Transmission of Data Within a Communications Network

Abstract

The invention relates to methods for providing a network element 5 of a communications network with data, in particular HSDPA related data. In order to enable the transmission of user data, it is proposed that a controller 4 of the network uses a dedicated frame structure for assembling frames with said user data. The frames can then be transmitted from the controller 4 via an interface to the network element 5 . In order to enable the transmission of control parameters, it is further proposed that an interface application protocol is employed which allows the controller 4 to add control parameters to control messages transmitted from the controller 4 to a network element 5 via the interface.

1 . An apparatus for communication between a first network element and a second network element in a communication network, the method comprising:
 a memory for storing data;   a processor coupled to the memory, the processor configured to:
 determine, whether multiplexing of user data destined to a plurality of user equipment is supported; 
 when multiplexing of user data is supported, multiplex a set of user data from different logical channels into a transport channel message; 
 identify, in a header portion of the message, whether multiplexing of the user data is included in a payload portion of the message; and 
 transmit, from the first network element, the message to the second network element. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the user data is multiplexed at a MAC Layer entity. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the user data is multiplexed at a Frame Protocol Layer entity. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein multiplexing of user data identified as a number of buffers in the header portion of the message. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the multiplexing of user data is identified as a number of user identification in the header portion of the message. 
     
     
         6 . A method for communication between a first network element and a second network element in a communication network, the method comprising:
 determining, at the first network element, whether multiplexing of user data destined to a plurality of user equipment is supported;   when multiplexing of user data is supported, multiplexing a set of user data from different logical channels into a transport channel message;   identifying, in a header portion of the message, whether multiplexing of the user data is included in a payload portion of the message; and   transmitting, from the first network element, the message to the second network element.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6  wherein the user data is multiplexed at a MAC Layer entity. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 6  wherein the user data is multiplexed at a Frame Protocol Layer entity. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 6  wherein multiplexing of user data identified as a number of buffers in the header portion of the message. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 6  wherein the multiplexing of user data is identified as a number of user identification in the header portion of the message. 
     
     
         11 . A network element for a communication network, the method comprising:
 a memory for storing data;   a processor coupled to the memory, the processor configured to:
 determine, whether multiplexing of user data destined to a plurality of user equipment is supported; 
 when multiplexing of user data is supported, multiplex a set of user data from different logical channels into the transport channel message; 
 identify, in a header portion of the message, whether multiplexing of the user data is included in a payload portion of the message; and 
 transmit, from the first network element, the message to a second network element. 
   
     
     
         12 . The network element according to  claim 11  wherein the user data is multiplexed at a MAC Layer entity. 
     
     
         13 . The network element according to  claim 11  wherein the user data is multiplexed at a Frame Protocol Layer entity. 
     
     
         14 . The network element according to  claim 11  wherein multiplexing of user data identified as a number of buffers in the header portion of the message. 
     
     
         15 . The network element according to  claim 11  wherein the multiplexing of user data is identified as a number of user identification in the header portion of the message. 
     
     
         16 . A computer program product, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein for execution by a processor at a first network element in communication with a second network element in a communication network, the computer-readable program code portions comprising:
 a first executable portion for causing the first network element to determine whether multiplexing of user data destined to a plurality of user equipment is supported;   a second executable portion for causing the first network element to, when multiplexing of user data is supported, multiplex a set of user data from different logical channels into a transport channel message;   a third executable portion for causing the first network element to identify, in a header portion of the message, whether multiplexing of the user data is included in a payload portion of the message; and   a fourth executable portion for causing the first network element to transmit the message to the second network element.   
     
     
         17 . The computer program product according to  claim 16  wherein the user data is multiplexed at a MAC Layer entity. 
     
     
         18 . The computer program product according to  claim 16  wherein the user data is multiplexed at a Frame Protocol Layer entity. 
     
     
         19 . The computer program product according to  claim 16  wherein the third executable portion identifies the multiplexing of the user data as a number of buffers in the header portion of the message.