Power saving method and apparatus for extended reality (XR)

Abstract

A method executed by at least one processor in a user equipment (UE) includes monitoring a downlink channel according to one or more parameters associated with an on-duration timer that specifies a period during which the UE monitors a downlink channel and an inactivity timer that specifies a period during which the UE remains on after receiving downlink information on the downlink channel. The method also includes determining whether a predetermined condition is met for modifying the monitoring of the downlink channel. In response to determining that the predetermined condition is met, the method further includes modifying the monitoring of the downlink channel such that power consumption of the UE is reduced.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is based on and claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 393,462, filed July 29, 2022. The entire disclosure of U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 393,462 is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems, and more particularly to power saving methods and apparatus for Extended Reality (XR). [Background technology]

[0003] Extended reality (XR) devices and environments are becoming increasingly popular. XR can refer to various types of augmented, virtual, and mixed environments in which human-to-machine and human-to-human communication is performed with the assistance of user devices. These devices can be handheld or wearable. XR is an important service that is expected to receive increased attention in future releases. However, many XR devices are expected to have limited battery power resources. Therefore, reducing the power consumption of XR devices is desirable. One method of power saving is the use of discontinuous reception (DRX). In DRX, a UE is configured with periodic ON durations during which the UE is expected to monitor the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). When the UE is not in active time, it can reduce processing and save power (38.321). Some releases have adopted a wake-up signal to determine whether to monitor the PDCCH during an ON duration.

[0004] For XR traffic, the DRX cycle may not be aligned with the XR traffic due to random jitter. The jitter is mainly due to time-varying effects in the application (e.g., varying frame coding delay) and network transmission time. Thus, packets may arrive outside the DRX on duration due to jitter. XR may include multiple traffic flows with different parameters, such as video and audio packets with different inter-arrival times. One DRX cycle may not be aligned with two traffic flows. Solutions that attempt to align the DRX cycle with the packet inter-arrival time may increase UE power consumption.

[0005] Several improvements are presented herein that may also be applicable to other multi-access technologies and telecommunications standards that use these technologies. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of such embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of all possible embodiments, and is not intended to identify key or critical elements of all embodiments or to delineate the scope of any or all embodiments. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0007] Disclosed herein are power saving methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media for extended reality (XR).

[0008] According to an example embodiment, a method performed by at least one processor in a user equipment (UE) includes monitoring a downlink channel according to one or more parameters associated with an on duration timer that specifies a period for which the UE monitors a downlink channel and an inactivity timer that specifies a period for which the UE remains on after receiving downlink information on the downlink channel. The method also includes determining whether a predetermined condition is met for modifying the monitoring of the downlink channel. In response to determining that the predetermined condition is met, the method further includes modifying the monitoring of the downlink channel to reduce power consumption of the UE.

[0009] According to one exemplary embodiment, a user equipment (UE) includes at least one memory configured to store computer program code and at least one processor configured to access the at least one memory and operate as instructed by the computer program code. The computer program code includes monitoring code configured to cause at least one of the at least one processor to monitor a downlink channel according to one or more parameters associated with an on-duration timer that specifies a period during which the UE monitors a downlink channel and an inactivity timer that specifies a period during which the UE remains on after receiving downlink information on the downlink channel. The computer program code also includes determination code configured to cause at least one of the at least one processor to determine whether a predetermined condition is met for modifying the monitoring of the downlink channel. The computer program code also includes modification code configured to cause at least one of the at least one processor to modify the monitoring of the downlink channel such that power consumption of the UE is reduced in response to determining that the predetermined condition is met.

[0010] According to an exemplary embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores instructions that, when executed by a processor in a UE, cause the processor to perform a method. The method includes monitoring a downlink channel according to one or more parameters associated with an on-duration timer that specifies a period during which the UE monitors a downlink channel and an inactivity timer that specifies a period during which the UE remains on after receiving downlink information on the downlink channel. The method also includes determining whether a predetermined condition is met for modifying the monitoring of the downlink channel. The method further includes, in response to determining that the predetermined condition is met, modifying the monitoring of the downlink channel to reduce power consumption of the UE.

[0011] Additional embodiments are set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description and / or may be learned by practice of presented embodiments of the present disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] These and other aspects, features, and modes of embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary network device in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary wireless communication system in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0015] [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an example time sequence diagram of a DRX cycle, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0016] [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is an example time sequence diagram of a DRX cycle, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0017] [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an example time sequence diagram of a DRX cycle, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0018] [Figure 6] 6(A) and 6(B) show exemplary time sequence diagrams of a DRX cycle according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0019] [Figure 7] 1 is a flowchart of an exemplary power saving process according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numbers in different drawings may refer to the same or similar elements.

[0021] The foregoing disclosure provides illustrations and descriptions, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit implementations to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practicing implementations. Moreover, one or more features or components of one embodiment may be incorporated into or combined with another embodiment (or one or more features of another embodiment). Furthermore, in the flowcharts and descriptions of operations provided below, it is understood that one or more operations may be omitted, one or more operations may be added, one or more operations may be performed (at least partially) concurrently, or the order of one or more operations may be rearranged.

[0022] It will be apparent that the systems and / or methods described herein may be implemented in various forms of hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. The actual specialized control hardware or software code used to implement these systems and / or methods is not intended to limit the implementation. Thus, the operation and behavior of the systems and / or methods are described herein without reference to specific software code, and it will be understood that software and hardware can be designed to implement the systems and / or methods based on the description herein.

