Title of Invention

"SYSTEM FOR PERMITTING CONTROL OF THE PURGING OF A NODE B BY THE SERVING RADIO NETWORK CONTROLLER"

Abstract A system (Fig. 4) and method (50) which permit the RNC to control purging of data buffered in the Node B. The RNC monitors for a triggering event, which initiates the purging process. The RNC then informs the Node B of the need to purge data by transmitting a purge command (54), which prompts the Node B to delete at least a portion of buffered data. The purge command (54) can include instructions for the Node B to purge all data for a particular UE, data in one or several user priority transmission queues or in one or more logical channels in the Node B, depending upon the particular data purge triggering event realized in the RNC.
Full Text [0001] SYSTEM FOR PERMITTING CONTROL OF THE PURGING
OF A NODE B BY THE SERVING RADIO NETWORK CONTROLLER
[0002] FIELD OF INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to the field of wireless
communications. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method for permitting the control of the purging of a Node B by the serving radio network controller.
[0004] BACKGROUND
[0005] A third generation (3G) Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network
(UTRAN) comprises several radio network controllers (RNCs), each of which is coupled to one or more Node Bs. Each Node B comprises one or more base stations servicing one or more cells. The Node Bs, in turn, communicate with one or more User Equipment (UEs).
[0006] A 3G system, which includes both Frequency Division Duplex (FDD)
and Time Division Duplex (TDD) modes, typically uses the RNC to distribute,
(i.e., buffer and schedule), data transmissions to the UE. However, for the high
speed channels of 3G cellular systems, data is distx'ibuted by the Node B. One of
these high speed channels, for example, is the High Speed Downlink Shared
Channel (HS-DSCH). Since data is distributed by the Node B, it is necessary to
buffer data in the Node B prior to transmission to the UE.
[0007] There are many scenarios where the data that is buffered in the
Node B is no longer useful, and its presence there could impede efficient operation of the system. For example, a first scenario is when a mobile UE travels from one cell to another. This will result in either an HS-DSCH cell change, whereby the UE is either serviced by another Node B, or switching between cells in the same Node B. The "old data", (i.e., the data that is buffered within the Node B for transmission to the UE prior to the HS-DSCH cell change), is no longer useful after the HS-DSCH cell change. If the Node B continues to buffer and transmit this data, it wastes both buffering resources and radio link resources. It is desirable to delete this old data from the buffer and to cease the
transmission of this data since it will save both buffering resources and radio link resources.
[0008] A second scenario relates to the radio link control (RLC) layer. The
RLC layer is a peer entity in both the serving radio network controller (SRNC)
and the UE. There are occasions when the RLC peer to peer protocol fails, and
the RLC resets itself. The reasons for RLC failure are varied and such reasons
are outside the scope of the present invention. However, once the RLC resets
itself, the data previously buffered in the Node B is no longer useful since the
RLC resynchronizes and restarts transmissions. This buffered data can only
cause transmission delays and unnecessary use of radio resources. If
transmitted, this data will just be discarded by the RLC peer entity.
[0009] A third scenario relates to the in-sequence delivery of data by the
RLC in Acknowledged Mode (AM). A requirement for the AM RLC is to make sure that in-sequence delivery of protocol data units (PDUs) occurs. The RLC uses a Sequence Number (SN) associated with each PDU to ensure in-sequence delivery of PDUs to higher layers. When there is an out-of-sequence delivery, (i.e., when a PDU is missed), the RLC in the UE sends a Status Report PDU to its peer entity in the Node B, requesting retransmission of the missed PDUs. Upon receiving the Status Report PDU, the peer entity in the RNC retransmits a duplicate of the missed PDU.
[0010] It is highly desirable for the retransmitted PDUs to arrive at the
RLC of the receiving side (i.e., the UE) as soon as possible for several reasons. First, the missed PDU will prevent subsequent PDUs from being forwarded to higher layers, due to the requirement of in-sequence delivery. Second, the buffer of the UE needs to be sized large enough to accommodate the latency of retransmissions while still maintaining effective data rates. The longer the latency is, the larger the UE buffer size has to be to allow for the UE to buffer both the PDUs that are held up and continuous data receptions until the correct sequence PDU may be forwarded to higher layers. The larger buffer size results in increased hardware costs for UEs. This is very undesirable.
[0011] Figure 1 is a prior art system including an RNC, a Node B, a UE
and their associated buffers. In this prior art system, a PDU with SN = 3 is not received successfully by the UE. Therefore, the RLC in the UE requests its peer RLC layer in the RNC for a retransmission. Meanwhile, the PDUs with SNs = 6" 9 are buffered in the Node B, and PDUs with SNs = 4 and 5 are buffered in the UE. It should be noted that although Figure 1 shows only several PDUs being buffered, in reality many more PDUs (such as 100 or more) and PDUs from other RLC entities may be buffered.
[0012] As shown in Figure 2, the retransmission of the PDU with SN = 3
must wait at the end of the queue in the Node B buffer, and will be transmitted
only after the PDUs with SNs = 6-9 are transmitted. The PDUs in the UE
cannot be forwarded to the upper layers until all PDUs are received in sequence.
In this case, the PDU with SN = 3 stalls the forwarding of subsequent PDUs to
higher layers, (i.e. SNs = 4-9), assuming all the PDUs are transmitted
successfully. Note that this example only reflects 10 PDUs, whereas in normal
operation hundreds of PDUs maybe scheduled in advance of retransmitted data
PDUs, which further aggravates transmission latency and data buffering issues.
[0013] The above scenarios are just a few of the many examples wherein
the purging of data in the Node B would result in much more efficient operation of a wireless communication system.
[0014] It would be desirable to have a system and method whereby the
RNC can control the purging of data buffered in the Node B that is no longer useful. Under many circumstances, deletion of this buffered data would result in more efficient operation of the system.
[0015] SUMMARY
[0016] The present invention comprises a system and method which permit
the RNC to control purging of data buffered in the Node B. The purge command deletes Node B buffered data associated with a particular UE. The RNC determines either to purge all data for a particular UE, data in one or several
