Derivative works — US Patent 11212838

Defensive Disclosure for U.S. Patent 11,212,838: "Method and apparatus for transmitting uplink data on uplink resources"

Publication Date: May 14, 2026
Publication ID: DDP-2026-0514-001

Abstract: This document discloses a series of derivative inventions and improvements upon the core concepts described in U.S. Patent 11,212,838. The disclosed variations are intended to enter the public domain and serve as prior art against future patent applications that might seek to claim these incremental improvements as novel. The disclosures herein cover alternative materials and components, expanded operational parameters, cross-domain applications, integration with emerging technologies, and failure-mode designs related to the management of uplink resources in a wireless communication system, specifically concerning the deactivation of said resources based on a Medium Access Control (MAC) timer.

Analysis of Core Claims (U.S. Patent 11,212,838)

The foundational concept of the patent revolves around a Wireless Transmit/Receive Unit (WTRU) receiving a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message that indicates both the uplink resources and MAC timer information. The WTRU then transmits data using these resources and deactivates them when the MAC timer, configured by the RRC message, expires.

Derivative Disclosures based on Claim 1

A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) comprising: a receiver; a transmitter; and a processor; wherein the receiver and the processor are configured to receive at least one radio resource control (RRC) message indicating uplink resources for WTRU and medium access control (MAC) timer information, the transmitter and the processor are configured to transmit uplink data based on the indicated uplink resources, the processor is configured to deactivate the indicated uplink resources in response to a MAC timer expiring, and the MAC timer is configured based on the MAC timer information indicated by the received RRC message.

I. Material & Component Substitution

Derivative 1.1: Gallium Nitride (GaN) based RF Front-End

Enabling Description: The WTRU's transmitter and receiver components are implemented using Gallium Nitride (GaN) High-Electron-Mobility Transistors (HEMTs) instead of traditional silicon-based CMOS or LDMOS technologies. The GaN components provide higher power efficiency and wider bandwidth, allowing the WTRU to operate at higher frequencies (e.g., mmWave bands) with reduced power consumption for data transmission. The processor, a low-power ARM Cortex-M series microcontroller, remains responsible for interpreting the RRC message and managing the MAC timer. The deactivation process involves placing the GaN power amplifier into a deep sleep state, which is a state characterized by minimal power consumption, a feature inherent to GaN's superior switching capabilities.

Mermaid Diagram:

graph TD
    A[RRC Message RX] --> B{Processor (ARM Cortex-M)};
    B --> C[Configure MAC Timer];
    B --> D[Configure GaN Transmitter];
    D -- Uplink Data --> E[Antenna];
    C -- Timer Expires --> B;
    B -- Deactivation Signal --> F[GaN Power Amplifier];
    F --> G[Deep Sleep State];

Derivative 1.2: System-on-Chip (SoC) with Integrated Non-Volatile Memory

Enabling Description: The WTRU's processor, transmitter, and receiver are integrated into a single System-on-Chip (SoC). This SoC utilizes embedded Magneto-resistive RAM (MRAM) for storing the MAC timer configuration and uplink resource allocation information. MRAM is chosen for its non-volatility and low power consumption, ensuring that the timer state and resource allocation are preserved even during brief power-down cycles or sleep modes. Upon timer expiration, the processor triggers an internal power gating mechanism within the SoC to deactivate the transmitter's RF chain directly, minimizing latency and power consumption associated with off-chip signaling.

Mermaid Diagram:

classDiagram
    SoC {
        +ProcessorCore processor
        +TransceiverRF transceiver
        +MRAM memory
        +PowerGatingUnit pgu
        +processRRCMessage()
        +startMACTimer()
        +deactivateUplink()
    }
    ProcessorCore --|> MRAM : Stores Timer Config
    ProcessorCore --|> PowerGatingUnit : Triggers Deactivation
    PowerGatingUnit --|> TransceiverRF : Gates Power

II. Operational Parameter Expansion

Derivative 2.1: Cryogenic Operation for Quantum Communications

Enabling Description: The WTRU is designed to operate in a cryogenic environment (temperatures below 77 Kelvin) for use in quantum communication networks. The processor and RF components are fabricated using superconducting materials like niobium nitride (NbN). The RRC message is received via a classical channel, but the uplink data consists of quantum states (qubits). The MAC timer is implemented as a precision cryogenic oscillator. Upon expiration, the processor triggers a superconducting switch to decouple the qubit generation circuitry from the transmission line, effectively deactivating the uplink to prevent decoherence and resource contention in the quantum channel.