[0023] Although particular combinations of features are recited in the claims and / or disclosed herein, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of possible implementations. Indeed, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification. Although each dependent claim listed below may depend directly on only one claim, the disclosure of possible implementations includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claims.

[0024] No element, act, or instruction used herein should be construed as critical or required unless explicitly stated. Also, as used herein, the articles "a" and "an" are intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with "one or more." Where only one item is intended, the term "one" or similar terms are used. Also, as used herein, terms such as "has," "have," "having," "include," and "including" are intended to be open-ended terms. Furthermore, the phrase "based on" is intended to mean "based at least in part on," unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, phrases such as "at least one of [A] and [B]" or "at least one of [A] or [B]" should be understood to include only A, only B, or both A and B.

[0025] Throughout this specification, references to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," or similar phrases or phrases mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the illustrated embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the solution. Thus, throughout this specification, the phrases "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," and similar phrases or phrases may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

[0026] Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the present disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In light of the description herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present disclosure can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to reducing UE power consumption by reducing PDCCH monitoring through early termination of active time, dynamic adaptation of DRX parameters, and enhancements to multi-DRX solutions (e.g., applying PDCCH skipping with multi-DRX, where multi-DRX refers to configuring multiple DRX cycles). Embodiments of the present disclosure result in UE power that improves battery life of user devices.

[0028] A DRX cycle may include an on duration during which the UE is turned on to monitor the PDCCH. This one period may be associated with an on duration timer, which corresponds to the "on time" of the DRX cycle. The DRX cycle may further include an inactivity timer, which may specify the time the UE remains on after receiving the PDCCH. When this timer is on, the UE can remain in the on state, thereby extending the UE on period to a period that would otherwise be off. The active time or activity timer may refer to when the UE is in the on state (e.g., the on duration timer is active or the inactivity timer is active).

[0029] 1 is a diagram of an exemplary device for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. Device 100 may correspond to any type of known computer, server, or data processing device. For example, device 100 may comprise a processor, a personal computer (PC), a printed circuit board (PCB) with a computing device, a minicomputer, a mainframe computer, a microcomputer, a telephonic computing device, a wired / wireless computing device (e.g., a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA)), a laptop, a tablet, a smart device, or any other similarly functional device.

[0030] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, device 100 may include a set of components such as a processor 120, a memory 130, a storage component 140, an input component 150, an output component 160, and a communication interface 170.

[0031] Bus 110 may comprise one or more components that enable communication between a set of components of device 100. For example, bus 110 may be a communication bus, a cross-over bar, a network, etc. Although bus 110 is shown in FIG. 1 as a single line, bus 110 may be implemented using multiple (two or more) connections between a set of components of device 100. The present disclosure is not limited in this respect.

[0032] Device 100 may include one or more processors, such as processor 120. Processor 120 may be implemented in hardware, firmware, and / or a combination of hardware and software. For example, processor 120 may include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an accelerated processing unit (APU), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a general-purpose single-chip or multi-chip processor, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination of the above designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. Processor 120 may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. In some embodiments, particular processes and methods may be performed by circuitry that is specific to a given function.

[0033] The processor 120 may control the overall operation of the device 100 and / or a set of components of the device 100 (e.g., memory 130, storage component 140, input component 150, output component 160, communication interface 170).

[0034] Device 100 may further comprise memory 130. In some embodiments, memory 130 may comprise random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, magnetic memory, optical memory, and / or another type of dynamic or static storage device. Memory 130 may store information and / or instructions for use (e.g., execution) by processor 120.

[0035] Storage component 140 of device 100 may store information and / or computer-readable instructions and / or code related to the operation and use of device 100. For example, storage component 140 may include a hard disk (e.g., a magnetic disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, and / or solid-state disk), a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a Universal Serial Bus (USB) flash drive, a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) card, a floppy disk, a cartridge, a magnetic tape, and / or another type of non-transitory computer-readable medium, along with a corresponding drive.

[0036] Device 100 may further comprise input component 150. Input component 150 may include one or more components that enable device 100 to receive information via user input or the like (e.g., a touchscreen, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a stylus, a button, a switch, a microphone, a camera, etc.). Alternatively or additionally, input component 150 may include sensors for sensing information (e.g., a Global Positioning System (GPS) component, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, an actuator, etc.).

[0037] Output components 160 of device 100 may include one or more components that may provide output information from device 100 (e.g., a display, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs), Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs), a haptic feedback device, a speaker, etc.).

[0038] Device 100 may further comprise a communication interface 170. Communication interface 170 may include a receiver component, a transmitter component, and / or a transceiver component. Communication interface 170 may enable device 100 to establish a connection and / or transfer communications with other devices (e.g., a server, another device). Communication may occur via a wired connection, a wireless connection, or a combination of wired and wireless connections. Communication interface 170 may enable device 100 to receive information from and / or provide information to another device. In some embodiments, communication interface 170 may provide for communication with another device over a network, such as a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), a private network, an ad hoc network, an intranet, the Internet, a fiber optic-based network, a cellular network (e.g., a Fifth Generation (5G) network, a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network, a Third Generation (3G) network, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, etc.), a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), a telephone network (e.g., a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)), etc., and / or a combination of these or other types of networks.Alternatively or additionally, communication interface 170 may provide for communication with another device via a device-to-device (D2D) communication link, such as FlashLinQ, WiMedia, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi, LTE, 5G, etc. In other embodiments, communication interface 170 may include an Ethernet interface, an optical interface, a coaxial interface, an infrared interface, a radio frequency (RF) interface, etc.

