Control Signaling for URLLC Preemption in NB-IoT and LTE-MTC

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In LTE-MTC and NB-IoT systems coexisting with NR systems, the LTE-MTC/NB-IoT terminals are unaware of resource occupation by URLLC services, leading to degraded transmission performance due to burst URLLC data preemption.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method and apparatus that send indication information in downlink or uplink control channels to inform LTE-MTC/NB-IoT terminals about potential resource occupancy by other services, allowing them to adjust their data transmission strategies, such as puncturing, muting, or dropping data to mitigate interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If burst URLLC data preempts LTE-MTC/NB-IoT resources, then URLLC low latency requirement is met, but LTE-MTC/NB-IoT transmission performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveURLLC data transmission speedVSAvoidLTE-MTC/NB-IoT transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The base station sends indication information in downlink control information to feedback to LTE-MTC/NB-IoT terminals about resource occupation by URLLC services. This feedback mechanism allows terminals to know when their resources are preempted and adjust their transmission accordingly, resolving the contradiction between URLLC speed requirements and LTE-MTC/NB-IoT reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by including indication information about future or current resource occupation in the downlink control information before the actual data transmission occurs. This allows LTE-MTC/NB-IoT terminals to prepare for potential resource conflicts in advance, adjusting their transmission strategy proactively rather than reactively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If LTE-MTC/NB-IoT terminals do not know about resource occupation by URLLC, then system simplicity is maintained, but transmission performance is affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal operation simplicityVSAvoiddata transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The downlink control information serves multiple functions: it provides standard control signaling for LTE-MTC/NB-IoT operations while simultaneously carrying indication information about URLLC resource occupation. This multi-functionality approach increases transmission efficiency without significantly increasing device complexity, as the indication information is integrated into existing control channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If LTE-MTC/NB-IoT terminals puncture or mute data to avoid interference, then transmission reliability improves, but data transmission efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoiddata transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal dynamically adjusts its transmission strategy based on the indication information received from the base station. When resource occupation is indicated, the terminal can temporarily puncture or mute data transmission to avoid interference. This dynamic adaptation improves reliability during conflict periods while maintaining efficiency during normal operation, resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3876644B1Methods and devices for sending and receiving messages, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 ZTE CORP
  • EP3876644B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3876644B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6
  • EP3876644B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for sending and receiving a message, and a storage medium. The above method for sending a message includes a step described below. Abase station sends indication information; where the indication information is sent in downlink control information or uplink control information, and the indication information indicates at least one of: information about a downlink data transmission of a first moment or a first time period of sending the indication information, or information about an uplink data transmission of a second moment or a second time period of sending the indication information.