UE Data Transmission Mode Switching for Early Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication systems lack an efficient method for switching data transmission between radio access technologies, particularly for early data transmission, which limits data transmission capacity and increases latency and power consumption.

Innovation Solution

The development of a method that allows user equipment (UE) to autonomously switch between eMTC/NB-loT mode and NR-EDT mode based on data packet size, using distinct PRACH resource sets for each mode, enabling efficient data transmission without full RRC connection establishment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If legacy RACH procedure is used for early data transmission, then reliability is improved, but latency and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoidtransmission latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the RACH procedure into two distinct paths: legacy RACH for high reliability scenarios and EDT (Early Data Transmission) for low latency scenarios. The UE selectively chooses between these segmented paths based on packet size and service requirements, allowing optimization of both reliability and latency for different transmission scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic switching capability between legacy RACH and EDT procedures. The UE can dynamically select the appropriate transmission mode based on real-time conditions such as packet size, channel quality, and service type, making the system adaptive rather than static.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If full RRC connection establishment is performed, then data transmission capacity is improved, but power consumption and latency increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capacityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential data transmission functionality from the complete RRC connection establishment procedure. By allowing data transmission in the idle state through EDT, it removes the unnecessary steps of full connection establishment for small data packets, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining adequate transmission capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of performing the complete RRC connection establishment (excessive action), the patent enables partial action by allowing data transmission without full connection setup. The UE can transmit data in Msg3 of the random access procedure, which is sufficient for small packets but avoids the overhead of complete connection establishment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Device complexity

If PRACH resources are shared between legacy and EDT, then device complexity is reduced, but transmission reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource configuration complexityVSAvoidtransmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the PRACH resources into separate pools: one for legacy RACH procedures and another for EDT. This segmentation prevents resource conflicts between the two modes and ensures that EDT transmissions have dedicated resources, thereby maintaining high reliability without significantly increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a copied but specialized version of PRACH resources specifically for EDT. Instead of modifying the legacy resource structure, it establishes a parallel resource pool that mirrors the necessary functionality while being optimized for EDT requirements, thus maintaining reliability without complicating the original legacy structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4052527B1Method and apparatus for switching of data transmission between radio access technologies for early data transmission
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP4052527B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4052527B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4052527B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform: determining at least one condition; and based on the at least one condition, transmitting a data packet to a first access node using one of a first early data transmission type in a first mode of operation and a second early data transmission type in a second mode of operation of the apparatus.