Pre-configured high-speed uplink bitrate switching

Abstract

An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one non-transitory memory including computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, by the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to at least: receive a configuration of two or more uplink grants from a network; transmit uplink data to the network while operating at a predetermined time using one of the two or more uplink grants; and operate with a first operation after receiving a notification to trigger the first operation to the apparatus or after the apparatus autonomously triggers the first operation, wherein operating with the first operation corresponds at least to using one of the two or more uplink grants for an uplink transmission.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This embodiment and non-limiting embodiments generally relate to communications, and more particularly to pre-set high uplink bitrate switching.

Background Art

[0002] It is known to provide a set grant for uplink transmission in a communication network from a base station to a user equipment.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to one aspect, the apparatus comprises at least one processor and at least one non-transitory memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to cause the apparatus, by the at least one processor, to at least receive settings of two or more uplink grants from a network, transmit uplink data to the network while operating at a predetermined time using one of the two or more uplink grants, and after receiving a notification that triggers a first operation for the apparatus or after the apparatus autonomously triggers the first operation, operate according to the first operation, operating according to the first operation corresponding at least to using one of the two or more uplink grants for uplink transmission.

[0004] According to one embodiment, the device comprises at least one processor and at least one non-transient memory containing computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and computer program code are configured by at least one processor to cause the device to send the configuration of at least two or more uplink grants to a user device, and to use one of the two or more uplink grants to receive uplink data from the user device while it is operating for a predetermined time, and the operation by the first operation is performed after sending a notification to the user device to trigger a first operation, or after the user device autonomously triggers the first operation, and the operation by the first operation corresponds to the use of at least one of the two or more uplink grants for uplink transmission.

[0005] In one embodiment, the device comprises at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured by the at least one processor to cause the device to receive at least two or more uplink grant settings from a network, transmit uplink data to the network while operating for a predetermined time using one of the two or more uplink grants, autonomously trigger a first operation, and after the device autonomously triggers the first operation, operate by the first operation, wherein operating by the first operation corresponds at least to using one of the two or more uplink grants for uplink transmission. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] One aspect and other features described above will be explained in the following description in relation to the attached drawings. [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram of one implementable and non-limiting system in which an exemplary embodiment may be implemented. [Figure 2]Figure 2 is a flowchart of the solution described herein. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an exemplary apparatus configured to carry out the embodiments described herein. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an exemplary method performed by user equipment to carry out the embodiments described herein. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an exemplary method performed by a base station to carry out the embodiments described herein. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows a method performed by user equipment to carry out the embodiments described herein. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] Focusing on Figure 1, this figure shows a block diagram of one possible and non-limiting example in which the embodiment may be implemented. A user device (UE) 110, a radio access network (RAN) node 170, and a network element(s) 190 are illustrated. In the example of Figure 1, the user device (UE) 110 wirelessly communicates with a radio network 100. The UE is a radio device that can access the radio network 100. The UE 110 includes one or more processors 120, one or more memories 125, and one or more transceivers 130 interconnected via one or more buses 127. Each of the one or more transceivers 130 includes a receiver Rx132 and a transmitter Tx133. The one or more buses 127 may be an address, data, or control bus and may include any interconnection mechanism such as a series of wires on a motherboard or integrating circuit, optical fiber, or other optical communication equipment. The one or more transceivers 130 are connected to one or more antennas 128. One or more memories 125 contain computer program code 123. The UE 110 includes module 140 comprising one or both of modules 140-1 and / or 140-2, and can be implemented in numerous ways. Module 140 may be implemented in hardware as module 140-1, such as being implemented as part of one or more processors 120. Module 140-1 may also be implemented as an integrating circuit or using other hardware such as a programmable gate array. In other embodiments, module 140 may be implemented as computer program code 123 and as module 140-2, which is executed by one or more processors 120. For example, one or more memories 125 and computer program code 123 may be configured by one or more processors 120 to cause user equipment 110 to perform one or more operations described herein. The UE 110 communicates with RAN node 170 via radio link 111.

[0008] In this embodiment, the RAN node 170 is a base station that provides access to the radio network 100 by radio devices such as the UE 110. The RAN node 170 may also be a base station for 5G, also known as New Radio (NR). In 5G, the RAN node 170 may be an NG-RAN node defined as either a gNB or an ng-eNB. A gNB is a node that provides NR user plane and control plane protocol termination to the UE and is connected to the 5GC (e.g., network element(s) 190) via an NG interface (e.g., link 131). An NG-eNB is a node that provides E-UTRA user plane and control plane protocol termination to the UE and is connected to the 5GC via an NG interface (e.g., link 131). An NG-RAN node may include multiple gNBs and may also include a central unit (CU) (gNB-CU) 196 and a distributed unit (DU) (gNB-DU), of which DU 195 is shown. Note that DU195 may include, or be connected to, a radio unit (RU) and may control the radio unit (RU). gNB-CU196 is a logical node that hosts the radio resource control (RRC), SDAP, and PDCP protocols of the gNB, or the RRC and PDCP protocols of the en-gNB that control the operation of one or more gNB-DUs. gNB-CU196 terminates the F1 interface connected to gNB-DU195. The F1 interface is illustrated as reference number 198, but reference number 198 also illustrates links between remote elements of RAN node 170 and central elements of RAN node 170, such as between gNB-CU196 and gNB-DU195. gNB-DU195 is a logical node that hosts the RLC, MAC, and PHY layers of the gNB or en-gNB, some of which are controlled by gNB-CPU196. A single gNB-CU196 supports one or more cells. One cell is supported by one gNB-DU195, or one cell is supported / shared by multiple DUs under RAN sharing.The gNB-DU195 terminates the F1 interface 198 connected to the gNB-CU196. The DU195 is thought to include, for example, a transceiver 160 as part of a RU, but it should be noted that in some examples of this embodiment, the transceiver 160 may be part of a separate RU, for example, under the control of and connected to the DU195. The RAN node 170 may also be an eNB (Evolutionary Node B) base station for LTE (Long-Term Evolution), or any other suitable base station or node.

