DRX Cycle Switching Logic for UE Power Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) network, the discontinuous reception (DRX) mechanism can lead to unnecessary excessive stays in the short cycle, resulting in wasteful power consumption as user equipment (UE) remains active for extended periods without new data transmissions, due to uncontrolled switching between long and short DRX cycles.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where the user equipment uses a short cycle when the inactivity timer expires and switches to a long cycle when the short cycle timer expires, ensuring the short cycle timer never stops prematurely, and allowing selection between cycles when both timers expire simultaneously, thus preventing excessive stays in the short cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the UE uses short DRX cycle after inactivity timer expires, then the UE can detect new data transmissions quickly, but the UE consumes more power due to excessive stays in short cycle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the DRX cycle length adaptable rather than fixed. The UE dynamically switches between short and long DRX cycles based on timer expiration events. Specifically, when the drx-shortCycleTimer expires, the UE transitions from short cycle to long cycle, allowing the system to optimize between detection speed and power consumption based on actual traffic conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the DRX cycle parameter from a static configuration to a dynamic parameter that changes based on timer events. The drx-shortCycleTimer controls the duration of short cycle usage, and its expiration triggers a parameter change from short cycle to long cycle, thereby adjusting the balance between detection speed and power consumption
2Reliability
If the UE monitors PDCCH continuously, then the UE can receive all downlink transmissions, but the UE cannot save power during idle periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through the DRX mechanism where the UE alternates between active monitoring periods (on-duration) and sleep periods. During on-duration, the UE monitors PDCCH for downlink transmissions; during sleep periods, the UE stops monitoring to save power. This periodic pattern allows the UE to balance reliability of receiving downlink transmissions with power conservation during idle periods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the PDCCH monitoring behavior dynamic by introducing DRX cycles with configurable on-duration and off-duration periods. The UE dynamically switches between monitoring and non-monitoring states based on the DRX timer conditions, allowing flexible adaptation between reliability requirements and power saving needs
3Adaptability or versatility
If the UE switches between long and short DRX cycles, then the UE can adapt to different traffic conditions, but the timer management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the DRX operation into distinct phases controlled by separate timers: the drx-InactivityTimer for detecting new data arrivals, and the drx-shortCycleTimer for controlling short cycle duration. This segmentation allows independent management of different timer functions, making the complex timer management more systematic and manageable
Data Source
AI summary
A method for avoiding unnecessary excessive stay of short cycle in discontinuous reception mechanism begins by using the short cycle while the short cycle timer is running. Then, it determines whether the inactivity timer expires or not and whether the short cycle timer expires or not. If the inactivity timer expires but the short cycle timer does not expire, the short cycle is used. If the short cycle timer expires but the inactivity timer does not expire, the long cycle is used. If the inactivity timer and the short cycle timer expire at the same time, either the short cycle or the long cycle is selected for use.