[0039] Device 100 may perform one or more processes described herein. Device 100 may perform operations based on processor 120 executing computer-readable instructions and / or code, which may be stored by a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as memory 130 and / or storage component 140. A computer-readable medium may refer to a non-transitory memory device. A memory device may include memory space within a single physical storage device and / or memory space distributed across multiple physical storage devices.

[0040] Computer-readable instructions and / or code may be loaded into memory 130 and / or storage component 140 from another computer-readable medium or from another device via communication interface 170. The computer-readable instructions and / or code stored in memory 130 and / or storage component 140, when executed by processor 120, may cause device 100 to perform one or more processes described herein.

[0041] Alternatively, or in addition, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of, or in combination with, software instructions to implement one or more processes described herein. Thus, the embodiments described herein are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

[0042] The number and arrangement of components shown in Figure 1 are provided as an example. In practice, there may be additional, fewer, different, or differently arranged components than those shown in Figure 1. Furthermore, two or more components shown in Figure 1 may be implemented within a single component, or a single component shown in Figure 1 may be implemented as multiple distributed components. Additionally or alternatively, a set of components shown in Figure 1 may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of components shown in Figure 1.

[0043] 2 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The wireless communication system 200 (which may also be referred to as a Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN)) may include one or more user equipments (UEs) 210, one or more base stations 220, at least one transport network 230, and at least one core network 240. The device 100 (FIG. 1) may be incorporated into the UE 210 or the base station 220.

[0044] One or more UEs 210 may access at least one core network 240 and / or IP services 250 via connections to one or more base stations 220 through the RAN domain 224 and through at least one transport network 230. Examples of UEs 210 may include cellular phones, smartphones, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phones, laptops, personal digital assistants (PDAs), satellite radios, global positioning systems (GPS), multimedia devices, video devices, digital audio players (e.g., MP3 players), cameras, game consoles, tablets, smart devices, wearable devices, vehicles, electric meters, gas pumps, large or small kitchen appliances, healthcare devices, implants, sensors / actuators, displays, or any other similarly functioning devices. Some of the one or more UEs 210 may be referred to as Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices (e.g., parking meters, gas pumps, toasters, vehicles, heart monitors, etc.). One or more UEs 210 may also be referred to as a station, a mobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communication device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile agent, a client, or some other suitable terminology.

[0045] One or more base stations 220 may communicate wirelessly with one or more UEs 210 through the RAN domain 224. Each base station of the one or more base stations 220 may provide communication coverage to one or more UEs 210 located within the geographic coverage area of ​​that base station 220. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, a base station 220 may transmit one or more beamformed signals to one or more UEs 210 in one or more transmit directions. One or more UEs 210 may receive the beamformed signals from the base station 220 in one or more receive directions. Alternatively or additionally, one or more UEs 210 may transmit beamformed signals to the base station 220 in one or more transmit directions. The base station 220 may receive the beamformed signals from one or more UEs 210 in one or more receive directions.

[0046] The one or more base stations 220 may include macrocells (e.g., high-power cellular base stations) and / or small cells (e.g., low-power cellular base stations). Small cells may include femtocells, picocells, and microcells. Whether a base station 220 is a macrocell or a large cell, it may include and / or be referred to as an access point (AP), an evolved (or evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN)) Node B (E-UTRAN Node B (eNB)), a next-generation Node B (gNB), or any other type of base station known to those skilled in the art.

[0047] The one or more base stations 220 may be configured to interface (e.g., establish connections, transfer data, etc.) with at least one core network 240 through at least one transport network 230. In addition to other functions, the one or more base stations 220 may perform one or more of the following functions: forwarding data (e.g., uplink data) received from one or more UEs 210 to the at least one core network 240 via the at least one transport network 230; forwarding data (e.g., downlink data) received from the at least one core network 240 to the one or more UEs 210 via the at least one transport network 230.

[0048] The transport network 230 may transmit data (e.g., uplink data, downlink data) and / or signaling between the RAN domain 224 and the CN domain 244. For example, the transport network 230 may provide one or more backhaul links between one or more base stations 220 and at least one core network 240. The backhaul links may be wired or wireless.

[0049] The core network 240 may be configured to provide one or more services (e.g., enhanced Mobile BroadBand (eMBB), Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications (URLLC), massive Machine Type Communications (mMTC), etc.) to one or more UEs 210 connected to the RAN domain 224 via the TN domain 234. Alternatively or additionally, the core network 240 may serve as an entry point to IP services 250. The IP services 250 may include the Internet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), streaming services (e.g., video, audio, games, etc.), and / or other IP services.

[0050] Power saving for a UE may be achieved according to various embodiments. In some embodiments, the receiver may terminate reception and / or monitoring of at least one channel (e.g., PDSCH, PDCCH, etc.). Hereinafter, the receiver may be referred to as a UE or a UE receiver, although embodiments of the present disclosure are equally applicable to other types of receivers. The termination may be performed by the UE at a time before the termination is indicated to stop monitoring the channel and / or receiving information on the channel. For example, the UE may terminate monitoring the PDCCH before the end of the active time in the DRX cycle. In another example, the UE may terminate reception of the PDSCH before the last symbol and / or slot of the resource allocation.

[0051] The instruction to the UE to terminate reception / monitoring of the channel may be explicit (e.g., by at least one of L1 signaling, higher layer configuration, etc.) and / or may be implicit. In some embodiments, the termination may refer to stopping reception and / or monitoring of the channel before receiving and / or monitoring all resource elements indicated to the receiving node, where resource elements may refer to resources in the time domain and / or frequency domain and / or spatial domain. In some embodiments, the termination may apply to search spaces being monitored on the PDCCH (e.g., the UE may terminate monitoring of at least one search space).