[0009] RAN node 170 includes one or more processors 152, one or more memories 155, one or more network interfaces (N / WI / F(or more)) 161, and one or more transceivers 160 interconnected via one or more buses 157. Each of the one or more transceivers 160 includes a receiver Rx162 and a transmitter Tx163. One or more transceivers 160 are connected to one or more antennas 158. One or more memories 155 contain computer program code 153. CU 196 may include one or more processors 152, one or more memories 155, and a network interface 161. DU 195 may also include its own memory / multiple memories and processors(or more), and / or other hardware, but these are not shown in the illustration.

[0010] RAN node 170 includes module 150 comprising one or both of module 150-1 and / or 150-2, and can be implemented in numerous ways. Module 150 may be implemented in hardware as module 150-1, such as being implemented as part of one or more processors 152. Module 150-1 may also be implemented as an integrating circuit or using other hardware such as a programmable gate array. In other embodiments, module 150 may be implemented as computer program code 153 and as module 150-2, executed by one or more processors 152. For example, one or more memories 155 and computer program code 153 are configured by one or more processors 152 to cause RAN node 170 to perform one or more operations described herein. Note that the functionality of module 150 may be distributed, such as being distributed between DU195 and CU196, or it may be implemented only in DU195.

[0011] One or more network interfaces 161 communicate over a network, such as via links 176 and 131. Two or more gNBs 170 can communicate using, for example, link 176. Link 176 may be wired, wireless, or both, and may implement, for example, an Xn interface for 5G, an X2 interface for LTE, or other suitable interfaces for other standards.

[0012] One or more buses 157 may be address buses, data buses, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanisms such as a series of wires on a motherboard or integrating circuit, optical fibers or other optical communication devices, or radio channels. For example, one or more transceivers 160 may be implemented as a remote radio head (RRH) 195 for LTE or a distributed unit (DU) 195 for gNB implementation for 5G, and other elements of the RAN node 170 may, in some cases, be located in a physically separate location from the RRH / DU 195, and one or more buses 157 may be partially implemented, for example, as optical fiber cables or other suitable network connections to connect other elements of the RAN node 170 (e.g., a central unit (CU), gNB-CU 196) to the RRH / DU 195. Reference numeral 198 also indicates those suitable network links.

[0013] In this specification, "cell" indicates that a function is performed, but it should be noted that it is also clear that the equipment comprising a cell may perform the function. A cell constitutes part of a base station; that is, there can be multiple cells for each base station. For example, if there are three cells for one carrier frequency and associated bandwidth, and each cell covers one-third of a 360-degree area, the coverage area of ​​one base station can cover an approximately ellipse or circle. Furthermore, each cell corresponds to one carrier, and a base station can use multiple carriers. That is, if there are three 120-degree cells per carrier and two carriers, the base station will have a total of six cells.

[0014] The wireless network 100 may have core network functions and may include network elements or multiple elements 190 that provide links or connections via multiple links 181 to further networks such as telephone networks and / or data communication networks (e.g., the Internet). Such core network functions for 5G may include location management functions (LMF(s)) and / or access and mobility management functions (AMF(s)) and / or user plane functions (UPF(s)) and / or session management functions (SMF(s)). Such core network functions for LTE may include MME (Mobility Management Entity) / SGW (Serving Gateway) functions. Such core network functions may include SON (Self-Organizing / Optimized Network) functions. Note that these are merely illustrative functions that may be supported by the network elements 190, and both 5G and LTE functions may be supported. The RAN node 170 is connected to the network elements 190 via link 131. Link 131 may be implemented, for example, as an NG interface for 5G, or an S1 interface for LTE, or other suitable interface for other standards. The network element 190 includes one or more processors 175, one or more memories 171, and one or more network interfaces (N / WI / F(plural)) 180 interconnected via one or more buses 185. One or more memories 171 include computer program code 173.

[0015] The wireless network 100 can implement network virtualization, which is the process of connecting hardware and software network resources and network functions to a virtual network, a single software-based management entity. Network virtualization includes platform virtualization and is often combined with resource virtualization. Network virtualization is classified into external types, which integrate many networks or parts of networks into a virtual unit, and internal types, which provide network-like functionality to software containers on a single system. It should be noted that the virtualized entities resulting from network virtualization are implemented at some level using hardware such as processors 152 and 175 and memory 155 and 171, and that such virtualized entities produce technical effects.

[0016] Computer-readable memories 125, 155, and 171 may be of any type appropriate to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, non-transient memory, transient memory, fixed memory, and removable memory. Computer-readable memories 125, 155, and 171 may also be means for performing storage functions. Processors 120, 152, and 175 may be of any type appropriate to the local technical environment and may include, in non-limiting examples, one or more of general-purpose computers, special-purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), and processors based on multi-core processor architectures. Processors 120, 152, and 175 may be means for performing functions such as controlling UE 110, RAN node 170, network element(s) 190, and other functions described herein.