Mermaid Diagram:

sequenceDiagram
    participant ClassicalControl
    participant WTRU_Processor
    participant Qubit_Transmitter
    ClassicalControl->>WTRU_Processor: RRC Message (Uplink Resources, MAC Timer)
    WTRU_Processor->>WTRU_Processor: Configure Cryo-Oscillator as MAC Timer
    loop Uplink Data Transmission
        WTRU_Processor->>Qubit_Transmitter: Transmit Qubit
    end
    WTRU_Processor-->>WTRU_Processor: Timer Expires
    WTRU_Processor->>Qubit_Transmitter: Deactivate (Trigger Superconducting Switch)

Derivative 2.2: High-Frequency Trading (HFT) Application at Microsecond Scale

Enabling Description: The entire process of receiving the RRC message, transmitting data, and deactivating resources operates on a microsecond timescale for High-Frequency Trading applications. The WTRU is an FPGA-based device located in close proximity to a stock exchange's matching engine. The RRC message is a highly compressed, low-latency packet. The MAC timer is a hardware counter on the FPGA, configured with a value in the order of tens of microseconds. The uplink data is a small trade order packet. Upon timer expiration, the FPGA immediately tri-states the output buffer of the transmitter to prevent any further transmissions and free the resource for another HFT client, ensuring fairness and preventing stale orders.

Mermaid Diagram:

stateDiagram-v2
    [*] --> Idle
    Idle --> ReceivingRRC: Low-latency packet arrives
    ReceivingRRC --> Transmitting: RRC processed, timer started (µs scale)
    Transmitting --> Transmitting: Sending trade order
    Transmitting --> Deactivated: MAC Timer expires
    Deactivated --> Idle: Resource released

III. Cross-Domain Application

Derivative 3.1: Aerospace - Satellite Swarm Communication

Enabling Description: In a swarm of low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites, each satellite acts as a WTRU. A ground station or a master satellite sends an RRC-equivalent message to a specific satellite, allocating a specific inter-satellite communication channel (e.g., a laser communication link) and a MAC timer value. The satellite transmits its sensor data to a neighboring satellite. Upon timer expiration, the processor deactivates the laser transmitter to conserve power and allow another satellite to use the channel, preventing data collisions within the swarm's dynamic network topology.

Mermaid Diagram:

flowchart LR
    subgraph Ground_Station
        A(Generate RRC)
    end
    subgraph Satellite_A
        B[Receive RRC] --> C{Process & Start Timer}
        C --> D[Transmit Data via Laser]
    end
    subgraph Satellite_B
        E[Receive Data]
    end
    D --> E
    C -- Timer Expires --> F[Deactivate Laser Tx]

Derivative 3.2: AgTech - Soil Sensor Network

Enabling Description: A wireless soil sensor (the WTRU) in a large agricultural field receives an RRC message from a central gateway via a LoRaWAN network. The message assigns a specific sub-band and spreading factor for uplink, along with a MAC timer value (e.g., several seconds). The sensor transmits a packet containing soil moisture and nutrient data. To maximize the battery life of thousands of such sensors, the processor deactivates the entire RF module upon timer expiration, entering a deep sleep mode for a prolonged period until the next scheduled wake-up.

