Extended DRX Cycle Control for Radio Terminal Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems lack a mechanism for effectively controlling extended Discontinuous Reception (DRX) cycles, which are essential for reducing power consumption in radio terminals, especially in machine-type communication scenarios.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an extended DRX control mechanism in LTE systems, where the eNBs notify UEs of extended DRX cycles through various configuration patterns, including broadcast, unicast, and NAS messages, allowing UEs to adjust their DRX operations based on mobility, power preferences, and network conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If extended DRX cycle is used to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but timing accuracy for paging message reception deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the eNB notify the UE of the extended DRX cycle configuration before the UE actually enters extended DRX operation. This advance notification allows the UE to properly synchronize its extended DRX cycle with the network's paging timing, ensuring that despite the extended cycle length, the UE will accurately wake up at the correct timing to receive paging messages. The configuration is provided through RRC connection release or other signaling mechanisms prior to idle mode entry.
2Use of energy by moving object
If extended DRX cycle is implemented without control mechanism, then power consumption is reduced, but communication reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by establishing a control mechanism where the eNB provides configuration information about the extended DRX cycle to the UE through signaling (RRC connection release, system information, or dedicated signaling). This feedback loop ensures that the network maintains awareness of the UE's extended DRX parameters, enabling reliable paging message delivery. The network can appropriately time paging transmissions to coincide with the UE's extended DRX wake-up periods, maintaining communication reliability despite the extended idle period.
3Duration of action of moving object
If extended DRX cycle is used, then battery life is extended, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing configurable parameters for the extended DRX cycle, including cycle length, wake-up timing offsets, and configuration indicators. These parameters are transmitted through existing signaling mechanisms (RRC messages, system information blocks) rather than requiring new hardware components. The UE processor utilizes these parameters to dynamically adjust its DRX behavior, achieving extended battery life through software-controlled parameter modification rather than hardware complexity increase.
Data Source
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AI summary
A network apparatus according to the present embodiment is used in a communication system having a radio terminal notified of a first DRX cycle in an idle mode. The first DRX cycle is notified by first DRX configuration information to the radio terminal. The network apparatus comprises a controller configured to notify, by broadcast or unicast, the radio terminal of a second DRX cycle longer than the first DRX cycle by second DRX configuration information different from the first DRX configuration information.