[0017] In general, various embodiments of the user device 110 may include, but are not limited to, mobile phones such as smartphones, tablets, personal digital assistants (PDAs) with wireless communication capabilities, portable computers with wireless communication capabilities, image capture devices such as digital cameras with wireless communication capabilities, game devices with wireless communication capabilities, music storage and playback devices with wireless communication capabilities, internet devices that enable wireless internet access and browsing, tablets with wireless communication capabilities, head-mounted displays that realize virtual / augmented / mixed reality, and portable devices and mobile terminals that combine these capabilities.

[0018] Accordingly, UE110, RAN node 170, and / or network element(s) 190 (and associated memory, computer program code, and modules) may be configured to implement (e.g., partially) the method described herein, including pre-configured high-speed uplink bitrate switching. Thus, computer program code 123, module 140-1, module 140-2, and other elements / functions of UE110 shown in Figure 1 may implement the user equipment-related aspects of the method described herein. Similarly, computer program code 153, module 150-1, module 150-2, and other elements / functions of RAN node 170 shown in Figure 1 may implement the gNB / TRP-related aspects of the method described herein. Computer program code 173 of network element 190 and other elements / functions shown in Figure 1 may be configured to implement the network element-related aspects of the method described herein.

[0019] Having thus described the technical background that is suitable but not limiting for the implementation of the exemplary embodiments, the exemplary embodiments will now be described in more detail.

[0020] In Rel-17 (RP-210918), support for a reduced-function NR device (RedCap device) is specified. The RedCap device targets three use cases: 1) industrial wireless sensors, 2) video surveillance, and 3) wearables.

[0021] The configured grant operation specified for NR devices is also supported for RedCap devices. In this operation, periodic uplink transmissions are configured via dedicated RRC signaling, which provides uplink grant information including the grant period, time-domain allocation, frequency-domain allocation, MCS, and TBS. The UE may be provided with multiple configured grants, in which case the gNB reserves resources for each grant. The configured grant operation may be useful in many applications used by RedCap devices.

[0022] The Rel-17 work item focuses on basic support for RedCap devices, but function enhancements are planned for Rel-18. At the Rel-18 workshop held under the RAN plenary in June 2021, various function enhancements for inclusion in the Rel-18 work item were proposed. An extension of the configured grant operation for RedCap devices may also be considered in Rel-18.

[0023] One category of use cases for RedCap devices is video surveillance, for which UL configured grants may be provided to the device (e.g., via the rrc_ConfiguredUplinkGrant information element).

[0024] Currently, ConfiguredUPlinkGrant is defined as follows in 38.331. JPEG0007867540000001.jpg228165

[0025] In these use cases, UL traffic needs are likely to approach those of DL traffic needs. There may also be scenarios where the UL bitrate needs to be temporarily increased by triggering an event. For example, video resolution may need to be temporarily increased if a fire alarm sounds or sensor readings exceed safety limits. While a device could be provided with two enabled grants for low-bitrate and high-bitrate transmission, this is wasteful as each device will only use the resources indicated by one of the two grants. Therefore, protocols and signaling between the network and devices are needed to enable such fast (and potentially urgent) UL bitrate switching without wasting network resources.

[0026] Switching between pre-configured uplink grant configurations and / or BWP switching can enhance or supplement the embodiments described herein. However, the embodiments described herein include UE-driven embodiments in addition to those relating to base stations / radio nodes.

[0027] The method described herein is as follows: Two (or more) UL grants are pre-configured for a RedCap device (or a group of devices with the same functionality): one for a first bitrate operation (e.g., enhanced bitrate operation) and another for a second bitrate operation (e.g., normal bitrate operation). At any given time, only one UL grant is active or activated, i.e., operation is switched between normal bitrate and enhanced bitrate. The UL grant for normal bitrate operation is active by default.

[0028] Resources for UL grants for extended bitrate operation can be shared among groups of devices with the same functionality, allowing only one device (or a small number of devices) in the group to operate at the extended bitrate for a given time. Multiple shared resources can be configured for extended bitrate operation, and one of them can be activated for the UE. If a small number of devices are activated for extended bitrate operation, the configuration grant resources may be shared on a contention-based or contention-free basis.

[0029] The pre-configured UL grant options (in one embodiment, the parameters configured for one grant may depend on a set or subset of parameters for other grants) include (1-4) the following: 1) different BWPs with different UL BWs; 2) different UL RB assignments in the same BWP. For example, a normal bitrate may consist only of a subset of RBs from an extended bitrate assignment. 3) the same UL RB assignment with different UL power levels; 4) the same UL RB assignment with different periods. For example, an extended bitrate may have a period T, while a normal bitrate may have a period 4T.

[0030] The extended bitrate can be operated for a pre-configured period only, and can be returned to normal bitrate operation using L1 (Layer 1, L1 is the physical layer) signaling. Two types of switching can be supported, as described below: network-driven switching and UE-driven switching.

[0031] Network-driven switching If necessary (e.g., in an emergency), fast L1 DL signaling is defined to allow the network to trigger a fast switching from a normal bitrate operation setting grant to an extended bitrate operation setting grant and return to normal bitrate operation under the control of the gNB. Options include DCI or L1 signals for the PDCCH.

[0032] DCI in PDCCH DCI can be individual or group-based (e.g., using a predefined RNTI value). If multiple UL grants are configured for extended bitrate operation, DCI can indicate which one is activated for a device (or group of devices).

[0033] L1 signal, for example, wake-up signal (WUS) The L1 signal can convey one or more of the following: 1) switching from one configuration grant to another, 2) deactivation of a configuration grant, or 3) information about a configuration change (1-3). As an example of conveying a signal change, the L1 signal can convey switching from a first configuration grant to a second configuration grant, along with a change in the second configuration grant. The configuration change may be performed via DCI or RRC reconfiguration. A common RRC reconfiguration message can be used for a group of devices.

