METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR IN-ORDER DELIVERY OF DATA PACKETS DURING HANDOFF

• US 20090040981A1
• Filed: 07/17/2008
• Published: 02/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Parekh, Nileshkumar J., Kapoor, Rohit, Agrawal, Avneesh, Agashe, Parag Arun, Ulupinar, Fatih, Prakash, Rajat, Tinnakornsrisuphap, Peerapol, Gillies, Donald William
• Granted Patent: US 8,467,349 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/331
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/29099 Material
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00013 Fully indexed content
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/187 Details of sliding window management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1887 Scheduling and prioritising arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/16 Implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/02 Buffering or recovering information during reselection ; Modification of the traffic flow during hand-off

Abstract

Methods, apparatus, systems and computer program products are defined that provide for in-order deliver of data packets during hand-off. The aspects provide for in-order delivery at Forward Link Serving eBS/Data Attachment Point (FLSE/DAP) switch and Reverse Link Serving eBS/Data Attachment Point (RLSE/DAP) switch. As such, present aspects provide for significant improvement in the throughput of applications, such as applications relying on Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), during handoff, in such networks as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB) and the like.

Claims

1. A method for providing in-order delivery of data packets during handoff in a communication network, comprising:

providing for a handoff of an Access Terminal (AT) from a source network entity to a target network entity;

prioritizing a transmission order of data packets at the target network entity, wherein the prioritizing comprises at least one of a first prioritization or a second prioritization, wherein the first prioritization comprises prioritizing Layer 2 (L2) data packets received from a source network entity and destined for transmission to an Access Terminal (AT) over any received Layer 3 (L3) data packets destined for the AT, wherein the second prioritization comprises prioritizing L3 data packets received from the source network entity and destined for transmission to the AT over L3 data packets received from an Access GateWay (AGW) and destined for transmission to the AT;

receiving data packets at the target network entity; and

transmitting, at the target network entity, the received data packets according to at least one of the first prioritization or the second prioritization.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the prioritizing comprises the first prioritization, wherein transmitting further comprises selectively transmitting, at the target network entity, the data packets received as L2 data packets before transmitting the data packets received as L3 data packets, wherein the selectively transmitting is based on an application associated with the data packets requiring in-order delivery.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the L2 data packets comprise partial data packets that have started transmission but not yet finished transmission over-the-air or any packets that have been processed by the link-layer protocol in the source network entity that have corresponding peer protocol in the AT.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the prioritization comprises the second prioritization, wherein the second prioritization further comprises prioritizing L3 packets received from a source Data Attachment Point (DAP) over L3 packets received from at least one of the AGW or a target DAP.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving data packets further comprises receiving from the AGW or from a target Data Attachment Point (DAP) data packets that are buffered and transmitted after the target network entity receives a flush signal or message from the source network entity indicating that the source network entity has completed transmission of L2 and L3 data packets.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting further comprises omitting L2 packets from the transmission when the target network entity comprises a data attachment point (DAP).

7. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving data packets further comprises receiving L2 data packets transmitted from the source network entity, wherein the source network entity comprises a source Forward Link Serving Evolved base station (FLSE).

8. At least one processor configured for providing in-order delivery of data packets during handoff in a communication network, comprising:

a first module for providing for a handoff of an Access Terminal (AT) from a source network entity to a target network entity;

a second module for prioritizing a transmission order of data packets at the target network entity, wherein the prioritizing comprises at least one of a first prioritization or a second prioritization, wherein the first prioritization comprises prioritizing Layer 2 (L2) data packets received from a source network entity and destined for transmission to an Access Terminal (AT) over any received Layer 3 (L3) data packets destined for the AT, wherein the second prioritization comprises prioritizing L3 data packets received from the source network entity and destined for transmission to the AT over L3 data packets received from an Access GateWay (AGW) and destined for transmission to the AT;

a third module for receiving data packets at the target network entity; and

a fourth module for transmitting, at the target network entity, the received data packets according to the at least one of the first prioritization or the second prioritization.

9. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

a first set of codes for causing a computer to provide for a handoff of an Access Terminal (AT) from a source network entity to a target network entity;

a second set of codes for causing the computer to prioritize a transmission order of data packets at the target network entity, wherein the prioritizing comprises at least one of a first prioritization or a second prioritization, wherein the first prioritization comprises prioritizing Layer 2 (L2) data packets received from a source network entity and destined for transmission to an Access Terminal (AT) over any received Layer 3 (L3) data packets destined for the AT, wherein the second prioritization comprises prioritizing L3 data packets received from the source network entity and destined for transmission to the AT over L3 data packets received from an Access GateWay (AGW) and destined for transmission to the AT;

a third set of codes for causing the computer to receive data packets at the target network entity; and

a fourth set of codes for causing the computer to transmit, at the target network entity, the received data packets according to the at least one of the first prioritization or the second prioritization.

10. An apparatus, comprising:

means for providing for a handoff of an Access Terminal (AT) from a source network entity to a target network entity;

means for prioritizing a transmission order of data packets at the target network entity, wherein the prioritizing comprises at least one of a first prioritization or a second prioritization, wherein the first prioritization comprises prioritizing Layer 2 (L2) data packets received from a source network entity and destined for transmission to an Access Terminal (AT) over any received Layer 3 (L3) data packets destined for the AT, wherein the second prioritization comprises prioritizing L3 data packets received from the source network entity and destined for transmission to the AT over L3 data packets received from an Access GateWay (AGW) and destined for transmission to the AT;

means for receiving data packets at the target network entity; and

means for transmitting, at the target network entity, the received data packets according to the at least one of the first prioritization or the second prioritization.

11. A target network apparatus, comprising:

a computer platform including a processor and a memory in communication with a processor;

a handoff module stored in the memory and in communication with the processor, wherein the handoff module is operable to assist in a handoff of an Access Terminal (AT) from a source network entity to a target network entity;

a transceiver in communication with the processor, wherein the transceiver is operable to receive data packets destined for transmission to the AT; and

a data packet prioritization module stored in the memory and in communication with the processor, wherein the prioritization module is operable to prioritize a transmission order of data packets, wherein the prioritization module comprises at least one of a first prioritization or a second prioritization, wherein the first prioritization comprises prioritizing Layer 2 (L2) data packets received from a source network entity and destined for transmission to an Access Terminal (AT) over any received Layer 3 (L3) data packets destined for the AT, wherein the second prioritization comprises prioritizing L3 data packets received from the source network entity and destined for transmission to the AT over L3 data packets received from an Access GateWay (AGW) and destined for transmission to the AT, and to transmit the received data packets according to the at least one of the first prioritization or the second prioritization.

12. The target network apparatus of claim 11, wherein the L2 data packets comprise partial data packets that have started transmission but not yet finished transmission over-the-air or any packets that have been processed by the link-layer protocol in the source network that have corresponding peer protocol in the AT.

13. The target network apparatus of claim 11, wherein the prioritization module comprises the second prioritization, wherein the second prioritization further comprises prioritizing L3 packets received from a source Data Attachment Point (DAP) over L3 packets received from at least one of the AGW or a target DAP.

14. The target network apparatus of claim 11, wherein the transceiver is further operable to receive data packets from the AGW or from a Data Attachment Point (DAP) that are buffered and transmitted after the target network entity receives a signal from the source network entity indicating that the source network entity has completed transmission of L2 and L3 data packets.

15. The target network apparatus of claim 11, wherein the transceiver is further operable to omit L2 packets from the transmission when the target network entity comprises a data attachment point (DAP).

16. The target network apparatus of claim 11, wherein the transceiver is further operable to receive L2 data packets transmitted from a source Forward Link Serving eBS (FLSE).

17. The target network apparatus of claim 11, wherein the prioritization module comprises the first prioritization, wherein the data packet prioritization module is further operable to selectively transmit the data packets received as L2 data packets before transmitting the data packets received as L3 data packets, wherein the selective transmission of data packets is based on an application associated with the data packets requiring in-order delivery.

18. The target network apparatus of claim 11, wherein the transceiver is further operable to receive a flush signal or message transmitted from the source network entity after transmission of L2 and L3 data packets destined for the AT, wherein the flush signal or message provides indication that no further L2 and L3 data packets are forthcoming from the source network entity.

