PHR Triggering and Cancellation in RRC Inactive Small Data Transmission

Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in power consumption and signaling overhead due to the need for UEs to transition between RRC_INACTIVE and RRC_CONNECTED states for small data transmissions, leading to increased power consumption and signaling overhead, especially in scenarios with intermittent and infrequent data packets.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a method where User Equipment (UE) can trigger and manage Power Headroom Reports (PHR) and perform small data transmissions within the RRC_INACTIVE state using pre-configured PUSCH resources or RACH-based procedures, allowing for data transmission without entering the RRC_CONNECTED state, under network control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If UE transitions between RRC_INACTIVE and RRC_CONNECTED states for small data transmissions, then data transmission capability is improved, but power consumption and signaling overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The network pre-configures PUSCH resources for the UE in RRC_INACTIVE state before actual data transmission occurs. This preliminary resource allocation allows the UE to transmit data directly without transitioning to RRC_CONNECTED state, thereby maintaining data transmission capability while reducing power consumption and signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic PHR triggering and cancellation mechanisms that adapt to the UE's data transmission needs in real-time. The network dynamically decides whether to trigger PHR based on pending data conditions and dynamically cancels PHR when uplink resources can accommodate all pending data, optimizing the balance between power consumption and transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If UE transitions between RRC_INACTIVE and RRC_CONNECTED states for small data transmissions, then data transmission capability is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission capabilityVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network pre-configures PUSCH resources for the UE in RRC_INACTIVE state before actual data transmission occurs. This preliminary resource allocation allows the UE to transmit data directly without transitioning to RRC_CONNECTED state, thereby maintaining data transmission capability while reducing power consumption and signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the PHR triggering decision logic from the standard RRC connection resume procedure and integrates it into the RRC_INACTIVE state management. By independently managing PHR triggering and cancellation in RRC_INACTIVE state, the system eliminates unnecessary state transitions and associated signaling overhead while preserving data transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If UE triggers PHR in RRC_INACTIVE state, then power management capability is improved, but additional signaling is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower management capabilityVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the UE monitors its own power headroom and transmits PHR to the network when necessary. The network uses this feedback information to make informed decisions about resource allocation and PHR cancellation, improving power management capability while controlling signaling overhead through conditional triggering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic PHR triggering and cancellation mechanisms that adapt to the UE's data transmission needs in real-time. The network dynamically decides whether to trigger PHR based on pending data conditions and dynamically cancels PHR when uplink resources can accommodate all pending data, optimizing the balance between power consumption and transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11653315B2Method and apparatus for triggering and canceling power headroom report (PHR) in small data transmission procedure in a wireless communication system

Publication Date: 2023.05.16 ASUSTEK COMPUTER INC

AI summary

A method and apparatus are disclosed. In an example from the perspective of a User Equipment (UE), the UE triggers a Power Headroom Report (PHR) when the UE is in Radio Resource Control (RRC) inactive state. The UE determines whether or not to cancel the PHR based upon whether or not an uplink (UL) resource for transmission in the RRC inactive state can accommodate first pending data available for transmission.