Small Data Transmission Bearer Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current SDT procedures in telecommunications involve unnecessary overhead by resuming all SRBs and DRBs for small data transmissions, even when only signaling information is involved, leading to inefficiencies in signaling and resource management.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a network device with a distributed unit (DU) and a central unit (CU) that determines whether small data transmissions are associated with SRBs or a subset of DRBs, transmitting appropriate indications to optimize the setup of radio bearers, thereby avoiding the unnecessary resumption of DRBs and reducing signaling overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all SRBs and DRBs are resumed for small data transmissions, then communication reliability is ensured, but signaling overhead and network resource utilization increase unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the radio bearer setup process by distinguishing between SRBs (signaling radio bearers) and DRBs (data radio bearers). The DU determines whether to setup SRBs and DRBs separately based on the type of data transmission, allowing selective setup of only the necessary bearers to reduce signaling overhead while maintaining communication reliability for signaling-critical transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by setup only the necessary bearers (SRBs or subset of DRBs) rather than resetting all bearers. The DU determines the minimal required setup based on the data transmission type, avoiding excessive setup of DRBs when only signaling is involved, thus reducing network resource utilization while maintaining sufficient reliability.
2Productivity
If all DRBs are resumed for small data transmissions, then data transmission capability is ensured, but network resource utilization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by setup only the necessary subset of DRBs based on the data transmission requirements. The DU determines which DRBs need to be setup by analyzing the data transmission type, avoiding unnecessary setup of all DRBs and thus reducing network resource utilization while maintaining adequate data transmission capability for the actual transmission needs.
3Productivity
If RRC state transition from inactive to connected is performed, then data transmission is enabled, but signaling overhead and delay increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring SDT parameters and bearer setups before actual data transmission occurs. The DU and CP establish the necessary SRB and DRB configurations in advance during RRC inactive state, so that when data transmission is needed, the bearers are already ready or can be quickly setup without requiring full RRC state transition, thus reducing transition delay while enabling data transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the RRC state management by allowing the UE to remain in RRC inactive state while still enabling data transmission through selective bearer setup. By separating the signaling setup (SRB) from full data bearer setup (DRB), the system can perform limited setup operations without requiring complete RRC state transition, reducing the time and signaling overhead associated with state changes.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to small data transmission (SDT). In the embodiments, a distributed unit (DU) of a network device determines that data for small data transmission (SDT), from a terminal device comprises data for at least one signaling radio bearer (SRB), without comprising data for a data radio bearer, DRB. The DU transmits, to a control plane (CP) of a central unit (CU) of the network device, an indication that the data for SDT is associated with the at least one SRB, and without being associated with a DRB. In this way, the SDT can be optimized.