DRX Control Channel Monitoring With Event-Triggered Configuration Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless devices consume significant power during active time intervals of discontinuous reception (DRX) despite power-saving configurations, necessitating further optimization.

Innovation Solution

Implementing multiple control channel monitoring configurations with varying densities and receiver settings within active DRX time intervals, allowing switching between these configurations based on predefined events or network signaling to minimize power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the wireless device monitors the control channel continuously during active time intervals, then control message reception reliability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol message reception reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the control channel monitoring configuration changeable over time. The network can dynamically switch between first and second control channel monitoring configurations during active time intervals, adjusting monitoring density based on traffic conditions and power saving requirements, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable reception and power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes monitoring parameters by introducing multiple control channel monitoring configurations with different monitoring occasion densities. The network can select appropriate configurations (e.g., reducing monitoring density from first to second configuration) to balance reliability and power consumption based on current system state

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If the wireless device switches between multiple control channel monitoring configurations, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple control channel monitoring configurations (first and second configurations) before actual use. The wireless device is provided with these configurations in advance through network signaling, so that switching can occur without real-time computation, reducing the actual processing complexity during operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the control channel monitoring function into multiple discrete configurations with different monitoring densities. This segmentation allows the device to select appropriate pre-defined configurations rather than dynamically computing monitoring parameters, simplifying the switching process while achieving power savings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the network signals multiple control channel monitoring configurations to the wireless device, then monitoring flexibility is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring flexibilityVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by signaling only the necessary configuration parameters to the wireless device rather than complete configuration sets. The network provides key parameters that enable the device to derive or select appropriate monitoring configurations, reducing signaling overhead while maintaining flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS12471019B2Control channel monitoring in a wireless communication system

Publication Date: 2025.11.11 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

During a first portion (20A) of an active time (20) of discontinuous reception (DRX) operation, a wireless device (14) monitors a control channel (18) using a first control channel monitoring configuration (22-1). During the active time (20), though, the wireless device (14) switches from the first control channel monitoring configuration (22-1) to a second control channel monitoring configuration (22-N). This switching may be triggered by occurrence of an event. During a second portion (2 OB) of the active time (20) occurring subsequent to the first portion (20A) and after this switching, then, the wireless device (14) monitors the control channel (18) using the second control channel monitoring configuration (22-N). The first portion (20A) of the active time (20) and the second portion (2 OB) of the active time (20) may be included in the same DRX cycle.