NZ618590B2 - Handling redundant data in a communication system - Google Patents
Handling redundant data in a communication system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- NZ618590B2 NZ618590B2 NZ618590A NZ61859012A NZ618590B2 NZ 618590 B2 NZ618590 B2 NZ 618590B2 NZ 618590 A NZ618590 A NZ 618590A NZ 61859012 A NZ61859012 A NZ 61859012A NZ 618590 B2 NZ618590 B2 NZ 618590B2
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- NZ
- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- data frame
- sequence number
- data
- radio base
- discard
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L1/00—Arrangements for detecting or preventing errors in the information received
- H04L1/02—Arrangements for detecting or preventing errors in the information received by diversity reception
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L1/00—Arrangements for detecting or preventing errors in the information received
- H04L1/12—Arrangements for detecting or preventing errors in the information received by using return channel
- H04L1/16—Arrangements for detecting or preventing errors in the information received by using return channel in which the return channel carries supervisory signals, e.g. repetition request signals
- H04L1/18—Automatic repetition systems, e.g. Van Duuren systems
- H04L1/1867—Arrangements specially adapted for the transmitter end
- H04L1/1874—Buffer management
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L1/00—Arrangements for detecting or preventing errors in the information received
- H04L1/12—Arrangements for detecting or preventing errors in the information received by using return channel
- H04L1/16—Arrangements for detecting or preventing errors in the information received by using return channel in which the return channel carries supervisory signals, e.g. repetition request signals
- H04L1/18—Automatic repetition systems, e.g. Van Duuren systems
- H04L1/1867—Arrangements specially adapted for the transmitter end
- H04L1/1896—ARQ related signaling
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L47/00—Traffic control in data switching networks
- H04L47/10—Flow control; Congestion control
- H04L47/32—Flow control; Congestion control by discarding or delaying data units, e.g. packets or frames
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W28/00—Network traffic management; Network resource management
- H04W28/02—Traffic management, e.g. flow control or congestion control
- H04W28/04—Error control
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
- H04W88/08—Access point devices
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
- H04W88/12—Access point controller devices
Abstract
Disclosed is a method in a radio network controller (105) for transmitting a discard indication signal. The radio network controller configured for multi-point High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) operation wherein data is communicated to a first user equipment (106) via at least two radio base stations (104). The method comprises transmitting a discard indication signal to at least one of the at least two radio base stations. The discard indication signal includes a first data frame sequence number and wherein the discard indication signal indicates to the at least one radio base station that Medium Access Control protocol handling dedicated data Protocol Data Units (MAC-d PDUs) received by the at least one radio base station from the radio network controller in a data frame associated with the first data frame sequence number can be discarded. stations (104). The method comprises transmitting a discard indication signal to at least one of the at least two radio base stations. The discard indication signal includes a first data frame sequence number and wherein the discard indication signal indicates to the at least one radio base station that Medium Access Control protocol handling dedicated data Protocol Data Units (MAC-d PDUs) received by the at least one radio base station from the radio network controller in a data frame associated with the first data frame sequence number can be discarded.
Description
HANDLING REDUNDANT DATA IN A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to handling redundant data communicated between
different entities in a radio access network, such as radio base stations and radio network
controllers.
BACKGROUND
The third generation partnership project, 3GPP, is currently working on specifying support
for MP HSDPA (Multi-Point High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) in Release-11. When
MP HSDPA is employed, downlink data is sent to UE (User Equipment, also referred to as
mobile/wireless terminal) via two instead of one Node B (herein also referred to as radio
base station, RBS). The UE will thus receive data via two MAC-hs (HSDPA Medium
Access Control protocol handling fixed size RLC data) or MAC–ehs (HSDPA Medium
Access Control protocol handling fixed or flexible sized RLC data) flows and re-order data
on RLC (Radio Link Control) level for delivery to higher layers. It should be noted that
various terminology has been used to describe this functionality in 3GPP such as HSDPA
Multipoint Transmission, Inter-NodeB Multi-Point Transmissions and HSDPA Multiflow
data but the abbreviation MP HSDPA will henceforth be used to describe this functionality.
A potential problem with some existing MP HSDPA solutions is that since data in the UE
may be received from more than one Node B, then the data as delivered to the RLC layer
in UE may be out of order. Since the RLC layer in UE will trigger a status report when
missing RLC SN (Sequence Number) is detected, this will lead to unnecessary RLC
retransmissions if the missing data has already been sent to the other Node B but not yet
transmitted to UE. The unnecessary retransmissions this will cause will in turn result in
that one or both Node B’s will buffer and eventually transmit redundant data to the UE.
Various solutions to this problem on RLC level have been suggested as outlined in 3GPP
reference R2-113299, “Layer 2 considerations for Inter-Node Multipoint HSDPA
operation”, but these may not reduce/eliminate the problem of redundant data. To this it
can be added that in a MP HSDPA there may even be multiple copies of the same MAC-d
(Medium Access Control protocol handling dedicated data) PDU’s (Protocol Data Units) in
one or both Node B PQ’s (Priority Queues) since the UE may via RLC status reports sent
requests for additional retransmissions for data already queued in Node B but not yet
transmitted.
