DRX Positioning Measurement Using Wake-Up Signal Scheduling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently measuring positioning signals while operating in discontinuous reception mode, leading to power consumption and latency issues, particularly in 5G networks with high data transfer speeds and large sensor deployments.

Innovation Solution

The use of wake-up signals (WUS) to determine whether and how to measure positioning signals and report positioning information, allowing the UE to skip ON times and reduce power consumption and latency by optimizing positioning signal measurement and reporting strategies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the UE continuously monitors positioning signals in DRX mode, then positioning accuracy is maintained, but power consumption increases due to frequent RF chain activation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The network configures the UE with positioning signal measurement opportunities in advance during DRX ON durations, allowing the UE to perform positioning measurements only when necessary rather than continuously monitoring, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining positioning accuracy when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The UE performs positioning signal measurements periodically during DRX ON durations rather than continuously, with measurement opportunities configured by the network. This periodic measurement approach maintains positioning accuracy while significantly reducing power consumption by keeping the RF chain inactive during DRX OFF durations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Loss of time

If the UE performs positioning measurements during every DRX ON time, then positioning report latency is reduced, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning report latencyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts positioning measurement behavior based on network conditions and UE state. The network can configure the UE to perform measurements during specific DRX ON durations based on positioning report requirements, enabling flexible trade-off between latency and power consumption rather than fixed continuous measurement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The network configures various parameters including DRX cycle lengths, ON duration timings, and measurement opportunity frequencies. By adjusting these parameters, the system can optimize the balance between positioning report latency and power consumption based on specific service requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If the UE skips DRX ON times to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but positioning measurement opportunities are missed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidpositioning measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The network provides feedback through RRC configuration to inform the UE about upcoming positioning signal transmission opportunities and DRX ON duration timings. This feedback mechanism allows the UE to plan its measurement activities in advance, ensuring it activates the RF chain only when positioning measurements are actually available, thus avoiding missed opportunities while minimizing power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4173376B1Positioning signal measurement with discontinuous reception and wake-up signal
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4173376B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4173376B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4173376B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A positioning signal processing method at a user equipment includes: operating the user equipment in a discontinuous reception mode including time interleaved ON times of the discontinuous reception mode, during which the user equipment is in an active mode monitoring for a positioning signal measurement trigger signal, and OFF times of the discontinuous reception mode, during which the user equipment is in an inactive mode; receiving a wake-up signal at the user equipment; and determining, at the user equipment, whether to measure a positioning signal based on whether the wake-up signal indicates to implement the active mode during a scheduled discontinuous reception mode ON time or to skip the scheduled discontinuous reception mode ON time.