Uplink Channel Overlap Handling in 5G Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication systems face challenges in maintaining communication flexibility when grant-based and grant-free physical uplink channels overlap, leading to affected transmission reliability and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves processing each piece of data in the arrival order at the MAC layer and prioritizing the transmission of the grant-free physical uplink channel over the grant-based channel when they overlap, ensuring quick and reliable transmission of URLLC data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If grant-based physical uplink channel and grant-free physical uplink channel overlap, then communication flexibility is improved, but transmission reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication flexibilityVSAvoidtransmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by enabling dynamic switching between grant-based and grant-free channels based on real-time data arrival conditions. The MAC layer dynamically determines which channel to use by checking whether data is available for grant-free transmission, allowing the system to adapt to changing transmission needs while maintaining both flexibility and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of channel selection criteria from fixed to conditional. Instead of always using grant-free channel or always using grant-based channel, the system changes the selection parameter based on whether data is available for grant-free transmission, thereby resolving the contradiction between flexibility and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If processing of grant-free physical uplink channel is stopped at MAC layer, then channel overlap is handled, but transmission efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel overlap handlingVSAvoidtransmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the MAC layer as an intermediary that mediates between the grant-based and grant-free channels. The MAC layer processes data in arrival order and makes intelligent decisions about which channel to use, acting as a mediator that resolves channel overlap issues without stopping processing, thereby maintaining transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by processing data in arrival order at the MAC layer before channel selection. This preliminary processing allows the system to prepare data for transmission and make informed decisions about channel allocation, avoiding the need to stop processing and maintaining transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If grant-free physical uplink channel is preferentially sent, then transmission reliability is improved, but communication flexibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of channel selection from fixed preference to conditional selection. The system preferentially selects grant-free channel when data is available for URLLC transmission, but switches to grant-based channel when data is not available or when grant-free channel is not suitable, thereby maintaining both reliability and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by enabling dynamic channel selection based on real-time data availability and transmission requirements. The system dynamically adjusts its behavior to prefer grant-free channel when appropriate, but adapts to use grant-based channel when needed, resolving the contradiction between reliability preference and communication flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3787212B1Communication method and communication device
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3787212B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3787212B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3787212B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

This application provides a communication method and a communications apparatus. The communication method includes: determining a first determining result when a first physical uplink channel and a second physical uplink channel overlap in time domain, where the first determining result includes a determining result about whether first data is intended to be sent, the first physical uplink channel includes a dynamic grant physical uplink channel, and the second physical uplink channel includes a configured grant physical uplink channel; and determining, in the first physical uplink channel and the second physical uplink channel based on the first determining result, a target physical uplink channel that is intended to be sent. In this way, communication flexibility can be improved.