SPS Configuration Segmentation for Unicast Multicast Overhead
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) deactivation states for unicast and multicast services, particularly in configuring and validating Downlink (DL) SPS assignments and Uplink (UL) grants, which affects network resource allocation and user equipment (UE) operation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of specific information elements such as sps-Config, sps-ConfigToAddModList, sps-ConfigMulticastToAddModList, and sps-ConfigDeactivationStateList to configure and manage SPS operations, allowing base stations to activate or deactivate SPS configurations for unicast and multicast services based on predefined conditions, ensuring accurate validation and resource management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the base station configures a UE with both unicast SPS and multicast SPS operations, then the UE can receive both unicast and multicast services, but the configuration complexity and validation overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the SPS configuration into separate information elements: sps-Config for unicast SPS and sps-ConfigMulticastToAddModList for multicast SPS. This segmentation allows independent configuration and validation of each service type, reducing overall configuration complexity while maintaining the ability to support both services simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station uses a universal configuration approach where the UE can be configured with both unicast and multicast SPS operations through standardized information elements. The same sps-Config structure is reused for both service types, allowing the system to maintain versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Device complexity
If the base station uses sps-Config information element for unicast SPS configuration, then the configuration is simplified, but the UE cannot simultaneously be configured with multicast SPS operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a separate information element sps-ConfigMulticastToAddModList specifically for multicast SPS configuration, while keeping sps-Config for unicast. This segmentation allows the base station to configure unicast SPS with simple sps-Config and add multicast capability through the dedicated multicast information element, resolving the conflict between simplicity and versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the UE monitors for sps-ConfigMulticastToAddModList information element, then multicast SPS configuration is enabled, but the monitoring overhead and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The base station performs preliminary action by including the sps-ConfigMulticastToAddModList information element in the RRC reconfiguration message before the UE needs to use multicast SPS. This allows the UE to be pre-configured with multicast SPS parameters, reducing the need for continuous monitoring and decreasing processing overhead during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus are disclosed. In an example from the perspective of a base station operating with Semi-Persistent Scheduling (SPS) for unicast and multicast, the base station configures a User Equipment (UE) with a unicast SPS operation configuration using a first information element including a sps-Config information element or a sps-ConfigToAddModList information element. The base station determines, based upon whether the first information element includes the sps-Config information element or the sps-ConfigToAddModList information element, whether or not to configure the UE with a multicast SPS operation configuration using a sps-ConfigMulticastToAddModList information element.