eMTC UE Power Saving via DRX and MPDCCH Monitoring Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radio resource management (RRM)/radio link monitoring (RLM) requirements for enhanced machine type communication (eMTC) do not account for discontinuous monitoring of the physical downlink control channel (MPDCCH), preventing user equipment (UE) from switching off its RF chain for power saving without compromising RRM/RLM performance.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves determining the discontinuous reception usage state of a UE and selecting appropriate monitoring performance requirements to enable power saving by synchronizing DRX and MPDCCH monitoring timing, allowing the UE to switch off its RF chain during non-monitoring periods while meeting RRM/RLM requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the UE is configured to monitor MPDCCH in a discontinuous manner to enable power saving, then energy consumption is reduced, but the UE cannot meet the RRM/RLM requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustment of monitoring behavior based on operational state. The UE transitions between continuous monitoring mode (when RRM/RLM measurements are required) and discontinuous monitoring mode (when power saving is prioritized), allowing the system to adapt monitoring continuity to current operational needs rather than maintaining a fixed monitoring pattern
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the monitoring parameter (continuity of MPDCCH monitoring) based on the determined operational state. When in power-saving state, the UE adjusts its monitoring parameters to allow discontinuous reception, while when in performance-critical state, it switches to continuous monitoring, thereby dynamically optimizing the balance between energy consumption and requirement compliance
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the UE switches off its RF chain to save power during non-monitoring periods, then battery life is extended, but the UE cannot satisfy RRM/RLM measurement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary determination of the operational state before switching monitoring modes. The UE assesses whether it needs to perform RRM/RLM measurements before entering discontinuous monitoring mode, ensuring that measurement requirements are evaluated and accounted for before power-saving actions are taken, thus preventing violation of measurement requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic reassessment of the operational state to determine when to switch between continuous and discontinuous monitoring modes. The UE periodically evaluates whether RRM/RLM measurements are needed and adjusts its monitoring continuity accordingly, creating a rhythm of switching between power-saving and performance-optimization states
Data Source
AI summary
Various communication systems may benefit from appropriate configuration of when a device is required to be active. For example, enhanced machine type communication radio resource management requirements regarding device activity can be aligned with machine type communication physical downlink control channel monitoring. A method can include determining a discontinuous reception usage state of a user equipment. The method can also include selecting a monitoring performance requirement from a plurality of monitoring performance requirements based on the determined discontinuous reception usage stage. The method can further include power saving in accordance with the selected monitoring performance requirement.