Method and apparatus for performing energy savings in UE performing scheduling request procedure

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for enabling a user equipment, UE, (20) with a low power wake-up signal receiver, LP-WUR (254) to reduce its energy consumption during a scheduling request procedure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to wireless communication systems, and more specifically to methods and apparatus for saving energy on the user equipment (UE) side of a wireless communication system. Background Technology

[0002] To reduce power consumption, Discontinuous Reception (DRX) has been introduced in 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) wireless communication systems. Essentially, in DRX, the UE periodically enters a sleep state and remains asleep for a specified duration, during which the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) is not monitored. The UE then wakes up and remains awake for the specified duration to monitor the PDCCH for any possible downlink control data. The amount of energy saved depends on how long and how frequently the UE remains asleep. Naturally, the longer the UE remains asleep, the greater the energy savings.

[0003] In order to enhance energy efficiency without sacrificing latency in 5G or New Radio (NR) wireless communication systems, 3GPP is willing to define a new architecture for UEs (see, for example, Technical Report TR 38.869).

[0004] Essentially, current UEs need to be woken up periodically once per DRX cycle, which constitutes the main energy consumption during cycles without signaling or data traffic. Energy consumption could be significantly reduced if the UE could only be woken up when triggered (e.g., during paging). As studied by 3GPP, this is achieved by providing the UE with both a main radio (MR) unit and a low-power wake-up receiver (LP-WUR).

[0005] Basically, the MR unit corresponds to the 5G NR wireless communication unit, and the LP-WUR corresponds to the wireless communication unit used to monitor wake-up signals in low power. Once a wake-up signal is detected, the LP-WUR can trigger the MR unit, which can transition from a low-power state to an active state.

[0006] The active state corresponds to the state in which the MR unit can exchange data with the Radio Access Network (RAN) of the wireless communication system. The low power state corresponds to any state in which the MR unit cannot exchange data with the RAN.

[0007] "Low power" means that the average power consumption of the MR cell in the low power state is lower (and preferably significantly lower, for example, ten times or even a hundred times lower) than the average power consumption of the MR cell in the active state.

[0008] A "low-power" wake-up receiver means that the LP-WUR is used to receive wake-up signals when the MR unit is in a low-power state. Of course, the monitoring of the wake-up signal should be performed at low power, and therefore, the average power consumption of the LP-WUR should be lower than (and preferably significantly lower, for example, ten or even a hundred times lower) the average power consumption of the MR unit in the active state.

[0009] Therefore, power consumption is reduced by placing the MR unit in a low-power state (e.g., off). The MR unit does not need to be periodically woken up and can be woken up only when triggered by the LP-WUR. Since the LP-WUR can continuously or at least frequently monitor the wake-up signal, the MR unit can potentially be woken up by the LP-WUR at any time, thereby further achieving low latency.

[0010] However, in certain processes, such as the scheduling request (SR) process, further energy consumption reduction is required.

[0011] The SR procedure enables a UE to request uplink UL resources to transmit data to the RAN. For this purpose, SR resources can be allocated to the UE, which can then use these resources to send UL requests (to attach UL resources to an upcoming transmission request). For example, such SR resources can be allocated by the RAN to UEs in Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected (RRC_CONNECTED) or RRC inactive (RRC_INACTIVE) states. Essentially, a UL request is a physical layer message that can be sent by the UE in SR resources to notify the RAN that the UE has UL data to transmit. In response to receiving such an SR-related UL request from the UE, the RAN can send a DL response via PDCCH to the UE including a UL authorization, which indicates that the UE is authorized to use UL resources for the upcoming transmission.

[0012] Once the UE sends an SR-related UL request, it starts a timer (sr-ProhibitTimer) that limits the DL response period during which it can receive DL responses (including UL authorization) from the RAN. The UE does not know when it will receive the DL response, therefore it needs to continuously monitor the PDCCH until it does. Thus, in some cases, the UE may have to monitor for almost the entire duration of the DL response period (i.e., the entire duration of the sr-ProhibitTimer). For example, when different logical channels (LCHs) with different corresponding priorities are defined, the UL request can use SR resources configured with an SR that maps to a lower-priority LCH. In such cases, the DL response will not be prioritized by the RAN and may only be sent near the end of the DL response period, while the UE starts PDCCH monitoring precisely at the beginning of the DL response period. Summary of the Invention

[0013] This disclosure aims to improve this situation. In particular, this disclosure aims to address at least some of the limitations of the prior art discussed above. Specifically, this disclosure aims to propose a solution for reducing the duration during which an MR unit needs to remain active within a DL response period for sending DL responses to uplink requests sent during a scheduling request process.