[0052] In some embodiments, the termination may be associated with an active time in a DRX cycle, where the association may mean that the termination indicates that the UE is no longer in the active time. In some other embodiments, the termination may be associated with an active time in a DRX cycle, where the association may mean that the termination indicates that the UE stops and / or resets at least one timer associated with the active time. In some embodiments, the termination may be associated with an on-duration timer and / or an inactivity timer and / or any timer that instructs the UE to perform reception and / or monitoring of at least one channel. The UE may, for example, terminate reception and / or monitoring of at least one channel while at least one of these timers is running and / or at least one of these timers may be stopped and / or reset.

[0053] Figure 3 shows an example time sequence 300 in which early termination may be used. As shown in Figure 3, a DRX cycle includes an ON duration during which the UE is turned on. In Figure 3, data may arrive outside the ON duration, in intervals shown as jitter. In some embodiments, the ON duration may be extended to cover jitter as well, and power saving techniques such as early termination may be used to conserve UE power.

[0054] In various embodiments, the UE may be provided with an indication to perform termination of monitoring of the downlink channel. In some embodiments, the inactivity timer may be dynamically started and / or restarted and / or reset (e.g., L1 signaling is used to provide the indication). For example, at least one bit and / or codepoint in the Downlink Control Information (DCI) may be used for this purpose. In some embodiments, the inactivity timer may be dynamically activated and / or deactivated (e.g., using L1 signaling and / or MAC CE). The activation / deactivation indication may be applicable in the current DRX cycle in which the indication is received. The activation / deactivation indication may also apply in future DRX cycles. Deactivation may refer to setting the inactivity timer to 0. Activation may refer to setting the inactivity timer to a value other than 0.

[0055] In some embodiments, the value of the inactivity timer may be dynamically changed using, for example, at least one of L1 signaling, MAC CE, and higher layer configuration. For example, higher layer configuration may set the inactivity timer to a fixed value. The MAC CE may be used to indicate a set of inactivity timer values. The L1 signaling (e.g., a codepoint in the DCI) may indicate one value from the set of values ​​indicated by the MAC CE. In some embodiments, while the timer is running, the value of the inactivity timer may be changed based on the occurrence of an event (e.g., the timer skipping). For example, the inactivity timer may start running at 20 ms. When the timer is at 16 ms, a PDCCH is received and / or a DCI is decoded. The timer may skip 5 ms and continue running from 11 ms. In some embodiments, setting the timer to a different value may be performed only when the number of resources (e.g., slots) scheduled by the DCI exceeds a threshold and / or when a specific RNTI is used. The above embodiments may also be applied to other timers. For example, these embodiments may be applied to the on-duration timer. In some embodiments, the timer may be configured such that once the timer starts, it is not reset until the timer expires.

[0056] In some embodiments, the value of the on duration timer may be reduced upon successful reception of a DCI on the PDCCH. These embodiments may be applicable to a specific set of RNTIs, search spaces, DCI types, etc. In other embodiments, the value of the on duration timer may be reduced upon successful reception of a dynamically or semi-statically scheduled data transmission. For example, the on duration timer may be set to 10 ms when the timer starts. When the timer is at 7 ms, scheduled data is received. After receiving this data, the timer may skip 2 ms and continue running from 5 ms. The amount by which the timer value is reduced may be configurable. The change in the timer value may depend on the number of time units (e.g., slots) remaining in the on duration after receiving a channel such as the PDCCH or PDSCH. For example, the on duration timer may be set to a smaller value if the number of slots remaining in the on duration after successful decoding of the PDCCH is above a threshold. In other embodiments, the change in the timer value may depend on the number of resources allocated in the DCI. For example, if the DCI allocates a group of slots (multiple slots) and the number of slots in the group is above a threshold, the on duration timer may be set to 0 after all slots are successfully received. The embodiments disclosed above may also be applied to other timers, such as an inactivity timer.

[0057] In some embodiments, Active Time termination may be determined by the UE, for example, when certain conditions are met. As an example, Active Time may be terminated if the number of bits scheduled and / or successfully received during Active Time or within the current DRX cycle exceeds a threshold, and / or if the total number of time and / or frequency resources scheduled during Active Time or within the current DRX cycle exceeds a threshold. In other embodiments, the UE may decide to switch to a new set of search spaces when these conditions are met.

[0058] In some embodiments, a separate set of search spaces may be monitored during the on duration. Under certain conditions, such as when there is jitter in the system, the probability of transmission in some slots of the on duration may be lower than the probability of transmission in some other slots of the on duration. For example, the likelihood of receiving a transmission in a slot at the edge of the on duration may be low. FIG. 4 shows an example time sequence 400 in which the on duration is divided into L slots during a DRX cycle. As an example, each slot may correspond to an equal amount of time. In some embodiments, the UE may monitor the PDCCH in a slot during the edge of the on duration with a first search space set, and the UE may monitor the PDCCH during the remaining slot with a second search space set. FIG. 5 shows an example in which the on duration is divided into two different search spaces (e.g., search space 1 and search space 2). In some embodiments, the slots of the on duration may be grouped into k groups, and a search space set may be monitored within each group. The set of search spaces to be monitored within each group may be indicated by the gNB or determined by the UE. For example, for each group, one bit may be used to indicate a first search space (e.g., search space 1) or a second search space (e.g., search space 2) to monitor. In some embodiments, the UE may feed back information to the gNB that can be used by the gNB to determine which search space set to indicate for each slot group. For example, the UE may feed back indices of slots and / or slot groups for which sparser monitoring of the PDCCH may be used.

