Small Data Transmission Signaling Without Path Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing small data transmissions without path switching, particularly in scenarios like Cellular Internet of Things (CIoT) where IoT devices need to frequently transmit small amounts of data, leading to inefficiencies and increased latency.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of signaling mechanisms that allow nodes, such as gNodeB or eNodeB, to handle small data transmissions by receiving resume requests from user equipment (UE) in an inactive state, transferring UE context, processing uplink data, and managing Radio Resource Control (RRC) releases to maintain efficient data transfers without path switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If path switching is performed for small data transmissions, then data transfer reliability is improved, but transmission latency increases and network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the path switching operation from the small data transmission process. By allowing UEs to transmit small data packets directly in inactive state without initiating a path switch to connected state, the invention removes the unnecessary path switching step while maintaining data transfer reliability through direct transmission to the serving node.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by establishing data transfer permissions in advance. The network configures uplink data transfer authorization and small data indication parameters before the UE needs to transmit data, allowing immediate transmission without waiting for path switching procedures.
2Reliability
If path switching is performed for small data transmissions, then data transfer reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the path switching mechanism from the small data transmission flow. By enabling direct transmission in inactive state, the invention eliminates the complexity of path management, context transfer, and state transitions while maintaining reliable data delivery through configured uplink permissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by allowing UEs to autonomously transmit small data packets without network intervention for path switching. The UE uses pre-configured parameters and uplink permissions to perform self-contained data transmission, reducing the need for complex network coordination.
3Productivity
If UEs frequently transition between inactive and connected states, then data transmission capability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring uplink data transfer authorization and small data indication parameters while the UE is in inactive state. This allows the UE to transmit data immediately without transitioning to connected state, saving energy by avoiding frequent state transitions while maintaining transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by allowing UEs to perform only the necessary minimum action for data transmission - sending small data packets in inactive state with pre-configured permissions - rather than performing the full state transition to connected state. This reduces energy consumption while achieving the transmission objective.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques, systems, and devices to support small data transfers are described. A first node, such as a gNodeB or an eNodeB, can perform operations that include receiving a resume request from a user equipment (UE) that is in an inactive state, the resume request including a small data indication, where context information for the UE resides at a second node; transmitting a retrieve UE context request to the second node, the retrieve UE context request including the small data indication; receiving a UE context response from the second node; transmitting, by the first node, a resume response to the UE to cause the UE to switch to a connected state; processing uplink data from the UE; and transmitting a release message to the UE to cause the UE to switch to the inactive state. The release message can be based on RRC release information received from the second node.