US6359877B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for minimizing overhead in a communication system
Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
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Filing: 1998-07-21
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Granted: 2002-03-19
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Expires: 2018-07-21
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus are provided for minimizing overhead in packet re-transmission in a communication system. Each packet is given a sequence number, based on a current transmission rate, the size of the packet, and a previously assigned sequence number. The packet size can be adapted so that the entire packet fits into a single transmission block. The packet size may also be adapted based on throughput. The packet size may be adapted based on the transmission rate and/or throughput, whether the packet is being transmitted the first time or if it is being re-transmitted. Alternately, if the packet is being re-transmitted, the packet is transmitted at its original transmission rate, regardless of the current transmission rate.
Inventors
- 👤 Béla Stefan Kazmir Rathonyi
- 👤 Farooq Ullah Khan
- 👤 Håkan Gunnar Olofsson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 20:03
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L1/00; H04L1/12; H04W; H04W28/00; H04W28/02; H04W28/06; H04L1/0001; H04L1/0002; H04L1/16; H04L1/1607; H04L1/1642; H04L1/18; H04L1/1812; H04L1/1819; H04L1/1829; H04L1/1835; H04L1/1845
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
58 words
A method for transmitting packets in a communication system, the method comprising the steps of: determining a current transmission rate; assigning a sequence number to a packet for transmission based on the current transmission rate, the size of the packet, and a sequence number of a previously transmitted packet; and transmitting the packet at the current transmission rate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
58 words
A method for transmitting packets in a communication system, the method comprising the steps of: determining a current transmission rate; assigning a sequence number to a packet for transmission based on the current transmission rate, the size of the packet, and a sequence number of a previously transmitted packet; and transmitting the packet at the current transmission rate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: adapting a packet size so that the entire packet fits into a single transmission block at the current transmission rate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the step of adapting further comprises: determining whether the packet for transmission is the same size as a packet that can be transmitted in a single transmission block at the current transmission rate; and if the packet is larger, dividing the packet for transmission into smaller packets.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 3 , further comprising, if the packet for transmission is smaller than a packet that can be transmitted in a single transmission block, adding additional packets in the transmission block.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: receiving a transmitted block including one or more packets; detecting errors in the one or more packets; and re-transmitting any of the one or more packets included in the block in which there are detected errors, wherein if, at the time of re-transmission, the transmission rate is lower than the rate at which the packets were originally transmitted, the packet is divided into smaller packets, and the smaller packets are reassigned sequence numbers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein the step of detecting comprises: checking the one or more packets of the transmitted block for errors; and releasing those packets of the transmitted block in which there are no detected errors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 5 , further comprising a step of adapting a packet size to maximize throughput based on a number of packets re-transmitted during a certain time period.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: determining whether a packet is being re-transmitted, wherein if the packet is not being re-transmitted, the steps of determining the current transmission rate, assigning a sequence number, and transmitting the packet at the current transmission rate are performed, or if the packet is being re-transmitted, the packet is re-transmitted at its original transmission rate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
A transceiver comprising: a processor for determining a current transmission rate and assigning a sequence number to a packet for transmission based on the current transmission rate, the size of the packet, and a sequence number of a previously transmitted packet; and a transmitter for transmitting the packet at the current transmission rate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
A transceiver comprising: a processor for determining a current transmission rate and assigning a sequence number to a packet for transmission based on the current transmission rate, the size of the packet, and a sequence number of a previously transmitted packet; and a transmitter for transmitting the packet at the current transmission rate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The transceiver of claim 9 , wherein the processor adapts the packet size so that the entire packet fits into a single transmission block at the current transmission rate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
The transceiver of claim 10 , wherein the processor determines whether the packet for transmission is the same size as a packet that can be transmitted in a single transmission block at the current transmission rate, and if the packet is larger, the processor divides the packet for transmission into smaller packets.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The transceiver of claim 11 , wherein if the packet for transmission is smaller than a packet that can be transmitted in a single transmission block, the processor adds additional packets in the transmission block.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
80 words
The transceiver of claim 9 , wherein the transmitted block is received and the processor detects errors in the transmitted block, and if any errors are detected in the transmitted block, the transmitter re-transmits packets in which there are detected errors, and wherein if, at the time of re-transmission, the transmission rate is lower than the rate at which the packets were originally transmitted, the processor divides the packet into smaller packets and reassigns sequence numbers to the smaller packets.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The transceiver of claim 13 , wherein the processor detects errors by checking packets of the transmitted block for errors and releasing those packets of the transmitted block in which there are no detected errors.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The transceiver of claim 14 , wherein the processor adapts a packet size to maximize throughput based on a number of packets re-transmitted during a certain time period.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
60 words
The transceiver of claim 9 , wherein the processor determines whether a packet is being re-transmitted, and wherein if the packet is not being re-transmitted, the processor determines the current transmission rate and assigns the sequence number and the transmitter transmits the packet, or if the packet is being re-transmitted, the transmitter re-transmits the packet at its original transmission rate.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-03-18 | 2005-09-17 | 2006-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-03-18 | 2009-09-17 | 2010-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-03-18 | 2013-09-17 | 2014-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |