DRX Configuration Synchronization for LTE User Equipment

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Solution Overview

Problem

In LTE DRX processes, there is a period of time after starting an on-duration timer before new DRX configuration parameters can be applied, leading to desynchronization between the UE and eNodeB, resulting in wasted scheduling resources.

Innovation Solution

A method and user equipment that receive a DRX configuration message from a base station, including new DRX cycle and on-duration configurations, where the start time of the on-duration configuration is determined based on the start state of the on-duration timer, allowing for timely stopping or restarting of the timer to align with the new configuration, ensuring synchronization between the UE and eNodeB.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the on-duration timer is started before new DRX configuration parameters are applied, then the UE can receive scheduling during the current DRX cycle, but there is a time interval where the UE cannot receive schedule from base station resulting in wasted scheduling resource

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling resource utilizationVSAvoidtime interval for configuration application
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by determining the start time of new on-duration configuration in advance based on the current on-duration timer state. The UE calculates whether to stop the current timer and when to start the new configuration, ensuring seamless transition without scheduling gaps. This pre-planning of configuration application timing eliminates the time interval where scheduling resources are wasted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the UE switches from idle state to connection state to monitor user data channel, then the UE can receive scheduled data, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata reception capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action through DRX (Discontinuous Reception) mechanism, where the UE alternates between active monitoring periods (on-duration) and sleep periods. The on-duration timer controls the periodic activation of the receiver, allowing the UE to monitor PDCCH only during scheduled intervals rather than continuously. This periodic operation maintains data reception capability while significantly reducing average power consumption compared to continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If the UE monitors PDCCH continuously to ensure no data is missed, then the data reception reliability is improved, but the energy saving benefit of DRX mechanism is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata reception reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the PDCCH monitoring behavior adaptive through the on-duration timer mechanism. The UE dynamically adjusts its monitoring activity based on the timer state - actively monitoring during on-duration periods and entering sleep mode when the timer expires and no data is pending. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize between reliability and energy consumption based on actual traffic conditions, rather than using a fixed monitoring strategy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2785112B1Method and user equipment for use in discontinuous reception configuration
Publication Date: 2018.09.12 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2785112B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2785112B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2785112B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention discloses a method for discontinuous reception configuration, the method includes: receiving a discontinuous reception DRX configuration message from an eNodeB, where the DRX configuration message includes at least one of the following configuration parameters: new DRX cycle configuration and new on-duration configuration; applying the DRX cycle configuration, and determining a start time of the new on-duration configuration according a start state of an on-duration timer, or determining an application time of the new DRX cycle configuration. Correspondingly, the present invention further provides a user equipment. Implementing the method and user equipment provided by the present invention can solve the problem of desynchronization of the DRX status between the eNodeB and the UE, and avoid waste of scheduling resources.