Communication device and method
First Claim
1. A communication device comprising:
- a discriminator means arranged for receiving and discriminating data packets of a second data structure according to predetermined rules on the basis of contents of said data packets of said second data structure;
an embedding device for generating data packets of a first data structure determined by a first predetermined protocol, said embedding device being arranged to receive said data packets of said second data structure and generate said data packets of said first data structure by embedding each of said data packets of said second data structure in at least one of said data packets of said first data structure; and
wherein said embedding device is adapted to adjust an operation mode for at least one of said data packets of said first data structure on the basis of a discrimination result relative to at least one of said data packets of said second data structure, said embedding device for setting a transmission reliability mode in each said data packet of said first data structure prior to sending each said data packet of said first data structure, wherein said first predetermined protocol supporting at least two transmission reliability modes according to which said data packets of said first protocol are sent, where said transmission reliability modes are distinguishable at least with respect to rules regarding the retransmission of said data packets of said first data structure, and where each said generated data packet of said first data structure contains information on the associated transmission reliability mode according to which said data packet of said first data structure is to be sent, such that a receiver of each said data packet of said first data structure may determine according to which of said transmission reliability modes which of said data packets of said first protocol were sent;
said discriminator means being arranged to discriminate a given data packet of said second data structure according to said predetermined rules, such that the information on the transmission reliability mode in the at least one of said data packets of said first data structure containing said given data packet of said second data structure is set in accordance with the discrimination result;
an output buffer, into which the data packets of said first data structure are passed; and
said output buffer being arranged to place each data packet of said first data structure in a queue associated with the transmission reliability mode set in said each packet; and
wherein a first transmission reliability mode comprises rules for the retransmission of data packets under predetermined conditions and a second mode provides for no retransmission of data packets, and said output buffer is arranged to send out data packets of said first mode that are to be retransmitted with a higher priority than other data packets.
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Abstract
In the present invention, the implementation of a protocol that embeds packets is made sensitive to the type of data being embedded, so that adjustable parameters can be set automatically at the layer providing the parameters being adjusted in accordance with the packets being embedded. Thus it is taken into account that the data in packets being received from a higher layer in order to be encapsulated or segmented and sent further (either directly into the link or on to lower layer), may be classified into different categories with respect to the adjustable parameters, where the parameters can automatically be adjusted for an individual packet in accordance with the category into which is classified.
104 Citations
43 Claims
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1. A communication device comprising:
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a discriminator means arranged for receiving and discriminating data packets of a second data structure according to predetermined rules on the basis of contents of said data packets of said second data structure;
an embedding device for generating data packets of a first data structure determined by a first predetermined protocol, said embedding device being arranged to receive said data packets of said second data structure and generate said data packets of said first data structure by embedding each of said data packets of said second data structure in at least one of said data packets of said first data structure; and
wherein said embedding device is adapted to adjust an operation mode for at least one of said data packets of said first data structure on the basis of a discrimination result relative to at least one of said data packets of said second data structure, said embedding device for setting a transmission reliability mode in each said data packet of said first data structure prior to sending each said data packet of said first data structure, wherein said first predetermined protocol supporting at least two transmission reliability modes according to which said data packets of said first protocol are sent, where said transmission reliability modes are distinguishable at least with respect to rules regarding the retransmission of said data packets of said first data structure, and where each said generated data packet of said first data structure contains information on the associated transmission reliability mode according to which said data packet of said first data structure is to be sent, such that a receiver of each said data packet of said first data structure may determine according to which of said transmission reliability modes which of said data packets of said first protocol were sent;
said discriminator means being arranged to discriminate a given data packet of said second data structure according to said predetermined rules, such that the information on the transmission reliability mode in the at least one of said data packets of said first data structure containing said given data packet of said second data structure is set in accordance with the discrimination result;
an output buffer, into which the data packets of said first data structure are passed; and
said output buffer being arranged to place each data packet of said first data structure in a queue associated with the transmission reliability mode set in said each packet; and
wherein a first transmission reliability mode comprises rules for the retransmission of data packets under predetermined conditions and a second mode provides for no retransmission of data packets, and said output buffer is arranged to send out data packets of said first mode that are to be retransmitted with a higher priority than other data packets. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
said data packets of said second data structure have at least one section carrying information on the contents of the data packets of the second data structure, and said discriminator means is arranged to analyze said at least one section to thereby discriminate said data packets of said second data structure in accordance with their contents;