[0014] According to a first aspect, this disclosure relates to a method for exchanging data in a wireless communication system, the method being implemented by a wireless device of the wireless communication system, wherein the wireless device includes: a master radio (MR) unit configured to exchange data with a radio access network (RAN) of the wireless communication system; and a low-power wake-up receiver (LP-WUR) configured to monitor a wake-up signal transmitted by the RAN and trigger a transition of the MR unit to an active state in response to detecting the wake-up signal, wherein the wireless device is configured to perform an SR process by transmitting an uplink UL request to the RAN via a scheduling request (SR) resource and by receiving a DL response indicating authorized UL resources via a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) during a downlink DL response period, wherein the DL response period includes an inactive sub-period followed by an active sub-period, and the method includes: during the DL response period:

[0015] - Wake-up signal monitoring is performed by LP-WUR during inactive sub-periods, during which the MR unit is in a low-power state.

[0016] - In response to the detection of a wake-up signal during an inactive sub-period: trigger the transition of the MR unit to an active state, and perform PDCCH monitoring during the active sub-period.

[0017] In some embodiments, the method according to the first aspect may further include one or more of the following optional features, considered individually or in any technically possible combination.

[0018] In some embodiments of the method according to the first aspect, in response to no wake-up signal being detected during an inactive sub-period, the MR unit is maintained in a low-power state during an active sub-period.

[0019] In some embodiments of the method according to the first aspect, in response to the absence of a wake-up signal during an inactive sub-period, the LP-WUR does not perform wake-up signal monitoring during an active period.

[0020] In some embodiments, the method according to the first aspect includes receiving a DL response period configuration that defines inactive sub-periods and active sub-periods within a defined DL response period.

[0021] In some embodiments of the method according to the first aspect, the DL response period configuration is received in system information broadcast by the RAN, and / or in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message sent by the RAN.

[0022] In some embodiments of the method according to the first aspect, the DL response period includes multiple active sub-periods, and / or the DL response period includes multiple inactive sub-periods.

[0023] In some embodiments, the method according to the first aspect includes receiving an indication from the RAN whether the DL response period begins with an active sub-period or an inactive sub-period.

[0024] In some embodiments of the method according to the first aspect, the indication is received in system information broadcast by the RAN and / or in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message sent by the RAN.

[0025] According to a second aspect, this disclosure relates to a wireless device including at least one memory and at least one processor configured to perform a method according to any embodiment of the first aspect.

[0026] According to a third aspect, this disclosure relates to a user equipment (UE) that includes a wireless means according to any one of the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0027] According to a fourth aspect, this disclosure relates to a method for exchanging data in a wireless communication system, implemented by a base station (BS) of a radio access network (RAN) of the wireless communication system, wherein the BS is configured to exchange data with a wireless device, wherein the wireless device includes a main radio (MR) unit and a low-power wake-up receiver (LP-WUR), wherein the LP-WUR is configured to detect a wake-up signal transmitted by the BS and trigger a transition of the MR unit to an active state in response to detecting the wake-up signal transmitted by the BS, wherein the BS is configured to perform an SR process by monitoring and scheduling request (SR) resources for receiving uplink UL requests from the wireless device and by transmitting a DL response indicating authorized UL resources via a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) during a downlink DL response period in response to detecting the UL request from the wireless device, wherein the DL response period includes at least one inactive sub-period and at least one active sub-period, and wherein the BS is configured to transmit the DL response to the wireless device via the PDCCH only during at least one active sub-period of the DL response period.

[0028] In some embodiments, the method according to the fourth aspect may further include one or more of the following optional features, considered individually or in any technically possible combination.

[0029] In some embodiments, the method according to the fourth aspect includes: in response to determining that a DL response should be sent during an active sub-period following an inactive sub-period of the DL response period, sending a wake-up signal to the wireless device during the inactive sub-period.

[0030] In some embodiments, the method according to the fourth aspect includes sending a DL response period configuration to a wireless device, wherein the DL response period configuration defines at least one inactive sub-period and at least one active sub-period within a DL response period.

[0031] In some embodiments of the method according to the fourth aspect, the DL response period configuration is sent in system information broadcast by the RAN, and / or in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message sent to the radio device.

[0032] In some embodiments, the method according to the fourth aspect includes sending an indication to the wireless device whether the DL response period begins with an active sub-period or an inactive sub-period.

[0033] In some embodiments of the method according to the fourth aspect, the indication is sent in system information broadcast by the RAN and / or in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message sent by the RAN.

[0034] According to a fifth aspect, this disclosure relates to a base station (BS) including at least one memory and at least one processor configured to perform a method according to any embodiment of the fourth aspect.

