DRX Delay Mechanism for UE Power Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increased power consumption in Connected-DRX mode due to the requirement for UEs to receive data payload during and immediately following the ON duration, which is not as power efficient as Idle-DRX mode, is addressed.

Innovation Solution

Implementing methods for handling DRX operation by allowing UEs to apply delays in decoding signals, transmitting HARQ feedback, starting timers, and entering active states based on predefined time periods, and configuring network nodes to adjust DRX cycles and wake-up messages to reduce power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If UEs remain in active state to receive data payload during and immediately following ON duration in Connected-DRX mode, then data reception reliability is improved, but power consumption increases

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the UE's active state duration flexible and adjustable. The network can dynamically configure the duration of the active state through RRC signaling, allowing the UE to adapt between staying awake longer for reliable data reception or returning to sleep sooner to conserve power, depending on traffic conditions and QoS requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of active state duration in Connected-DRX mode. By introducing configurable duration parameters that can be adjusted by the network based on traffic patterns and service requirements, the system optimizes the balance between maintaining reliability for data reception and reducing power consumption by limiting the active state period.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If UEs wake up frequently to monitor PDCCH in Connected-DRX mode, then scheduling message detection is improved, but battery life is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling message detectionVSAvoidbattery life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action through DRX cycles where the UE alternates between sleep and active states. By carefully configuring the periodicity and duration of active states, the system ensures that UEs wake up sufficiently often to detect scheduling messages while maximizing the sleep duration to preserve battery life, creating an optimized periodic monitoring pattern.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the DRX parameters dynamic and configurable, allowing the network to adjust the active state duration and cycle timing based on traffic conditions. This enables the system to adapt the wake-up frequency to match actual scheduling needs, preventing both excessive wake-ups that waste battery and insufficient wake-ups that miss scheduling messages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If drx-InactivityTimer is set to large value to ensure data reception, then data transmission reliability is improved, but active state duration is extended increasing power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidactive state duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by making the inactivity timer duration configurable rather than fixed. The network can set the drx-InactivityTimer to appropriate values based on traffic patterns and service requirements, allowing optimization of the balance between ensuring data transmission reliability and limiting active state duration to control power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamics by allowing the inactivity timer parameters to be adjusted based on changing traffic conditions and QoS requirements. This enables the system to dynamically adapt the timer duration to match actual data transmission needs, preventing both overly long active states that waste power and overly short timers that compromise reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4561193B1Method and apparatus for handling discontinuous reception in a communications network
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP4561193B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4561193B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4561193B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments herein relate to a method, performed by a User Equipment (UE) 120, for handling discontinous reception (DRX) operation. The method comprises applying a delay for at least one action performed as a response to data and/or signaling received by the UE during a predefined first time period after the UE 120 has entered an active state. Embodiments herein further relate to a method, performed by a network node 110, for handling discontinous reception (DRX) operation. The method comprises sending a configuration message to a User Equipment (UE) 120, which message comprises information regarding actions to be delayed by the UE 120.