said at least one section comprising packet headers associated with respective protocol layers and containing protocol identification information identifying the protocol with which the contents of the data packets of the second data structure are associated, said packet headers form a hierarchy in accordance with the protocol layers; and
said discriminator means is arranged to;
determine the protocol identification information of said given data packet of said second data structure in the header associated with said second protocol and then compare said protocol identification information associated with stored rules that allocate a predetermined transmission reliability mode to predetermined protocol identifications information; and
set the transmission reliability mode for said given data packet to be discriminated in accordance with a determined allocation if said protocol identification information in the header is among the stored rules, and if said protocol identification information is not among the stored rules, then determine the protocol identification in the header of said given data packet associated with a next protocol layer one layer up in the hierarchy and then compare said protocol identification information in the header of said next protocol with said stored rules;
whereinsaid process of determining and comparing is repeated until a given one of said protocol identification information in said given data packet to be discriminated is allocated to said predetermined transmission reliability mode according to one of the stored rules, in which case said transmission reliability mode is set for said given data packet to be discriminated, and a fail-safe condition is met, in which case a default transmission reliability mode is set for said given data packet to be discriminated.
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3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein a first transmission reliability mode comprises rules for the retransmission of data packets under predetermine conditions, and a second mode that provides for no retransmission of data packets.
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4. The communication device according to claim 3, wherein said first protocol specifies performing segmentation in order to embed said data packets of said second data structure in said data packets of said first data structure.
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5. The communication device according to claim 4, said discriminator means further adapted to determine the occurrence of a packet delimiter belonging to a data packet of said second data structure it data packets of said second data structure that are to be embedded, and to duplicate said packet delimiters prior to embedding.
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6. The communication device according to claim 4, further including:
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said first protocol is a protocol for sending said data packets over a link the retransmission of said data packets belonging to said first transmission reliability mode is decided on the basis of acknowledgment data packets for said data packets already sent over said link; and
an output buffer means is provided that is adapted to send out said data packets belonging to said second transmission reliability mode only if the receipt of all previously sent said data packets of said first transmission reliability mode has been acknowledged.
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7. The communication device according to claim 4, further including a receiving buffer for receiving said data packets of said first data structure over said link, wherein said first protocol is a protocol for sending said data packets over a link, said receiving buffer comprises:
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a first part associated with said first transmission reliability mode for storing said data packets sent in accordance with said first transmission reliability mode; and
a second part associated with said second transmission reliability mode for storing said data packets sent in accordance with said second transmission reliability mode.
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8. The communication device according to claim 7, further including:
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said first transmission reliability mode being such that said data packets of said first transmission reliability mode are numbered to thereby specify a correct order; and
said receiving buffer adapted to determine the occurrence of a packet delimiter belonging to a said packet of said second data structure in received said data packets of said first data structure belonging to said first transmission reliability mode.
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9. The communication device according to claim 7, said receiving buffer further adapted to determine the occurrence of a packet delimiter belonging to a said data packet of said second data structure in received said data packets of said first data structure, and adapted to store said received data packets of said first data structure until one of:
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a complete said data packet of said second data structure has been received, which is determined by the receipt of said packet delimiters belonging to said data packets of said second data structure; and
for said data packets of said first data structure belonging to said second transmission reliability mode, a predetermined buffer limit is exceeded.
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10. The communication device according to claim 9, said determined packet delimiter specified by a message received over said link.
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11. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein said embedding device is arranged to segment said data packets of said second data structure in said data packets of said first data structure.
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12. The communication device according to claim 1 wherein said embedding device is arranged to encapsulate said data packets of said second data structure in said data packets of said first data structure.
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13. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising an output buffer, into which said data packets of said first data structure are passed, and from which said data packets are sent out.
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14. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein said data packets of said second data structure transport at least one section carrying information on the contents of said data packet, and said discriminator means is arranged to analyze said at least one section to thereby discriminate said data packets of said second data structure in accordance with their contents.