[0034] The L1 signal may have the following characteristics: This signal is UE-specific or group-specific, and / or the same signal may be used for toggling between two grants, or separate signals may be defined.

[0035] UE-led switching High-speed L1 UL signaling can be defined to notify the network that an extended bitrate operation has been autonomously triggered (or initiated) when needed (e.g., in an emergency), or to return to normal bitrate operation. Options include (1-2): 1) Including it in the last normal UL data transmission. For example, using a predefined measurement level, MAC control message, or reserved bits in the MAC subheader. Alternatively, switching can be notified using DMRS (such as sequence or scramble). 2) An L1 signal, e.g., a dedicated signal, a dedicated PRACH preamble, or UCI in PUCCH.

[0036] When a RedCap device autonomously triggers enhanced bitrate operation under the control of a gNB, it may need to wait for an ACK from the network before switching. Waiting for an ACK may be performed to avoid resource contention when UL grants for enhanced bitrate operation are shared among a group of devices with the same functionality and need to be active simultaneously. Waiting for an ACK may also be performed to allow the network transient time to switch to receiving a higher UL bitrate from the corresponding device. The network can be pre-configured to determine whether or not an ACK is required before switching. An alternative option (no ACK) is to pre-configure sufficient resources and network transient time for UL bitrate switching. L1 signaling defined in network-driven switching can also be used as an ACK.

[0037] The proposed protocols and signaling between the network and devices enable high-speed (and potentially urgent) UL bitrate switching when required for RedCap device use cases such as video surveillance. Therefore, the embodiments described herein are applicable to a specific class of RedCap device use cases, such as video surveillance.

[0038] Networks and devices that support high-speed UL bitrate switching for RedCap devices will apply the proposed protocol and signaling when it is adopted by 3GPP®.

[0039] Figure 2 is a flowchart 200 illustrating the solution described herein. In Figure 2, the RedCap device may refer to UE110, and the network may refer to either RAN node 170 or network element 190. In 202, the method is initiated. In 204, the method includes pre-configuring two or more UL grants, one of which is active at a time. Options in 204 include: 1. different BWPs with different UL BWs, 2. different UL RB assignments on the same BWP, or 3. the same UL RB assignment with different UL power levels. In 206, the method may include pre-configuring that an ACK is requested from the network before switching when the RedCap device autonomously triggers extended bitrate operation when needed. Furthermore, in 206, the method may include pre-configuring the duration of extended bitrate operation.

[0040] In step 208, the method considers a video surveillance use case. In step 210, the device determines whether UL enhanced bitrate operation is required (e.g., based on the data arrival rate in the UE buffer, the amount of data in the UE buffer, or the value of the 5G QoS identifier (5QI)). In response to the device determining in step 210 that UL enhanced bitrate operation is required (e.g., "Y"), the method proceeds to step 212. In step 212, the RedCap device notifies the network that it has autonomously triggered (or initiated to trigger) enhanced bitrate operation. In step 212, the first option for the RedCap device to notify the network that it has autonomously triggered (or initiated to trigger) enhanced bitrate operation is to include the notification in the last normal UL data transmission, for example, by using a predefined measurement level or a reserved bit in the MAC subheader. In 212, a second option for notifying the network that a RedCap device has autonomously triggered (or initiated) extended bitrate operation is to include the information in an L1 signal, such as a dedicated signal, a dedicated PRACH preamble, or a PUCCH UCI.

[0041] In 216, if pre-configured, the RedCap device waits for an ACK from the network before switching. In 220, the RedCap device can operate at the extended bitrate setting for one or more pre-configured periods, or it can use L1 signaling (mentioned in 212 and 218) to trigger a return to normal bitrate operation.

[0042] At 210, if the device has not determined the need for UL extended bitrate operation (e.g., "N"), the method transitions to 214. At 214, the network determines whether UL extended bitrate operation is needed. At 214, if the network determines that UL extended bitrate operation is not needed (e.g., "N"), the method transitions to 208. At 214, if the network determines that UL extended bitrate operation is needed (e.g., "Y"), the method transitions to 218. At 218, the network triggers extended bitrate operation. At 218, the first option is for the network to trigger extended bitrate operation using the DCI of the PDCCH. At 218, the second option is for the network to trigger an L1 signal, such as a wake-up signal (WUS). Following 218, the method transitions to 220, and following 220, the method transitions to 208. As described above, in 220, the RedCap device can operate at an extended bitrate setting for one or more pre-configured periods, or it can be triggered to return to normal bitrate operation using the L1 signal (mentioned in 212 and 218).

[0043] Figure 3 shows an example of a hardware-implementable device 300 configured to implement the embodiments described herein. The device 300 comprises at least one processor 302 (FPGA and / or CPU) and at least one memory 304 containing computer program code 305, wherein the at least one memory 304 and the computer program code 305 are configured by the at least one processor 302 to implement in the device 300 circuits, processes, components, modules, or functions (collectively, a control unit 306) for implementing the embodiments described herein, including pre-configured high-speed uplink bitrate switching. The memory 304 may be non-transient memory, transient memory, volatile memory, or non-volatile memory.

[0044] The apparatus 300 optionally includes a display and / or I / O interface 308 which can be used to display one aspect or state of the methods described herein (for example, when one of the methods is being performed or at a later point in time) or to receive input from a user, such as when using a keypad. The apparatus 300 includes one or more network (N / W) interfaces (I / F(or)) 310. The N / W / F(or) 310 may be wired and / or wireless and communicate over the Internet / other networks(or) using any communication technology. The N / W / F(or) 310 may include one or more transmitters and one or more receivers. The N / W / F(or) 310 may include one or more antennas and standard, well-known components such as amplifiers, filters, frequency converters, modulators, demodulators, and encoder / decoder circuits.

