PUR Start Time Alignment Using H-SFN LSB Timing Reference

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a misalignment in determining the start time of pre-configured uplink resources (PUR) due to potential misinterpretation of downlink messages, leading to ambiguity in the first PUR occasion, especially in wireless communications systems like 5G and LTE.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating one or more least significant bits (LSBs) of a hyper system frame number (H-SFN) in the PUR configuration to provide an unambiguous reference time for the first PUR occasion, ensuring alignment between the base station and user equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If PUR configuration is provided without LSB of H-SFN, then configuration simplicity is maintained, but ambiguity in determining PUR start time occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePUR configuration simplicityVSAvoidPUR start time ambiguity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The H-SFN is segmented into most significant bits (MSBs) and least significant bits (LSBs). The MSBs are used for general timing reference while the LSBs provide fine-grained timing differentiation. This segmentation allows the PUR configuration to include only the necessary LSB portion, reducing information overhead while eliminating start time ambiguity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The LSB of H-SFN acts as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between the downlink message transmission time and the PUR start time. By incorporating this intermediary timing reference, the system can precisely align the PUR occasion without requiring complete H-SFN information, thus maintaining configuration simplicity while eliminating ambiguity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If PUR start time is ambiguously determined, then network and UE misalignment occurs, but adding LSB of H-SFN increases configuration complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveNetwork-UE alignmentVSAvoidPUR configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of including the complete H-SFN (which would significantly increase configuration complexity), the patent applies partial action by including only the necessary LSB portion. This partial inclusion is sufficient to achieve reliable network-UE alignment for PUR timing while keeping the configuration complexity increase minimal and manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If PUR occasion timing is misaligned, then communication efficiency decreases, but precise timing alignment requires additional timing reference information

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCommunication efficiencyVSAvoidTiming reference information
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential LSB portion of the H-SFN from the complete timing reference information. This extraction provides sufficient timing precision for PUR occasion alignment without transmitting or processing the entire H-SFN, thus improving communication efficiency while minimizing the quantity of timing reference information required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4136912B1Pre-configured uplink (UL) resource (PUR) start time and offset
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4136912B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4136912B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4136912B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for wireless communication is presented. The method includes receiving pre-configured uplink resource (PUR) configuration information including one or more least significant bits (LSBs) of a hyper system frame number (H-SFN). The method also includes determining a PUR start time based on the H-SFN identified by the one or more LSBs. The method further includes transmitting data to a base station on a PUR identified in the PUR configuration information at the PUR start time.