DRX Update Indication for Wireless Load Balancing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, base stations become overloaded and experience communication delays when multiple UEs enter a DRX on duration with large data traffic, leading to reduced user experience due to misaligned DRX configurations and insufficient control resources for individual UE-specific signals.

Innovation Solution

A method where a base station identifies a set of UEs with similar DRX configurations and broadcasts a DRX update indication on a broadcast channel, adjusting the DRX on duration, periodicity, or delay to distribute the load, allowing UEs to enter a DRX mode based on the received update, thereby achieving load balancing and efficient resource management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple UEs enter a DRX on duration simultaneously, then the base station can serve multiple users, but the base station becomes overloaded resulting in communication delays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of UEs servedVSAvoidcommunication delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic DRX cycles with configurable on-duration and off-duration periods for UEs. By controlling the periodicity and timing of DRX on-durations, the base station distributes UE activity across different time periods, preventing simultaneous access by multiple UEs and thereby avoiding base station overload while maintaining efficient resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If the base station aligns DRX timing for groups of UEs, then system efficiency improves, but base station overload occurs when multiple UEs have large data traffic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem efficiencyVSAvoidbase station load
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different DRX configurations to different UE groups or individual UEs based on their specific traffic characteristics and service requirements. By customizing DRX parameters (on-duration, off-duration, periodicity) for each UE or UE group, the system optimizes local resource allocation and prevents concentration of heavy traffic loads at specific time periods, thereby balancing system efficiency with base station capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If UEs monitor the broadcast channel continuously for DRX updates, then they receive timely updates, but battery power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveDRX update timelinessVSAvoidUE battery power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent configures UEs to monitor the broadcast channel periodically during their DRX on-duration windows rather than continuously. The base station transmits DRX update indications only during these scheduled monitoring periods, allowing UEs to receive timely updates while spending the majority of time in low-power sleep mode, thereby significantly reducing battery power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

4Measurement precision

If the base station provides individual UE-specific signals, then precise control is achieved, but control resources are insufficient during peak traffic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidcontrol resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges individual UE-specific DRX control signals into a single group-common broadcast channel transmission. The base station sends DRX update indications that apply to multiple UEs simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate dedicated signaling for each UE. This approach maintains precise control over UE DRX behavior while dramatically reducing the consumption of control resources during peak traffic periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3508028B1Enhanced discontinuous reception management in wireless communication systems
Publication Date: 2021.12.01 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3508028B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3508028B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3508028B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. Base stations and UEs within a wireless system may establish a DRX configuration, which may include a DRX on duration and a DRX periodicity. The base station may identify the UEs in a DRX configuration, and may further determine a control resource load condition. Further the base station may identify a group or groups of UEs to be associated with different DRX updates and broadcast a DRX update indication based on the identified groups and/or the determined resource load condition. The DRX update indication may include a new DRX on duration, a new DRX periodicity, or a new DRX delay. A UE may receive the DRX update indication on a broadcast channel (e.g., based on a group radio network temporary identifier or common search space). The UE may enter a DRX on mode based on the DRX update information.