Dynamic Inactivity Timer for Cellular Energy Savings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile devices with cellular radio interfaces face significant energy consumption due to Radio Resource Control (RRC) state transitions, particularly the 'radio tail' period where the device remains in a high power state after data bursts, leading to inefficiencies in energy usage, especially with the increasing demand for high-definition video and audio content.
Innovation Solution
The inactivity timer for cellular radio interfaces is dynamically adjusted based on the status of co-existing non-cellular interfaces, such as WLAN or Bluetooth, setting it to a shorter value when these interfaces are active, thereby reducing energy consumption by shortening the radio tail and optimizing power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the inactivity timer is set to a long value to avoid repeated RRC connection setups, then signaling overhead is reduced, but energy consumption increases due to the radio tail
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the inactivity timer value adjustable rather than fixed. The base station can dynamically set the inactivity timer to different values (first value or second value) based on whether a non-cellular interface is available, allowing the system to adapt the timer duration to current network conditions and device capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of inactivity timer duration based on the availability of non-cellular interfaces. When a non-cellular interface is available, the timer is set to a shorter second value; when unavailable, it is set to a longer first value. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by optimizing both energy consumption and connection management efficiency
2Loss of energy
If the inactivity timer is shortened to reduce energy consumption, then radio tail is reduced, but repeated RRC connection setups increase signaling overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the inactivity timer based on real-time availability of non-cellular interfaces. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to use shorter timers (reducing energy) only when alternative interfaces are available to handle connectivity, thereby avoiding the need for frequent RRC connection setups and reducing signaling overhead
Solution Approach 2:
The non-cellular interface acts as an intermediary that can compensate for the effects of a shorter inactivity timer. When the cellular interface transitions states due to a shorter timer, the non-cellular interface maintains connectivity, preventing the need for repeated RRC connection setups and associated signaling overhead
3Reliability
If multiple communication interfaces are used to improve connectivity, then reliability is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the multi-functionality of mobile devices that possess both cellular and non-cellular communication interfaces. By making the inactivity timer adjustment contingent on non-cellular interface availability, the system utilizes the universal capability of modern multihomed devices to optimize cellular interface behavior, improving reliability without requiring additional specialized hardware
Data Source
AI summary
Energy consumption of cellular interfaces on multihomed mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablets and laptops can be improved by adjusting the inactivity timer of the cellular interface of the mobile devices based on the on/off status of non-cellular interface(s) on the mobile devices. Possible near-future data packets can be transmitted or received on the non-cellular interfaces that co-exist on the mobile devices and thus the inactivity timer of the cellular interface may be dynamically and more efficiently adjusted, based on the on/off status of non-cellular interface(s). If the non-cellular interface is available on the mobile device, then the inactivity timer can be set to be shorter than if only the cellular interface is available.