DESC:CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application is related to and claims the benefit of priority from the Indian Provisional Patent Application with Serial No. 5844/CHE/2015 titled “A METHOD FOR DESIGNATING A PREAMBLE FOR PIGGY BACKING DATA”, filed on October 29, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated in entirety by the way of reference.

A) TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to network elements. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to preambles of data packets. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to preambles specifically designed for piggy-backing data.

B) BACKGROUND
[0003] Identifying the data packets that have been transferred immediately after the preamble has always remained a cumbersome task. The said task is rendered complicated given the fact that the data packets that follow the preamble are typically characterized by small data sizes, i.e., in the range of 50-100 bits. A typical example of the aforementioned scenario would include a utility User Equipment (UE) transmitting electricity meter readings to the utility company, wherein the electricity meter reading are typically in the range of 50-100 bits.
[0004] In prior art systems and methods, the User Equipment transmits data only after the corresponding eNodeB grants resource blocks for the User Equipment. The eNodeB grants resource blocks to the User Equipment in either a contention based manner or in a contention free manner.
[0005] Typically, contention based random access procedure includes four steps (FIG.1a). At the first step, a random access preamble is generated on Random Access Channel (RACH), in uplink. Typically, two groups of preambles are allowed, with one group of preambles being optional. If both the preamble groups are configured, the size of message and path loss is used to determine the group from which the preamble is selected. The group, to which a preamble belongs, provides an indication of the size of the message and the radio conditions at the User Equipment. Typically, the preamble group information in combination with the necessary thresholds is broadcast on system information. Subsequently, an RAR(random access response) is generated by MAC (Medium Access Control), on a DL-SCH (Down Link Shared Channel). The random access response generated is typically semi-synchronous, with no HARQ (Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request). The random access response conveys at least RA-preamble identifier, timing alignment information for the pTAG (Primary Timing Advance Group), initial UL grant and assignment of temporary C-RNTI (Cell Radio Network Temporary Identifier). Typically, the random access response is intended for a plurality of User Equipments on UL-SCH (Uplink Shared Channel). The first scheduled uplink transmission on UL-SCH uses HARQ. The size of transport blocks typically depend on the UL grant. For initial access, the UL transmission conveys the RRC (Radio Resource Control) connection request generated by RRC layer and transmitted via CCCH (Common Control Channel). The UL transmission conveys at least NAS UE (Non Access Stratum User Equipment) without an NAS (Non Access Stratum) message. For an RRC reconnection reestablishment, the aforementioned procedure is repeated. Subsequent to the handover, in the target cell, the UL transmission conveys the ciphered and integrity protected RRC Handover Confirm generated by the RRC layer and transmitted via DCCH (Dedicated Control Channel). The UL transmission further conveys the C-RNTI of the UE (which was allocated via the Handover Command), and also includes an uplink Buffer Status Report when possible. For contention resolution Down Link (DL), the eNodeB does not wait for NAS reply before resolving the contention.Further, HARQ feedback is transmitted only by the User Equipment which detects its own UE identity, as provided in the message and echoed in the Contention Resolution message.For initial access and RRC Connection Re-establishment procedure, no segmentation is used.
[0006] Further, in case of contention-free random access procedure (FIG.1b), eNodeB assigns to User Equipment, a non-contention random access preamble signaled via either a HO (Handover) command generated by target eNB and sent via source eNB for handover, or a PDCCH (Physical Down Link Control Channel) in case of DL data arrival or positioning, or the PDCCH for initial UL time alignment for a sTAG (Secondary Timing Advance Group). Subsequently, the User Equipment transmits the assigned non-contention Random Access Preamble on RACH (Random Access Channel) in uplink. The random access preamble response on the DL-SCH is typically semi-synchronous (within a flexible window of which the size is two or more TTIs) with message. The random access preamble response does not support HARQ and supports at least the timing alignment information and initial UL grant for handover, timing Alignment information for DL data arrival, RA-preamble identifier, Intended for one or multiple User Equipments in one DL-SCH message.
[0007] Neither the contention based manner nor the contention free manner enables User Equipments to transmit data without waiting for the RAR (Random Access Response) from the corresponding eNodeB.

C) OBJECTS
[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for modifying preambles of data packets.
[0009] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for detecting the presence of data that has been immediately transmitted post transmission of preamble.
[0010] One more object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for designating a preamble that signifies that data has been attached thereto.
[0011] Still a further object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for enabling eNodeB to generate specific resource blocks.
[0012] One more object of the present disclosure is to provide a method that enhances the communications between a User Equipment and an eNodeB.

