DRX Timer Scaling for M-PDCCH Coverage Enhancement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current DRX configurations in wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G and LTE-advanced, lead to increased power consumption and RRC signaling due to inflexible timer settings, which are not optimized for machine-type communication devices that require extensive PDCCH repetitions.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves aligning DRX configuration with M-PDCCH transmission by mapping DRX parameters to a coverage enhancement level, using weight factors to extend timer values based on the number of repetitions, and optimizing timer settings such as onDurationTimer, RAR window, and contention resolution timer to reduce power consumption and signaling overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If DRX timer values are extended to support M-PDCCH repetitions, then coverage enhancement is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting DRX timer values (onDurationTimer, inactivityTimer, retransmissionTimer) based on the number of M-PDCCH repetitions. The timer values are scaled according to a scaling factor derived from the repetition count, allowing the system to extend monitoring duration for coverage enhancement while controlling power consumption through adaptive timer management rather than fixed extended values.
2Use of energy by moving object
If DRX configuration is aligned with M-PDCCH transmission, then power saving is improved, but RRC signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by defining a single DRX configuration structure that serves multiple functions: it simultaneously handles normal PDCCH monitoring and M-PDCCH repetitions with different coverage enhancement levels. The unified configuration uses the existing RRC signaling framework without requiring separate signaling for DRX and M-PDCCH alignment, thereby avoiding additional signaling overhead while achieving power saving through coordinated timer management.
3Reliability
If timer values are scaled based on number of repetitions, then downlink transmission reliability is improved, but uplink transmission timing becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separately managing downlink and uplink timer parameters. The downlink timers (onDurationTimer, inactivityTimer, retransmissionTimer) are scaled based on M-PDCCH repetitions to improve downlink reliability. The uplink timing parameters (responseWindow, contentionResolutionTimer) are independently configured and adjusted, allowing each direction to be optimized without coupling the complexity of scaled downlink timers with uplink scheduling decisions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus are disclosed, wherein a configuration of at least one channel monitoring related timer is defined such that the effective value of the channel monitoring related timer is mapped to a coverage enhancement CE level. The apparatus performs monitoring of downlink control channel sub-frames transmitted from a network element to a terminal device, according to said configuration of the channel monitoring related timer.