5G UE Beam Selection for Configured Grant Small Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G wireless networks, especially in the NR Rel-17 SDT scheme, there is a challenge in reducing unnecessary power consumption and signaling overhead due to frequent connection setups for small data transmissions, as UEs need to constantly switch between RRC_CONNECTED and RRC_INACTIVE states, leading to inefficient beam monitoring and increased power usage.
Innovation Solution
The method involves adapting the monitoring of beams associated with a configured grant (CG) configuration for small data transmission by allowing User Equipment (UE) to selectively choose a subset of beams based on signal level thresholds and power saving modes, reducing the number of beams monitored and thus lowering power consumption and complexity without degrading performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UE monitors all beams associated with CG configuration for SDT, then transmission reliability is improved, but power consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the set of all beams into a first set (for TA validation) and a second set (for RSRP-based validation). The UE is configured to monitor only the first set of beams for time alignment validation, while using a second set of beams for signal level validation. This segmentation allows the UE to reduce monitoring overhead by using different beam sets for different validation purposes, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining transmission reliability through comprehensive validation coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different monitoring requirements to different beam sets based on their specific functions. The first set of beams is monitored for TA validation with specific timing requirements, while the second set of beams is monitored for RSRP-based validation with different criteria. This local differentiation of monitoring quality allows the system to optimize power consumption by not uniformly monitoring all beams with the same intensity, while still ensuring reliable transmission through targeted validation.
2Reliability
If UE performs TA validation using all beams, then transmission reliability is improved, but signaling overhead and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides beam validation into two distinct processes: TA validation using the first set of beams and RSRP-based validation using the second set of beams. This segmentation allows the UE to process beam validation in a more organized manner, reducing processing complexity by handling different validation types separately with appropriate methods, while maintaining overall transmission reliability through both validation stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary validation mechanism where the first set of beams serves as an intermediate step for TA validation, and the second set of beams provides an additional validation layer for RSRP-based assessment. This intermediary structure allows the system to achieve reliable transmission validation without requiring the UE to process all beams simultaneously with full complexity, thereby reducing overall processing burden.
3Reliability
If UE uses RRC_CONNECTED state for small data transmission, then connection reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the UE to perform small data transmissions in RRC_INACTIVE state using pre-configured CG resources, eliminating the need to resume to RRC_CONNECTED state for each small transmission. This preliminary configuration of resources and validation parameters allows the UE to maintain connection reliability for small data transmissions while avoiding the power consumption associated with frequent state transitions to RRC_CONNECTED.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows the UE to autonomously perform TA validation and RSRP-based validation using configured beam sets without requiring continuous network intervention or state transition. The UE self-manages the validation process using pre-configured parameters and beam sets, enabling reliable small data transmissions in RRC_INACTIVE state while minimizing power consumption by avoiding frequent RRC state transitions.
Data Source
AI summary
According to some embodiments, a method implemented by a first terminal device is provided. The method comprises: obtaining information about a first set of beams associated with configured resources for data transmission from a network node; obtaining a signal level threshold from the network node; and determining a second set of beams from the first set of beams based on at least the signal level threshold. The UE power consumption can be reduced for the CG based SDT, and the UE processing and complexity can also be reduced for the CG based SDT.