Mermaid Diagram:

sequenceDiagram
    participant Gateway
    participant SoilSensor
    Gateway->>SoilSensor: RRC (LoRaWAN Uplink Config, MAC Timer)
    SoilSensor->>SoilSensor: Configure RF Module & Start Timer
    SoilSensor->>Gateway: Transmit Moisture/Nutrient Data
    SoilSensor-->>SoilSensor: MAC Timer Expires
    SoilSensor->>SoilSensor: Deactivate RF Module & Enter Deep Sleep

Derivative 3.3: Consumer Electronics - Smart Home IoT Device

Enabling Description: A smart thermostat (WTRU) in a home network receives a configuration message (RRC equivalent) from a Wi-Fi access point using a protocol like Matter. The message grants the thermostat a short, scheduled time slot to upload its temperature and humidity data to a cloud service. The MAC timer is set for this duration (e.g., 500 milliseconds). Upon timer expiration, the thermostat's processor deactivates its Wi-Fi transmitter to reduce network congestion in a home with dozens of IoT devices and to comply with energy-saving standards.

Mermaid Diagram:

graph TD
    A[Wi-Fi AP] -- RRC over Matter --> B(Smart Thermostat)
    B --> C{Start 500ms MAC Timer}
    B -- Temperature Data --> D((Cloud Service))
    C -- Timer Expires --> E[Deactivate Wi-Fi Tx]
    E --> F[Low Power State]

IV. Integration with Emerging Tech

Derivative 4.1: AI-Driven Dynamic MAC Timer Optimization

Enabling Description: The WTRU incorporates a lightweight, on-device machine learning (ML) model (e.g., a TinyML model). The RRC message provides a range of possible MAC timer values. The WTRU's processor uses the ML model to dynamically select the optimal timer value based on real-time inputs such as current network congestion (monitored via downlink control channels), the amount of data in its own buffer, and the priority of the data. Upon the ML-determined timer expiration, the uplink resources are deactivated. This allows for more efficient resource utilization than a statically configured timer.

Mermaid Diagram:

flowchart TD
    A[Receive RRC with Timer Range] --> B{Input to TinyML Model};
    C[Network Congestion Data] --> B;
    D[Data Buffer Status] --> B;
    B --> E[Select Optimal MAC Timer Value];
    E --> F{Start Timer};
    G[Transmit Uplink Data]
    F -- Timer Expires --> H[Deactivate Uplink];

Derivative 4.2: IoT Sensor Integration for Condition-Based Deactivation

Enabling Description: The WTRU is part of an industrial IoT device monitoring a machine. In addition to the MAC timer, the processor also monitors an integrated vibration sensor. The RRC message provides the standard MAC timer information. The processor is configured to prematurely deactivate the uplink resources, before the MAC timer expires, if the vibration sensor detects a value exceeding a critical threshold. This serves as an emergency shut-off, freeing the uplink channel immediately for a high-priority alarm message from the same or a different device.

Mermaid Diagram:

stateDiagram-v2
    state "Active Uplink" as Uplink
    [*] --> Uplink
    Uplink --> Deactivated: MAC Timer Expires
    Uplink --> Deactivated: Vibration Sensor Threshold Exceeded
    Deactivated --> [*]

Derivative 4.3: Blockchain for Resource Allocation Verification

Enabling Description: In a decentralized wireless network (e.g., Helium), the RRC message itself is a transaction recorded on a blockchain. This transaction immutably assigns the uplink resources and MAC timer to the WTRU's public key. The WTRU processor validates the RRC message by querying the blockchain. When the MAC timer expires and the WTRU deactivates the resource, it broadcasts a small signed "resource released" message, which is also recorded on the blockchain. This provides a transparent and verifiable audit trail of resource allocation and deallocation, preventing disputes and resource squatting in the decentralized network.

