Indication Signaling for 5G NR UE Power Saving
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current power saving solutions for user equipment (UE) in 5G NR systems are inadequate, particularly in the connected state, as they consume excessive energy due to blind monitoring of control channels without valid scheduling information, and existing designs are inflexible and slow to adapt to changing service requirements.
Innovation Solution
The method involves transmitting indication signaling on a target physical resource or downlink control channel to dynamically indicate monitoring information for UE, allowing it to selectively monitor only necessary control channels, thereby reducing unnecessary monitoring and power consumption. This includes using simple encoding methods and specific time-frequency domain positions to convey monitoring parameters and states, such as DRX cycle configurations and control channel monitoring information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UE blindly monitors all PDCCH candidates in connected state, then scheduling information can be acquired, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The network transmits indication signaling in advance to inform UE about the presence or absence of scheduling information before UE performs blind monitoring. This preliminary indication allows UE to skip unnecessary monitoring operations, reducing power consumption while ensuring scheduling information is acquired when available
Solution Approach 2:
UE uses the received indication signaling to autonomously determine whether to perform PDCCH monitoring or enter sleep state. The UE self-adjusts its monitoring behavior based on the indication, eliminating the need for continuous blind monitoring and thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining reliable scheduling information acquisition
2Use of energy by moving object
If WUS occupies entire system bandwidth and subframe duration, then idle state power saving is achieved, but overhead becomes excessive for connected state
Solution Approach 1:
The indication signaling is segmented into compact formats that can be transmitted efficiently. Instead of occupying entire bandwidth and subframe like WUS, the indication is divided into specific resource elements and symbols that convey the necessary information with minimal overhead, suitable for connected state dynamics
Solution Approach 2:
The indication signaling is placed in specific localized time-frequency resources (first OFDM symbol of slot, or OFDM symbols with CORESET) rather than occupying entire system bandwidth. This localized placement reduces overhead while maintaining the power saving function for connected state UE
3Use of energy by moving object
If C-DRX parameters are adjusted semi-statically, then power saving and latency performance are balanced, but adaptability to changing service requirements is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The indication signaling mechanism enables dynamic adjustment of UE monitoring behavior on a per-slot or per-occasion basis. Unlike semi-static C-DRX parameter adjustment, the indication can be transmitted frequently and updated rapidly to match changing service requirements, providing both power saving and adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The network uses indication signaling to provide feedback to UE about scheduling intentions. This feedback loop allows the system to adapt to changing service requirements by adjusting the indication patterns and UE monitoring behavior dynamically, combining power saving with service adaptability
4Reliability
If UE monitors PDCCH without valid grant information, then scheduling opportunities are not missed, but energy is wasted on invalid monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The network transmits indication signaling in advance to indicate whether valid scheduling information will be present in upcoming PDCCH occasions. This preliminary information allows UE to avoid monitoring when no valid grant is expected, preventing energy waste while ensuring scheduling opportunities are not missed
Solution Approach 2:
UE autonomously decides whether to monitor or sleep based on the received indication signaling. When indication shows no valid scheduling information is expected, UE skips monitoring and saves energy. When indication suggests scheduling may be present, UE monitors to detect scheduling opportunities, achieving energy-efficient operation without missing opportunities
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A method and an apparatus for transmitting indication signaling, a method and an apparatus for receiving indication signaling, a network side device and user equipment are provided. The method includes: transmitting indication signaling on a target physical resource or a target downlink control channel, wherein the indication signaling includes monitoring information for at least one UE, and the monitoring information includes at least one of: first indication information, used to indicate an activity state for at least one subsequent discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle; second indication information, used to indicate a DRX parameter configuration for the at least one subsequent DRX cycle; third indication information, used to indicate monitoring information of a downlink control channel to be monitored; fourth indication information, used to indicate a monitoring state in at least one subsequent paging occasion.