Network-Initiated Uplink Small Data Transmission for NB-IoT
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current NB-IoT signaling procedures for network-initiated uplink small data transmissions are inefficient, requiring multiple uplink transmissions and involving complex steps, which can lead to increased energy consumption and delay, especially when collecting status reports from devices with varying data sizes.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves sending a paging message from the core network with a specific maximum size indication, allowing the eNB to pre-allocate uplink resources and enabling the UE to transmit data using a dedicated preamble and timing advance, thereby reducing the need for buffer status reports and optimizing the signaling process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the current paging procedure is used to collect status reports from UE, then the network can initiate uplink data transmission, but multiple uplink transmissions (Msg3, Msg5, and status report) are required increasing signaling overhead and delay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the page response message and the status report into a single uplink transmission. Instead of sending Msg3 (RRC connection setup), Msg5 (NAS page response), and then a separate status report, the UE merges the page response with the status report data, transmitting both in one message. This eliminates redundant signaling steps and reduces the number of uplink transmissions required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares the status report data in advance at the UE before the network initiates the paging procedure. The UE maintains the status report ready in its buffer, so when the network sends the paging message, the UE can immediately include the pre-prepared status report in the page response without needing to generate or retrieve it during the signaling exchange, thus reducing delay.
2Productivity
If the current paging procedure is used to collect status reports, then the network can retrieve data from UE, but multiple signaling steps increase energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the page response message and the status report into a single uplink transmission. Instead of sending Msg3 (RRC connection setup), Msg5 (NAS page response), and then a separate status report, the UE merges the page response with the status report data, transmitting both in one message. This eliminates redundant signaling steps and reduces the number of uplink transmissions required.
3Productivity
If periodic reporting is configured for devices, then traffic load is distributed over time intervals, but the configuration must be changed when different periodicity is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the network-initiated paging mechanism as an intermediary between the UE's periodic reporting capability and the application server's data collection needs. Instead of changing UE periodicity configurations, the network uses paging messages to selectively trigger status report transmissions based on current traffic requirements, while the UE maintains its periodic reporting capability unchanged. This mediator approach allows flexible data collection without complex configuration changes.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the application server polls devices for reports, then flexibility in collecting reports based on network loading is achieved, but additional configuration on scheduling and periodicity is avoided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the network-initiated paging mechanism as an intermediary between the UE's periodic reporting capability and the application server's data collection needs. Instead of changing UE periodicity configurations, the network uses paging messages to selectively trigger status report transmissions based on current traffic requirements, while the UE maintains its periodic reporting capability unchanged. This mediator approach allows flexible data collection without complex configuration changes.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method to be performed by a base station includes receiving a first paging message from a core network, the first paging message being sent to trigger a response including an uplink data transmission having a specific maximum size. The method further includes sending a second paging message to a user equipment, the second paging message having a dedicated preamble and an indication of the specific maximum size. The base station next receives a response to the second paging message, the response having a dedicated preamble indicating that the user equipment has data available to send, said data being within said specific maximum size. The base station sends a reply to the user equipment, the reply containing a timing advance and an uplink resource allocation corresponding to a size of said available data. Finally, the base station receives the available data from the user equipment in accordance with the timing advance and the uplink resource allocation.