RRC-Inactive UE Small Data Transmission: RA-SDT and CG-SDT
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems struggle to effectively configure small data transmission (SDT) procedures for user equipment (UE) in RRC_INACTIVE state, as the radio access network (RAN) nodes lack clear methods to determine and manage appropriate SDT types such as RA-SDT or CG-SDT configurations.
Innovation Solution
The network node determines the UE's state and generates a message indicating RA-SDT or CG-SDT communication based on UE capabilities and network support, transmitting this message to manage SDT configurations, with a distributed architecture allowing the DU to regulate specific aspects like resource availability and UE support for SDT types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the network node configures SDT procedures for UE in RRC_INACTIVE state, then small data transmission efficiency is improved, but the complexity of managing different SDT types (RA-SDT and CG-SDT) increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting configuration parameters based on UE capabilities and network conditions. The network node determines whether to configure RA-SDT or CG-SDT by evaluating specific parameters such as UE support for configured grants, current RRC state, and data transmission requirements. This allows the system to optimize SDT configuration for each UE instance while managing complexity through parameter-based decision-making rather than structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling UEs to autonomously determine their own SDT configuration based on pre-configured parameters and current conditions. The UE can self-assess whether it supports CG-SDT, monitor its own RRC state, and independently initiate appropriate SDT procedures without requiring complex network node intervention for each decision, thereby reducing network-side management complexity
2Reliability
If the network node transitions UE to RRC_CONNECTED state for data transmission, then reliable data transmission is ensured, but unnecessary state transitions increase latency and consume additional resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring SDT parameters and resources while the UE is in RRC_CONNECTED state, before the UE actually needs to transmit small data. The network node provides ahead-of-time configuration for RA-SDT or CG-SDT procedures, including random access resources, configured grant parameters, and other necessary SDT parameters. This preliminary configuration enables the UE to immediately execute SDT when needed without transitioning to RRC_CONNECTED, thereby eliminating state transition latency while maintaining transmission reliability through pre-validated configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the SDT configuration adaptable and changeable based on current network conditions and UE state. The configuration is not static but can be updated and adjusted dynamically, allowing the system to respond to changing conditions while maintaining the efficiency benefits of avoiding state transitions. This dynamic approach ensures reliability by allowing configuration updates when needed while preserving the time-saving aspect of staying in RRC_INACTIVE state
Data Source
AI summary
A radio access network (RAN) and a user equipment (UE) can implement a method for managing small data transmission (SDT). The method includes: (i) determining that the UE should operate in a state of a protocol for controlling radio resources in which the UE is not connected to the RAN (704); (ii) generating, based at least on whether the UE supports a first type of SDT that relies on a random access procedure and/or a second type of SDT that relies on a resource previously allocated to the UE, a message that causes the UE to communicate small data in accordance with a capability of the UE (706, 708, and 710); and (iii) transmitting the message to the UE (712).