103 selects the first frame that combines the data from one of the received first frames 31 to 33 and combines them into one according to the content of the identification information of each first frame. To determine.

  In the second layer, the second communication process is performed on the data 1 to 3 according to the contents of the identification information 11 and 12.

  Examples of the second communication process include error detection in data, a data retransmission request to the data transmission source when an error is detected (hereinafter simply referred to as a retransmission request), and a notification that the data transmission source has received data ( The following is a reception response). Whether or not to perform these processes and what kind of processing to perform (selection of mode) is specified by the contents of the identification information. In the second layer, the same second communication process is performed on data of frames having the same identification information.

  Therefore, in the first embodiment, when the first layer processing unit 103 delivers the frame to the second layer processing unit 104, the first layer processing unit 103 combines the data of the first frames having the same identification information with each other. Deliver them after putting them together.

  Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the first layer processing means 103 is data that combines the data 1 and 2 of the first frames 31 and 32 having the same identification information 11 with each other. Determine that there is. Then, the combined data 20 is generated by combining the data 1 and 2 determined to be combined with each other.

  The data 1 and 2 included in the combined data 20 are subjected to the same second communication process in the second layer. For this reason, the first layer processing means 103 adds one piece of identification information to the combined data 20 as representative identification information (joined data identification information) 13. That is, the second frame 34 including the representative identification information 13 and the combined data 20 is generated. The representative identification information 13 has the same content as the identification information 11, for example.

  Then, the first layer processing unit 103 delivers the second frame 34 to the second layer processing unit 104.

  Further, the first layer processing unit 103 transfers the first frame 33 that has not been determined to combine the data 3 as it is to the second layer processing unit 104 as the third frame 35.

  The second layer processing means 104 performs the same second communication processing on the data 1 and 2 included in the combined data 20 according to the contents of the identification information 11.

  Further, the second layer processing means 104 performs the second communication process on the data 3 of the third frame 35 according to the content of the identification information 12.

  After the second communication processing is performed on the data 1, 2, and 3 in this way, the second layer processing means 104 combines the data 1, 2, and 3 into one frame, that is, FIG. 2, a fourth frame 36 is generated, and the fourth frame 36 is transferred to the third layer processing means 105.

  Here, in FIG. 1, first to third layer processing means 103 to 105 of the control unit 101 are functional configurations of the control unit 101.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the control unit 101.

  Specifically, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the control unit 101 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111 that executes a control operation, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 112 that stores and holds an operation program for the CPU 111. And a RAM (Random Access Memory) 113 that functions as a work area of the CPU 111 and the like.

  The control unit 101 functions as the first to third layer processing units 103 to 105 through the cooperation of the CPU 111, the ROM 112, and the RAM 113.

  According to the first embodiment as described above, in the first layer, the first frames 31 and 32 that combine data with each other are changed to the contents of the identification information 11 and 12 of the first frames 31 to 33, respectively. In response, the data 1 and 2 of the determined first frames 31 and 32 are combined with each other to generate combined data 20, and representative identification information 13 (bonded data identification information) and combined data 20 are combined. Since the second frame 34 is generated and transferred to the second layer, the number of frames transferred from the first layer to the second layer can be reduced. Therefore, the processing load in the second layer can be reduced. In addition, since the process of generating the fourth frame 36 in the second layer can be performed by combining the combined data 20 and the data 3, the processing load in the second layer can be reduced. That is, in the second layer, it is only necessary to combine the data 3 and the combined data 20 in which the data 1 and 2 are combined in advance, so that the processing load can be reduced as much as the data 1 and 2 need not be combined. .

  In the first embodiment, in the second communication process, the combined data 20 is handled as one data, and the processes (transmission of reception response, transmission of retransmission request, etc.) are performed collectively. Also good. However, when the second communication process is collectively performed on the combined data 20 as described above, a prior arrangement with the same layer of the communication partner is necessary.

  Alternatively, in the second communication processing, the combined data 20 is divided into data 1 and 2 before combining, and the same processing (transmission of reception response, retransmission) is performed on each of the data 1 and 2 individually. Request transmission, etc.).

  In any case, the contents of the identification information added to the combined data 20 and the determination of the type of the second communication process according to the contents need only be performed once for one combined data 20. . That is, as compared with the case where each data 1 and 2 is transferred from the first layer to the second layer with the identification information added to each data 1 and 2 without generating the combined data 20, the second The processing load on the layer processing means 105 can be reduced.

  Further, the second layer processing means 104 determines whether the received frame is a frame including the combined data 20 (second frame) or a frame including the single data instead of the combined data 20 (third frame). As a method for discriminating, there are the following methods.

  For example, the length (data amount) of the third frame is defined in advance, and a frame longer than that is determined as the second frame. Alternatively, information that can identify the type of frame may be included in the second frame, or may be included in both the second and third frames.

  Alternatively, information that can identify the size of the combined data 20 or the number of combinations may be included in the second frame.

  Alternatively, there is a corresponding method by software implementation. For example, if the contents of a certain frame are stored in a certain area of the RAM in the communication processing apparatus, information indicating that area is passed as a parameter between the layer processing means 104 and 105. is there.

  In the first embodiment, the communication processing apparatus 100 includes the first to third layer processing units 103 to 105. However, the communication processing apparatus 100 includes the first layer processing unit. 103 is sufficient, and the second and third layer processing means 104 and 105 may not be provided. That is, the configuration corresponding to at least one of the second and third layer processing means 104 and 105 may be a configuration outside the communication processing apparatus 100.

  In the first embodiment, the example in which the third layer is present has been described. However, the third layer may not be present. For example, the second layer may be an application layer. In this case, the process of generating the fourth frame 36 and the process of transferring the fourth frame 36 from the second layer to the third layer are unnecessary, and the third layer processing means 105 is also unnecessary. .

<Modification of First Embodiment>
In the first embodiment described above, data is combined with each other according to the entire contents of the identification information of the first frame (specifically, depending on whether or not the entire identification information is the same). The example of determining the first frame to be described has been described.

  On the other hand, in the present modification, the first frame that combines the data is determined according to the contents of a part of the identification information (for example, depending on whether the parts of the identification information are the same). An example will be described.

  Also in the case of this modification, the configuration of the communication processing apparatus 100 is the same as that in the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 and 3).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the operation of the communication processing method according to this modification.