19. A method for providing in-order delivery of data packets during handoff in a communication network, comprising:

providing for a handoff of an Access Terminal (AT) from a source network entity to a target network entity;

forwarding, from the source network entity, Layer 2 (L2) data packets, destined for the AT, to the target network entity; and

forwarding, from the source network entity, Layer 3 (L3) data packets, destined for the AT, to the target network entity,

wherein forwarding of the L2 data packets is prioritized over forwarding of the L3 data packets.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein forwarding, from the source network entity, L2 data packets further comprises forwarding, from the source network entity, partial data packets that have started transmission but not yet finished transmission over-the-air and forwarding, from the source network entity, L3 data packets further comprises forwarding, from the source network entity, Internet Protocol (IP) data packets that have not yet started transmission over-the-air.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising transmitting, from the source network entity, a signal to the target network entity indicating that the forwarding of L2 and L3 data packets is completed.

22. The method of claim 19, further comprising transmitting, from the source entity, a flush signal or message after forwarding of the L2 and L3 data packets, wherein the flush signal or message provides indication that no further L2 and L3 data packets are forthcoming.

23. At least one processor configured to provide in-order delivery of data packets during handoff in a communication network, comprising:

a first module for providing for a handoff of an Access Terminal (AT) from a source network entity to a target network entity;

a second module for forwarding Layer 2 (L2) data packets, destined for the AT, to the target network entity; and

a third module for forwarding Layer 3 (L3) data packets, destined for the AT, to the target network entity,

wherein forwarding of the L2 data packets is prioritized over forwarding of the L3 data packets.

24. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

a first set of codes for causing a computer to provide for a handoff of an Access Terminal (AT) from a source network entity to a target network entity;

a second set of codes for causing a computer to forward Layer 2 (L2) data packets, destined for the AT, to the target network entity; and

a third set of codes for causing the computer to forward Layer 3 (L3) data packets, destined for the AT, to the target network entity,

wherein forwarding of the L2 data packets is prioritized over forwarding of the L3 data packets.

25. An apparatus, comprising:

means for providing for a handoff of an Access Terminal (AT) from a source network entity to a target network entity;

means for forwarding Layer 2 (L2) data packets, destined for the AT, to the target network entity; and

means for forwarding Layer 3 (L3) data packets, destined for the AT, to the target network entity,

wherein forwarding of the L2 data packets is prioritized over forwarding of the L3 data packets.

26. A source network apparatus, comprising:

a computer platform including a processor and a memory in communication with a processor;

a handoff module stored in the memory and in communication with the processor, wherein the handoff module is operable to assist in the handoff of an Access Terminal (AT) from a source network entity to a target network entity;

a transceiver stored in communication with the processor, wherein the transceiver is operable to forward Layer 2 (L2) data packets, destined for the AT, to the target network entity and forwarding Layer 3 (L3) data packets, destined for the AT, to the target network entity; and

a data packet prioritization module stored in the memory and in communication with the processor, wherein the prioritization module is operable to prioritize the forwarding of the L2 data packets over the L3 data packets.

27. The source network apparatus of claim 26, wherein the transceiver is further operable to forward L2 data packets in the form of partial data packets that have started transmission but not yet finished transmission over-the-air and forward L3 data packets in the form of Internet Protocol (IP) data packets that have not yet started transmission over-the-air.

28. The source network apparatus of claim 26, wherein the transceiver is further operable to transmit a signal data packet to the target network entity indicating that the forwarding of L2 and L3 data packets is completed.

29. The source network apparatus of claim 26, wherein the transceiver is further operable to transmit a flush signal or message after forwarding of the L2 and L3 data packets, wherein the flush signal or message provides indication that no further L2 and L3 data packets are forthcoming.

30. A method for providing in-order delivery of data packets during handoff in a communication network, comprising:

providing for handoff of an Access Terminal (AT) from a source network entity to a target network entity;

receiving, at the AT, L2 data packets transmitted from the source network entity;

receiving, at the AT, data packets transmitted from the target network entity; and

delivering the data packets to at least one respective application on the AT such that the L2 data packets transmitted from the source network entity are prioritized over the data packets transmitted from the target network entity.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising receiving, at the AT, an indication from the source network entity that all of the L2 data packets have been transmitted from the source network entity.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising receiving, at the AT, data packets transmitted from the target network entity only after receipt of the indication from the source network entity.

