RRC Inactive Data Transmission Using Configured Grants

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing NR communication system requires UEs in the RRC_INACTIVE state to transition to RRC_CONNECTED state for each data transmission, leading to unnecessary power consumption and signaling overhead, especially for small and infrequent data packets.

Innovation Solution

Enabling data transmission in the RRC_INACTIVE state using 2-step and 4-step RACH procedures, along with configured grants, allowing UEs to transmit data without immediate state transition through mechanisms like RRCResumeRequest messages and C-RNTI monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If UE transitions to RRC_CONNECTED state for each data transmission, then data transmission can be performed, but power consumption increases and signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddata transmission capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments data transmission functionality from state transition requirements. UEs in RRC_INACTIVE state can transmit small data packets without transitioning to RRC_CONNECTED state by using configured grant resources and wake-up signal monitoring, separating the transmission capability from the connected state requirement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The network pre-configures grant resources and wake-up signal parameters for UEs before they enter RRC_INACTIVE state. This preliminary configuration enables UEs to perform small data transmissions immediately upon receiving wake-up signals without requiring state transition, reducing both power consumption and signaling overhead

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If UE transitions to RRC_CONNECTED state for each data transmission, then data transmission can be performed, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission capabilityVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential data transmission functionality from the RRC_CONNECTED state requirement. By allowing UEs in RRC_INACTIVE state to use pre-configured grant resources and monitor wake-up signals, the solution removes the unnecessary state transition step and associated signaling overhead while preserving small data transmission capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring full RRC_CONNECTED state transition for every small data transmission, the patent applies partial action by enabling limited data transmission functionality within the RRC_INACTIVE state using configured grants and wake-up signal mechanisms, reducing signaling overhead while maintaining essential productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4151033B1Data transmission in power efficient state

Publication Date: 2026.03.18 ZTE CORP

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AI summary

The present application relates to methods, systems, and devices related to digital wireless communication, and more specifically, to techniques related to data transmission in a power efficient state. In one exemplary aspect, a method for wireless communication is disclosed. The method includes transmitting, by a terminal in a first state, a first message to a network node to start a data communication resume procedure to the network node. The method also includes monitoring, after transmission of the first message, a control channel with a network temporary identifier for a response to the first message.