[0045] The device 300 implementing the functions of the control unit 306 may be a UE 110, a RAN node 170, or a network element 190. Accordingly, the processor 302 may correspond to processor 120, processor 152, and / or processor 175, respectively; the memory 304 may correspond to memory 125, memory 155, and / or memory 171, respectively; the computer program code 305 may correspond to computer program code 123, module 140-1, module 140-2, or computer program code 153, module 150-1, module 150-2, or computer program code 173, respectively; and the N / WI / F(multiple) 310 may correspond to N / WI / F(multiple) 161 or N / WI / F(multiple) 180, respectively. Alternatively, since device 300 may be part of a self-organizing / optimized network (SON) node, such as in the cloud, device 300 does not have to correspond to any of the UE110, RAN node 170, or network element(s) 190. Also, device 300 may be distributed throughout network 100, including within device 300 and between device 300 and any network element (such as network control element (NCE) 190 and / or RAN node 170 and / or UE110).

[0046] Interface 312 enables data communication between various devices of the device 300, as shown in Figure 3. For example, interface 312 may be one or more buses, such as an address bus, a data bus, or a control bus, and may include any interconnection mechanism such as a series of wires on a motherboard or integrating circuit, optical fiber, or other optical communication device. The computer program code 305, including the control unit 306, may include object-oriented software configured to pass data / messages between objects within the computer program code 305. The device 300 is not required to have each of the features described above and may have other features as well.

[0047] Figure 4 shows an exemplary method 400 for carrying out the exemplary embodiments described herein. In 402, the method includes receiving the configuration of two or more uplink grants from a network. In 404, the method includes using one of the two or more uplink grants to transmit uplink data to the network while operating for a predetermined time. In 406, the method includes operating by the first operation after receiving a notification to trigger a first operation to the device, or after the device autonomously triggers the first operation. In 408, the method includes operating by the first operation corresponding to using one of the two or more uplink grants for uplink transmission. Method 400 may be performed by UE 110, device 300, or a combination thereof.

[0048] Figure 5 shows an exemplary method 500 for carrying out the exemplary embodiments described herein. In 502, the method includes transmitting the configuration of two or more uplink grants to a user device. In 504, the method includes receiving uplink data from the user device during operation for a predetermined time using one of the two or more uplink grants. In 506, the method includes performing an operation by the first operation after sending a notification to the user device to trigger the first operation, or after the user device autonomously triggers the first operation. In 508, the method includes the operation by the first operation corresponding to the use of one of the two or more uplink grants for uplink transmission. The method 500 may be performed on a RAN node 170 (e.g., a gNB in ​​5G or an equivalent structure in future standardization), a device 300, or a combination thereof.

[0049] Figure 6 shows an exemplary method 600 for carrying out the exemplary embodiments described herein. In 602, the method includes receiving the configuration of two or more uplink grants from a network. In 604, the method includes using one of the two or more uplink grants to transmit uplink data to the network while operating for a predetermined time. In 606, the method includes the device autonomously triggering a first operation. In 608, the method includes operating by the first operation after the device autonomously triggering the first operation. In 610, the method includes operating by the first operation corresponding to using one of the two or more uplink grants for uplink transmission. Method 600 may be performed by UE 110, device 300, or a combination thereof.

[0050] Furthermore, terms such as "computer" and "processor" should be understood to encompass not only computers with different architectures such as single / multiprocessor architectures and sequential / parallel architectures, but also specialized circuits such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific circuits (ASICs), signal processing devices, and other processing circuits. Terms such as computer programs, instructions, and code should be understood to encompass software for programmable processors, or firmware such as instructions for processors, configurations for fixed-function devices, gate arrays, programmable logic devices, and programmable content for hardware devices.

[0051] The memory(s) described herein can be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, including semiconductor-based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, non-transient memory, transient memory, fixed memory, removable memory, etc. The memory may include a database for storing data.

[0052] As used herein, the term “circuit” may mean: (a) hardware circuit implementations, such as implementations in analog and / or digital circuits; (b) combinations of circuitry and software (and / or firmware), for example (where applicable), (i) a combination of processors, or (ii) a portion of processor / software, including digital signal processors, software, and memory, that work together to enable a device to perform various functions; and (c) a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), a circuit that requires software or firmware for operation even if the software or firmware is not physically present. As a further example, the term “circuit” in this embodiment also covers simply a processor(s) or portion of a processor and the software and / or firmware implementation associated with it(s). The term “circuit” also includes, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or application processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone, or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network device, or other network device, where applicable to a particular element.

[0053] Examples 1 to 29 below are provided herein based on the embodiments described.

[0054] Example 1 An exemplary device comprising at least one processor and at least one non-transient memory containing computer program code, wherein at least one memory and computer program code are configured by at least one processor to cause the device to perform the following actions: receive the configuration of at least two or more uplink grants from a network, transmit uplink data to the network while operating with one of the two or more uplink grants for a predetermined time, and perform the first action after receiving notification to trigger a first action to the device, or after the device autonomously triggers the first action, wherein performing the first action corresponds to using one of the two or more uplink grants for uplink transmission.

[0055] Example 2 The apparatus according to Embodiment 1, further configured by at least one memory and computer program code to cause the apparatus to perform at least the task of notifying the network that the apparatus has autonomously triggered a first action.

[0056] Example 3 The apparatus according to Embodiment 2, wherein the apparatus autonomously notifies the network that it will trigger the first action, during the last uplink data transmission while the operation is being performed by the second action.

