Periodic Traffic Stream Timing for Shared QoS Scheduling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication systems face challenges in maintaining time synchronization between Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) endpoints due to the absence of mechanisms to distinguish between different traffic streams sharing the same quality of service (QoS) flow, leading to increased overhead and limited network capacity.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing timing information, such as period and offset, for multiple periodic traffic streams to optimize scheduling and reduce the need for downlink control channel resources, thereby limiting interruptions to lower latency transmissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If timing information for multiple periodic traffic streams is not distinguished, then network configuration is simplified, but scheduling efficiency deteriorates and overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork configuration complexityVSAvoidscheduling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the QoS flow into multiple distinguishable traffic streams by introducing stream-specific identifiers (SDAP PDUs with different QoS flow identifiers). This allows the network to differentiate between periodic traffic streams (e.g., TSN traffic) and other traffic types, enabling optimized scheduling for each stream while maintaining overall configuration simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter representation by encoding timing information (period and offset) in a compact format within system messages. Instead of separate configuration messages for each traffic stream, the timing parameters are integrated into the QoS flow configuration, reducing configuration complexity while preserving scheduling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic grants are used for scheduling TSN traffic packets, then scheduling flexibility is improved, but downlink control channel overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling flexibilityVSAvoiddownlink control channel resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic scheduling for TSN traffic streams by configuring semi-persistent grants based on the periodicity information received in system messages. Instead of sending dynamic grants for every TSN packet, the network establishes periodic transmission opportunities, significantly reducing PDCCH overhead while maintaining the ability to adapt to traffic patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary configuration of scheduling parameters (period, offset, resource allocation) before actual TSN traffic transmission begins. The timing information is provided in advance through system messages, allowing the network to pre-allocate resources and avoid the need for continuous dynamic grant signaling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If TSN traffic transmissions are allowed to interrupt non-URLLC transmissions, then time synchronization for TSN endpoints is improved, but network capacity for other traffic deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime synchronization accuracyVSAvoidnetwork capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing differentiated treatment to different traffic streams based on their requirements. TSN periodic traffic streams receive guaranteed periodic resources with strict timing, while non-URLLC traffic is scheduled in the remaining resources. This localized optimization ensures TSN synchronization accuracy without unnecessarily impacting overall network capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where the network adjusts the scheduling of different traffic types based on their respective requirements. TSN traffic receives periodic guarantees, while non-URLLC traffic dynamically utilizes available capacity. The system balances these needs by puncturing non-URLLC transmissions only when necessary for TSN deadline requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3868063B1Timing information for multiple periodic traffic streams sharing a same quality of service
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3868063B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3868063B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3868063B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A wireless device, such as a base station, may receive a request to establish a data flow with a user equipment (UE), the data flow being associated with a quality of service (QoS) class, where the UE supports a plurality of traffic streams associated with the QoS class of the data flow, each traffic stream being between a downstream endpoint and an upstream endpoint via both the UE and the first node of the RAN. In some cases, the base station may receive timing information for the data flow via one or more system messages associated with the data flow, where the timing information is based at least in part on the plurality of traffic streams associated with the QoS class of the data flow, and establish the data flow based at least in part on the timing information.