DRX Inactivity Timer Restart for PDCCH Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the LTE wireless communications system, when the DRX Retransmission Timer is running but the On Duration Timer and DRX Inactivity Timer are not, the UE may miss new transmission packets because the DRX Inactivity Timer is not restarted upon indication of a new transmission by the PDCCH, leading to interrupted monitoring of the Physical Downlink Control Channel.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that monitor the PDCCH when the On Duration Timer, DRX Inactivity Timer, or DRX Retransmission Timer is running, and start or restart the DRX Inactivity Timer upon detection of a new transmission by the PDCCH, ensuring continuous monitoring and preventing packet loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the UE enters standby mode during HARQ RTT period to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but the UE may miss new transmission packets because the DRX Inactivity Timer is not restarted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the DRX Inactivity Timer restartable under specific conditions. When the PDCCH indicates a new transmission during the DRX Retransmission Timer period, the timer is restarted to extend the monitoring window, dynamically adapting the reception behavior to actual traffic conditions while maintaining power savings during pure retransmission periods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the DRX Inactivity Timer based on PDCCH content. By detecting whether the PDCCH indicates a new transmission or retransmission, the system adjusts the timer behavior (restart vs. continue), thereby changing the monitoring duration parameter to balance power consumption and packet reception reliability
2Reliability
If the UE continuously monitors PDCCH to ensure no packet is missed, then packet reception reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through the DRX mechanism, where the UE alternates between monitoring periods (when timers are active) and standby periods (when timers expire). The monitoring is performed periodically based on timer expiration events rather than continuously, reducing power consumption while maintaining reliability through timed wake-ups
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring behavior is made dynamic by conditionally restarting the DRX Inactivity Timer when new transmissions are detected during the DRX Retransmission Timer period. This extends the monitoring window only when necessary, adapting the power consumption level to the actual traffic pattern rather than maintaining constant high-power monitoring
Data Source
AI summary
A method of improving discontinuous reception (DRX) functionality for a user equipment (UE) of a wireless communication system is disclosed, so as to allow continuous reception of following transmissions during a retransmission period. The method includes steps of monitoring a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) when an On Duration Timer, a DRX Inactivity Timer or a DRX Retransmission Timer is running; and starting or restating the DRX Inactivity Timer when the PDCCH indicates the UE a new transmission.