SDT Measurement in RRC Inactive State
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems require user equipment (UE) to transition to a connected state for small data transmissions, which consumes significant network resources and is inefficient for infrequent small data transmissions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a small data transmission (SDT) procedure that allows UE to transmit small amounts of user plane data in an inactive state without transitioning to a connected state, using a state machine relative to radio resource control (RRC) aspects to manage RRC states and perform SDT measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If UE transitions to connected state for small data transmissions, then data transmission capability is improved, but network resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential data transmission function from the full connected state, allowing UE to transmit small amounts of data while remaining in inactive state. This separates the data transmission capability from the complete connected state setup, enabling selective activation of only necessary transmission functions without full connection overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by allowing UE to perform limited data transmission operations without completing the full state transition to connected. The UE transmits small data packets using inactive state resources, performing only the necessary transmission action without excessive state transition overhead.
2Reliability
If UE transitions to connected state for small data transmissions, then transmission reliability is improved, but state transition complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data transmission function from the state transition process, allowing transmission to occur in inactive state. This removes the complexity of state transitions while maintaining transmission capability through dedicated inactive state resources and procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service by allowing UE to autonomously transmit small data while in inactive state without requiring network-controlled state transitions. The UE manages its own transmission in inactive state using pre-configured resources, reducing control signaling complexity.
3Loss of energy
If UE remains in inactive state for data transmission, then network resource usage is reduced, but transmission capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by enabling limited data transmission specifically in inactive state. The transmission capability is partially activated just enough for small data packets, avoiding full connected state while providing sufficient transmission functionality for the intended use case.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of inactive state by introducing new transmission capabilities, resource allocations, and signaling mechanisms specifically for small data transmission. This transforms inactive state from a purely low-power mode to a hybrid state with enhanced transmission capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for performing measurements of one or more cells during an small data transmission (SDT) procedure between a user equipment (UE) and a network when the UE is in a radio resource control (RRC) INACTIVE state are described herein. Beam and/or cell measurements taken during an SDT measurement period of the SDT procedure may be used to determine one or more respective cell qualities, among other possibilities. Beginnings and endings of the SDT measurement period, and the manner (timing) for taking measurements within the SDT measurement period, are also described. The cell qualities so determined can then be used to monitor, during the SDT measurement period, for a measurement event, which causes the UE to send a measurement report to the network having data determined using those cell qualities, and/or to send messaging intended to induce the network to change the RRC state of the UE.