  In the case of this modification, each first frame is different from the first embodiment only in that it includes first identification information and second identification information.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the first frame 31 includes identification information 11 as first identification information and identification information 21 as second identification information. Similarly, the first frame 32 includes the identification information 11 as the first identification information and the identification information 22 as the second identification information, and the first frame 33 includes the identification information 12 as the first identification information. And identification information 23 as second identification information.

  Among these, the identification information 11 and 12 as the first identification information is the same as in the first embodiment. Also in this modified example, the first layer processing unit 103 determines the first frame to combine data according to the contents of the identification information 11 and 12.

  On the other hand, the identification information 21 to 23 as the second identification information is information specific to each of the first frames 31 to 33 (for example, information indicating the order of the frames). This second identification information is used for a retransmission request or the like.

  As described in the first embodiment, the second communication process for the combined data 20 is a process common to the data 1 and the data 2 specified by the first identification information 11. That is, in the second layer, the content of the process can be determined for the combined data 20 without referring to the first identification information 11. Therefore, it is not necessary to include the first identification information 11 in the second frame 34.

  For this reason, as identification information for combined data added to the combined data 20 in the case of the modification, the second identification information of any one first frame (for example, identification information 21 as shown in FIG. 4). Only can be used. In this way, by including only the second identification information in the second frame 34, the overhead due to the header portion can be further reduced.

  In the second layer, a common second communication process may be performed on the data 1 and 2 included in the combined data 20. Alternatively, the second communication processing is collectively performed on the combined data 20, and the second identification information of the individual data 1 and 2 is generated based on the combined data identification information as necessary. Predetermined processing on individual data can also be performed.

[Second Embodiment]
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that a frame is transmitted from a data transmission source communication processing device (transmission device) to a data transmission destination communication processing device (reception device). In the present embodiment, the first layer is a lower layer of the second layer, and the second layer is a lower layer of the third layer. Then, the frame is transmitted from the first layer of the transmitting apparatus or further lower layers to the network or another receiving apparatus.

  As in the first embodiment, the transmission device and the reception device perform communication processing (first communication processing and second communication processing) based on a predetermined standard in each of the first layer and the second layer. Do.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration of the communication processing apparatus 100 is the same as that in the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 and 3).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the communication processing method according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5, frames (first frame 61, third frame 64) delivered from the second layer processing means 104 (second layer) to the first layer processing means 103 (first layer). ) Includes data (data 51, 3) and identification information (identification information 11, 12) used for predetermined communication processing performed on the data by the receiving device in the second layer.

  In the second layer of the receiving apparatus, the same second communication process is performed for data of frames having the same identification information.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment, when the second layer of the transmission device delivers the data 50 of the fourth frame 60 received from the third layer above it to the first layer, the first layer The data is divided into a plurality of data (first data) 51 and the other data (third data) 3 (not divided in the first layer) 3 is transferred.

  One identification information is added as representative identification information (first data identification information) 14 to the data 51 to generate a first frame 61, and the first frame 61 is transferred to the first layer. .

  That is, of the data 50 of the fourth frame 60, data 51 that is a group of data 1 and 2 to which identification information 11 that can be generated based on the representative identification information 14 is added when divided in the first layer. Is added to the first layer after the representative identification information 14 is added.

  That is, the second layer processing unit 104 generates the first frame 61 including the data 51 and the representative identification information 14, and transfers the first frame 61 to the first layer processing unit 103.

  Further, the other data 3, that is, the data 3 to which the identification information 12 that cannot be generated based on the representative identification information 14 is added, is transferred to the first layer after the identification information 12 is added in the second layer.

  That is, the second layer processing unit 104 generates a third frame 64 including the data 3 and the identification information 12, and transfers the third frame 64 to the first layer processing unit 103.

  Here, as a method of dividing the data 50 into the data 51 and the data 3, for example, the data 51 which is an integral multiple of a prescribed size and the data of the fraction size (= less than the prescribed size) and the data 50 And the remaining data 3 obtained by removing the data 51 from the data.

  Alternatively, when the data 50 is an integral multiple of the prescribed size, only the data at the end of the data 50 is cut to the prescribed size to obtain the data 3, and the rest of the data 50 is the data 51 (an integral multiple of the prescribed size. It may be).

  Upon receiving the first frame 61, the first layer processing means 103 divides the data 51 of the first frame 61 into a plurality of data 1 and 2. Then, for each of the divided data 1 and 2, individual identification information 11 is generated based on the representative identification information 14, and the identification information 11 is added. Thereby, the second frames 62 and 63 are generated, respectively. Note that the content of the identification information 11 may be the same as the representative identification information 14.

  Further, the first layer processing means 103 transmits the generated second frames 62 and 63 to the receiving device.

  Further, upon receiving the third frame 64, the first layer processing means 103 transfers the third frame 64 as it is to the receiving device.

  According to the second embodiment as described above, in the first layer, the data 51 is divided into a plurality of data 1 and 2, and the “data transmission destination communication processing device applies to each of the data 1 and 2. The identification information 11 used for the “predetermined communication processing performed in the second layer” is generated for each of the data 1 and 2, and the identification information 11 generated corresponding to each of the data 1 and 2 and the data 1 and 2 2 are generated, and the second frames 62 and 63 are transmitted to the destination communication processing apparatus. Therefore, the frame is transferred from the second layer to the first layer at the transmission source. Can be reduced. That is, since the data 51 divided into a plurality in the first layer is collected in the form of the first frame 61 and transferred from the second layer to the first layer, the data 50 of the fourth frame 60 is specified. The number of frames transferred from the second layer to the first layer can be reduced as compared with the case where the data is divided into a large number of data and transferred from the second layer to the first layer. Therefore, the processing load in the second layer can be reduced. Moreover, the number of divisions of the data 50 in the second layer of the transmission source can be reduced, and the processing load in the second layer can also be reduced in this respect.

  Further, in the first layer, the number of communication processes for each normal frame, for example, the process of adding identification information can be reduced. That is, the processing for the individual data 1 and 2 generated by dividing the data 51 is a repetition of common processing that does not require a condition determination or the like. Therefore, the processing load in the first layer can be reduced.

  Determination of whether the frame includes the data 51 divided into a plurality of pieces in the first layer (first frame 61) or the frame containing the data 3 not divided (third frame 64), that is, the type of the frame This determination can be performed by the same method as described in the first embodiment.

<Modification of Second Embodiment>
Also in the second embodiment, the first identification information and the second identification information may be included in the identification information as in the modification of the first embodiment.

