DRX Active Time Extension for Wireless QoS

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Solution Overview

Problem

In unlicensed wireless systems, data transmission interruptions and latency due to Listen Before Talk (LBT) operations can lead to service Quality of Service (QoS) degradation, necessitating a mechanism to reduce unnecessary LBT operations and optimize power saving in wireless devices.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method for wireless devices to extend their Discontinuous Reception (DRX) active time based on downlink signaling indicating an upcoming data burst, allowing for more efficient power management and reduced latency by adjusting DRX configuration dynamically.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the wireless device extends its DRX active time to monitor for upcoming data bursts, then the QoS and transmission reliability are improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveQoSVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically changes the DRX active time parameter based on downlink signaling. When signaling indicates an upcoming data burst, the device extends its active time from the default duration to cover the channel occupancy time, ensuring it remains awake to receive data without unnecessary LBT interruptions, thus improving QoS while only increasing power consumption when actually needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The DRX active time is made dynamic rather than static. The device adapts its active time duration based on real-time downlink signaling about upcoming data bursts. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize between power saving and QoS by extending active time only when data transmission is anticipated, rather than maintaining a constantly extended active time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the wireless device performs LBT operations before each transmission, then the channel access reliability is improved, but the transmission latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel access reliabilityVSAvoidtransmission latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The base station performs preliminary action by sending downlink signaling to indicate an upcoming data burst and the associated channel occupancy time before the actual data transmission. This allows the wireless device to prepare in advance by extending its DRX active time and knowing when to expect data, eliminating the need for immediate LBT operations and reducing transmission latency while maintaining reliable channel access

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The downlink signaling acts as an intermediary between the base station's channel access decision and the wireless device's reception preparation. The signaling conveys information about the upcoming data burst and channel occupancy time, allowing the device to synchronize its active time without performing unnecessary LBT operations, thus reducing latency while maintaining reliable channel access

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12171040B2Extension of a discontinuous reception active time

Publication Date: 2024.12.17 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

An aspect provides a method performed by a wireless device operating in a discontinuous reception, DRX, mode having an active state and a sleep state. The method includes, responsive to receiving downlink signaling from a base station indicative of an upcoming data burst during a channel occupancy time, and responsive to the wireless device meeting at least one condition, extending an active time of the DRX mode during which the wireless device is in the active state.