Flexible Uplink Resource Request for Non-Terrestrial Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In non-terrestrial networks, the long round trip delay caused by satellite links leads to inefficiencies in uplink resource requests, particularly in the buffer status report (BSR) and scheduling request (SR) procedures, resulting in significant over-the-air delays for uplink data transmission.
Innovation Solution
A flexible triggering strategy is implemented for the SR and random access (RA) procedures, allowing for selective triggering based on predetermined conditions, such as priority, radio link quality, and availability of resources, enabling the BSR to be transmitted via a 2-step RA procedure, which reduces the uplink scheduling delay by one round-trip time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the traditional SR procedure is used for uplink resource requests in NTN, then the system maintains compatibility with existing protocols, but the long round-trip delay of satellite links causes significant over-the-air delays in BSR transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic selection between SR and RA procedures based on real-time conditions such as logical channel priority, configured grant availability, and SR resource status. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to switch from the traditional SR procedure to a more efficient RA procedure when conditions favor reduced delay, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining protocol compatibility and reducing over-the-air delay in NTN environments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the triggering parameters and conditions under which BSR is transmitted. By modifying the triggering mechanism to selectively use RA procedure instead of traditional SR, and by changing parameters like priority thresholds and resource availability checks, the system achieves reduced over-the-air delay while adapting to NTN's long round-trip characteristics
2Loss of time
If the RA procedure is used to transmit BSR, then the uplink scheduling delay is reduced by one round-trip time, but the device complexity increases due to selective triggering logic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the BSR triggering logic into distinct evaluation stages: checking logical channel priority, checking configured grant availability, checking SR resource status, and then selecting between SR and RA procedures. This segmentation of the triggering logic into modular, sequential steps reduces device complexity by making the decision process structured and manageable, while still achieving reduced uplink scheduling delay through selective RA usage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different triggering strategies to different logical channels based on their priority levels and characteristics. High-priority channels may trigger RA procedure for faster access, while lower-priority channels use traditional SR. This localized quality approach allows the system to optimize uplink scheduling delay for critical data without unnecessarily increasing complexity for all data types
3Productivity
If selective triggering of SR and RA procedures is implemented, then the timeliness of uplink data transmission is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple condition checks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary checks of configured grant availability and SR resource status before triggering the BSR, and pre-evaluates which procedure (SR or RA) should be used based on logical channel priority. By performing these condition checks and procedure selections in advance, the system improves uplink data transmission timeliness without adding significant runtime complexity, as the decision logic is resolved before actual transmission needs occur
Data Source
AI summary
Various example embodiments relate to methods, devices and systems that support flexible uplink resource request. A terminal device may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the terminal device to perform actions including triggering a buffer status report (BSR) by uplink data arrival on a logical channel, and selectively triggering one or both of a scheduling request (SR) procedure and a random access (RA) procedure based on a predetermined condition for transmission of the triggered buffer status report.