user priority transmission queues, or in one or more logical channels in the Node B based on the particular data purge triggering event realized in the RNC. The RNC then informs the Node B of the need to purge transmission data. The purge command may comprise a configuration for the Node B to purge data upon receiving an existing (prior art) procedure initiated from the RNC, may comprise a completely new procedure that specifically requests a data purge by the Node B or may reside within an existing procedure or transmission data frame as a bit or an information element indicating the Node B purge requirement.
[0017] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0018] Figure 1 is a prior art retransmission of the RLC.
[0019] Figure 2 is a prior art RLC retransmission without purge.
[0020] Figure 3 A is a method of generating a purge message in accordance
with the present invention.
[0021] Figure 3B is an alternative method of generating a purge message in
accordance with the present invention including an acknowledgement.
[0022] Figure 4 is an example of the method in accordance with the present
invention of the purge of the Node B with the RNC waiting to retransmit until
the PDU purge status is received.
[0023] Figure 5 is RLC retransmission in accordance with present
invention with purge.
[0024] Figure 6 is an example of the method in accordance with the present
invention of the purge of the Node B with the RNC not waiting to retransmit
until a PDU purge status is received.
[0025] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0026] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
described with reference to the drawing figures wherein like numerals represent like elements throughout.
[0027] Referring to Figure 3A, a method 10 for the RNC to control the
purging function within the Node B in accordance with the present invention is shown. The RNC awaits occurrence of the purge "triggering" event (step 12) associated with a particular UE. This triggering event may, for example, comprise a serving HS-DSCH cell change, an RLC reset or the generation of an RLC status report from the UE requiring retransmission of certain PDUs. Although these are three examples of triggering events, those of skill in the art should clearly recognize that any function could be used as a triggering event to purge the Node B if the purging of the Node B would result in a benefit to system operation. Accordingly, the method and system of the present invention as described hereinafter should not be limited solely to the three enumerated triggering events.
[0028] Depending on the purge triggering event, either all data associated
with a UE, the data associated with a particular data flow of the UE or the data associated with one or more logical channels of the UE may be requested for deletion in Node B.
[0029] For example, in the case of a serving HS-DSCH cell change, all data
for the UE buffered within the source Node B is no longer useful after the serving HS-DSCH cell change. The RNC may purge the source Node B to free the data in all the buffers associated with the UE such that no radio resource will be wasted on unnecessary data transmissions.
[0030] In the case of an RLC reset or RLC retransmission, the RNC may
selectively purge data buffered in Node B for that particular UE by transmission priority queue or alternatively by logical channel associated with the RLC instance. The purging function will reduce RLC retransmission latency in the case of RLC retransmissions and will avoid wasting of radio resources in the case of RLC resets.
[0031] Referring again to Figure 3A, the RNC dete rmines whether a
triggering event has been received (step 14). If not, the RNC returns to step 12 and continues to await the occurrence of a triggering event. If a triggering event
has been detected, the RNC transmits a purge message to the Node B that indicates that the Node B should purge the desired data associated with that UE (step 16). This may be data in one or more buffers that is associated with the one or more data flows. After the Node B receives the message (step 18) it purges the desired buffer (step 20).
[0032] In accordance with the method 10 of the present invention, it should
be recognized that the purging of the data within the Node B deletes data that is
no longer useful and frees up both data buffering resources in Node B and radio
resources that would unnecessarily be allocated for transmission of this data.
[0033] It should also be understood by those of skill in the art that the
purge message as evidenced by step 16 may comprise any one or more of the following alternatives. In a first alternative of the purge message, the purge message in resides within an existing UTRAN procedure signaled between the RNC and the Node B, whereby the Node B is configured such that the reception of the message by the Node B initiates a purge. In this alternative, the data purge is implicit in an existing procedure and mere reception of the message, without any additional signaling, results in a data purge even if the message were related to a completely different function. The implicit association may occur with Frame Protocol data frames, may be carried in RLC PDUs, or may be carried as an information element of a prior art message or procedure of Node B Application Part (NBAP) or of Radio Network Subsystem Application Part (RNSAP).
[0034] In a second alternative of the purge message, the purge message
may comprise a completely new or unique UTRAN procedure signaled between the RNC and the Node B that specifically directs the Node B to initiate a purging of the desired buffer. This comprises a separate message which is completely dedicated to the purging function. In this alternative, for example, a new control frame in the Frame Protocol is dedicated to the purging function or a new procedure NBAP or of RNSAP is dedicated to the purging function.
[0035] In a third alternative of the purge message, the purge message may
comprise part of an existing UTRAN procedure. In this embodiment, a bit or an
information element in part of a message in an existing UTRAN procedure
signaled between the RNC and the Node B are dedicated to the purging function.
The Node B receives this information via the existing procedure and reads the
bit or information element to determine whether or not a purging should occur.
[0036] Finally, in a fourth alternative of the purge message, the Node B is
preconfigured to purge data upon receiving from the RNC a message which can be either a prior art message or a new message. In this alternative, for example, the Node B can be preconfigured to purge data upon receiving a message indicating release of the HSDSCH channel, (i.e., release of the radio link). The purging function will be beneficial since data associated with the HSDSCH channel and buffered in the Node B is no longer useful after release of the HSDSCH channel.
