Claims:WE CLAIM:

1. A method of enhancing uplink transmission handling in a Discontinuous Reception (DRX) mode of a User Equipment (UE), the method comprising:
triggering, by the UE, an uplink data transmission request at a current transmission time in the DRX mode;
computing a first scheduling request time for transmitting a first scheduling request to an eNodeB, on receiving an uplink data to be transmitted;
calculating a difference between the first scheduling request time and the current transmission time;
determining a hardware stability time;
computing a wakeup transmission time if the calculated difference is more than the
hardware stability time; and
determining a wake up procedure triggering time by taking the difference between the wakeup transmission time and the hardware stability time;
enabling enhanced uplink transmission handling by triggering transmission of data packets at the wake up procedure triggering time.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining a next scheduling request time, if the calculated difference is less than the hardware stability time; and
recalculating a difference between the next scheduling request time and the current transmission time.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the hardware stability time is the time required for the UE to switch from a sleep mode to an active mode.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein calculating the wakeup transmission time comprises of:
assigning the first scheduling request time value to a variable next scheduling request time (NEXT_SR_TTI), if the calculated difference is more than the hardware stability time; and
computing a minimum of a next on duration transmission time, the next scheduling request time (NEXT_SR_TTI), and a Paging Transmission Time Interval (TTI).

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the DRX mode is a DRX sleep mode.

6. A method of enhancing uplink transmission handling in a Discontinuous Reception (DRX) mode of a User Equipment (UE), the method comprising:
triggering, by the UE, an uplink data transmission request at a current transmission time in the DRX mode;
computing a first scheduling request time for transmitting a first scheduling request to an eNodeB, on receiving an uplink data to be transmitted;
determining if the first scheduling request is served;
computing a wakeup transmission time if the first scheduling request is not served;
determining a hardware stability time;
determining a wakeup procedure triggering time by taking the difference between the wakeup transmission time and the hardware stability time; and
enabling enhanced uplink transmission handling by triggering transmission of data packets at the wakeup procedure triggering time.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the DRX mode is a DRX active mode.

8. A User Equipment (UE) comprising:
a transceiver configured to receive an uplink data transmission request; and
a processor, in a Discontinuous Reception (DRX) sleep mode, configured to:
trigger an uplink data transmission request at a current transmission time in the DRX mode;
compute a first scheduling request time for transmitting a first scheduling request to an eNodeB, on receiving an uplink data to be transmitted;
calculate a difference between the first scheduling request time and the current transmission time;
determine a hardware stability time;
compute a wakeup transmission time if the calculated difference is more than the hardware stability time; and
determine a wake up procedure triggering time by taking the difference between the wakeup transmission time and the hardware stability time;
provide enhanced uplink transmission handling by triggering transmission of data packets at the determined triggering time.

9. The UE of claim 8, wherein the processor in a DRX active period, is adapted to:
determine if the first scheduling request is served;
compute a wakeup transmission time if the first scheduling request is not served;
determine a hardware stability time;
determine a wake up procedure triggering time by taking the difference between the wakeup transmission time and the hardware stability time; and
provide enhanced uplink transmission handling by triggering transmission of data packets at the wakeup procedure triggering time.

Dated this the 30th day of July 2015
Signature

KEERTHI J S
Patent agent
Agent for the applicant

, Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
[39 of 1970]
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(Section 10; Rule 13)

METHOD OF ENHANCING UPLINK TRANSMISSION HANDLING IN DISCONTINUOUS RECEPTION (DRX) MODE OF AN USER EQUIPMENT

SAMSUNG R&D INSTITUTE INDIA – BANGALORE PRIVATE LIMITED,
#2870, Orion Building, Bagmane Constellation Business Park,
Outer Ring Road, Doddanekundi Circle,
Marathahalli Post, Bangalore – 560037,
Karnataka, India,
an Indian Company

The following Specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to telecommunication, and more particularly relates, to a method of enhancing uplink transmission of a User Equipment in a discontinuous reception (DRX) mode through a scheduling request or random access channel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Long Term Evolution wireless communication system (LTE system) established upon the 3G mobile telecommunication system, supports only packet-switched transmission, and tends to implement both Medium Access Control (MAC) layer and Radio Link Control (RLC) layer in base stations (Node Bs) alone rather than in base stations and Radio Network Controller (RNC) respectively, so that the system structure becomes simple.

