Uplink Resource Switching Based on Channel Quality Thresholds

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Solution Overview

Problem

The reliability of data transmission in grant-free (GF) resources is compromised due to unstable channel conditions, leading to data loss when the base station fails to detect signals, and existing methods do not adequately address this issue.

Innovation Solution

A data transmission method that dynamically selects between grant-free (GF) and grant-based (GB) resources based on current channel quality, using channel quality metrics like RSRP and RSRQ to determine the suitability of GF transmission, ensuring data is transmitted only when channel conditions are stable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If grant-free (GF) transmission is used to reduce scheduling latency and signaling overhead, then transmission speed is improved, but data transmission reliability deteriorates due to channel instability and lack of base station feedback

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission speedVSAvoiddata transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic switching between grant-free and grant-based transmission modes based on real-time channel quality assessment. The terminal device evaluates channel conditions (RSRP, RSRQ, SINR) and adaptively selects the appropriate transmission mode, making the system flexible and responsive to changing channel conditions rather than using a fixed transmission mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a feedback mechanism where the terminal device monitors channel quality metrics and uses this information to determine whether to switch between transmission modes. The base station also provides channel quality reference signals that enable the terminal to assess channel conditions and make informed decisions about transmission reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If grant-free transmission is used without channel quality assessment, then device complexity is reduced, but data loss increases due to unstable channel conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoiddata transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary channel quality assessment before initiating grant-free transmission. The terminal device measures channel quality metrics (RSRP, RSRQ, SINR) in advance and compares them against threshold values to determine whether channel conditions are suitable for GF transmission, preventing data loss by avoiding transmission during poor channel conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission mode parameter based on channel quality parameters. When channel quality metrics exceed predefined thresholds, the system enables grant-free transmission; when thresholds are not met, it switches to grant-based transmission, using parameter changes to adapt to channel conditions while maintaining manageable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If the terminal device always assumes successful data reception without feedback, then signaling overhead is reduced, but transmission reliability deteriorates due to undetected data loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignaling overheadVSAvoidtransmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic transmission mode selection that balances signaling overhead and reliability. The terminal device can switch between grant-free mode (lower overhead, lower reliability) and grant-based mode (higher overhead, higher reliability) based on channel conditions, allowing the system to optimize the trade-off between signaling overhead and transmission reliability in real-time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces channel quality metrics as an intermediary between the transmission decision and the actual data transmission. By using RSRP, RSRQ, and SINR measurements as intermediate assessment criteria, the system can make informed decisions about transmission reliability without requiring constant feedback signaling, thus balancing overhead and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3843486B1Uplink data transmission according to grant-free (GF) to grant-based (GB)
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3843486B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3843486B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3843486B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

This application provides a data transmission method and a terminal device, to reduce a data transmission latency and improve data transmission reliability. The method includes: obtaining, by a terminal device, a grant-free GF resource configured by a base station; obtaining, by the terminal device, current channel quality; and if the current channel quality is first channel quality, transmitting, by the terminal device, to-be-transmitted data by using the GF resource, or transmitting, by the terminal device, the to-be-transmitted data by using a GB resource, where the first channel quality falls within a first range; or if the current channel quality is second channel quality, skipping, by the terminal device, transmitting to-be-transmitted data by using the GF resource, where the second channel quality falls within a second range; where the first channel quality is better than the second channel quality, and the first range is different from the second range.