D2D Communication Power Reduction via DRX Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

In Device to Device (D2D) communication, the D2D receiving UE needs to constantly listen to system broadcasts or preconfigured receive resources, leading to significant power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A method where a first terminal instructs a network-side device to configure a second terminal to communicate, determining a target communication period based on configuration information, allowing direct communication without constant listening to system broadcasts or preconfigured resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the D2D receiving UE constantly listens to system broadcast or preconfigured D2D receive resources, then the UE can detect D2D transmitting UEs, but the power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveD2D detection capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements discontinuous reception (DRX) for D2D receive UEs, where the UE alternates between active listening periods and sleep periods. The network configures DRX parameters including onDurationTimer (how long to listen after waking), drx-InactivityTimer (how long to stay awake after receiving activity), and LongDRX-CycleStartOffset (periodic cycle configuration). This periodic action allows the D2D receiving UE to monitor PDCCH for D2D grants only during scheduled intervals rather than continuously, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining reliable detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Loss of information

If the D2D receiving UE listens constantly to system broadcast, then the UE can receive system information, but the power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem information receptionVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies DRX mechanisms to system information reception, where the D2D receiving UE wakes up at configured intervals to monitor PDCCH for system broadcasts and then enters sleep mode. The network controls when system information is transmitted and when UEs should wake to receive it, using DRX configuration parameters. This ensures the UE receives necessary system information while minimizing the time spent in high-power reception state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If the network allocates resources dynamically for D2D communication, then the communication efficiency improves, but the configuration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the network (eNB) as an intermediary that manages D2D resource allocation and DRX configuration. The network receives D2D communication requests from UEs, allocates appropriate resources, and configures DRX parameters based on traffic patterns and QoS requirements. This intermediary approach allows dynamic resource allocation that optimizes communication efficiency while the network handles the configuration complexity, shielding individual UEs from managing complex DRX and resource allocation parameters themselves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3451709B1Method for performing configuration for d2d communication
Publication Date: 2021.12.22 DATANG MOBILE COMM EQUIP CO LTD
  • EP3451709B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3451709B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP3451709B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

A method and device for performing communication configuration for solving the problem in the prior art that the power consumption is very large, due to the fact that a D2D receiving UE needs to continuously monitor a system broadcast or continuously monitor a pre-configured D2D receiving resource. According to the embodiments of the present invention, a first terminal determines a target communication period according to configuration information for determining the target communication period; a first network side device determines the configuration information for determining the target communication period, wherein the target communication period is a period during which direct communication interface transmitting and/or receiving can be performed through a direct communication interface; and the configuration information is transmitted to a second terminal, so that a terminal performing direct communication determines the target communication period according to the configuration information, and performs direct communication interface transmitting and/or receiving during the target communication period, so that there is no need to continuously monitor a system broadcast or continuously monitor a pre-configured D2D receiving resource, thus saving power.