Header compression with a code book

Abstract

A method of transmitting data packets is disclosed. The method comprises acquiring a data packet to be transmitted; parsing the data packet to extract at least a part of its header; matching the extracted part of the header with header items stored in a code book database; preparing, if the extracted part of the header matches a header item stored in the code book database, an adapted data packet comprising a code from the code book corresponding to the match replacing the at least part of the header, and the rest of the data packet; and transmitting the adapted data packet, if the adapted data packet is prepared, or the data packet, if no adapted data packet is prepared. A corresponding method of receiving data packets is also disclosed. The method comprises receiving a data transmission; determining whether the data transmission comprises a compressed header indicator for a data packet with a compressed header; and if the data packet is determined to comprise a compressed header, performing the steps of: parsing the data packet to extract a code; looking up a code book database using the extracted code to find corresponding header data; and decompressing the data packet by replacing the compressed header indicator and the extracted code by the header data. A transmitter, receiver, communication system, and computer program for implementing the methods are also disclosed.