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15. The communication device according to claim 14, wherein said at least one section comprises packet headers associated with respective protocol layers and containing protocol identification information identifying the protocol with which the contents of said data packet are associated.
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16. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein said first predetermined protocol is a protocol for sending said data packets over a link.
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17. The communication device according to claim 16, wherein said link is a radio link.
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18. The communication device according to claim 16, wherein said communication device is arranged to also receive said data packets of said first data structure over said link.
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19. A method for generating data packets having a first data structure determined by a first predetermined protocol, the method comprising steps of:
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discriminating received data packets of a second data structure determined by a second predetermined protocol according to predetermined rules on the basis of contents of said data packets of said second data structure;
adjusting an operation mode for at least one of said data packets of said second data structure on the basis of a discrimination result for at least one of said data packets of said second data structure; and
embedding said data packets of said second data structure in said data packets of said first data structure;
setting a transmission reliability mode in a said data packet of said first data structure containing a given said data packet of said second data structure according to the result of said discriminating step for said given data packet of said second data structure, wherein said first predetermined protocol supporting at least two transmission reliability modes according to which said data packets of said first data structure may be sent, said transmission reliability modes are distinguishable at least with respect to rules regarding the retransmission of said data packets of said first data structure, and each generated said data packet contains information on the transmission reliability mode according to which each said data packet is to be sent, such that a receiver of each said data packet may determine according to which of said transmission reliability modes each said data packet was sent;
determining the protocol identification in a packet header associated with said second protocol;
comparing said protocol identification with stored rules that allocate a predetermined transmission reliability mode to predetermined protocol identifications, wherein said data packets of said second data structure have at least one section carrying information on the contents of said data packet, and wherein said at least one section comprises packet headers associated with respective protocol layers and containing said protocol identification information identifying the protocol with which the contents of said data packet of said second data structure are associated, and said packet headers form a hierarchy in accordance with the protocol layers; and
setting the transmission reliability mode for said data packet of said second data structure to be discriminated in accordance with a determined allocation if said protocol identification is among the stored rules, and if said protocol identification is not among the stored rules, then determining the protocol identification in a header associated with the next protocol one layer up in the hierarchy and then comparing said protocol identification of said next protocol with said stored rules that allocate said predetermined transmission reliability mode;
whereinsaid process of determining and comparing is repeated until one of;
said determined protocol identification in said data packet to be discriminated is allocated to said predetermined transmission reliability mode according to one of rules, in which case said transmission reliability mode is set for said data packet to be discriminated; and
a fail-safe condition is met, in which case a default transmission reliability mode is set for said data packet to be discriminated. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
segmenting said data packets of said second data structure in said data packets of said first data structure. -
22. The method according to claim 19, wherein said data packets of said first data structure are passed into an output buffer.
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23. The method according to claim 19, further including the step of passing said data packets of said first data structure into an output buffer, said output buffer placing each said data packet of said first data structure in a queue associated with the transmission reliability mode set in each said data packet.
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24. The method according to claim 23, wherein a first transmission reliability mode comprises rules for the retransmission of said data packets of said first data structure under predetermined conditions, and a second transmission reliability mode provides for no retransmission of said data packets, and said output buffer sends out said data packets of said first transmission reliability mode that are to be retransmitted with a higher priority than other said data packets.
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25. The method according to claim 19, wherein a first transmission reliability mode comprises rules for the retransmission of said data packets of said first data structure under predetermined conditions, and a second transmission reliability mode provides for no retransmission of said data packets.
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26. The method according to claim 25, wherein said first protocol specifies performing segmentation in order to embed said data packets of said second data structure in said data packets of said first data structure.
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27. The method according to claim 26, further including the step of determining the occurrence of a packet delimiter belonging to a said data packet of said second data structure in said data packets of said second data structure that are to be embedded, and duplicating said packet delimiters prior to said step of embedding.
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28. The method according to claim 26, wherein said first protocol is a protocol for sending said data packets of said first data structure over a link the retransmission of said data packets belonging to said first transmission reliability mode is decided on the basis of acknowledgment packets for said data packets already sent over said link, and an output buffer is provided that sends out said data packets belonging to said second transmission reliability mode only if the receipt of all previously sent said data packets of said first transmission reliability mode have been acknowledged.
