Scheduling Request Resource Selection in Wireless Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication networks, scheduling requests from user equipment (UE) to network base stations often face delays or are dropped due to resource collisions and prioritization issues, leading to inefficient allocation of uplink resources.

Innovation Solution

The method involves allowing the physical layer to control the selection of resources for transmitting scheduling requests, using a timer to manage re-attempts and resource allocation, and coordinating with the higher layer to ensure successful transmission without relying on higher-layer re-delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the higher layer (MAC) controls resource selection for scheduling requests, then the resource allocation follows standardized procedures, but the scheduling request may be dropped due to resource collisions with lower layer control traffic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling request delivery reliabilityVSAvoidscheduling request delivery delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the resource selection control between higher layer (MAC) and lower layer (PHY), where MAC provides candidate resources and PHY selects the actual transmission resource. This segmentation allows PHY to avoid collisions with PHY control traffic while MAC maintains overall resource management, resolving the contradiction between standardized allocation and collision avoidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the lower layer acts as a mediator between the higher layer's resource allocation decisions and the actual transmission. The lower layer receives resource indications from MAC, evaluates them against PHY control traffic, and selects appropriate resources, preventing SR dropping due to collisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the lower layer (PHY) controls resource selection for scheduling requests, then resource collisions with PHY control traffic are avoided, but the complexity of resource management increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling request transmission reliabilityVSAvoidresource selection control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complex resource selection task into two parts: MAC provides candidate resources based on higher layer policies, and PHY selects the final resource based on instantaneous traffic conditions. This segmentation reduces the complexity burden on each layer while improving overall reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by having MAC pre-determine candidate resources before PHY makes the final selection. This preliminary resource indication from MAC reduces the decision space for PHY, lowering PHY's computational complexity while still allowing collision avoidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If scheduling requests use dedicated PUCCH resources, then SR transmission is reliable, but these resources cannot be used for other control information like CSI or HARQ-ACK

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling request transmission reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol channel resource versatility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic resource selection where PHY control traffic (CSI, HARQ-ACK) can dynamically influence the SR resource selection. When PHY control traffic is detected, PHY can select alternative resources for SR, making the resource allocation dynamic and adaptable rather than static and dedicated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the resource allocation parameter from fixed/dedicated to variable/selected based on traffic conditions. PHY monitors control traffic parameters and adjusts the SR resource selection accordingly, allowing the same time-frequency resources to serve multiple purposes depending on instantaneous conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If MAC layer prioritization is used between SR and PUSCH, then SR de-prioritization is reduced, but MAC is unaware of PHY layer control traffic collisions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling request prioritization reliabilityVSAvoidcollision information visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds another dimension to prioritization by introducing PHY layer awareness and control. Instead of only MAC layer prioritization (one dimension), the system now has cross-layer coordination where PHY can detect collisions with PHY control traffic and adjust resource selection, creating a two-dimensional prioritization mechanism.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where PHY monitors control traffic conditions and feeds this information back to the resource selection process. This feedback loop allows PHY to inform MAC about potential collisions, enabling MAC to make informed prioritization decisions while maintaining awareness of PHY layer conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3869890B1Enhanced scheduling request handling procedure
Publication Date: 2023.12.13 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP3869890B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3869890B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3869890B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

The present disclosure inter alia relates to an apparatus configured for performing a method, the method comprising: delivering, from a higher layer to a lower layer, an instruction to transmit a scheduling request; and at least partially controlling, by the lower layer, a selection of one or more resources for transmitting the scheduling request.