[0037] It should be understood by those of skill in the art that depending on
the particular scenario, other functions may follow performance of the purging function in the Node B for the sake of proper system operation. This invention does not prevent coordination of the RNC controlled purging function in the Node B with other functions for different scenarios.
[0038] The Node B may additionally acknowledge the purging function as
shown in Figure 3B. Steps 112-120 are the same as steps 12-20 shown and described with reference to the method 10 of Figure 3A. Accordingly, those steps will not be further described. However, in accordance with this alternative of the method 100 of the present invention, after the Node B purges the desired buffer (step 120), it sends an acknowledgement to the RNC that the data has been purged (step 122). The RNC then receives and processes the acknowledgement (step 124).
[0039] The form of the acknowledgement and the actions that the RNC
takes in response thereto may differ based on different system configurations suited for different scenarios. As an example, in HSDPA when the purging
function is designed for RLC PDU retransmission, an acknowledgement from the
Node B to the RNC after completing the purging function may be implemented
for the RNC to resume PDU transmissions. In this case, the acknowledgement
may be carried in similar methods as mentioned previously.
[0040] In a first alternative of the acknowledgement message, the
acknowledgement message resides within an existing message from the Node B to the RNC such as in the header of Frame Protocol data frames, or as one or several bits, or an information element in a prior-art message of NBAP or of RNSAP.
[0041] In a second alternative of the acknowledgment message, the
acknowledgement message may comprise a completely new or unique message. This comprises a separate message which is completely dedicated to the acknowledgement of the purging function such as a new control frame in the Frame Protocol dedicated to the purging acknowledgement function, or a new message of NBAP or of RNSAP dedicated to the purging acknowledgement function.
[0042] Finally, in a third alternative of the acknowledgement message, an
existing message from the Node B to the RNC is preconfigured to indicate the acknowledgement of the purging function, even if there is no field in the message that is specifically reserved for the acknowledgement. It should be understood by those of skill in the art that depending on the particular scenario, other methods that can achieve proper system operation may be used to acknowledge the purging function.
[0043] Regardless of the form of the acknowledgement, it should be noted
the acknowledgement may comprise several functions. First, it can comprise acknowledgement by the Node B of completion of the purging function. Alternatively, it can provide the status of PDU transmissions in the Node B to assist the RNC operation. Since the Node B is not aware of the SN of the PDU, the Node B cannot directly send the SN of transmitted PDUs back to the RNC. The Node B may inform the RNC of the PDU transmission status in terms of, for
example, a bitmap identifying the status of PDUs in the Node B. The status may indicate the PDUs, or number of PDUs, that have been purged and those that are awaiting transmission.
[0044] Referring to Figure 4, one example of the method 50 of the present
invention is shown. In this scenario, the UE transmits a status PDU indicating that one or more PDUs are missing. At step 52, the UE transmits to the RNC an RLC status report indicating the status of the PDUs. In this example, it is assumed that the status report indicates that one or more PDUs are missing. After processing the status report, the RNC sends a message to the Node B to purge the buffered PDUs from the buffers which are associated with the PDUs to be retransmitted (step 54).
[0045] The purge message may be carried via Frame Protocol either in a
data frame with the retransmitted PDU or in a control frame sent at a higher priority than the retransmitted PDU. Alternatively, messages on the NBAP or the RNSAP can also be used to inform the Node B. The Node B purges the PDUs from the desired buffer (step 56) and acknowledges the purge and the PDU status to the RNC (step 58). The RNC then retransmits the missing and subsequent PDUs (step 60). The Node B forwards these PDUs to the UE (step 62). Alternatively, the purge message can be included along with the missed PDU in Frame Protocol or maybe transmitted in, or as a separate message on, the NBAP or the RNSAP.
[0046] The benefit of implementing the Node B purging function in case of
RLC retransmission is the reduction of the latency of transmissions, which will be explained in the following example. Referring to Figure 5, with the purge function in accordance with the present invention, the Node B purges the buffer so PDUs with SNs = 6-9 are deleted. Following completion of the purging function, the Node B acknowledges to the RNC the purging function and then the RNC resumes RLC transmission from SN = 3 (i.e., the PDU which is missed in the UE). The Node B the n receives the PDU with SN — 3. Since there are no other PDUs ahead of it, the retransmitted PDU with SN = 3 is transmitted much
more quickly then the scenario shown in Figure 2. In this example, the PDUs with SNs = 6-9 are retransmitted again by the RLC of the transmitting side after the Node B has been purged.
[0047] The RNC may begin restarting the normal PDU sequence to the
best of its ability immediately after sending the missed PDU, or it may wait until the PDU.purge status is sent from the Node B acknowledging the purge and giving information on the purged PDUs.
[0048] In a first alternative, the acknowledgement of the purging function
may not be performed, or even if the acknowledgement function is performed, the
RNC will not wait after receiving the acknowledgement of the Node B purging
function to begin retransmitting missed PDUs. The Node B will only purge
PDUs buffered before receiving the purging function and will transmit to the UE
recently received PDUs after receiving the purging command from the RNC.
[0049] In the second alternative, the RNC waits until a purging
acknowledgement is sent from the Node B. If the acknowledgement also contains
the status of data block transmissions in the Node B, the RNC may use the
information to determine where to restart the PDU transmission.
[0050] Referring to Figure 6, an alternative method 70 in accordance with
the present invention is shown. This method 70 is similar to the method 50
shown in Figure 4 except for the absence of the acknowledgement of the purging
information and PDU status that the Node B sends to the RNC.
[0051] While the present invention has been described in terms of the
preferred embodiment, other variations which are within the scope of the invention as outlined in the claims below will be apparent to those skilled in the art.







