RRC Scheduling Requests with LCG-Aware PUCCH Mapping for Low-Latency Uplink

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently and flexibly managing uplink scheduling requests (SR) and buffer status reports (BSR) due to limited information provided by one-bit SRs and strict BSR triggering rules, leading to inefficiencies and increased latency in handling diverse services like eMBB and URLLC.

Innovation Solution

Enhancements to SR and BSR mechanisms in 5G NR systems, including extended SR information bits for detailed LCG data availability and priority, grant-free BSR transmissions, and flexible BSR triggering, along with dynamic resource allocation by the gNB scheduler to support various services and reduce latency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If one-bit scheduling request (SR) is used, then device complexity is reduced, but information transmission completeness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSR mechanism complexityVSAvoidLCG data availability information
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the scheduling request information by dividing it into multiple priority levels (e.g., high priority, medium priority, low priority). Each priority level corresponds to different logical channel groups (LCGs), allowing the system to transmit more comprehensive information about data availability across different LCGs while maintaining a relatively simple SR structure. This segmentation enables the network to understand which specific LCGs have data pending without requiring a single-bit SR to carry all information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a priority dimension to the traditional one-bit SR mechanism. Instead of simply indicating whether data is available or not, the SR now conveys priority information that maps to different LCGs. This dimensional expansion allows the system to transmit more information (which LCGs have data and at what priority) without significantly increasing the complexity of the SR mechanism itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If strict BSR triggering rules are applied, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but scheduling flexibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidscheduling flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic BSR triggering rules that can adapt to different service requirements and network conditions. Instead of applying rigid, uniform triggering conditions, the system dynamically adjusts BSR triggering based on factors such as service type (eMBB, URLLC), buffer status, and network load. This dynamic approach maintains resource allocation efficiency by avoiding unnecessary BSR transmissions while providing the flexibility to trigger BSRs when specific conditions are met, thereby supporting diverse service requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters governing BSR triggering based on service type and network conditions. For example, different threshold values, timing parameters, and triggering conditions are applied depending on whether the service is eMBB or URLLC. This parameter adjustment allows the system to maintain efficient resource allocation by tuning the triggering sensitivity appropriately for each service type, while simultaneously achieving the flexibility needed to handle diverse communication requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If detailed LCG information is transmitted, then scheduling accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling accuracyVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the enhanced SR mechanism with detailed LCG information universally applicable across different service types and scenarios. By designing a unified framework where the same SR structure can convey priority and LCG information for both eMBB and URLLC services, the system achieves scheduling accuracy without requiring separate signaling mechanisms for different services. This multi-functionality reduces overall signaling overhead compared to having service-specific detailed reporting mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses existing SR and BSR structures as templates, copying and adapting them for enhanced functionality rather than creating entirely new signaling mechanisms. The enhanced SR builds upon the existing one-bit SR format by adding priority indication, leveraging the established signaling framework. This approach reduces signaling overhead by reusing proven structures while incrementally adding the necessary information for accurate scheduling, rather than implementing completely new detailed reporting protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

4Loss of time

If grant-free BSR transmissions are implemented, then latency is reduced, but resource management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveBSR transmission latencyVSAvoidresource management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring grant-free BSR transmission resources during the connection setup or reconfiguration phases. The network allocates dedicated uplink resources for grant-free BSR transmissions in advance, so that when data becomes available and a BSR needs to be transmitted, the UE can immediately use the pre-allocated resources without waiting for dynamic grant allocation. This preliminary resource allocation reduces BSR transmission latency while managing complexity by establishing resource rules in advance rather than making real-time allocation decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3603288B1Radio resource control (RRC) messages for enhanced scheduling request
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 SHARP KK
  • EP3603288B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3603288B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3603288B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A user equipment (UE) is described. The UE includes receiving circuitry configured to receive, from a base station apparatus, a radio resource control (RRC) message(s) comprising one or more scheduling request (SR) configurations. Each SR configuration is associated with one or more PUCCH resources. The SR configuration is corresponding to any one or more of the following: one or more logical channels (LCH), one or more logical channel groups (LCG), one or more priority, one or more numerology, one or more services, and/or one or more bandwidth part (BWP).