DRX Timer Adaptation for 5G UE Power and Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G wireless systems face challenges in balancing latency reduction and user equipment power saving, particularly in discontinuous reception (DRX) cycles, which result in high latency and increased power consumption due to frequent wake-ups for no signaling or data traffic.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method where user equipment (UE) determines the duration of timers based on the number of repetitions of uplink channels, allowing it to transition between active and inactive states more efficiently, thereby reducing power consumption and latency by optimizing DRX cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the user equipment frequently wakes up during DRX cycles to check for signaling or data traffic, then the latency is reduced and responsiveness is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the DRX cycle configuration adaptive rather than static. The network entity dynamically adjusts the DRX cycle parameters based on the number of uplink repetitions, creating a flexible system that can transition between power-saving and low-latency modes. This is achieved through configuring different drx-HARQ-RTT-TimerUL values based on repetition counts, allowing the system to optimize between power consumption and latency responsiveness in real-time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter values of DRX cycle configuration based on uplink repetition requirements. Specifically, it modifies the drx-HARQ-RTT-TimerUL parameter according to the number of repetitions configured for uplink channels. When fewer repetitions are configured, longer timer values are used to extend inactive periods and save power. When more repetitions are configured, shorter timer values are used to reduce latency, directly linking parameter changes to the trade-off between power saving and latency
2Use of energy by moving object
If the timer duration is extended to allow user equipment to remain in inactive state longer for power saving, then power consumption is reduced, but the latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by introducing parameter variability based on uplink repetition configuration. The drx-HARQ-RTT-TimerUL parameter is adjusted according to the number of uplink repetitions: longer timers are configured when fewer repetitions are needed (prioritizing power saving), and shorter timers are configured when more repetitions are needed (prioritizing latency). This parameter adaptation allows the system to optimize the power-latency trade-off based on actual communication requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static timer configuration to dynamic timer adjustment based on uplink repetition requirements. The network entity configures different timer durations adaptively, creating a dynamic DRX mechanism that responds to changing traffic patterns and repetition needs, thereby resolving the fixed trade-off between power saving and latency
3Loss of time
If the user equipment stays in active state longer to handle potential retransmissions, then the latency for retransmission is reduced, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by configuring the drx-HARQ-RTT-TimerUL based on the number of uplink repetitions. This creates an adaptive timer that adjusts the active state duration according to repetition requirements. When high reliability with many repetitions is configured, the timer is set to accommodate potential retransmissions within the repetition window, reducing retransmission latency without unnecessarily extending active state for low-repetition scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by configuring timer durations that are sufficient for the specific repetition requirement rather than always using maximum timer values. The timer is set to cover the necessary retransmission window based on repetition count, avoiding excessive active state extension beyond what is needed for the configured reliability level
Data Source
AI summary
Balancing latency reduction and user equipment power saving is provided. A method for balancing latency reduction and user equipment power saving may include receiving, from a network entity, an indication of a number of repetitions of an uplink channel and determine at least one duration of at least one timer based on at least the number of repetitions. The method may further transmit the uplink channel with the number of repetitions and starts the timer and determine, based on an expiration status of the at least one timer, a discontinuous reception state of the apparatus comprising a plurality of active and inactive states.