Hyper Frame Extension Signaling for Extended DRX
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems do not allow for long discontinuous reception (DRX) cycles, which limits the power-saving capabilities for machine-type communication devices that require infrequent system access and have limited mobility.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of hyper frame extension signaling to extend the system frame number range, enabling longer DRX cycles for non-legacy user equipment while maintaining compatibility with legacy devices, allowing for extended idle DRX mode operation with separate paging resources and identifiers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If long DRX cycles are implemented, then power consumption is reduced and battery life is extended, but system compatibility with legacy devices is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments DRX operation into two distinct modes: legacy DRX mode for traditional devices and extended DRX mode for MTC devices. Each mode operates with its own frame cycle structure (repeating frame cycle vs. extended frame cycle), allowing simultaneous support of both short and long DRX cycles without interference. This segmentation enables MTC devices to utilize extended DRX cycles for reduced power consumption while legacy devices continue to use conventional DRX cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an extended frame cycle dimension that encompasses multiple repeating frame cycles. By defining an extended frame cycle as comprising a plurality of repeating frame cycles, the system creates a hierarchical time structure where MTC devices can operate on the extended cycle for longer sleep periods, while legacy devices operate on the shorter repeating frame cycles. This dimensional extension resolves the contradiction by providing multiple time scale options within the same system.
2Ease of operation
If extended DRX cycles are used for MTC devices, then device mobility handling is improved, but paging resource management becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments paging resources into separate sets for legacy DRX mode and extended DRX mode. MTC devices operating in extended DRX mode use dedicated paging resources associated with their extended frame cycle, while legacy devices use paging resources tied to the repeating frame cycle. This segmentation simplifies mobility handling for MTC devices by providing them with appropriate paging opportunities at extended intervals, while the complexity of managing separate paging resource sets is handled by the network infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The network infrastructure acts as an intermediary that manages the complexity of extended paging resource allocation. The base station configures and tracks extended frame cycles for MTC devices, determines appropriate paging occasions based on extended DRX parameters, and coordinates paging message delivery. This intermediary role shields MTC devices from the complexity of extended resource management while enabling improved mobility handling through network-coordinated paging at extended intervals.
Data Source
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AI summary
Extended DRX (e-DRX) operation using hyper frame extension signaling are described. The hyper frame extension signaling may extend the system frame number (SFN) range while maintaining backward compatibility for legacy devices not configured to use the extended SFN range. The hyper-SFN extension signaling may include an index to a hyper- SFN transmitted as part of system information different than that used for transmission of the SFN. UEs configured to use the hyper-SFN may effectively use a longer or extended SFN range that includes the legacy SFN range and the hyper-SFN range. The hyper-SFN extension may be used in an extended idle DRX (eI-DRX) mode which may coexist with existing I-DRX mode on the same paging resources. Additionally or alternatively, paging may be differentiated for eI-DRX mode UEs using separate paging occasions or a new paging radio network temporary identifier (RNTI).