Systems and methods for transmitting radio link control (RLC) data blocks

摘要

In one aspect, the invention provides apparatuses and methods for wirelessly transmitting application data utilizing priority information for each radio link control (RLC) data block transmitted. Advantageously, the application data with a relatively high transmission priority is not substantially delayed by the transmission of application data with substantially lower transmission priorities.

主权项

1. A method in a wireless communication apparatus for transmitting radio link control (RLC) data blocks corresponding to first and second logical link control (LLC) protocol data units (PDUs), wherein the wireless communication apparatus includes a protocol stack having a LLC layer, a RLC layer, and a physical link (PHY) layer, wherein the RLC layer includes an RLC entity that receives the first and second LLC PDUs from the LLC layer, the method comprising the following steps performed by the RLC entity:
upon receiving the first LLC PDU from the LLC layer, forming a first set of RLC data blocks corresponding to the first LLC PDU; commencing to transmit the first set of RLC data blocks to the PHY layer for radio transmission, wherein each transmitted RLC data block comprises a portion of the first LLC PDU; prior to completion of transmission of the first set of RLC data blocks:
receiving the second LLC PDU from the LLC layer;determining whether the second LLC PDU has a higher transmission priority than a transmission priority of the first LLC PDU; andupon determining that the second LLC PDU has a higher transmission priority than the transmission priority of the first LLC PDU, ceasing transmission of the first set of RLC data blocks, and transmitting to the PHY layer, one or more RLC data blocks corresponding to the second LLC PDU; and completing transmission of the first set of RLC data blocks to the PHY layer after transmitting the one or more RLC data blocks corresponding to the second LLC PDU; wherein upon determining that the second LLC PDU has an equivalent transmission priority as the transmission priority of the first LLC PDU, the method further comprises:
alternately transmitting to the PHY layer, RLC data blocks corresponding to the first LLC PDU and the second LLC PDU until the first or second LLC PDU has been completely transmitted as RLC data blocks.