Aligning D2D and Cellular DRX Cycles to Reduce UE Power Consumption

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication networks, the lack of coordination between device-to-device (D2D) and cellular activity periods in UE devices leads to excessive power consumption and suboptimal performance, shortening battery life and degrading throughput.

Innovation Solution

Adapting the activity/inactivity configuration of UE devices based on whether they are performing D2D or cellular operations, either by network nodes or the devices themselves, to align or separate DRX cycles for optimal power management and performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If UE devices perform both D2D and cellular operations independently without coordination, then each operation can function autonomously, but power consumption increases excessively and battery life shortens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent operation capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the DRX activity periods of D2D and cellular operations by aligning their on-duration timings and coordinating their active/inactive states. This combination allows the UE to perform both operations during unified active periods, reducing the total time the device needs to remain awake and thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining independent operation capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If UE devices perform both D2D and cellular operations independently without coordination, then each operation can function autonomously, but performance becomes suboptimal and throughput degrades

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent operation capabilityVSAvoidthroughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the activity schedules of D2D and cellular operations to create coordinated transmission opportunities. By aligning active periods and resource allocations, the system achieves better spectral efficiency and resource utilization, resulting in improved throughput and overall system performance while preserving the autonomy of each operation type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Use of energy by moving object

If DRX cycles for D2D and cellular operations are aligned to reduce active time, then power consumption decreases and battery life extends, but coordination complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcoordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where UEs report their D2D activity requirements to the network, and the network responds by configuring appropriate DRX parameters. This closed-loop coordination allows the system to dynamically adjust DRX cycles based on actual traffic patterns, reducing coordination overhead while achieving power savings through adaptive alignment of active periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Duration of action of stationary object

If activity periods are coordinated to minimize total active time, then battery life extends, but the complexity of activity state configuration increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables UEs to autonomously determine their D2D activity periods and independently configure their own DRX parameters based on local traffic conditions and network guidance. This self-service approach allows devices to optimize their own battery life through local decision-making, reducing the overall system complexity while still achieving coordinated operation across the network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3141076B1Relating activity periods for a UE performing device-to-device (D2D) and cellular operations
Publication Date: 2022.05.04 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3141076B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3141076B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3141076B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

A method in a network node comprises determining (610) whether at least a first D2D capable UE is or will be performing a D2D operation, and determining whether the at least the first D2D capable UE is or will be performing cellular operation. The method comprises adapting (620) activity and/or inactivity state configurations for the at least the first D2D UE based on the determining.