We Claim:
1. A wireless communication system wherein the purging of a Node B buffer is
controlled by the serving radio network controller (RNC), the system comprising:
a radio network controller (RNC) configured to detect a purge triggering event;
at least one Node B , having at least one transmission buffer,
wherein the RNC transmits an indication to the Node B that a purge is desired upon detection of a purge triggering event, and the Node B receives said indication and, in response thereto, deletes at least a portion of the data within said transmission buffer.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said indication comprises only a portion of a message sent from the RNC to the Node B.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said indication comprises a message sent from the RNC to the Node B dedicated solely to initiating a purge at the Node B.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said Node B is configured to initiate a purge upon receipt of one or more messages, and said indication comprises one of said messages.
5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Node B includes means for generating an acknowledgement that the purging of the transmission buffer has been performed.
6. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the Node B includes means for transmitting said acknowledgement to said RNC.
7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said acknowledgement comprises only a portion of a message sent from the Node B to the RNC.
8. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said Node B also communicates with a User Equipment (UE) and said acknowledgement also provides the status of data within the UE.
9. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said acknowledgement comprises a message sent from the Node B to the RNC dedicated solely to acknowledging the purge performed by the Node B.
10. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said Node B also communicates with a User Equipment (UE) and said acknowledgement also provides the status of data within the UE.
11. A method for selectively controlling the purging of data in a wireless transmission system having a remote network controller (RNC) coupled to at least one Node B, said at least one Node B having at least one transmission buffer; the method comprising:
detecting at the RNC the need for a purge; notifying the Node B of the need for a purge; and
purging, at said Node B, the data in at least a portion of its transmission buffer in response to said notification.
12. The method as claimed in claim 11, including generating an acknowledgement at the Node B.
13. The method as claimed in claim 12, including transmitting from the Node B to the RNC said acknowledgement.
14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein said acknowledgement comprises only a portion of a message sent from the Node B to the RNC.
15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein said Node B also communicates with a User Equipment (UE) and said acknowledgement also provides the status of data within the UE.
16. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein said acknowledgement comprises a message sent from the Node B to the RNC dedicated solely to acknowledging the purge performed by the Node B.
17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein said Node B also communicates with a User Equipment (UE) and said acknowledgement also provides the status of data within the UE.
18. A Node B for communicating with a remote network controller (RNC), the RNC for determining when to initiate a purge of at least a portion of the transmission buffer of the Node B, and for transmitting an indication to the Node B that a purge is desired; said Node B comprising:
a receiver for receiving said indication; and a transmission buffer; wherein the Node B deletes at least a portion of the data within said transmission buffer in response to said indication.
19. The Node B as claimed in claim 18, wherein said indication comprises only a portion of a message sent from the RNC to the Node B.
20. The Node B as claimed in claim 18, wherein said indication comprises a message sent from the RNC to the Node B dedicated solely to initiating a purge at the Node B.
21. The Node B as claimed in claim 18, wherein said Node B is configured to initiate a purge upon receipt of one or more messages, and said indication comprises one of said messages.
22. The Node B as claimed in claim 18, wherein the Node B includes means for generating an acknowledgement that the purging of the transmission buffer has been performed.
23. The Node B as claimed in claim 22, wherein the Node B includes a transmitter for transmitting said acknowledgement to said RNC.
24. The Node B as claimed in claim 23, wherein said acknowledgement comprises only a portion of a message sent from the Node B to the RNC.
25. The Node B as claimed in claim 24, wherein said Node B also communicates with a User Equipment (UE) and said acknowledgement also provides the status of data within the UE.


