Idle-Mode Uplink Resource Release for Flexible 5G Scheduling

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing 5G NB-IoT and eMTC networks face inefficiencies in managing preconfigured uplink resources for terminal devices in idle mode, leading to potential transmission failures and congestion due to improper resource scheduling, as these resources are not effectively utilized by the base station.

Innovation Solution

Implement a resource management method where the network device configures and allocates uplink resources to terminal devices in idle mode, allowing flexible management and scheduling, including the option to release or disable resources when needed to optimize network load.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If preconfigured uplink resources are allocated to terminal devices in idle mode, then terminal devices can transmit uplink data without establishing RRC connection, but the base station cannot perform scheduling on these resources and other terminal devices cannot use them

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink data transmission efficiencyVSAvoidresource scheduling flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dynamic resource management mechanism where preconfigured uplink resources can be released or disabled by the base station through network management messages. This allows the system to transition between static preconfiguration and dynamic scheduling based on network conditions, resolving the contradiction between transmission efficiency and scheduling flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the state parameters of uplink resources from fixed to variable by introducing release and disable operations. The base station can modify resource availability status based on network load, allowing the same resources to serve different terminal devices at different times, thus improving both transmission efficiency and scheduling flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If preconfigured uplink resources are allocated to terminal devices, then transmission steps are reduced, but resource utilization is poor when terminal devices do not use these resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission procedure simplicityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the base station monitors the usage status of preconfigured uplink resources and sends release or disable messages when resources are not being utilized. This feedback loop ensures that resources are continuously allocated to devices that need them, improving overall resource utilization while maintaining simple transmission procedures for active devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the base station to discard (release/disable) preconfigured uplink resources from terminal devices that are not using them, and recover these resources for allocation to other terminal devices. This process eliminates resource waste while preserving the operational simplicity for devices that actively use preconfigured resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Reliability

If preconfigured uplink resources are allocated to terminal devices in idle mode, then data transmission can occur without RRC connection, but scheduling control by the base station is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidresource management control
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by preconfiguring uplink resources for terminal devices before they need to transmit data, allowing immediate transmission without RRC connection establishment. The base station performs preliminary monitoring and control through periodic release/disable operations, maintaining reliability while managing complexity through advance preparation rather than real-time negotiation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3914006B1Resource management method and device
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3914006B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3914006B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3914006B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This application relates to a resource management method and an apparatus. The resource management method includes: A network device determines to release or disable one or more uplink resources, where the uplink resources are used to receive uplink data from a terminal device in idle mode. The network device sends first information, where the first information is used to indicate to release or disable a part or all of the one or more uplink resources. The network device may implement relatively flexible management on the uplink resources that are configured for the terminal device and that are used for transmission by the terminal device in idle mode, so that the network device may also schedule the uplink resources when needing to schedule uplink resources. In this way, reasonableness of resource management by the network device is improved, flexibility of resource scheduling by the network device is improved, normal communication process covered by the network device can be ensured as much as possible, a probability of a problem such as a service transmission failure or congestion is reduced, and resource utilization is also improved.