NB-IoT Uplink Data Transmission Overhead Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the NB-IoT system, the process of transmitting uplink data is inefficient due to high power consumption and time delay, particularly when repeated transmissions are necessary to expand coverage, and the overhead of transmitting Buffer Status Reports (BSR) and Uplink Grants exceeds the volume of data being transmitted.

Innovation Solution

A method where the user equipment (UE) transmits a Schedule Request (SR) to the base station, which allocates scheduling information based on the SR, allowing the UE to transmit uplink data using this information, and indicates the end of data transmission through information bits or a predetermined time period, reducing the need for repeated BSR and Uplink Grant transmissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the conventional uplink data transmission process (SR -> BSR -> UL Grant -> Data) is used in NB-IoT system, then the base station can accurately determine the data volume and allocate scheduling information, but the overhead caused by BSR and UL Grant transmissions becomes larger than the data volume itself

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata volume determination accuracyVSAvoidtransmission overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the BSR transmission step from the conventional uplink data transmission process. By using the SR to directly indicate the data volume (through different SR resources, sequences, or timing), the system removes the separate BSR message while preserving the base station's ability to determine data volume for scheduling decisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the data volume indication function into the SR transmission. Different SR resources (time, frequency, code domains) or SR sequences are used to convey data volume information, combining what were previously separate functions (SR for scheduling request and BSR for volume reporting) into a single efficient mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Area of stationary object

If repeated transmissions are performed to expand coverage in NB-IoT system, then the coverage area is increased, but power consumption and time delay increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the redundant BSR transmission step from the repeated transmission process. Since the data volume is already indicated in the SR, the base station can directly allocate appropriate uplink resources without requiring additional BSR messages, even when repetitions are used for coverage extension.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs the data volume indication action in advance through the SR transmission. By encoding the data volume information in the initial SR (using different resources or sequences), the base station receives all necessary scheduling information upfront, eliminating the need for subsequent BSR transmissions during the repeated data transmission process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Area of stationary object

If repeated transmissions are performed to expand coverage in NB-IoT system, then the coverage area is increased, but the time delay increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidtime delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Measurement precision

If the conventional process with BSR and UL Grant is used, then the base station can allocate scheduling information accurately, but the number of transmission steps increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescheduling information allocation accuracyVSAvoidnumber of transmission steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11979875B2Method, user equipment unit and base station for transmitting and receiving uplink data

Publication Date: 2024.05.07 NTT DOCOMO INC

AI summary

A terminal is disclosed including a transmitting unit that transmits, to a base station, a schedule request (SR); and a receiving unit that receives, from the base station, an uplink grant indicating scheduling information for transmitting uplink data, wherein the transmitting unit transmits, to the base station, the uplink data by employing the scheduling information. In other aspects, a base station and a system are also disclosed.