Mermaid Diagram:

sequenceDiagram
    participant NetworkNode
    participant Blockchain
    participant WTRU
    NetworkNode->>Blockchain: Create RRC Transaction (Resources, Timer, WTRU_PublicKey)
    WTRU->>Blockchain: Query for RRC Transaction
    Blockchain-->>WTRU: Valid RRC
    WTRU->>NetworkNode: Transmit Uplink Data
    WTRU-->>WTRU: MAC Timer Expires
    WTRU->>Blockchain: Broadcast "Resource Released" Transaction

V. The "Inverse" or Failure Mode

Derivative 5.1: Graceful Degradation Mode

Enabling Description: The WTRU is designed with a "graceful degradation" mode. If the processor detects a low-battery condition (e.g., below 10%), it overrides the MAC timer value received in the RRC message with a much shorter, pre-configured "low-power" timer value. It transmits only the highest-priority data from its buffer and then deactivates the uplink resources upon the expiration of this shorter timer to conserve remaining power for critical functions, such as maintaining network registration. This ensures the device remains reachable even if it cannot transmit large payloads.

Mermaid Diagram:

flowchart TD
    A[Receive RRC] --> B{Check Battery Level};
    B -- > 10% --> C[Use RRC MAC Timer];
    B -- <= 10% --> D[Use Short Low-Power Timer];
    C --> E[Transmit Full Data Buffer];
    D --> F[Transmit High-Priority Data Only];
    E -- Timer Expires --> G[Deactivate Uplink];
    F -- Timer Expires --> G;

Derivative 5.2: Fail-Safe Deactivation on Processor Halt

Enabling Description: The WTRU includes a separate, simple hardware watchdog timer. The processor, while active, must periodically "pet" the watchdog timer. The MAC timer is configured on the processor as per the patent. However, if the processor halts, freezes, or enters an unrecoverable error state, it will fail to pet the watchdog. The hardware watchdog timer will then expire (e.g., after 100ms) and directly trigger a hardware-level reset line to the transmitter's power supply, forcibly deactivating the uplink resources. This prevents a malfunctioning WTRU from indefinitely occupying a channel ("zombie transmitter").

Mermaid Diagram:

graph TD
    subgraph Processor
        A[RRC Handling] --> B[MAC Timer Logic]
        B --> C{Transmit Data}
        A -- Periodically Pets --> D
    end
    subgraph Watchdog_Hardware
        D[Watchdog Timer]
    end
    B -- MAC Timer Expires --> E[Deactivate Uplink]
    D -- Watchdog Expires (if not pet) --> E

Combination Prior Art Scenarios

1. Combination with IEEE 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) Target Wake Time (TWT):

Description: The MAC timer information received in the RRC message is directly derived from the Target Wake Time (TWT) schedule negotiated with a Wi-Fi 6 Access Point. The WTRU (a Wi-Fi client device) wakes at its scheduled TWT, receives the RRC-like TWT parameters, transmits its uplink data, and the MAC timer is set to expire precisely at the end of its Service Period. Upon expiration, it deactivates its transmitter and returns to sleep, perfectly aligning the patent's deactivation mechanism with the power-saving and scheduling features of the open IEEE 802.11ax standard.

2. Combination with 3GPP LTE/5G-NR Scheduling Request (SR) Procedure:

Description: The patent's mechanism is integrated with the 3GPP Scheduling Request (SR) procedure. After a WTRU sends an SR, it receives an uplink grant (an RRC message) which includes the resource allocation and a MAC timer. This timer acts as a de-facto grant validity timer. The WTRU transmits its data. If it has no more data to send, it allows the MAC timer to expire, which then deactivates the granted resources. This avoids the need for explicit release signaling and integrates the timer-based deactivation into the standard request/grant cycle defined by 3GPP (e.g., TS 38.321 for 5G-NR).

3. Combination with CoAP (Constrained Application Protocol) for IoT:

Description: An IoT device (WTRU) uses the open IETF standard CoAP for communication. A CoAP server (in a network gateway) sends a configuration message to the device, which is wrapped inside a CoAP PUT request. This message contains the uplink resource info and the MAC timer value. The IoT device uses these resources to send CoAP POST messages (its sensor data). The MAC timer's expiration triggers the deactivation of the radio, acting as a session timer for the CoAP interaction. This combination leverages CoAP's lightweight nature for constrained devices while using the patent's timer mechanism for efficient resource management at the physical layer, as defined by an open application-layer standard.