Grant-Free Uplink Configuration for Low Latency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communications networks face challenges in efficiently handling diverse terminal devices with varying traffic profiles, particularly in supporting Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC) services, where grant free resources may not align with the timing of uplink data encoding, leading to compromised coding or inefficient resource use.

Innovation Solution

Implementing multiple configurations for grant free transmissions with independent settings for temporal starting positions and repetition numbers, allowing for differentiated priorities and requirements, such as high reliability or low latency, by using staggered transmission periods and overlapping resources with distinct DMRS configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If grant free resources are used for uplink data transmission, then transmission latency is reduced, but resource alignment with encoding timing is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission latencyVSAvoidresource alignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the grant-free resource allocation into multiple configurations, each with distinct temporal starting positions and repetition numbers. This segmentation allows different data packets to be transmitted with optimized timing parameters, resolving the conflict between low latency and precise encoding alignment by providing multiple specialized resource patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic selection among multiple grant-free configurations based on traffic conditions, data priority, and encoding timing requirements. The system can adaptively choose the most appropriate configuration for each transmission opportunity, enabling flexible adjustment between latency optimization and encoding alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If multiple configurations with staggered transmission periods are implemented, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidconfiguration management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements multiple grant-free configurations with staggered transmission periods, where not all configurations are active simultaneously for every device. Instead, devices can select from available configurations based on their specific needs, achieving high resource utilization without requiring full complexity of managing all configurations at once.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent varies key parameters such as temporal starting positions, repetition numbers, and resource block assignments across different configurations. This parameter diversification enables more efficient resource utilization by matching different transmission patterns to different traffic characteristics, while the standardized configuration framework keeps management complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If grant free resources are allocated for diverse traffic profiles, then adaptability is improved, but resource allocation optimization becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraffic profile adaptabilityVSAvoidresource allocation optimization complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal grant-free configuration framework that can serve multiple traffic profiles (eMBB, URLLC, mMTC) through a standardized set of configurations. Each configuration type is designed to be multi-functional, capable of supporting different services by adjusting parameters like repetition numbers and temporal spacing, thereby achieving broad adaptability without requiring separate specialized resource allocation mechanisms for each traffic type.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4236559B1Communications device, infrastructure equipment and corresponding methods
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP4236559B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4236559B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4236559B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of operating a communications device to transmit data to a wireless communications network comprises processing uplink data for transmission on grant free resources of a physical uplink shared channel of a wireless access interface provided by the wireless communications network to form one or more transport blocks of the uplink data for transmission. The grant free resources provide communications resources of the physical shared uplink channel in each of a plurality of time divided units of the wireless access interface for transmitting the uplink data. The method comprises selecting one of a plurality of configurations for transmitting the uplink data in the grant free resources, and transmitting the uplink data in the grant free resources according to the selected configuration. Each of the plurality of configurations includes grant free resources, a transmission period in which each of the encoded data units is to be transmitted in the grant free resources, and a temporal starting position of the transmission period in one of the time divided units of the wireless access interface for transmitting the uplink data in the grant free resources, the temporal starting position and the transmission period being independent for each of the plurality of configurations. The independent configurations can provide different temporal starting positions and transmission periods, which can be better matched to a time at which the uplink data is generated, and as a result the uplink data can be transmitted with a lower latency in the grant free resources.