SCG Data Arrival Indication for Inactive Bearer Resumption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in managing data bearers for secondary cell groups (SCG) that are deactivated or inactive, leading to data buffering and suboptimal resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

The system implements mechanisms for user equipment (UE) to detect data arrival in a data buffer associated with an inactive SCG, determining its status, and transmit an indication to the network, allowing for the resumption or reconfiguration of data bearers through MCG or SCG based on radio quality thresholds and configuration information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the SCG is kept inactive to save resources, then energy consumption is reduced, but data transmission capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoiddata transmission capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The SCG is designed to dynamically transition between inactive and active states based on data arrival conditions. When data arrives in the buffer during suspension, the UE triggers SCG activation, allowing the system to adapt its resource usage to actual transmission needs rather than maintaining a fixed state

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by suspending the SCG in advance when no data is being transmitted, proactively conserving resources before energy consumption becomes an issue. The suspension mechanism is prepared and can be quickly activated when data arrives

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the SCG is suspended to optimize resource utilization, then resource efficiency is improved, but data buffering increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource efficiencyVSAvoiddata buffering time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback through buffer status reporting mechanisms. When data arrives in the suspended SCG's buffer, the UE detects the data arrival and sends a buffer status report or activation request to the network, triggering SCG reactivation. This feedback loop ensures timely response to data arrival events

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The UE is configured with preliminary instructions and mechanisms (such as SR/RACH resources) to quickly reactivate the SCG when data arrives, minimizing the buffering time. The reactivation procedure is prepared in advance through configuration information from the network

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the UE transmits indication via SCG when radio quality is good, then transmission efficiency is improved, but reliability decreases when radio quality is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission efficiencyVSAvoidtransmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by selecting different transmission paths (MCG or SCG) based on the local radio quality conditions of each cell group. Configuration information from the network includes radio quality thresholds that determine whether to use SCG (when quality is good) or MCG (when quality is poor) for indication transmission

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The MCG serves as an intermediary backup path for transmitting the indication when SCG radio quality is insufficient. The UE can switch to using MCG resources (such as PUCCH or PUSCH) to transmit the buffer status indication, ensuring reliable delivery even when SCG conditions are poor

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4233473B1Data arrival indication
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP4233473B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4233473B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4233473B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~5B

AI summary

There is provided a method comprising: detecting, by a user equipment, UE, of a wireless communication network, an arrival of data into a data buffer associated with a data bearer configured for a secondary cell group (SCG); determining whether or not the SCG is currently inactive; and if the SCG is determined to be currently inactive, 5 transmitting an indication to a network element of the wireless communication network about the arrival of data.