[0059] In some embodiments, the start time of the on-duration may be changed. The change may be indicated and / or determined as a shift in time, e.g., a positive shift or a negative shift. As an example, if the on-duration starts in slot n, the shifted on-duration may start in slot n+k or slot nk. The change may be indicated by the gNB in ​​the DCI and / or MAC CE and / or higher layer configuration. For example, a set of possible shifts may be configured, and a codepoint in the DCI may indicate one of the configured shift values. Figure 6(A) shows an example time sequence in which the on-duration may be shifted by kms (k milliseconds) to an earlier start time to align the on-duration with the expected data arrival interval. of 6(B) shows an example time sequence in which the on-duration may be shifted to a later start time by kms to align the on-duration with the expected data arrival interval. of show.

[0060] In some embodiments, the on-duration may be divided into at least two intervals, and the inactivity timer value associated with each interval may be separate and / or different. For example, the inactivity timer may be started and / or restarted upon reception of a PDCCH at least at a particular interval during the on-duration.

[0061] In some embodiments, more than one DRX may be configured. In the following examples, two DRX cycles are used for illustrative purposes. However, the disclosed embodiments may be equally applicable to any number of DRX cycles. The terms DRX, DRX configuration, DRX functionality, and DRX cycle may be used interchangeably.

[0062] A DRX cycle may be activated and / or deactivated using L1 signaling and / or MAC CE. Activation may mean that the UE is expected to monitor the PDCCH according to the requirements of the activated DRX configuration. Each DRX may be associated with a separate set of parameters. For example, each DRX may be configured with a separate DRX on duration timer and inactivity timer. Each DRX may be associated with a separate set of timers. In some embodiments, the search spaces monitored according to each DRX may be different. For example, a UE may monitor search space set 1 while in active time according to DRX cycle 1, and the UE may monitor search space set 2 while in active time according to DRX cycle 2. In some embodiments, if a PDCCH is received according to search space set 1, a timer associated with DRX1 may be started and / or restarted, and if a PDCCH is received according to search space set 2, a timer associated with DRX2 may be started and / or restarted.

[0063] In some embodiments, which DRX cycle to use and / or activate may be determined by at least one of the DCI type, the RNTI, and a traffic flow index. The traffic flow index may be used to distinguish between different types of traffic flows (e.g., video or audio). The traffic flow index may be determined by a MAC parameter (e.g., logical channel, etc.). In some embodiments, if a PDCCH is received in a slot associated with the active time of both DRX cycles, a pre-configured or pre-defined set of timers (e.g., the inactivity timer of the shorter DRX cycle) may be started or restarted.

[0064] In some embodiments, at least one bit in the DCI may be used to instruct the UE to skip monitoring the PDCCH until the end of the DRX cycle. The skipping indication may apply to the DRX cycle associated with the PDCCH in which the indication was received. For example, if the DCI was received in search space set 1, the skipping may apply to DRX cycle 1. In some examples, the DRX cycle to which the skipping applies may be indicated using a code point in the DCI. Exemplary bits that may instruct the UE to skip monitoring downlink channels until the corresponding DRX cycle ends, or that may instruct the UE to skip for a preconfigured duration, are shown below. The skipping may only apply to specific search space types, e.g., only UE-specific search spaces. Exemplary bits that indicate whether the UE should skip monitoring the PDCCH are shown below. Bit 00: Do not skip monitoring PDCCH Bit 01: Skip monitoring the PDCCH associated with the DRX1 cycle (e.g., do not monitor the SS associated with DRX1) Bit 10: Skip monitoring PDCCH associated with DRX2 cycle (e.g., do not monitor SS associated with DRX2) Bit 11: Skip monitoring the PDCCH associated with both DRX cycles

[0065] In some embodiments, the indication may indicate the DRX cycle to which the indication applies. Exemplary indications are provided below. Bit 00: Do not skip monitoring PDCCH Bit 01: Skip monitoring PDCCH until next DRX1 On Duration Bit 10: Skip monitoring PDCCH until next DRX2 On Duration Bit 11: Reserved bit

[0066] In some embodiments, one bit or two code points in the DCI may indicate the DRX cycle to which the indication applies, and the remaining bits / code points may indicate the skip duration. One of the skipping values ​​may indicate skipping until the end of the corresponding DRX cycle. For example, the first bit may indicate the DRX index as shown below: Bit 00: Skip L1 slots in DRX1 Bit 01: Skip L2 slots in DRX1 Bit 10: Skip K1 slots in DRX2 Bit 11: Skip K2 slots in DRX2

[0067] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of one embodiment of a process 700 for performing a power saving process. Process 700 may be performed by a UE. The process may begin with operation S702, in which the UE performs monitoring of a downlink channel according to one or more parameters associated with an on-duration timer and an inactivity timer. The on-duration timer may specify a period during which the UE monitors the downlink channel, and the inactivity timer may specify a period during which the UE remains on after receiving downlink information on the downlink channel. The downlink channel may be a PDCCH. The process proceeds to operation S704, in which the UE determines whether a predetermined condition for modifying the monitoring of the downlink channel is met. For example, the UE may determine whether an indicator is received on the downlink channel indicating whether the UE should modify the monitoring of the downlink channel. Furthermore, the condition may be based on the number or type of received resources. The process proceeds to operation S706, in which the UE modifies the monitoring of the downlink channel in response to the determined condition being met, such that power consumption of the UE is reduced. For example, the UE may perform early termination of monitoring of the downlink channel or shift the timing of monitoring of the downlink channel.

