Grant Prioritization for 5G-NR Configured Grants

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing overlapping configured grants and dynamic grants in 5G-NR networks, leading to resource conflicts and reduced spectral efficiency due to the lack of effective prioritization mechanisms, particularly in Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) scenarios.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves enhancing configured grant configurations with additional parameters for identification and prioritization, using a media access control (MAC) control element to dynamically update grant priorities, and configuring logical channels with lists of grants to determine priority in case of overlapping transmissions, thereby enabling efficient resource allocation and increased operational flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple configured grants are used to support multiple TSN streams, then the system can handle multiple TSN streams with different QoS requirements, but resource conflicts and overlapping grants occur leading to reduced spectral efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to support multiple TSN streamsVSAvoidspectral efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a priority parameter for configured grants and dynamic grants, allowing the system to differentiate and prioritize grants based on their importance. This parameter change enables the resolution of resource conflicts by selecting grants with higher priority when overlaps occur, thereby maintaining spectral efficiency while supporting multiple TSN streams with different QoS requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic grant priority indication through DCI signaling, allowing the network to dynamically adjust grant priorities based on current traffic conditions and QoS requirements. This dynamic mechanism enables flexible resource allocation that adapts to changing network conditions, resolving conflicts between multiple configured grants and dynamic grants while optimizing spectral efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If grant priority indication is configured for configured grants, then logical channel prioritization can be controlled, but the device complexity increases due to additional configuration and signaling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelogical channel prioritization controlVSAvoidconfiguration and signaling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reuses existing RRC signaling structures and DCI formats to convey grant priority information, integrating the priority indication function into already-established signaling mechanisms. This approach allows the system to control logical channel prioritization without requiring entirely new signaling protocols, thereby reducing the increase in device complexity while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces compact priority indication parameters that can be efficiently encoded and transmitted within existing signaling frameworks. By optimizing the representation of priority information, the patent reduces the overhead associated with additional configuration while enabling fine-grained control over logical channel prioritization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3796731B1Enhanced grant prioritization for new radio (NR)
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 INTEL CORP
  • EP3796731B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3796731B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3796731B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

An apparatus for use in a UE includes processing circuitry coupled to a memory. To configure the UE for enhanced UL configured grant transmission supporting multiple configured grant configurations in a 5G-NR network, the processing circuitry is to decode first RRC signaling including the multiple configured grant configurations for a single BWP. Each of the multiple configured grant configurations includes a corresponding configuration index identifying the configured grant configuration. Second RRC signaling is decoded which includes logical channel configurations with a list of allowed configured grant configurations of the multiple configured grant configurations. Each of the allowed configured grant configurations is identified by the corresponding configuration index. A PUSCH is encoded for a UL transmission using one of the allowed configured grant configurations.