Method for suppression index reuse and packet classification for payload header suppression within a wireless network
View Patent ↗A method is provided for payload header suppression within a wireless network in which a limited number of suppression indices are used to map suppression rules to data streams. Network resources are conserved by implementing precise classification algorithms to correctly identify incoming packets at the wireless device as belonging to a particular data stream, which ensures that a minimum number of suppression indices are utilized. Additionally, network resources are conserved by utilizing sophisticated algorithms for reusing suppression indices when new data streams are detected by the wireless device. One such reuse algorithm involves recycling the suppression index that has been least recently used in transmitting a packet with a suppressed payload header.
1. A method for suppressing payload headers of a data stream based on a particular flow within a wireless device, comprising the steps of:
detecting an incoming data stream through a wireless communication medium;
identifying the incoming data stream as corresponding to a particular flow;
accessing a plurality of suppression indices, wherein the plurality of suppression indices is associated with rules governing suppression and reconstruction of payload headers; and
reusing with a processing device one of the plurality of suppression indices to produce a reused suppression index in response to determining no suppression index within the plurality of suppression indices being assigned to the particular flow,
wherein said reusing includes applying the reused suppression index to suppress a payload header corresponding to the incoming data stream.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said reusing step further comprises the step of:
sharing the reused suppression index with its currently assigned flow.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said reusing step further comprises the step of:
disassociating the reused suppression index from its currently assigned flow.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said reusing step further comprises the step of:
reusing a least recently used suppression index to produce the reused suppression index.
5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein said reusing step further comprises the step of:
accessing a timestamp to select the least recently used suppression index.
6. The method according to claim 4 , wherein said reusing step further comprises the step of:
accessing an ordered list to select the least recently used suppression index.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said reusing step further comprises the steps of:
monitoring the flows within the wireless device to detect an inactive suppression index from the plurality of suppression indices; and
reusing the inactive suppression index to produce the reused suppression index.
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said reusing step further comprises the steps of:
comparing a payload header corresponding to the incoming data stream with each payload header corresponding to a respective data stream having an assigned suppression index;
determining a similar payload header in response to said comparing step; and
applying the suppression index assigned to the similar payload header to produce the reused suppression index.
9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said reusing step further comprises the step of:
reusing a least often used suppression index to produce the reused suppression index.
10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said reusing step further comprises the steps of:
identifying more than one least recently used suppression index; and
reusing a least often used suppression index to produce the reused suppression index.
11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said reusing step further comprises the steps of:
identifying more than one least often used suppression index; and
reusing a least recently used suppression index to produce the reused suppression index.
12. A method for assigning a suppression index to a packet stream in a wireless device, wherein the suppression index is one of a limited number of suppression indices used for suppression of payload headers in the packet stream, comprising the steps of:
identifying a data stream through a wireless communications medium;
and selecting a suppression index for assignment to said data stream from the limited number of suppression indices, wherein the limited number of suppression indices is associated with rules governing suppression and reconstruction of payload headers,
wherein said selecting step comprises selecting with a processing device said suppression index using an index reuse algorithm when all of said suppression indices have already been assigned to a data stream, wherein the index reuse algorithm includes reusing the suppression index from the limited number of suppression indices.
13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein said index reuse algorithm selects the suppression index that has been least recently used for transmitting a suppressed data packet.
14. The method according to claim 12 , wherein said index reuse algorithm selects the suppression index that has been least often used for transmitting a suppressed data packet.