Low Complexity Header Compression with Lower-Layer Awareness for Wireless Networks

Packet-switched wireless networks such as 4G and 5G cellular systems apply RObust Header Compression (ROHC) to reduce PDCP header length and improve payload efficiency. Our recent works have demonstrated the benefit of applying a trans-layer approach that exploits lower layer information in ROHC control based on a partially observable Markov decision process (POMDP) formulation. The benefit of the POMDP solution comes at significant computation complexity beyond existing ROHC. The present work focuses on simplicity by designing ROHC compressors with lower layer awareness including channel adaptive transport block size as a result of link adaptation present in many wireless networks. Our new models directly address practical implementation and can deliver transmission efficiency close to an optimized POMDP compressor.