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Although this may not necessarily cause a protocol failure, it is detrimental in that it can
lead to an inefficient use of available air interface resources in existing solutions because
this redundant data may need to be sent to UE before it is discarded.
SUMMARY
In order to enable a more efficient use of air interface resources, and/or to at least provide
the public with a useful choice, there are disclosed herein methods, apparatuses and
computer program products in several aspects.
In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method in a radio network controller.
The radio network controller is configured for multi-point HSDPA operation wherein data is
communicated to a first user equipment via at least two radio base stations. The method
comprises transmitting a discard indication signal to at least one of the at least two radio
base stations. The discard indication signal includes a first data frame sequence number.
The discard indication signal indicates to the at least one radio base station that MAC-d
PDUs received by the at least one radio base station from the radio network controller in a
data frame associated with the first data frame sequence number can be discarded.
In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method in a radio base station.
The radio base station is configured to participate in multi-point HSDPA operation wherein
data is communicated to a first user equipment via the radio base station and at least one
other radio base station. The method comprises receiving MAC-d PDUs from a radio
network controller in data frames, wherein each data frame conveying MAC-d PDUs is
associated with a sequence number. The received MAC-d PDUs are buffered in a buffer
pending transfer to the first user equipment. A discard indication signal is received from
the radio network controller. The received discard indication signal includes a data frame
sequence number and the discard indication signal indicates to the radio base station that
MAC-d PDUs received by the radio base station in a data frame associated with said
sequence number can be discarded.
In a third aspect of the invention there is provided a radio network controller. The radio
network controller is configurable for multi-point HSDPA operation wherein data is
communicated to a first user equipment via at least two radio base stations. The radio
network controller comprises digital data processing circuitry adapted to generate a
discard indication signal for transmission to at least one of the at least two radio base
stations. The discard indication signal includes a first data frame sequence number and
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the discard indication signal indicates to the at least one radio base station that MAC-d
PDUs received by the at least one radio base station from the radio network controller in a
data frame associated with the first data frame sequence number can be discarded. The
radio network controller further comprises a transmitter operable connected to the digital
data processing circuitry. The transmitter is adapted to transmit the generated discard
indication signal to the at least one of the at least two radio base stations.
In a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a radio base station. The radio base
station is configurable to participate in multi-point HSDPA operation wherein data is
communicated to a first user equipment via the radio base station and at least one other
radio base station. The radio base station comprises a receiver arranged to receive MAC-
d PDUs from a radio network controller in data frames, wherein each data frame
conveying MAC-d PDUs is associated with a sequence number. The radio base station
further comprises digital data processing circuitry that is operable connected to the
receiver and arranged to buffer the received MAC-d PDUs in a buffer pending transfer to
the first user equipment. The receiver is further arranged to receive a discard indication
signal from the radio network controller. The discard indication signal includes a data
frame sequence number and the discard indication signal indicates to the radio base
station that MAC-d PDUs received by the radio base station in a data frame associated
with said sequence number can be discarded.
In a fifth aspect of the invention there are provided non-transitory computer program
products comprising software instructions that are configured, when executed in a
processor, to perform the method of the first and second aspects.
Embodiments of the invention make use of an explicit discard indication that allows the
radio network controller, when operating in a MP HSDPA scenario, to send data to a user
equipment via plural radio base stations while reducing the risk for unnecessary duplicate
data to be sent over the Uu interface. Since the capacity to convey data via different radio
base stations varies over time due to variations in both the transport network and radio
conditions, it may be advantageous if retransmissions can be done over the radio base
station link that has the greatest capacity at the time of retransmission. With such discard
indications, redundant copies of MAC-d PDU’s can be discarded before transmission over
the Uu interface thereby saving Uu bandwidth.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates schematically a mobile communication system,
figure 2 illustrates schematically a radio base station,
figure 3 illustrates schematically a radio network controller,
figures 4 and 5 are flow charts of methods embodying the invention,
figures 6 to 11 illustrate schematically content of data frames used for communication
between entities in a mobile communication system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Figure 1 illustrates schematically a mobile communication system in the form of a cellular
network 100 in which the present methods and apparatuses can be implemented. The
cellular network 100 in figure 1 is exemplified by a universal mobile telecommunications
system, UMTS. It should be noted, however, that the skilled person will readily be able to
perform implementations in other similar communication systems involving transmission
of coded data between nodes.
In figure 1 the cellular network 100 comprises a core network 102 and a UMTS terrestrial
radio access network, UTRAN, 103. The UTRAN 103 comprises a number of nodes in the
form of radio network controllers, RNC, 105a, 105b, each of which is coupled via a so-
called transport network, TN, 112, to a set of neighbouring nodes in the form of one or
more NodeB 104a, 104b, 104c. Each NodeB 104 is responsible for a given geographical
radio cell and the controlling RNC 105 is responsible for routing user and signalling data
between that NodeB 104 and the core network 102. All of the RNCs 105 are coupled to
one another. Signaling between the Node Bs and the RNCs includes signalling according
to the Iub interface. A general outline of the UTRAN 103 is given in 3GPP technical
specification TS 25.401 V3.2.0.
