Preconfigured PUSCH Resources for RRC-Inactive Small Data Uplink

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems, such as 5G NR, face inefficiencies in handling infrequent small data transmissions from user equipment (UE) in the RRC_INACTIVE state, leading to unnecessary power consumption and signaling overhead due to the need for frequent state transitions.

Innovation Solution

Implementing random access channel-based schemes, pre-configured PUSCH resources, and configured grants for small data transmission in the RRC_INACTIVE state, allowing UE to transmit data without transitioning to the RRC_CONNECTED state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If UE transitions to RRC_CONNECTED state for small data transmission, then data transmission capability is improved, but power consumption and signaling overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The network pre-configures uplink resources (PUSCH resources, SRS resources, grant-free resources) and transmission parameters for the UE while it is in RRC_INACTIVE state. This preliminary configuration allows the UE to immediately transmit small data without transitioning to connected state, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the essential data transmission function from the complete RRC connection establishment process. By allowing UE to use pre-configured resources directly in inactive state, it separates the data transmission capability from the full connection setup, enabling small data transmission without the overhead of complete connection establishment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If UE transitions to RRC_CONNECTED state for small data transmission, then data transmission capability is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capabilityVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The network performs preliminary configuration of uplink resources and transmission parameters during the inactive state or previous connected state. This includes configuring PUSCH resources, SRS resources, grant-free resources, and transmission parameters such as MCS, power control, and timing advance. By doing this in advance, the patent eliminates the need for extensive signaling during actual data transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the necessary data transmission elements from the full RRC connection protocol. By allowing UE to utilize pre-configured resources and parameters, it removes the need for resource allocation messaging, scheduling requests, and other connection establishment signaling, thereby significantly reducing signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If pre-configured PUSCH resources are used for small data transmission, then transmission efficiency is improved, but resource utilization complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission efficiencyVSAvoidresource management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The UE is configured with self-service capabilities to autonomously select and use pre-configured PUSCH resources for small data transmission without requiring network scheduling. The UE can independently determine when to transmit, what resources to use, and how to manage power and timing, thereby simplifying real-time resource management while maintaining high transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs configurable parameters such as grant-free resource configurations, periodicity settings, and resource pool definitions that allow flexible resource management. By changing these parameters based on traffic patterns and network conditions, the system can optimize resource utilization without requiring complex real-time management mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4079093B1Method of small data transmission and related device
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 SHARP KK
  • EP4079093B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4079093B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4079093B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of a small data transmission for a user equipment (UE) is provided. The method includes receiving, from a base station (BS), an radio resource control (RRC) release message, the RRC release message including at least one of a configuration of configured grants, an timing advance (TA) timer associated with the configuration of the configured grants, and at least one data radio bearer (DRB) allowed for uplink (UL) data transmission in a RRC_INACTIVE state, and transmitting an UL data corresponding to the at least one DRB via the configured grants when a condition for the small data transmission via the configured grants in the UE is confirmed.