RU2693923C2 - Control of packet data traffic channel resources in development of gsm standard - technology of fixed allocation of uplink resources - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: wireless communication equipment.

SUBSTANCE: radio access network (RAN) node comprises a processor, a memory storing processor-executable instructions for: receiving, from a wireless device, an access request requesting resources for transmitting a paging response message; transmitting, to the wireless device, uplink assignment messages indicating the number of the previously allocated radio units in the packet data traffic channel; and indicating (N_{TX, UL}) of uplink coating (UL) class; receiving, from the wireless device, a response containing the uplink payload; receiving, from main network (CN) node, protocol data unit (PDU), including payload of downlink; decomposing PDU into one or more data units; and transmitting, to a wireless device, one or more repetitions of each of the data units using the allocated downlink (DL) resources.

EFFECT: technical result consists in implementing EC-GSM downlink transmission to wireless devices on the same PDTCH resources, which are used to service legacy wireless devices, while storing the temporary stream identifier field (TFI) at the same position in all headers of the radio block of the downlink, regardless of whether the radio unit sent to a legacy wireless device or an EC-GSM wireless device.

16 cl, 16 dwg, 4 tbl

Description

The technical field to which the invention relates.

The present invention relates generally to the field of wireless communication and, more specifically, to a network node of a radio access network (for example, a base station subsystem), a wireless device (for example, a mobile station), and various methods for improving the distribution of wireless radio resources. In one embodiment, the radio access network node and the wireless device implement a fixed uplink resource allocation technology. In another embodiment, the radio access network node and the wireless device implement flexible downlink resource allocation technology.

The level of technology

The following abbreviations and terms are defined and at least some of them are mentioned in the following description of the present invention.

3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project

ACK Confirmation

AGCH Access Authorization Channel

ASIC Specialized Integrated Circuit

BLER Block Error Ratio

BSS Base Station Subsystem

CC Coverage Class

EC Extended Coverage

eDRX Extended Disconnect Cycle

EC-AGCH Extended Coverage Access Channel

EC-PCH Extended Paging Channel

DSP Digital Signal Processor

EDGE Development of GSM standard with increased data transfer rate

EGPRS Advanced General Packet Radio Service

FAI Final Confirmation Index

FDA Flexible Downlink Channel Allocation

FN Frame number

FUA Fixed uplink channel allocation

GSM Global System for Mobile Communications

GERAN GSM / EDGE Radio Access Network

GPRS General Packet Radio Service

HARQ Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request

IMSI International Mobile Subscriber Id

IoT Internet of Things

LLC Logical Link Control

LTE Long Term Development

MCS Modulation and Coding Scheme

MS Mobile Station

MTC Machine Communication

PCH Paging Channel

PDN Packet Data Network

PDTCH Packet Data Traffic Channel

PDU Protocol Data Block

RACH Random Access Channel

RAN Radio Access Network

RAI Routing Area ID

RAU Routing Area Update

RLC Radio Channel Management

RRBP Relative Block Period Reserved

SGSN Serving GPRS Support Node

TDMA Time Division Multiple Access

TFI Time Stream ID

TS Time Interval

TSC training sequence code

TSG Technical Specifications Group

UE User Device

USF Uplink Channel Status Flag

WCDMA Wideband Code Division Multiple Access

WiMAX Global Interoperability for Microwave Access

Coverage class: at any time, the device belongs to a specific uplink / downlink channel coverage class that matches either the performance attributes of the inherited air interface, which serves as the reference coverage for legacy cell planning (for example, block error rate of 10% after one block transfer over PDTCH), or the range of attributes of the degradation of the air interface characteristics as compared with the reference coating (for example, 20 dB lower than that of the reference coating). The coverage class determines the total number of blind repetitions that will be used when transmitting / receiving radio blocks. The uplink / downlink coverage class applicable at any given time may vary between different logical channels. When initiating access to the system, the device determines the class of uplink / downlink coverage applicable to the RACH / AGCH, based on an estimate of the number of blind repeats of the radio block required by the BSS receiver to obtain a BLER (block error ratio) of approximately 10%. The BSS determines the uplink / downlink coverage class that the device will use on the packet-assigned channel resources assigned by the device, based on an estimate of the number of blind repetitions of a radio block necessary to meet the target BLER, and taking into account the number of HARQ retransmissions (average) derived from the use of this target BLER. Note: a device that works with the radio interface performance attributes corresponding to the reference coverage is considered the best coverage class (i.e., class 1 coverage) and therefore does not blindly repeat.

eDRX Cycle: Advanced Intermittent Reception (eDRX) is a process performed by a wireless device in which the ability to receive a signal is interrupted when the device is not waiting to receive incoming messages, and ensures that a signal is received during the reachability period when the device is waiting for messages. For eDRX operation, the network coordinates with the wireless device as to when reachability events should occur. Therefore, the wireless device will be activated and will only be able to receive messages during pre-scheduled reach periods. This process reduces energy consumption, which extends the battery life of a wireless device and is sometimes called a standby mode.

Nominal Paging Group: A specific set of EC-PCH blocks in which a device monitors once per eDRX cycle. The device determines the specific set of EC-PCH blocks using an algorithm that takes into account its IMSI, the length of the eDRX cycle and its downlink coverage class.

As described in 3GPP TSG-GERAN meeting No. 63 Tdoc GP-140624, entitled “UL Resource Management of Cellular IoT-PDCH” dated August 25-29, 2014 (the contents of which are incorporated into this description by reference for all purposes), the GSM development standard ( currently called EC-GSM) will use the concept of pre-allocating radio blocks on uplink communication (UL) packet data traffic channel (PDTCH) resources in order not to use the uplink channel status flag (USF) based on the uplink transmissions for wirelessly GOVERNMENTAL devices operating in the extended area coverage, and to optimize energy consumption in a wireless device in the packet transfer mode. The present invention describes various ways to improve the allocation of radio resources in wireless communications to solve a technical problem related to the concept of pre-allocation of radio blocks or radio resources on the UL EC-PDTCH. Additionally, the present invention discloses various ways of improving a method of allocating radio resources in wireless communications to solve a technical problem associated with the concept of pre-allocating radio blocks or radio resources on a DL EC-PDTCH.

Disclosure of the invention

A wireless access network node (e.g., BSS), a wireless device, and various methods for solving at least the above mentioned technical problems are described in the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of a radio access network node (eg, BSS), a wireless device, and various methods are further described in the dependent claims.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a radio access network (RAN) node configured to communicate with a core network (CN) node and a wireless device. The RAN node contains a processor and a memory that stores instructions executed by the processor, in which the processor interacts with the memory to execute instructions executed by the processor, whereby the RAN node can perform the first receive operation, the first transfer operation, the second receive operation, the second transfer operation and the third reception. In the first operation of receiving the RAN, the node receives a paging request message from the CN of the node. The paging request message is associated with a wireless device. In the first transfer operation, the RAN transmits one or more repetitions of the paging message to the wireless device. In the second operation of receiving the RAN, the node receives one or more repetitions of the access request message from the wireless device, wherein the access request message requests resources for transmitting a paging response message. In the second RAN transmission operation, the node transmits one or more repetitions of an uplink resource assignment message to the wireless device. The uplink resource assignment message contains: (a) an indication of the number of pre-allocated radio blocks on the packet data traffic channel; (b) an indication of the uplink coverage class (UL). In the third RAN receive operation, the node receives one or more repetitions of the paging response message from the wireless device. The paging response message contains: an uplink payload in which the uplink payload is received in a pre-distributed radio block (blocks) in which the paging response message is repeated in accordance with the UL coverage class. The advantage of a RAN node implementing these operations is that it can support paging response transmissions for a wireless device operating in an extended coverage state for which an inherited USF based on the commonly used mechanism to support paging response transmissions is not possible.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a method in a radio access network (RAN) node, configured to communicate with a core network (CN) node and a wireless device. The method comprises a first reception step, a first transfer step, a second reception step, a second transfer step, and a third reception step. In the first step of receiving the RAN, the node receives the paging request message from the CN of the node. The paging request message is associated with a wireless device. In the first stage of the transmission, the RAN transmits one or more repetitions of the paging message to the wireless device. In the second step of receiving the RAN, the node receives one or more repetitions of the access request message from the wireless device, the access request message requesting resources to send a paging response message. In the second stage of the RAN transmission, the node transmits one or more repetitions of an uplink resource assignment message to the wireless device. The uplink resource assignment message contains: (a) an indication of the number of pre-allocated radio blocks in the packet data traffic channel; (b) an indication of the uplink coverage class (UL). In the third stage of receiving the RAN, the node receives one or more repetitions of the paging response message from the wireless device. The paging response message contains: an uplink payload in which the uplink payload is received in a pre-distributed radio block (blocks) in which the paging response message is repeated in accordance with the UL coverage class. The advantage of the RAN node implementing these steps is that it can support the transmission of a paging response for a wireless device operating in a state of extended coverage, for which it is not possible to use the inherited USF mechanism commonly used to support the transmission of the paging response message.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a wireless device capable of communicating with a radio access network (RAN) node. The wireless device includes a processor and memory in which executable instructions are stored by the processor, in which the processor interacts with the memory to execute instructions executed by the processor, whereby the wireless device is configured to perform the first receive operation, the first transfer operation, the second receive operation, the second transfer operation. In the first reception operation, the wireless device receives one or more repetitions of the paging message from the RAN node. In the first transfer operation, the wireless device transmits one or more repetitions of the access request message to the RAN node, the access request message requesting resources to transmit a paging response message. In the second reception operation, the wireless device receives one or more repetitions of an uplink resource assignment message from the RAN node. The uplink resource assignment message contains at least: (a) an indication of the number of pre-allocated radio blocks; and (b) an indication of the uplink coverage class (UL). In the second transfer operation, the wireless device transmits one or more repetitions of the paging response message to the RAN node. The paging response message contains: an uplink payload in which the uplink payload is transmitted in a pre-distributed radio block (blocks), and the paging response message is repeated in accordance with the UL coverage class. The advantage of a wireless device implementing these operations is that it can send a paging response when operating in a state of extended coverage, for which no inherited USF-based mechanism, usually used to support paging response transmissions, is possible.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method in a wireless device, configured to communicate with a radio access network (RAN) node. The method comprises a first reception step, a first transfer step, a second reception step, a second transfer step. In the first stage of reception, the wireless device receives one or more repetitions of the paging message from the RAN node. In the first transmission step, the wireless device transmits one or more repetitions of the access request message to the RAN node. The access request message requests resources to send a paging response message. In the second reception step, the wireless device receives one or more repetitions of an uplink resource assignment message from the RAN node. The uplink resource assignment message contains at least: (a) an indication of the number of pre-allocated radio blocks; and (b) an indication of the uplink coverage class (UL). In the second transmission step, the wireless device transmits one or more repetitions of the paging response message to the RAN node. The paging response message contains: an uplink payload in which the uplink payload is transmitted in a pre-distributed radio block (blocks), and the paging response message is repeated in accordance with the UL coverage class. The advantage of a wireless device that implements these steps is that it can support sending a paging response when operating in a state of extended coverage, which cannot be inherited by a USF-based mechanism that is commonly used to support paging response transmissions.

Additional aspects of the present disclosure will be set forth, in particular, in the detailed description, the drawings, and any claims that are set forth below, and in part will be derived from the detailed description or may be studied by the practice of the invention. It should be understood that both the above general description and the following detailed description are illustrative and explanatory and do not limit the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In order to fully disclose the present invention, a detailed description is given below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary wireless communications network that contains a CN node, a plurality of RAN nodes, and a plurality of wireless devices that are configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating signaling associated with a wireless device transmitting small uplink data to a RAN node using a fixed uplink distribution technology in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method implemented in a RAN node shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary structure of the RAN node shown in FIG. 2 configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method implemented in a wireless device shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary structure of the wireless device shown in FIG. 2 configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating signaling associated with a wireless device that receives small downlink data transmissions from a RAN node using a flexible downlink distribution technology in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the method implemented in the RAN node shown in FIG. 7, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary structure of the RAN node shown in FIG. 7, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method implemented in a wireless device shown in FIG. 7, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary structure of the wireless device shown in FIG. 7, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating signaling associated with a wireless device that receives small downlink data transmissions from a RAN node using a flexible downlink distribution technology in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a method implemented in a RAN node shown in FIG. 12, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary structure of the RAN node shown in FIG. 12, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a method implemented in a wireless device shown in FIG. 12, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary structure of the wireless device shown in FIG. 12, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

The implementation of the invention

First of all, an exemplary wireless communication network is described, which includes a CN node (eg, SGSN), multiple RAN nodes (eg, BSS), and multiple wireless devices that are configured in accordance with the present invention (as illustrated in FIG. 1) . It then describes the operation of the RAN node and the wireless device to implement a fixed uplink distribution technology in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention (as shown in FIG. 2-6). Following this, a description is given of the operation of the RAN node and the wireless device to implement a flexible downlink distribution technology in accordance with an embodiment of the present image (as shown in FIG. 7-16).

Exemplary Wireless Network 100

Referring to FIG. 1, illustrates an exemplary wireless communication network 100 in accordance with the present invention. The wireless communication network 100 includes a core network 106 (which contains a CN node) and a plurality of RAN nodes 102 ₁ and 102 ₂ (only two are shown) that communicate with several wireless devices 104 ₁ , 104 ₂ , 104 ₃ ... 104n. The wireless communication network 100 also includes many well-known components, but for clarity, only the components necessary for describing features of the present invention are described. In addition, the wireless communication network 100 is described herein as a GSM / EGPRS wireless communication network 100, which is also known as an EDGE wireless communication network 100. However, those skilled in the art will easily recognize that the methods of the present invention that are applied to the GSM / EGPRS wireless communication network 100 are generally applicable to other types of wireless communication systems including, for example, WCDMA, LTE and WiMAX systems.

The wireless communication network 100 includes nodes 102 ₁ and 102 ₂ (only two are shown) that provide network access to wireless devices 104 ₁ , 104 ₂ , 104 ₃ ... 104n. In this example, RAN node 102 ₁ provides network access to the wireless device 104 ₁ , while RAN node 102 ₂ provides network access to wireless devices 104 ₂ , 104 ₃ ... 104n. RAN nodes 102 ₁ and 102 _{2 are} connected to the main network 106 (for example, SGSN by the main network 106) and, in particular, to the CN node (for example, SGSN 107). The core network 106 is connected to an external packet data network (PDN) 108, such as the Internet, and a server 110 (only one is shown). Wireless devices 104 ₁ , 104 ₂ , 104 ₃ ... 104n can communicate with one or more servers 110 (only one is shown) connected to the core network 106 and / or PDN 108.

Wireless devices 104 ₁ , 104 ₂ , 104 ₃ ... 104n can usually refer to the end terminal (user) that connects to the wireless communication network 100, and may refer either to an MTC device (for example, a smart meter), or to a non-MTC device. In addition, the term “wireless device” is usually synonymous with the term mobile device, mobile station (MS). “User device” or UE, as this term is used in 3GPP, includes stand-alone wireless devices, such as terminals, cell phones, smartphones, tablets and personal digital assistants, configured to establish wireless communications, as well as wireless cards or modules, which are intended to be attached or inserted into another electronic device, such as a personal computer, an electric meter, etc.

Similarly, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term RAN node 102 ₁ and 102 _{2 is} used here in the most general sense, which refers to a base station, wireless access point or wireless access point in a wireless communication network 100 and may refer to RAN nodes 102 ₁ and 102 ₂ physically controlled by a different radio network controller, as well as to more autonomous access points, such as the so-called enhanced Bs nodes (eNodeBs) in the long-term development (LTE) standard networks.

Each wireless device 104 ₁ , 104 ₂ , 104 ₃ ... 104n may include a transceiver circuit 110 ₁ , 110 ₂ , 110 ₃ ... 110n for establishing communication with the RAN nodes 102 ₁ and 102 ₂ and a circuit 112 ₁ , 112 ₂ , 112 ₃ ... 112n processing for processing signals transmitted and received by the transceiver circuit 110 ₁ , 110 ₂ , 110 ₃ ... 110n, and for controlling the operation of the corresponding wireless device 104 ₁ , 104 ₂ , 104 ₃ ... 104n. The 110 ₁ , 110 ₂ , 110 ₃ ... 110n transceiver circuit may include a transmitter 114 ₁ , 114 ₂ , 114 ₃ ... 114n and a receiver 116 ₁ , 116 ₂ , 116 ₃ ... 116n, which can operate in Compliance with any standard, such as GSM / EDGE. The processing circuit 112 ₁ , 112 ₂ , 112 ₃ ... 112n may include a processor 118 ₁ , 118 ₂ , 118 ₃ ... 118n and a memory 120 ₁ , 210 ₂ , 120 ₃ ... 120n for storing program code for control the operation of the corresponding wireless device 104 ₁ , 104 ₂ , 104 ₃ ... 104n. The program code may include code to perform the procedures described below with respect to FIG. 5, 10 and 15.