  Also in this modification, the configuration of the communication processing apparatus 100 is the same as that of the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 and 3).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the operation of the communication processing method according to this modification.

  In this case, since the communication processing in the first layer is common to the data 1 and 2 generated by dividing the data 51 (the first identification information is the common identification information 11), the first frame 61 includes It is not necessary to include the first identification information. Only the second identification information (identification information 21 or 22) of the data 1 and 2 can be used for the first frame 61 as the representative identification information. In the first layer, the first identification information is already known for the data 1 and 2 generated by dividing the data 51, so that it is added as the identification information 11 and further required. Accordingly, the second identification information of the individual data can be generated and added based on the representative identification information to configure the second frame.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment will be described.

  In the present embodiment, downlink data transfer according to the W-CDMA rules as described in detail in the background section will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the communication processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  In the case of this embodiment, the control unit 101 is configured to perform communication processing in each layer shown in FIG.

  That is, the control unit 101 includes a PHY (physical) layer processing unit 301 that performs communication processing in the PHY (physical) layer 201, and a MAC layer processing unit that performs communication processing in the MAC layer 202 as the first layer (first Layer processing means) 302, RLC layer processing means (second layer processing means) 303 for performing communication processing in the RLC layer 203 as the second layer, and communication processing in the PDCP layer 204 as the third layer PDCP layer processing means (third layer processing means) 304, application layer processing means 305 that performs communication processing in the application layer 205, RRC layer processing means 306 that performs communication processing in the RRC layer 206, and NAS layer 207 NA that performs communication processing in The layer processing unit 208 is configured to include a.

  In the present embodiment, the hardware configuration of the control unit 101 is the same as that in the first embodiment (FIG. 3).

  In the present embodiment, as will be described below, data transfer processing mainly from the MAC layer (first layer) 202 to the RLC layer (second layer) 203 is improved. That is, processing reduction of the RLC layer 203 in downlink data transfer is realized.

  For example, when browsing a WEB site on the Internet, downloading a large file, or using a non-real time service such as uploading, when a session is established In channel configuration, RLC AM (Acknowledge Mode) in which data delivery confirmation is performed is set from the network as an RLC mode. Therefore, in this embodiment, an operation when RLC AM is used will be described.

  In the case of RLC AM, the upper 2 bytes of the RLC AM header (see FIG. 15) includes D / C, SN (sequence number), P (polling bit) for requesting delivery confirmation, and a length indicator as subsequent data. It is composed of HE (Header Extension Type) that identifies whether or not it exists (see FIG. 16).

  These D / C, SN, P, and HE are data of a typical pattern in which there is only one communication path in the RLC PDU as the second frame in the RLC layer 203 as the second layer. In this case, it is identification information used for a predetermined communication process performed for the first frame (equivalent to data included in the MAC-d PDU).

  Here, each piece of information in the RLC AM header can be classified into first identification information in which a value common to each RLC PDU is often set, and second identification information that is different for each RLC PDU. For example, D / C, P, and HE can be classified as first identification information, and SN can be classified as second identification information.

  In the present embodiment, the MAC layer processing unit 302 receives a MAC-d PDU (first frame) from the network via the transmission / reception unit 102 and the PHY layer processing unit 301.

  When the MAC layer processing means 302 receives the MAC-d PDU, the identification information (D / C, SN, P, and HE) of the first two bytes (corresponding to the RLC AM header) of each MAC-d PDU is received. According to the content, among the plurality of MAC-d PDUs, the MAC-d PDU that combines the data included therein is determined.

  Here, in the RLC layer 203, when the “first condition” that D / C = 1 is set in the received frame and P = 1 is satisfied, the delivery confirmation to the network is performed. Send.

  Further, when the “second condition” that D / C = 1 is set in the received frame and HE = 01 is set (that is, the frame includes LI) is satisfied, the RLC layer 203 , It is determined (recognized) that the payload portion of the frame is data constituting the last segment of the RLC SDU.

  The MAC layer processing unit 302 determines that “a predetermined protocol process in the RLC layer 203 is necessary” for a frame that satisfies at least one of the first and second conditions.

  Conversely, the MAC layer processing unit 302 determines that “a predetermined protocol process in the RLC layer 203 is not required” for a frame that does not satisfy both the first and second conditions. That is, even if the frame is set with D / C = 1, HE = 00 (not HE = 01. That is, LI does not exist) and P = 0 (no delivery confirmation is required) is set. It is determined that “a predetermined protocol process in the RLC layer 203 is not necessary” for a frame that is present.

  Note that data of a frame in which D / C = 1 is set (that is, data PDU) is transferred from the RLC layer 203 to the application layer 205 via the PDCP layer 204.

  In contrast, a frame in which D / C = 0 is set (that is, a control PDU) is passed from the RLC layer 203 to the application layer 205 via the RRC layer 206 and the NAS layer 207.

  In the present embodiment, only the flow of data PDU (D / C = 1) will be described below, and the description of the flow of control PDU (D / C = 0) will be omitted.

  As described with reference to FIG. 18, in an environment where the RLC PDU size is 42 bytes and the RLC SDU size is 1500 bytes, 38 RLC PDUs are generated from one RLC SDU.

  In general, among these 38 RLC PDUs, each of the RLC PDU including the first segment (No. 1) to the RLC PDU including the 37th segment (No. 37) is shown. P = 0 and HE = 00 are set, and P = 1 and HE = 01 are set only for the RLC PDU including the last segment (No. 38).

  That is, in an actual environment, most RLC PDUs are RLC PDUs that do not require predetermined protocol processing.

  It should be noted that the value of SN added to RLC PDU differs depending on the network configuration. FIG. 18 illustrates a case where P is added to the RLC PDU including the last segment of the RLC SDU. However, depending on the setting from the network, SN loss is detected even when an RLC PDU without P is received. Sometimes a delivery confirmation is sent.

  In this embodiment, when a plurality of PDUs are generated from an RLC SDU, most RLC PDUs use a characteristic that a predetermined protocol process in the RLC layer 203 is unnecessary in an actual operation environment.

  That is, in the MAC layer 202, the predetermined protocol processing in the RLC layer 203 is unnecessary, and RLC PDUs having continuous SNs are not transferred to the RLC layer 203 in the form of individual RLC PDUs. Instead, they are transferred in the form of a combined frame. Thus, the operation is as if the number of RLC PDUs to be processed in the RLC layer 203 is reduced.