Figure 1 also illustrates communicating entities in the form of mobile devices or user
equipment, UE, 106a, 106b and radio base stations in the form of NodeBs 104a, 104b,
104c. A first UE 106a communicates with a first NodeB 104a via an air interface 111 and
a second UE 106b communicates with the first NodeB 104a and with a second NodeB
104b via the air interface 111. Signalling in the air interface 111 includes signalling
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according to the Uu interface. As will be elucidated in some detail below, the UEs 106b
operates by utilizing MP-HSDPA in relation to the two NodeB’s 104a and 104b.
The core network 102 comprises a number of nodes represented by node 107 and
provides communication services to the UEs 106 via the UTRAN 103, for example for
communication between UEs connected to the UTRAN 103 or other mobile or fixed
networks and when communicating with the Internet 109 where, schematically, a server
110 illustrates an entity with which the mobile devices 106 may communicate. As the
skilled person realizes, the network 100 in figure 1 may comprise a large number of
similar functional units in the core network 102 and the UTRAN 103, and in typical
realizations of networks, the number of mobile devices may be very large.
Figure 2 is a functional block diagram that schematically illustrates an example of a radio
network controller, RNC, 200 that is configured to operate in a radio access network, such
as the UTRAN 103 in figure 1. In the embodiment of figure 2, the RNC 200 represents a
RNC, such as any of the RNC’s 105 in figure 1.
The RNC 200 comprises digital data processing circuitry comprising processing means,
memory means and communication means in the form of a processor 202, a memory 204
and communication circuitry 206 that includes a transmitter 216 capable of transmitting
data to other entities in the network. For example, the circuitry of these means 202, 204
and 206 can comprise and/or form part of one or more application specific integrated
circuit, ASIC, as well as one or more digital signal processor, DSP. The RNC 200 receives
data 212 via an incoming data path 210 and transmits data 214 via an outgoing data path
208. The data 210, 212 can be any of uplink and downlink data, as the skilled person will
realize.
Methods to be described below can be implemented in the RNC 200. In such
embodiments, the method actions are realized by means of software instructions 205 that
are stored in the memory 204 and are executable by the processor 202. Such software
instructions 205 can be realized and provided to the RNC 200 in any suitable way, e.g.
provided via the networks 102, 103 or being installed during manufacturing, as the skilled
person will realize. Moreover, the memory 204, the processor 202, as well as the
communication circuitry 206 comprise software and/or firmware that, in addition to being
configured such that it is capable of implementing the methods to be described, is
configured to control the general operation of the RNC 200 when operating in a
communication system such as the system 100 in figure 1. However, for the purpose of
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avoiding unnecessary detail, no further description will be made in the present disclosure
regarding this general operation.
Figure 3 is a functional block diagram that schematically illustrates an example of a radio
base station, RBS, in the form of a Node B 300, corresponding to any of the Node Bs 106
in figure 1. The Node B 300 comprises radio frequency, RF, receiving and transmitting
circuitry 306, an antenna 307 and digital data processing circuitry comprising a processor
302, a memory 304, and communication circuitry 308. The memory 304 comprises a
buffer 311 for buffering data that is communicated with other entities. For example, the
buffer 311 can hold MAC- PDUs in a priority queue as will be discussed in more detail
below. The communication circuitry 308 includes a receiver 313 capable of receiving data
from other entities in the network. Radio communication via the antenna 307 is realized by
the RF circuitry 306 controlled by the processor 302, as the skilled person will understand.
The circuitry of these means 302, 304, and 308 can comprise and/or form part of one or
more application specific integrated circuit, ASIC, as well as one or more digital signal
processor, DSP. The processor 302 makes use of software instructions 305 stored in the
memory 304 in order to control functions of the Node B 300, including the functions to be
described in detail below with regard to handling of PDUs. In other words, at least the
communication circuitry 308, the processor 302 and the memory 304 form parts of digital
data processing and communication circuitry that is configured to handle PDUs as
summarized above and described in detail below. Further details regarding how these
units operate in order to perform normal functions within a communication system, such
as the system 100 of figure 1, are outside the scope of the present disclosure and are
therefore not discussed further.
Turning now to figures 4 and 5, and with continued reference to the previous figures,
examples of methods associated with discarding of PDUs will be described in some more
detail.
Figure 4 describes a method in a RNC, such as any of the RNCs 105 in figure 1 and the
RNC 200 in figure 2. Figure 5 describes a method in a radio base station, RBS, or Node
B, such as a Node B as illustrated by the Node Bs 104 in figure 1 and the node B 300 in
figure 3. The methods of figures 4 and 5 describe behaviour in separate interrelated
products that facilitate a discard of redundant data queued in Node B before transmission
over the air interface. In a MP HSDPA scenario (i.e. involving at least two Node Bs) there
may due to RLC retransmissions be data in one or both Node B’s that is redundant since
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it has already been received by UE. It should be noted that there may even be multiple
copies of the same MAC-d PDU’s in one or both Node B PQ’s since the UE may via
status reports send requests for additional retransmissions for data already queued in
Node B but not yet transmitted. As soon a the UE has received this data via either Node
B, all other copies are redundant and could preferably be cleared from the PQ’s in order
to make room for transmission of data that UE has yet not received.
