eI-DRX Cycle Adjustment for Paging Reliability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, user equipment (UE) operating under extended idle discontinuous reception (eI-DRX) cycles risk missing paging messages due to potential changes in base station connectivity during long idle periods, leading to delayed re-selection and potential message loss.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for UE and base station to adjust the eI-DRX cycle based on determined mobility and downlink channel reliability, including performing idle-mode measurements and establishing a short paging configuration to ensure timely monitoring of paging messages, allowing for pre-wake-up time adjustments and synchronization of system frame numbers across base stations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a longer eI-DRX cycle is used to save battery power, then energy consumption is reduced, but the risk of missing paging messages increases due to potential base station handoff during the idle period

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery power consumptionVSAvoidpaging message reception reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The UE performs measurements of neighboring base stations during the idle period before the DRX cycle expires. This preliminary action allows the UE to detect potential handoff opportunities before they become critical, enabling timely connection switching while still maintaining the benefits of extended idle periods for power saving.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the UE reports measurement results to the network, and the network adjusts paging configurations based on UE mobility patterns. This feedback loop allows dynamic optimization of the balance between power saving and paging reliability without requiring continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the UE performs frequent base station re-selection measurements to ensure connectivity, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebase station connectivityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement and monitoring configuration is made dynamic rather than static. The UE adapts its measurement frequency and paging monitoring behavior based on detected mobility conditions. When mobility is detected, measurements become more frequent; when stationary, measurements are reduced, optimizing the balance between reliability and power consumption in real-time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters such as measurement intervals, paging cycle lengths, and monitoring frequencies based on UE state and mobility conditions. These parameter adjustments allow the system to maintain reliable connectivity when needed while minimizing power consumption during stable conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the UE awakes early to perform base station re-selection before paging occasion, then connectivity reliability is improved, but the time available for power saving is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaging message receptionVSAvoidpower saving duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The UE performs base station measurements and evaluations during the idle period before the paging occasion arrives. This preliminary action ensures that if handoff is needed, it can be completed smoothly before the paging reception, avoiding missed pages while minimizing the extent to which the idle period must be shortened.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system takes preliminary actions to prevent potential problems before they occur. By detecting mobility trends and preparing for potential handoff during the idle period, the system prevents paging message loss without requiring the UE to wake up significantly earlier than necessary, thus preserving power saving opportunities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP3178262B1Idle-mode enhancements for extended idle discontinuous reception
Publication Date: 2019.10.02 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3178262B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3178262B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3178262B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A user equipment (UE) may determine when to monitor for downlink (DL) communications such as paging messages based on both a received extended idle discontinuous reception (eI-DRX) cycle and a change in a downlink channel reliability condition of the UE. A base station may also adjust its transmission of paging information to a UE based on a eI-DRX cycle.