Configured Grant Uplink Scheduling With HARQ Timer Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently utilizing configured grants for uplink data transmission in unlicensed frequency bands, particularly in environments where Listen-Before-Talk mechanisms are employed, leading to inefficiencies and suboptimal resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

Implementing enhanced methods and systems for uplink data transmission on configured grants, including mechanisms for handling configured grant timers and adapting transmission strategies based on downlink feedback information, to optimize resource allocation and reduce contention in unlicensed bands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If Listen-Before-Talk mechanism is used for channel access in unlicensed bands, then channel collision is reduced, but transmission efficiency and resource utilization deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel access reliabilityVSAvoidtransmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by implementing configured grants that pre-allocate uplink resources before actual transmission occurs. The gNB configures grant opportunities in advance, and the UE prepares transmission buffers and parameters beforehand, reducing the need for real-time LBT and improving transmission efficiency while maintaining channel access reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes feedback mechanisms where the gNB receives downlink feedback information about channel conditions and transmission success, then adjusts future configured grant configurations accordingly. This feedback loop optimizes resource allocation over time, improving transmission efficiency without compromising the reliability ensured by LBT.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If configured grants are used for uplink transmission, then resource allocation is simplified, but contention and resource utilization inefficiency increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation simplicityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making configured grant configurations adaptable rather than static. The gNB can dynamically adjust grant parameters, timing, and resource allocation based on real-time channel conditions and feedback information, optimizing resource utilization efficiency while maintaining the operational simplicity of configured grants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by modifying configured grant parameters such as timing offsets, resource sizes, and transmission parameters based on downlink feedback and channel conditions. This allows the system to maintain simple configured grant operation while improving resource utilization efficiency through adaptive parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If LBT is performed for each configured grant transmission, then channel access is controlled, but transmission latency and time loss increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel access controlVSAvoidtransmission latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing LBT in advance during configuration setup rather than before each individual transmission. The gNB configures grant opportunities with pre-assessed channel conditions, allowing rapid transmission without repeated LBT, thus reducing transmission latency while maintaining reliable channel access control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuity of useful action by establishing configured grant transmissions that can proceed continuously once initiated, without interruption for repeated LBT procedures. The pre-configured nature of these grants allows seamless transmission flow, reducing time loss while maintaining channel access reliability through initial LBT and ongoing feedback mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP3963785B1Methods, apparatus and systems for enhanced uplink data transmission on configured grants
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 INTERDIGITAL PATENT HOLDINGS INC
  • EP3963785B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3963785B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3963785B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

Methods, apparatus and systems are disclosed. In one representative method, a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) may receive information associated with one or more configured grants (CGs), may select a first CG corresponding to a first CG configuration, and may transmit, on a CG occasion associated with the first CG, a transport block (TB) using resources associated with the first CG. The WTRU may also start a CG timer for the first CG responsive to a transmission of the TB, and receive a HARQ Acknowledgement (ACK) indication indicating a HARQ-ACK feedback value and associated with a HARQ Process ID (PID) in Downlink Feedback Information (DFI) of Downlink Control Information (DCI). In this representative method, after reception of the HARQ ACK indication and on condition that a HARQ-ACK feedback value is equal to ACK, the WTRU may stop the CG timer and may flush a HARQ buffer associated with the HARQ PID.