By keeping track of what data has been sent in which TN (Transport Network) frame type
1 or 2 and by monitoring the RLC status reports sent by UE, the RNC knows when the UE
has received which data and what data is therefore still in Node B awaiting transmission.
Based on this information the RNC will thus know when to send discard indications to
Node B. These discard indications may either be carried in new data or control frames
scheduled for transmission or sent in dedicated frames devoid of data if no data is
scheduled for transmission, as will be exemplified in more detail below. Since the RNC via
the RLC status reports knows that the UE has received the data but is unaware of via
which Node B, the discard indication can be sent to one or more of the Node B’s. The
Node B in turn reads the discard indication from the RNC and if such data is stored
discards this. It should be noted that the RNC can keep track of to which Node B data has
been sent and only send the discard indication to the Node B who has the redundant
data.
Figure 4 illustrates a method in a radio network controller according to an embodiment of
the invention. The radio network controller is configured for MP- HSDPA operation
wherein data is communicated to a first user equipment via at least two radio base
stations. At step 402, a decision is made whether a discard indication signal should be
sent. This decision may be based on the radio network controllers knowledge of which
data has been received by the first user equipment derived from monitoring of RLC status
reports sent by the first user equipment and providing acknowledgement status of RLC
PDU´s (where each RLC PDU corresponds to one MAC-d PDU). In a scenario where
more than one MAC-d PDUs (and consequently more than one RLC PDU) may have
been sent in a data frame, the decision may also be based on the radio network
controllers knowledge of what data (i.e. MAC-d PDUs/RLC PDUs) have been sent in
which data frame i.e. transport network frame. Hence, the decision whether a discard
indication signal should be sent may be based on the radio network controllers knowledge
of which data the UE has received and which data is still awaiting transmission derived by
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monitoring the RLC status reports sent by the first user equipment and keeping track of
which data have been sent in which data frame.
If a discard indication should be sent (alternative "YES" at step 402), a discard indication
signal is transmitted in a transmission step 404 to at least one of the at least two radio
base stations. The discard indication signal includes a first data frame sequence number
and indicates to the at least one radio base station that MAC-d PDUs received by the at
least one radio base station from the radio network controller in a data frame associated
with the first data frame sequence number can be discarded.
Figure 5 illustrates a method in a radio base station (or Node B) according to an
embodiment of the invention. The radio base station is configured to participate in MP
HSDPA operation wherein data is communicated to a first user equipment via the radio
base station and at least one other radio base station. Data is received, in a reception
step 502, from the radio network controller. The received data is in the form of MAC-d
PDUs in data frames, wherein each data frame conveying MAC-d PDUs is associated
with a sequence number. The received MAC-d PDUs are buffered, in a buffering step
504, in a buffer pending transfer to the first user equipment. A discard indication signal is
received, in a reception step 506, from the radio network controller. The discard indication
signal includes a data frame sequence number and wherein the discard indication signal
indicates to the radio base station that MAC-d PDUs received by the radio base station in
a data frame associated with said sequence number can be discarded. At discard step
508, any MAC-d PDU still in the buffer and associated with said data frame sequence
number in the discard indication signal may be discarded..
There are many different ways to indicate data to be discarded to Node B. That is,
examples of how the discard indication signal can be realized will now be described with
reference to figures 6 to 11, where the examples include the use of reserved bits or
assigning new meaning to already existing fields or defining new IE (Information Element)
in either data or control frames of the type 1 and 2 HS-DSCH (High-Speed Downlink
Shared Channel) Frame Protocol (FP). Figures 6 to 11 illustrate frame fields that are
graphically emphasized by being hashed. Typically, in the following, the fields that are
discussed in detail are those that are emphasized.
It should be noted that it may not be possible for Node B to discard all MAC-d PDU’s as
indicated in the discard message since some MAC-d PDU’s may be partially transmitted
or in the process of being transmitted. In some embodiments partially transmitted MAC-d
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PDU’s and data moved from Node B PQ but still awaiting transmission on MAC-hs or
MAC-ehs layer in Node B are excluded from deletion while in other embodiments also
these MAC-d PDUs are discarded.
For example, a new sequence number, SN, specially related to the discard functionality is
sent in every frame by utilizing the 15 of the 16 bits reserved to indicate “User Buffer Size”
for this purpose.
In order to distinguish from the legacy use, the bit “0” in octet 4 reserved in both type 1
and type 2 FP is used. If the value of this bit is “0” then the legacy definition as “User
Buffer Size” applies.