33. The method of claim 31, further comprising transmitting, from the AT after receipt of the indication from the source network entity, a signal to the target network entity, that provides for transmission of the data packets from the target network entity.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein the data packets are buffered at the target network entity until receipt of the signal that provides for transmission of the data packets from the target network entity.

35. At least one processor configured to provide in-order delivery of data packets during handoff in a communication network, comprising:

a first module for providing handoff of an Access Terminal (AT) from a source network entity to a target network entity;

a second module for receiving L2 data packets transmitted from a source network entity;

a third module for receiving data packets transmitted from a target network entity; and

a fourth module for delivering the data packets to at least one respective application on the AT such that the L2 data packets are prioritized over the data packets transmitted from the target network entity.

36. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

a first set of codes for causing a computer to provide for handoff of an Access Terminal (AT) from a source network entity to a target network entity;

a second set of codes for causing a computer to receive L2 data packets transmitted from the source network entity;

a third set of codes for causing the computer to receive data packets transmitted from the target network entity; and

a fourth set of codes for causing the computer to deliver the data packets to at least one respective application on the AT such that the L2 data packets are prioritized over the data packets transmitted from the target network entity.

37. An apparatus, comprising:

means for providing handoff of an Access Terminal (AT) from a source network entity to a target network entity;

means for receiving L2 data packets transmitted from the source network entity;

means for receiving data packets transmitted from the target network entity; and

means for delivering the data packets to at least one respective application on the AT such that the L2 data packets are prioritized over the data packets transmitted from the target network entity.

38. An access terminal, comprising:

a computer platform including a processor and a memory in communication with a processor;

a handoff module stored in the memory and in communication with the processor, wherein the handoff module is operable to assist in the handoff of an Access Terminal (AT) from a source network entity to a target network entity; and

a transceiver stored in communication with the processor, wherein the transceiver is operable to receive L2 data packets transmitted from a source network entity and receive data packets transmitted from a target network entity, and wherein the transceiver is further operable to deliver the data packets to at least one respective application on the access terminal such that the L2 data packets from the source network entity are prioritized over the data packets transmitted from the target network entity.

39. The access terminal of claim 38, wherein the transceiver is further operable to receive an indication from the source network entity that all of the L2 data packets have been transmitted from the source network entity.

40. The access terminal of claim 39, wherein the transceiver is further operable to receive data packets transmitted from the target network entity only after receipt of the indication from the source network entity.

41. The access terminal of claim 39, wherein the transceiver is further operable, after receipt of the indication from the source network entity, to transmit a signal to the target network entity that provides for transmission of the data packets from the target network entity.

42. The access terminal of claim 41, wherein the data packets are buffered at the target network entity until receipt of the signal that provides for transmission of the data packets from the target network entity.

43. A method for providing in-order delivery of data packets during hand-off in a communications network, comprising:

providing for handoff of an Access Terminal (AT) from a source network entity to a target network entity;

receiving, at the target network entity, L2 packets partially processed prior to handoff, transmitted from an Access Terminal (AT);

forwarding, at the target network entity, the received L2 packets to the target network entity; and

receiving, at the target network entity, an indication signal transmitted from the source network entity,

wherein the indication signal indicates that all L2 packets from the AT have been forwarded to the source network entity.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein receiving the indication signal further comprises receiving the indication signal at the target network entity, wherein the target network entity buffers all new data packets received from the access terminal until receipt of the indication signal.

45. The method of claim 43, wherein receiving, at the target network entity, L2 packets further comprises receiving the L2 packets transmitted across a L2 protocol tunnel.

46. At least one processor configured to provide in-order delivery of data packets during handoff in a communication network, comprising:

a first module for providing for handoff of an Access Terminal (AT) from a source network entity to a target network entity;

a second module for receiving, at the target network entity, L2 packets partially processed prior to handoff, transmitted from an Access Terminal (AT);

a third module for forwarding, at the target network entity, the received L2 packets to the target network entity; and

a fourth module for receiving, at the target network entity, an indication signal transmitted from the source network entity,

wherein the indication signal indicates that all L2 packets from the AT have been forwarded to the source network entity.

47. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

a first set of codes for causing a computer to provide for handoff of an Access Terminal (AT) from a source network entity to a target network entity;

a second set of codes for causing a computer to receive, at the target network entity, L2 packets partially processed prior to handoff, transmitted from an Access Terminal (AT);

a third set of codes for causing a computer to forward, at the target network entity, the received L2 packets to the target network entity; and

a fourth set of codes for causing the computer to receive, at the target network entity, an indication signal transmitted from the source network entity,

wherein the indication signal indicates that all L2 packets from the AT have been forwarded to the source network entity.

48. An apparatus, comprising:

means for providing for handoff of an Access Terminal (AT) from a source network entity to a target network entity;

means for receiving, at the source network entity, L2 packets partially processed prior to handoff, transmitted from an Access Terminal (AT);

means for forwarding, at the source network entity, the received L2 packets to the target network entity; and

means for transmitting, at the source network entity, an indication signal to the target network entity,

wherein the indication signal indicates that all L2 packets from the AT have been forwarded to the target network entity.

49. A target network entity, comprising:

a computer platform including a processor and a memory in communication with a processor;

a handoff module stored in the memory and in communication with the processor, wherein the handoff module is operable to assist in the handoff of an Access Terminal (AT) from a source network entity to a target network entity;

a transceiver in communication with the processor, wherein the transceiver is operable to receiving L2 packets transmitted from an Access Terminal (AT), forward the received L2 packets to the target network entity and receive an indication signal from the target network entity, wherein the indication signal indicates that all L2 packets from the AT have been forwarded to the source network entity.

50. The source network entity of claim 49, wherein the transceiver is further operable to transmit the indication signal to the target network entity, wherein the target network entity buffers all new data packets received from the access terminal until receipt of the first indication signal.

51. The source network entity of claim 49, wherein the transceiver is further operable to receive the L2 packets transmitted across a L2 protocol tunnel.

52. A method for providing in-order delivery of data packets during hand-off in a communications network, comprising:

providing for handoff of an Access Terminal (AT) between a source network entity and a target network entity;

transmitting L2 data packets partially processed prior to handoff to the source network entity via the target network entity; and

transmitting new data packets to the target network entity,

wherein the target network entity forwards the L2 data packets to the target network entity and the source network entity sends all IP data packets constructed from L2 data packets to an Access Gateway (AGW) prior to sending the new data packets.

53. At least one processor configured to provide in-order delivery of data packets during handoff in a communication network, comprising:

a first module for providing for handoff of an Access Terminal (AT) between a source network entity and a target network entity;

a second module for transmitting L2 data packets partially processed prior to handoff to the source network entity via the target network entity; and

a third module for transmitting new data packets to the target network entity,

wherein the target network entity forwards the L2 data packets to the target network entity and the source network entity sends all IP data packets constructed from L2 data packets to an Access Gateway (AGW) prior to sending the new data packets.

54. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

a first set of codes for causing a computer to provide for handoff of an Access Terminal (AT) from a source network entity to a target network entity;

a second set of codes for causing the computer to transmit L2 data packets partially processed prior to handoff to the source network entity via the target network entity; and

a third set of codes for causing the computer to transmit new data packets to the target network entity,

wherein the target network entity forwards the L2 data packets to the target network entity and the source network entity sends all IP data packets constructed from L2 data packets to an Access Gateway (AGW) prior to sending the new data packets.

55. An apparatus, comprising:

means for providing for handoff of an Access Terminal (AT) between a source network entity and a target network entity;

means for transmitting L2 data packets partially processed prior to handoff to the source network entity via the target network entity; and

means for transmitting new data packets to the target network entity,

wherein the target network entity forwards the L2 data packets to the target network entity and the source network entity sends all IP data packets constructed from L2 data packets to an Access Gateway (AGW) prior to sending the new data packets.

56. An access terminal, comprising:

a computer platform including a processor and a memory in communication with a processor;

a handoff module stored in the memory and in communication with the processor, wherein the handoff module is operable to assist in the handoff of the Access Terminal (AT) from a source network entity to a target network entity;

a transceiver in communication with the processor, wherein the transceiver is operable to transmit L2 data packets partially processed prior to handoff to the source network entity via the target network entity and transmit new data packets to the target network entity, wherein the target network entity forwards the L2 data packets to the target network entity and the source network entity sends all IP data packets constructed from L2 data packets to an Access Gateway (AGW) prior to sending the new data packets.