Flexible Uplink Scheduling for Time Domain Resource Utilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

In LTE systems, the fixed time sequence relationship between uplink grants and PUSCH scheduling leads to inefficient use of time domain resources, especially when uplink and downlink services are unbalanced, resulting in wasted resources and limited channel access opportunities on unlicensed spectra.

Innovation Solution

The base station sends control information indicating available time domain resources after downlink transmission, allowing terminal devices to send uplink data without waiting for a UL grant, thereby reducing scheduling delays and improving resource utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed time sequence relationship is maintained between UL grant and PUSCH scheduling, then scheduling reliability is improved, but time domain resource utilization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling reliabilityVSAvoidtime domain resource utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the time sequence relationship between UL grant and PUSCH flexible rather than fixed. The K value (time offset) can be dynamically adjusted based on downlink burst duration and channel conditions, allowing the system to adapt between different scheduling scenarios (same-subframe, next-subframe, or later subframe scheduling) to optimize resource utilization while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter K (time offset between UL grant and PUSCH) dynamically based on service requirements and channel conditions. By adjusting this parameter, the system can switch between different scheduling modes to balance reliability and resource efficiency, particularly when uplink and downlink services are unbalanced

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If UL grant is sent frequently to schedule sufficient PUSCH resources, then uplink service capability is improved, but downlink resource waste increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink service capabilityVSAvoiddownlink resource waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by allowing the base station to send multiple UL grants in advance within a single downlink subframe, enabling the UE to prepare and transmit multiple PUSCH instances without requiring frequent downlink scheduling. This reduces downlink resource consumption while ensuring uplink service continuity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the downlink subframe multi-functional by enabling it to carry multiple UL grants that can schedule multiple uplink subframes. This single downlink subframe serves multiple scheduling purposes, reducing the need for additional downlink subframes and minimizing resource waste

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If LBT is performed frequently for channel access, then channel access reliability is improved, but channel access opportunities are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel access reliabilityVSAvoidchannel access opportunities
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by consolidating multiple LBT operations into fewer, more strategic channel access attempts. By scheduling multiple PUSCH transmissions through advance UL grants, the system reduces the frequency of LBT requirements while maintaining reliable channel access through periodic monitoring at critical scheduling points

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

4Reliability

If minimum UL grant scheduling delay of 4ms is maintained, then UE processing reliability is improved, but channel resource efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUE processing reliabilityVSAvoidchannel resource efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the scheduling delay flexible rather than fixed at 4ms. The actual delay is determined by the parameter K, which can be adjusted based on downlink burst characteristics and service requirements, allowing the system to minimize idle gaps while ensuring adequate UE processing time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the UE to self-prepare uplink data transmissions by providing advance notice through UL grants. The UE can perform packet encapsulation and preparation in advance without requiring the full 4ms delay, as the scheduling information is provided earlier through the flexible K parameter mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3541133B1Uplink information processing method and device
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3541133B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3541133B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3541133B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention disclose an uplink information processing method and an apparatus. The method includes: receiving, by a terminal device, first control information sent by a base station device in a first downlink transmission time interval; determining, by the terminal device, a time domain resource based on the first control information, where the time domain resource includes at least one uplink transmission time interval, a start time unit of the time domain resource is later than the first downlink transmission time interval, and the start time unit is a first uplink transmission time interval of the at least one uplink transmission time interval; and sending, by the terminal device, data information on an uplink data channel, where the uplink data channel corresponds to the at least one uplink transmission time interval in the time domain resource. In the embodiments of the present invention, time domain resource utilization can be improved, and uplink information processing efficiency can be improved.