If this bit is set to “1” instead, then the Node B shall interpret this as an indication that all
the 8 bits in octet 6 and bits 1 to 7 in octet 7 for type 1 FP indicate a SN. The last bit “0” in
octet 7 is used to indicate how Node B shall interpret and use the associated SN. If this bit
is set to “1” then the Node B shall store all MAC-d PDU’s in contained in the frame and
associate these with the SN. If this bit is set to “0”, then the Node B shall discard all MAC-
d PDU’s associated with this SN. Note that for type 2 FP then the mapping is the same
but octet 5 and 6 carry the “User Buffer Size” field.
This example provides an advantage in that the SN space is 32767 which in practice
eliminates the risk of SN wrap around. Note that a solution using less of the 16 bits in the
“User Buffer Size” is also possible but that this may lower the margin against SN wrap
around. However, even if there in practice is no risk of a wrap around, it is of course still
possible to implement a timer based flush as well that clears all stored data at timer
expiry. An additional enhancement is to use another of the 16 bits in the “User Buffer
Size” field to indicate that all data in PQ should be discarded. One possible embodiment
in this case is again to use the last bit “0” in octet 4 reserved in both type 1 and type 2 FP.
If the value of this bit is “0” then the legacy definition as “User Buffer Size” for octets 6 and
7 applies for type 1 FP. If this bit is set to “1” instead, then in this case the Node B shall
interpret this as an indication that all the 8 bits in octet 6 and bits 2 to 7 in octet 7 indicate
a SN for type 1 FP. This means that the SN space is reduced from 15 to 14 bits and the
freed bit “1” would then be used to indicate that all buffered data is to be discarded if this
is set to “1” or in the case that this bit is set to “0” indicate that the SN should be read and
only data associated with this SN discarded. Note that for type 2 FP then the mapping is
the same but octet 5 and 6 carry the “User Buffer Size” field.
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Note that it is also possible to indicate discard even though no data is scheduled for
transmission. In this scenario the RNC sends a frame with the same SN as previously
sent but in this case containing no data but contain the discard indication as outlined
above. For FP type 1,the value “0” to “NumOfPDU” is introduced to indicate that no data is
contained in frame since range of is limited to 1-255 in current version of standard. For FP
type 2 it is already possible with the current standard to indicate that no data is contained
since range of “Total Number of PDU blocks” is 0-31.
In another example, the “New IE Flags” field is used to introduce the SN and indicate data
to discard. This will in the following be illustrated by reference to 3GPP TS 25.435,
V10.3.0 (2011-09) and how the coding of IEs can be modified in order to accommodate
such examples.
With reference to figure 21A in 3GPP TS 25.435, V10.3.0, bit 1 of New IE Flags in HS-
DSCH DATA FRAME TYPE1 indicate if a SN is present (1) or not (0) in the third and the
fourth octets following the New IE Flags IE. Bit 0 in the fourth octet is allocated for IE S/D.
Bits 2 through 6 of New IE Flags in HS-DSCH DATA FRAME TYPE 1 shall be set to 0.
Field length of Spare Extension IE in HS-DSCH DATA FRAME TYPE 1 is 0-27 octets.
In terms of how the description of IE coding in 3GPP TS 25.435, V10.3.0, can be
supplemented, the following addition can be made with regard to the frame sequence
number, SN: SN is a sequence number assigned to each frame by RNC and shall be
used by Node B to identify the set of MAC-d PDU’s sent in frame. This is also used by
RNC to indicate MAC-d PDU’s that the Node B shall discard. The value range is {0..
32767} and the field length is 15 bits.
With regard to the Store/Discard, S/D, indicator, it indicates if Node B shall store or
discard data associated with SN. The value range is {0 = Discard data associated with
SN, 1 = Store and associate MAC-d PDU’s in frame with SN} and the field length is 1 bit.
Such changes and additions are illustrated in figure 6 for FP type 1 and for FP type 2 in
figure 7. Note that the same type of mapping using “New IE Flags” field as exemplified
above for type 1 FP can also be done for type 2 FP but is not shown here.
Instead of using the spare bit in the FRAME TYPE header, (bit 0 in the fourth Octet), as
exemplified above, it is also possible to define a new IE MP to indicate to the Node B if
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the “User Buffer Size” is defined as legacy or defined as SN. Similar change can apply to
Type 2 (not illustrated).
Now with reference to figure 8, it is also possible to supplement the IE coding by having
bit 1 of New IE Flags in HS-DSCH DATA FRAME TYPE1 indicate if a MP is present (1) or
not (0) in the third octets below the New IE Flags IE. Bits 2 through 6 of New IE Flags in
HS-DSCH DATA FRAME TYPE 1 shall be set to 0. In such cases, the field length of
Spare Extension IE in HS-DSCH DATA FRAME TYPE 1 is 0-28 octets.
Furthermore, the IE coding can be supplemented by the addition of an MP indicator. MP
is a 1 bit indicator for Multi Point related operation. A value of 0 means the User Buffer
Size is defined as legacy; a value of 1 means the “user buffer size” is defined as SN.The
value range is {0.. 1} and the field length is 1 bit.
