NB-IoT UE Scheduling Request Timer and Resource Selection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In NB-IoT systems, user equipment (UE) with weak signal coverage faces challenges in transmitting scheduling requests due to the reliance on available ACK/NACK feedback resources, leading to unnecessary waiting when downlink data is scarce, and existing solutions do not effectively address this issue.
Innovation Solution
Configuring a timer on the UE, which can be set on the physical or MAC layer, to initiate and manage the transmission of scheduling requests, allowing for timely transmission even without immediate availability of ACK/NACK resources, and activating the function to use ACK/NACK resources based on signal strength and network instructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If UE uses ACK/NACK feedback resource to transmit scheduling request, then transmission efficiency is improved for users with good signal coverage, but UE with weak signal coverage experiences unnecessary waiting and delayed transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The network side pre-configures multiple uplink resources including dedicated scheduling request resources and random access resources before UE needs to transmit. This allows UE to immediately use pre-prepared resources without waiting for ACK/NACK feedback, eliminating the waiting time while maintaining efficient transmission paths for users with good coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the resource selection parameter based on UE conditions. UE monitors downlink quality and dynamically switches between using ACK/NACK resources (when quality is good) and random access resources (when quality is poor). This parameter change allows the system to adapt to different signal conditions, improving both efficiency and reducing delays.
2Device complexity
If UE waits for available ACK/NACK feedback resource, then resource utilization is optimized, but transmission timing is delayed when downlink data is scarce
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the uplink resource pool into multiple independent types: dedicated scheduling request resources, random access resources, and ACK/NACK resources. This segmentation allows UE to select from multiple independent paths without waiting for any single resource type to become available, reducing transmission delay while maintaining organized resource management.
Solution Approach 2:
The random access resource is designed to serve multiple functions: it can be used for initial access, scheduling requests, and uplink data transmission. This multi-functionality means UE doesn't need to wait for ACK/NACK resources specifically for scheduling requests, as the universal random access resource can fulfill the need immediately, reducing waiting time while maintaining efficient resource utilization.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method performed by user equipment. The method comprises: initiating a first timer based on a state related to a scheduling request; and when the first timer expires, then transmitting information related to the scheduling request. Furthermore, the present disclosure further provides corresponding user equipment.