Packing source data packets into transporting packets with fragmentation
AssigneeWi-LAN, Inc.
InventorsKenneth L. Stanwood, Stanley Wang, Robert M. Johnson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A communications system and method are disclosed for transmitting packets of information in at least one first format over a communications link that utilizes packets of information in a second format. In certain embodiments, the packets of information in a first format are converted to packets of information in the second format prior to transmission via the communications link by packing and fragmenting the information in the first format in a coordinated manner. Embodiments may also utilize packing subheaders and fragmentation control bits in the packing and fragmentation processes.
Claims36
A node for use in a communications system that packs and fragments variable-length service data units (SDU) for mapping into variable length protocol data units (PDU), each PDU having a payload area, and a header area, each SDU being associated with a specified connection, the node comprising:
- a communications processor configured to pack and fragment service data units associated with a specified connection into a protocol data unit, including performing the following operations:
- allocating bandwidth for the specified connection based, at least in part, on the priority of the connection,
- establishing a length for the protocol data unit based on the bandwidth allocated to the specified connection in a current frame,
- mapping a first service data unit to the payload area of the protocol data unit,
- determining whether a second service data unit is larger than the remaining payload area of the protocol data unit,
- if the second service data unit is not larger than the remaining payload area of the protocol data unit, then mapping the second service data unit to the remaining payload area of the protocol data unit, and
- if the second service data unit is larger than the remaining payload area of the protocol data unit, then fragmenting the second service data unit into at least two fragments and mapping the first fragment to the payload area of the protocol data unit, wherein:
- the header area of the protocol data unit includes a length field specifying the length of the protocol data unit, and
- the payload area of the protocol data unit includes a packing subheader for each service data unit and each service data unit fragment packed in the payload area, the packing subheader specifying the length of a respective service data unit or a respective fragment.
A base station for use in a communications system, that packs and fragments variable-length service data units (SDU) for mapping into variable length protocol data units (PDU), each PDU having a payload area, a header area, and being associated with a specified connection, the base station comprising:
- a communications processor configured to pack and fragment service data units associated with the specified connection into a protocol data unit including performing the following operations:
- establishing a length for the protocol data unit based on bandwidth allocated to the specified connection in a current frame, wherein the bandwidth allocated to the specified connection is established based on one or more communication parameters, including the priority of the specified connection,
- mapping a first service data unit to the payload area of the protocol data unit,
- determining whether a second service data unit is larger than the remaining payload area of the protocol data unit,
- if the second service data unit is not larger than the remaining payload area of the protocol data unit, then mapping the second service data unit to the remaining payload area of the protocol data unit, and
- if the second service data unit is larger than the remaining payload area of the protocol data unit, then fragmenting the second service data unit into at least two fragments and mapping the first fragment to the payload area of the protocol data unit, wherein:
- the header area of the protocol data unit includes a length field specifying the length of the PDU, and
- the payload area of the protocol data unit includes a packing subheader for each service data unit packed in the payload area, the packing subheader specifying the length of a respective service data unit.
A method for use in a communications system that maps variable length service data units (SDU) associated with a specified connection according to a plurality of service level for the data carried by the SDUs, into a protocol data unit (PDU) having a variable-length payload area and a header area, the method comprising:
- establishing a length for a protocol data unit based on bandwidth currently allocated to the connection in a current frame, wherein the bandwidth allocated to the connection is established based, at least in part, on the priority associated with the specified connection;
- receiving a first service data unit and a second service data unit;
- fragmenting the second service data unit into at least two fragments;
- packing the first service data unit and a corresponding packing subheader into the payload area of the protocol data unit;
- and
- packing a first fragment of the second service data unit and a corresponding packing subheader into a remaining portion of the payload area of the protocol data unit,
- wherein each packing subheader comprises a length field specifying the length of the corresponding service data unit and a fragmentation control field indicating whether the corresponding service data unit is a first fragment, a continuing fragment, a last fragment, or an unfragmented service data unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.