[0035] According to a sixth aspect, this disclosure relates to a wireless communication system including at least one base station according to any embodiment of the present disclosure and at least one user equipment according to any embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] According to a seventh aspect, this disclosure relates to a computer program product comprising instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, configure the at least one processor to perform a method for exchanging data according to any embodiment of the embodiments of this disclosure. The computer program product may use any programming language and may be in the form of source code, object code, or any intermediate form between source code and object code, such as a partially compiled form, or any other desired form.

[0037] According to an eighth aspect, this disclosure relates to a (non-transitory) computer-readable storage medium including instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, configure the at least one processor to perform a method for sending control messages according to any embodiment of the present disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0038] The invention will be better understood after reading the following description, which is given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate:

[0039] - Figure 1 : A schematic representation of an example of a wireless communication system including a BS and a UE.

[0040] - Figure 2 : A schematic representation of an example of a wireless device,

[0041] - Figure 3 : A schematic representation of a BS example

[0042] - Figure 4 : An illustrative representation of examples of different DL response time periods.

[0043] - Figure 5 : This illustrates a schematic representation of the operation of the wireless device during the DL response period.

[0044] - Figure 6 and Figure 7 : Flowcharts showing examples of methods for exchanging data implemented by the wireless devices of the BS and UE, respectively.

[0045] In these figures, the same reference numerals in each figure denote the same or similar elements. For clarity, unless otherwise explicitly stated, the elements shown are not drawn to scale. Detailed Implementation

[0046] The detailed description set forth below with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configuration in which the concepts described herein can be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts can be practiced without these specific details. For example, although 3GPP terms from, for example, 5G NR may be used in this disclosure to exemplify embodiments herein, this should not be considered as limiting the scope of this disclosure.

[0047] Generally, unless a different meaning is clearly given and / or implied from the context of the use of the term, all terms used herein will be interpreted according to their common meaning in the relevant art. Unless otherwise expressly stated, all references to a / an / element, device, component, element, step, etc., will be openly interpreted as referring to at least one instance of that element, device, component, element, step, etc. Furthermore, the order of steps in any method disclosed herein, particularly in the figures, is provided for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the disclosure. The disclosure may be applied where the same steps are performed in a different order and / or where steps are performed in parallel or in combination, unless a step is explicitly described as occurring after or before another step and / or where it is implied that a step must occur after or before another step. Moreover, in a figure, steps enclosed by dashed lines should be considered optional for the embodiment represented in that figure. Where appropriate, any feature of any embodiment disclosed herein may be applied to any other embodiment. Similarly, any advantage of any embodiment in these embodiments may be applied to any other embodiment, and vice versa. Other objects, features, and advantages of the appended embodiments will be apparent from the following description.

[0048] Figure 1 The illustration depicts an example of a wireless communication system, which could be, for example, a 5G NR wireless communication system. More specifically, Figure 1 This refers to the RAN of the wireless communication system, which is used to exchange data with UE 20 via radio signals. For example, the RAN can send data to UE 20 (downlink DL), such as data received from the core network (CN, not shown in the figure). The RAN can also receive data from UE 20 (uplink UL), which can be forwarded to the CN.

[0049] exist Figure 1 In the example shown, the RAN includes one base station BS 30. Of course, the RAN can include more than one BS 30 to increase the coverage of the wireless communication system. Depending on the implemented wireless communication standard, each of these BSs can be referred to as an NB, eNodeB (or eNB), gNodeB (or gNB in ​​the case of a 5G NR wireless communication system), access point, etc.

[0050] exist Figure 1 In the example shown, two UEs 20 are represented. UE 20 is located within the coverage area 31 of BS 30. The coverage area 31 of BS 30 corresponds, for example, to an area where the UE can decode the PDCCH transmitted by BS 30.

[0051] Figure 2 An example of a wireless device 25 suitable for implementing any of the methods discussed in this disclosure at the UE 20 is illustrated schematically. Essentially, the wireless device 25 corresponds to a device that provides wireless connectivity to a RAN of a wireless communication system and can be used to exchange data with that RAN.

[0052] Such a wireless device 25 can be included in the UE 20, such as Figure 2 As shown. UE 20 can be, for example, a cellular phone, wireless modem, wireless communication device, handheld device, laptop computer, etc. UE 20 can also be an Internet of Things (IoT) device, such as a wireless camera, smart sensor, smart meter, smart glasses, (manned or unmanned) vehicle, GPS device, etc., or any other device that can run applications that require exchanging data with a remote receiver via wireless device 25.

[0053] like Figure 2 As shown, the wireless device 25 includes one or more processors 250 and one or more memories 251. The one or more processors 250 may include, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. The one or more memories 251 may include any type of computer-readable volatile and non-volatile memory (hard disk, solid-state drive, optical disk, electronic storage, etc.). The one or more memories 251 may store a computer program product 252 in the form of a set of program code instructions to be executed by the one or more processors 250 to implement all or part of the steps of a method for exchanging data executed at the UE side according to any embodiment of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0054] like Figure 2 As shown, the wireless device 25 also includes a main radio MR unit 253 and a low-power wake-up signal receiver LP-WUR 254.

