Dynamic Slot Configuration for Energy-Efficient Downlink Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing demand for data throughput and communication capacity in wireless networks has led to a need for enhanced mobile broadband communication, massive machine type communication, and ultra-reliable low-latency communication, while also necessitating network energy conservation and power saving for user equipment and base stations.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for receiving and transmitting downlink signals using slot configurations and physical downlink control channel monitoring to optimize network energy consumption, involving RRC configurations and DCI formats to determine specific operating modes in wireless communication systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If carrier aggregation technology and multiple input multiple output (MIMO) technology are used to increase data throughput, then communication capacity is improved, but network energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata throughputVSAvoidnetwork energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamic slot configuration where the base station can flexibly adjust the number of downlink slots and uplink slots based on real-time traffic conditions. When traffic is heavy, more downlink slots are allocated to maintain high throughput. When traffic is light, the number of slots is reduced to minimize network energy consumption, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and energy usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the temporal parameters of slot configurations dynamically. By adjusting the duration and distribution of downlink and uplink slots within a frame, the system can optimize between data transmission capacity and energy consumption. This parameter adjustment allows the network to adapt to varying traffic loads and achieve energy-efficient operation without sacrificing throughput when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the number of services and user equipments is increased to meet communication demands, then communication capacity is improved, but power saving requirements become more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of servicesVSAvoiduser equipment power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables dynamic adaptation of slot configurations to match actual service demands. When few services are active, the base station uses fewer slots, reducing overall network power consumption. When many services require high capacity, the system dynamically increases slot allocation. This dynamic approach allows the network to serve diverse services while maintaining power efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Use of energy by stationary object

If slot configurations are made flexible to optimize energy consumption, then network energy saving is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork energy savingVSAvoidslot configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the communication frame into multiple slots that can be independently configured. Each slot can be designated as downlink or uplink based on traffic conditions. This segmentation allows granular control over resource allocation, enabling energy optimization without requiring complete redesign of the communication protocol. The segmented structure simplifies the complexity by providing modular building blocks for configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The slot configuration mechanism serves multiple functions: it controls downlink throughput, manages uplink opportunities, and optimizes energy consumption simultaneously. By making the slot configuration multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate control mechanisms for each objective, thus reducing overall system complexity while achieving energy savings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4598227A1Method, user equipment, processing device, and storage medium for receiving downlink signal, and method and base station for transmitting downlink signal
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4598227A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4598227A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4598227A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A UE may comprise: receiving a slot configuration for providing slot formats for slots, wherein each of the slot formats is at least a combination of downlink, uplink, or flexible symbols, performing PDCCH monitoring for a first DCI format related to a specific mode; determining, on the basis of detection of the first DCI format, symbols for the specific mode from among a specific type of symbols configured by the slot configuration, and operating in the specific mode in the symbols for the specific mode.