[0057] Example 4 The apparatus according to Embodiment 3, wherein during operation by the second operation, the apparatus autonomously triggers operation by the first operation performed during the last uplink data transmission, and notifies the network of this operation, which includes transmitting at least one of the following: a predefined measurement level, a media access control message, reserved bits of the media access control subheader, a demodulation reference signal sequence, or a scramble of the demodulation reference signal.

[0058] Example 5 The apparatus according to any one of Embodiments 2 to 4, wherein the apparatus autonomously notifies the network that it will trigger a first operation, including transmission by a physical layer signal.

[0059] Example 6 The apparatus according to Embodiment 5, wherein the physical layer signal includes at least one of the following: a dedicated signal, a dedicated physical random access channel preamble, and uplink control information for a physical uplink control channel.

[0060] Example 7 The apparatus according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 6, further configured to cause at least one memory and computer program code to cause at least one processor to perform the following: when the apparatus autonomously triggers a first operation under the control of an access network radio node, it monitors an acknowledgment from the network before switching from an operation by a second operation to an operation by a first operation.

[0061] Example 8 The apparatus is a user device with reduced functionality, as described in any one of Examples 1 to 7.

[0062] Example 9 The apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 8, wherein the configuration of two or more uplink grants is received together with at least one of the following: different bandwidth portions having different uplink bandwidths, different uplink resource block allocations in a common bandwidth portion, or a common uplink resource block allocation having different uplink power levels.

[0063] Example 10 The apparatus according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 9, wherein notification to trigger a first action to the apparatus is received together with at least one of the following: downlink control information in a physical downlink control channel, or a dedicated physical layer signal.

[0064] Example 11 Any one of the embodiments 1 to 10, wherein at least one memory and computer program code are further configured by at least one processor to cause the device to perform a first operation for at least a predetermined period of time.

[0065] Example 12 The apparatus according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 11, further configured by at least one memory and computer program code to cause the apparatus to operate in the first operation until it receives a notification from the network to switch to operation in the second operation.

[0066] Example 13 The apparatus according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 12, further configured by at least one processor to cause the apparatus to perform at least one of the following actions: determine whether the network has notified the apparatus to trigger a first action, and, in response to determining that the network has not notified the apparatus to trigger a first action, autonomously trigger the first action.

[0067] Example 14 The apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 13, further configured to cause at least one memory and computer program code to cause at least one processor to perform a determination on whether or not a first operation is used based on at least one of the following: the data arrival rate in the device's buffer, the amount of data in the device's buffer, and the value of a fifth-generation quality of service identifier.

[0068] Example 15 An exemplary apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one non-transient memory containing computer program code, wherein at least one memory and computer program code are configured by at least one processor to cause the apparatus to perform at least the following actions: send a notification to the user equipment to set up two or more uplink grants; receive uplink data from the user equipment during a predetermined period of time using one of the two or more uplink grants; and the actions by the first action are performed after sending a notification to the user equipment to trigger a first action, or after the user equipment autonomously triggers a first action, the actions by the first action correspond to at least the use of one of the two or more uplink grants for uplink transmission.

[0069] Example 16 The apparatus according to Embodiment 15, wherein at least one memory and computer program code are further configured by at least one processor to cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receive a notification from the user device that the user device has autonomously triggered a first action; and, after receiving the notification from the user device that the user device has autonomously triggered a first action, send an acknowledgment to the user device, wherein the acknowledgment is executed by the user device before the user device switches from operation by a second action to operation by a first action, if the user device is under the control of an access network radio node.

[0070] Example 17 The apparatus according to Embodiment 15 or 16, further configured to cause at least one memory and computer program code to cause at least one processor to perform at least the following actions: determine whether the user device has transmitted information regarding whether it has autonomously triggered a first action, and, in response to determining that the user device has not transmitted information regarding whether it has autonomously triggered a first action, send a notification to the user device that it will trigger a first action.

[0071] Example 18 The apparatus according to any one of embodiments 15 to 17, wherein at least one memory and computer program code are further configured by at least one processor to cause the apparatus to send a notification to the user equipment to switch to operation by at least a second operation.

[0072] Example 19 An exemplary device comprising at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured by at least one processor to cause the device to perform the following actions: receive the configuration of at least two or more uplink grants from a network; use one of the two or more uplink grants to transmit uplink data to the network while operating for a predetermined time; autonomously trigger a first action; and after the device autonomously triggers the first action, operate by the first action, wherein operating by the first action corresponds to using one of the two or more uplink grants for uplink transmission.

[0073] Example 20 The apparatus described in Example 19 operates by a first operation that corresponds to using at least one of two or more uplink grants, relating to operation at a physical uplink shared channel data transmission rate.

[0074] Example 21 An exemplary method comprising receiving the configuration of two or more uplink grants from a network, and using one of the two or more uplink grants, transmitting uplink data to the network while operating for a predetermined time, and then operating by a first action after receiving notification to trigger a first action to the device, or after the device autonomously triggers a first action, wherein operating by a first action corresponds to using one of the two or more uplink grants for uplink transmission.

[0075] Example 22 An exemplary method comprising sending the configuration of two or more uplink grants to a user device, and receiving uplink data from the user device during operation using one of the two or more uplink grants for a predetermined period of time, wherein the operation by the first operation is performed after sending a notification to the user device to trigger a first operation, or after the user device autonomously triggers the first operation, and the operation by the first operation corresponds to the use of one of the two or more uplink grants for uplink transmission.