  In the MAC layer 202, for the RLC PDU in which the predetermined protocol processing is not necessary and the SNs are continuous, a frame generated by combining the payload portions is regarded as one RLC PDU having a large size. Are transferred to the RLC layer 203.

  In the RLC layer 203, for example, when a frame different from a prescribed size (specifically, for example, 42 bytes) is received from the MAC layer 202, the payload parts of a plurality of RLC PDUs having consecutive SNs are combined. Recognize that it has been transferred and process it.

  The specified size is notified from the network when a session is established, and is stored and held in the RAM 113 of the control unit 101.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an operation of downlink data transfer by the communication processing method according to the present embodiment. That is, FIG. 8 shows an operation after the MAC layer processing means 302 (MAC layer 202) receives a MAC-d PDU in an environment where the RLC PDU size is 42 bytes and the RLC SDU size is 1500 bytes. . FIG. 8 shows an operation of transferring data corresponding to one RLC SDU.

  In the case of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the MAC layer 202 does not require predetermined protocol processing in the RLC layer 203 among a plurality of MAC-d PDUs (= RLC PDUs) received from the PHY layer 201. MAC-d PDUs that are present and have consecutive SNs (sequence numbers) are combined with each other.

  As a result, a frame F1 having a size larger than that of the RLC PDU is generated.

  When generating the frame F1, except for the RLC header of the head MAC-d PDU, the RLC header is omitted and only the RLC payload portion is coupled to each other.

  Then, the generated frame F1 is transferred from the MAC layer 202 to the RLC layer 203.

  Further, RLC PDUs that require predetermined protocol processing in the RLC layer 203 are transferred from the MAC layer 202 to the RLC layer 203 as frames F2 without being combined.

  Specifically, in the case of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, for example, an RLC PDU with SN = 0 and a payload part that is the remainder obtained by omitting the header from each RLC PDU with SN = 1 to 36, A frame F1 is generated by arranging them in the order of SN and combining them, and the frame F1 is transferred from the MAC layer 202 to the RLC layer 203.

  That is, a frame F1 is generated and delivered by combining a total of 37 RLC PDUs of SN = 0 to SN = 36, omitting unnecessary headers.

  In this embodiment, the data obtained by removing the RLC header of the first RLC PDU from the frame F1 is combined data. The RLC header of the first RLC PDU of the frame F1 is combined data identification information.

  An RLC PDU with SN = 37 is a PDU that requires a predetermined protocol process in the RLC layer 203 because P = 1 and HE = 01. Therefore, the frame F2 is transferred from the MAC layer 202 to the RLC layer 203 as it is without being combined.

  As described above, when transferring data corresponding to one RLC SDU to the RLC layer 203, the MAC layer 202 transfers two frames F1 and F2 to the RLC layer 203 as shown in FIG. That is, the MAC layer 202 performs an operation as if two RLC PDUs are delivered to the RLC layer 203.

  Next, in the RLC layer 203, for example, it is determined whether or not the size of the delivered frame is a prescribed size (for example, 42 bytes). When a frame having a data amount different from the prescribed size is received, the frame is determined to be the frame F1.

  Here, in the RLC layer 203, when a frame having a size larger than the prescribed size is received, it is of course possible to determine that the frame F1 has been received. Therefore, in order to recognize whether the transferred frame is the frame F1 or the frame F2, it is only necessary to determine whether or not the frame is a prescribed size.

  When the RLC layer 203 receives a frame F1 having a size different from the prescribed size, the RLC layer 203 recognizes the frame F1 as a frame formed by combining payload portions of a plurality of RLC PDUs having consecutive SNs in the order of SN.

  In addition, when the RLC layer 203 receives a frame having a prescribed amount of data, that is, the frame F2, the RLC layer 203 determines that the frame F2 is an RLC PDU that requires predetermined protocol processing in the RLC layer 203. recognize.

  In the RLC layer 203, protocol processing is performed as follows for the RLC PDU constituting the frame F2.

  That is, since P = 1 is set in the RLC PDU constituting the frame F2, the RLC layer 203 transmits a delivery confirmation to the network.

  Since the RLC PDU constituting the frame F2 includes LI (HE = 01), the RLC layer 203 recognizes the RLC PDU as data constituting the last segment of the RLC SDU.

  On the other hand, the frame F1 is a frame formed by combining a plurality of RLC PDUs having consecutive SNs, and the header includes only the header of the first segment with SN = 0.

  Therefore, the RLC layer 203 can generate an RLC SDU by removing the head header from the frame F1 and combining the payload portion of the frame F2 with the tail of the frame F1.

  The RLC layer 203 passes the generated RLC SDU to the PDCP layer 204.

  Next, FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an operation of transferring data corresponding to two RLC SDUs in the case of the third embodiment.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, by combining the RLC PDU with SN = 0 and the payload part that is the remainder of the RLC PDU with SN = 1 to 36 without the header, Similarly, a frame F1 is generated, and the frame F1 is transferred from the MAC layer 202 to the RLC layer 203.

  Also, the RLC PDU with SN = 37 is a PDU (P = 1, with LI) that requires protocol processing for the processing in the RLC layer 203, so that it is not combined as in FIG. The frame F2 is transferred from the MAC layer 202 to the RLC layer 203.

  Also, the frame F3 is generated by combining the RLC PDU with SN = 38 and the remaining payload portion with the header omitted from each RLC PDU with SN = 39 to 74, and the frame F3 is generated by the MAC layer 202. To the RLC layer 203.

  Since the RLC PDU with SN = 75 is a PDU (P = 1, with LI) that requires protocol processing, it is transferred from the MAC layer 202 to the RLC layer 203 as it is without being combined.

  As described above, when transferring data corresponding to two RLC SDUs, the MAC layer 202 transfers four frames F1, F2, F3, and F4 to the RLC layer 203 as shown in FIG. That is, the MAC layer 202 performs an operation as if four RLC PDUs are transmitted to the RLC layer 203.

  Next, in the RLC layer 203, when frames having a data amount different from the prescribed size, that is, the frames F1 and F3, are received, a plurality of RLC PDUs (payload portions thereof) in which SNs are continuous are received. Recognize that the frame is a combined frame.

  In addition, when the RLC layer 203 receives a frame having a prescribed amount of data, that is, the frames F2 and F4, the reception processing for the conventional RLC PDU is performed on the frames F2 and F4. Therefore, as a result, predetermined protocol processing occurs.

