Scheduling Request Transmission Modes for Directional Beam Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, especially those using millimeter wave (mmW) spectrum, directional beamforming techniques can lead to missed or failed decoding of scheduling requests (SR) due to the directional nature of beamformed transmissions, requiring coordination between user equipment (UE) and base stations for successful signal transmission.

Innovation Solution

The UE can transmit SRs using either scheduled or autonomous modes, where in the scheduled mode, SRs are conveyed along with pre-scheduled uplink transmissions, and in the autonomous mode, SRs are sent on reserved resources, allowing the UE to select the mode based on SR characteristics, data priority, or network configuration to ensure successful reception.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If directional beamforming techniques are used in mmW spectrum, then signal strength in particular directions is increased, but the base station may miss or fail to decode scheduling requests due to directional transmission mismatches

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal strengthVSAvoidSR decoding reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the SR transmission into two distinct modes: scheduled mode where SR is conveyed along with pre-scheduled uplink transmissions, and autonomous mode where SR is sent on reserved resources. This segmentation allows the system to choose the appropriate transmission mode based on beam alignment conditions, thereby maintaining reliability while utilizing directional beamforming for signal strength enhancement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic mode selection capability where the UE can switch between scheduled and autonomous SR transmission modes based on current beam alignment status and network configuration. This dynamic adaptation ensures that SR transmission reliability is maintained even as beam directions change in mmW directional communications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If SRs are transmitted using fixed mode, then transmission simplicity is maintained, but flexibility to adapt to different SR characteristics and network conditions is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission simplicityVSAvoidmode selection flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal SR transmission framework that encompasses both scheduled and autonomous modes within a single system. The UE is configured with both transmission capabilities, allowing it to universally handle different SR characteristics, data priorities, and network conditions by selecting the appropriate mode, thereby achieving both operational simplicity and adaptability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables parameter changes in SR transmission by allowing the UE to modify its transmission mode based on SR characteristics, data priority, and network configuration. The network can configure different parameters such as reserved resource allocations and scheduled transmission opportunities, providing flexibility while maintaining systematic operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If SRs are sent on reserved resources in autonomous mode, then transmission reliability is improved, but resource utilization efficiency may be reduced compared to scheduled mode

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSR transmission reliabilityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic mode selection that allows the system to switch between autonomous mode (with reserved resources for higher reliability) and scheduled mode (with better resource efficiency) based on current conditions. This dynamic approach ensures that reserved resources are utilized only when necessary for reliability, thereby optimizing overall resource utilization efficiency while maintaining SR transmission reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3530050B1Scheduling request transmission for directional beam access
Publication Date: 2023.06.28 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3530050B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3530050B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3530050B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A user equipment (UE) may transmit a UE-generated uplink message to a base station to request resources for an uplink transmission. The UE may be configured to send the message (e.g., a scheduling request (SR)) using different transmission modes. For example, the UE may transmit the SR using a scheduled mode where the UE conveys the SR along with another uplink message (e.g., a control message). In some examples, the UE may transmit the SR using an autonomous mode where the UE transmits the SR in resources reserved for SR transmissions. The UE may determine which transmission mode to use based on certain characteristics of the SR or the data associated with the SR.