D) SUMMARY
[0013] The present disclosure envisages a method that detects the presence of data that has been transmitted immediately after the transmission of preamble of data packets. The present disclosure envisages a method that designates at least one preamble for piggy backing data of known size. The method envisaged by the present disclosure is particularly relevant to 5G or Machine to Machine (M2M) technology space where piggy-backing of data is desirable for reduced latency, better responsiveness and reduced network load. The present disclosure envisages a method to preferably transmit data packets along with preamble sequence without receiving an RAR (Random Access Response) from an eNodeB. Further, it is also within the scope of the present disclosure to transmit data packet either before the transmission of preamble sequence or after the transmission of preamble sequence, without receiving the RAR from the eNodeB.

E) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0014] The other objects, features and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings in which:
[0015] FIG.1a is flow chart illustrating prior art contention based random access method;
[0016] FIG.1b is a flow chart illustrating prior art contention free random access method;
[0017] FIG.2 is a flow chart illustrating the steps involved in a method for configuring random access preamble signatures for piggy backing data, in accordance with the present disclosure; and
[0018] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the system for configuring random access preamble signatures for piggy backing data, in accordance with the present disclosure.

F) DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] To overcome the drawbacks and deficiencies associated with the prior art systems and methods, the present disclosure envisages a method for configuring random access preamble signatures for piggy backing data to be transmitted in a contention-free random access channel procedure. The method envisaged by the present disclosure designates at least one preamble for piggy backing data of known size and transmits data along with (or after or before) the random access preamble signature, before receiving Random Access Response.
[0020] Referring to FIG.2 there is shown a flow chart illustrating the steps involved in a method for designating a preamble for piggy backing data. At step 200, the User Equipment reads the data to be transmitted. The data, for example, is one of a meter reading, pressure reading, and temperature reading. The data read by the user equipment is stored, prior to transmission in a memory module (of the user equipment). Subsequent to collecting the data to be transmitted, the User Equipment synchronizes its clock (for example, with respect to the received Primary and Secondary Synchronization Signal) and waits for a transmission opportunity.
[0021] Subsequently, at step 202, a predetermined preamble signature is designated to the User Equipment, and the User Equipment is configured to transmit the collected data and preamble signature via the contention-free random access channel procedure. At step 204, the user equipment generates configuration information, which is indicative of radio resource blocks to be used for transmission of the collected data and preamble signature. At step 206, when a transmission opportunity is made available, the user equipment transmits the collected data, preamble signature and configuration information to a multiplexer.
[0022] At step 208, the multiplexer generates a time-frequency resource block mapping the preamble signature and the collected data to the radio resource blocks (used for transmission of the collected data and preamble signature), and designates the preamble signature to specify positioning of the collected data on the radio resource blocks. In this manner, the multiplexer enables identification of the positioning of collected data over the radio resource blocks based on the preamble signature. When the collected data is transmitted from the multiplexer to a base station (or an eNodeB), the collected data is transmitted either immediately after the transmission of the preamble signature or appended to the preamble signature or is offset (either positively or negatively) with reference to the transmitted preamble signature. The sequence generated by the multiplexer enables for identification of positioning of the collected data with reference to the preamble signature, on the radio resource blocks used for transmission.
[0023] Preferably, immediately after the transmission of the designated preamble, the User Equipment transmits the data to the base station (eNodeB).The eNodeB detects the designated preamble and by virtue of the preamble being designated for data transmission without contention and without being allocated by the eNodeB during Random Access, the eNodeB reads the subsequent known data.
[0024] In accordance with the present disclosure, the preamble signature is designated to specify the positioning of data as preceding positioning of the preamble signature on the radio resource blocks. Alternatively, the preamble signature is designated to specify the positioning of data as succeeding the positioning of the preamble signature on the radio resource blocks. Alternatively, the preamble signature is designated to specify the positioning of data as being offset with reference the positioning of the preamble signature on the radio resource blocks.
[0025] Referring to FIG.3, there is shown a block diagram illustrating the system 300 for configuring random access preamble signatures for piggy backing data to be transmitted in a contention-free random access channel procedure. Thesystem 300 includes a user equipment 30 configured to collect the data to be transmitted to a base station 32 the via contention-free random access channel procedure.The data, for example, is one of a meter reading, pressure reading, and temperature reading. Preferably, the data read by the user equipment is stored, prior to transmission in a memory module (not shown in figures) of the user equipment 30.Typically, the user equipment 30 is assigned a predetermined random access preamble by the base station 32. The user equipment 30 further generates control information indicative of the radio resource blocks to be used for transmission of the collected data and preamble signature.
[0026] The system 300 further includes a multiplexer (MUX) 34 that cooperates with the user equipment 30 to receive the collected data, preamble signature and the control information. The multiplexer 34 subsequently generates a time-frequency resource block mapping the preamble signature and the collected data to the radio resource blocks (by multiplexing the preamble signature, collected data and information indicative of radio resource blocks), thereby designating the preamble signature to specify positioning of the collected data on the radio resource blocks, and thereby enabling identification of the positioning of collected data over the radio resource blocks, based on the preamble signature.
[0027] As shown in FIG.3, the time-frequency resource block illustrates a mapping between the preamble sequence (comprising samples Pn-2 and Pn-1), the collected data (D0 and D1) and the radio resource blocks (slots; used for transmitting the preamble sequence and the collected data). Further, in FIG.3, for the sake of brevity only two preamble samples Pn-2 and Pn-1 are shown to be transmitted by the Multiplexer 34 and it would be obvious to one skilled in the art to transmit the remaining preamble samples in another transmission opportunity. It is apparent that the preamble sequence could contain multiple preamble samples spread across multiple radio resource blocks, and that the two preamble samples Pn-2 and Pn-1 have been illustrated as an example, and not as a limitation.
[0028] In accordance with the present disclosure, the multiplexer 34 has been shown as a separate entity for the purposes of illustration only, and it should be apparent to one skilled in the art that the multiplexer 34 could also be integrated into the user equipment 32. Further, the base station 32 typically includes a demultiplexer (not shown in figures) for demultiplexing the output received from the multiplexer 34, which in this scenario is the time-frequency resource block mapping the preamble signature and the collected data to the radio resource blocks. The demultiplexer has not been described in any of the figures for the sake of brevity. However, the implementation of a demultiplexer in the system 300 would be apparent to a person reasonably skilled in the art.

G) TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES
[0029] The technical advantages envisaged by the present disclosure include the realization of a method for modifying preambles of data packets. The method detects the presence of data that has been immediately transmitted post transmission of preamble. The method designs a preamble that signifies that data has been attached thereto. Further, the method also enables an eNodeB to generate specific resource blocks. The method enhances the communications between a User Equipment and an eNodeB. ,CLAIMS:1. A method for configuring random access preamble signatures for piggy backing data to be transmitted in a contention-free random access channel procedure, said method comprising the following steps:
collecting the data using a User Equipment, and storing collected data in the User Equipment prior to transmission;
designating a preamble signature to the User Equipment, and configuring the User Equipment to transmit collected data and preamble signature via the contention-free random access channel procedure;
generating, at the User Equipment, configuration information indicative of radio resource blocks to be used for transmission of the collected data and preamble signature;
transmitting the collected data, preamble signature and configuration information to a multiplexer;
generating using the multiplexer, a time-frequency resource block mapping the preamble signature and the collected data to the radio resource blocks, and designating the preamble signature to specify positioning of the collected data on the radio resource blocks, thereby enabling identification of the positioning of collected data over the radio resource blocks based on the preamble signature.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of designating the preamble signature to specify positioning of the collected data on the radio resource blocks, further includes the following steps:
selectively designating the preamble signature to specify the positioning of data as preceding positioning of the preamble signature on the radio resource blocks;
selectively designating the preamble signature to specify the positioning of data as succeeding the positioning of the preamble signature on the radio resource blocks; and
selectively designating the preamble signature to specify the positioning of data as being offset with reference the positioning of the preamble signature on the radio resource blocks.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of designating the preamble signature to specify positioning of the collected data on the radio resource blocks, further includes the step of designating the preamble signature to piggy back the collected data.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of generating a time-frequency resource block mapping the preamble signature and the collected data to the radio resource blocks, further includes the step of transmitting the collected data to a base station using the time frequency resource block.

5. A system for configuring random access preamble signatures for piggy backing data to be transmitted in a contention-free random access channel procedure, said system comprising:
a User equipment configured to collect the data to be transmitted to a base station the via contention-free random access channel procedure, and store collected data, said user equipment assigned a random access preamble by the base station, said user equipment still further configured to generate control information indicative of radio resource blocks to be used for transmission of the collected data and preamble signature;
a multiplexer cooperating with said user equipment to receive the collected data, preamble signature and the control information, said multiplexer configured to generate a time-frequency resource block mapping the preamble signature and the collected data to the radio resource blocks, said multiplexer still further configured to designate the preamble signature to specify positioning of the collected data on the radio resource blocks, and thereby enabling identification of the positioning of collected data over the radio resource blocks, based on the preamble signature.

6. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the multiplexer is further configured to:
selectively designate the preamble signature to specify the positioning of data as preceding positioning of the preamble signature on the radio resource blocks;
selectively designate the preamble signature to specify the positioning of data as succeeding the positioning of the preamble signature on the radio resource blocks; and
selectively designate the preamble signature to specify the positioning of data as being offset with reference the positioning of the preamble signature on the radio resource blocks.