DRX Management for Wireless Networks Using Buffer Status Report Timers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing DRX management in LTE networks, as specified in 3GPP TS 36.321, faces challenges such as transmission errors leading to data performance degradation and inefficient battery power usage due to mismatches between user equipment (UE) and base stations, particularly with lost, late, or delayed buffer status reports.
Innovation Solution
Enhancements to DRX management include increasing service priorities for user devices during active periods, handling late and delayed buffer status reports by updating uplink buffer occupancy and applying QoS boost factors, and implementing novel retransmission timers and data flush tokens to improve data service performance and reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the UE enters DRX OFF state to save battery power, then power consumption is reduced, but transmission errors occur and data performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the UE send buffer status reports (BSRs) before entering DRX OFF state, and by having the eNB prepare scheduling decisions in advance. The UE triggers BSRs periodically or upon data availability before the DRX cycle ends, ensuring the eNB has up-to-date information about buffer status even though the UE will be sleeping. This preliminary information exchange prevents mismatches when the UE wakes up later.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the UE sends BSRs to inform the eNB of its buffer status, and the eNB sends scheduling decisions and acknowledgments back to the UE. The feedback loop includes HARQ acknowledgments and scheduling requests, ensuring both sides remain synchronized despite the UE being in DRX OFF state. This continuous feedback maintains reliability while allowing power savings.
2Productivity
If the UE waits for scheduling opportunities during DRX ON period, then data transmission can occur, but power consumption increases due to prolonged active state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the DRX cycle adaptable rather than fixed. The eNB adjusts the DRX cycle duration and scheduling decisions based on real-time traffic conditions, buffer status reports, and channel conditions. When data is abundant, the eNB can extend DRX OFF periods to save power. When data arrives during DRX OFF state, the eNB dynamically wakes the UE or schedules transmissions at optimal times, balancing productivity and power consumption dynamically.
3Reliability
If buffer status reports are sent frequently to maintain synchronization, then DRX mismatch is reduced, but overhead and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by having the UE send buffer status reports at regular intervals or when specific triggering conditions are met, rather than continuously. The eNB configures periodic BSR timing, and the UE sends status updates at these predetermined intervals. This periodic mechanism maintains synchronization without requiring constant communication, reducing overhead and processing complexity while ensuring the eNB has current buffer information.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems and devices for improving discontinuous reception (DRX) in wireless telecommunication networks are disclosed. According to an embodiment, a retransmission buffer status report (BSR) timer is implemented in a user equipment (UE) as an attribute that is configurable for each logical channel of the UE. According to another embodiment, a data flush token is implemented as a logical channel attribute in a UE in order to expedite emptying of the UE's uplink buffer. According to another embodiment, improvements are provided to the manner in which a UE determines to cancel regular BSRs. According to other embodiments, features are implemented at a base station such as an E-UTRAN Node B (eNB) to improve downlink and uplink transmission scheduling between the base station and a UE. According to further embodiments, improved methods of detecting and handling late and delayed BSRs are implemented at a base station. The disclosed embodiments promote improved battery life of a UE as well as improved network data performance.