Communications Resource Selection for Overlapping URLLC Traffic

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Solution Overview

Problem

Future wireless communications networks face challenges in efficiently handling diverse data traffic profiles and conflicting resource allocations for different quality of service requirements, particularly in systems supporting Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC) and other services with varying latency, reliability, and data rates.

Innovation Solution

A method for a communications device to determine overlapping communications resources, select a portion of these resources, and transmit data using appropriate modulation and coding schemes, resolving conflicts and ensuring timely data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple communications resources are allocated to support different services with varying QoS requirements, then service diversity and adaptability are improved, but resource conflicts and transmission reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice diversityVSAvoidtransmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different priority levels to different communications resources based on their service requirements. High-priority resources are allocated to URLLC services while lower-priority resources serve eMBB services. This differentiated quality assignment resolves the contradiction by ensuring that critical services receive guaranteed resources while maintaining overall system diversity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a priority-based resource selection mechanism as an intermediary between resource allocation and data transmission. When resource conflicts occur, the intermediary mechanism selects resources based on priority levels, preventing direct conflicts from compromising transmission reliability. This mediator layer enables multiple services to coexist without mutual interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If communications resources are allocated for multiple services simultaneously, then system capacity and productivity are improved, but resource conflicts and transmission delays increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem capacityVSAvoidtransmission delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments communications resources into distinct priority levels (high-priority and lower-priority resources) based on service requirements. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high capacity by allocating resources to multiple services while preventing delays through clear separation of critical and non-critical transmissions. High-priority URLLC data receives dedicated resources that are protected from lower-priority traffic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

By assigning different quality attributes (priority levels) to different resource segments, the patent enables simultaneous optimization for both capacity and delay. High-priority resources are optimized for low-latency URLLC services while lower-priority resources handle throughput-intensive eMBB services, resolving the contradiction between system capacity and transmission delay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If overlapping communications resources are used to maximize resource utilization, then efficiency is improved, but data transmission reliability and latency performance worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidlatency performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by applying local quality differentiation to overlapping resources. When resources overlap in time or frequency, the system identifies the priority level of each resource and assigns transmission precedence accordingly. High-priority URLLC transmissions are guaranteed to use their designated resources without interference from lower-priority traffic, maintaining latency performance while allowing efficient utilization of non-critical resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The priority-based selection mechanism acts as an intermediary that manages overlapping resources. When multiple resources overlap, the intermediary evaluates their priority levels and selects appropriate resources for transmission. This prevents low-priority traffic from occupying high-priority resources, thereby maintaining latency performance while maximizing overall resource utilization efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3900451B1Communications device, infrastructure equipment and methods
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3900451B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3900451B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3900451B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for transmitting data by a communications device, the method comprising determining that a plurality of communications resources overlap, the communications resources being configured for the transmission of data by the communications device, in response to determining that the plurality of communications resources overlap, selecting communications resources comprising at least a portion of one or more of the plurality of communications resources, selecting data to be transmitted using the selected communications resources, and transmitting the selected data using the selected communications resources.