Each RAN node 102 ₁ and 102 ₂ may include transceiver circuit 122 ₁ and 122 ₂ for communicating with wireless devices 104 ₁ , 104 ₂ , 104 ₃ ... 104n, processing circuit 124 ₁ and 124 ₂ for processing signals transmitted and received by the transceiver circuit 122 ₁ and 122 ₂ , and for controlling the operation of the corresponding RAN node 102 ₁ and 102 ₂ and the network interface 126 ₁ and 126 ₂ for communicating with the core network 106. The transceiver 122 circuit _{1 1} and 122 ₂ may include a transmitter 128 ₁ and 128 ₂ and receiver 130 ₁ and 130 ₂ , which can operate in accordance with any standard, for example GSM / EDG E standard. Processing circuit 124 ₁ and 124 ₂ may include a processor 132 ₁ and 132 ₂ and memory 134 ₁ and 134 ₂ for storing program code for controlling the operation of the corresponding RAN node 102 ₁ and 102 ₂ . The program code may include code for performing the procedures described below with reference to FIG. 3, 8 and 13.

CN node 107 (eg, SGSN 107, mobility management node (MME) 107) may include a transceiver circuit 136 for establishing communication with the RAN nodes 102 ₁ and 102 ₂ , a processing circuit 138 for processing signals transmitted and received by the transceiver circuit 136 and to control the operation of the CN of the node 107 and the network interface 140 to establish communication with the RAN nodes 102 ₁ and 102 ₂ . The transceiver circuit 136 may include a transmitter 142 and a receiver 144, which may operate in accordance with any standard, for example, GSM / EDGE standard. The processing circuit 138 may include a processor 146 and a memory 148 for storing program code for controlling the operation of the CN of node 107. The program code may include code for performing the procedures as described below.

Uplink resource allocation technology

The uplink uplink resource allocation (FUA) method is used on the uplink EC-PDTCH by providing, for example, a wireless device 104 ₂ (for example) with a fixed starting point for transmitting each of the RLC set of radio blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202n data from its buffered user payload in the RAN node 102 ₂ (for example), as briefly described below and then in more detail with reference to FIG. 2-6.

- A feature of FUA technology is that the wireless device 104 ₂

pre-allocate uplink resource assignment message 206 (for example, EC-AGCH resource assignment message 206), a set of radio blocks to 4 time slots, where the wireless device 104 ₂ then sends one or more RLC blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202 _X data in RAN node 102 ₂ , where each RLC block 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202 _X data is repeated in accordance with the value for N _TX , _UL indicated by the uplink resource assignment message 206.

- The set of radio blocks is distributed so that all repetitions of each specific RLC

202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202 _X data units are transmitted continuously, but without the need for each of the RLC data units 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202 _X to be transmitted one after the other.

- After transfer of its RLC units 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202 _X data to pre

distributed radio blocks, the wireless device 104 ₂ waits for a corresponding uplink packet 208 Ack / Nack message (PUAN), which is formed during a variable period of time after the last distributed radio block is transmitted by the wireless device 104 ₂ . PUAN message 208 provides a bitmap of Ack / Nack and another set of pre-distributed uplink radio blocks (if necessary, that is, when all RLC units 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202 _X were not successfully received by RAN by node 102 ₂ ), so that wireless device 104 ₂ can continue its transmission on the uplink.

An exemplary sequence of signaling steps associated with FUA technology is illustrated in FIG. 2 and described in detail below with respect to a wireless device 104 ₂ (for example, an IoT device 104 ₂ ) having an uplink coverage class requiring N _TX , _UL repetitions, a downlink coverage class requiring N _TX , _DL repetitions, and requiring Send X MCS-1 RLC-coded blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202 _X user plane payload data. The exemplary signaling steps associated with the wireless device 104 ₂ , initiating the transmission of small data on the uplink to transmit the user plane payload to the RAN node 102 ₂ , are as follows:

Step 1: the wireless device 104 ₂ transmits multiple repetitions of the small data request message 204 (for example, access request messages 204) on the EC random access channel (RACH) to the RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ). The number of repetitions is determined based on the estimated uplink (UL) coverage class of the wireless device (note: a wireless device in normal coverage mode will use a single transmission (that is, not repeatable) when transmitting the small data request message 204 on the RACH / EC-RACH). The small data request message 204 may be configured as follows:

- Wireless device 104 ₂ includes information in message 204

request for small data, as indicated in Table 1, where the MCS-1 number of coded blocks field is used to indicate that wireless device 104 ₂ has X MCS-1 RLC blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202 _X data to be transmitted to RAN node 102 ₂ .

- An indication of whether the wireless device 104 supports ₂ MCS-5 through MCS-9,

as indicated by the TSC used when transmitting the small data request message 204 in accordance with the legacy operation.

- The small data request message 204 transmitted on the EC-RACH includes

An indication of the class of coverage DL, rated by the wireless device 104 ₂ .

- The system information (SI) transmitted in the time interval (TS) 1 indicates

that if wireless device 104 ₃ (for example) is in normal coverage (N _TX , _UL = N _{TX, DL} = 1), then it should access the system using RACH TS0 or RACH TS1. Note: The system information (SI) will be transmitted by the RAN node 102 ₂ before the wireless device 104 ₃ will use the RACH to transmit the small data 204 message.

Table 1: Message Content 204 Small Data Request

Type of access request The number of MCS-1 coded blocks (4 bits) Priority indicator
(1 bit) Random bits
(3 bits) DL coating class
(3 bits) Device id
(32 bits) AB to TS0 Yes Yes Yes No ¹ Not AB to TS1 Yes Yes Yes Yes Not NB to TS0 Yes Yes Not No ¹ Yes NB in TS1 Yes Yes Not Yes Yes Note 1: Not required, since access is always granted with normal UL and DL coverage

Step 2: The uplink resource assignment message 206 is transmitted by the RAN node 102 ₂ to the wireless device 104 ₂ on the EC-AGCH using the number of repetitions as indicated by the DL coverage class value included in the small data request message 204:

- Uplink resource assignment message 206 indicates

the number of pre-allocated MCS-1 coded X UL radio blocks, the starting point of the pre-distributed radio blocks required to send the first RLC data block 202 ₁ (for example) on the assigned EC-PDTCH resources (for example, expressed as an offset to where the resource assignment message 206 is received uplink) as well as the initial point of pre-allocated radio blocks required to send additional RLC blocks 202 _2, 202 ₃ ... 202 _X of data, where each RLC block 202 _1, 202 _2, 202 ₃ ... 202 _X otpravlyaets using N _{TX, UL} repetitions.

- The uplink resource assignment message 206 also indicates the class

N _{TX, DL} coverage DL and class N _TX , _UL coverage UL, which will be used by wireless device 104 ₂ for resources assigned to EC-PDTCH. This DL coverage class may ignore the DL coverage class indicated by the wireless device 104 ₂ in the small data request message 204.

- For example, if the required transmission of the uplink payload

consists of 5 MCS-1 RLC blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ , 202 ₃ , 202 ₄ and 202 ₅ (X = 5) data and N _{TX, UL} indicates that 8 repetitions are needed, then a total of 40 radio blocks (X * N _TX , _UL ) need to transfer. Then, each RLC data block 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ , 202 ₃ , 202 _4, and 202 ₅ is transmitted using 8 pre-allocated consecutive radio blocks.

- The uplink resource assignment message 206 may indicate

A different encoding scheme from MCS-1 (for example, depending on the capabilities of the wireless device 104 ₃ (for example) when sending in response to the message 204 a small data request from the wireless device 104 ₃ (for example) in the state of normal coverage.

- A set of N _TX , _UL pre-distributed radio blocks used for

transmitting any given RLC data block 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202 _X , can be transmitted using a compact packet mapping.

Step 3: The HARQ scheme can be used to transmit an uplink payload, in which, after transmitting a set of X RLC data units 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202 _X , wireless device 104 ₂ expects a corresponding PUAN message 208.

Step 4: The RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) transmits the PUAN message 208 after attempting to receive a set of X RLC _X data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202 _X from the wireless device 104 ₂ .

- Wireless device 104 ₂ may start searching for an expected PUAN message.

208 in the first EC block-packet associated control channel (PACCH) DL (corresponding to the DL coverage class of the wireless device 104 ₂ ) following the last pre-allocated radio block that the wireless device 104 ₂ uses to transmit N _TX , _UL repetitions of the last UL RLC block 202 _X data (i.e., RLC data block X).

- Wireless device 104 ₂ analyzes fixed EC-PACCH sets

units based on the assigned DL coverage class of the wireless device 104 ₂ (i.e., N _TX , _DL ). For example, if wireless device 104 ₂ uses N _TX , _DL = 2 (that is, 2 blind repeats), then it will only consider fixed pairs of EC-PACCH blocks in an attempt to receive the corresponding PUAN message 208. As such, wireless device 104 ₂ will consider each 52-multiframe on a controlled TS as potentially containing 6 pairs of EC-PACCH blocks, where any of these pairs can potentially contain the expected PUAN message 208 of the wireless device 104 ₂ .

- If the expected PUAN message 208 is not received in the first possible set

EC-PACCH blocks, then wireless device 104 ₂ may attempt to accept PUAN message 208 in the next possible set of EC-PACCH blocks, but in the context of a certain maximum time window.

- When the expected PUAN message 208 is received and indicates that Y RLC

blocks 202 ₃ , 202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀ (for example) are skipped, they are re-transmitted to RAN node 102 _{2 by} wireless device 104 ₂ using the new set of pre-distributed uplink radio blocks indicated by PUAN message 208 (see step 5).

- PUAN message 208 may also indicate a new value for N _TX , _UL , which

wireless device 104 ₂ must apply when retransmitting Y the remaining RLC data blocks 202 ₃ , 202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀ (see, for example, step 5).

- If the expected PUAN message 208 is not received within the maximum

allowed time window, then wireless device 104 _{2 will} stop transmitting on the uplink. RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) when transmitting a PUAN message 208 and does not detect any radio blocks 202 ₃ , 202 _5, and 202 ₁₀ uplink (for example) on pre-allocated resources, it can re-send PUAN message 208 using EC- PACCH blocks in accordance with N _TX , _DL (for example, when deciding to resend PUAN message 208, RAN node 102 ₂ will use the same N _TX , _DL used earlier for this wireless device 104 ₂ ).

- RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) may interrupt the uplink transmission

communication lines after a failure to receive RLC-skipped data blocks 202 ₃ , 202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀ (for example) after re-sending PUAN messages 208 a certain number of times.

Step 5: Step 3 is repeated, but the wireless device 104 ₂ transmits, for example, Y RLC data units 202 ₃ , 202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀ , instead of transmitting X RLC data units 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202 _X.

Step 6: After all RLC blocks X data RLC blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202 _X data have been received, the RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) reassembles the logical connection management PDU 209 (LLC) (containing an Internet Protocol (IP) packet using X RLC data units 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202 _X ) and sends the LLC PDU 209 to the CN node 107 (for example, SGSN 107).

Step 7: The RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) transmits a PUAN message 210 to the wireless device 104 ₂ , indicating that all X RLC blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202 _X data were received and include the final indicator Acknowledgment (FAI) set to indicate the completion of an uplink transmission. The wireless device 104 ₂ receives the PUAN message 210 on the EC-PACCH, as described in step 4, and receives information that all X RLC data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202 _X were received by the RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ). The RAN node 102 ₂ / wireless device 104 ₂ then releases the UL EC-PDTCH assigned resources after sending / receiving PUAN message 210, except when the priority field of the small data request message 204 in step 1 indicates a high priority (for example, an alarm), and in this case, step 8 can be applied, as described below.

Step 8: A packet control message 212 Ack is possible, but is typically used when the UL payload (X RLC data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202 _X ) was transmitted for the alarm message event (for example, because requires greater reliability). The wireless device 104 ₂ transmits a packet control message 212 Ack using one EC-PACCH uplink repeated in accordance with the value of NU _TX , _UL , last provided by RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) to wireless device 104 ₂ .

- RRBP field in the header of the EC-PACCH block used to send the PUAN-

message 210 indicates the starting point of the pre-distributed UL radio blocks that will be used to send the packet control message 212 Ack (for example, N _TX , _UL radio blocks are pre-allocated).

- If the RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) cannot receive the expected message

212 Ack packet management, the RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) may re-transmit the PUAN message 210 a specific number of times and then stop transmitting on the uplink, as in step 4.

- Wireless device 104 ₂ , which receives PUAN message 210,

requesting the transmission of the packet control message 212 Ack, after transmitting the packet control message 212 Ack, continues to monitor the DL for possible EC-PACCH messages for a limited time interval Z (for example, the indicated PUAN message 210) for the possible arrival of a repeated PUAN message 210 requiring retransmission messages 212 batch control.

- If no additional PUAN is received during the time interval Z

messages 210, the wireless device 104 ₂ releases the resources assigned to the UL EC-PDTCH.

Note. Due to the half duplex nature of the FUA technology, downlink simultaneous reception will not occur during an uplink transmission.

FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of a method 300 implemented in a RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. At step 302 of the RAN, node 102 ₂ receives one or more repetitions of the access request message 204 (eg, small data request message 204) from the wireless device 104 ₂ (for example) (see step 1 in FIG. 2 for further details). The access request message 204 may contain: (a) an indication of the number of data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x that wireless device 104 ₂ intends to transmit to the RAN node 102 ₂ ; and (b) an indication (N _TX , _DL ) of the DL coverage class estimated by the wireless device 104 ₂ . The number of repetitions of the access request message 204 is based on the UL coverage class.

In step 304, the RAN node 102 ₂ transmits one or more repetitions of the uplink assignment message 206 to the wireless device 104 ₂ (see Fig. 2 in step 2 for further details). The uplink resource assignment message 206 may contain: (a) an indication of the number of pre-allocated radio blocks on the packet data traffic channel; (b) an indication (N _TX , _UL ) of the coverage class UL; and (c) an indication of the starting point of the pre-allocated radio blocks that the wireless device 104 ₂ must use to transmit the first data block 202 ₁ (for example) from the data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x that the wireless device 104 ₂ intends to transmit to the RAN node 102 ₂ ; (d): an indication (N _TX , _DL ) of the coverage class DL; and (e) an indication of the starting points of the pre-allocated radio blocks that wireless device 104 ₂ must use to transmit data blocks 202 ₂ ... 202x (for example) after the first data block 202 ₁ (for example) that wireless device 104 ₂ intends to send to RAN node 102 ₂ . The number of repetitions of the uplink resource assignment message 206 is based on DL class N _TX , _DL coverage. As discussed above, the pre-distributed radio blocks are distributed by the RAN node 102 ₂ so that (1) all repetitions of each of the data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x must be transmitted continuously by the wireless device 104 ₂ and (2) the pre-distributed radio blocks distribute such in such a way that each of data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x should not be transmitted continuously relative to each other by wireless device 104 ₂ .

At step 306, the RAN node 102 ₂ receives from the wireless device 104 ₂ part of the number of data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x that were specified in the access request message 204 (see step 3 for more information: note: wireless device 104 ₂ transmits all blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x data and ideally RAN node 102 ₂ will receive all blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x data, but, in this example, RAN node 102 ₂ does not accept blocks 202 ₃ , 202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀ data). RAN node 102 ₂ will receive part of the number of data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x in the part of pre-distributed radio blocks. In addition, each of the received data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ , 202 ₄ , 202 ₆ , 202 ₇ , 202 ₈ , 202 ₉ , 202 ₁₁ ... 202x (for example) would be repeated several times (N _TX , _UL ) by the wireless device 104 ₂ in accordance with UL coating class.

