Dynamic CFRA Resource Allocation for Wireless Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, contention-free random access (CFRA) resources are often utilized inefficiently due to their dedicated nature, leading to potential underutilization, especially when not in use by a specific user equipment (UE).
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus where a UE receives configurations for both contention-based and contention-free random access resources, with a timer value indicating the validity of the CFRA resources, allowing the UE to select the appropriate resource state based on the timer status, optimizing resource utilization by reassigning unused CFRA resources to other UEs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If contention-free random access (CFRA) resources are dedicatedly configured to a UE, then fast access to the network is achieved, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates due to underutilization when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the CFRA resource configuration dynamic rather than static. The network can activate or deactivate CFRA resources for a UE based on current network conditions and UE behavior. When a UE enters a dormant state, the CFRA resources are deactivated and can be reallocated to other UEs, while still maintaining the capability for fast access when needed. This dynamic allocation resolves the contradiction between providing fast dedicated access and achieving high overall resource utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes CFRA resources universal by allowing them to serve multiple UEs sequentially rather than being dedicated to a single UE. The same CFRA resources can be allocated to different UEs at different times based on their needs. This multi-functionality approach allows the system to maintain fast access capabilities for multiple UEs while improving overall resource utilization, as the resources are shared across the user base rather than reserved for individual users.
2Reliability
If CFRA resources are reserved for a specific UE, then fast access is enabled, but resource waste increases due to potential underutilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic management of CFRA resources where the network can activate or deactivate these resources based on UE state and network conditions. When a UE enters a dormant state, the CFRA resources are deactivated and can be reallocated to other active UEs. This dynamic approach ensures that fast access capability is maintained for UEs that need it while preventing resource waste by releasing unused CFRA resources for other purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies discarding and recovering by releasing CFRA resources when they are no longer needed by a UE (when the UE enters dormant state) and recovering them for reallocation to other UEs. The network monitors UE activity and when a UE becomes dormant, the associated CFRA resources are discarded from that UE's configuration and recovered into the pool of available resources that can be assigned to other UEs needing fast access. This prevents resource waste while maintaining the ability to provide fast access when required.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure related to a control of resource utilization in wireless communications. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a network may control a validity of dedicated physical random access channel (PRACH) resource for secondary cell group (SCG) activation. Therefore, the network can efficiently utilize the RACH resources configured to a UE by opportunistically or exclusively reusing the resources for other UEs.