[0068] The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit implementations to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practicing the implementations.

[0069] It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes / flowcharts disclosed herein is an example of an exemplary approach. It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes / flowcharts may be rearranged based on design choices and priorities. Furthermore, some blocks may be combined or omitted. Although the method claims present elements of various blocks in an exemplary order, the elements of the blocks are not limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

[0070] Some embodiments may relate to systems, methods, and / or computer-readable media at any possible level of technical detail of their configuration. Furthermore, one or more of the components described above may be implemented as instructions stored on a computer-readable medium and executable by at least one processor (and / or may include at least one processor). The computer-readable medium may include a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium(s) having computer-readable program instructions for causing a processor to perform operations.

[0071] A computer-readable storage medium may be a tangible device that can hold and store instructions for use by an instruction-execution device. A computer-readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of these devices. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of computer-readable storage media includes portable computer diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), static random access memory (SRAM), portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile discs (DVDs), memory sticks, floppy disks, mechanically encoded devices such as punch cards or ridge-in-groove structures with instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the above. As used herein, computer-readable storage media should not be construed as being transitory signals themselves, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission medium (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through wires.

[0072] The computer-readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded from a computer-readable storage medium to each computing / processing device or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, such as the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network, and / or a wireless network. The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fiber, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers, and / or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing / processing device receives the computer-readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer-readable program instructions for storage in a computer-readable storage medium in a separate computing / processing device.

[0073] The computer-readable program code / instructions for carrying out operations may be either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including assembler instructions, Instruction-Set-Architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, configuration data for integrated circuit devices, or object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Smalltalk, C++, and procedural programming languages ​​such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The computer-readable program instructions may be executed entirely on the user's computer, partially on the user's computer, as a standalone software package, partially on the user's computer and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or on a server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer via any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or may be connected to an external computer (e.g., through the Internet using an Internet service provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuit devices, including, for example, programmable logic devices, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or programmable logic arrays (PLAs), may execute computer-readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer-readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuit device to perform aspects or operations.

[0074] These computer-readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus such that the instructions, executed by the processor of the computer, a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, to produce a machine, generate means for performing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block(s). These computer-readable program instructions may also be stored on a computer-readable storage medium capable of directing a computer, programmable data processing apparatus, and / or other device to function in a particular manner, such that the computer-readable storage medium having the instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture containing instructions that perform aspects of the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block(s).

[0075] Also, the computer-readable program instructions may be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device to perform a series of operational steps to generate a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, executing on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device, perform the function(s) / act(s) specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block(s).

[0076] The flowcharts and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer-readable media according to various embodiments. In this regard, each block in the flowcharts or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, including one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). The methods, computer systems, and computer-readable media may include additional, fewer, different, or differently organized blocks compared to the blocks shown in the figures. In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may actually be executed concurrently or nearly concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending on the functionality involved. It should also be noted that each block in the block diagrams and / or flowchart diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowchart diagrams, may be implemented by a dedicated hardware-based system that performs the specified functions or actions or executes a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions.

[0077] It will be apparent that the systems and / or methods described herein may be implemented in various forms of hardware, firmware, or combinations of hardware and software. The actual specialized control hardware or software code used to implement these systems and / or methods does not limit the implementation. Accordingly, the operation and behavior of the systems and / or methods are described herein without reference to specific software code, and it is understood that software and hardware can be designed to implement the systems and / or methods based on the description herein. It is understood that example embodiments are not limited thereto and may be implemented in a variety of different architectures (e.g., a bare metal architecture, any cloud-based architecture or deployment architecture, such as Kubernetes, Docker, OpenStack, etc.).

[0078] The above disclosure also encompasses the embodiments (features) listed below.

[0079] (1) A method executed by at least one processor in a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: monitoring a downlink channel in accordance with one or more parameters associated with an on-duration timer that specifies a period during which the UE monitors a downlink channel; and an inactivity timer that specifies a period during which the UE remains on after receiving downlink information on the downlink channel; determining whether a predetermined condition for modifying the monitoring of the downlink channel is met; and modifying the monitoring of the downlink channel in response to determining that the predetermined condition is met so as to reduce power consumption of the UE.

[0080] (2) The method according to (1), wherein the predetermined condition specifies receiving an indicator in downlink information that modifies one of an on-duration timer and an inactivity timer.

[0081] (3) The method according to feature (2), wherein modifying one of the on duration timer and the inactivity timer includes starting one of the on duration timer and the inactivity timer upon receiving the indicator.

[0082] (4) modifying one of the on-duration timer and the inactivity timer upon receiving the indicator; of The method of claim 2, further comprising resetting.

[0083] (5) The method according to feature (2), wherein modifying one of the on duration timer and the inactivity timer includes, upon receiving the indicator, changing a value of one of the on duration timer and the inactivity timer such that a remaining period of one of the on duration timer and the inactivity timer is reduced.

[0084] (6) The method according to (5), wherein the predetermined condition further specifies a resource threshold, and in response to determining that the number of resources received on the downlink channel is equal to or greater than the resource threshold, the value of one of the on-duration timer and the inactivity timer is modified.

[0085] (7) The method according to feature (1), wherein the predetermined condition specifies a time threshold, and in response to determining that scheduled data is received on the downlink channel at a time when the remaining duration of the on duration timer is equal to or greater than the time threshold, modifying one of the on duration timer and the inactivity timer includes reducing the remaining duration of the on duration period.