In step 308 of the RAN, node 102 ₂ transmits one or more repetitions of the first confirmation message 208 (for example, PUAN message 208) to wireless device 104 ₂ (see step 4 in FIG. 2 for further details). The first acknowledgment message 208 contains: (a) the first bit mapping, indicating the part of the number of data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x that were received, and the remaining part of the number of data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x that were not were accepted (note: in this example, RAN node 102 ₂ did not accept data blocks 202 ₃ , 202 _5, and 202 ₁₀ ); (b) an indication of a different number of pre-allocated radio blocks on the packet data traffic channel that wireless device 104 ₂ should use to transmit the remaining part of the number of data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x, which in this example are blocks 202 ₃ , 202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀ data; and (c) an indication of the (N _TX , _DL ) DL coverage class. The number of repetitions of the first confirmation message 208 is based on the DL coverage class. At step 310 of the RAN, node 102 ₂ receives from the wireless device 104 _{2 the} remaining part of the number of data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x, which in this example are data blocks 202 ₃ , 202 _5, and 202 ₁₀ (see step 5 at Fig. 2 for more information). RAN node 102 ₂ will receive the remaining part of the number of data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x in the pre-allocated radio blocks indicated by the first acknowledgment message 208. In addition, each of the received data blocks 202 ₃ , 202 _5, and 202 _{10 was} repeated a number of times (N _TX , _UL ) by the wireless device 104 ₂ in accordance with the UL coverage class.

In steps 312 and 314, RAN node 102 collects ₂ (step 312) PDU 209 LLC, including a portion received and accepted by the remainder of the number of units 202 _1, 202 ₂ ... 202x data (i.e., all the units 202 _1, 202 ₂ data ... 202x) and transmits (step 314) LLC PDU 209 to the CN node 107 (for example, SGSN 107) (for more information, see Fig. 2).

At step 316, the RAN node 102 ₂ transmits one or more repetitions of the second acknowledgment message 210 (eg, PUAN message 210) to the wireless device 104 ₂ (see FIG. 2, step 7 for more information). The second acknowledgment message 210 contains a second bit mapping indicating that all data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x were received by the RAN node 102 ₂ and the final acknowledgment pointer (FAI) indicating the completion of the uplink transmission. The number of repetitions of the second confirmation message 210 is based on the DL coverage class.

At step 318, the RAN node 102 ₂ receives one or more repetitions of the third acknowledgment message 212 (for example, packet control message 212 Ack) from the wireless device 104 ₂ (see step 8 in FIG. 2 for further details). The third acknowledgment message 212 indicates that the second acknowledgment message 210 (eg, PUAN message 210) was received by the wireless device 104 ₂ . The third acknowledgment message 212 was repeated several times (N _TX , _UL ) by the wireless device 104 ₂ in accordance with the UL coverage class. The other RAN node 102 ₁ may also be configured in a similar manner to perform the method 300.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the structures of an exemplary RAN node 102 ₂ (for example) configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the RAN node 102 ₂ may comprise a first reception module 402, a first transmission module 404, a second reception module 406, a second transmission module 408, a third reception module 410, an assembly module 412, a third transmission module 414, a fourth transmission module 416, and a fourth module 418 reception. The RAN node 102 ₂ may also include other components, modules or structures that are well known, but for clarity, only the components, modules or structures necessary to describe the features of the present invention are described here.

The first receiving module 402 is configured to receive one or several repetitions of the access request message 204 (eg, small data request messages 204) from the wireless device 104 ₂ (for example) (see step 1 in FIG. 2 for further details). The access request message 204 may contain: (a) an indication of the number of data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x that wireless device 104 ₂ intends to transmit to the RAN node 102 ₂ ; and (b) an indication (N _TX , _DL ) of the DL coverage class rated by the wireless device 104 ₂ . The number of repetitions of the access request message 204 is based on the UL coverage class.

The first transmission module 404 is configured to transmit one or more repetitions of the uplink resource assignment message 206 to the wireless device 104 ₂ (see FIG. 2, step 2 for further details). The uplink resource assignment message 206 may contain: (a) an indication of the number of pre-allocated radio blocks on the packet data traffic channel; (b) an indication of (N _TX , _UL ) the coverage class UL; and (c) an indication of the starting point of the pre-distributed radio blocks that wireless device 104 ₂ must use to transmit the first data block 202 ₁ (for example) from data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x, that the wireless device 1042 intends to send to the RAN node 102 ₂ ; (d) an indication of the (N _TX , _DL ) DL coverage class; and (e) an indication of the starting points of the pre-distributed radio blocks that wireless device 104 ₂ must use to transmit data blocks 202 ₂ ... 202x (for example) after the first data block 202 ₁ (for example) that wireless device 104 ₂ intends to send to RAN node 102 ₂ . The number of repetitions of the uplink resource assignment message 206 is based on the DL coverage class. As discussed above, the pre-distributed radio blocks are distributed by the RAN node 102 ₂ so that (1) all repetitions of each of the data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x must be transmitted continuously by the wireless device 104 ₂ and (2) the pre-distributed radio blocks distribute such in such a way that each of data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x should not be transmitted adjacent to each other by wireless device 104 ₂ .

The second receiving module 406 is configured to receive from the wireless device 104 _{2 a} portion of the number of data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x that were indicated in the access request message 204 (see step 3 in FIG. 3 for additional details): wireless device 104 ₂ transmits all data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x and ideally RAN node 102 ₂ will receive all data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x, but in this example, RAN node 102 ₂ does not accept blocks 202 ₃ , 202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀ data). RAN node 102 ₂ will receive part of the number of data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x in the part of pre-distributed radio blocks. In addition, each of the received data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ , 202 ₄ , 202 ₆ , 202 ₇ , 202 ₈ , 202 ₉ , 202 ₁₁ ... 202x (for example) was repeated several times (N _TX , _UL ) by wireless device 104 ₂ in accordance with UL coating class.

The second transmission module 408 is configured to transmit one or more repetitions of the first confirmation message 208 (for example, the PUAN message 208) to the wireless device 104 ₂ (see step 4 in FIG. 2 for further details). The first acknowledgment message 208 contains: (a) the first bit mapping, indicating the part of the number of data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x that were received, and the remaining part of the number of data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x that were not were accepted (note: in this example, RAN node 102 ₂ did not accept data blocks 202 ₃ , 202 _5, and 202 ₁₀ ); (b) an indication of a different number of pre-allocated radio blocks on the packet data traffic channel that wireless device 104 ₂ should use to transmit the remaining part of the number of data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x, which in this example are blocks 202 ₃ , 202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀ data; and (c) an indication of the (N _TX , _DL ) DL coverage class. The number of repetitions of the first confirmation message 208 is based on the DL coverage class.

The third receiving module 410 is configured to receive from the wireless device 104 _{2 the} remainder of the number of data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x, which in this example are data blocks 202 ₃ , 202 _5, and 202 ₁₀ (see step 5 of FIG. 2 for additional details). RAN node 102 ₂ will receive the remaining part of the number of data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x in the pre-allocated radio blocks indicated by the first acknowledgment message 208. In addition, each of the received data blocks 202 ₃ , 202 _5, and 202 ₁₀ will be repeatedly repeated (N _TX , _UL ) by the wireless device 104 ₂ in accordance with the UL coverage class.

An assembly module 412 is configured to assemble a PDU 209 LLC, which includes the received part and the remaining part of the number of data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x (that is, all data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x). The third transmission module 414 is configured to transmit the LLC PDU 209 to the CN node 107 (eg, SGSN 107) (for more information, see step 6 in FIG. 2).

The fourth transmission module 416 is configured to transmit one or more repetitions of the second acknowledgment message 210 (eg, PUAN message 210) to the wireless device 104 ₂ (see step 7 in FIG. 2 for further details). The second acknowledgment message 210 contains a second bit mapping, indicating that all data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x were received by the RAN node 102 ₂ and the final acknowledgment indicator (FAI) indicating the completion of the uplink transmission. The number of repetitions of the second confirmation message 210 is based on the DL coverage class.

The fourth receiving module 418 is configured to receive one or more repetitions of the third confirmation message 212 (eg, packet control message 212) from the wireless device 104 ₂ (see step 8 of FIG. 2 for further details). The third acknowledgment message 212 indicates that the second acknowledgment message 210 (eg, PUAN message 210) was received by the wireless device 104 ₂ . The third confirmation message 212 would be repeated several times (N _TX , _UL ) by the wireless device 104 ₂ in accordance with the UL coverage class.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the above-described RAN modules 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, 414, 416, and 418 of the node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) can be implemented separately as appropriate specialized circuits. In addition, modules 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, 414, 416, and 418 can also be implemented using any number of dedicated schemes through functional combination or separation. In some embodiments, the modules 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, 414, 416, and 418 can even be combined into a single specialized integrated circuit (ASIC). As an alternative software implementation, the RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) may contain memory 134 ₂ , processor 132 ₂ (including, but not limited to, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or a digital signal processor (DSP), etc. ) and transceiver 122 ₂ . Memory 134 ₂ stores machine-readable program code executed by processor 132 ₂ to call RAN node 102 ₂ (eg, BSS 102 ₂ ) to perform the steps of method 300 described above. It should be understood that another RAN node 102 ₁ can also be configured similarly to RAN node 102 ₂ for performing method 300.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a method 500 implemented in a wireless device 104 ₂ (for example) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. At step 502, the wireless device 104 ₂ transmits one or more repetitions of the access request message 204 (for example, the small data request message 204) to the RAN node 102 ₂ (for example) (see step 1 in FIG. 2 for further details). The access request message 204 may contain: (a) an indication of the number of data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x that wireless device 104 ₂ intends to transmit to the RAN node 102 ₂ ; and (b) an indication (N _TX , _DL ) of the DL coverage class rated by the wireless device 104 ₂ . The number of repetitions (N _TX , _UL ) of the access request message 204 is based on the UL coverage class.

At step 504, the wireless device 104 ₂ receives one or more repetitions of the uplink resource assignment message 206 from the RAN of the node 102 ₂ (see step 2 in FIG. 2 for further details). The uplink resource assignment message 206 may contain: (a) an indication of the number of pre-allocated radio blocks on the packet data traffic channel; (b) an indication of (N _TX , _UL ) the coverage class UL; and (c) an indication of the starting point of the pre-distributed radio blocks that wireless device 104 ₂ must use to transmit the first data block 202 ₁ (for example) from data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x that the wireless device 104 ₂ intends to transmit to the RAN node 102 ₂ ; (d): indication of (N _TX , _DL ) DL coverage class; and (e) an indication of the starting points of the remaining pre-distributed radio blocks that wireless device 104 ₂ must use to transmit the remaining blocks 2022 ... 202x data (for example) from blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x data, that wireless device 104 ₂ It intends to transmit in RAN node 102 _2. The number of repetitions of the uplink resource assignment message 206 is based on the DL coverage class. As discussed above, the pre-distributed radio blocks are distributed by the RAN node 102 ₂ so that (1) all repetitions of each of the data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x must be transmitted sequentially by the wireless device 104 ₂ and (2) the pre-distributed radio blocks are distributed in such a way that each of data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x should not be transmitted adjacent to each other by wireless device 104 ₂ .

At step 506, the wireless device 104 ₂ transmits data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x, which were indicated in message 204 of the access request to the RAN node 102 ₂ (see step 3 in Fig. 2 for additional details): wireless device 104 ₂ in this example transmits all data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x and, ideally, RAN node 102 ₂ will receive all data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x, but, in this example, RAN node 102 ₂ does not accept data blocks 202 ₃ , 202 _5, and 202 ₁₀ . Wireless device 104 ₂ transmits data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x in pre-allocated radio blocks. In addition, each of the transmitted data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x was repeated several times (N _TX , _UL ) by the wireless device 104 ₂ in accordance with the UL coverage class.

At step 508, the wireless device 104 ₂ receives one or more repetitions of the first confirmation message 208 (for example, the PUAN message 208) from the RAN of the node 102 ₂ (see step 4 in FIG. 2 for further details). The first acknowledgment message 208 contains: (a) the first bitmap indicating the part of the number of data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x that were received by the RAN node 102 ₂ , and the remaining part of the number of blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x data that was not accepted by RAN by node 102 ₂ (note: in this example, RAN node 102 ₂ did not accept data blocks 202 ₃ , 202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀ ); (b) an indication of a different number of pre-allocated radio blocks on the packet data traffic channel that wireless device 104 ₂ should use to transmit the remaining part of the number of data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x, which in this example are blocks 202 ₃ , 202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀ data; and (c) an indication of the (N _TX , _DL ) DL coverage class. The number of repetitions of the first confirmation message 208 is based on the DL coverage class.

At step 510, the wireless device 104 ₂ transmits the remaining part of the number of data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x, which in this example are data blocks 202 ₃ , 202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀ to RAN node 102 ₂ Fig. 2 stage 5)). RAN node 102 ₂ will receive the remaining part of the number of data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x in the pre-allocated radio blocks indicated by the first acknowledgment message 208. In addition, each of the received data blocks 202 ₃ , 202 _5, and 202 ₁₀ will be repeated a number of times (N _TX , _UL ) by the wireless device 104 ₂ in accordance with the UL coverage class.

At step 512, the wireless device 104 ₂ receives one or more repetitions of the second acknowledgment message 210 (eg, PUAN message 210) from the RAN of the node 102 ₂ (see FIG. 2, step 7 for further details). The second acknowledgment message 210 contains the second bit mapping, indicating that all data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x were received by the RAN node 102 ₂ , and a final acknowledgment pointer (FAI) indicating the completion of uplink transmission. The number of repetitions of the second confirmation message 210 is based on the DL coverage class.

At step 514, the wireless device 104 ₂ transmits one or more repetitions of the third confirmation message 212 (for example, the packet control message 212) to the RAN node 102 ₂ (see step 8 in FIG. 2 for further details). The third acknowledgment message 212 indicates that the second acknowledgment message 210 (eg, PUAN message 210) was received by the wireless device 104 ₂ . The third confirmation message 212 is repeated several times (N _TX , _UL ) by the wireless device 104 ₂ in accordance with the UL coverage class. Another wireless device 104 ₁ , 104 ₃ ... 104n can also be configured in a similar way to perform method 500.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the structures of an exemplary wireless device 104 ₂ (for example) configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the wireless device 104 ₂ may comprise a first transmission module 602, a first reception module 604, a second transmission module 606, a second reception module 608, a third transmission module 610, a third reception module 612 and a fourth transmission module 614. The wireless device 104 ₂ may also include other components, modules or structures that are well known, but for clarity, only the components, modules or structures necessary for describing features of the present invention are described here.

The first transmission module 602 is adapted to transmit one or more repetitions of the access request message 204 (for example, small data request messages 204) to the RAN node 102 ₂ (for example) (see step 1 in FIG. 2 for further details). The access request message 204 may contain: (a) an indication of the number of data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x that wireless device 104 ₂ intends to transmit to the RAN node 102 ₂ ; and (b) an indication (N _TX , _DL ) of the DL coverage class rated by the wireless device 104 ₂ . The number of repetitions of the access request message 204 is based on the UL coverage class.

The first receiving module 604 is configured to receive one or more repetitions of the uplink resource assignment message 206 from the RAN of the node 102 ₂ (for details, see Fig. 2, step 2). The uplink resource assignment message 206 may contain: (a) an indication of the number of pre-allocated radio blocks on the packet data traffic channel; (b) an indication of (N _TX , _UL ) the coverage class UL; and (c) an indication of the starting point of the pre-distributed radio blocks that wireless device 104 ₂ must use to transmit the first data block 202 ₁ (for example) from data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x that the wireless device 104 ₂ intends to transmit to the RAN node 102 ₂ ; (d) an indication of the (N _TX , _DL ) DL coverage class; and (e) an indication of the starting points of the remaining pre-distributed radio blocks that wireless device 104 ₂ must use to transmit the remaining data blocks 202 ₂ ... 202x (for example) from data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x, that wireless device 104 ₂ intends to convey to the RAN node 102 _2. The number of repetitions of the uplink resource assignment message 206 is based on the DL coverage class. As discussed above, pre-distributed radio blocks are distributed by RAN node 102 ₂ so that (1) all repetitions of each of data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x must be transmitted continuously by wireless device 104 ₂ and (2) pre-distributed radio blocks are distributed in such a way that each of data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x should not be transmitted adjacent to each other by wireless device 104 ₂ .

The second transmission module 606 is configured to transmit data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x that were indicated in the access request message 204 to the RAN node 102 ₂ (see step 3 in Fig. 2 for additional details — note: wireless device 104 ₂ in this example, all data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x and, ideally, RAN node 102 ₂ will receive all data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x, but in this example the RAN node 102 ₂ does not accept data blocks 202 ₃ , 202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀ ). Wireless device 104 ₂ transmits data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x in pre-allocated radio blocks. In addition, each of the transmitted data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x will repeat several times (N _TX , _UL ) by the wireless device 104 ₂ in accordance with the UL coverage class.

