Uplink Resource Allocation for Inactive Mode Small Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in handling small data transmissions in inactive modes, leading to increased power consumption and signaling overhead, particularly in 5G networks with a large number of IoT devices, due to the need for frequent state transitions between RRC_INACTIVE and RRC_CONNECTED states.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a method that configures wireless devices with additional uplink time-frequency resources on a secondary Bandwidth Part (BWP) for random access in inactive mode, allowing small data transmissions without utilizing more resources on the initial BWP, thereby preventing degradation of network performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If wireless devices frequently transition between RRC_INACTIVE and RRC_CONNECTED states for small data transmissions, then data transmission capability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The network configures dedicated uplink time-frequency resources and random access parameters for inactive mode data transmission in advance. When small data needs to be transmitted, the device can directly use the pre-configured resources without state transition, performing the transmission action beforehand prepared.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the uplink resources into different types: dedicated resources for inactive mode small data transmission and general resources for connected mode transmission. This segmentation allows the device to choose the appropriate resource type based on the transmission needs, avoiding unnecessary state transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If wireless devices frequently transition between RRC_INACTIVE and RRC_CONNECTED states for small data transmissions, then data transmission capability is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission capabilityVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The network provides configuration information including uplink time-frequency resources, random access preamble groups, and other parameters in advance while the device is in inactive mode. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for extensive signaling during actual data transmission, as the device can directly use the pre-configured parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses the pre-configured uplink resources and random access parameters to autonomously perform data transmission in inactive mode without requiring network intervention or additional signaling for resource allocation, making the transmission process self-sufficient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If uplink resources are allocated on the initial BWP for random access in inactive mode, then random access capability is improved, but network performance degrades

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverandom access capabilityVSAvoidnetwork performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the bandwidth parts into initial BWP and additional BWPs, with dedicated uplink time-frequency resources configured in the additional BWP for inactive mode random access. This segmentation allows random access operations to occur in a separate resource domain, preventing interference with normal data transmissions on the initial BWP.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an additional dimension by configuring uplink resources in a different BWP (secondary frequency domain resource) rather than using the initial BWP. This dimensional separation in the frequency domain allows simultaneous support for both random access and normal data transmission without resource contention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4205490B1Wireless device, first network node, and methods performed thereby for handling uplink communication to a network node

Publication Date: 2024.01.03 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

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AI summary

A method performed by a wireless device (130). The method is for handling uplink communication to a network node (111, 112). The wireless device (130) and the network node (111, 112) operate in a wireless communications network (100). The wireless device (130) obtains (401) a configuration from a first network node (111). The configuration configures the wireless device (130) with a set of uplink time-frequency resources to perform random access for data transmission in inactive mode. A size of a buffer for the data transmission of the wireless device (130) is smaller than a threshold. The set of uplink time-frequency resources are allocated in at least one second bandwidth part (BWP). The at least one second BWP is different from a first BWP already allocated to the wireless device (130).