Further examples include those where a HS-DSCH data frame carries both new data and
an indication to discard data in the same frame. Hence this would require that two SN and
indication to discard is carried in the same frame which could be achieved e.g. by
including two “New IE Flag” fields or one “New IE Flag” field in combination with the “User
Buffer size” field. As an example, figure 9 illustrates a HS-DSCH data frame type 1
including two new SN fileds, in order to associate the MAC-d PDU(s) in the current frame
with the one SN, and indicate which MAC-d PDU to discard in the Node B with the
second SN.
Still further examples include those where use is made of control frames to allow RNC to
indicate to Node B which SN to discard. The spare bit (bits) or new IE in the capacity
request can be used to indicate if the Capacity, CA, Request (HS-DSCH Capacity
Request) is legacy or if it is for discarding purpose. The SN to be discarded can be
indicated either by reusing the existing “User Buffer Size” field or by introducing a new IE.
For example the reserved bits “4” to “7” in first octet in Capacity, CA, Request frame can
be used. Currently bit “4” is set to “0”. But if this bit is set to “1” then “User Buffer Size” in
the 8 bits of the second octet and bit 7 to 1 of the third octets is used to carry SN to be
discarded. Or if SN is introduced as a new IE, then SN indicated in the new SN filed
should be discarded. It is interpreted by Node B that MAC-d PDU’s associated with the
SN shall be discarded from Node B.
5990804_2.doc
In such examples, the Node B can be required to always associate the MAC-d PDU’s
stored in a type 1 or type 2 frame with the SN and store this data for possible future use
(i.e. for discarding). The Node B does not need to reply back to the RNC with CA
Allocation in this case to indicate to the RNC that the data has been discarded.
But it is possible if RNC wants to know that the data is discarded, the spare bits or new IE
is defined in the CA Allocation (HS-DSCH Capacity Allocation) to fulfil this purpose.
An example of a HS-DSCH Capacity (CA) Request, illustrated in figure 10, shows that bit
4 in the first Octet is used to indicate discarding function.
Dis, 1 bit, if it is set to 1, then User Buffer Size is used to carry SN to be discarded.
Another example of a HS-DSCH Capacity (CA) Request involves defining a new IE SN
(15 bits or any other bits) in the HS-DSCH Capacity Request as illustrated in figure 11.
In the example of figure 11, Bit 0 of New IE Flags in CA Request indicates if SN is present
(1) or not (0) in the two octets following the New IE Flags IE. Bits 1 through 6 of New IE
Flags in CA Request frame shall be set to 0. Field length of Spare Extension IE in HS-
DSCH Capacity Request is 0-29 octets.
Even further examples involves letting the RNC indicate to Node B which frame to discard
in the Node B Application Part / Radio Network Subsystem Application Part,
NBAP/RNSAP, control plane signalling, once the HS-DSCH data frame is associated with
SN and Node B has stored the information.
A new information element identifying sequence number(s) of MAC-d frames which could
be discarded can be added to the existing NBAP/RNSAP signalling, for example in Radio
Link Deletion Request. This way, the message is modified so that RNC can indicate to
Node B that the purpose of the message is to discard the frame, and also include which
SN to discard when Node B receives the message.
A new signalling with the SN identifier included can also be introduced in NBAP/RNSAP
so that the RNC can indicate to Node B which SN to discard.
As used herein, the terms "comprise", "comprising", "comprises", "include", "including",
"includes", "have", "has", "having", or variants thereof are open-ended, and include one or
more stated features, integers, nodes, steps, components or functions but do not preclude
5990804_2.doc
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, nodes, steps,
components, functions or groups thereof.
Example embodiments are described herein with reference to block diagrams and/or
flowchart illustrations of computer-implemented methods, apparatus (systems and/or
devices) and/or computer program products. It is understood that a block of the block
diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams
and/or flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by computer program instructions that
are performed by one or more computer circuits. These computer program instructions
may be provided to a processor circuit of a programmable data processing circuit to
produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the
computer and/or other programmable data processing apparatus, transform and control
transistors, values stored in memory locations, and other hardware components within
such circuitry to implement the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or
flowchart block or blocks, and thereby create means (functionality) and/or structure for
implementing the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block(s).
These computer program instructions may also be stored in a tangible computer-readable
medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to
function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable
medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the
functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block or blocks.
A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium may include an electronic,
magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or semiconductor data storage system, apparatus, or
device. More specific examples of the computer-readable medium would include the
following: a portable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM) circuit, a read-
only memory (ROM) circuit, an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or
Flash memory) circuit, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), and a
portable digital video disc read-only memory (DVD/BluRay).
The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer and/or other
programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be
performed on the computer and/or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-
implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other
programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions/acts specified in
the block diagrams and/or flowchart block or blocks. Accordingly, embodiments of the
5990804_2.doc
present invention may be embodied in hardware and/or in software (including firmware,
resident software, micro-code, etc.) that runs on a processor such as a digital signal
processor, which may collectively be referred to as "circuitry," "a module" or variants
thereof.
Moreover, the functionality of a given block of the flowcharts and/or block diagrams may
be separated into multiple blocks and/or the functionality of two or more blocks of the
flowcharts and/or block diagrams may be at least partially integrated. Finally, other blocks
may be added/inserted between the blocks that are illustrated.
