Overlapping Grant Prioritization for Mixed 5G NR Traffic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication standards fail to provide a framework for handling overlapping grants in mixed-traffic scenarios, leading to inefficiencies in spectral efficiency and Quality of Service (QoS) for Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC) traffic in 5G New Radio (NR) networks, particularly when dynamic and configured grants overlap.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for determining a prioritized grant among overlapping grants based on priority, allowing for the construction of a single MAC PDU or pre-emption of existing PDUs, independent of UE processing time, using transmission profile indicators and logical channel priorities to ensure critical traffic QoS and spectral efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple overlapping grants are allocated to different service types (URLLC and eMBB), then resource utilization increases, but it becomes difficult to determine which grant to prioritize, leading to QoS degradation for critical traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new parameter 'grantPriority' that changes the state of the grant structure. This parameter allows the network to explicitly indicate which grant (first or second) has higher priority, enabling the UE to make deterministic decisions when grants overlap. The parameter change resolves the contradiction by providing a clear prioritization mechanism that maintains QoS while allowing multiple grants to coexist.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the UE processes multiple overlapping grants independently, then processing flexibility increases, but MAC processing time requirements become complex and UE capability-dependent
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having the UE determine priority based on complex processing time calculations and capability assessments, the patent inverts the approach by having the network node explicitly indicate the priority through the grantPriority parameter. This simplifies UE processing while maintaining flexibility, as the UE only needs to follow the network's explicit instruction rather than performing complex independent analysis.
3Reliability
If configured grants are pre-allocated for periodic URLLC traffic, then transmission reliability improves, but the probability of grant overlap with dynamic grants increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-configuring the grantPriority parameter in the configured grant setup. This allows the network to anticipate potential overlaps and pre-establish prioritization rules, preventing QoS degradation before it occurs. The preliminary configuration ensures that even when overlaps happen (which is inevitable with periodic traffic), the critical traffic maintains its priority.
Data Source
AI summary
According to certain embodiments, a method performed by a wireless device comprises receiving a first grant and a second grant from a network node. The first grant and the second grant are overlapping. The method comprises determining a prioritized one of the first grant and the second grant and constructing a Medium Access Control (MAC) Protocol Description Unit (PDU) for the prioritized grant of the first grant and the second grant.According to certain embodiments, a method performed by a network node comprises transmitting a first grant and a second grant to a wireless device. The first grant and the second grant are overlapping. The method comprises receiving a transmission from the wireless device on a prioritized one of the first grant and the second grant.