DRX Cycle Adaptation in Dual Connectivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communications, dual connectivity scenarios with discontinuous reception (DRX) cycles present challenges in maintaining mobility and power efficiency, particularly due to non-ideal backhaul latency between macro and small cell base stations, leading to potential delays and compromised mobility performance.

Innovation Solution

Implementing separate DRX cycles for macro and small cell base stations, with shorter cycles when the user equipment is active in the small cell and longer cycles when inactive, to balance power savings and mobility requirements, and signaling these cycles to the user equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a long DRX cycle is used, then power savings are increased, but mobility performance deteriorates due to missed mobility opportunities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower savingsVSAvoidmobility performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the DRX cycle duration adjustable based on user equipment activity state. The system dynamically switches between a first DRX cycle pattern when the UE is active in the small cell and a second DRX cycle pattern when inactive, allowing the cycle length to adapt to current operational requirements rather than remaining fixed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the time parameter of the DRX cycle based on UE activity. When the UE is active in the small cell, a first DRX cycle pattern is applied; when inactive, a second DRX cycle pattern is applied. This parameter change allows optimization of both power savings and mobility performance under different operational conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If separate DRX cycles are implemented for macro and small cell base stations, then mobility robustness is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobility robustnessVSAvoidDRX cycle management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by configuring different DRX cycle patterns for different cells based on their specific requirements. The small cell uses a first DRX cycle pattern optimized for its characteristics, while the macro cell uses a second DRX cycle pattern, allowing each cell to have tailored DRX parameters suited to its local deployment scenario

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10932188B2DRX operation with dual connectivity

Publication Date: 2021.02.23 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for dual connectivity. In one aspect there is provided a method. The method may include applying, at a user equipment having dual connectivity to a first wireless access point and a second wireless access point, a first discontinuous receive cycle pattern in a second cell served by the second wireless access point, when the user equipment is active in a first cell served by the first wireless access point; and applying, at the user equipment having dual connectivity to the first wireless access point and the second wireless access point, a second discontinuous receive cycle pattern in the second cell, when the user equipment is not active in the first cell. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described.