M-stack Limited

Research in Motion Corporation

Patrik Olsson

Andrew John Farnsworth

Gideon Roberts

Gjalt Gerrit De Jong

The present invention concerns a method of processing traffic data in Layerof a wireless communications system, whereby the MAC layer is arranged, after receipt of a traffic data volume report from the RLC layer, to process said data volume report and to then issue an acknowledgement message to the RLC layer. The method ensures that the RLC and MAC layers are synchronized with respect to traffic data processing. The MAC layer may be arranged to issue an acknowledgement to the RLC layer only where it determines from processing a data volume report that the RLC layer is not permitted to transmit data in a next or subsequent corresponding TTI. The present invention also concerns a process for data discard in a Radio Link Control (RLC) layer of a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) wireless communications system such as a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). The process involves, responsive to the triggering of a data discard operation, determining whether the RLC layer is permitted to transmit data. Where it is determined that the RLC layer is not permitted to transmit data in a next or subsequent TTI, the method includes the step of informing the RLC layer that data is not required.

Method for processing traffic data in a wireless communications system

In Radio Link control (REC) apparatus, a mechanism is provided for detecting missing or corrupted data units at the receiving end of a transmission link, requesting retransmission and then monitoring the response to the retransmission request. Distinctively, a receiving communications entityis equipped to act on a nil response. If no data unit is retransmitted, the receiving entity triggers at least one repeat retransmission request. This is the case even if no further data unit is received after the retransmission request is triggered. Retransmission requests are repeated up to a preset number, whereafter a different recovery mechanism is triggered.

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Birmingham, United Kingdom

Patrik Olsson