[0055] As discussed above, MR unit 253 corresponds to the main wireless communication unit of wireless device 25, which is used to exchange data with BS 30 of RAN using radio signals. MR unit 253 can implement one or more wireless communication protocols and can be, for example, a 3G, 4G, 5G, NR, WiFi, WiMax transceiver, etc. In a preferred embodiment, MR unit 253 corresponds to a 5G NR wireless communication unit.

[0056] The LP-WUR 254 corresponds to the secondary wireless communication unit of the wireless device 25, which is used to monitor a wake-up signal transmitted by the BS 30 of the RAN in a low-power manner. The wake-up signal can take any form that enables it to be detected in a low-power manner. Non-limiting examples of wake-up signals and the LP-WUR 254 are provided in technical report TR 38.869. It should be noted that in some examples, the wake-up signal can even be, for example, a specific 5G NR signal using a low-order modulation and coding scheme (MCS). In this case, the LP-WUR 254 may include components of the 5G NR wireless communication unit that are strictly required to detect such a specific 5G NR signal.

[0057] As discussed above, the primary purpose of the LP-WUR 254 is to monitor and detect wake-up signals (DL) sent by the RAN of a wireless communication system. Therefore, the LP-WUR 254 can be unidirectional only, i.e., having only receive (DL) capability and no transmit (UL) capability. However, in some examples, the LP-WUR 254 may also have transmit capability, allowing it to send (UL) data to the RAN.

[0058] The wireless device 25 is adapted to operate in at least two operating modes, including a normal operating mode and a low-power operating mode:

[0059] - In normal operating mode, MR unit 253 is active.

[0060] - In low-power operation mode, MR unit 253 is in a low-power state, and LP-WUR 254 is configured to trigger a transition to normal operation mode in response to the detection of a wake-up signal sent by RAN.

[0061] As discussed above, the active state corresponds to any state in which MR unit 253 can exchange data with the RAN without being triggered by LP-WUR.

[0062] A low-power state corresponds to a state in which MR unit 253 cannot exchange data with the RAN without being triggered by LP-WUR 254. For example, a low-power state corresponds to MR unit 253 always being in sleep mode. However, thanks to LP-WUR 254, MR unit 253 does not need to be periodically woken up in a low-power state, so MR unit 253 can be in a very deep sleep state and can even be turned off, since LP-WUR 254 can be used to turn on MR unit 253. Furthermore, it should be noted that different low-power states with different corresponding average power consumption can be considered for MR unit 253. For example, an extremely low-power state with the lowest average power consumption can be considered, and one or more medium-low-power states with average power consumption greater than that of the extremely low-power state. For example, an extremely low-power state can correspond to MR unit 253 being turned off, and a medium-low-power state can correspond to MR unit 253 being in sleep mode and not turned off.

[0063] It should be noted that in some examples, the LP-WUR 254 can also be configured to trigger the MR unit 253 when other conditions are verified. For example, the LP-WUR 254 can be configured to trigger the MR unit 253 if a predetermined timer has expired without a detected wake-up signal. Such a timer can be used to ensure that the wireless device 25 can return to an active state when, for example, the wireless device 25 has moved out of the coverage area of ​​the wake-up signal. Of course, the duration of the timer should be long enough to ensure that the MR unit 253 remains in a low-power state for an extended period.

[0064] Figure 3 An example of a BS 30 is schematically shown that is suitable for implementing any of the methods discussed in this disclosure that are performed by the RAN.

[0065] like Figure 3 As shown, BS 30 includes one or more processors 300 and one or more memories 301. The one or more processors 300 may include, for example, a CPU, DSP, FPGA, ASIC, etc. The one or more memories 301 may include any type of computer-readable volatile and non-volatile memory (hard disk, solid-state drive, optical disk, electronic storage, etc.). The one or more memories 301 may store a computer program product 302 in the form of a set of program code instructions to be executed by the one or more processors 300 to implement all or part of the steps of a method for exchanging data executed at the RAN side according to any embodiment of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0066] like Figure 3As shown, BS 30 also includes a wireless communication unit 303 configured to exchange data with UE 20 using radio signals, and more specifically with the MR unit 253 of the wireless device 25 included in these UEs 20. The wireless communication unit 303 may be, for example, a 3G, 4G, 5G, NR, WiFi, WiMax, or other transceivers. In a preferred embodiment, the wireless communication unit 303 of BS 30 corresponds to a 5G NR transceiver.

