DRX Timer Time-Unit Alignment Across NR Numerologies
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Solution Overview
Problem
In New Radio (NR) networks, the mismatching of DRX timers due to varying numerologies and transmission time intervals (TTIs) leads to confusion between network and user equipment, resulting in reduced transmission efficiency and network performance.
Innovation Solution
A wireless device determines the relationship between DRX timers and different scheduling units, aligning or interpreting time units based on numerologies, carriers, or Hybrid Automatic Repeat request (HARQ) processes to establish a common understanding between network and terminal devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If DRX timer is configured using the same time unit as LTE (1ms TTI), then the configuration is simple and compatible with LTE, but it causes timing mismatch when NR uses different numerologies with shorter TTI lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the DRX timer time unit dynamic by linking it to the scheduling unit of the active numerology. When numerology changes, the time unit of the DRX timer automatically adjusts to match the new scheduling unit duration. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to maintain LTE compatibility when using 15kHz numerology while adapting to shorter TTIs when using 30kHz or higher numerologies, thus preventing timing mismatches without sacrificing adaptability.
2Ease of operation
If DRX timer time unit is fixed according to a specific numerology, then timing calculation is straightforward, but it causes mismatch when the network switches between different numerologies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic time unit determination mechanism where the DRX timer's time unit is not fixed but adapts based on the active numerology. The UE determines the appropriate time unit by referencing the scheduling unit of the currently active numerology, ensuring that timing calculations remain simple while maintaining synchronization reliability across numerology switches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of DRX timer time unit based on the active numerology. When the network switches from 15kHz to 30kHz numerology, the time unit parameter of the DRX timer is automatically adjusted from 1ms to 0.5ms. This parameter adaptation ensures that the DRX timer maintains correct timing behavior without requiring complex reconfiguration, thus preserving both operational simplicity and synchronization reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If DRX timer uses absolute time duration configuration, then it works for single numerology, but it becomes ambiguous when multiple numerologies with different TTI lengths are supported
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the ambiguity by making the time unit interpretation dynamic rather than static. Instead of using fixed absolute time durations that become ambiguous across numerologies, the system dynamically determines the time unit based on the active numerology's scheduling unit. This ensures that a DRX timer value of 5 always clearly indicates 5 scheduling units regardless of which numerology is active, preventing information loss while supporting multi-numerology operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the disclosure generally relate to determining configuration of a DRX timer. A wireless device determines a relationship between a DRX timer and different scheduling units and determines a time unit of the DRX timer based on the determined relationship. Then, the wireless device calculates a time interval indicated by the DRX timer based on the time unit.