Adaptive PDCCH Monitoring Patterns for Lower UE Power Drain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in power consumption due to unnecessary monitoring of Downlink Control Information (DCI) during inactive periods, leading to increased battery drain in user equipment (UE).
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method for UE to dynamically switch between different monitoring patterns for the physical downlink control channel based on specific events and conditions, such as scheduling requests or timer statuses, to optimize PDCCH monitoring and reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE continuously monitors the physical downlink control channel using a standard monitoring pattern, then the reliability of receiving downlink control information is maintained, but the power consumption increases due to unnecessary monitoring during inactive periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the PDCCH monitoring pattern adaptive rather than static. The UE dynamically switches between a first monitoring pattern (with higher monitoring frequency) and a second monitoring pattern (with lower monitoring frequency) based on its current activity state. When the UE is inactive, it transitions to the second pattern to reduce power consumption, and when activity is detected (via scheduling requests, uplink transmissions, or downlink assignments), it switches back to the first pattern to ensure reliable reception of control information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the monitoring parameters of the PDCCH based on the UE's activity state. Specifically, it modifies the monitoring frequency and pattern parameters between two predefined configurations. The first monitoring pattern uses parameters optimized for reliable reception during active periods, while the second pattern uses parameters that reduce power consumption during inactive periods. This parameter switching allows the system to adapt to varying traffic conditions without compromising reliability when needed.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the UE reduces PDCCH monitoring to save power during inactive periods, then power consumption decreases, but the latency for high-priority data transmissions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the UE monitors for specific events that indicate upcoming high-priority transmissions. When the UE detects a scheduling request, uplink transmission opportunity, or downlink assignment indication, it provides feedback by switching from the power-saving second monitoring pattern back to the responsive first monitoring pattern. This feedback-driven switching ensures that the UE is ready to receive and process high-priority data transmissions with minimal latency while maintaining power savings during truly inactive periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the UE switch back to the first monitoring pattern in advance of actual data transmission when certain triggering events are detected. For example, upon detecting a scheduling request or downlink assignment indication, the UE proactively switches to the more responsive monitoring pattern before the actual high-priority data arrives, ensuring it is prepared to receive the transmission with minimal delay while still having spent time in the power-saving state.
3Device complexity
If the UE uses a single monitoring pattern for PDCCH, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different traffic conditions and power states is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the monitoring behavior into two distinct patterns: a first monitoring pattern for active states and a second monitoring pattern for inactive states. Each pattern is independently configured with specific monitoring frequencies and parameters optimized for its intended use case. This segmentation allows the UE to have simple, well-defined monitoring behaviors for each state while achieving overall adaptability through the ability to switch between the segmented patterns based on traffic conditions and power state.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprises means for monitoring a physical downlink control channel using a first monitoring pattern, determining, based on a condition, to monitor the physical downlink control channel using a second monitoring pattern, determining occurrence of at least one event associated with transmission from the user equipment, determining whether to monitor the physical downlink control channel using the first monitoring pattern or the second monitoring pattern based on the occurrence of the at least one event and monitoring the physical downlink control channel using the first monitoring pattern or the second monitoring pattern based on the determination.