[0067] like Figure 3 As shown, BS 30 also includes a wake-up signal transmitter (WUT) 304, which is configured to send a wake-up signal to a UE having a radio device 25 including an LP-WUR 254. Figure 3 In the example shown, WUT 304 is represented as separate from wireless communication unit 303. However, WUT 304 may also be included in wireless communication unit 303, for example, if wireless communication unit 303 is a 5G NR transceiver and if the wake-up signal is a specific 5G NR signal.

[0068] As discussed above regarding LP-WUR 254, if WUT 304 is separate from wireless communication unit 30, then the primary purpose of the WUT is to transmit (DL) wake-up signals. Therefore, WUT 304 can be unidirectional, i.e., having only transmit (DL) capability and no receive (UL) capability. However, in some examples, WUT 304 can also have receive capability, allowing it to receive (UL) data from UE20's LP-WUR 254.

[0069] like Figure 3 As shown, BS 30 may also include a network communication unit 305 configured to exchange data with other base stations of the RAN and / or with the CN. The network communication unit 305 may support one or more suitable communication protocols, which may be wired (including optical) and / or wireless.

[0070] As described above, this disclosure aims to further reduce the power consumption of the wireless device 25 when performing the SR process.

[0071] As discussed above, during the SR process, radio device 25 typically uses SR resources to send an uplink UL request to the RAN (to request UL resources for an upcoming transmission), and the RAN may send a DL response to radio device 25 via PDCCH during the downlink DL response period (e.g., defined by sr-ProhibitTimer). The DL response includes an indication of authorized UL resources (if any). Such SR resources may be allocated by the RAN, for example, to radio device 25 in the RRC_CONNECTED state or the RRC_INACTIVE state.

[0072] For example, SR-related UL requests are sent by MR unit 253, which is in an active state. However, in other examples, UL requests can be sent by LP-WUR 254 (provided that LP-WUR 254 has the capability to transmit), in which case MR unit 253 can be in a low-power state when LP-WUR 254 sends the UL request.

[0073] To reduce the need to keep MR unit 253 active during the DL response period of the SR process, it is proposed to divide the DL response period (e.g., defined by sr-ProhibitTimer) into multiple sub-periods, which include:

[0074] - During one or more inactive sub-periods during which the RAN is unable to send a DL response to the radio device 25, and

[0075] - During this period, the RAN may send one or more active sub-periods of DL response to the radio device 25.

[0076] Since the DL response cannot be received during the inactive sub-periods of the DL response period, the MR unit 253 of the radio device 25 can be placed in a low-power state during each inactive sub-period of the DL response period, so that the MR unit 253 no longer needs to be active for the entire duration of the DL response period. Furthermore, and as will be discussed below, if the DL response period includes an active sub-period following an inactive sub-period, the RAN can use the inactive sub-period to indicate whether it intends to send a DL response during the subsequent active sub-period. For example, such an indication can be sent as a wake-up signal to be detected by the LP-WUR 254 of the radio device 25. Therefore, if a wake-up signal is detected during an inactive sub-period of the DL response period, the MR unit 253 can transition to an active state during the subsequent active sub-period of the DL response period. Conversely, if no wake-up signal is detected during an inactive sub-period, the MR unit 253 can remain in a low-power state during the subsequent active sub-period. Furthermore, in some cases, if the LP-WUR 254 does not detect a wake-up signal during the inactive sub-period of the DL response period, the LP-WUR 254 may also transition to a low-power state (e.g., off) for the duration of the subsequent active sub-period of the DL response period to further reduce power consumption during the DL response period. In some examples, the LP-WUR 254 may also be placed in a low-power state (e.g., off) for all active sub-periods of the DL response period.

[0077] As discussed above, the DL response period may include one or more active sub-periods and one or more inactive sub-periods, which are arranged such that the DL response period consists of alternations of active and inactive sub-periods. In other words, an active sub-period cannot immediately precede or follow another active sub-period, and an inactive sub-period cannot immediately precede or follow another inactive sub-period. Preferably, an inactive sub-period is always followed by an active sub-period, so that the wireless device 25 can be indicated to whether its MR unit 253 needs to be put into an active state during the subsequent active sub-period.

[0078] Figure 4 These illustrations represent different examples of DL response time period configurations.

[0079] exist Figure 4 In the example shown in part a), the DL response period consists of a single inactive sub-period followed by a single active sub-period.

[0080] exist Figure 4In the example shown in part b), the DL response period comprises three sub-periods. More specifically, the DL response period begins with a first active sub-period, followed by an inactive sub-period, and then a second active sub-period.

[0081] exist Figure 4 In the example shown in part c), the DL response period comprises four sub-periods. More specifically, the DL response period begins with a first inactive sub-period, followed by a first active sub-period, followed by a second inactive sub-period, and then a second active sub-period.

