DRX-SPS Signaling Alignment for Low-Overhead Wireless Reception

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communications systems, the use of discontinuous reception (DRX) and semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configurations can lead to delays, inefficient communications, and high signaling overhead due to potential transmissions during inactive periods of the DRX cycle.

Innovation Solution

A joint configuration of DRX and SPS configurations is implemented, where SPS configurations are linked with DRX parameters, and DRX parameters are indicated to the user equipment (UE) via layer 1 signaling or MAC control elements, allowing efficient and reliable communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate DRX and SPS configurations are used, then flexibility in configuring each independently is improved, but signaling overhead and configuration complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines DRX and SPS configurations into a unified configuration structure where DRX parameters and SPS parameters are jointly configured. The base station transmits a single configuration message that includes both DRX configuration parameters (drx-OnDurationTimer, drx-SlotOffset, drx-LongCycleStartOffset) and SPS configuration parameters (periodicity, timeDomainOffset) that are interlinked, reducing the number of separate signaling messages required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The unified configuration structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it configures both DRX behavior and SPS resource allocation, establishes the linkage between them, and enables the UE to derive SPS timing information from DRX parameters. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate configuration procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If SPS transmissions occur during inactive DRX periods, then resource utilization is improved, but communication delays and inefficiency increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidcommunication delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes the linkage between DRX and SPS configurations in advance, before actual transmissions occur. The base station configures the UE with interlinked parameters including drx-SlotOffset and SPS timeDomainOffset that pre-determine the timing relationship between DRX active periods and SPS resource locations, ensuring SPS transmissions are scheduled within active periods without requiring real-time adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The unified configuration enables the UE to autonomously determine whether SPS resources fall within active or inactive periods by deriving SPS timing from DRX parameters. This feedback mechanism allows the UE to adjust its reception behavior accordingly, ensuring SPS transmissions occur during active periods when the UE is monitoring, thereby avoiding delays while maintaining efficient resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the UE monitors resources continuously, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic monitoring behavior where the UE adjusts its resource monitoring based on the interlinked DRX and SPS configuration. During active periods, the UE monitors both PDCCH and SPS resources as configured. During inactive periods, the UE suspends monitoring of resources that fall within inactive periods according to the configured drx-SlotOffset and SPS timeDomainOffset parameters. This dynamic adjustment maintains reliability for scheduled SPS transmissions while reducing power consumption during inactive periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4059310B1Discontinuous reception signaling for wireless communications systems

Publication Date: 2025.12.17 QUALCOMM INC

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AI summary

Methods and devices for discontinuous reception signaling for wireless communications systems are described. A base station may determine a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration and a discontinuous reception configuration (DRX) associated with the semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration for a user equipment (UE). The base station may transmit the SPS configuration to the UE. The SPS configuration may indicate one or more DRX parameters for the DRX configuration. A UE may receive the semi-persistent scheduling configuration from the base station. The UE may identify one or more DRX parameters for the discontinuous reception configuration based on the SPS configuration. The UE may monitor a downlink control channel in accordance with the DRX configuration.