Configured Grant Activation for Low-Latency 5G Scell Uplink

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Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G networks, the activation and deactivation of secondary cells (Scells) for configured grants introduce delays and complications in data transmission, particularly when data becomes available for transmission on a deactivated Scell, leading to increased latency and power consumption.

Innovation Solution

The UE autonomously determines to transmit data on a configured grant regardless of the Scell's activation status, activating the Scell if necessary, and applies prioritization rules to select the most suitable configured grant for transmission, including conditions such as data volume and logical channel restrictions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the UE waits for Scell activation before transmitting data on configured grants, then the Scell activation procedure can be completed properly, but transmission latency increases and power consumption rises

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveScell activation procedure reliabilityVSAvoidtransmission latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The UE performs preliminary actions by transmitting data on configured grants before the Scell activation is complete. The transmission is initiated in advance based on available configured grants, and the activation procedure continues in parallel, resolving the contradiction between waiting for activation and reducing latency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The network node acts as an intermediary by receiving data transmissions from the UE before Scell activation completion and properly associating them with the correct Scell. This mediator role allows the UE to transmit early without causing confusion or errors, enabling latency reduction while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of time

If the UE transmits data on configured grants before Scell activation, then transmission latency is reduced, but conflicts may arise between multiple grants

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission latencyVSAvoidgrant conflict management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The UE autonomously determines which configured grants to use for transmission based on its own assessment of data availability and grant conditions. This self-service approach allows the UE to make independent decisions about grant usage without complex network coordination, reducing the perceived complexity while enabling early transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces specific parameters and conditions for configured grant usage that change based on Scell activation status. By dynamically adjusting which grants are applicable based on activation parameters, the system manages grant conflicts through parameter-based control rather than complex procedural management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the UE monitors multiple configured grants simultaneously, then more data transmission opportunities are available, but prioritization complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission opportunitiesVSAvoidprioritization rule complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different prioritization rules are applied locally to different types of configured grants based on their specific characteristics and conditions. Instead of a single complex prioritization mechanism, the system applies simplified local rules appropriate to each grant type, reducing overall complexity while maintaining multiple transmission opportunities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4014652B1User equipment configured grant activation
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP4014652B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4014652B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4014652B1 patent drawingFigure 4(a)~4(b)

AI summary

Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for user equipment are provided. A method may include determining to transmit, upon data arrival on a logical channel, the data on a configured grant for the logical channel. The method may also include transmitting, based on the determination, the data on the configured grant to activate a cell. In an example embodiment, the transmission on the configured grant may be performed regardless of a current activation status of the cell for which the configured grant is configured, or a suspend status of the configured grant.