In LTE system, a base station (evolved Node B – eNB) in network performs radio resource allocation to provide User Equipments (UEs) with resources for uplink or downlink data transfer. Generally, there are two kinds of resource allocations, dynamic resource allocation and pre-configured resource allocation. For the pre-configured resource allocation, the network allocates radio resource to the UEs by Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, and allows the UEs to transmit or receive a certain amount of data at periodic time intervals, to achieve data exchange with the network. On the other hand, for the dynamic resource allocation, the network dynamically allocates radio resources to the UEs depending on UE number of the cell area, traffic volume and quality of service (QoS) requirements of each UE, and the UE monitors a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) to find possible allocation of dynamic resources for transmitting and receiving data.

In the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), discontinuous reception (DRX) is used between the network and the UE to save the battery power of UE. The UE is configured by a radio resource control/media access control (RRC/MAC) with a DRX functionality that allows it to stop monitoring the PDCCH for a period of time (i.e., a sleep period). The DRX functionality consists of a DRX cycle where, the long DRX cycle provides a longer sleep period for the UE than the short DRX cycle.

In LTE, for an uplink transmission, UE requests grant from eNodeB through two procedures, either Scheduling Request (SR) or Random Access Channel (RACH). The problem arises when UE is in DRx mode and needs an uplink grant for data transmission. It should be noted that RACH and SR have their own transmission opportunity time and data will be transmitted only at that particular transmission opportunity time. This results in unnecessary battery consumption in DRx mode where, either UE does not initiate DRx sleep since SR or RACH transmission is pending or UE aborts the DRx sleep blindly to serve SR or RACH without considering their transmission occasion and hardware stability transition time. In addition to battery consumption, UE must be in active state at the first SR or RACH opportunity where it is possible to successfully transmit SR or RACH.

Therefore, there is a need for a method, where smart UE is enabled to compute accurately the extra sleep time that UE could have before first SR or RACH successful transmission. Thus, by increasing the sleep time of UE, and reducing the battery power consumption.

The above information is presented as background information only to help the reader to understand the present invention. Applicants have made no determination and make no assertion as to whether any of the above might be applicable as Prior Art with regard to the present application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments have been made to address at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present disclosure provides a method and system for enhancing uplink transmission handling in Discontinuous Reception (DRx) mode of a User Equipment.

The method comprises of triggering, by the UE, an uplink data transmission request at a current transmission time in the DRX mode, computing a first scheduling request time for transmitting a first scheduling request to an eNodeB, on receiving an uplink data to be transmitted, calculating a difference between the first scheduling request time and the current transmission time, determining a hardware stability time, computing a wakeup transmission time if the calculated difference is more than the hardware stability time, determining a wake up procedure triggering time by taking the difference between the wakeup transmission time and the hardware stability time, and enabling enhanced uplink transmission handling by triggering transmission of data packets at the wake up procedure triggering time.

According to an embodiment herein, the method further comprises determining a next scheduling request time, if the calculated difference is less than the hardware stability time, and recalculating a difference between the next scheduling request time and the current transmission time.

According to an embodiment herein, the hardware stability time is the time required for the UE to switch from a sleep mode to an active mode.

According to an embodiment herein, calculating the wakeup transmission time comprises of assigning the first scheduling request time value to a variable next scheduling request time (NEXT_SR_TTI), if the calculated difference is more than the hardware stability time, and computing a minimum of a next on duration transmission time, the next scheduling request time (NEXT_SR_TTI), and a Paging Transmission Time Interval (TTI). The DRX mode is a DRX sleep mode.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the method comprising steps of triggering, by the UE, an uplink data transmission request at a current transmission time in the DRX mode, computing a first scheduling request time for transmitting a first scheduling request to an eNodeB, on receiving an uplink data to be transmitted, determining if the first scheduling request is served, computing a wakeup transmission time if the first scheduling request is not served, determining a hardware stability time, determining a wakeup procedure triggering time by taking the difference between the wakeup transmission time and the hardware stability time, and enabling enhanced uplink transmission handling by triggering transmission of data packets at the wakeup procedure triggering time. The DRX mode is a DRX active mode.

