Selective DRX Active Period Extension for Cell Reselection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication technologies face challenges in efficiently managing the active period of discontinuous reception (DRX) cycles, particularly in balancing performance improvements with battery power conservation during cell reselection processes.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for user equipment (UE) to determine whether to extend the active period of a DRX cycle based on serving cell measurements and reselection timer expiration times, allowing selective extension or entry into sleep mode to optimize battery usage and performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the active period of DRX cycle is extended to allow reselection, then reselection performance is improved, but battery power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereselection performanceVSAvoidbattery power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the DRX active period extension conditional and adaptive rather than fixed. The UE dynamically adjusts whether to extend the active period based on real-time evaluation of serving cell measurements and reselection timer status, transitioning between extending and not extending the active period as conditions change.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of active period duration based on evaluation results. When the reselection timer is determined to expire during the DRX active period and extension is beneficial, the active period is extended; otherwise, it remains unchanged. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between reselection performance and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the active period is extended for reselection, then cell reselection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell reselection reliabilityVSAvoidDRX cycle management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by evaluating whether reselection timer expiration would occur during the DRX active period before actually extending the active period. The UE performs this evaluation using serving cell measurements and reselection timer status in advance, determining the optimal action (extend or not extend) before the active period expires, thereby simplifying real-time decision-making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses feedback by continuously monitoring serving cell measurements and reselection timer status to inform the decision of whether to extend the DRX active period. This feedback mechanism ensures that extension decisions are based on current network conditions and reselection requirements, improving reliability while managing complexity through systematic evaluation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the active period is extended, then reselection timing flexibility is improved, but loss of time in sleep mode decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereselection timing flexibilityVSAvoidsleep mode duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by extending the DRX active period only when necessary for reselection, rather than always extending it. The UE evaluates whether extension is needed based on reselection timer status and serving cell conditions, extending the active period partially (only for the duration needed for reselection) or not at all, thus maintaining sleep mode duration when extension is not beneficial.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3827620B1Selective extension of an active period of a DRX cycle for reselection
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3827620B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3827620B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3827620B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (120) may determine that a reselection timer has an expiration time (550) that is to extend an active period (510, 530) of a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle; determine whether to extend the active period based at least in part on at least one of a set of serving cell measurements or a duration that the expiration time is to extend the active period (530); and selectively extend the active period or enter a sleep mode (515) without extending the active period based at least in part on determining whether to extend the active period. Numerous other aspects are provided.