Radio Network Scheduling for Non-Real-Time IoT Data Transfers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cellular networks struggle to optimally manage a combination of real-time and non-real-time data traffic from IoT devices, leading to network congestion and restrictions that prevent IoT devices from transmitting or receiving data during busy hours, particularly for non-real-time data communications.

Innovation Solution

A radio network node provides a network data indicator to wireless devices, signaling suitable occasions for non-real-time data communication, enabling load balancing and optimizing network resources for large data transfers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If network nodes prioritize real-time traffic (voice calls, video calls) over non-real-time data traffic from IoT devices, then quality of service for real-time communications is improved, but data connections are rejected and connections are limited during busy hours

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality of service for real-time communicationsVSAvoiddata connection availability for IoT devices
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments traffic into different categories (real-time and non-real-time) and applies different handling mechanisms. Real-time traffic gets prioritized for QoS, while non-real-time IoT data traffic is handled through separate control mechanisms including network data indicators and scheduled transmission windows, allowing both to coexist without mutual interference during network congestion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic control mechanisms where the network node can signal suitable transmission occasions for non-real-time data based on current network conditions. The system adaptively adjusts transmission scheduling based on network load, allowing IoT devices to transmit data during less congested periods while maintaining real-time QoS guarantees when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stress or pressure

If network nodes limit connections during busy hours to manage load, then network congestion is reduced, but IoT devices cannot transmit or receive data status update messages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork load managementVSAvoiddata status update transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The network node provides advance information about suitable transmission occasions through network data indicators before actual data transmission occurs. This allows IoT devices to prepare and schedule their data status update messages for optimal transmission times, ensuring reliable delivery even during network congestion periods by avoiding simultaneous transmission attempts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the network node monitors network conditions and signals appropriate transmission timing to IoT devices. This closed-loop control ensures that data transmission is coordinated with network capacity, maintaining both load management effectiveness and transmission reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If cellular connections are designed for real-time traffic, then real-time communications are supported efficiently, but non-real-time data traffic experiences poor service during peak hours

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time communication efficiencyVSAvoidnon-real-time data transmission accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different quality characteristics to different traffic types. Real-time traffic receives prioritized handling for low latency and high reliability, while non-real-time IoT data traffic receives optimized handling through scheduled transmission windows and network data indicators. Each traffic type receives the specific quality attributes suited to its needs rather than a uniform approach

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3935885B1Methods for enabling controlled communication of non-real time data, related wireless devices, and related radio network nodes
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3935885B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3935885B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3935885B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a method, performed in a wireless device, for enabling controlled communication of non-real time data while the wireless device is registered with a radio network node for communicating real-time data. The method comprises receiving a network data indicator indicative of one or more suitable data transfer occasions to communicate the non-real time data over the radio network node. The method comprises determining based on the network data indicator whether any non-real time data is to be communicated in the one or more data transfer occasions. The method comprises, upon determining that non-real time data is to be communicated, communicating non-real time data over the radio network node to an external node at the one or more data transfer occasions.