Scheduling Request Transmission Buffer Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G NR, devices continue to transmit scheduling requests (SRs) even after their data buffers become empty, leading to unnecessary resource usage and potential power consumption issues.
Innovation Solution
A method where a device transmits SRs for uplink grants based on data availability in a buffer, and aborts subsequent SR transmissions when a discard timer expires, indicating that the buffer is empty.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a device continues to transmit scheduling requests (SRs) according to SR periodicity even after data buffer becomes empty, then the device ensures reliable resource scheduling for potential data transmission, but unnecessary resource usage and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary action by starting a discard timer when data is added to the buffer. This timer predicts the data validity period in advance, allowing the device to proactively cancel SR transmissions before the buffer becomes empty, thereby avoiding unnecessary power consumption while maintaining scheduling reliability for actual data.
Solution Approach 2:
The discard timer provides continuous feedback about buffer status to the SR transmission mechanism. When the timer expires or is stopped, it signals that the buffer is empty or contains valid data, dynamically adjusting SR transmission behavior to match actual data availability, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable scheduling and energy efficiency.
2Reliability
If a device transmits multiple SRs over a period of time in case initial SR transmission fails, then the probability of successful scheduling increases, but unnecessary SR transmissions increase when data is no longer available
Solution Approach 1:
The discard timer is started in advance when data arrives in the buffer, establishing a validity window before SR transmissions occur. This preliminary timing mechanism allows the device to limit SR transmissions to only those within the data validity period, reducing the quantity of unnecessary SR transmissions while maintaining success rate for actual data.
Solution Approach 2:
The SR transmission behavior becomes dynamic through the discard timer mechanism. Instead of fixed periodic transmissions regardless of buffer status, the system dynamically adjusts SR transmission timing and quantity based on real-time buffer validity information from the timer, optimizing both success rate and transmission efficiency.
3Loss of energy
If a device monitors buffer status continuously to prevent unnecessary SR transmissions, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discard timer is a self-managing mechanism that automatically tracks buffer validity without requiring complex continuous monitoring. It self-starts when data arrives, self-timers for the validity period, and self-stops when data is transmitted or buffer becomes empty, providing simple buffer status feedback that reduces power consumption without significantly increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects described herein relate to transmitting a scheduling request (SR) for an uplink grant based at least in part on presence of data in a buffer, wherein the SR is scheduled for transmission according to a SR periodicity, and aborting, based at least in part on expiration of a discard timer corresponding to the buffer and/or the buffer being empty, at least a next SR that is scheduled for transmission according to the SR periodicity.