[0082] exist Figure 4 In the example shown in part d), the DL response period comprises five sub-periods. More specifically, the DL response period begins with a first active sub-period, followed by a first inactive sub-period, followed by a second active sub-period, followed by a second inactive sub-period, and then a third active sub-period.

[0083] In some examples, the same duration can be considered for all inactive sub-periods and for all active sub-periods. However, it is also possible to consider a duration for inactive sub-periods that differs from the duration of active sub-periods. Furthermore, inactive sub-periods can all have the same duration, or the durations of inactive sub-periods can differ from one another. Similarly, active sub-periods can all have the same duration, or the durations of active sub-periods can differ from one another.

[0084] Consider with Figure 4 The examples provided are compared to other DL response time configurations, such as those including additional active sub-periods and / or additional inactive sub-periods. The selection of a particular DL response time configuration corresponds to a specific, but not limiting, embodiment of this disclosure.

[0085] In some examples, the DL response time configuration may be predefined. In other examples, the DL response time configuration may be set by the radio device 25 or by the RAN. In the latter case, the DL response time configuration to be used by the radio device 25 is received, for example, by the radio device 25 in system information broadcast by the RAN's BS 30 and / or in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message (e.g., an RRC reconfiguration message) sent by the RAN's BS 30. Of course, other control messages may be used by the RAN to send the DL response time configuration to the radio device 25.

[0086] In some cases, the RAN can also send an indication to the radio device 25 whether the DL response period begins with an active sub-period or an inactive sub-period. This indication may be included in the DL response period configuration or sent separately from the DL response period configuration. If such an indication (whether the DL response period begins with an active or inactive sub-period) is sent separately from the DL response period configuration, the structure of the DL response period can be dynamically adjusted simply by modifying the type of sub-period that causes the DL response period to begin (i.e., an inactive or active sub-period). For example, such an indication may be included in system information broadcast by the RAN and / or in Radio Resource Control (RRC) messages sent by the RAN. For example, such an indication may consist of only a single bit. For example, a value "0" may be used to indicate that the DL response period begins with an inactive sub-period, while a value "1" may be used to indicate that the DL response period begins with an active sub-period.

[0087] It should be noted that BS 30 can set the same DL response time configuration for all UE 20 within its coverage area 31, or it can set different DL response time configurations for all or some UE 20 within its coverage area 31. For example, BS 31 can set a UE-specific DL response time configuration. In some cases, BS 30 can also modify the DL response time configuration based on its current or predicted load / traffic.

[0088] Figure 5 This schematically illustrates how wireless device 25 can be assumed in a non-limiting manner. Figure 4 The example shown in part d) is a non-limiting example of DL response time configuration to reduce its energy consumption.

[0089] like Figure 5 As shown, the wireless device 25 sends a UL request at time T0. This UL request is sent, for example, by the MR unit 253, which is in an active state.

[0090] Therefore, the wireless device 25 assumes that the MR unit may receive (including UL-authorized) DL responses during subsequent DL response periods.

[0091] If the DL response period is defined by a timer (e.g., sr-ProhibitTimer), then the DL response period can begin immediately after the UL request is sent. However, in Figure 5 In the non-restricted example, the DL response period is slightly delayed relative to T0. Of course, in other examples, the DL response period can begin exactly at T0.

[0092] Since the DL response period begins with a first active sub-period, the MR unit 253 is active for the duration of the first active sub-period, during which the wireless device 25 can receive the DL response via the PDCCH. However, in Figure 5 In the non-limiting example shown, no DL response was received during the first activity sub-period.

[0093] Since no DL response needs to be received during the first inactive sub-period, the MR unit 253 can be placed in a low-power state for the duration of the first inactive sub-period. However, the LP-WUR 254 performs wake-up signal monitoring during the first inactive sub-period. Figure 5 In the example shown, no wake-up signal was detected during the first inactive sub-period, meaning the RAN does not intend to send a DL response during the subsequent sub-period (i.e., the second active sub-period). Therefore, MR unit 253 does not need to perform PDCCH monitoring and can remain in a low-power state during the second active sub-period. Furthermore, LP-WUR 254 does not need to perform wake-up signal monitoring during the second active sub-period. Therefore, LP-WUR 254 can be placed in a low-power state during the second active sub-period. For example, LP-WUR 254 can be turned off during the second active sub-period. In some examples, and as... Figure 5 As shown in a non-limiting manner, the LP-WUR 254 can also be placed in a low-power state (e.g., off) during all active sub-periods of the DL response period.