[0076] Example 23 An exemplary method comprising receiving the configuration of two or more uplink grants from a network, transmitting uplink data to the network while operating for a predetermined time using one of the two or more uplink grants, the device autonomously triggering a first operation, and operating by the first operation after the device autonomously triggering the first operation, wherein operating by the first operation corresponds to using one of the two or more uplink grants for uplink transmission.

[0077] Example 24 An exemplary device comprising means for receiving the configuration of two or more uplink grants from a network; means for transmitting uplink data to the network while operating for a predetermined time using one of the two or more uplink grants; and means for operating by a first operation after receiving a notification to trigger a first operation to the device, or after the device autonomously triggers a first operation, wherein operating by a first operation corresponds to using one of the two or more uplink grants for uplink transmission.

[0078] Example 25 An exemplary apparatus comprising means for transmitting the configuration of two or more uplink grants to a user device, and means for receiving uplink data from the user device during an operation using one of the two or more uplink grants for a predetermined period of time, wherein an operation by the first operation is performed after sending a notification to the user device to trigger a first operation, or after the user device autonomously triggers the first operation, and the operation by the first operation corresponds to using one of the two or more uplink grants for uplink transmission.

[0079] Example 26 An exemplary device comprising: means for receiving the configuration of two or more uplink grants from a network; means for transmitting uplink data to the network while operating for a predetermined time using one of the two or more uplink grants; means for the device to autonomously trigger a first operation; and means for the device to operate by the first operation after autonomously triggering the first operation, wherein operating by the first operation corresponds to using one of the two or more uplink grants for uplink transmission.

[0080] Example 27 A non-transient program memory device is provided that is machine-readable and embodies a program of machine-executable instructions for performing an operation, the operation including receiving the configuration of two or more uplink grants from a network, transmitting uplink data to the network while operating for a predetermined time using one of the two or more uplink grants, and operating by a first operation after receiving a notification to trigger a first operation to the device, or after the device autonomously triggers a first operation, wherein operating by a first operation corresponds to using one of the two or more uplink grants for uplink transmission.

[0081] Example 28 A machine-readable non-transient program storage device is provided that embodies a program of machine-executable instructions for performing an operation, the operation comprising transmitting the configuration of two or more uplink grants to a user device, and receiving uplink data from the user device during an operation using one of the two or more uplink grants for a predetermined period of time, the operation by the first operation is performed after sending a notification to the user device to trigger the first operation, or after the user device autonomously triggers the first operation, and the operation by the first operation corresponds to using one of the two or more uplink grants for uplink transmission.

[0082] Example 29 A non-transient program memory device is provided that is machine-readable and embodies a program of machine-executable instructions for performing an operation, the operation comprising: receiving the configuration of two or more uplink grants from a network; transmitting uplink data to the network while operating for a predetermined time using one of the two or more uplink grants; the device autonomously triggering a first operation; and the device operating by the first operation after autonomously triggering the first operation, wherein the operation by the first operation corresponds to using one of the two or more uplink grants for uplink transmission.

[0083] It should be understood that the above description is merely illustrative. Those skilled in the art can devise various alternatives and modifications. For example, the features described in the various dependent claims can be combined with each other in any suitable combination. Furthermore, features from the different embodiments described above can be selectively combined to create new embodiments. Therefore, this specification is intended to encompass all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0084] Where reference numbers used herein are in the form yx, this means that the referenced item is one embodiment (or a kind) of reference number y, or, if, for example, only reference number y does not exist, it is a common entity. For example, modules 140-1 and 140-2 in Figure 1 are (e.g., first and second) embodiments of a common or similar computer program code entity.

[0085] In the diagram, lines represent connections, and arrows represent directionality. When used in a device diagram, arrows indicate the direction of a directional connection or data flow. Similarly, when used in a method or signal transfer diagram, lines represent connections, and arrows indicate the direction of a transition or data flow.

[0086] The following abbreviations and symbols used in this specification and / or in the drawings are defined as follows (abbreviations may be preceded by a dash / hyphen ("-") or parentheses ("()")): 3GPP (Registered Trademark) Third Generation Partnership Project 4G (4th generation) 5G (5th generation) 5GC 5G Core Network 5QI 5G QoS Identifier ACK (Acknowledgment) AMF Access Mobility Management Function ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) BW Bandwidth BWP bandwidth portion CPU (Central Processing Unit) CU Central Unit or Centralized Unit DCI Downlink Control Information DL Downlink DMRS demodulation reference signal DSP (Digital Signal Processor) DU Distributed Unit eNB (Advanced Node B, such as LTE base stations) EN-DC E-UTRA-NR Dual Connectivity A node that provides termination for NR user plane and control plane protocols for EN-GNB UE and operates as a secondary node of EN-DC. E-UTRA, an advanced universal terrestrial wireless access technology, is equivalent to LTE wireless access technology. Interface between F1 CU and DU FPGA Field Programmer Brute Array The gNB is a base station for 5G / NR, i.e., a node that provides the termination of the NR user plane and control plane protocols to the UE, and is connected to the 5GC via the NG interface. I / F Interface I / O Input / Output L1 Layer 1 (Layer 1 is the physical layer) LMF location management function LTE Long-Term Evolution (4G) MAC Media Access Control MCS Modulation Encoding Scheme MME Mobility Management Entity NCE Network Control Element ng or NG New generation ng-eNB New generation eNB NG-RAN (Next Generation Wireless Access Network) NR New Radio (5G) Network PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) PDCCH Physical Downlink Control Channel PDCP Packet Data Convergence Protocol PHY Physical Layer PRACH Physical Random Access Channel PUCCH Physical Uplink Control Channel PUR Pre-configured UL Resources PUSCH Physical Uplink Sharing Channel QoS (Quality of Service) RAN (Radio Access Network) RB Resource Block RedCap functionality reduction Rel Release RLC Wireless Link Control RNTI (Radio Network Temporary Identifier) RP 3GPP(registered trademark) RAN RRC (Radio Resource Control Protocol) RRH Remote Wireless Headset RU Wireless Unit Rx Receiver or Receiving SGW Serving Gateway SON Self-Organizing / Optimizing Network TBS Transport Block Size TRP transmit point and / or receive point TS Technical Specifications Tx Transmitter or Transmitter or Transmitter UCI Uplink Control Information UE User devices (e.g., wireless, usually mobile devices) UL Uplink UPF User Plane Functionality WUS Wake-up signal Network interfaces between X2 RAN nodes and between the RAN and the core network. Network interface between Xn NG-RAN nodes

