Enhanced Paging Configuration for UE Power Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current paging enhancements in wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing power saving for user equipment (UE) in RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE states, particularly due to unclear configuration of paging subgroup settings within the radio access network (RAN), leading to unnecessary resource usage and power consumption.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a central unit (CU) of a distributed base station receiving configuration for enhanced paging from the core network or other RAN nodes, which then instructs distributed units (DUs) on how to page UE, including transmitting paging configurations that indicate support for early indication (PEI) and paging subgrouping, allowing for optimized resource allocation and power management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the RAN transmits paging messages to all UEs without knowing their paging subgroup configuration, then all UEs can receive paging messages, but unnecessary resource usage and power consumption occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaging delivery reliabilityVSAvoidUE power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments UEs into different paging subgroups and configures each subgroup with specific paging occasion offsets. This allows the RAN to target specific subgroups with paging messages rather than broadcasting to all UEs, reducing unnecessary power consumption while ensuring reliable delivery to the intended recipients.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary configuration of paging subgroup information to UEs before actual paging occurs. The RAN provides paging subgroup configuration to UEs during connection setup or reconfiguration, enabling UEs to pre-calculate their specific paging occasions and monitor only those times, thereby saving power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If the RAN does not have awareness of UE paging subgroup capability, then the system is simpler to implement, but paging enhancement for power saving cannot be utilized

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveRAN configuration complexityVSAvoidUE power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where UEs report their paging subgroup capability and configuration to the RAN. The RAN uses this feedback information to appropriately configure and transmit paging messages, enabling power-saving enhancements without excessive complexity by operating based on actual UE capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of paging occasion timing based on UE-specific paging subgroup configuration. By dynamically adjusting which paging occasions different UEs monitor based on their configured subgroups, the system reduces overall power consumption while maintaining simple RAN implementation through standardized configuration procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If the core network configures paging subgroup for UE, then power saving can be achieved, but RAN nodes cannot obtain the paging subgroup configuration

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUE power consumptionVSAvoidpaging subgroup configuration information

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the RAN as an intermediary that receives paging subgroup configuration from the core network and relays it to UEs. The RAN acts as a mediator that obtains the configuration information through standardized interfaces and distributes it to appropriate UEs, ensuring information flow without direct UE-CN communication for this specific parameter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal configuration mechanism where the RAN can obtain paging subgroup configuration through multiple possible sources (core network or other RAN nodes). This multi-functional approach ensures the RAN always has the necessary configuration information regardless of the specific source, enabling consistent power-saving operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20240365282A1Managing Paging for a User Device

Publication Date: 2024.10.31 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

A distributed unit, DU, of a distributed base station of a radio access network, RAN, the distributed base station including the DU and a central unit, CU, can implement a method for paging a user equipment, UE, when a radio connection between the distributed base station and the UE is not active. The method includes: receiving (1502), from the CU, a configuration for enhanced paging; and paging (1504) the UE using the configuration.