Dynamic DRX Cycle Adjustment for UE Battery and Signaling Trade-offs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile communication networks, particularly 3G and LTE, face capacity and efficiency issues due to high signaling overhead, inefficient UE state transitions, and battery life concerns, especially with always-on features and applications that generate frequent, short data sessions, leading to network congestion and reduced battery life.
Innovation Solution
Implementing dynamic discontinuous reception (DRX) and transmission (DTX) operations in user equipment (UE) based on detected traffic conditions, allowing the UE to adjust its DRX state, idle mode transitions, and radio link failure (RLF) triggering parameters to optimize power saving and reduce signaling overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the UE frequently transitions between connected and idle states to save battery power, then battery life is improved, but signaling overhead increases and network efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic DRX cycle adjustment where the UE can switch between short DRX cycles and long DRX cycles based on traffic conditions. During active traffic periods, short DRX cycles maintain connectivity with lower latency, while during idle periods, long DRX cycles extend sleep duration to save battery. This dynamic adaptation prevents unnecessary state transitions and reduces signaling overhead while maintaining acceptable battery life.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the DRX cycle parameter dynamically based on traffic patterns, UE state, and network conditions. The network can configure different DRX cycle lengths (shortDRX-Cycle, longDRX-Cycle) and the UE switches between them based on detected traffic conditions. This parameter adjustment allows the system to optimize the balance between battery consumption and signaling overhead without frequent state transitions.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the UE stays in connected state with long DRX cycles to save battery, then battery life is improved, but network responsiveness and handover accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between short and long DRX cycles based on UE state and traffic conditions. When the UE is in mobile state or has active traffic, short DRX cycles are used to maintain measurement accuracy and handover responsiveness. When the UE is stationary or in idle state, long DRX cycles are activated to maximize battery savings. This dynamic approach ensures handover accuracy is maintained only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the DRX cycle parameter based on UE mobility state and traffic patterns. The network configures different DRX parameters (shortDRX-Cycle, longDRX-Cycle, drx-InactivityTimer) and the UE switches between configurations based on detected conditions. This allows the system to optimize battery life during stationary periods while maintaining handover accuracy during mobile periods.
3Productivity
If the UE uses short DRX cycles to maintain network responsiveness, then network efficiency is improved, but battery consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic DRX cycle selection where the UE switches between short and long DRX cycles based on traffic conditions and UE state. During periods of active traffic or when the UE is mobile, short DRX cycles maintain network responsiveness and efficiency. During idle periods or when stationary, long DRX cycles reduce battery consumption. This dynamic adaptation optimizes the trade-off between network efficiency and battery life.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the DRX cycle parameter (shortDRX-Cycle vs longDRX-Cycle) based on traffic patterns and UE conditions. The network configures multiple DRX parameter sets and the UE switches between them based on detected traffic conditions, inactivity timers, and mobility state. This parameter adjustment allows optimization of battery consumption during idle periods while maintaining network efficiency during active periods.
4Reliability
If the network prioritizes real-time voice traffic over data traffic, then voice call quality is improved, but data application efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data traffic into different priority levels and handles them differently within the DRX framework. High-priority data traffic (similar to voice) uses shorter DRX cycles or triggers immediate wake-up, while low-priority background data uses longer DRX cycles. This segmentation allows the system to maintain voice-like quality for critical data applications while optimizing battery life for non-critical traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different DRX cycle qualities to different traffic types or logical channels. Certain data bearers are configured with shorter DRX cycles or lower inactivity timers to ensure responsive delivery, similar to voice traffic handling. Other bearers use longer DRX cycles for battery optimization. This local differentiation allows data applications to achieve voice-like responsiveness where needed while maintaining overall system efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for UE enhancements for diverse data application are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, the UE applies a discontinuous reception (DRX) or discontinuous transmission (DTX) operation in a wireless network. The UE detects one or more predefined traffic conditions. Based on the detected traffic conditions, the UE either stays in the long DRX state longer or extends the short DRX cycle timer. In other embodiments of the invention, the UE configures an idle mode trigger condition. The UE detects one or more predefined traffic condition. Based on the detected traffic conditions, the UE may restart the inactivity timer. In other embodiments of the invention, the UE detects one or more predefined traffic conditions. The UE adaptively adjusts RLF triggering parameters based on the detected traffic conditions.