DRX Pattern Activation for Wireless Device Battery Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Configuring discontinuous reception (DRX) in user equipment (UE) to balance always-on connectivity with reduced battery consumption is challenging, especially when multiple applications run in parallel, as existing methods struggle to find a suitable DRX configuration that suits all applications simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for monitoring a downlink control channel that includes receiving a DRX command from a base station to activate specific DRX patterns, with each pattern defining an on-duration for monitoring the downlink control channel, and optionally starting timers for continuous monitoring during data transmission or reception, allowing flexible DRX operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE continuously monitors the downlink channel to maintain always-on connectivity, then the connectivity responsiveness is improved, but the battery consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements discontinuous reception (DRX) where the UE periodically monitors the downlink control channel at specific intervals rather than continuously. The UE wakes up at predetermined DRX cycles to check for incoming data, then enters sleep mode between cycles. This periodic monitoring maintains connectivity responsiveness by detecting data arrivals while significantly reducing battery consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
2Device complexity
If a single DRX configuration is applied to all applications, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different application requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single DRX configuration into multiple application-specific DRX configurations. Each running application can be assigned its own DRX parameters (cycle length, on-duration, offset) tailored to its specific requirements. The UE maintains separate DRX state machines for different applications, allowing simultaneous optimization for multiple applications with diverse traffic patterns and quality requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic DRX configuration where the UE can switch between different DRX patterns based on current application states and traffic conditions. The system dynamically adjusts DRX parameters during runtime, transitioning between aggressive DRX for power saving and less aggressive DRX for applications requiring lower latency, thereby adapting to changing requirements without manual reconfiguration.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus for monitoring a downlink control channel in a wireless communication system is provided. A wireless device receives a discontinuous reception (DRX) command from a base station. The DRX command indicates an activation of at least one DRX pattern from a plurality of DRX patterns. Each of the plurality of DRX patterns includes an on-duration which specifies at least one subframes to monitor a downlink control channel within a DRX cycle. The wireless device monitors the downlink control channel in at least one subframe which belongs to on-duration of the at least one activated DRX pattern.