Cell DTX/DRX Control for Network Energy Saving in Wireless Links

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in effectively supporting network energy saving (NES) operations, particularly in managing base station operations and communication between base stations and user equipment (UE) to optimize energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of network-controlled repeater (NCR) nodes and integrated access and backhaul (IAB) nodes with spatial and power domain adaptation, along with cell discontinuous transmission (DTX) and reception (DRX) operations, to manage beam and signal processing gain values, enabling efficient NES operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If base station operates continuously to maintain communication availability, then service reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication availabilityVSAvoidbase station energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The base station implements discontinuous transmission (DTX) and discontinuous reception (DRX) operations, switching between active and sleep states periodically. During active periods, full communication functionality is provided; during sleep periods, transmission and reception are suspended to save energy. This periodic operation模式 allows the system to balance between maintaining service availability and reducing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The base station dynamically adjusts its operational state based on traffic conditions and service requirements. When traffic demand is low or no data needs to be transmitted, the base station transitions to a low-power state. When traffic demand increases, it transitions back to full operational mode. This dynamic state adjustment enables adaptive energy saving while maintaining service reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If node assists communication continuously to improve communication performance, then communication reliability is improved, but energy consumption of assisting nodes increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication performanceVSAvoidassisting node energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Assisting nodes (such as relay nodes or IAB nodes) operate in periodic cycles, activating only when needed to forward or relay communications between base stations and UEs. During inactive periods, these nodes remain in sleep mode with minimal energy consumption. The periodic activation ensures communication assistance is provided when required while minimizing energy usage during non-critical periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Use of energy by moving object

If beam and signal processing gain values are adjusted to optimize energy saving, then energy efficiency is improved, but communication performance may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidcommunication performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system adjusts beamforming parameters and signal processing gain values dynamically based on operational state and traffic conditions. During energy-saving mode, parameters are optimized to maintain minimum required performance levels while reducing power consumption. When full performance is needed, parameters are restored to optimal values. This parameter adjustment enables flexible trade-off between energy efficiency and communication performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4716310A1Apparatus and method for supporting network energy saving operation in wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4716310A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4716310A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4716310A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The purpose of the present disclosure is to support a network energy saving (NES) operation in a wireless communication system, and a method performed by an apparatus may comprise the steps of: receiving first configuration information related to cell discontinuous transmission (DTX) or cell discontinuous reception (DRX) from a base station; receiving second configuration information related to DTX or DRX of the apparatus from the base station; identifying an active period and a non-active period according to a pattern of the DTX or DRX; and controlling a communication operation on the basis of the active period and the non-active period.