DRX Search Space Linking for UE Power Optimization

Solution Overview

Problem

Current Discontinuous Reception (DRX) techniques in wireless communications face a challenge in balancing power consumption at User Equipment (UE) with scheduling flexibility in wireless networks, as larger search spaces for control channel monitoring increase power consumption but reduce scheduling flexibility, while smaller search spaces introduce delays and reduce trunking gains.

Innovation Solution

The method involves linking adaptive search spaces to the on-duration period of the DRX cycle by modifying time-frequency resources and periodicity resources, allowing for a larger search space at the beginning of the cycle that shrinks over time, or increasing periodicity that slows down, to optimize power consumption and scheduling flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If larger search spaces are used for control channel monitoring, then scheduling flexibility is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescheduling flexibilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The search space configuration is made dynamic by linking it to the DRX cycle. The network node configures the UE to use different search space parameters (time-frequency resources, periodicity) during different phases of the DRX cycle, allowing the system to adapt between power-saving and scheduling-flexibility modes automatically

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies periodic action by synchronizing search space monitoring with the periodic DRX cycle. The UE monitors search spaces at specific periodic intervals defined by the DRX on-duration period, rather than continuously, which reduces power consumption while maintaining scheduling flexibility during active periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Use of energy by moving object

If smaller search spaces are used for control channel monitoring, then power consumption is reduced, but scheduling flexibility deteriorates and delays increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidscheduling flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The search space configuration is made dynamic by linking it to the DRX cycle. The network node configures the UE to use different search space parameters (time-frequency resources, periodicity) during different phases of the DRX cycle, allowing the system to adapt between power-saving and scheduling-flexibility modes automatically

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The network node preliminarily configures the UE with appropriate search space parameters before the UE enters sleep mode. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the UE wakes up during the on-duration period, it is already prepared to monitor the correct search spaces, minimizing delays while maintaining power savings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If continuous monitoring is performed, then scheduling flexibility is maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescheduling flexibilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by synchronizing search space monitoring with the periodic DRX cycle. The UE monitors search spaces at specific periodic intervals defined by the DRX on-duration period, rather than continuously, which reduces power consumption while maintaining scheduling flexibility during active periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The monitoring pattern is made dynamic through the DRX mechanism, switching between active monitoring during on-duration periods and sleep mode during off-duration periods, allowing the system to balance energy loss and scheduling flexibility based on operational needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11856637B2Search space and DRX cycle linking and modification

Publication Date: 2023.12.26 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

A network node links search spaces, used by a UE to monitor a control channel for control information for the UE, to an on-duration period of a DRX cycle. Resources of one or both of time-frequency resources or periodicity resources for the search spaces are modified via the linking over the on-duration period. The network node configures the UE so the user equipment implements the modified resources during the on-duration period as the user equipment searches the search spaces. A UE receives configuration, defined so the UE implements modification of resources during an on-duration period of a DRX cycle as the UE searches search spaces during the on-duration period. The resources are one or both of time-frequency resources or periodicity resources. The UE monitors the modified search spaces over the on-duration period, as the UE searches a control channel for control information.