  In the RLC layer 203, protocol processing is performed as follows for the RLC PDUs constituting the frames F2 and F4.

  That is, since P = 1 is set in the RLC PDUs constituting the frames F2 and F4, the RLC layer 203 transmits a delivery confirmation to the network.

  In addition, since the RLC PDUs constituting the frames F2 and F4 include LI (HE = 01), the RLC layer 203 recognizes the RLC PDU as data constituting the last segment of the RLC SDU. To do.

  On the other hand, the frame F1 is a frame formed by combining a plurality of RLC PDUs having consecutive SNs, and the header includes only the header of the first segment with SN = 0.

  Similarly, the frame F3 is a frame formed by combining a plurality of RLC PDUs having consecutive SNs, and the header includes only the header of the first segment with SN = 38.

  For this reason, the RLC layer 203 removes the first header from the frame F1 and combines the payload portion of the frame F2 with the tail end of the frame F1 to thereby obtain the first RLC SDU (the RLC SDU (shown in FIG. 9)). No. 1)) can be generated.

  Similarly, a second RLC SDU (RLC SDU (No. 2) shown in FIG. 9) is obtained by removing the head header from the frame F3 and combining the payload portion of the frame F4 with the tail of the frame F3. Can be generated.

  Therefore, as in the case of the operation in FIG. 8, the processing load on the RLC layer 203 can be reduced compared to the conventional case.

  Here, in the RLC layer 203, when the RLC SDU (No. 1) and the RLC SDU (No. 2) are generated in this way, the SN value and the LI value included in the headers of the frames F1 to F4, respectively. Based on the above, frames to be combined with each other are determined as described below.

  First, since the SN value of the frame F1 is “0”, it can be seen that the combined payload portion (combined data) in the frame F1 forms the head of the RLC SDU.

  Also, it can be seen that the SN value of the frame F3 is “38”, and the SN value is a continuation number of the frame F2. However, since the LI is not included in the frame F3, it can be seen that the frame F3 forms the head of the SDU.

  In addition, since the frames F2 and F4 include L1 indicating the end of the SDU, the payload portions of the frames F2 and F4 may be coupled to the ends of the payload portions of the frames F1 and F3. I understand.

  Among these, since the SN value of the frame F2 is “37”, it can be understood that the payload portion of the frame F2 may be coupled to the end of the payload portion in the frame F1 instead of the frame F3.

  Further, since the SN value of the frame F4 is “75”, it can be understood that the payload portion of the frame F4 may be coupled to the end of the payload portion of the frame F3.

  When the payload portion of the frame F2 is coupled to the end of the payload portion in the frame F1, and when the payload portion of the frame F4 is coupled to the end of the payload portion of the frame F3, the data indicated by each LI The padding is deleted based on the end position of.

  When the value of LI is [0000000] indicating that there is no padding, this RLC PDU is combined with the head of the frame. In this case, the payload part of the RLC PDU before the RLC PDU having the LI indicating that there is no padding constitutes the end of the SDU.

  According to the third embodiment as described above, the MAC layer 202 discriminates RLC PDUs that combine payload portions with each other according to the content of identification information included in the header of each RLC PDU, and the discriminated RLC. The PDU payload portions are combined with each other, a frame F1 including the combined payload portion and the RLC header (including identification information) of the leading RLC PDU is generated, and the frame F1 is transmitted from the MAC layer 202 to the RLC layer. Deliver to 203. Therefore, the number of frames transferred from the MAC layer 202 to the RLC layer 203 can be reduced. Therefore, the processing load in the RLC layer 203 can be reduced. In addition, the number of data to be combined in the RLC layer 203 can be reduced, and the processing load in the RLC layer 203 can be reduced in that respect.

  That is, the RLC SDU is generated by removing the header from each of the total 38 RLC PDUs of SN = 0 to 37 and then combining the payload parts of the PDUs, compared with the conventional operation in which the RLC SDU is generated. The processing load on the layer 203 can be reduced.

  Further, since the RLC layer 203 performs retransmission control, it is necessary to retain all frames that have not been transferred to the PDCP layer 204 among frames transferred from the MAC layer 202 until the retransmission control ends. is there. For this reason, if the number of frames (RLC PDU) is large, there is a situation that a large processing load is required for management. However, in this embodiment, since the number of frames to be managed is greatly reduced, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of various problems due to the increase in the number of frames.

  In the third embodiment, the operation when RLC AM is used has been described. However, in the third embodiment, RLC UM (UM: Unknown mode: unconfirmed mode) in which data delivery confirmation is not performed. ) Is set, it can be used similarly.

  In the case of RLC UM, since the RLC header is 1 byte and neither HE nor D / C is used, it is not necessary to discriminate these identification information. In the case of RLC UM, if E (extension bit) = 1, there is also LI, so that frames F1 and F3 are generated by combining RLC PDUs in which E = 0 and SN is continuous. .

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an operation of downlink data transfer by the communication processing method according to the present embodiment. That is, FIG. 10 shows an operation after the MAC layer processing means 302 (MAC layer 202) receives a MAC-d PDU in an environment of RLC PDU size = 42 bytes and RLC SDU size = 1500 bytes. . FIG. 10 shows an operation for transferring data corresponding to two RLC SDUs.

  The configuration of the communication processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the third embodiment (FIG. 7).

  In the case of the fourth embodiment, as in frame F6 in FIG. 10, P = 1, or HE = 01 (with LI) RLC PDU (eg, RLC PDU with SN = 37) Can join to the first segment.

  Thereby, in the fourth embodiment, it is possible to further improve the efficiency of the processing compared to the case of the third embodiment.

  In the case of the present embodiment, specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, data corresponding to two RLC SDUs is divided into three frames F5, F6, and F7 and transferred from the MAC layer 202 to the RLC layer 203. Can be handed over.

  Of these, the frame F5 is composed of a payload portion of 37 RLC PDUs of SN = 0 to 36 and an RLC header.

  The frame F6 includes a payload portion of 38 RLC PDUs of SN = 37 to 74 and an RLC header of an RLC PDU of SN = 37.

  Since the RLC PDU of SN = 37 in the frame F6 is a PDU that requires a predetermined protocol process in the RLC layer 203, its payload portion does not constitute combined data. However, the frame F6 includes combined data of payload portions of RLC PDUs of SN = 38 or later.

  The frame F7 is composed of RLC PDU with SN = 75.

