Contention-Based Uplink Access Control via Preliminary Action

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Solution Overview

Problem

Contention-based uplink transmission in wireless communications systems faces delays and inefficiencies due to the need for UEs to wait for scheduling grants, leading to power consumption issues and unnecessary interference, especially when not all CB grants result in uplink transmissions.

Innovation Solution

The method involves determining and transmitting configuration information for multiple contention-based uplink transmission opportunities along with access control signals to UEs, indicating whether CB transmission is allowed, thereby reducing access delays and optimizing resource usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the eNB repeatedly transmits CB grants to reduce UE access delay, then UE uplink transmission speed is improved, but downlink transmission resources are wasted and interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUE uplink transmission speedVSAvoiddownlink transmission resources waste
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The eNB transmits configuration information for multiple potential CB transmission opportunities in advance, including access control signals that indicate whether CB transmission is allowed. This preliminary action allows UEs to prepare and access resources faster without requiring repeated grant transmissions, thereby reducing access delay while conserving downlink resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If the eNB repeatedly transmits CB grants to reduce UE access delay, then UE uplink transmission speed is improved, but eNB power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUE uplink transmission speedVSAvoideNB power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The eNB provides configuration information and access control signals in advance, enabling UEs to autonomously determine when CB transmission is permitted. This eliminates the need for continuous CB grant transmissions, reducing eNB power consumption while maintaining fast UE access capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Use of energy by moving object

If UEs use DRX to reduce power consumption, then UE power consumption is reduced, but UE access delay increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUE power consumptionVSAvoidUE access delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The eNB transmits configuration information for multiple CB transmission opportunities and associated access control signals in advance, allowing UEs in DRX mode to wake up, check the access control signals, and immediately access uplink resources without waiting for individual CB grants. This resolves the contradiction by enabling fast access while maintaining DRX power savings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Loss of time

If CB grants are transmitted frequently to reduce access delay, then UE transmission response time is improved, but downlink interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess delayVSAvoiddownlink interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The eNB provides configuration information and access control signals in advance, allowing UEs to autonomously determine CB transmission opportunities. This eliminates frequent CB grant transmissions that cause interference, while still enabling rapid UE access when conditions permit, thus reducing both access delay and downlink interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2540130B1Methods and arrangements for contention-based uplink transmission in a wireless communications system
Publication Date: 2018.04.25 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP2540130B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2540130B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2540130B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

The present invention relates to a user equipment and a radio base station, and to related methods of enabling contention-based uplink transmission. The method comprises the steps of determining (210) configuration information for at least one contention-based uplink transmission opportunity, transmitting (220) the configuration information to at least one user equipment, and for each of the at least one contention-based uplink transmission opportunity, transmitting (230) an access control signal to the at least one user equipment, indicating whether contention-based uplink transmission is allowed for the opportunity.