Uplink Scheduling Timing Estimation for Wireless Resource Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently scheduling uplink transmission of data packets, particularly in balancing delay and over-provisioning requirements for intermittent data generation applications like VoIP and gaming, where synchronization between packet generation and transmission is critical but difficult to maintain due to high user numbers and random delays.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that estimate the timing of data packet availability on the user equipment, detect lost alignment, and adjust scheduling accordingly to ensure timely and efficient uplink transmission by determining an updated estimate of packet availability based on alignment intervals, allowing for quick re-establishment of synchronization between packet generation and allocated resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the network schedules PUSCH transmission as soon as possible after packet generation to minimize delays, then delay is reduced, but the network may over-provision PUSCH resources to individual UEs
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary actions by estimating the timing of data packet generation at the UE based on application type characteristics (e.g., VoIP packet intervals). This allows the network to proactively allocate PUSCH resources in advance, enabling immediate transmission when packets are generated without waiting for scheduling requests, thus minimizing delay while avoiding over-provisioning through accurate predictive scheduling
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the network monitors actual packet transmission timing and compares it with estimated timing. Based on this feedback, the network adjusts future timing estimates for packet generation, improving the accuracy of predictive scheduling over time and optimizing resource allocation to prevent both delay and over-provisioning
2Productivity
If the network maintains perfect synchronization between UE packet generation and uplink transmission, then delay is minimized and resource efficiency is maximized, but this requires full awareness of exact packet generation timing which is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The network changes the parameter of timing estimation by deriving packet generation timing from application-specific characteristics (e.g., VoIP uses 20ms intervals, gaming uses frame rates). This parameter-based approach simplifies synchronization by converting the complex problem of tracking individual packet generation into a manageable estimation based on known application behaviors, reducing synchronization complexity while maintaining high scheduling efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes periodic action by recognizing that many applications generate packets at regular intervals (e.g., VoIP every 20ms, gaming at fixed frame rates). By aligning PUSCH resource allocation with these periodic patterns, the network achieves efficient synchronization without complex real-time tracking, reducing device complexity while maintaining high productivity through pattern-based predictive scheduling
3Quantity of substance
If the network uses scheduling requests and buffer status reports to allocate resources, then resource allocation is based on actual need, but considerable time delay occurs before the network is informed of transmission needs
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary resource allocation based on estimated packet generation timing before the UE actually generates or needs to transmit packets. By predicting when packets will be available based on application characteristics, the network pre-allocates PUSCH resources, eliminating the delay associated with scheduling requests and buffer status reports while maintaining accurate resource allocation based on actual transmission needs
Data Source
AI summary
A device (100) for scheduling uplink transmission comprises a timing estimator (110) configured to estimate the timing with which data packets are being available for uplink transmission in a User Equipment, UE, on the user side, and an uplink scheduler (120) configured to perform uplink scheduling in accordance with the estimated timing. The device further comprises a detector (130) configured to detect lost time alignment of UE data packet availability and allocated resources for uplink transmission based on reception of a predefined UE response on the uplink data channel. The device also comprises a determiner (140) configured to determine, in response to lost time alignment, an updated estimate of the timing with which data packets are being available for uplink transmission in the UE based on information representative of an alignment interval within which data packets are being available for uplink transmission in the UE after detection of lost time alignment. The uplink scheduler (120) is configured to perform uplink scheduling in accordance with the updated estimate of the timing to re-establish time alignment of UE data packet availability and allocated resources for uplink transmission.