Uplink Grant Detection Using DMRS for Terminal Energy Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

The issue of excessive power consumption in communication devices arises due to terminals sending padding data in response to uplink grants when they have no data to transmit, leading to inefficient energy usage and increased detection complexity for network devices.

Innovation Solution

The terminal devices send a pilot signal instead of padding data when no data is available, and network devices use power detection and demodulation reference signals to determine the energy-saving state, reducing detection complexity and optimizing resource utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If terminal devices send padding data when receiving uplink grants with no data to transmit, then the network device can maintain scheduling control, but power consumption of the terminal device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling controlVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential detection function from padding data by using only demodulation reference signals (DMRS) for uplink transmission when no data is available. The network device detects the terminal's presence and energy-saving state through DMRS power detection alone, removing the unnecessary padding data transmission that consumed power.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission parameter from sending padding data to sending only DMRS with reduced power. The terminal device transitions from normal data transmission mode to an energy-saving mode where only reference signals are transmitted at lower power levels, allowing the network to detect the state through power measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If terminal devices send no padding data when in energy-saving state, then power consumption is reduced, but detection complexity of the network device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddetection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex detection mechanisms with simple power-based detection. Instead of requiring full data packet analysis or acknowledgment protocols, the network device simply measures the power level of received DMRS signals to determine whether terminals are in normal or energy-saving states, significantly simplifying the detection process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal devices themselves provide the detection information by transmitting DMRS signals at different power levels. The presence, absence, or power level of these signals automatically indicates the terminal's state, eliminating the need for separate detection protocols or additional signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of time

If terminal devices continuously send padding data to maintain scheduling, then uplink scheduling delay is minimized, but resource utilization efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling delayVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic DMRS transmission at reduced power intervals instead of continuous padding data transmission. Terminals send DMRS signals periodically to maintain scheduling synchronization while consuming minimal power, allowing the network to detect their state without requiring continuous data transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP4708992A1Data transmission method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4708992A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4708992A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4708992A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A data transmission method and apparatus are provided. The method includes: receiving a first buffer status report BSR from a terminal device, where the first BSR indicates that a volume of to-be-transmitted data of the terminal device is 0; sending an uplink grant based on the first BSR, where the uplink grant indicates a first resource and a second resource; detecting a first power corresponding to the first resource; detecting a second power corresponding to the second resource, and detecting that there is a demodulation reference signal DMRS on the second resource; and determining, based on the first power and the second power, that the terminal device receives the uplink grant. According to the method in this application, the terminal device can achieve an energy saving effect. A network device can correctly determine that the terminal device receives the uplink grant and is in an energy saving state, so that detection complexity of the network device is reduced.