  In the RLC layer 203, when frames F5, F6, and F7 are received from the MAC layer 202, each payload part of the frame F5 and the payload part of the first segment (SN = 37) of the frame F6 are combined to be the first. RLC SDU (RLC SDU (No. 1) in FIG. 10) is generated. Further, the second RLC SDU (the RLC SDU in FIG. 10) is obtained by combining the payload portions constituting the second and subsequent segments (SN = 38 to 74) of the frame F6 and the payload portion of the frame F7. (No. 1)) is generated.

  Then, these two generated RLC SDUs are transferred from the RLC layer 203 to the PDCP layer 204.

  According to the fourth embodiment as described above, the payload portion of the RLC PDU that requires the predetermined protocol processing in the RLC layer 203 cannot constitute the combined data. However, even if the payload portion cannot be combined data, the combined data can be formed by making an arrangement in advance. For example, for the RLC PDU that forms the head of the frame, it is possible to configure the combined data by making an arrangement in advance so that a predetermined protocol process is applied. The combined data can be combined at the beginning of the frame. Therefore, the number of frames can be reduced as compared with the third embodiment.

  In the fourth embodiment, the example in which the frame F6 includes the combined data has been described. However, the frame F6 includes only the payload portion of one RLC PDU in addition to the RLC PDU (for example, SN = 37). May be included.

[Fifth Embodiment]
In the fifth embodiment, uplink data transfer according to the W-CDMA rules as described in detail in the background section will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an operation of uplink data transfer in the communication processing method according to the present embodiment. That is, FIG. 11 shows data transfer from the PDCP layer 204 to the RLC layer 203 and data transfer from the RLC layer 203 to the MAC layer 202 in an environment where the RLC PDU size is 42 bytes and the RLC SDU size is 1500 bytes. Shows the operation. Note that FIG. 11 shows an operation of transferring data of one RLC SDU.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 11, RLC SDU is first transferred from the PDCP layer 204 to the RLC layer 203.

  When receiving the RLC SDU, the RLC layer 203 cuts out the maximum size of data (integer multiple data) that is an integral multiple of the specified size (= 40 bytes) of the RLC payload portion from the head of the RLC SDU.

  In other words, the RLC SDU is divided into integer multiple data (first data) that is an integral multiple of the prescribed size of the RLC payload portion and fraction data (third data) that is less than the prescribed size.

  In the RLC layer 203, subsequently, an RLC header is added to each of the integer multiple data and the fraction data to generate frames F8 and 9, respectively.

  That is, by adding an RLC header set to SN = 0 to the integer multiple data, a frame F8 is obtained.

  Note that data that is an integral multiple of the prescribed size of the RLC payload portion is equally divided by the integer, thereby forming each payload portion of an RLC PDU that requires no protocol processing and that has a continuous SN.

  For this reason, in the frame F8, RLC PDUs in which SN is not required and protocol processing is unnecessary, RLC headers are added only to the first RLC PDU, and RLC headers are omitted from the other RLC PDUs. In other words, it can be said to be a combination of parts.

  Also, the SN value of the RLC header added to the fraction data is set according to how many times the size of the integer multiple data that can be cut out from the RLC SDU is a prescribed size. For example, when the size of integer multiple data is 37 times the specified size, the SN value is SN = 37 (38th).

  The fraction data is adjusted so as to have a prescribed size in total by adding padding to the end.

  The RLC header added to the fraction data has the SN value set as described above, HE = 01, and an LI indicating the end of the RLC SDU, and P = 1. Further, the value of LI is set to a value indicating the end position of data. Thereby, the frame F9 is generated.

  Subsequently, the RLC layer 203 delivers the frames F8 and F9 generated in this way to the MAC layer 202.

  When transferring data corresponding to one RLC SDU, the RLC layer 203 performs an operation as if two RLC PDUs are transferred to the MAC layer 202 as shown in FIG.

  Next, in the MAC layer 202, when a frame having a data amount different from the prescribed size, that is, the frame F8 is received, the frame F8 is combined with a plurality of RLC PDUs (payload portions thereof) having consecutive SNs. Recognize it as a frame.

  In the MAC layer 202, the payload part (the part excluding the RLC header) of the frame F8 is divided into a plurality of pieces of data by dividing the payload part of each RLC PDU equally (40 bytes) into a plurality of pieces of data. On the other hand, an RLC PDU is generated by generating and adding an RLC header.

  Here, for the first RLC PDU, the RLC header (SN = 0) passed from the RLC layer 203 is used as it is, and from the second RLC PDU, the SN stored in the header of the first RLC PDU is changed. All RLC headers are generated in increments of one.

  Then, the generated RLC PDU is transferred to the network.

  Further, the MAC layer 202 recognizes that the frame F9 is one RLC PDU, and transfers it to the network as it is.

  According to the fifth embodiment as described above, in the MAC layer 202, the data of the frame F8 including the data that is an integral multiple of the specified size and the RLC header as identification information of the data is set to the specified size. Divide into multiple data. For each of the divided data, an RLC header as identification information used for “predetermined communication processing performed in the second layer of the data transmission destination” is generated based on the SN = 0 RLC header. Then, an RLC PDU including each divided data and an RLC header generated corresponding to the data is generated, and the RLC PDU is transmitted to a communication processing apparatus as a data transmission destination.

  Therefore, the number of frames transferred from the RLC layer 203 to the MAC layer 202 can be reduced. Therefore, the processing load in the RLC layer 203 can be reduced. In addition, the number of data divisions in the RLC layer can be reduced, and the processing load in the RLC layer can also be reduced in this respect.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the number of frames transferred from the RLC layer 203 to the MAC layer 202 can be reduced. Therefore, the number of RLC PDUs that the RLC must manage can be dramatically reduced.

  By the way, generally, when a communication processing apparatus has an ARQ (Automatic Repeat Request) function, retransmission control of PDU is necessary. In order to perform retransmission control, even if a PDU is transferred to a lower layer, the transferred PDU cannot be deleted immediately, and a reception response (ACK) from a destination communication device is received. It can be deleted for the first time. The same applies to the RLC layer 203 in the present embodiment. More specifically, in this embodiment, it is necessary to hold the transmitted PDU until the ACK is received from the transmission destination even after the PDU is transferred from the RLC layer 203 to the MAC layer 202. As described above, since PDU management is required even after PDU transmission, if the number of PDUs can be reduced, PDU management processing can be reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the amount of software processing required for management.