Other network elements, communication devices and/or methods according to
embodiments of the invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon
review of the present drawings and description. It is intended that all such additional
network elements, devices, and/or methods be included within this description, be within
the scope of the claims. Moreover, it is intended that all embodiments disclosed herein
can be implemented separately or combined in any way and/or combination.
Although attempt has been made in the above to explain the abbreviations when first
introduced below follows a list of most of the abbreviations used:
AMD Acknowledged Mode Data
FP Frame Protocol
HSDPA High Speed Downlink Packet Access
HS-DSCH High Speed Downlink Shared Channel
MAC Medium Access Control
MAC-d Medium Access Control protocol handling dedicated data
MAC-hs HSDPA Medium Access Control protocol handling fixed size RLC data
MAC-ehs HSDPA Medium Access Control protocol handling fixed or flexible sized
RLC data
MP-HSDPA Multi Point High Speed Downlink Packet Access
NBAP Node B Application Part
PDU Protocol Data Unit
PQ Priority Queue
RLC Radio Link Control
RNC Radio Network Controller
Node B Radio Base Station (alternatively referred to as RBS)
RNSAP Radio Network Subsystem Application Part
5990804_2.doc
SN Sequence Number
TN Transport Network
UE User Equipment
WCDMA Wideband Code Division Multiple Access
5990804_2.doc
Claims (31)
1. A method in a radio network controller, said radio network controller configured for multi-point High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) operation wherein data is communicated to a first user equipment via at least two radio base stations, the method 5 comprising: - transmitting a discard indication signal to at least one of the at least two radio base stations, wherein the discard indication signal includes a first data frame sequence number and wherein the discard indication signal indicates to the at least one radio base station that Medium Access Control protocol handling dedicated data Protocol Data Units 10 (MAC-d PDUs) received by the at least one radio base station from the radio network controller in a data frame associated with the first data frame sequence number can be discarded.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the discard indication signal is a High Speed Downlink Shared Channel (HS-DSCH) DATA FRAME including the first data frame 15 sequence number and a discard flag indicating that MAC-d PDUs received by the at least one radio base station in the data frame associated with the first data frame sequence number can be discarded.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the HS-DSCH DATA FRAME includes a New Information Element (IE) Flags field, wherein the New IE Flags field indicates that the 20 discard flag and the first data frame sequence number are present in the HS-DSCH DATA FRAME and the discard flag and the first data frame sequence number are included in the third and fourth octets following the New IE Flags field.
4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the discard flag and the first data frame sequence number are included in a header portion of the HS-DSCH DATA FRAME. 25
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the HS-DSCH DATA FRAME is a HS-DSCH DATA FRAME TYPE1 and wherein the discard flag and the first data frame sequence number are included in octets 6 and 7 of the header portion of the HS-DSCH DATA FRAME.
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein a bit in octet 4 of the header portion 30 indicates that the discard flag and the first data frame sequence number are present in the HS-DSCH DATA FRAME. 5990804_2.doc
7. The method according to claim 4, wherein the HS-DSCH DATA FRAME is a HS-DSCH DATA FRAME TYPE2 and wherein the discard flag and the first data frame sequence number are included in octets 5 and 6 of the header portion of the HS-DSCH DATA FRAME. 5
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein one or more bits in octet 4 of the header portion indicates that the discard flag and the first data frame sequence number are present in the HS-DSCH DATA FRAME.
9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the discard indication signal is a control frame including the first data frame sequence number indicating that MAC-d PDUs 10 received by the at least one radio base station in the data frame associated with the first data frame sequence number can be discarded.
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the control frame is a HS-DSCH CAPACITY REQUEST.
11. The method of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a decision to transmit the discard 15 indication signals is based on knowledge of which data has been received by the first user equipment derived from monitoring of Radio Link Control (RLC) status reports sent by the first user equipment.
12. A method in a radio base station, said radio base station configured to participate in multi-point High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) operation wherein data is 20 communicated to a first user equipment via the radio base station and at least one other radio base station, the method comprising: - receiving Medium Access Control protocol handling dedicated data Protocol Data Units (MAC-d PDUs) from a radio network controller in data frames, wherein each data frame conveying MAC-d PDUs is associated with a sequence number; 25 - buffering the received MAC-d PDUs in a buffer pending transfer to the first user equipment; - receiving a discard indication signal from the radio network controller, wherein said discard indication signal includes a data frame sequence number and wherein the discard indication signal indicates to the radio base station that MAC-d PDUs received by 30 the radio base station in a data frame associated with said sequence number can be discarded. 5990804_2.doc
13. The method according claim 12, wherein when buffering the received MAC-d PDUs in the buffer, the association between each MAC-d PDU and the data frame sequence number of the data frame in which the MAC-d PDU was received is maintained.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein in response to receiving the discard 5 indication signal, the radio base station discards any MAC-d PDU still in the buffer and associated with the data frame sequence number in the discard indication signal.
