DRX-Synchronized Beam Recovery for PDCCH Link Quality
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication systems face challenges in beam failure recovery due to blockage and mobility, especially in millimeter wave frequencies, leading to signal disconnects and inefficient power consumption in discontinuous reception (DRX) modes.
Innovation Solution
A method for beam recovery in wireless communication systems, where a user equipment (UE) monitors the quality of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) only during the DRX ON state and transmits a recovery message to the base station if the quality falls below a threshold, using channel measurement masks to decode DCI messages for beam adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE monitors beam quality continuously to ensure reliable beam failure detection, then the reliability of beam recovery is improved, but the power consumption increases during DRX OFF states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic beam quality monitoring synchronized with DRX cycles, where the UE monitors PDCCH quality only during DRX ON states and suspends monitoring during DRX OFF states. This periodic monitoring approach maintains beam failure detection capability while significantly reducing power consumption by aligning monitoring activities with the existing DRX periodicity rather than continuous monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary beam quality assessment during DRX ON states by monitoring PDCCH quality indicators before the DRX OFF state begins. This allows the UE to detect beam degradation early and initiate recovery procedures during active periods, preventing beam failure from occurring during power-saving DRX OFF states.
2Loss of time
If the UE monitors PDCCH quality during all DRX cycles to detect beam failures timely, then the response time for beam recovery is reduced, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the periodic nature of DRX cycles to schedule beam quality monitoring only during DRX ON states. By synchronizing monitoring with the periodic DRX activation pattern, the system achieves timely beam failure detection at regular intervals without the continuous power consumption of constant monitoring, accepting controlled response time based on DRX cycle duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial monitoring by observing PDCCH quality during only the active DRX ON portions of cycles rather than continuous monitoring. This partial action approach provides sufficient beam failure detection capability for many applications while dramatically reducing power consumption, trading off some response time for energy efficiency.
3Reliability
If the UE transmits recovery messages immediately upon detecting beam quality degradation, then the communication reliability is improved, but the power consumption and network interference increase during DRX OFF states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary beam quality assessment during DRX ON states and accumulates quality metrics over multiple monitoring opportunities. Instead of immediate reaction to single measurements, the system evaluates trends and thresholds during active periods, preparing recovery decisions in advance to avoid unnecessary transmissions during DRX OFF states and reduce overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where beam quality measurements taken during DRX ON states are evaluated against thresholds, and recovery messages are transmitted only when sustained degradation is confirmed. This feedback-based approach filters out transient quality fluctuations and ensures reliable transmission only when necessary, reducing unnecessary power consumption from frequent false recovery attempts.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus and method for beam failure recovery between a UE and a base station operating in a discontinuous reception (DRX) mode. In an embodiment, the UE receives a frame from a base station for determining a radio link quality of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). The UE determines whether the frame is received only during the DRX ON state of the DRX mode and that the radio link quality of the PDCCH is less than an acceptable quality threshold. In response, the UE transmits a recovery message to the base station indicating a change to a communication beam used to receive the frame.