Claims

1. It is a device, At least one processor, When executed by the at least one processor, the device has at least: Receives configurations for two or more uplink grants from the network. Using one of the two or more uplink grants, uplink data is transmitted to the network while operating for a predetermined period of time. After receiving notification to trigger a first operation on the device, or after the device autonomously triggers the first operation, the device operates using one of the two or more uplink grants in accordance with the first operation for uplink data transmission. Using one of the two or more uplink grants mentioned above, the system operates in a second operation for uplink data transmission. When the first operation is autonomously triggered under the control of an access network wireless node, the acknowledgment from the network is monitored before switching from the operation performed by the second operation to the operation performed by the first operation. At least one non-transient memory that stores instructions to perform an action, A device equipped with the following features.

2. When the instruction is executed by the at least one processor, the device will have at least: The device autonomously notifies the network that it has triggered the first operation. The apparatus according to claim 1, which causes the following to be performed.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the apparatus autonomously notifies the network that it has triggered the first operation, the notification being performed during the last uplink data transmission during the operation by the second operation.

4. During the operation by the second operation, notifying the network that the device autonomously triggers the operation by the first operation performed during the last uplink data transmission is at least: Predefined measurement levels, Media access control message, Reserved bits in the media access control subheader, Demodulation reference signal sequence, Scrambling of demodulation reference signal, The apparatus according to claim 3, including transmission by one of the following.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the notification to the network that the apparatus autonomously triggers the first operation includes transmission by physical layer signal.

6. The physical layer signal is at least, Dedicated signal, Dedicated physical random access channel preamble, Uplink control information for the physical uplink control channel, The apparatus according to claim 5, comprising one of the following.

7. When the instruction is executed by the at least one processor, the device will have at least: When the first operation is autonomously triggered under the control of an access network wireless node, the acknowledgment from the network is monitored before switching from the operation performed by the second operation to the operation performed by the first operation. The apparatus according to claim 1, which causes the following to be performed.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a user device with reduced functionality.

9. The above configuration of two or more uplink grants is at least, Different bandwidth portions having different uplink bandwidths, Different uplink resource block allocations in a common bandwidth portion. Common uplink resource block allocation with different uplink power levels, The apparatus according to claim 1, which is received together with one of the following.

10. The notification that triggers the first operation on the device is at least: Downlink control information in the physical downlink control channel, Dedicated physical layer signal, The apparatus according to claim 1, which is received together with one of the following.

11. When the instruction is executed by the at least one processor, the device will have at least: For a predetermined period, the operation is performed by the first operation described above. The apparatus according to claim 1, which causes the following to be performed.

12. When the instruction is executed by the at least one processor, the device will have at least: The operation continues according to the first operation until a notification is received from the network to switch to the operation according to the second operation. The apparatus according to claim 1, which causes the following to be performed.

13. When the instruction is executed by the at least one processor, the device will have at least: The data arrival rate in the buffer of the aforementioned device, The amount of data in the buffer of the aforementioned device, Value of the fifth-generation quality of service identifier, Based on at least one of the above, it is determined whether the first operation is used. The apparatus according to claim 1, which causes the following to be performed.

14. It is a device, At least one processor, When executed by the at least one processor, the device has at least: Send the settings for two or more uplink grants to the user's equipment. Using one of the two or more uplink grants, while operating for a predetermined period of time, uplink data is received from the user equipment. After sending a notification to the user device that the first operation will be triggered, or after receiving information from the user device that the user device has autonomously triggered the first operation, the operation resulting from the first operation is executed. One of the two or more uplink grants corresponds to a grant to the user equipment operated by the first operation for uplink data transmission, and the other one of the two or more uplink grants corresponds to a grant to the user equipment operated by the second operation for uplink data transmission. The user device receives information from the user device that it has autonomously triggered the first operation. After receiving the information from the user device that the user device autonomously triggered the first operation, an acknowledgment is sent to the user device. The acknowledgment is configured to be executed by the user device before the user device switches from operation according to the second operation to operation according to the first operation, when the user device is under the control of an access network wireless node. At least one non-transient memory that stores instructions to perform an action, A device equipped with the following features.

15. When the instruction is executed by the at least one processor, the device will have at least: Determine whether the user device has transmitted information regarding whether or not it autonomously triggered the first operation. In response to determining that the user device has not transmitted the information regarding whether or not the user device autonomously triggered the first operation, the system executes the transmission of the notification to the user device that the first operation will be triggered. The apparatus according to claim 14, which causes the following to be performed.

16. One of the two or more uplink grants for uplink data transmission is configured to be used for the first operation at a first bit rate, and the other one of the two or more uplink grants for uplink data transmission is configured to be used for the second operation at a second bit rate, wherein the first bit rate is higher than the second bit rate. The apparatus according to claim 1.

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