[0094] Since no DL response needs to be received during the second inactive sub-period, MR unit 253 can remain in a low-power state for the duration of the second inactive sub-period. However, LP-WUR 254 performs wake-up signal monitoring during the second inactive sub-period. Figure 5 In the example shown, the LP-WUR 254 detects a wake-up signal at time T1 within the second inactive sub-period, meaning the RAN can send a DL response during the subsequent active sub-period (i.e., the third active sub-period). Therefore, the LP-WUR 254 transitions the MR unit 253 to an active state during the duration of the third active sub-period, during which the radio device 25 can receive DL responses to its UL requests. Figure 5 In the non-limiting example shown, MR unit 253 receives (including UL-authorized) DL responses at time T2.

[0095] Figure 6 A diagram illustrating the steps of an exemplary embodiment of a method 60 for exchanging data, implemented by BS 30. Figure 7The diagram illustrates corresponding steps of an exemplary embodiment of a method 70 for exchanging data implemented by the wireless device 25 of the UE 20. It should be noted that... Figure 6 and Figure 7 Only a single inactive sub-period and a single active sub-period are shown. However, if the DL response period includes more than one inactive sub-period and / or more than one active sub-period, the corresponding steps can be repeated.

[0096] As discussed above, the DL response period includes one or more inactive sub-periods and one or more active sub-periods, and BS 30 is configured to send the DL response to the UL request to the radio device 25 of UE 20 only during the active sub-periods. In other words, during the inactive sub-periods of the DL response period, it is not possible to send the DL response to the radio device 25.

[0097] exist Figure 6 In the non-limiting example shown, the method 60 for exchanging data includes: step S60 of evaluating, during an inactive sub-period of the DL response period, whether to transmit (including UL-licensed) DL response via PDCCH to the wireless device 25 in a subsequent active sub-period. If the DL response is to be transmitted via PDCCH in a subsequent active sub-period... Figure 6 If the marker S60a is specified, then the method 60 for exchanging data includes: step S61 of sending a wake-up signal to the wireless device 25 during the current inactive sub-period, and step S62 of sending a DL response to the wireless device 25 via PDCCH during the subsequent active sub-period. Conversely ( Figure 6 The marker S60b in the text indicates that no wake-up signal is sent during the current inactive sub-period (and no DL response is sent to the wireless device 25 during the subsequent active sub-period).

[0098] As discussed above, the DL response period is typically triggered by the wireless device 25 sending a UL request using SR resources. Figure 6 As shown, the method 60 for exchanging data includes step S63 of monitoring SR resources in response to UL requests. If a UL request is detected ( Figure 6 If the marker S63a is triggered, the DL response period is activated. Conversely ( Figure 6 The marker S63b in the code does not trigger the DL response period.

[0099] In some examples, and such as Figure 6As shown in the non-limiting example, the method 60 for exchanging data includes step S64 of sending a DL response period configuration to the wireless device 25. As discussed above, the DL response period configuration can be sent, for example, in system information broadcast by the BS 30 and / or in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message sent to the wireless device 25. As discussed above, an indication can also be sent to the wireless device 25 whether the DL response period begins with an inactive period or an active period.

[0100] As discussed above, Figure 7 The diagram illustrates corresponding steps of an exemplary embodiment of a method 70 for exchanging data, which can be implemented in BS 30. Figure 6 The method 60 for exchanging data shown is implemented by the wireless device 25.

[0101] like Figure 7 As shown, the method 70 for exchanging data includes: during the DL response period, step S70 of wake-up signal monitoring performed by LP-WUR 254 during an inactive sub-period (while MR unit 253 is in a low-power state). If no wake-up signal is detected during the current inactive sub-period ( Figure 7 If the flag S70b is set in the middle, then PDCCH monitoring is not performed during the subsequent active sub-period, and MR unit 253 can be maintained in a low-power state for the duration of the subsequent active sub-period (and, in some examples, LP-WUR 254 does not perform wake-up signal monitoring during the subsequent active sub-period and can be placed in a low-power state). Conversely ( Figure 7 The method 70 for exchanging data (marked S70a) includes: step S71 of triggering the transition of MR unit 253 to an active state, and step S72 of performing PDCCH monitoring during a subsequent active sub-period to receive a DL response indicating an authorized UL resource.

[0102] As discussed above, the DL response period is typically triggered by the wireless device 25 sending a UL request via SR resources. Figure 7 As shown, the method 70 for exchanging data includes step S73, which assesses whether to send a UL request to the RAN. If a UL request is to be sent ( Figure 7 If the marker S73a is used, then the method 70 for exchanging data includes step S74 of sending the UL request using SR resources, which triggers the DL response period. Conversely ( Figure 7 The marker S73b in the code does not trigger the DL response period.

[0103] In some examples, and such as Figure 7As shown, the method 70 for exchanging data includes step S75 of receiving from the RAN a DL response period configuration to be used during the DL response period. As discussed above, the DL response period configuration may be received, for example, in system information broadcast by the RAN and / or in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message sent by the RAN. As discussed above, the radio device 25 may also receive from the RAN an indication of whether the DL response period begins as an inactive period or an active period.

