URLLC Data Transmission During Measurement Gaps

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Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G new radio (NR) systems, ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC) data transmission is hindered during measurement gaps, violating latency requirements as client devices cannot transmit URLLC data during these periods, leading to potential service disruptions in critical applications.

Innovation Solution

A client device is configured to terminate preconfigured measurement gaps independently to transmit URLLC data, utilizing a second layer and MAC layer to forward URLLC data while omitting non-URLLC data until the gap passes, and can use preconfigured or network-defined logical channels for transmission, ensuring URLLC quality of service is met.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If measurement gaps are maintained for radio quality measurements, then measurement coverage is improved, but URLLC data transmission latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradio quality measurementVSAvoidURLLC data transmission latency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement gap configuration is made dynamic by allowing the second layer to terminate measurement gaps based on real-time data buffer status. When URLLC data arrives during a measurement gap, the system dynamically adjusts by forwarding the data to the MAC layer for immediate transmission, rather than strictly adhering to the preconfigured measurement gap schedule.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The second layer acts as an intermediary between the data buffer and the MAC layer. It receives information about measurement gaps from the MAC layer and makes intelligent decisions about data forwarding based on the type of data (URLLC vs. non-URLLC) and the measurement gap status, thereby mediating between measurement requirements and transmission requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of time

If measurement gaps are terminated for URLLC data transmission, then latency requirements are met, but measurement coverage is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveURLLC data transmission latencyVSAvoidradio quality measurement
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Different data types are treated differently during measurement gaps. URLLC data is prioritized and forwarded to the MAC layer for immediate transmission, while non-URLLC data is withheld until the measurement gap completes. This local differentiation ensures that only critical data transmission is affected, while measurement coverage is preserved for non-critical data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the forwarding parameter based on data type and measurement gap status. For URLLC data arriving during measurement gaps, the forwarding parameter is changed to 'immediate forward to MAC layer', while for non-URLLC data, the parameter remains 'withhold until gap ends'. This parameter change enables flexible adaptation to different QoS requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If all data is forwarded during measurement gaps, then transmission continuity is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission continuityVSAvoidradio quality measurement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different forwarding policies to different data types during measurement gaps. URLLC data is forwarded immediately to maintain transmission continuity for critical services, while non-URLLC data is withheld to preserve measurement accuracy. This local quality differentiation ensures that measurement accuracy is maintained overall while critical transmission continuity is preserved.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3782417B1Urllc data during measurement gaps
Publication Date: 2024.01.03 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3782417B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3782417B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3782417B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

During a measurement gap, a client device, such as a mobile phone, may not be able to transmit ultra-reliable low-latency communication, URLLC, data. Since the latency requirements of URLLC may be strict, the client device may not be able to fulfil these requirements, if a URLLC data packet is scheduled for transmission during a measurement gap. It is an object to provide a procedure for handling URLLC data transmission during measurement gaps in wireless radio communication. In response to URLLC data arriving to a data buffer of a client device, the client device may terminate the measurement gap irrespective of the configuration of the measurement gap and transmit the URLLC data. A client device, a network access device, methods, and a computer program are described.