Proactive Buffer Status Reporting for Wireless Uplink Latency

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, existing methods face challenges in efficiently acquiring uplink grants for data transmission, leading to delays and increased latency, especially when no uplink data is initially available for transmission.

Innovation Solution

A method where a user equipment (UE) can proactively send a Buffer Status Report (BSR) to the eNodeB to request an uplink grant for expected data transmission, even without initial uplink data, by utilizing 'Virtual BSR' to pre-allocate resources based on anticipated data needs, such as TCP ACK packets or periodic data generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the UE waits for actual uplink data before sending BSR, then resource allocation is based on real data needs, but uplink grant acquisition is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink grant acquisition timeVSAvoidbuffer status information accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The UE performs preliminary actions by sending a BSR when it anticipates uplink data will be generated soon, even though no data is currently available. This allows the eNodeB to allocate uplink resources in advance, reducing the time delay for uplink grant acquisition while the BSR reflects predicted rather than actual buffer status.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the UE sends BSR frequently to ensure resource availability, then uplink grant acquisition is faster, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink transmission efficiencyVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The UE sends a BSR in advance when it predicts uplink data will be generated soon, allowing the eNodeB to pre-allocate resources. This reduces the need for frequent subsequent BSR transmissions, improving uplink transmission efficiency while reducing overall signaling overhead compared to waiting for actual data arrival.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the UE waits for scheduled data arrival before requesting resources, then resource allocation is precise, but TCP throughput is reduced due to latency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation accuracyVSAvoidTCP throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The UE anticipates TCP ACK packet generation and sends a BSR in advance, allowing the eNodeB to allocate uplink resources before the data is actually ready. This reduces latency and improves TCP throughput, accepting that the resource allocation is based on prediction rather than precise actual buffer status.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3298822B1Method for triggering a buffer status reporting in a wireless communication system and a device therefor
Publication Date: 2022.03.09 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3298822B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2A
  • EP3298822B1 patent drawingFigure 2B
  • EP3298822B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and a device for triggering a buffer status reporting in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: triggering a buffer status reporting (BSR) when the UE expects that there is uplink data to be generated within a certain time period even though there is currently no uplink data available for transmission; and transmitting the triggered BSR.