Uplink Control Information Skipping for Power Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in power saving and efficient use of network resources, particularly in the transmission of uplink control information (UCI) over physical uplink shared channels (PUSCH) and physical uplink control channels (PUCCH).
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an apparatus and method that allow a user equipment (UE) to skip the transmission of UCI based on rules configured by a radio access network node. These rules include conditions such as the indication of unused configured grant PUSCH transmission occasions, absence of uplink user data, and specific mobility states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If uplink control information is transmitted in every scheduled occasion, then network control reliability is improved, but device power consumption increases and network resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by transmitting UCI only when necessary rather than in every scheduled occasion. The network node configures a set of PUSCH transmission occasions, and the UE transmits UCI only in occasions where uplink data is actually present, avoiding unnecessary transmissions when the buffer is empty. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability through selective transmission while reducing power consumption and resource waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service through buffer status reporting mechanisms. The UE autonomously determines whether to transmit UCI based on its own buffer status and the configured skipping rules, without requiring explicit network instructions for each transmission decision. The network node provides the skipping configuration, and the UE independently evaluates conditions (such as whether uplink data is present) to make transmission decisions, reducing network overhead while maintaining control reliability.
2Reliability
If uplink control information is transmitted frequently, then network monitoring capability is improved, but radio resource efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by transmitting UCI only in PUSCH occasions where uplink data is actually present. The network node configures multiple PUSCH transmission occasions, and the UE selectively transmits UCI based on buffer status and configured skipping rules. This ensures the network maintains monitoring capability through periodic UCI transmissions while avoiding resource waste from transmissions when there is no uplink data, thus improving radio resource efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transmission parameter (UCI presence) based on buffer status conditions. When the uplink data buffer is empty, the UE skips UCI transmission according to configured rules; when data is present, normal UCI transmission occurs. This dynamic parameter adjustment allows the system to maintain adequate monitoring capability while optimizing radio resource usage by eliminating redundant transmissions.
3Use of energy by moving object
If uplink control information transmission is skipped, then power consumption is reduced and resource efficiency is improved, but transmission reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through buffer status reporting. The network node configures skipping rules based on uplink data presence, and the UE provides feedback about its buffer status. The network node receives this feedback and adjusts the configuration of PUSCH transmission occasions and UCI skipping rules accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that UCI transmission is skipped only when safe to do so (when no uplink data is pending), maintaining transmission reliability while reducing power consumption and resource usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the network node pre-configure the set of PUSCH transmission occasions and UCI skipping rules before actual transmissions occur. The configuration includes criteria for when UCI should be skipped (e.g., when uplink buffer is empty). This preliminary configuration allows the UE to make autonomous transmission decisions without real-time network intervention, ensuring reliability through pre-planned transmission opportunities while enabling power savings through predetermined skipping conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method comprising receiving, from a radio access network node, a configuration indicating one or more rules for skipping a transmission of uplink control information, wherein the one or more rules comprise at least a condition that an indication indicating one or more unused configured grant physical uplink shared channel transmission occasions has been transmitted; and determining, based on the one or more rules, whether to skip at least one scheduled transmission of the uplink control information.