The second receiving module 608 is configured to receive one or more repetitions of the first confirmation message 208 (for example, PUAN message 208) from the RAN of node 102 ₂ (see step 4 in FIG. 2 for further details). The first acknowledgment message 208 contains: (a) the first bitmap indicating the part of the number of data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x that were received by the RAN node 102 ₂ , and the remaining part of the number of blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x data that were not accepted by RAN by node 102 ₂ (note: in this example, RAN node 102 ₂ did not accept data blocks 202 ₃ , 202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀ ); (b) an indication of a different number of pre-allocated radio blocks on the packet data traffic channel that wireless device 104 ₂ should use to transmit the remaining part of the number of data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x, which in this example are blocks 202 ₃ , 202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀ data; and (c) an indication of the (N _TX , _DL ) DL coverage class. The number of repetitions of the first confirmation message 208 is based on the DL coverage class.

The third transmission module 610 is configured to transmit the remaining part of the number of data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x, which in this example are data blocks 202 ₃ , 202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀ to the RAN node 102 ₂ (see details in step 5 in Fig. 2). RAN node 102 ₂ will receive the remaining part of the number of data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x in the pre-allocated radio blocks indicated by the first acknowledgment message 208. In addition, each of the received data blocks 202 ₃ , 202 ₅ and 202 ₁₀ will be repeated several times (N _TX , _UL ) by the wireless device 104 ₂ in accordance with the UL coverage class.

The third receiving module 612 is configured to receive one or more repetitions of the second acknowledgment message 210 (eg, PUAN message 210) from the RAN of node 102 ₂ (for details, see Fig. 2, step 7). The second acknowledgment message 210 contains a second bit mapping, indicating that all data blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x were received by the RAN node 102 ₂ , and the final acknowledgment indicator (FAI) indicating the completion of the uplink transmission. The number of repetitions of the second confirmation message 210 is based on the DL coverage class.

The fourth transmission module 614 is configured to transmit one or more repetitions of the third confirmation message 212 (for example, the packet control message 212) to the RAN node 102 ₂ (see step 8 in FIG. 2 for further details). The third acknowledgment message 212 indicates that the second acknowledgment message 210 (eg, PUAN message 210) was received by the wireless device 104 ₂ . The third confirmation message 212 is repeated several times (N _TX , _UL ) by the wireless device 104 ₂ in accordance with the UL coverage class.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the above-described modules 602, 604, 606, 608, 610, 612, and 614 of the wireless device 104 ₂ (eg, MS 104 ₂ ) may be separately implemented as suitable specialized circuits. In addition, modules 602, 604, 606, 608, 610, 612, and 614 can also be implemented using any number of dedicated schemes through functional combination or division. In some embodiments, modules 602, 604, 606, 608, 610, 612, and 614 can even be combined into a single specialized integrated circuit (ASIC). As an alternative software implementation, the wireless device 104 ₂ may include a memory 120 ₂ , a processor 118 ₂ (including, but not limited to, a microprocessor, a microcontroller or a digital signal processor (DSP), etc.) and a transceiver 110 ₂ . The memory 120 ₂ stores machine-readable program code executed by the processor 118 ₂ to cause the wireless device 104 ₂ to perform the steps of the method described above 500. It should be understood that other wireless devices 104 ₁ , 104 ₃ ... 104n can also be configured in the same way as and a wireless device 104 ₂ for performing the method 500.

Downlink resource allocation technology

Downlink Flexible Resource Allocation (FDA) technology is used on the downlink EC-PDTCH when RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) sends a downlink resource assignment message 720 to wireless device 104 ₂ (for example), which indicates to the most possible starting point where the wireless device 104 ₂ should start searching for the possible arrival of DL RLC blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ , 702 ₃ ... 702x data (downlink payload) on the DL EC-PDTCH resources that have been assigned wireless device 104 _2, ak described briefly below and then described in more detail with reference to FIG. 7-16.

- A sign of the FDA technology is the scenario where wireless

The device 104 ₂ receives in the downlink resource assignment message 718 (for example, the EC-AGCH resource assignment message 718) information about the variable number of DL RLC blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ , 702 ₃ ... 702x data up to 4 time slots, where each RLC block 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ , 702 ₃ ... 702x data is repeated in accordance with the value of N _TX , _DL indicated by the downlink resource assignment message 720.

- RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) transmits all repetitions of a particular RLC

block 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ , 702 ₃ ... 702x data continuously, but does not require the transfer of each of the RLC blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ , 702 ₃ ... 702x data adjacent to each other. Thus, the wireless device 104 ₂ will not know the exact starting point of any of the RLC blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ , 702 ₃ ... 702x of data after receiving the message 720 of downlink resource assignment (except for those that know that RLC blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ , 702 ₃ ... 702x data will be transmitted in accordance with N _{TX DL} wireless device 104 ₂ ), but will know that each RLC unit 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ , 702 ₃ ... 702x data will be sent by RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) using adjacent radio blocks.

- The point at which the wireless device 104 ₂ stops trying to receive

RLC blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ , 702 ₃ ... 702x of data is determined according to when wireless device 104 _{2 is} polled to send a 720 packet downlink Ack / Nack message (PDAN) on UL EC-PACCH. In other words, the number of additional RLC data blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ , 702 ₃ ... 702x that wireless device 104 ₂ receives after receiving the first RLC data block 702 ₁ (for example) is variable, but any additional RLC blocks 702 need to be received ₂ , 702 ₃ ... 702x data until the wireless device 104 ₂ is polled to send a PDAN message 720 (that is, the wireless device 104 ₂ will not look for additional DL RLC blocks 702 ₂ , 702 ₃ ... 702x data when complete the transfer of the PDAN message 720).

- When searching for the first radio block used to send any given

RLC unit 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ , 702 ₃ ... 702x data, wireless device 104 ₂ analyzes fixed sets of EC-PDTCH blocks based on N _TX , _DL . For example, if wireless device 104 ₂ uses N _{TX DL} = 2 (i.e., 2 blind repeats), then it will only consider fixed pairs of EC-PDTCH blocks in an attempt to accept an RLC unit 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ , 702 ₃ ... 702x data. Thus, the wireless device 104 ₂ will treat each 52-multi-frame on a controlled TS as potentially containing 6 pairs of EC-PDTCH blocks, where any of these pairs can potentially contain the expected RLC unit 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ , 702 ₃ .. .702x data.

One exemplary sequence of signaling steps associated with FDA technology is illustrated in FIG. 7 and described in detail below with respect to the scenario in which the RAN node 102 ₂ has small data transmissions for transmission to the wireless device 104 ₂ (for example, the IoT device 104 ₂ ) which has an uplink coverage class that requires N _{TX, UL} and a downlink coverage class requiring N _TX , _DL repetition. Illustrative signaling steps associated with the wireless device 104 ₂ receiving small data transmissions from the RAN of the node 102 ₂ are as follows:

Step 1: CN node 107 (for example, SGSN 107) receives some downlink payload 716 (for example, an IP packet) for wireless device 104 ₂ and acts on payload 716 by transmitting to RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ a paging request message 704 indicating the international mobile subscriber identifier (IMSI), extended discontinuous reception cycle length (eDRX) and N _TX , _{DL of the} wireless device 104 ₂ , where the specified N _TX , _{DL is} based on the latest DL coverage class indicated by the wireless device 104 ₂ (for example, in the request message update routing area (RAU)).

Step 2: The RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) transmits one or more repetitions of the paging message 706 on the EC paging channel (PCH) to the wireless device 104 ₂ using the nominal paging group of the wireless device 104 ₂ . The RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) can determine the nominal paging group of the wireless device 104 ₂ using the IMSI, the eDRX cycle length, the number of EC-PCH blocks per 51 multicard and N _TX , _{DL of the} wireless device 104 ₂ as follows:

- Each eDRX cycle consists of Y 51 multi-frames, to which the restriction applies, where each eDRX cycle should be performed an integer number of times within the common space of a time division multiple access (TDMA) frame number.

- The number of paging groups during an eDRX cycle is determined based on the coverage class, where the RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) first determines the nominal paging group of the wireless device 104 ₂ , assuming that N _TX , _DL = 1, which effectively defines the window of the four 51 multi-frames in which the wireless device 104 ₂ will be activated to attempt to read according to its actual nominal paging group.

- The specific EC-PCH blocks that the wireless device 104 ₂ considers to be its nominal paging group within the four 51-frame windows are determined based on the DL coverage class of the last one specified by the wireless device 104 ₂ .

Step 3: The wireless device 104 ₂ transmits one or more repetitions of the ECG-RACH access request message 708 to the RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ). The access request message 708 requests resources to send a paging response message 712 (see step 5). The number of repetitions used to transmit the access request message 708 is based on the UL rated N _TX class, _UL coverage of the wireless device 104 ₂ (the only repetition is always used by the wireless device 104 ₂ with normal coverage). The access request message 708 may be configured as follows:

- Information that the wireless device 104 ₂ may include in the access request message 708 is indicated in Table 2 and is discussed in more detail below:

- An indication of whether the wireless device 104 supports ₂ MCS-5 through MCS-9 is indicated by the TSC used when transmitting the access request message 708 in accordance with the legacy operation.

- The access request message 708, which is transmitted on the EC-RACH, includes an indication of the DL coverage class estimated by the wireless device 104 ₂ .

- The system information (SI) sent to TS1 indicates that if wireless device 104 ₂ (for example) is in a state of normal coverage (N _TX , _UL = N _TX , _DL = 1), then it should access the system with using RACH on TS0 or RACH on TS1. Note: The system information may be transmitted by the RAN node 102 ₂ before the RAN node 102 ₂ transmits the paging message 706.

Table 2: Access Message Content 708

Type of access request The number of MCS-1 coded blocks (4 bits) Spare bit
(1 bit) Random bits
(3 bits) DL Coverage Class
(3 bits) Device id
(32 bits) AB to TS0 Yes (0000 = paging response request) Yes Yes No ¹ Not AB to TS1 Yes (0000 = paging response request) Yes Yes Yes Not NB to TS0 Yes Not Not No ¹ Yes NB on TS1 Yes Not Not Yes Yes Note 1: Not required, as access is always granted with normal UL and DL coverage

Step 4: The RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, the BSS 102 ₂ ) transmits one or more repetitions of the uplink resource assignment message 710 on the EC-AGCH to the wireless device 104 ₂ . The number of repetitions used by the RAN by the node 102 ₂ (eg, BSS 102 ₂ ) when sending an uplink resource assignment message 710 is indicated by the value N _TX , _DL included in the paging message 708 of the response request. The uplink resource assignment message 710 includes the same assignment information as in the uplink resource assignment message 206, as described above with reference to FIG. 2, stage 2 technology fixed allocation of resources uplink communication, but for the case when X = 1.

Step 5: As shown in FIG. Stage 3 of the fixed uplink resource allocation technology 3, the HARQ scheme is used by the wireless device 104 ₂ to transmit uplink payload to the RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, paging response message 712 consisting of an LLC dummy PDU) using N _TX , _UL UL pre-distributed radio blocks, in which, after transmitting an uplink payload (paging response 712), the wireless device 104 ₂ expects a corresponding PUAN message 714.

Step 6: The RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) transmits a PUAN message 714 after attempting to receive N _TX , _{UL UL} pre-distributed radio blocks (paging response 712) from the wireless device 104 ₂ . After transmitting the paging response 712, the wireless device 104 ₂ attempts to receive the PUAN message 714, starting with the first possible set of EC-PACCH blocks corresponding to the DL coverage class of the wireless device 104 ₂ , as shown in FIG. 2 in step 4 of the fixed uplink resource allocation technology and described as follows:

- After receiving the PUAN message 714, the wireless device 104 ₂ releases the UL resources of the temporary block stream (TBF), enters the EC-Idle state, where the wireless device 104 ₂ then tracks the EC-AGCH using the short DRX cycle (for example, according to the legacy) pending message 718 assignment of DL TBF resources.

- Alternatively, the PUAN message 714 may include the DL TBF resource assignment message 715 and an indication of where the wireless device 104 ₂ should start searching for RLC data blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ , 702 ₃ ... 702x data in accordance with the DRX cycle after first waiting for a particular time period (for example, as indicated by the information in the PUAN message 714). This method allows the wireless device 104 ₂ to not receive an additional EC-AGCH message 718. This method is discussed in detail below with reference to FIG. 12-16.

Step 7: The RAN node 102 ₂ (eg, BSS 102 ₂ ) transmits a paging response message 713 (eg, a dummy PDU LLC) to the CN node 107 (eg, SGSN 107).

Step 8: The CN node 107 (for example, SGSN 107) transmits a PDU including a downlink user plane waiting for payload 716 to the RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ), from which the CN node 107 (for example, SGSN 107 ) received the paging message 713 response.

Step 9: The RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) disassembles the PDU, including the waiting downlink user plane 716, into one or more RLC blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ , 702 ₃ ... 702x data suitable for transmission to the wireless device 104 ₂ via a radio interface.

Step 10: The RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, the BSS 102 ₂ ) transmits one or more repetitions of downlink resource assignment message 718 over the EC-AGCH to the wireless device 104 ₂ . The number of repetitions of the downlink resource assignment message 718 is determined using the N _TX class, _DL downlink coverage, which was last received by the RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ). The downlink resource assignment message 718 has the following features:

- A downlink resource assignment message 718 indicates the resources assigned to the DL EC-PDTCH (eg, time slots), a possible indication of when the wireless device 104 ₂ should start searching for the first RLC of the DL data blocks 702 ₁ (eg, expressed as an offset from where downlink resource assignment message 718 is received), UL class N _TX , _UL coverage to be used, and DL class N _TX , _DL coverage to be used on a set of assigned time slots.

Step 11: The HARQ scheme is used by the RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) to transmit downlink payload 716 to the wireless device 104 ₂ (RLC units 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ , 702 ₃ ... 702x data). Wireless device 104 ₂ may be polled for a PDAN message 720 in one or more of a variable number of RLC units 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ , 702 ₃ ... 702x data transmitted to the wireless device 104 ₂ prior to the transmission of the PDAN message 720. Below is a description how the wireless device 1042 can function to receive RLC data blocks 7021, 702 ₂ , 702 ₃ ... 702x:

- When trying to find the DL RLC data block 702 ₁ (for example), the wireless device 104 ₂ examines the fixed sets of EC-PDTCH blocks based on the coverage class of the wireless device 104 ₂ . For example, if wireless device 104 ₂ uses N _{TX, DL} = 2 (i.e. 2 blind repeats), then it will only consider fixed pairs of EC-PDTCH blocks in an attempt to receive RLC data block 702 ₁ (for example) addressed to the assigned TFI wireless device 104 _2, in the designated time intervals of the wireless device 104 ₂ . Thus, the wireless device 104 ₂ will treat each 52-multi-frame on the controlled TS as potentially containing 6 pairs of EC-PDTCH blocks, where any of these pairs may potentially contain the expected RLC data block 702 ₁ .

- If the RLC data block 702 ₁ is not received in the set of applicable EC-PDTCH blocks, then the wireless device 104 ₂ continues to read additional sets of EC-PDTCH blocks applicable to the downlink coverage class of the wireless device 104 ₂ .

- For example, if the transmission of downlink payload 716 consists of 5 MCS-1 RLC data blocks (X = 5) and N _TX , _DL indicates that 8 repetitions are required, then a total of 40 radio blocks are required (X * N _TX , _DL ) for transmission. These 40 radio blocks will be transmitted using 5 copies of 8 adjacent radio blocks over a set of assigned time slots. The time period between transmissions of any two consecutive RLC data blocks (i.e., between instances of 8 adjacent radio blocks) is variable, although the downlink resource assignment message 718 may possibly indicate that this time period provides an increase in the battery life of the wireless device 104 ₂ .

- Polling can be performed by having a polling field in the set of one or more RLC blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ , 702 ₃ ... 702x data, where the polling field in each RLC block 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ , 702 ₃ ... 702x data indicates the same time point at which the wireless device 104 ₂ should transmit the PDAN message 720 on the UL EC-PACCH to the RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ).

Step 12: PDAN Message 720 is transmitted by the wireless device 104 ₂ on the UL EC-PACCH to the RAN node 102 ₂ (eg, BSS 102 ₂ ), in which the location of the first UL pre-allocated EC-PACCH block used to transmit the PDAN message 720 is indicated by the information the survey included in one or more RLC units 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ , 702 ₃ ... 702x data transmitted to the wireless device 104 ₂ . The following is a more detailed description of the process for transmitting and receiving a PDAN message 720:

- The location of the first UL EC-PACCH block used to transmit the PDAN message 720 may be expressed as an offset from the DL RLC of the data block 702 ₁ (for example) from which the polling information was read.