[Sixth Embodiment]
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation of uplink data transfer in the communication processing method according to the sixth embodiment. That is, FIG. 12 shows data transfer from the PDCP layer 204 to the RLC layer 203 and data transfer from the RLC layer 203 to the MAC layer 202 in an environment where the RLC PDU size is 42 bytes and the RLC SDU size is 1500 bytes. Shows the operation. FIG. 12 shows an operation of transferring data corresponding to two RLC SDUs.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, first, two RLC SDUs are transferred from the PDCP layer 204 to the RLC layer 203.

  In the RLC layer 203, when two RLC SDUs are received, the specified size (= 40 bytes) from the head of the RLC PDU (No. 1) received earlier, as in the fifth embodiment. And the largest data (integer multiple data) is cut out.

  That is, the RLC SDU (No. 1) is divided into integer multiple data (first data) that is an integral multiple of the prescribed size and fraction data (third data) that is less than the prescribed size.

  Subsequently, in the RLC layer 203, an RLC header with SN = 0 is added to the integer multiple data to generate a frame F10. This frame F10 corresponds to the frame F8 of the fifth embodiment.

  That is, in the frame F10, RLC PDUs in which SN is not required and protocol processing is unnecessary, RLC headers are added only to the first RLC PDU, and RLC headers are omitted from the other RLC PDUs. It can be paraphrased that it is what combined.

  Also, an RLC header is added to the fraction data.

  The RLC header to be added to the fraction data is set to the SN value (for example, SN = 37) as in the fifth embodiment, and HE = 01 is added to indicate that the RLC SDU is terminated. Further, P = 1 is set. Further, the value of LI is set to a value indicating the end position of data.

  Further, padding is added to the end of the fraction data so that the sum of the fraction data and the padding is adjusted to a specified size.

  On the other hand, RLC SDU (No. 2) is also divided into integer multiple data (first data) and fractional data (third data) in the same manner as RLC SDU (No. 2).

  Of these, the integer multiple data is coupled to the end of the fraction data (having the RLC header) generated based on the RLC SDU (No. 1). As a result, a frame (third frame) F11 is generated.

  As described above, the frame F11 includes integer multiple data divided from an RLC SDU (No. 2) different from the RLC SDU (No. 1) that is the division source of the fraction data.

  In other words, the frame F11 includes an RLC PDU (SN = 38 to 74) in which an RLC header is added to a payload portion of an RLC PDU (SN = 37) that requires protocol processing and an RLC PDU (SN = 38 to 74) in which SN is not required and protocol processing is required. Each payload part from which the header is omitted is combined.

  In addition, an RLC header is added to the fraction data generated based on RLC SDU (No. 2), that is, the payload part of RLC PDU (SN = 75) that requires protocol processing, and padding is added to the end of the payload. . As a result, the sum of the fraction data and the padding is set to a specified size, and a frame F12 including the RLC header, the fraction data, and the padding is generated.

  Then, the generated frames F10, F11, and F12 are transferred from the RLC layer 203 to the MAC layer 202.

  In this way, when the RLC layer 203 delivers data corresponding to two RLC SDUs to the MAC layer 202, as shown in FIG. 12, it is as if three RLC PDUs are passed to the RLC layer 203. The operation like this is performed.

  Next, when the MAC layer 202 receives a frame having a data amount different from the prescribed size (42 bytes), that is, the frames F10 and F11, the frames F10 and F11 are converted into a plurality of RLC PDUs (consecutive SNs). It is recognized as a frame having a portion formed by combining (payload portion).

  In the MAC layer 202, the payload part (the part excluding the RLC header) of the frame F10 is divided into a plurality of pieces of data by dividing the payload part of the RLC PDU into equal parts from the beginning with a specified size, that is, the size of the payload part of each RLC PDU (40 bytes) An RLC PDU is generated by dividing and generating and adding an RLC header to each of these data.

  Here, as in the fifth embodiment, for the first RLC PDU, the RLC header (SN = 0) passed from the RLC layer 203 is used as it is, and the second RLC PDU starts with the first RLC PDU. All the RLC headers are generated by incrementing the SN stored in the header.

  Then, the generated RLC PDU is transferred to the network.

  Also, since the start of the frame F11 is an RLC PDU that requires predetermined protocol processing, the MAC layer 202 cuts off the start of the frame F11 with the prescribed size (42 bytes) of the RLC PDU, and the remaining payload. The RLC PDU is divided into a plurality of data by equally dividing the RLC PDU payload portion size (40 bytes) from the beginning, and generating and adding an RLC header to each of these data. Generate. At this time, all RLC headers are generated in such a manner that the SN stored in the header of the first RLC PDU that requires a predetermined protocol process is incremented by one.

  Then, the generated RLC PDU is transferred to the network.

  Further, the MAC layer 202 recognizes that the frame F12 having a data amount of a prescribed size is one RLC PDU, and transfers it to the network as it is.

  According to the sixth embodiment as described above, the frame F11 includes an RLC PDU (eg, SN = 37) including fractional data of a prescribed size and an RLC SDU (No. 1) that is a division source of this RLC PDU. ) And an integer multiple of a specified size (40 bytes) divided from another RLC SDU (No. 2). Therefore, the number of frames can be reduced and the processing load on the RLC layer 203 can be further reduced as compared with the fifth embodiment.

  In each of the above embodiments, the HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) operation of HSDPA, which is high-rate data transfer, is illustrated, but all other channels (DCH (Dedicated Channel), FACH (Forward) used in 3G are exemplified. (Access Channel), RACH (Random Access Channel), E-DCH (Enhanced Dedicated Channel)).