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29. The method according to claim 26, further including the step of receiving said data packets of said first data structure over a link into a receiving buffer, said receiving buffer comprises a first part associated with said first transmission reliability mode for storing said data packets sent in accordance with said first transmission reliability mode, and a second part associated with said second transmission reliability mode for storing data packets sent in accordance with said second transmission reliability mode.
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30. The method according to claim 29, further including the steps of:
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determining the occurrence of a packet delimiter belonging to a said data packet of said second data structure in received said data packets of said first data structure belonging to said first transmission reliability mode, wherein said firs transmission reliability mode being such that said data packets of said first transmission reliability mode are numbered to thereby specify a correct order; and
said receiving buffer immediately releasing said received data packets of said first data structure, both those belonging to said first and said second transmission reliability mode, to the next higher layer, unless one of;
said data packets belonging to said first transmission reliability mode need to be retransmitted, in which case said received data packets belonging to said first transmission reliability mode are buffered until they can be released in the correct order; and
said data packets belonging to said first transmission reliability mode are followed by said data packets belonging to said second transmission reliability mode, in which case said receiving buffer is adapted to immediately release said received data packets of said first data structure belonging to said second transmission reliability mode if no said data packets of said first transmission reliability mode are being stored, and to store said received data packets of said first data structure belonging to said second transmission reliability mode if said data packets of said first transmission reliability mode are being stored, until a complete said data packet of said second data structure and said first transmission reliability mode has been received and released, after which the stored said data packets of said first data structure belonging to said second transmission reliability mode are released.
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31. The method according to claim 29, further including the steps of:
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determining the occurrence of a packet delimiter belonging to a said data packet of said second data structure in said received data packets of said first data structure; and
said receiving buffer storing said received data packets of said first data structure until one of;
a complete said data packet of said second data structure has been received, which is determined by the receipt of said packet delimiters belonging to said data packets of said second data structure; and
for said data packets of said first data structure belonging to said second transmission reliability mode, a predetermined buffer limit is exceeded.
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32. The method according to claim 31, said predetermined packet delimiter being specified by a message received over said link.
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33. The method according to claim 19, wherein said data packets of said second data structure transport at least one section carrying information on the contents of said data packet of said second data structure, and said discrimination step comprises analyzing said at least one section to thereby discriminate said data packets of said second data structure in accordance with their contents.
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34. The method according to claim 33, wherein said at least one section comprises packet headers associated with respective protocol layers and containing protocol identification information identifying the protocol with which the contents of the said data packet of said second data structure are associated.
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35. The method according to claim 19, wherein said first protocol is a protocol for sending said data packets of said first data structure over a link.
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36. The method according to claim 35, wherein said link is a radio link.
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37. The method according to claim 35, further receiving said data packets of said first data structure over said link.
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38. The method according to claim 19, further including the steps of:
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mapping said data packets of said second data structure to an operation mode on the basis of a discrimination result;
generating adaptation control data on the basis of said discrimination result; and
selecting one of said at least two operating modes in response to said adaptation control data wherein said first predetermined protocol supports at least two operation modes according to which said data packets of said first data structure are sent.
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39. The method according to claim 38, wherein said selecting step takes into account data associated with the link over which said data packets of said first data structure are sent when selecting one of said at least two operating modes in response to said adaption control data.
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40. The method according to claim 38, wherein said mapping step includes mapping said data packets of said second data structure on the basis of the contents of a predetermined field in the header of said data packets of said second data structure.
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41. The method according to claim 40, wherein said predetermined field carries transmission quality requests as a part of said data packets of said second data structure.
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42. The method according to claim 38, wherein said operating modes are associated with at least one of an automatic repeat request error recovery and a forward error correction.
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43. The method according to claim 40, wherein said forward error correction comprises at least one of a frame check sequence based error detection, a forward error control based error correction, an interleaving-based error prevention, a power control, a spreading-based error prevention, a frame length control, and a bandwidth reservation control.
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Specification