RACH Preamble Partitioning for Small Data in RRC_INACTIVE
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, particularly in the context of 5G networks, face inefficiencies in managing small data transmissions in the RRC_INACTIVE state, leading to unnecessary power consumption and signaling overhead due to the need for frequent state transitions for small data packets, which is a critical issue for both network performance and device battery life.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method and apparatus that enable small data transmission in the RRC_INACTIVE state through RACH-based schemes, such as 2-step and 4-step RACH, allowing for flexible payload sizes and context fetch and data forwarding, using pre-configured PUSCH resources, and configuring grant type 1 resources for efficient small data handling without introducing new RRC states, under network control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If frequent state transitions are used for small data packets, then data transmission capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by enabling the UE to transmit small data packets while remaining in the RRC_INACTIVE state through pre-configured PUSCH resources and grant type 1 configuration. The network pre-configures the UE with the necessary resources and parameters before the UE needs to transmit data, allowing the UE to utilize these pre-established resources for small data transmissions without transitioning to RRC_CONNECTED state, thereby avoiding the power consumption associated with state transitions while maintaining data transmission capability.
2Productivity
If frequent state transitions are used for small data packets, then data transmission capability is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces signaling overhead by applying preliminary action through pre-configuration of PUSCH resources and grant type 1 parameters in the RRC_INACTIVE state. The network configures the UE with the necessary transmission parameters, resource allocation, and timing information before the UE needs to transmit small data packets. This pre-configuration eliminates the need for full state transition signaling when the UE transmits small data, as the UE can directly utilize the pre-established resources without undergoing complete RRC state transitions, thereby significantly reducing signaling overhead.
3Reliability
If RRC state transitions are used for small data transmission, then data transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces device complexity by applying preliminary action through pre-configuration of transmission parameters and resources in the RRC_INACTIVE state. The network configures the UE with grant type 1 parameters, PUSCH resource allocation, and timing information before the UE needs to transmit data. This pre-configuration simplifies the UE's operation for small data transmissions, as the UE does not need to manage complex state transitions and can directly utilize the pre-established transmission parameters, thereby reducing the complexity of data transmission operations while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and device are disclosed from the perspective of a User Equipment, UE. The method includes the UE receiving a configuration, from a network node, indicating that Random Access Channel, RACH, occasion/s of a first Random Access, RA, type are not configured (3005). The method further includes the UE determining if RACH occasion/s of the first RA type are shared with a second RA type or a third RA type, and/or includes the UE determining the starting point of preambles for the first RA type based on at least RA parameter/s for more than one RA type (3010).