[0086] (8) the predetermined condition specifies a data threshold, and the amount of scheduled data received on the downlink channel exceeds the data threshold; That's all 3. The method of claim 1, wherein modifying one of the on duration timer and the inactivity timer in response to determining that the on duration timer is set to zero.

[0087] (9) The method of (1), wherein the predetermined condition is a data threshold, and modifying one of the on duration timer and the inactivity timer in response to determining that an amount of scheduled data received on the downlink channel during the on duration timer or the inactivity timer exceeds the data threshold includes terminating whichever of the on duration timer and the inactivity timer is active.

[0088] (10) The method according to feature (1), further comprising the step of dividing the on duration period into a plurality of slots, each slot of the plurality of slots being assigned to one of a first search space and a second search space, the first search space being closer to a center of the on duration period than the second search space, the predetermined condition specifying receiving an indicator indicating one of the first search space and the second search space, and modifying one of the on duration timer and the inactivity timer includes monitoring one of the first search space and the second search space based on the indicator.

[0089] (11) The method according to feature (1), further comprising the step of dividing the on duration period into a plurality of slots, wherein the predetermined condition specifies receiving an indicator indicating that the on duration timer is to be shifted by a predetermined number of slots, and wherein modifying one of the on duration timer and the inactivity timer includes shifting the on duration timer by the predetermined number of slots.

[0090] (12) The method according to (1), further comprising the step of dividing the on-duration period into a plurality of slots, each slot of the plurality of slots being associated with a separate inactivity timer, and the predetermined condition specifying that upon receiving downlink information in one of the plurality of slots, an inactivity timer corresponding to one of the slots is started or restarted.

[0091] (13) The step of monitoring a downlink channel includes monitoring the downlink channel for a plurality of discontinuous reception cycles (DRX), each DRX cycle of the plurality of DRX cycles setting a separate on-duration timer and an inactivity timer. to The method according to the associated feature (1).

[0092] (14) The method according to feature (13), wherein the downlink channel is a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), and the predetermined condition specifies that one of an on-duration timer and an inactivity timer is started or restarted in each DRX cycle in which the PDCCH is received.

[0093] (15) The method according to feature (13), wherein the downlink channel is a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), and the predetermined condition specifies receiving an indicator indicating one of (i) not skipping monitoring the PDCCH, (ii) skipping monitoring the PDCCH for at least one DRX cycle among a plurality of DRX cycles, and (iii) skipping monitoring the PDCCH for each DRX cycle among a plurality of DRX cycles.

[0094] (16) The method according to (13), wherein each DRX cycle of the plurality of DRX cycles is divided into a plurality of slots, and the predetermined condition specifies receiving an indicator indicating (i) at least one DRX cycle of the plurality of DRX cycles and (ii) a number of slots to be skipped in monitoring the downlink channel.

[0095] (17) A user equipment (UE) having at least one memory configured to store computer program code; and at least one processor configured to access the at least one memory and operate as instructed by the computer program code, the computer program code including monitoring code configured to cause at least one of the at least one processor to monitor a downlink channel in accordance with one or more parameters associated with an on-duration timer and an inactivity timer, the on-duration timer specifying a period for which the UE monitors the downlink channel and the inactivity timer specifying a period for which the UE remains on after receiving downlink information on the downlink channel, the computer program code further including: determination code configured to cause at least one of the at least one processor to determine whether a predetermined condition is met for modifying the monitoring of the downlink channel; and modification code configured to cause the at least one of the at least one processor to modify the monitoring of the downlink channel such that power consumption of the UE is reduced in response to determining that the predetermined condition is met.

[0096] (18) The UE of feature (17) specifying receipt of an indicator in the downlink information that a predetermined condition modifies one of the on-duration timer and the inactivity timer.

[0097] (19) The UE of feature (18), wherein the modifying code is further configured to, upon receiving the indicator, cause at least one of the at least one processor to start one of an on-duration timer and an inactivity timer.

[0098] (20) A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor in a UE, cause the processor to perform a method including: monitoring a downlink channel in accordance with one or more parameters associated with an on-duration timer that specifies a period of time for the UE to monitor a downlink channel; and an inactivity timer that specifies a period of time for the UE to remain on after receiving downlink information on the downlink channel; determining whether a predetermined condition is met for modifying the monitoring of the downlink channel; and, in response to determining that the predetermined condition is met, modifying the monitoring of the downlink channel such that power consumption of the UE is reduced.

Claims

1. 1. A method executed by at least one processor in a user equipment (UE), comprising: monitoring the downlink channel according to one or more parameters associated with an on-duration timer that specifies a period for which the UE monitors a downlink channel, and an inactivity timer that specifies a period for which the UE remains on after receiving downlink information on the downlink channel; determining whether a predetermined condition for modifying said monitoring of said downlink channel is met; modifying the monitoring of the downlink channel such that power consumption of the UE is reduced in response to determining that the predetermined condition is met; Dividing an on-duration period into a number of slots; and each slot of the plurality of slots is assigned to one of a first search space and a second search space, the first search space being closer to a center of the on-duration period than the second search space; the predetermined condition specifies receipt of a first indicator in the downlink information that modifies one of the on-duration timer and the inactivity timer; the predetermined condition specifies receiving a second indicator indicative of one of the first search space and the second search space; The method, wherein modifying one of the on-duration timer and the inactivity timer includes monitoring one of the first search space and the second search space based on the second indicator.