Documents:

3475-delnp-2004-abstract.pdf

3475-delnp-2004-claims.pdf

3475-delnp-2004-correspondence-others.pdf

3475-delnp-2004-correspondence-po.pdf

3475-delnp-2004-description (complete).pdf

3475-delnp-2004-drawings.pdf

3475-delnp-2004-form-1.pdf

3475-delnp-2004-form-13.pdf

3475-delnp-2004-form-19.pdf

3475-delnp-2004-form-2.pdf

3475-delnp-2004-form-26.pdf

3475-delnp-2004-form-3.pdf

3475-delnp-2004-form-5.pdf

3475-delnp-2004-pct-101.pdf

3475-delnp-2004-pct-210.pdf

3475-delnp-2004-pct-304.pdf

3475-delnp-2004-pct-401.pdf

3475-delnp-2004-pct-408.pdf

3475-delnp-2004-pct-409.pdf

3475-delnp-2004-pct-416.pdf

abstract.jpg


Patent Number 241320
Indian Patent Application Number 3475/DELNP/2004
PG Journal Number 27/2010
Publication Date 02-Jul-2010
Grant Date 29-Jun-2010
Date of Filing 08-Nov-2004
Name of Patentee InterDigital Technology Corporation, a body corporate incorporated under the laws of the United States of America, having its registered office at 3411 Silverside Road, Concord Plaza, Suite 105, Hagley Building, Wilmington, DE 19810, USA
Applicant Address 3411 SILVERSIDE ROAD, CONCORD PLAZA, SUITE 105, HAGLEY BUILDING, WILMINGTON, DE 19810, U.S.A
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 TERRY, STEVEN, E., a U.S. citizen 15, SUMMIT AVENUE, NORTH PORT, NY 11768 (US)
2 CHAO, YI-JU, a U.S. citizen 305, MAPLEWOOD ROAD, HUNTINGTON STATION, NY 11746 (US)
3 MILLER, JAMES, M, a U.S. citizen 18, LOUISBURG SQUARE, VERONA, NJ 07044 (US)
PCT International Classification Number H04Q 7/00
PCT International Application Number PCT/US2003/14187
PCT International Filing date 2003-05-07
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 60/379,838 2002-05-10 U.S.A.