Grant Free State for Wireless User Equipment Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing mobile machine-type communications (mMTC) due to high connectivity demands, low data rates, sporadic traffic, and tight requirements for delay and reliability, particularly in ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC) scenarios.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a Grant Free communication state for user equipment (UE) allows for data transmission with a base transceiver station (BTS) without the need for explicit resource allocation, enabling efficient access and management of small data packets through optimized RACH procedures, including the assignment of a Grant Free ID and adaptive timing advance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional cellular communication protocols are used for mMTC, then connection establishment and resource allocation procedures are followed, but this results in high latency and signaling overhead that cannot meet tight delay requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The network pre-configures uplink resources and assigns Grant Free IDs to UEs before they need to transmit data. This preliminary resource allocation eliminates the need for real-time resource request and allocation procedures, thereby reducing latency while maintaining reliable connection establishment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the resource allocation step from the traditional random access procedure. By separating resource allocation from connection establishment and providing pre-configured resources, the system eliminates signaling overhead and reduces latency without compromising connection reliability
2Productivity
If Grant Free access is implemented for small data packets, then latency is reduced and resource utilization is improved, but this requires new UE operational states and signaling mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the traditional connected state into distinct operational states including Grant Free state, suspend state, and resume state. This segmentation allows the system to optimize resource utilization for small data packets while managing device complexity through well-defined state transitions and procedures
3Quantity of substance
If a huge number of devices are connected for mMTC, then network coverage is improved, but this increases signaling overhead and resource allocation complexity
Solution Approach 1:
In Grant Free operation, UEs autonomously use pre-configured uplink resources without needing to request permissions or wait for allocation. This self-service approach eliminates repeated signaling exchanges between network and devices, reducing signaling overhead while supporting a large number of connected devices
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a grant free state for a user equipment, for example a machine type communication (MTC) UE. There is provided a method for transitioning a state of a User Equipment (UE). The method includes determining, by the UE, if data is to be sent and transitioning, by the UE, to a grant free state when no data is to be sent, wherein transitioning to the grant free state includes receiving a grant free identifier (GF-ID). In some embodiments, the method further includes in accordance with a determination that an amount of data to be sent is below a threshold, transmitting, by the UE, the data together with the GF-ID. In addition, user equipment and base transceiver stations are provided each of which include a processor and memory having instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the processor configure the respective UE or BTS to perform the respective methods.