Configured-Grant Beam Switching for RRC Inactive UE Uplink

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the context of 5G NR, user equipment (UE) in an RRC_INACTIVE state faces challenges with high signaling overhead and data transmission delays due to the inability to perform data transmission without state transition, particularly when beam switching is required without associated SRS resources.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for beam switching in UE using configured grants, involving threshold-based detection and configuration for beam switching, including RRC messages and MAC CEs, to manage beam switching in RRC_INACTIVE state without SRS resources, and utilizing SRS resources when available.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If beam switching is performed for UE in RRC_INACTIVE state using configured grants, then data transmission latency is reduced and transmission efficiency is improved, but signaling overhead increases due to threshold-based detection and configuration messages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission latencyVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The UE autonomously performs beam switching by detecting beam quality thresholds and selecting new beams without network intervention, eliminating the need for network-controlled beam switching signaling while maintaining transmission quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The network pre-configures multiple beams and quality thresholds for the UE before entering RRC_INACTIVE state, enabling the UE to perform autonomous beam switching without requiring real-time signaling during inactive state transitions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If UE transitions from RRC_INACTIVE to RRC_CONNECTED state for data transmission, then data transmission quality is maintained, but transmission delays increase due to state transition requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission qualityVSAvoidtransmission delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The UE independently performs beam switching within the RRC_INACTIVE state using pre-configured parameters, eliminating the need to transition to RRC_CONNECTED state for beam management while maintaining transmission quality through autonomous quality monitoring and beam selection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple configured grants are maintained for UE in inactive state, then data transmission flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases for managing multiple beams and grants

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission flexibilityVSAvoidbeam and grant management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The UE autonomously manages multiple configured grants and associated beams by independently monitoring beam quality for each grant and performing beam switching as needed, reducing the need for complex network-controlled management while maintaining transmission flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The network pre-configures multiple grants with associated beam parameters and quality thresholds before the UE enters inactive state, enabling the UE to autonomously manage multiple beams without requiring complex real-time decision-making or frequent signaling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4154635B1Beam-switching for user equipment in inactive state with configured grants
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 ZTE CORP
  • EP4154635B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4154635B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4154635B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Presented are systems, methods, apparatuses, or computer-readable media for performing beam-switching for user equipment in inactive state using configuration grants. A wireless communication node may send a beam switching configuration for a configured grant to a wireless communication device. The wireless communication node may determine a threshold for beam switching. The wireless communication node may detect, when the wireless communication device is in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, that a quality of a beam received via the configured grant is below the threshold.