Group Wake-Up Signal Allocation for Low-Power 5G Paging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G NR, face inefficiencies in power consumption due to excessive use of wake-up signals (WUS) and paging occasions (POs), which can be optimized through strategic grouping of UEs and the use of group wake-up signals (WUS) to reduce unnecessary transmissions.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a strategy that groups UEs into specific groups and transmits a group WUS to identify which UEs should wake up for a paging occasion, allowing for more efficient power management by reducing unnecessary WUS and PO transmissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wake-up signals are transmitted to all UEs, then all UEs can be notified of paging occasions, but power consumption increases and system efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaging notification reliabilityVSAvoidUE power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the UE population into multiple groups, each monitored by a specific WUS. Instead of transmitting a single WUS that all UEs must monitor, the system divides UEs into groups (e.g., based on DRX cycle lengths or service types) and assigns dedicated WUS resources to each group. This segmentation allows UEs to monitor only their group's WUS, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining reliable paging notification for all UEs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If wake-up signals are transmitted frequently, then paging notifications are reliable, but system resource usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaging notification reliabilityVSAvoidsystem energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments WUS resources into multiple independent signals corresponding to different UE groups. Each WUS can be transmitted independently based on the paging needs of its specific group, allowing the system to optimize transmission frequency for each group rather than transmitting to all UEs uniformly. This reduces overall system energy consumption while maintaining reliable notification for groups that require frequent updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of WUS transmission by introducing group-specific transmission schedules and resource allocations. Different UE groups can have different WUS transmission frequencies, time offsets, and resource allocations based on their service requirements and DRX configurations. This parameter differentiation allows the system to reduce unnecessary transmissions for groups with lower paging requirements while maintaining high reliability for groups needing frequent notifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If all UEs monitor for WUS continuously, then no paging is missed, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaging reception reliabilityVSAvoidUE power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the monitoring duty among UE groups, where each group monitors its designated WUS at specific intervals rather than all UEs monitoring continuously. UEs can enter sleep mode between their group's WUS monitoring occasions, significantly reducing power consumption. The segmentation ensures that each UE still reliably receives paging notifications for its group while consuming less power by not continuously monitoring all WUS signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Use of energy by moving object

If group WUS is implemented, then power consumption is reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUE power consumptionVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal WUS framework that can serve multiple UE groups with different requirements using a common set of principles and mechanisms. The group WUS functionality builds upon existing WUS infrastructure, reusing core protocols and signal structures while adding group identification and resource allocation mechanisms. This multi-functional approach allows the system to handle both individual and group WUS scenarios within a unified framework, managing complexity through standardization rather than creating entirely separate systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4216616B1Group wake up signal in extended discontinuous reception

Publication Date: 2025.11.19 QUALCOMM INC

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AI summary

The present disclosure relates to transmitting and receiving a group wake-up signal (WUS) in conjunction with an ungrouped WUS. A base station may group one or more UEs in a UE group, while other UEs may not be assigned to a UE group. The configuration of WUS resources and WUS sequences for grouped UEs and other UEs is a challenge. The base station may transmit, to one or more UEs in the UE group, a resource allocation of a group WUS resource within a set of WUS resources associated with a paging occasion that is assigned to the one or more UEs in the UE group. A UE, after receiving the resource allocation, may determine a location of the group WUS resource within the set of WUS resources. The UE may monitor for a group WUS at the determined location in the resource allocation of the group WUS resource.