DRX Group Power Management via Inactivity Timer Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G wireless communications networks, existing technologies face challenges in efficiently managing power consumption and scheduling between primary and secondary discontinuous reception (DRX) groups, particularly due to differences in frequency ranges and DRX cycle lengths, which can lead to suboptimal power savings and scheduling delays.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where user equipment (UE) processors manage communications by starting and stopping inactivity timers based on indicators to switch between dormant and non-dormant states across different DRX groups, ensuring synchronized scheduling and power management across primary and secondary DRX groups with varying DRX cycle lengths and frequency ranges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If secondary DRX groups use shorter DRX cycles to enable faster scheduling, then scheduling responsiveness is improved, but power consumption increases due to more frequent wake-ups

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescheduling responsivenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the DRX groups into primary and secondary groups, each with independent DRX cycle configurations. Secondary DRX groups can use shorter cycles for fast scheduling when needed, while primary DRX groups maintain longer cycles for power savings. This segmentation allows different parts of the system to have different responsiveness requirements without compromising overall power efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic switching between dormant and non-dormant states for secondary DRX groups based on scheduling needs. When data transmission is required, secondary DRX groups transition to non-dormant state with shorter DRX cycles for rapid scheduling. When no scheduling is needed, they return to dormant state with longer DRX cycles to conserve power. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between responsiveness and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If secondary DRX groups enter dormant state earlier to save power, then power savings are improved, but scheduling delays occur due to longer activation times

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower savingsVSAvoidscheduling delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary activation mechanisms where secondary DRX groups are prepared for upcoming scheduling events before they actually occur. The network can trigger pre-activation of secondary DRX groups based on predicted traffic patterns or scheduled events, allowing them to transition from dormant to active state in advance. This preliminary action ensures that when scheduling is needed, the groups are already ready, eliminating delays while maintaining power savings during idle periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple DRX groups with different cycle lengths are used to optimize both power and scheduling, then system flexibility is improved, but complexity of managing multiple timers and states increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem flexibilityVSAvoidtimer management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments DRX groups into primary and secondary categories with distinct management rules. Primary DRX groups handle power-efficient operation with longer cycles, while secondary DRX groups handle fast scheduling with shorter cycles. Each group type has its own inactivity timer and state management protocol, simplifying the overall management complexity by creating clear boundaries and rules for each segment rather than managing all groups uniformly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of a unified DRX controller that coordinates between primary and secondary DRX groups. This intermediary manages the state transitions, timer synchronization, and dormant/active state switching across multiple groups with different cycle lengths. By centralizing the coordination function, the system achieves high flexibility in managing diverse DRX configurations while reducing the complexity burden on individual group managers through a dedicated intermediary layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12108380B2Method of user equipment power savings using groups of cells, and network node thereof

Publication Date: 2024.10.01 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

The method includes conducting communications with a first group of cells, and receiving a first indicator, the first indicator notifying the user equipment (UE) to enable scheduling with at least one second group of cells. The method further includes starting a first inactivity timer associated with the at least one second group of cells based on the first indicator, and scheduling communications with the at least one second group of cells following the starting of the first inactivity timer. The network node performs the method.