Physical Layer Mode Switching for 5G Signaling Overhead Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The 5G NR system experiences high signaling overheads and long transmission delays during state transitions from the idle state to inactive or connected states due to the need for extensive RRC signaling.
Innovation Solution
A mode switching method that allows communication devices to switch between two modes (e.g., idle/inactive and connected) based on service types, using physical layer signals to reduce higher-layer signaling interactions, with mode definitions corresponding to specific service types like eMBB, IoT, and URLLC, enabling energy savings and improved communication efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the terminal device uses RRC signaling for state transition from idle state to inactive or connected state, then the state transition can be completed, but the signaling overhead is high and the transmission delay is long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the mode switching request function from the traditional RRC signaling layer and implements it at the physical layer through a dedicated physical downlink control channel. This separation removes the cumbersome RRC signaling process while retaining the essential state transition capability, thereby reducing transmission delay without compromising reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a physical layer control channel as an intermediary between the terminal device and the network for mode switching requests. This intermediary mechanism provides a direct, efficient communication path that bypasses the lengthy RRC signaling procedure, enabling fast state transitions while maintaining proper protocol control
2Reliability
If the terminal device uses RRC signaling for mode switching, then the mode switching can be achieved, but the signaling overhead is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the mode switching request function from the RRC signaling layer and implements it at the physical layer. This extraction removes the bulk of the signaling overhead while retaining the essential mode switching capability through a streamlined physical layer control mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating layer parameter from RRC (higher layer) to physical layer signaling. This parameter change fundamentally alters the signaling mechanism, reducing overhead by utilizing more efficient physical layer resources while maintaining reliable mode switching functionality
3Productivity
If the terminal device switches from idle state to connected state through traditional RRC procedures, then the data transmission can start, but the time consumption is long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the terminal device to send mode switching requests in advance through the physical downlink control channel before actual data transmission is needed. This preliminary action allows the network to prepare resources ahead of time, reducing the overall time consumption when data transmission actually begins
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a continuous monitoring mechanism where the terminal device can continuously send mode switching requests through the physical layer without interruption. This continuous action eliminates the start-stop delays associated with traditional RRC procedures, enabling smoother and faster state transitions for data transmission
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of this application disclose mode switching methods and apparatuses. In an example method, a first communication apparatus sends a first signal to a second communication apparatus, where the first signal indicates that the first communication apparatus requests to switch a mode of the first communication apparatus, the mode includes a first mode and a second mode, and there is a correspondence between the mode and a service type of the first communication apparatus.