Further, a User Equipment (UE) comprises of a transceiver configured to receive an uplink data transmission request, and a processor, in a Discontinuous Reception (DRX) sleep mode, configured to trigger an uplink data transmission request at a current transmission time in the DRX mode, compute a first scheduling request time for transmitting a first scheduling request to an eNodeB, on receiving an uplink data to be transmitted, calculate a difference between the first scheduling request time and the current transmission time, determine a hardware stability time, compute a wakeup transmission time if the calculated difference is more than the hardware stability time, determine a wake up procedure triggering time by taking the difference between the wakeup transmission time and the hardware stability time, and provide enhanced uplink transmission handling by triggering transmission of data packets at the determined triggering time.

The foregoing has outlined, in general, the various aspects of the invention and is to serve as an aid to better understanding the more complete detailed description which is to follow. In reference to such, there is to be a clear understanding that the present invention is not limited to the method or application of use described and illustrated herein. It is intended that any other advantages and objects of the present invention that become apparent or obvious from the detailed description or illustrations contained herein are within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure. 1 illustrates a flow chart of a method for enhancing uplink data transmission handling during a DRx sleep mode of a UE, in accordance to the embodiments as described herein;

Figure. 2 illustrates a flow chart of a method for enhancing uplink data transmission handling during a DRx sleep mode of a UE, in accordance to the embodiments as described herein;

Figure. 3 illustrates a computing environment implementing the method for enhancing uplink transmission handling in Discontinuous Reception (DRx) mode of a User Equipment, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Although specific features of the present invention are shown in some drawings and not in others. This is done for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or similar components may be designated by the same or similar reference numerals although they are illustrated in different drawings. Detailed descriptions of constructions or processes known in the art may be omitted to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the present disclosure.

Herein, reference may be made to “an”, “one”, or “some” embodiment(s). This does not necessarily imply that each such reference is to the same embodiment(s), or that the feature only applies to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments.

As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes”, “comprises”, “including”, and/or “comprising”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations and arrangements of one or more of the associated listed items.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

The various embodiments herein disclose a method of computing possible optimum sleep time of the UE by considering next SR/RACH opportunity by the UE and thereby reducing the power consumption. According to the present invention, the method herein is disclosed for two scenarios, which includes an uplink transmission request in sleep time of the UE and an uplink transmission request in an active time of the UE. Based on the method disclosed herein, the UE may initiate sleep for the extra sleep time which is computed or the UE may continue to be in sleep for extra sleep time, if the UE is already in sleep mode.

According to an embodiment herein, the UE can be in different states, where inactive state/time of UE in DRx means the duration in which no downlink data activity is expected. In other words, UE sleeps (power off/ slow clock) in this duration. The remaining time apart from inactive time is considered as active time. The time required for moving from sleep state to active state is called as hardware stability time, which is greater than or equal to zero.

Figure. 1 illustrates a flow chart of a method for enhancing uplink data transmission handling during a DRx sleep mode of a UE, in accordance to the embodiments as described herein. Referring to Figure. 1, at step 102, the UE triggers an uplink data transmission request during a DRX sleep mode. At step 104, the UE computes the current transmission time (CURRENT_TTI) which is the current position of UE at that particular time and also the time at which an uplink data transmission request is received and a first scheduling request (SR) time (SR_TTI) which is the first SR/RACH opportunity provided to UE for data transfer. At step 106, the UE calculates a difference (TTI_DIFF) between the first scheduling request time (SR_TTI) and the current transmission time (CURRENT_TTI). At step 108, check if the calculated difference (TTI_DIFF) is less than the hardware stability time, which is the time required for the UE to move from sleep state to active state.

