Beam Management with Connected Mode Discontinuous Reception
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communications networks, particularly in 5G and NR systems, UEs configured with C-DRX face challenges in maintaining beam tracking for CSI-RS based beams during long DRX cycles, leading to potential loss of connection due to infrequent monitoring.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a fallback timer mechanism that allows UEs to continue monitoring CSI-RS based PDCCH beams during active times and switch to SSB based PDCCH beams once the fallback timer expires, ensuring continuous beam management and reporting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If UE monitors PDCCH from CSI-RS based beams during C-DRX, then beam management reporting is improved, but connection reliability deteriorates during long DRX cycles due to infrequent monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces SSB based beams as an intermediary mechanism to bridge the gap between CSI-RS based beam management and continuous connection monitoring. When CSI-RS based beam monitoring is insufficient during DRX cycles, the UE falls back to monitoring SSB based beams, which are transmitted continuously, thereby maintaining connection reliability while preserving beam management capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the monitoring parameter from CSI-RS based beams to SSB based beams under specific conditions (when fallback timer expires). This parameter change allows the UE to switch between different reference signals based on the operational state, enabling continuous monitoring during DRX cycles while maintaining beam management functionality.
2Measurement precision
If UE uses CSI-RS based beams for beam management, then measurement precision is improved, but monitoring frequency decreases during long DRX cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic switching mechanism where the UE adapts its monitoring behavior based on the operational state. During active periods, the UE monitors CSI-RS based beams for precise beam management. When entering DRX cycles, the UE dynamically switches to monitoring SSB based beams to maintain continuous contact, thereby adjusting monitoring frequency according to the operational context.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a periodic fallback mechanism where the UE monitors SSB based beams at specific intervals during DRX cycles. The fallback timer creates a periodic action that ensures the UE returns to CSI-RS based monitoring when conditions permit, while maintaining SSB based monitoring as a periodic backup during DRX periods.
3Reliability
If UE switches to SSB based beams during DRX, then connection reliability is improved, but beam management precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using SSB based beams only when necessary (during DRX cycles when CSI-RS based monitoring is insufficient), rather than continuously. This partial use of SSB based beams maintains connection reliability during critical periods while preserving the precision of CSI-RS based beam management during active periods when higher precision is needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for beam management reporting in connected mode discontinuous reception (C-DRX) are provided. One method includes configuring a user equipment (UE) in connected mode discontinuous reception (C-DRX) with a timer that determines at least one of when the UE monitors physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) from channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) based beams or when the UE monitors PDCCH from synchronization signal block (SSB) based beams.