Scheduling Request Handling via Logical Channel Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, user equipment (UE) faces issues with scheduling requests (SR) where a valid physical UL control channel (PUCCH) resource is available but cannot be used to transmit SRs due to restrictions, preventing the initiation of a random access procedure as per 3GPP Technical Specification 36.321 v14.2.0.

Innovation Solution

The UE processes scheduling requests and random access preambles based on logical channel configurations, selecting appropriate physical resources for transmission and determining RA preambles from PRACH configurations, allowing continuous SR transmission until a valid UL grant is received, which configures specific numerology and TTI length.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a valid PUCCH resource is configured for a first logical channel, then the PUCCH resource is available for transmission, but the random access procedure cannot be initiated due to specification restrictions

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSR transmission reliabilityVSAvoidRandom access procedure initiation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the SR transmission process by introducing a pending SR indicator that separates the state of having a valid PUCCH resource from the state of being able to transmit SR. This segmentation allows the system to track which logical channels have pending SRs independently, enabling the random access procedure to be initiated when appropriate even when PUCCH resources exist for other logical channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic tracking of pending SR states for each logical channel, allowing the system to adaptively determine when to initiate random access procedures. The pending SR indicator dynamically updates based on data arrivals and SR cancellations, enabling flexible transition between SR transmission modes and random access initiation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of energy

If SR transmission is restricted when PUCCH resource is valid, then unnecessary random access procedures are prevented, but legitimate SR transmissions are blocked

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAvoidance of unnecessary random accessVSAvoidSR transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism through the pending SR indicator that continuously monitors the SR state of each logical channel. This feedback allows the system to make informed decisions about initiating random access procedures, ensuring that they are only triggered when actually needed (when pending SR exists) rather than being blocked by the presence of PUCCH resources for other logical channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by treating each logical channel's SR state independently through the pending SR indicator. Instead of applying a global restriction based on any valid PUCCH resource, the system evaluates each logical channel locally to determine whether SR transmission should proceed or whether random access should be initiated, allowing fine-grained control over SR transmission behavior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3416446B1Device and method of handling a scheduling request
Publication Date: 2023.09.27 HTC CORP
  • EP3416446B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3416446B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3416446B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A communication device for handling a scheduling request (SR) is configured to execute instructions of: receiving a configuration of a first logical channel (LC), a configuration of a second LC and a first SR configuration associated to the first LC, from a network; triggering the SR; transmitting the SR via at least one physical resource configured by the first SR configuration to the network, if the SR is triggered by first data of the first LC available for a first transmission; and transmitting a random access (RA) preamble for the SR in at least one RA resource to the network, if the SR is triggered by second data of the second LC available for a second transmission.