- Alternatively, if downlink resource assignment information indicates that a specific number of DL RLC data blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ , 702 ₃ ... 702x will be transmitted continuously before polling, after receiving the last DL radio communication block 702x used for delivering DL RLC blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ , 702 ₃ ... 702x data, wireless device 104 ₂ can transmit a PDAN message 720 using an offset (eg, fixed or indicated downlink resource assignment 718) from the last DL block 702x radio communications to determine share where to start transmitting the PDAN message 720. The same principle can be used when wireless device 104 ₂ sent a PDAN message 720 indicating that one or more DL RLC blocks 702 ₂ data (for example) should be re-sent (that is, wireless device 104 ₂ will expect that all DL RLC data blocks 702 ₂ (for example) should be transmitted continuously and thereby determine where to send the corresponding PDAN message 720).

- N _{TX, UL} continuous radio blocks are pre-allocated to transmit a PDAN message 720.

- If the RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) does not receive the PDAN message 720 on the pre-UL distributed radio blocks, then the RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) may re-send the DL RLC data block 702 ₁ (for example), including in the information of the survey (re-poll).

- Thus, after the wireless device 104 ₂ receives a DL RLC data block 702x (for example) including polling information, and transmits a corresponding PDAN message indicating that all DL RLC blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ , 702 ₃ .. .702x data received, the wireless device 104 ₂ should wait a limited period of time (for example, indicated by the destination message 718), and then start searching for the possible reception of the previously received DL RLC of the data block 702 ₁ (for example) including the polling information. This allows for the case when the RAN node 102 ₂ does not accept the PDAN message 720 sent by the wireless device 104 ₂ in response to the repeated polling.

- If wireless device 104 _{2 is} again polled during this limited time window, wireless device 104 ₂ must transmit another PDAN message 720 using a specific set of pre-allocated N _TX , _UL radio blocks, as indicated by repeated polling. Otherwise, the wireless device 104 ₂ should release the DL TBF and go to the EC-Idle state.

- When transmitting a PDAN message 720 indicating that one or more DL RLC data blocks 702 ₂ (for example) were not received, the wireless device 104 ₂ should continue to monitor the resources assigned to the DL PDTCH to receive missing RLC data blocks 702 ₂ (for example), and then continue with the process as in step 11.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method 800 implemented in a RAN node 102 ₂ (for example) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. At step 802 RAN, node 102 ₂ receives the paging request message 704 from the CN of node 107. The request paging message 704 is associated with the wireless device 104 ₂ (for example) (see FIG. 7, step 1 for further details).

At step 804 of the RAN, the node 102 ₂ transmits one or more repetitions of the paging message 706 to the wireless device 1042 (see step 2 in FIG. 7 for more information). The number of repetitions of a paging message 706 is based on the DL class N _TX , _DL coverage.

At step 806, the RAN node 102 ₂ receives one or more repetitions of the access request message 708 from the wireless device 104 ₂ (see FIG. 7, step 3 for further details). The access request message 708 requests resources to send a paging response message 712 and includes an indication of the (N _TX , _DL ) DL coverage class. The number of repetitions (N _TX , _UL ) of the access request message 708 is based on the UL coverage class.

At step 808 of the RAN, the node 102 ₂ transmits one or more repetitions of the uplink assignment message 712 to the wireless device 104 ₂ (see step 4 of FIG. 7 for further details). The uplink assignment message 712 may contain: (a) an indication of the number of pre-allocated radio blocks (blocks) in the packet data traffic channel; (b) an indication of (N _TX , _UL ) the coverage class UL; (c) an indication of the (N _{TX, DL} ) DL coverage class; and (d) an indication when the wireless device 104 ₂ should start searching for the first data block 702 ₁ (for example) from the RAN of the node 102 ₂ . The number of repetitions of the uplink resource assignment message 712 is based on the DL coverage class.

At step 810, the RAN node 102 ₂ receives one or more repetitions of the paging response message 712 from the wireless device 104 ₂ (see step 5 in FIG. 7 for further details). The paging response message 712 may comprise: an uplink payload (eg, LLC PDU), where the uplink payload is received in a pre-allocated radio block (s). The paging message 712 response is repeated in accordance with the UL coverage class.

At step 812, the RAN node 102 ₂ transmits one or more repetitions of the first confirmation message 714 (eg, PUAN message 714) to the wireless device 104 ₂ (see step 6 in FIG. 7 for further details). The first acknowledgment message 714 may comprise: a first bit mapping indicating reception of the paging message 712 of the RAN response by the node 102 ₂ , and a final acknowledgment indicator (FAI) indicating the completion of the uplink transmission. The number of repetitions of the first message 714 confirmation is based on the DL coverage class.

At step 814, the RAN node 102 ₂ sends a paging response message 713 to the CN node 107 (see step 7 in FIG. 7 for additional details).

At step 816, the RAN node 102 ₂ receives a PDU including the downlink payload 716 from the CN of node 107 (see step 8 in FIG. 7 for additional details).

At step 818, the RAN node 102 ₂ decomposes a PDU, including downlink payload 716, into one or more data blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ ... 702x suitable for transmission to the wireless device 104 ₂ over the air interface (see step 9 in Fig. 7 for more information).

At step 820, the RAN node 102 ₂ transmits one or more repetitions of the downlink resource assignment message 718 to the wireless device 104 ₂ (see step 10 in FIG. 7 for further details). The downlink resource assignment message 718 may contain: (a) an indication of the assigned DL resources in the packet data traffic channel; (b) an indication of the (N _TX , _DL ) DL coverage class; and (c) an indication when the wireless device 104 ₂ should start searching for the first data block 702 ₁ (for example) from the RAN of the node 102 ₂ . The number of repetitions of downlink resource assignment message 718 is based on the DL coverage class.

At step 822, the RAN node 102 ₂ transmits to the wireless device 104 ₂ one or more repetitions of each of the blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ ... 702x of data using the assigned DL resources (for more information, see Fig. 7 step 11). The number of repetitions of each of the data blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ ... 702x is based on the DL coverage class. In addition, all repetitions of each of the data blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ ... 702x are transmitted adjacent to the wireless device 104 ₂ , and each of the data blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ ... 702x should not be transmitted adjacent to each other to the wireless device 104 ₂

At step 824 of the RAN, node 102 ₂ receives one or more repetitions of the second acknowledgment message 720 (eg, PDAN message 720) from wireless device 104 ₂ (see step 12 in FIG. 7 for further details). The second acknowledgment message 720 comprises: a second bit map indicating reception of data blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ ... 702x by the wireless device 104 ₂ . The number of repetitions of the second confirmation message 720 is based on the UL coverage class. The other RAN node 102 ₁ may also be configured in a similar manner to perform method 800.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the structures of an exemplary RAN node 102 ₂ (for example) configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the RAN node 102 ₂ may comprise a first reception module 902, a first transmission module 904, a second reception module 906, a second transmission module 908, a third reception module 910, a third transmission module 912, a fourth transmission module 914, a fourth reception module 916, a disassembly module 918, a fifth transmission module 920, a sixth transmission module 922, and a fifth reception module 924. The RAN node 102 ₂ may also include other components, modules or structures that are well known, but for clarity of understanding, this document describes only the components, modules or structures necessary to disclose the features of the present invention.

The first receiving module 902 may be configured to receive the paging request message 704 from the CN of the node 107. The paging request message 704 is associated with the wireless device 104 ₂ (for example) (see FIG. 7, step 1 for additional details).

The first transmission module 904 may be configured to transmit one or more repetitions of the paging message 706 to the wireless device 104 ₂ (see step 2 in FIG. 7 for further details). The number of repetitions (N _TX , _DL ) of the paging message 706 is based on the DL coverage class.

The second receiving module 906 may be configured to receive one or more repetitions of the access request message 708 from the wireless device 104 ₂ (see step 3 in FIG. 7 for more information). The access request message 708 requests resources to send a paging response message 712 and includes an indication of the (N _TX , _DL ) DL coverage class. The number of repetitions (N _TX , _UL ) of the access request message 708 is based on the UL coverage class.

The second transmission module 908 may be configured to transmit one or more repetitions of the uplink resource assignment message 712 to the wireless device 104 ₂ (see step 4 in FIG. 7 for further details). The uplink resource assignment message 712 may contain: (a) an indication of the number of pre-allocated radio blocks (blocks) in the packet data traffic channel; (b) an indication of (N _TX , _UL ) the coverage class UL; (c) an indication of the (N _TX , _DL ) DL coverage class; and (d) an indication when the wireless device 104 ₂ should start searching for the first data block 702 ₁ (for example) from the RAN of the node 102 ₂ . The number of repetitions of the uplink resource assignment message 712 is based on the DL coverage class.

The third receiving module 910 may be configured to receive one or more repetitions of the paging response message 712 from the wireless device 104 ₂ (for details, see step 7 in Fig. 7). The paging response message 712 may comprise: an uplink payload (eg, LLC PDU), where the uplink payload is received in a pre-allocated radio block (s). The paging message 712 response is repeated in accordance with the UL coverage class.

The third transmission module 912 may be configured to transmit one or more repetitions of the first confirmation message 714 (eg, PUAN message 714) to the wireless device 104 ₂ (see step 6 in FIG. 7 for further details). The first acknowledgment message 714 may comprise: a first bit mapping indicating reception of the paging message 712 of the RAN response by the node 102 ₂ , and a final acknowledgment indicator (FAI) indicating the completion of the uplink transmission. The number of repetitions of the first message 714 confirmation is based on the DL coverage class.

The fourth transmission module 914 may be configured to transmit a paging response message 713 to the CN node 107 (see step 7 in FIG. 7 for additional details).

The fourth receiving module 916 may be configured to receive a PDU including the downlink payload 716 from the CN of the node 107 (see step 8 in FIG. 7 for additional details).

The disassembly module 918 may be configured to decompose a PDU including a downlink payload 716 into one or more data blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ ... 702x suitable for transmission to the wireless device 104 ₂ over the air interface (see step 9 in Fig. 7 for more information).

The fifth transmission module 920 may be configured to transmit one or more repetitions of the downlink resource assignment message 718 to the wireless device 104 ₂ (see step 10 in FIG. 7 for more information). The downlink resource assignment message 718 may contain: (a) an indication of the DL resources assigned in the packet data traffic channel; (b) an indication of the (N _TX , _DL ) DL coverage class; and (c) an indication when the wireless device 104 ₂ should start searching for the first data block 702 ₁ (for example) from the RAN of the node 102 ₂ . The number of repetitions of the downlink assignment message 718 is based on the DL coverage class.

The sixth transmission module 922 may be configured to transmit to the wireless device 104 ₂ one or more repetitions of each of the data blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ ... 702x using the assigned DL resources (see step 11 in FIG. 7 for additional details) . The number of repetitions of each of the data blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ ... 702x is based on the coverage class DL. In addition, all repetitions of each of the data blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ ... 702x are transmitted adjacent to the wireless device 104 ₂ , and each of the data blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ ... 702x should not be transmitted adjacent to each other to the wireless device 104 ₂

The fifth receiving module 924 may be configured to receive one or more repetitions of the second acknowledgment message 720 (eg, PDAN message 720) from the wireless device 104 ₂ (see step 12 in FIG. 7 for further details). The second acknowledgment message 720 comprises: a second bit map indicating reception of data blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ ... 702x by the wireless device 104 ₂ . The number of repetitions of the second confirmation message 720 is based on the UL coverage class. The other RAN node 102 ₁ may also be configured in a similar manner to perform method 800.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the above described modules 902, 904, 906, 908, 910, 912, 914, 916, 918, 920, 922 and 924 of the RAN of node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) can be implemented separately as suitable specialized circuits. In addition, modules 902, 904, 906, 908, 910, 912, 914, 916, 918, 920, 922, and 924 can also be implemented using any number of dedicated schemes through functional combination or division. In some embodiments, modules 902, 904, 906, 908, 910, 912, 914, 916, 918, 920, 922, and 924 may even be combined into a single specialized integrated circuit (ASIC). As an alternative software implementation, the RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) may contain memory 134 ₂ , processor 132 ₂ (including, but not limited to, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or a digital signal processor (DSP), etc. ) and transceiver 122 ₂ . Memory 134 ₂ stores machine-readable program code executed by processor 132 ₂ to call RAN node 102 ₂ (eg, BSS 102 ₂ ) to perform the steps of method 800 described above. It should be understood that another RAN node 102 ₁ can also be configured similarly to RAN node 102 ₂ for performing method 800.

FIG. 10 illustrates a flow chart of a method 1000 implemented in a wireless device 104 ₂ (for example) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. At step 1002, the wireless device 104 ₂ receives one or more repetitions of the paging message 706 from the RAN of the node 102 ₂ (for more data, see step 7 in FIG. 7). The number of repetitions of a paging message 706 is based on the DL class N _{TX, DL} coverage.

At step 1004, the wireless device 104 ₂ transmits one or more repetitions of the access request message 708 to the RAN node 102 ₂ (for more information, see step 3 in FIG. 7). The access request message 708 requests resources to send a paging response message 712 and includes an indication of the (N _TX , _DL ) DL coverage class. The number of repetitions of the access request message 708 is based on the UL coverage class.

At step 1006, the wireless device 104 ₂ receives one or more repetitions of the uplink resource assignment message 710 from the RAN of the node 102 ₂ (for details, see step 4 in FIG. 7). The uplink resource assignment message 710 may contain: (a) an indication of the number of pre-allocated radio blocks (blocks) in the packet data traffic channel; (b) an indication of (N _TX , _UL ) the coverage class UL; (c) an indication of the (N _TX , _DL ) DL coverage class; and (d) an indication of the starting point of the pre-allocated radio blocks that wireless device 104 ₂ should use to transmit the paging response message 712 to the RAN node 102 ₂ . The number of repetitions of the uplink resource assignment message 710 is based on the DL coverage class.

At step 1008, the wireless device 1042 transmits one or more repetitions of the paging response message 712 to the RAN node 102 ₂ (see step 5 in FIG. 7 for further details). The paging response message 712 may comprise: an uplink payload (eg, LLC PDU), where the uplink payload is transmitted in a pre-allocated radio block (s). The paging message 712 response is repeated in accordance with the UL coverage class.

At step 1010, the wireless device 104 ₂ receives one or more repetitions of the first confirmation message 714 (for example, a PUAN message 714) from the RAN of the node 102 ₂ (see step 7 for details 6). The first acknowledgment message 714 may comprise: a first bit mapping indicating the receipt of the paging message 712 of the RAN response by the node 102 ₂ . The number of repetitions of the first message 714 confirmation is based on the DL coverage class.

At step 1012, the wireless device 104 ₂ receives one or more repetitions of the downlink resource assignment message 718 from the RAN of the node 102 ₂ (for details, see step 7 in FIG. 7). The downlink resource assignment message 718 may contain: (a) an indication of the assigned DL resources in the packet data traffic channel; (b) an indication of the (N _TX , _DL ) DL coverage class; and (c) an indication when the wireless device 104 ₂ should start searching for the first data block 702 ₁ (for example) from the RAN of the node 102 ₂ . The number of repetitions of downlink resource assignment message 718 is based on the DL coverage class.

At step 1014, the wireless device 1042 receives from the RAN of the node 102 ₂ one or more repetitions of each of the blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ ... 702x of data using the assigned DL resources (see step 11 in FIG. 7 for further details). The number of repetitions of each of the data blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ ... 702x is based on the DL coverage class. In addition, all repetitions of each of data blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ ... 702x are received adjacent to the wireless device 104 ₂ , and each of the data blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ ... 702x should not be received adjacent to each other on the wireless device 104 ₂

At step 1016, the wireless device 104 ₂ transmits one or more repetitions of the second confirmation message 720 (eg, PDAN message 720) to the RAN node 102 ₂ (see step 12 in FIG. 7 for further details). The second acknowledgment message 720 comprises: a second bit map indicating reception of data blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ ... 702x by the wireless device 104 ₂ . The number of repetitions of the second confirmation message 720 is based on the UL coverage class. Other wireless devices 104 ₁ , 104 ₃ ... 104n can also be configured in a similar way to perform method 1000.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating the structures of an exemplary wireless device 104 ₂ (for example) configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the wireless device 104 ₂ may comprise a first reception module 1102, a first transmission module 1104, a second reception module 1106, a second transmission module 1108, a third reception module 1110, a fourth reception module 1112, a fifth reception module 1114, and a third transmission module 1116. The wireless device 104 ₂ may also include other components, modules or structures that are well known, but for clarity, only the components, modules or structures necessary for describing features of the present invention in this specification are described.

