Schedule Request Handling in Wireless Communication Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, user equipment faces challenges in efficiently handling schedule requests when the buffer status report retransmission timer expires, particularly in scenarios where uplink radio resources are not available, leading to suboptimal scheduling and resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

A communication device that prioritizes schedule requests based on logical channel configurations, transmitting schedule requests according to the SR configuration associated with the logical channel having higher priority data available, and utilizing defined UL radio resources and numerology as per the 3GPP standard, while managing timers and radio grants to optimize transmission opportunities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the UE transmits a schedule request when the BSR retransmission timer expires and uplink radio resources are not available, then the scheduling request is transmitted, but the resource utilization becomes suboptimal and scheduling efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveschedule request transmission reliabilityVSAvoidscheduling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of SR transmission timing by introducing a new condition: the UE shall not transmit SR if an earlier BSR transmission opportunity exists. This parameter change (adding a temporal constraint) resolves the contradiction by preventing premature SR transmissions that would waste resources, while still ensuring reliable BSR delivery through the retxBSR-Timer mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If the UE prioritizes schedule request transmission to ensure timely buffer status reporting, then the BSR is transmitted faster, but the resource utilization becomes inefficient when uplink resources are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveBSR transmission speedVSAvoiduplink resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the UE check for the existence of an earlier BSR transmission opportunity before transmitting SR. This preliminary check prevents unnecessary SR transmissions that would consume uplink resources, while still ensuring timely BSR delivery through the retxBSR-Timer that proactively manages BSR retransmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the UE uses multiple logical channel configurations with different priorities, then the scheduling flexibility is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling flexibilityVSAvoidlogical channel management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the SR transmission decision into distinct logical channel evaluations. Each LC is evaluated independently with its own priority and SR configuration, allowing the UE to select the appropriate SR transmission based on the highest priority LC with available data. This segmentation maintains scheduling flexibility while managing complexity through structured, rule-based decision making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3410806B1Device for handling a schedule request
Publication Date: 2020.12.09 HTC CORP
  • EP3410806B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3410806B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3410806B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A communication device of handling a schedule request (SR) comprises a storage device and a processing circuit, coupled to the storage device. The storage device stores, and the processing circuit is configured to execute instructions of: receiving a first configuration of a first logical channel (LC), a second configuration of a second LC, a first SR configuration corresponding to the first LC, and a second SR configuration corresponding to the second LC from a base station (BS); transmitting a first buffer status report (BSR); starting a BSR retransmission timer (retxBSR-Timer) in response to the transmission of the first BSR; transmitting a SR to the BS according to the first SR configuration, when the retxBSR-Timer expires, the first LC has first data available for being transmitted, and a first priority of the first LC is higher than a second priority of the second LC.