15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the discard indication signal is a High Speed Downlink Shared Channel (HS-DSCH) DATA FRAME including the first data frame sequence number and a discard flag indicating that MAC-d PDUs 10 received by the at least one radio base station in the data frame associated with the first data frame sequence number can be discarded.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the HS-DSCH DATA FRAME includes a New Information Element (IE) Flags field, wherein the New IE Flags field indicates that the discard flag and the first data frame sequence number are present in the HS-DSCH DATA 15 FRAME and the discard flag and the first data frame sequence number are included in the third and fourth octets following the New IE Flags field.
17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the discard flag and the first data frame sequence number are included in a header portion of the HS-DSCH DATA FRAME.
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the HS-DSCH DATA FRAME is a HS- 20 DSCH DATA FRAME TYPE1 and wherein the discard flag and the first data frame sequence number are included in octets 6 and 7 of the header portion of the HS-DSCH DATA FRAME.
19. The method according to claim 18, wherein a bit in octet 4 of the header portion indicates that the discard flag and the first data frame sequence number are present in the 25 HS-DSCH DATA FRAME.
20. The method according to claim 17, wherein the HS-DSCH DATA FRAME is a HS- DSCH DATA FRAME TYPE2 and wherein the discard flag and the first data frame sequence number are included in octets 5 and 6 of the header portion of the HS-DSCH DATA FRAME. 5990804_2.doc
21. The method according to claim 20, wherein one or more bits in octet 4 of the header portion indicates that the discard flag and the first data frame sequence number are present in the HS-DSCH DATA FRAME.
22. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the discard indication 5 signal is a control frame including the first data frame sequence number indicating that MAC-d PDUs received by the at least one radio base station in the data frame associated with the first data frame sequence number can be discarded.
23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the control frame is a HS-DSCH CAPACITY REQUEST. 10
24. A radio network controller, said radio network controller configurable for multi-point High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) operation wherein data is communicated to a first user equipment via at least two radio base stations, the radio network controller comprising: - digital data processing circuitry adapted to generate a discard indication signal 15 for transmission to at least one of the at least two radio base stations, wherein the discard indication signal includes a first data frame sequence number and wherein the discard indication signal indicates to the at least one radio base station that Medium Access Control protocol handling dedicated data Protocol Data Units (MAC-d PDUs) received by the at least one radio base station from the radio network controller in a data frame 20 associated with the first data frame sequence number can be discarded; - a transmitter operable connected to the digital data processing circuitry and adapted to transmit the generated discard indication signal to the at least one of the at least two radio base stations.
25. The radio network controller according to claim 24, wherein the discard indication 25 signal is a High Speed Downlink Shared Channel (HS-DSCH) DATA FRAME including the first data frame sequence number and a discard flag indicating that MAC-d PDUs received by the at least one radio base station in the data frame associated with the first data frame sequence number can be discarded.
26. The radio network controller according to claim 25, wherein the HS-DSCH DATA 30 FRAME includes a New Information Element (IE) Flags field, wherein the New IE Flags field indicates that the discard flag and the first data frame sequence number are present 5990804_2.doc in the HS-DSCH DATA FRAME and the discard flag and the first data frame sequence number are included in the third and fourth octets following the New IE Flags field.
27. The radio network controller according to claim 25, wherein the discard flag and the first data frame sequence number are included in a header portion of the HS-DSCH DATA 5 FRAME.
28. The radio network controller according to claim 24, wherein the discard indication signal is a control frame including the first data frame sequence number indicating that MAC-d PDUs received by the at least one radio base station in the data frame associated with the first data frame sequence number can be discarded. 10
29. A radio base station, said radio base station configurable to participate in multi-point High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) operation wherein data is communicated to a first user equipment via the radio base station and at least one other radio base station, the radio base station comprising: - a receiver arranged to receive Medium Access Control protocol handling 15 dedicated data Protocol Data Units (MAC-d PDUs) from a radio network controller in data frames, wherein each data frame conveying MAC-d PDUs is associated with a sequence number; - digital data processing circuitry operable connected to the receiver and arranged to buffer the received MAC-d PDUs in a buffer pending transfer to the first user 20 equipment, wherein the receiver is further arranged to receive a discard indication signal from the radio network controller, wherein said discard indication signal includes a data frame sequence number and wherein the discard indication signal indicates to the radio base station that MAC-d PDUs received by the radio base station in a data frame associated 25 with said sequence number can be discarded.
30. The radio base station according to claim 29, wherein the digital data processing circuitry is adapted to, when buffering the received MAC-d PDUs in the buffer, maintain the association between each MAC-d PDU and the data frame sequence number of the data frame in which the MAC-d PDU was received. 30
31. The radio base station according to claim 30, wherein the digital data processing circuitry is adapted to, in response to the receiver receiving the discard indication signal, 5990804_2.doc
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201161556012P | 2011-11-04 | 2011-11-04 | |
US61/556,012 | 2011-11-04 | ||
PCT/SE2012/051179 WO2013066252A1 (en) | 2011-11-04 | 2012-10-31 | Handling redundant data in a communication system |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NZ618590A NZ618590A (en) | 2015-09-25 |
NZ618590B2 true NZ618590B2 (en) | 2016-01-06 |
Family
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