The first receiving module 1102 may be configured to receive one or more repetitions of the paging message 706 from the RAN of the node 102 ₂ (for more details, see Fig. 7, step 2). The number of repetitions of a paging message 706 is based on the DL coverage class.

The first transmission module 1104 may be configured to transmit one or more repetitions of the access request message 708 to the RAN node 102 ₂ (see FIG. 7, step 3 for further details). The access request message 708 requests resources to send a paging response message 712 and includes an indication of the (N _TX , _DL ) DL coverage class. The number of repetitions of the access request message 708 is based on the UL coverage class.

The second receiving module 1106 may be configured to receive one or more repetitions of the uplink resource assignment message 710 from the RAN of the node 102 ₂ (see step 7 for details 4). The uplink resource assignment message 710 may contain: (a) an indication of the number of pre-allocated radio blocks (blocks) in the packet data traffic channel; (b) an indication of (N _TX , _UL ) the coverage class UL; (c) an indication of the (N _TX , _DL ) DL coverage class; and (d) an indication of the starting point of the pre-allocated radio blocks that wireless device 104 ₂ should use to transmit the paging response message 712 to the RAN node 102 ₂ . The number of repetitions of the uplink resource assignment message 710 is based on the DL coverage class.

The second transmission module 1108 may be configured to transmit one or more repetitions of the paging response message 712 to the RAN node 102 ₂ (for details, see step 7 in FIG. 7). The paging response message 712 may comprise: an uplink payload (eg, LLC PDU), where the uplink payload is transmitted in a pre-allocated radio block (s). The paging message 712 response is repeated in accordance with the UL coverage class.

The third receiving module 1110 may be configured to receive one or more repetitions of the first confirmation message 714 (eg, PUAN message 714) from the RAN of the node 102 ₂ (see step 6 in FIG. 7 for additional details). The first acknowledgment message 714 may comprise: a first bit mapping indicating the receipt of the paging message 712 of the RAN response by the node 102 ₂ . The number of repetitions of the first message 714 confirmation is based on the DL coverage class.

The fourth receiving module 1112 may be configured to receive one or more repetitions of downlink resource assignment message 718 from the RAN of the node 102 ₂ (for details, see Fig. 7, step 10). The downlink resource assignment message 718 may contain: (a) an indication of the assigned DL resources in the packet data traffic channel; (b) an indication of the (N _TX , _DL ) DL coverage class; and (c) an indication when the wireless device 104 ₂ should start searching for the first data block 702 ₁ (for example) from the RAN of the node 102 ₂ . The number of repetitions of downlink resource assignment message 718 is based on the DL coverage class.

The fifth receiving module 1114 may be configured to receive one or more repetitions of each of the data blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ ... 702x using the assigned DL resources from the RAN of the node 102 ₂ (see step 11 in FIG. 7 for more details). The number of repetitions of each of the data blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ ... 702x is based on the DL coverage class. In addition, all repetitions of each of data blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ ... 702x are received adjacent to the wireless device 104 ₂ , and each of the data blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ ... 702x should not be received adjacent to each other on the wireless device 104 ₂

A third transmission module 1116 may be configured to transmit one or more repetitions of the second confirmation message 720 (eg, PDAN message 720) to the RAN node 102 ₂ (see step 12 in FIG. 7 for additional details). The second acknowledgment message 720 comprises: a second bit map indicating reception of data blocks 702 ₁ , 702 ₂ ... 702x by the wireless device 104 ₂ . The number of repetitions of the second confirmation message 720 is based on the UL coverage class. Other wireless devices 104 ₁ , 104 ₃ ... 104n can also be configured in a similar way to perform method 1000.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the modules 1102, 1104, 1106, 1108, 1110, 1112, 1114, and 1116 of the wireless device 104 ₂ (for example, MS 104 ₂ ) described above can be implemented separately as suitable specialized circuits. In addition, modules 1102, 1104, 1106, 1108, 1110, 1112, 1114, and 1116 can also be implemented using any number of distributed circuits through functional combination or separation. In some embodiments, the modules 1102, 1104, 1106, 1108, 1110, 1112, 1114, and 1116 can even be combined into a single specialized integrated circuit (ASIC). As an alternative software implementation, the wireless device 104 ₂ may include a memory 120 ₂ , a processor 118 ₂ (including, but not limited to, a microprocessor, a microcontroller or a digital signal processor (DSP), etc.) and a transceiver 110 ₂ . The memory 120 ₂ stores the machine-readable program code executed by the processor 118 ₂ to cause the wireless device 104 ₂ to perform the steps of the method described above 1000. It should be understood that other wireless devices 104 ₁ , 104 ₃ ... 104n can also be configured similarly to the wireless device 104 ₂ for performing method 1000.

Another exemplary sequence of signaling steps associated with FDA technology is illustrated in FIG. 12 and described in detail below with respect to another scenario in which RAN node 102 ₂ has small data transmissions for transmission to wireless device 104 ₂ (for example, IoT device 104 ₂ ) that has an uplink coverage class requiring N _{TX, UL} , repetitions, and downlink coverage class requiring N _{TX, DL} , reps. Illustrative signaling steps associated with the wireless device 104 ₂ receiving small data transmissions from the RAN of the node 102 ₂ are as follows:

Step 1: CN node 107 (eg, SGSN 107) receives some downlink payload 1216 (eg, IP packet) for wireless device 104 ₂ and acts on payload 1216 by transmitting node 102 ₂ to RAN (eg BSS 102 ₂ ) request paging message 1204 indicating the international mobile subscriber identifier (IMSI), extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) cycle length and N _TX , _DL wireless device 104 ₂ , where indicated N _TX , _{DL is} based on the latest DL coverage class indicated by the wireless device ₂ 104 (e.g., a message for Dew update the routing area (RAU)).

Step 2: The RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) transmits one or more repetitions of the paging message 1206 on the EC paging channel (PCH) to the wireless device 104 ₂ using the nominal paging group of the wireless device 104 ₂ . The RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) can determine the nominal paging group of the wireless device 104 ₂ using the IMSI, the eDRX cycle length, the number of EC-PCH blocks in the 51-multiframe and N _TX , _{DL of the} wireless device 104 ₂ as follows:

- Each eDRX cycle consists of Y 51 multiframes, which are subject to the restriction that each eDRX cycle must be performed an integer number of times within a common frame number of time division multiple access (TDMA).

- The number of paging groups on an eDRX cycle is determined based on the coverage class, where the RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) first determines the nominal paging group of the wireless device 104 ₂ , assuming N _TX , _DL = 1, which effectively determines the window from four 51 multi-frames in which the wireless device 104 ₂ will be activated to try to read according to its actual nominal paging group.

- The specific EC-PCH blocks that the wireless device 104 ₂ considers to be its nominal paging group within the window of the four 51 multi-cars are determined based on the last DL coverage class specified by the wireless device 104 ₂ .

Step 3: The wireless device 104 ₂ transmits one or more repetitions of the ECG-RACH access message 1208 to the RAN node 102 ₂ (eg, BSS 102 ₂ ). The access request message 1208 requests resources to send a paging response message 1212 (see step 5). The number of repetitions used to transmit the access request message 1208 is based on the estimated UL class N _TX , _UL coverage of the wireless device 104 ₂ (one repetition is always used by the wireless device 104 ₂ with normal coverage). The access request message 1208 may be configured as follows:

- Information that the wireless device 104 ₂ may include in the access request message 1208 is indicated by table No. 2 and described in more detail below:

- An indication of whether the wireless device 104 supports ₂ MCS-5 - MCS-9 is indicated by the TSC used when transmitting the access request message 1208 in accordance with the legacy operation.

- The access request message 1208, which is transmitted on the EC-RACH, includes an indication of the DL coverage class estimated by the wireless device 104 ₂ .

- The system information (SI) sent to TS1 indicates that if wireless device 104 ₂ (for example) is in normal coverage (N _TX , _UL = N _TX , _DL = 1), then it should access the system using RACH on TS0 or RACH on TS1. Note: System information may be transmitted by RAN node 102 ₂ before RAN node 102 ₂ transmits a paging message 1206.

Table 3: Content of Access Request Message 1208

Type of access request amount
MCS-1 coded blocks (4 bits) Spare
bit
(1 bit) Random bits
(3 bits) DL Coverage Class
(3 bits) Device id
(32 bits) AB to TS0 Yes (0000 = paging response request) Yes Yes No ¹ Not AB to TS1 Yes (0000 = paging response request) Yes Yes Yes Not NB to TS0 Yes Not Not No ¹ Yes NB on TS1 Yes Not Not Yes Yes Note 1: Not required, as access is always granted under normal coverage on UL and DL

Step 4: The RAN node 102 ₂ (eg, BSS 102 ₂ ) transmits one or more repetitions of the uplink resource assignment message 1210 on the EC-AGCH to the wireless device 104 ₂ . The number of repetitions used by the RAN by the node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) when sending the uplink resource assignment message 1210 is indicated by the value N _TX , _DL included in the paging message 1208 of the response request. The uplink resource assignment message 1210 includes the same assignment information as in the uplink resource assignment message 206, as described above with reference to FIG. 2, stage 2 technology fixed allocation of resources uplink communication, but for the case when X = 1.

Step 5: As shown in FIG. 2 in step 3 of the fixed uplink resource allocation technology, the HARQ scheme is used by the wireless device 104 ₂ to transmit an uplink payload to the RAN node 102 ₂ (eg, a paging response 1212 consisting of an LLC dummy PDU) using N _TX , _UL UL pre-distributed radio blocks in which, after transmitting an uplink payload (paging response 1212), the wireless device 1042 waits for the corresponding PUAN message 1214.

Step 6: The RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) transmits the PUAN message 1214 to the wireless device 104 ₂ after attempting to receive N _TX , _{UL UL} pre-distributed radio blocks (paging response 1212) from the wireless device 104 ₂ . After transmitting the paging response 1212, the wireless device 104 ₂ attempts to receive the PUAN message 1214, starting with the first possible set of EC-PACCH blocks corresponding to the DL coverage class of the wireless device 104 ₂ , as shown in FIG. 2 stage 4 technology fixed allocation of resources uplink communication, as described below:

- PUAN message 1214 includes the resource DL TBF assignment message 1215 providing the resources assigned to the DL EC-PDTCH (eg, time slots) and an indication where the wireless device 104 ₂ should start searching for RLC blocks 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ , 1202 ₃ .. 1202x data in accordance with the DRX cycle after waiting the first defined time period (for example, as indicated in the information in PUAN message 1214). This technology allows the wireless device 104 ₂ not to receive an additional EC-AGCH message 718, as shown in FIG. 7

Step 7: The RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) transmits a paging response message 1213 (for example, PDU LLC) to the CN node 107 (for example, SGSN 107).

Step 8: The CN node 107 (for example, SGSN 107) transmits a PDU including a waiting downlink user plane 1216 to the RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ), from which the CN node 107 (for example SGSN 107 ) received a paging message 1213 response.

Step 9: The RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) decomposes a PDU containing the payload 1216 of the downlink user plane into one or more RLC units 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ , 1202 ₃ ... 1202x data suitable for transmission wireless device 104 ₂ over the air interface.

Step 10: The HARQ scheme is used by the RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) to transfer the downlink payload 1216 (RLC units 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ , 1202 ₃ ... 1202x data) to the wireless device 104 ₂ . The wireless device 104 ₂ may be polled for the PDAN message 1220 in one or more of the variable number of RLC units 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ , 1202 ₃ ... 1202x data transmitted to the wireless device 1042 before the time when the PDAN message 1220 is to be transmitted. Below is a description of how the wireless device 104 ₂ can function to receive RLC data blocks 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ , 1202 ₃ ... 1202x:

- When trying to find the DL RLC data block 12021 (for example), the wireless device 104 ₂ examines the fixed sets of EC-PDTCH blocks based on the coverage class of the wireless device 104 ₂ . For example, if wireless device 104 ₂ uses N _TX , _DL = 2 (i.e. 2 blind repeats), then it will only consider fixed pairs of EC-PDTCH blocks in an attempt to receive RLC data block 1202 ₁ (for example) addressed to the assigned TFI wireless device 104 ₂ at designated time intervals of wireless device 104 ₂ . Thus, the wireless device 104 ₂ will treat each 52-multi-frame on the controlled TS as potentially containing 6 pairs of EC-PDTCH blocks, where any of these pairs may potentially contain the expected RLC data block 1202 ₁ .

- If the RLC data block 1202 ₁ is not received in a set of applicable EC-PDTCH blocks, then wireless device 104 ₂ continues to read additional sets of EC-PDTCH blocks applicable to the downlink coverage class of wireless device 104 ₂ .

- For example, if the transmission of the downlink payload 1216 consists of 5 MCS-1 RLC data blocks (X = 5) and N _{TX, DL} indicates that 8 repetitions are required, then a total of 40 radio blocks are required (X * N _TX , _DL ) for transmission. These 40 radio blocks will be transmitted using 5 copies of 8 adjacent radio blocks over a set of assigned time slots. The time period between transmissions of any two consecutive RLC data blocks (i.e., between instances of 8 adjacent radio blocks) is variable, although the DL TBF resource assignment message 1215 may possibly indicate that this time period is in the interest of increasing the battery life of wireless device 104 ₂ .

- Polling can be performed by including a polling field in a set of one or more RLC blocks 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ , 1202 ₃ ... 1202x data, where the polling field in each RLC block 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ , 1202 ₃ ... 1202x indicates the same time point at which the wireless device 104 ₂ must transmit the PDAN message 1220 on the UL EC-PACCH to the RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ).

Step 11: The PDAN message 1220 is transmitted by the wireless device 104 ₂ on the UL EC-PACCH to the RAN node 102 ₂ (eg, BSS 102 ₂ ), in which the location of the first UL pre-allocated EC-PACCH block used to transmit the PDAN message 1220 is indicated by the information the survey included in one or more RLC units 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ , 1202 ₃ ... 1202x data transmitted to the wireless device 104 ₂ . The following is a more detailed description of the process for transmitting and receiving a PDAN message 1220:

- The location of the first UL EC-PACCH block used to transmit the PDAN message 1220 may be expressed as an offset from the DL RLC of the data block 1202 ₁ (for example) from which the polling information was read.

- Alternatively, if downlink resource assignment information indicates that a specific number of DL RLC units 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ , 1202 ₃ ... 1202x data will be transmitted adjacent to the polling, and then after receiving the last DL radio unit 1202x, used for transmitting DL RLC blocks 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ , 1202 ₃ ... 1202x data, wireless device 104 ₂ can transmit a PDAN message 1220 using an offset (for example, fixed or indicated by downlink resource assignment 1215) from the last DL block 1202x radio that determine where to start transmitting the PDAN message 1220. The same principle can be used when wireless device 104 ₂ sent a PDAN message 1220 indicating that one or more DL RLC units 1202 ₂ data (for example) should be re-sent (i.e., wireless The device 104 ₂ will expect that all the data blocks re-transmitted by the DL RLC 1202 ₂ (for example) should be transmitted contiguously and thus determine where to send the corresponding PDAN message 1220).

- N _TX , _UL adjacent radio blocks are pre-allocated for the transmission of the PDAN message 1220.

- If the RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) does not receive the PDAN message 1220 on the pre-UL distributed radio blocks, then the RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) may re-send the DL RLC data block 1202 ₁ (for example), including in the information of the survey (re-poll).

- Thus, after the wireless device 104 ₂ receives the DL RLC data block 1202x (for example) including polling information, and transmits the corresponding PDAN message indicating that all the DL RLC blocks 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ , 1202 ₃ .. . 1202x data is received, wireless device 104 ₂ must wait for a limited period of time (for example, indicated by assignment message 1218), and then start searching for possible reception of a previously received DL RLC data block 1202 ₁ (for example) including polling information. This allows when the RAN node 102 ₂ does not accept the PDAN message 1220 sent by the wireless device 104 ₂ in response to the repeated polling.

- If wireless device 104 _{2 is} again polled during this limited time window, wireless device 104 ₂ must transmit another PDAN message 1220 using a specific set of pre-allocated N _TX , _UL radio blocks, as indicated by repeated polling. Otherwise, the wireless device 104 ₂ should release the DL TBF and enter EC-Idle mode.