2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein modifying one of the on duration timer and the inactivity timer comprises starting one of the on duration timer and the inactivity timer upon receiving the first indicator.

3. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein modifying one of the on duration timer and the inactivity timer comprises resetting one of the on duration timer and the inactivity timer upon receiving the first indicator.

4. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein modifying one of the on duration timer and the inactivity timer includes, upon receiving the first indicator, changing a value of one of the on duration timer and the inactivity timer such that a remaining period of the one of the on duration timer and the inactivity timer is reduced.

5. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the predetermined condition further specifies a resource threshold, and wherein the value of one of the on-duration timer and the inactivity timer is modified in response to determining that the number of resources received on the downlink channel is greater than or equal to the resource threshold.

6. 2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined condition specifies a time threshold, and wherein modifying one of the on duration timer and the inactivity timer in response to determining that scheduled data is received on the downlink channel at a time when a remaining period of the on duration timer is equal to or greater than the time threshold includes reducing the remaining period of the on duration timer.

7. 2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined condition specifies a data threshold, and modifying one of the on-duration timer and the inactivity timer in response to determining that an amount of scheduled data received on the downlink channel is greater than or equal to the data threshold comprises setting the on-duration timer to zero.

8. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is a data threshold, and wherein modifying one of the on duration timer and the inactivity timer in response to determining that an amount of scheduled data received on the downlink channel during the on duration timer or the inactivity timer exceeds the data threshold includes terminating whichever of the on duration timer and the inactivity timer is active.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the predetermined condition specifies receiving a third indicator indicating that the on-duration timer is to be shifted by a predetermined number of slots; 2. The method of claim 1, wherein modifying the one of the on duration timer and the inactivity timer comprises shifting the on duration timer by the predetermined number of slots.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein each slot of the plurality of slots is associated with a separate inactivity timer; 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition specifies that upon receiving the downlink information in one of the plurality of slots, the inactivity timer corresponding to the one of the slots is started or restarted.

11. monitoring the downlink channel includes monitoring the downlink channel for a plurality of discontinuous reception cycles (DRX); The method of claim 1 , wherein each DRX cycle of the plurality of DRX cycles is associated with a separate on-duration timer and an inactivity timer.

12. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the downlink channel is a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), and the predetermined condition specifies that one of the on-duration timer and the inactivity timer is started or restarted in each of the DRX cycles in which the PDCCH is received.

13. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the downlink channel is a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), and the predetermined condition specifies receiving an indicator indicating one of: (i) not skipping monitoring the PDCCH; (ii) skipping monitoring the PDCCH for at least one DRX cycle among the plurality of DRX cycles; and (iii) skipping monitoring the PDCCH for each DRX cycle of the plurality of DRX cycles.

14. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein each DRX cycle of the plurality of DRX cycles is divided into a plurality of slots, and the predetermined condition specifies receiving an indicator indicating (i) at least one DRX cycle of the plurality of DRX cycles and (ii) a number of slots to be skipped in the monitoring of the downlink channel.

15. A user equipment (UE), at least one memory configured to store computer program code; at least one processor configured to access the at least one memory and to operate as instructed by the computer program code, the computer program code comprising: monitoring code configured to cause at least one of the at least one processor to control monitoring of a downlink channel according to one or more parameters associated with an on-duration timer and an inactivity timer, the on-duration timer specifying a period for which the UE monitors the downlink channel and the inactivity timer specifying a period for which the UE remains on after receiving downlink information on the downlink channel; The computer program code further comprises: determining code configured to cause at least one of the at least one processor to determine whether a predetermined condition for modifying the monitoring of the downlink channel is met; modification code configured to cause at least one of the at least one processor to modify the monitoring of the downlink channel such that power consumption of the UE is reduced in response to determining that the predetermined condition is met; and partitioning code configured to cause at least one of the at least one processor to partition an on-duration period into a plurality of slots; each slot of the plurality of slots is assigned to one of a first search space and a second search space, the first search space being closer to a center of the on-duration period than the second search space; the predetermined condition specifies receipt of a first indicator in the downlink information that modifies one of the on-duration timer and the inactivity timer; the predetermined condition specifies receiving a second indicator indicative of one of the first search space and the second search space; Modifying one of the on-duration timer and the inactivity timer includes monitoring one of the first search space and the second search space based on the second indicator.

16. 16. The UE of claim 15, wherein the modifying code is further configured to, upon receiving the indicator, cause at least one of the at least one processor to start one of the on-duration timer and the inactivity timer.

17. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor in a UE, cause the processor to perform a method, the method comprising: monitoring the downlink channel according to one or more parameters associated with an on-duration timer that specifies a period for which the UE monitors a downlink channel, and an inactivity timer that specifies a period for which the UE remains on after receiving downlink information on the downlink channel; determining whether a predetermined condition for modifying said monitoring of said downlink channel is met; modifying the monitoring of the downlink channel such that power consumption of the UE is reduced in response to determining that the predetermined condition is met; dividing the on-duration period into a plurality of slots; each slot of the plurality of slots is assigned to one of a first search space and a second search space, the first search space being closer to a center of the on-duration period than the second search space; the predetermined condition specifies receipt of a first indicator in the downlink information that modifies one of the on-duration timer and the inactivity timer; the predetermined condition specifies receiving a second indicator indicative of one of the first search space and the second search space; a second indicator configured to determine whether the second search space is a first search space and a second search space based on the second indicator; and a second indicator configured to determine whether the second search space is a first search space and a second search space based on the second indicator.

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