If the calculated difference (TTI_DIFF) is less than the hardware stability time, the SR/RACH cannot be transmitted at the first scheduling request time (SR_TTI) opportunity, therefore at step 110, re-compute the next SR/RACH opportunity (NEXT_SR_TTI) such that the re-calculated difference (TTI_DIFF) between the next scheduling request time (NEXT_SR_TTI) and current transmission time (CURRENT TTI) is ahead by at least a hardware stability time. If the re-calculated difference (TTI_DIFF) is more than the hardware stability time, then at step 112, the first scheduling request time (SR_TTI) itself is assigned as the next SR/RACH opportunity (NEXT_SR_TTI). At step 114, the wakeup transmission time (wakeup_TTI) is computed as the minimum of (NEXT_ON_DURATION_TTI, NEXT_SR_TTI, Paging TTI). Once the wakeup transmission time is computed, then at step 116, calculate the wake up procedure triggering time as the difference of wakeup transmission time (wakeup_TTI) and hardware stability time. Trigger the wakeup procedure for the UE at the wake up procedure triggering time, such that the UE has enough time for moving from the sleep state to the active state. With this method of enhancing uplink transmission handling in DRx mode, at step 118, UE gains extra sleep time which is the difference of wakeup transmission time (wakeup_TTI) and current transmission time (CURRENT_TTI), thereby reducing the battery power consumption.

Figure. 2 illustrates a flow chart of a method for enhancing uplink data transmission handling during a DRx active mode of a UE, in accordance to the embodiments as described herein. At step 202, UE triggers an uplink data transmission request during DRX active mode. At step 204, compute the first scheduling request (SR) time (SR_TTI) which is the first SR/RACH opportunity provided to UE for data transfer. At step 206, active time of the UE elapses at active time elapse transition time (active_time_elapse_TTI) which is the current transmission time (CURRENT_TTI). At step 208, check if the first scheduling request time (SR_TTI) is less than the current transmission time (active_time_elapse_TTI).

If the first scheduling request time is less than the active time elapse transition time, then at step 210, the uplink data has been transmitted successfully i.e., SR/RACH is already served and the UE continues to be in DRx active mode until active time elapse transition time. If the first scheduling request time is more than the active time elapse transition time, then at step 212, the wakeup transmission time (wakeup_TTI) is computed as the minimum of (NEXT_ON_DURATION_TTI, SR_TTI, Paging TTI). Once the wakeup transmission time is computed, then at step 214, calculate the wakeup procedure triggering time as the difference of the wakeup transmission time (wakeup_TTI) and a hardware stability time which is the time required for moving from the sleep state to the active state. Further trigger the wakeup procedure for the UE at the wakeup procedure triggering time, such that the UE has enough time for moving from sleep state to active state. With this method of enhancing uplink transmission handling in DRx mode, at step 216, UE gains extra sleep time which is the difference of wakeup transmission time (wakeup_TTI) and active time elapse transition time (active_time_elapse_TTI or CURRENT_TTI), thereby reducing the battery power consumption.

According to an embodiment herein, a comparison of TTIs is being done considering the wraparound of TTI. In 3gpp, TTI is defined as 10*SFN + subframe.

Referring to Figure 3, a computing environment 302 implementing the method for enhancing uplink transmission handling in Discontinuous Reception (DRx) mode of a User Equipment is illustrated. As depicted, the computing environment 302 includes at least one processing unit 304 that is equipped with a control unit 308 and an Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) 306, a memory 314, a storage 316, plurality of networking devices 310 and a plurality Input output (I/O) devices 312. The processing unit 304 is adapted for processing the instructions of the algorithm. The processing unit 304 receives commands from the control unit 308 in order to perform its processing. Further, any logical and arithmetic operations involved in the execution of the instructions are computed using ALU 306.

The overall computing environment 302 can be composed of multiple homogeneous or heterogeneous cores, multiple CPUs of different kinds, special media and other accelerators. The processing unit 304 is responsible for processing the inputted instructions. Further, the plurality of processing units 304 can be located on a single chip or over multiple chips.

The instructions and codes required for the implementation of the method are stored in either the memory 314 or the storage 316 or both. At the time of execution, the instructions can be fetched from the corresponding memory 314 or storage 316, and executed by the processing unit.

In case of any hardware implementations various networking devices 310 or external I/O devices 312 can be connected to the computing environment to support the implementation through the networking unit and the I/O device unit.

The embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented through at least one software program running on at least one hardware device and performing network management functions to control the elements. The Figures. 1 through 3 includes blocks which can be at least one of a hardware device or a combination of hardware device and software module.

Although the embodiments herein are described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the invention with modifications. However, all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claims. It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the embodiments described herein and all the statements of the scope of the embodiments which as a matter of language might be said to fall there between.