Idle UE Cell Reselection for Network Energy Saving Switch-Off
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, user equipments (UEs) in idle or inactive modes may not receive notifications of a network entity entering a network energy savings (NES) mode, leading to increased latency and processing power consumption during cell reselection.
Innovation Solution
UEs are notified via system information blocks or radio resource control messages while in idle or inactive modes about an upcoming network entity switch to NES mode, along with a list of candidate cells for reselection, reducing latency by allowing proactive cell reselection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If UEs in idle or inactive modes do not receive notifications of network entity entering NES mode, then the network entity can enter NES mode to save energy, but the UE experiences increased latency and processing power consumption during cell reselection
Solution Approach 1:
The network entity sends a first message to the UE in advance, indicating its capability to enter NES mode and providing information about upcoming NES mode entrances. This preliminary notification allows the UE to prepare for cell reselection before the network entity actually enters NES mode, thereby reducing latency while still enabling energy savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary messaging mechanism (first message and second message) that mediates between the network entity's energy saving needs and the UE's cell reselection requirements. The first message contains capability information and the second message contains actual NES mode entrance notifications, creating a coordinated transition process.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If UEs in idle or inactive modes do not receive notifications of network entity entering NES mode, then the network entity can enter NES mode to save energy, but the UE experiences increased processing power consumption during cell reselection
Solution Approach 1:
The network entity provides preliminary information in the first message about its NES mode capability and upcoming transitions. This allows the UE to proactively initiate cell reselection procedures before the network entity enters NES mode, avoiding the need for reactive processing and reducing overall UE power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The messaging mechanism creates a feedback loop where the network entity informs the UE about its NES mode intentions, and the UE can respond by performing cell reselection. This feedback enables coordinated energy management where both the network entity and UE can optimize their energy consumption.
3Loss of time
If the network entity provides advance notification to UEs about NES mode capability and upcoming transitions, then cell reselection latency is reduced, but the network entity consumes additional processing resources to send notifications
Solution Approach 1:
The network entity uses its existing messaging infrastructure (system information blocks or radio resource control messages) to convey NES mode capability and transition notifications. By leveraging already-available communication channels, the network entity avoids the need for additional dedicated notification mechanisms, thereby minimizing extra processing resource consumption.
4Loss of time
If UEs receive detailed information about NES mode capability and upcoming transitions, then proactive cell reselection is enabled, but the size of system information blocks or RRC messages increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for proactive cell reselection from the full NES mode notification protocol. The first message contains specifically the network entity's NES mode capability indication and relevant timing information, while the second message contains the actual NES mode entrance notification. This extraction of essential elements reduces message size while maintaining the ability to enable proactive cell reselection.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. The described techniques may enable a UE to identify that a network entity may enter a network energy savings (NES) mode while the UE is in an idle or inactive mode. For example, the network entity may indicate to the UE that the network entity is capable of entering the NES mode. In some examples, the indication may include a list of one or more candidate cells to which the UE may reselect. The network entity may indicate to the UE that the network entity will enter the NES mode. In some examples, the network entity may indicate a time at which the network entity may enter the NES mode or a duration until the network entity may enter the NES mode. The UE may accordingly perform a cell reselection procedure according to the list of candidate cells.