- When transmitting a PDAN message 1220 indicating that one or more DL RLC data blocks 1202 ₂ (for example) were not received, the wireless device 104 ₂ should continue to monitor the resources assigned to the DL PDTCH to receive missing RLC data blocks 1202 ₂ (for example), and then proceed with the procedure as per step 10.

FIG. 13 illustrates a flow chart of a method 1300 implemented in a RAN node 102 ₂ (for example) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. At step 1302, the RAN node 102 ₂ receives the paging request message 1204 from the CN of the node 107. The request paging message 1204 is associated with the wireless device 104 ₂ (for example) (see step 1 in FIG. 12 for additional information).

At step 1304, the RAN node 102 ₂ transmits one or more repetitions of the paging message 1206 to the wireless device 104 ₂ (see FIG. 12 in step 2 for more information). The number of repetitions of the paging message 1206 is based on the DL coverage class.

At step 1306, the RAN node 102 ₂ receives one or more repetitions of the access request message 1208 from the wireless device 104 ₂ (see step 3 in FIG. 12 for further details). The access request message 1208 requests resources to send a paging response message 1212 and includes an indication of the (N _TX , _DL ) DL coverage class. The number of repetitions of the access request message 1208 is based on UL class N _TX , _UL coverage.

At step 1308, the RAN node 102 ₂ transmits one or more repetitions of the uplink resource assignment message 1210 to the wireless device 104 ₂ (see step 4 in FIG. 12 for further details). The uplink resource assignment message 1210 may contain: (a) an indication of the number of pre-allocated radio blocks (blocks) in the packet data traffic channel; (b) an indication of (N _{TX, UL} ) the coverage class UL; (c) an indication of the (N _TX , _UL ) DL coverage class; and (d) an indication of the starting point of the pre-allocated radio blocks that wireless device 104 ₂ should use to send a paging message 1212 to the RAN node 102 ₂ . The number of repetitions of the uplink resource assignment message 1210 is based on the DL coverage class.

At step 1310, the RAN node 102 ₂ receives one or more repetitions of the paging response message 1212 from the wireless device 104 ₂ (see FIG. 12 step 5 for further details). The paging response message 1212 may comprise: an uplink payload (eg, a dummy PDU LLC), where the uplink payload is received in a pre-allocated radio block (s). The paging message 1212 response is repeated in accordance with the UL coverage class.

At step 1312, the RAN node 102 ₂ transmits one or more repetitions of the first acknowledgment message 1214 (eg, PDAN message 1214) to the wireless device 104 ₂ (see step 6 in FIG. 12 for further details). The first acknowledgment message 1214 may contain: (a) a resource DL TBF assignment message 1215; (b) an indication of where the wireless device 104 ₂ should start searching for the RLC blocks 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ , 1202 ₃ ... 1202x of data in accordance with the DRX cycle after waiting the first specific time period (for example, as indicated by the information in the first message 1214 for confirmation ); (c) a first bit mapping indicating the receipt of the paging message 1212 of the RAN response by the node 102 ₂ , and (d) indicating the (N _TX , _DL ) DL coverage class. The number of repetitions of the first message 1214 confirmation is based on the DL coverage class.

At step 1314, the RAN node 102 ₂ transmits a paging response message 1213 to the CN node 107 (see FIG. 12, step 7 for additional details).

At step 1316, the RAN node 102 ₂ receives a PDU containing the downlink payload 1216 from the CN node 107 (see FIG. 12, step 8 for more details).

At step 1318, the RAN node 102 ₂ decomposes a PDU including a downlink payload 1216 into one or more data blocks 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ ... 1202x suitable for transmission to the wireless device 104 ₂ over the air interface (see step 9 in Fig. 12 for more information).

At step 1320, the RAN node 102 ₂ transmits to the wireless device 104 ₂ one or more repetitions of each of the blocks 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ ... 1202x of data using the DL assigned resources (see step 10 in FIG. 12 for further details). The number of repetitions of each of the data blocks 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ ... 1202x is based on the DL coverage class. In addition, all repetitions of each of the data blocks 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ ... 1202x are transmitted adjacent to the wireless device 104 ₂ , and each of the data blocks 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ ... 1202x should not be transmitted adjacent to each other to the wireless device 104 ₂

At step 1322, the RAN node 102 ₂ receives one or more repetitions of the second acknowledgment message 1220 (eg, PDAN message 1220) from the wireless device 104 ₂ (see step 11 in FIG. 12 for more information). The second acknowledgment message 1220 comprises: a second bit mapping indicating reception of data blocks 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ ... 1202x by the wireless device 104 ₂ . The number of repetitions of the second confirmation message 1220 is based on the UL coverage class. The other RAN node 102 ₁ may also be configured in a similar manner to perform method 1300.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating the structures of an exemplary RAN of node 102 ₂ (for example) configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the RAN node 102 ₂ may include a first reception module 1402, a first transmission module 1404, a second reception module 1406, a second transmission module 1408, a third reception module 1410, a third transmission module 1412, a fourth transmission module 1414, a fourth reception module 1416, a disassembly module 1418, a fifth transmission module 1420, and a fifth reception module 1424. The RAN node 102 ₂ may also include other components, modules or structures that are well known, but for clarity, only the components, modules or structures necessary to describe the features of the present invention are described here.

The first receiving module 1402 may be configured to receive the paging request message 1204 from the CN of the node 107. The request paging message 1204 is associated with the wireless device 104 ₂ (for example) (see FIG. 12, step 1 for additional details).

The first transmission module 1404 may be configured to transmit one or more repetitions of the paging message 1206 to the wireless device 104 ₂ (see FIG. 12 in step 2 for more information). The number of repetitions of the paging message 1206 is based on the DL coverage class.

The second receiving module 1406 may be configured to receive one or more repetitions of the access request message 1208 from the wireless device 104 ₂ (see step 3 in FIG. 12 for more information). The access request message 1208 requests resources to send a paging response message 1212 and includes an indication of the (N _TX , _DL ) DL coverage class. The number of repetitions of the access request message 1208 is based on the UL coverage class.

The second transmission module 1408 may be configured to transmit one or more repetitions of the uplink resource assignment message 1210 to the wireless device 104 ₂ (see FIG. 12 step 4 for further details). The uplink resource assignment message 1210 may contain: (a) an indication of the number of pre-allocated radio blocks (blocks) in the packet data traffic channel; (b) an indication of (N _TX , _UL ) the coverage class UL; (c) an indication of the (N _TX , _DL ) DL coverage class; and (d) an indication of the starting point of the pre-allocated radio blocks that wireless device 104 ₂ should use to send a paging message 1212 to the RAN node 102 ₂ . The number of repetitions of the uplink resource assignment message 1210 is based on the DL coverage class.

The third receiving module 1410 may be configured to receive one or more repetitions of the paging response message 1212 from the wireless device 104 ₂ (see step 5 in FIG. 12 for further details). The paging response message 1212 may comprise: an uplink payload (eg, LLC PDU), where the uplink payload is received in a pre-distributed radio block (blocks). The paging message 1212 response is repeated in accordance with the UL coverage class.

The third transmission module 1412 may be configured to transmit one or more repetitions of the first confirmation message 1214 (eg, PUAN message 1214) to the wireless device 104 ₂ (see FIG. 12 in step 6 for further details). The first acknowledgment message 1214 may contain: (a) a resource DL TBF assignment message 1215; (b) an indication of where the wireless device 104 ₂ should start searching for the RLC blocks 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ , 1202 ₃ ... 1202x of data in accordance with the DRX cycle after waiting for the first specific time period (for example, as indicated by the information in the first confirmation message 1214 ); (c) a first bitmap indicating receipt of the paging message 1212 of the RAN response by the node 102 ₂ ; and (d) an indication of the (N _TX , _DL ) DL class of coverage. The number of repetitions of the first message 1214 confirmation is based on the DL coverage class.

The fourth transmission module 1414 may be configured to send a paging message 1213 for a response to the CN node 107 (see FIG. 12, step 7 for more information).

The fourth receiving module 1416 may be configured to receive a PDU including the downlink payload 1216 from the CN of the node 107 (see FIG. 12, step 8 for additional details).

The disassembly module 1418 may be configured to decompose a PDU including a downlink payload 1216 into one or more data blocks 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ ... 1202x data suitable for transmission to the wireless device 104 ₂ over the air interface (see Fig. 12, step 9 for more information).

The fifth transmission module 1420 may be configured to transmit to the wireless device 104 ₂ one or more repetitions of each of the data blocks 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ ... 1202x using the assigned DL resources (see FIG. 12, step 10 for more information) . The number of repetitions of each of the data blocks 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ ... 1202x is based on the DL coverage class. In addition, all repetitions of each of the data blocks 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ ... 1202x are transmitted adjacent to the wireless device 104 ₂ , and each of the data blocks 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ ... 1202x should not be transmitted adjacent to each other to the wireless device 104 ₂

The fifth receiving module 1422 may be configured to receive one or more repetitions of the second acknowledgment message 1220 (eg, PDAN message 1220) from the wireless device 104 ₂ (see FIG. 12 at step 11 for more information). The second acknowledgment message 1220 comprises: a second bit mapping indicating reception of data blocks 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ ... 1202x by the wireless device 104 ₂ . The number of repetitions of the second confirmation message 1220 is based on the UL coverage class. The other RAN node 102 ₁ may also be configured in a similar manner to perform method 1300.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the above described modules 1402, 1404, 1406, 1408, 1410, 1412, 1414, 1416, 1418, 1420, and 1422 of the RAN of node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) as appropriate specialized schemes. In addition, modules 1402, 1404, 1406, 1408, 1410, 1412, 1414, 1416, 1418, 1420, and 1422 can also be implemented using any number of dedicated schemes through functional combination or separation. In some embodiments, modules 1402, 1404, 1406, 1408, 1410, 1412, 1414, 1416, 1418, 1420, and 14224 may even be combined into a single specialized integrated circuit (ASIC). As an alternative software implementation, the RAN node 102 ₂ (for example, BSS 102 ₂ ) may contain memory 134 ₂ , processor 132 ₂ (including, but not limited to, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or a digital signal processor (DSP), etc. ) and transceiver 122 ₂ . Memory 134 ₂ stores machine-readable program code executed by processor 132 ₂ to call RAN node 102 ₂ (eg, BSS 102 ₂ ) to perform the steps of method 1300 described above. It should be understood that another RAN node 102 ₁ can also be configured similarly to RAN node 102 ₂ to perform the method 1300.

FIG. 15 illustrates a flowchart of a method 1500 implemented in a wireless device 104 ₂ (for example) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. At step 1502, the wireless device 104 ₂ receives one or more repetitions of the paging message 1206 from the RAN of the node 102 ₂ (see FIG. 12 in step 2 for further details). The number of repetitions of the paging message 1206 is based on the DL class N _TX , _DL coverage.

At step 1504, the wireless device 104 ₂ transmits one or more repetitions of the access request message 1208 to the RAN node 102 ₂ (for more information, see Fig. 12 step 3). The access request message 1208 requests resources to send a paging response message 1212 and includes an indication of the (N _TX , _DL ) DL coverage class. The number of repetitions of the access request message 1208 is based on the UL coverage class.

At step 1506, the wireless device 104 ₂ receives one or more repetitions of the uplink resource assignment message 1210 from the RAN of the node 102 ₂ (see FIG. 12 in step 4 for further details). The uplink resource assignment message 1210 may contain: (a) an indication of the number of pre-allocated radio blocks (blocks) in the packet data traffic channel; (b) an indication of (N _TX , _UL ) the coverage class UL; (c) an indication of the (N _TX , _DL ) DL coverage class; and (d) an indication of the starting point of the pre-allocated radio blocks that wireless device 104 ₂ should use to transmit the paging response message 1212 to the RAN node 102 ₂ . The number of repetitions of the uplink resource assignment message 1210 is based on the DL coverage class.

At step 1508, the wireless device 104 ₂ transmits one or more repetitions of the paging response message 1212 to the RAN node 102 ₂ (see FIG. 12 step 5 for further details). The paging response message 1212 may comprise: an uplink payload (eg, a dummy PDU LLC), where the uplink payload is received in a pre-allocated radio block (s). The paging message 1212 response is repeated in accordance with the UL coverage class.

At step 1510, the wireless device 104 ₂ receives one or more repetitions of the first confirmation message 1214 (eg, PUAN message 1214) from the RAN of the node 102 ₂ (see FIG. 12 step 6 for further details). The first acknowledgment message 1214 may contain: (a) a DL TBF resource assignment message 1215; (b) an indication of where the wireless device 104 ₂ should start searching for the RLC blocks 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ , 1202 ₃ ... 1202x of data in accordance with the DRX cycle after waiting for the first specific time period (for example, as indicated by the information in the first confirmation message 1214 ); (c) a first bitmap indicating reception of the paging message 1212 of the RAN response by the node 102 ₂ ; and (d) an indication of the (N _TX , _DL ) DL class of coverage. The number of repetitions of the first message 1214 confirmation is based on the DL coverage class.

At step 1512, the wireless device 104 ₂ receives from the RAN of the node 102 ₂ one or more repetitions of each of the data blocks 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ ... 1202x using the assigned DL resources (see FIG. 12, step 10 for more information). The number of repetitions of each of the data blocks 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ ... 1202x is based on the DL coverage class. In addition, all repetitions of each of the data blocks 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ ... 1202x are received adjacent to the wireless device 104 ₂ , and each of the data blocks 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ ... 1202x should not be received adjacent to each other by the wireless device 104 ₂ .

At step 1514, the wireless device 104 ₂ transmits one or more repetitions of the second acknowledgment message 1220 (eg, PDAN message 1220) to the RAN node 102 ₂ (see Fig. 12 step 11 for further details). The second acknowledgment message 1220 comprises: a second bit mapping indicating reception of data blocks 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ ... 1202x by the wireless device 104 ₂ . The number of repetitions of the second confirmation message 1220 is based on the UL coverage class. Other wireless devices 104 ₁ , 104 ₃ ... 104n can also be configured in a similar way to perform method 1500.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating the structures of an exemplary wireless device 104 ₂ (for example) configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the wireless device 104 ₂ may comprise a first reception module 1602, a first transmission module 1604, a second reception module 1606, a second transmission module 1608, a third reception module 1610, a fourth reception module 1612, and a third transmission module 1116. The wireless device 104 ₂ may also include other components, modules or structures that are well known, but for clarity, only the components, modules or structures necessary for describing features of the present invention are described here.

The first receiving module 1602 may be configured to receive one or more repetitions of the paging message 1206 from the RAN of the node 102 ₂ (for more information, see Fig. 12 step 2). The number of repetitions of the paging message 1206 is based on the DL coverage class.

The first transmission module 1604 may be configured to transmit one or more repetitions of the access request message 1208 to the RAN node 102 ₂ (see FIG. 12 stage 3 for further details). The access request message 1208 requests resources to send a paging response message 1212 and includes an indication of the (N _TX , _DL ) DL coverage class. The number of repetitions of the access request message 1208 is based on the UL coverage class.

The second receiving module 1606 may be configured to receive one or more repetitions of the uplink resource assignment message 1210 from the RAN of node 102 ₂ (for more information, see step 12 in Fig. 12). The uplink resource assignment message 1210 may contain: (a) an indication of the number of pre-allocated radio blocks (blocks) in the packet data traffic channel; (b) an indication of (N _TX , _UL ) the coverage class UL; (c) an indication of the (N _TX , _DL ) DL coverage class; and (d) an indication of the starting point of the pre-allocated radio blocks that wireless device 104 ₂ should use to transmit the paging response message 1212 to the RAN node 102 ₂ . The number of repetitions of the uplink resource assignment message 1210 is based on the DL coverage class.

The second transmission module 1608 may be configured to transmit one or more repetitions of the paging response message 1212 to the RAN node 102 ₂ (for more information, see step 12 in Fig. 12). The paging response message 1212 may comprise: an uplink payload (eg, LLC PDU), where the uplink payload is received in a pre-allocated radio block (s). The paging message 1212 response is repeated in accordance with the UL coverage class.

The third receiving module 1610 may be configured to receive one or more repetitions of the first confirmation message 1214 (eg, PUAN message 1214) from the RAN of the node 102 ₂ (for more details, see Fig. 12 step 6). The first acknowledgment message 1214 may contain: (a) a DL TBF resource assignment message 1215; (b) an indication of where the wireless device 104 ₂ should start searching for the RLC blocks 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ , 1202 ₃ ... 1202x of data in accordance with the DRX cycle after waiting for the first specific time period (for example, as indicated by the information in the first confirmation message 1214 ); (c) a first bit mapping indicating reception of the paging message 1212 of the RAN response by the node 102 ₂ and (d) an indication of the (N _TX , _DL ) DL coverage class. The number of repetitions of the first message 1214 confirmation is based on the DL coverage class.