[0104] It should be emphasized that this disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above. Variations of the exemplary embodiments described above are also within the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A method (70) for exchanging data in a wireless communication system, the method being implemented by a wireless device (25) of the wireless communication system, wherein the wireless device comprises: The main radio MR unit (253) is configured to exchange data with the radio access network (RAN) of the wireless communication system. and a low-power wake-up receiver LP-WUR (254), the LP-WUR being configured to monitor a wake-up signal transmitted by the RAN and trigger a transition of the MR unit to an active state in response to the detection of the wake-up signal, wherein the radio device (25) is configured to perform an SR process by transmitting an uplink UL request to the RAN via a scheduling request SR resource and by receiving a DL response indicating authorized UL resources via the physical downlink control channel PDCCH during a downlink DL response period, wherein the DL response period includes an inactive sub-period followed by an active sub-period, and the method includes: during the DL response period: - (S70) During the inactive sub-period, wake-up signal monitoring is performed by the LP-WUR (254), wherein the MR unit is in a low-power state. - In response to the detection of a wake-up signal during the inactive sub-period: (S71) trigger the transition of the MR unit to the active state, and (S72) perform PDCCH monitoring during the active sub-period.

2. The method (70) of claim 1, wherein in response to no wake-up signal being detected during the inactive sub-period, the MR unit is maintained in a low-power state during the active sub-period.

3. The method (70) of claim 2, wherein in response to no wake-up signal being detected during the inactive sub-period, the LP-WUR does not perform wake-up signal monitoring during the active period.

4. The method (70) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: (S75) Receive the DL response period configuration that defines the inactive sub-period and the active sub-period within the DL response period.

5. The method (70) according to claim 4, wherein the DL response time configuration is received in system information broadcast by the RAN, and / or in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message sent by the RAN.

6. The method (70) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the DL response period includes a plurality of active sub-periods, and / or the DL response period includes a plurality of inactive sub-periods.

7. The method (70) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: The RAN receives an indication of whether the DL response period begins with an active sub-period or an inactive sub-period.

8. The method (70) of claim 7, wherein the indication is received in system information broadcast by the RAN, and / or in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message sent by the RAN.

9. A wireless device (25) comprising at least one memory (251) and at least one processor (250), said at least one processor being configured to perform the method (70) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. A user equipment (UE) (20) comprising the wireless device according to claim 9.

11. A method (60) for exchanging data in a wireless communication system, the method being implemented by a base station (BS) (30) of a radio access network (RAN) of the wireless communication system, wherein the BS is configured to exchange data with a wireless device (25), wherein the wireless device includes a main radio (MR) unit (253) and a low-power wake-up receiver (LP-WUR) (254), wherein the LP-WUR is configured to detect a wake-up signal transmitted by the BS and to trigger a transition of the MR unit to an active state in response to the detection of the wake-up signal transmitted by the BS, wherein the BS (30) is configured to perform an SR process by monitoring a scheduling request (SR) resource for receiving an uplink UL request from the wireless device and, in response to the detection of the UL request from the wireless device, to transmit a DL response indicating authorized UL resources via a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) during a downlink DL response period, wherein the DL response period includes at least one inactive sub-period and at least one active sub-period, and wherein the BS is configured to transmit the DL response to the wireless device via the PDCCH only during the at least one active sub-period of the DL response period.

12. The method (60) according to claim 11, comprising: In response to determining that the DL response should be sent in an active sub-period after the inactive sub-period of the DL response period, (S61) a wake-up signal is sent to the wireless device in the inactive sub-period.

13. The method (60) according to any one of claims 11 to 12, comprising: (S64) Send a DL response period configuration to the wireless device, wherein the DL response period configuration defines the at least one inactive sub-period and the at least one active sub-period within the DL response period.

14. The method (60) of claim 13, wherein the DL response period configuration is sent in system information broadcast by the RAN, and / or in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message sent to the radio device.

15. The method (60) according to any one of claims 11 to 14, comprising: Send an indication to the wireless device whether the DL response period begins with an active sub-period or an inactive sub-period.

16. The method (60) of claim 15, wherein the indication is sent in system information broadcast by the RAN, and / or in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message sent by the RAN.

17. A base station (BS) (30), the BS comprising at least one memory (301) and at least one processor (300), the at least one processor being configured to perform the method (60) according to any one of claims 11 to 16.

18. A wireless communication system comprising at least one base station (30) according to claim 17 and at least one user equipment (20) according to claim 10.

19. A computer program product (252, 302) comprising instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, configure the at least one processor to perform the method (70) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 or the method (60) according to any one of claims 11 to 16.

20. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, configure the at least one processor to perform the method (70) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 or the method (60) according to any one of claims 11 to 16.

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