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the communication processing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows operation | movement of the communication processing method which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the control part of a communication processing apparatus. It is a schematic diagram which shows operation | movement of the communication processing method which concerns on the modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows operation | movement of the communication processing method which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows operation | movement of the communication processing method which concerns on the modification of 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the communication processing apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the operation | movement (at the time of the data transfer for 1 RLC SDU) of the communication processing method which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the operation | movement (at the time of the data transfer for 2 RLC SDUs) of the communication processing method which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows operation | movement of the communication processing method which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows operation | movement of the communication processing method which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows operation | movement of the communication processing method which concerns on 6th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the protocol hierarchy of the radio | wireless interface assumed with the system of W-CDMA. It is a figure which shows the maximum number of bits of the transport block which should be processed in a RLC layer in 1 TTI for every category of HSDPA, and the theoretical maximum number of RLC PDU. It is a figure which shows a response | compatibility of the name and form of a data frame for every layer in the case of a basic channel configuration. It is a figure which shows the structure of RLC PDU. It is a figure which shows the data amount and the content of each identification information which comprise the RLC header. It is a figure which shows a response | compatibility with RLC SDU and RLC PDU in the case of typical frame size (RLC SDU: 1500 bytes, RLC PDU: 42 bytes). It is a schematic diagram which shows the operation | movement of a general downlink data transfer in the case of typical frame size (RLC SDU: 1500 bytes, RLC PDU: 42 bytes). It is a schematic diagram which shows the operation | movement of general uplink data transfer in the case of typical frame size (RLC SDU: 1500 bytes, RLC PDU: 42 bytes).

Explanation of symbols

1, 2, 3 Data 11 Identification information (first identification information)
12 Identification information (identification information for single data, first identification information)
13, 14 Representative identification information (identification information for combined data)
20 Combined data 31, 32, 33 First frame 34 Second frame 35 Third frame 21, 22, 23 Identification information (second identification information)
50 data 51 data 61 first frame 62, 63 second frame 64 third frame 100 communication processing device 103 first layer processing means 104 second layer processing means 105 third layer processing means 302 MAC layer processing Means (first layer processing means)
303 RLC layer processing means (second layer processing means)
304 PDCP layer processing means (third layer processing means)
F1, F3, F5 Second frame F2, F4, F7 Third frame F6 Third frame F8, F10 First frame F9, F12 Third frame F11 Third frame

Claims (19)

First layer processing means for performing communication processing in the first layer ;
Second layer processing means for performing communication processing in the second layer;
With
The first layer processing means includes:
Data, and identification information used for predetermined communication processing on the data in the second layer, among the plurality of first frames including a first frame coupling the data to each other, the identification information A first process for determining according to the contents of
Combined data obtained by combining the data of the first frame determined to be combined with each other, and combination indicating contents of communication processing performed in the second layer for the data included in the combined data A process of generating a second frame including data identification information;
The second frame, and the receiving pass processing the second layer processing means,
A communication processing device. The first layer processing means includes:
The data included in the first frame that is not determined to be combined with the data out of the first frames, and a single unit that indicates the content of the first communication processing performed on the data in the second layer A process of generating a third frame including data identification information;
Processing to deliver the third frame to the second layer processing means;
The communication processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The communication processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the third frame further includes additional data other than the data included in the first frame that is not determined to be combined with the data. The communication processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the additional data is the combined data that does not constitute the second frame. Said second layer processing means, wherein said data included in the second frame, combines, and data contained in the third frame, characterized in that passed to the third layer processing means Item 5. The communication processing device according to any one of Items 1 to 4. The identification information of each first frame includes first and second identification information,
Wherein in the first process, according to claim 1 to 5, characterized in that the first identification information is a plurality of first frame are identical to each other, it is determined that the first frame coupling the data The communication processing device according to any one of the above. The identification information of each first frame includes first and second identification information,
In the first process, it is determined that a plurality of first frames having the same first identification information are the first frames that combine the data,
The third frame includes the data included in the first frame including the first identification information different from the same first identification information, the different first identification information, and the second identification information. the communication processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that it comprises the identification information. In the first process, the necessity of the predetermined communication process in the second layer is determined based on the content of the first identification information, and the data is determined according to the necessity of the predetermined communication process. the communication processing apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that to determine the first frame that binds. In the first process, it is determined that the first frame including the first identification information indicating that the predetermined communication process is unnecessary is a first frame that combines the data. The communication processing device according to claim 8 . In the first process,
The necessity of the predetermined communication process in the second layer is determined based on the content of the first identification information, and the data is combined according to the necessity of the predetermined communication process,
In the first process, it is determined that the first frame including the first identification information indicating that the predetermined communication process is unnecessary is a first frame that combines the data;
The communication according to claim 7 , wherein the third frame includes the data included in the first frame including the first identification information indicating that the predetermined communication processing is necessary. Processing equipment. The combined data identification information includes the second identification information of any one first frame among the plurality of first frames determined to combine the data. The communication processing device according to any one of 6 to 10 . The communication processing apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the second identification information includes a number indicating the order of the data. 13. The communication processing apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein each piece of combined data includes only the data having the consecutive numbers. The second identification information included in the combined data identification information includes the number of the first data in the order among the data included in the combined data corresponding to the combined data identification information. The communication processing device according to claim 12 or 13 . The binding data, the communication processing apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized by being bonded side by side the data to the numerical order. In a communication processing apparatus comprising: first layer processing means for performing communication processing in a first layer; and second layer processing means for performing communication processing in a second layer, at least communication processing in the first layer a communication processing method for performing,
The communication process in the first layer is:
Data, and identification information used for predetermined communication processing on the data in the second layer, among the plurality of first frames including a first frame coupling the data to each other, the identification information Determining according to the content of
Combined data obtained by combining the data of the first frame determined to be combined with each other, and combination indicating contents of communication processing performed in the second layer for the data included in the combined data Generating a second frame including data identification information;
Passing the second frame to the second layer;
A communication processing method comprising: The communication process in the first layer is:
Identification of single data indicating contents of communication processing performed in the second layer for the data and the data included in the first frame that is not determined to be combined with the data in the first frame Generating a third frame including information; and
Passing the third frame to the second layer;
The communication processing method according to claim 16 , further comprising: In a communication processing apparatus comprising: first layer processing means for performing communication processing in a first layer; and second layer processing means for performing communication processing in a second layer, at least communication processing in the first layer a program causing a computer to execute the,
The communication process in the first layer is:
Data, and identification information used for predetermined communication processing on the data in the second layer, among the plurality of first frames including a first frame coupling the data to each other, the identification information Processing to determine according to the content of
Combined data obtained by combining the data of the first frame determined to be combined with each other, and combination indicating contents of communication processing performed in the second layer for the data included in the combined data A process of generating a second frame including data identification information;
Processing to pass the second frame to the second layer;
The program characterized by including. The communication process in the first layer is:
Identification of single data indicating contents of communication processing performed in the second layer for the data and the data included in the first frame that is not determined to be combined with the data in the first frame Processing to generate a third frame including information;
Processing to pass the third frame to the second layer;
The program according to claim 18 , further comprising:

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