The fourth receiving module 1612 may be configured to receive from the RAN of the node 102 ₂ one or more repetitions of each of the data blocks 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ ... 1202x using the assigned DL resources (see Fig. 12, step 10 for more information) . The number of repetitions of each of the data blocks 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ ... 1202x is based on the DL coverage class. In addition, all repetitions of each of the data blocks 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ ... 1202x are received adjacent to the wireless device 104 ₂ , and each of the data blocks 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ ... 1202x should not be received adjacent to each other by the wireless device 104 ₂ .

The third transmission module 1614 may be configured to transmit one or more repetitions of the second confirmation message 1220 (eg, PDAN message 1220) to the RAN node 102 ₂ (see step 12, step 11 for more details). The second acknowledgment message 1220 comprises: a second bit mapping indicating reception of data blocks 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ ... 1202x by the wireless device 104 ₂ . The number of repetitions of the second confirmation message 1220 is based on the UL coverage class. Other wireless devices 104 ₁ , 104 ₃ ... 104n can also be configured in a similar way to perform method 1500.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the modules 1602, 1604, 1606, 1608, 1610, 1612, and 1614 of the wireless device 104 ₂ (for example, MS 104 ₂ ) described above can be implemented separately as appropriate specialized circuits. In addition, modules 1602, 1604, 1606, 1608, 1610, 1612, and 1614 can also be implemented using any number of dedicated schemes through functional combination or separation. In some embodiments, the modules 1602, 1604, 1606, 1608, 1610, 1612, and 1614 can even be combined into a single specialized integrated circuit (ASIC). As an alternative software implementation, the wireless device 104 ₂ may include a memory 120 ₂ , a processor 118 ₂ (including, but not limited to, a microprocessor, a microcontroller or a digital signal processor (DSP), etc.) and a transceiver 110 ₂ . The memory 120 ₂ stores machine-readable program code executed by the processor 118 ₂ to force the wireless device 104 ₂ to perform the steps of the above-described method 1500. It should be understood that other wireless devices 104 ₁ , 104 ₃ ... 104n can also be configured similarly to wireless device 104 ₂ to perform method 1500.

Wireless coverage

USF-based scheduling in accordance with the current GSM operation can be used for wireless devices 104 ₃ (for example) with normal coverage, thereby allowing USF to be included in DL radio blocks 202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ... 202x transmitted on EC-PDTCH / EC-PACCH to wireless devices 104 ₂ , 104 ₄ ... 104n (for example) in extended coverage, so USF can still be used by wireless devices 104 ₃ (for example) in normal coverage to plan UL transmissions. Signs of UL planning are shown below in Table No. 4.

Table 4: Signs of Uplink Resource Planning

DL Coverage Class
(data receiver) UL Coverage class (data sender) UL planning principle Normal Normal USF or fixed UL distribution Normal Advanced USF or fixed UL distribution Advanced Normal Fixed uplink resource allocation Advanced Advanced Fixed UL distribution

Conclusion

This document describes the features of the fixed uplink resource allocation (FUA) technology and the flexible downlink resource allocation (FDA) technology to support EC-GSM wireless devices 104 ₁ , 104 ₂ , 104 ₃ ... 104n.

The technologies of fixed resource allocation of uplink allows to transfer via uplink from EC-GSM wireless devices 104 ₁ , 104 ₂ , 104 ₃ ... 104n (classes of normal or extended coverage) on the same packet data traffic channel resources (PDTCH) that are used to service legacy wireless devices. The use of USF-based uplink transmission is impractical for wireless devices with extended coverage, since this imposes a restriction on scheduling uplink transmissions from a wireless device of a particular coverage class while simultaneously sending a downlink payload to a wireless device of the same coverage class.

The technology of flexible allocation of downlink resources allows for the downlink transmission of EC-GSM devices 104 ₁ , 104 ₂ , 104 ₃ ... 104n (normal or extended coverage) on the same PDTCH resources used to service legacy wireless devices, keeping the time stream identifier (TFI) field at the same position in all the headers of a downlink radio block, regardless of whether the radio block is sent to a legacy wireless device or an EC-GSM wireless device 104 ₁ , 104 ₂ , 104 ₃ ... 104n.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the use of the term “exemplary” is used herein to mean “illustrative” or “serving as an example” and does not imply that a particular embodiment is preferable to another or a particular feature is more significant. Similarly, the terms “first” and “second” and similar terms are used simply to distinguish one particular instance of an element or feature from another and do not indicate a specific order or location unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In addition, the term “stage” as used herein means a synonym for “operation” or “action.” Any description here of a sequence of steps does not mean that these operations should be performed in a specific order or even if these operations are performed in any order at all, unless the context or details of the described operation indicate otherwise.

Of course, the present invention can be implemented in other specific ways than those indicated herein without departing from the scope and basic characteristics of the invention. One or more of the specific processes discussed above may be performed in a cell phone or other communication transceiver, which contains one or more properly configured processing circuits, which may in some embodiments be implemented in one or more specific integrated circuits (ASIC). In some embodiments, these processing circuits may contain one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers and / or digital signal processors programmed with appropriate software and / or hardware / software to perform one or more of the operations described above, or variants thereof. In some embodiments, these processing circuits may contain configured hardware to perform one or more of the functions described above. Therefore, the present embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Although numerous embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but instead numerous permutations, modifications and substitutions are possible without departing from the essence of the present invention, as was set forth and defined in the following claims.

Claims (112)

1. A node (102 ₂ ) radio access network (RAN), containing: processor (132 ₂ ); and a memory (134 ₂ ) storing instructions executable by the processor, the processor being configured to interact with the memory for executing instructions executed by the processor causing the RAN node to function: receiving (806, 1306), from a wireless device (104 ₂ ) operating in an extended coverage area, one or more repetitions of an access request message (708, 1208) requesting resources to transmit a paging response message; transmitting (808, 1308) to the wireless device one or more repetitions of the uplink assignment message (710, 1210), the uplink assignment message comprising: an indication of the number of pre-allocated radio communication block (s) in the packet data traffic channel; and an indication (N _TX , _UL ) of the uplink coverage class (UL); receiving (810, 1310) from the wireless device one or more repetitions of the paging message (712, 1212) of the response, wherein the paging response message contains: an uplink payload, wherein the uplink payload is received in the pre-allocated radio communication unit (s), and the paging response message is repeated according to the UL coverage class; receiving (816) from a node (107) of the core network (CN) of a protocol data unit (PDU) including a downlink payload (716, 1216); decomposing (818, 1318) PDUs into one or more data blocks (702 ₁ , 702 ₂ ... 702 _X , 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ ... 1202 _X ) data; and transmitting (822, 1320) to a wireless device one or more repetitions of each of the data blocks using the allocated downlink (DL) resources, and all repetitions of each of the data blocks are transmitted to the wireless device continuously and each of the data blocks is not subject to continuous transmission to the wireless device relative to each other. 2. The RAN node according to claim 1, characterized in that it is further configured to: After receiving one or more repetitions of the paging response message, transmitting (812) one or more repetitions of the first confirmation message (714) to the wireless device, the first confirmation message contains at least: the first bitmap indicating reception of the paging response message; transmitting (814) a response paging message node CN (713); after receiving the PDU, transmitting (820) to the wireless device one or more repetitions of the downlink assignment message (718); moreover, the message destination downlink contains: an indication of the assigned DL resources in the packet data traffic channel; and after transmitting one or more repetitions of each of the data blocks, receiving (824) one or more repetitions of the second confirmation message (720) from the wireless device, the second confirmation message comprising: second bitmap indicating reception of data blocks. 3. The RAN node of claim 2, wherein the downlink assignment message further comprises: indication (N _TX , _DL ) of the coverage class DL; and an indication of where the wireless device starts searching for the first data block from the RAN node. 4. The RAN node according to claim 1, characterized in that it is further configured to: after receiving one or more repetitions of the paging response message, transmitting (1312) one or more repetitions of the first confirmation message (1214) to the wireless device, the first acknowledgment message containing at least: the first bitmap indicating reception of the paging response message; and a DL Temporary Block Flow (TBF) assignment message indicating DL resources in the packet data traffic channel; sending (1314) the CN node, a paging message (1213) response; and after transmitting one or more repetitions of each of the data blocks, receiving (1322) from the wireless device one or more repetitions of the second confirmation message (1220), the second confirmation message comprising: second bitmap indicating reception of data blocks. 5. A method (800, 1300) implemented in a node (102 ₂ ) of a radio access network (RAN), comprising: receiving (806, 1306) from the wireless device (104 ₂ ) operating in the extended coverage area, one or more repetitions of the access request message (708, 1208) requesting resources to transmit a paging response message; transmit (808, 1308) to the wireless device one or more repetitions of the uplink assignment message (710, 1210), the uplink assignment message comprising: an indication of the number of pre-allocated radio communication block (s) in the packet data traffic channel; and an indication (N _TX , _UL ) of the uplink coverage class (UL); receive (810, 1310) from the wireless device one or more repetitions of the paging message (712, 1212) of the response, wherein the paging response message contains: an uplink payload, wherein the uplink payload is received in the pre-allocated radio communication unit (s), and the paging response message is repeated according to the UL coverage class; receive (816) from a host (107) of a core network (CN) protocol data unit (PDU) including a downlink payload (716, 1216); decompose (818, 1318) PDUs into one or more data blocks (702 ₁ , 702 ₂ ... 702 _X , 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ ... 1202 _X ) data; and transmit (822, 1320) to the wireless device one or more repetitions of each of the data blocks using the allocated downlink (DL) resources, and all repetitions of each of the data blocks are transmitted to the wireless device continuously and each of the data blocks is not subject to continuous transmission to the wireless device relative to each other. 6. The method according to p. 5, further comprising stages, in which: after receiving one or more repetitions of the paging response message, transmit (812) to the wireless device one or more repetitions of the first confirmation message (714), with the first acknowledgment message containing at least: the first bitmap indicating reception of the paging response message; transmit (814) to the node CN a paging message (713) of the response; after receiving the PDU, transmit (820) to the wireless device one or more repetitions of the downlink assignment message (718); moreover, the message destination downlink contains: an indication of the assigned DL resources in the packet data traffic channel; and after transmitting one or more repetitions of each of the data blocks, receive (824) from the wireless device one or more repetitions of the second confirmation message (720), the second confirmation message comprising: second bitmap indicating reception of data blocks. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the downlink assignment message further comprises: indication (N _TX , _DL ) of the coverage class DL; and an indication of where the wireless device starts searching for the first data block from the RAN node. 8. A method according to claim 5, further comprising stages on which: after receiving one or more repetitions of the paging response message, transmit (1312) to the wireless device one or more repetitions of the first confirmation message (1214), with the first acknowledgment message containing at least: the first bitmap indicating reception of the paging response message; and a DL Temporary Block Flow (TBF) assignment message indicating DL resources in the packet data traffic channel; transmit (1314) to the node CN a paging message (1213) of the response; and after transmitting one or more repetitions of each data block, receive (1322) from the wireless device one or more repetitions of the second confirmation message (1220), the second confirmation message comprising: second bitmap indicating reception of data blocks. 9. A wireless device (104 ₂ ) capable of operating in an extended coating, the wireless device comprising: processor (118 ₂ ); and a memory (120 ₂ ) storing instructions executable by the processor, the processor being configured to interact with the memory to execute instructions executed by the processor causing the operation of the wireless device to: transmitting (1004, 1504) to a radio access network (RAN) node (102 ₂ ) one or more repetitions of an access request message (708, 1208) requesting resources to transmit a paging response message; receiving (1006, 1506) from the RAN node one or more repetitions of the uplink assignment message (710, 1210), the uplink assignment message containing at least: an indication of the number of pre-allocated radio communication block (s); and an indication (N _TX , _UL ) of the uplink coverage class (UL); transmissions (1008, 1508) to the RAN node of one or more repetitions of the paging message (712, 1212) of the response, wherein the paging response message contains: an uplink payload, wherein the uplink payload is transmitted in the pre-allocated radio communication unit (s), and the paging response message is repeated in accordance with the UL coverage class; receiving (1014) from the RAN node one or more repetitions of one or more data blocks (702 ₁ , 702 ₂ ... 702 _X , 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ ... 1202 _X ) using downlink (DL) resources; wherein all repetitions of each of the one or more data blocks are received by the wireless device continuously, and each of the one or more data blocks is not subject to continuous reception by the wireless device relative to each other. 10. The wireless device according to claim 9, characterized in that it is additionally configured to: after transmitting one or more repetitions of the paging response message, receiving (1010) one or more repetitions of the first confirmation message (714) from the RAN node, the first acknowledgment message containing at least: the first bitmap indicating reception of the paging response message; receiving (1012) from the RAN node one or more repetitions of the downlink assignment message (718), the downlink assignment assignment message comprising: an indication of the assigned resources downlink (DL); and after receiving one or more repetitions of one or more data blocks, transmitting (1016) one or more repetitions of the second confirmation message (720) to the RAN node, the second confirmation message comprising: a second bitmap indicating reception of one or more data blocks. 11. The wireless device of claim 10, wherein the downlink assignment message further comprises: indication (N _TX , _DL ) of the coverage class DL; and an indication of where the wireless device starts searching for the first data block from the RAN node. 12. The wireless device according to claim 9, characterized in that it is additionally configured to: after receiving one or more repetitions of the paging response message, receiving (1510) from the RAN node one or more repetitions of the first confirmation message (1214), with the first confirmation message containing at least: the first bitmap indicating reception of the paging response message; and a temporary block flow (TBF) DL resource assignment message (1215) indicating DL resources; and after receiving one or more repetitions of each of the data blocks, transmitting (1514) one or more repetitions of the second message (1220) to the RAN node, the second confirmation message contains: a second bitmap indicating reception of one or more data blocks. 13. A method (1000, 1500) implemented by a wireless device, comprising: transmitting (1004, 1504) to a radio access network (RAN) node (102 ₂ ) one or more repetitions of an access request message (708, 1208) requesting resources to transmit a paging response message; receive (1006, 1506) from the RAN node one or more repetitions of the uplink assignment message (710, 1210), and the uplink assignment message contains at least: an indication of the number of pre-allocated radio communication block (s); and an indication (N _TX , _UL ) of the uplink coverage class (UL); transmit (1008, 1508) to the RAN node one or more repetitions of the paging message (712, 1212) of the response, with the paging response message comprising: an uplink payload, wherein the uplink payload is transmitted in the pre-allocated radio communication unit (s), and the paging response message is repeated in accordance with the UL coverage class; receiving (1014) one or more repetitions of one or more data blocks (702 ₁ , 702 ₂ ... 702 _X , 1202 ₁ , 1202 ₂ ... 1202 _X ) from the RAN node using downlink (DL) resources; wherein all repetitions of each of the one or more data blocks are received by the wireless device continuously, and each of the one or more data blocks is not subject to continuous reception by the wireless device relative to each other. 14. The method according to p. 13, further comprising stages on which: After transmitting one or more repetitions of the paging response message, receive (1010) one or more repetitions of the first confirmation message (714) from the RAN node, the first acknowledgment message containing at least: the first bitmap indicating reception of the paging response message; receiving (1012) one or more downlink assignment messages (718) from the RAN node, the downlink assignment message comprising: an indication of the assigned resources downlink (DL); and after receiving one or more repetitions of one or more data blocks, transmit (1016) to the RAN node one or more repetitions of the second confirmation message (720), while the second confirmation message contains: a second bitmap indicating reception of one or more data blocks. 15. The method according to p. 14, in which the message destination downlink further comprises: indication (N _TX , _DL ) of the coverage class DL; and an indication of where the wireless device starts searching for the first data block from the RAN node. 16. The method according to p. 13, further comprising stages, which are: after receiving one or more repetitions of the paging response message, receive (1510) one or more repetitions of the first confirmation message (1214) from the RAN node, with the first acknowledgment message containing at least: the first bitmap indicating reception of the paging response message; and a temporary block flow (TBF) DL resource assignment message (1215) indicating DL resources; and after receiving one or more repetitions of each of the data blocks, transmit one or more repetitions of the second confirmation message (1220) (1514) to the RAN node, the second confirmation message comprising: a second bitmap indicating reception of one or more data blocks.

Images