DRX-Enabled Multipath Communications Coordination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In multipath communications, there is a need for coordination between gNB, remote UE, and relay UE to avoid conflicts or misalignment in time for Uu and SL transmissions, and to enable discontinuous reception (DRX) operation for power saving, which is challenging due to half-duplex issues and limited RF resources.
Innovation Solution
A DRX configuration scheme is proposed that uses flexible time-division mechanisms for controlling data transmissions over direct and indirect paths, allowing Uu and SL DRX mechanisms to facilitate coordinated multipath transmissions and power-saving operations by determining and transmitting DRX configurations between devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If DRX operation is enabled for power saving in multipath communications, then energy consumption is reduced, but coordination complexity between gNB, remote UE, and relay UE increases due to time alignment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the DRX configuration into separate configurations for direct path and indirect path communications. Each path can have its own DRX parameters (drx-OnDurationTimer, drx-SleepTimer, drx-HARQ-RTT-Timer, etc.), allowing independent optimization and simplifying the coordination problem by treating each path as a separate entity that can be managed autonomously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic switching between direct path and indirect path based on DRX cycle timing. The remote UE can dynamically select which path to use for data transmission depending on whether the gNB or relay UE is in an active or sleep state, thereby adapting the communication path to the current DRX phase and reducing coordination overhead.
2Reliability
If multipath transmissions are coordinated to avoid time conflicts, then transmission reliability is improved, but communication flexibility is reduced due to rigid time alignment constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic path selection where the remote UE can switch between direct path and indirect path based on real-time conditions such as DRX phase, channel quality, and traffic type. This dynamic adaptation maintains reliability by ensuring transmissions occur during appropriate time windows while preserving flexibility through multiple available paths and configurable DRX parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes periodic DRX cycles with configurable parameters (drx-LongCycle, drx-ShortCycle, drx-StartOffset) to create regular activation windows for direct and indirect paths. This periodic structure ensures reliable time-aligned transmissions while allowing flexibility in configuring the period length and offset to match different traffic patterns and channel conditions.
3Reliability
If separate DRX configurations are used for direct and indirect paths, then transmission coordination is improved, but configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the DRX configuration into separate RRC connection reconfiguration messages for direct path (gNB-to-UE) and indirect path (relay UE-to-UE), each with its own set of DRX parameters. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each path's DRX behavior while maintaining clear, manageable configuration structures that can be processed separately by different network entities.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to devices, methods, apparatuses, and computer readable storage media for discontinuous reception (DRX)-enabled multipath (MP) communications. In a method, a first device receives a DRX configuration for a direct path between the first device and a second device and an indirect path between the first and second devices via a third device. The DRX configuration comprises at least one of a first DRX configuration or a second DRX configuration. The first DRX configuration is used for a first communication between the first and second devices on the direct path, and the second DRX configuration is used for a second communication between the first and third devices on the indirect path. Based on the received DRX configuration, the first device communicates with the second device on the direct path and with the third device on the indirect path.