LP-WUR Synchronization for Low-Power UE Paging Wake-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing user equipment (UE) devices face high power consumption in low-power modes due to unnecessary wake-up periods and inefficient radio management, particularly in RRC idle and inactive modes, leading to increased energy usage without corresponding data transmission or reception.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a low-power wake-up radio (LP-WUR) that selectively activates the main radio based on wake-up signals from the base station, reducing power consumption by avoiding unnecessary wake-ups and optimizing radio operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE wakes up periodically to check for paging signals in RRC idle mode, then the UE can receive important notifications, but the power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the radio functionality into two independent parts: a low-power wake-up radio (LP-WUR) for detecting wake-up signals and a main radio for handling paging messages and data communication. The LP-WUR operates independently in low-power mode, only activating the main radio when necessary, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable signal reception and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The wake-up signal acts as an intermediary mechanism between the base station and the UE. Instead of the main radio directly monitoring for paging signals which consumes high power, the LP-WUR receives wake-up signals from the base station and only then activates the main radio, serving as a mediator that reduces power consumption while maintaining connection reliability.
2Speed
If the main radio remains continuously active to ensure immediate communication, then communication responsiveness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base station performs preliminary action by transmitting wake-up signals before the UE needs to communicate. The LP-WUR detects these advance wake-up signals and pre-activates the main radio in advance of actual data transmission, ensuring the main radio is ready for immediate communication while avoiding continuous operation during periods when no communication is needed.
3Reliability
If the UE uses traditional radio management in RRC inactive mode, then the UE can maintain connection state, but unnecessary wake-ups occur leading to energy waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the base station sends wake-up signals based on actual communication needs, and the UE responds by activating the main radio only when necessary. This feedback loop prevents unnecessary wake-ups by ensuring the LP-WUR and main radio operate only when the network actually needs to communicate with the UE, thus reducing energy waste while maintaining connection reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects are described for a user equipment (UE) comprising a low power wake up radio (LP-WUR) and a main radio configured to enable wireless communications with a base station, and a processor communicatively coupled to the LP-WUR and the main radio. The processor is configured to receive a first low power wake up signal (LP-WUS) from the base station; determine that the first LP-WUS corresponds to a cell of the UE; and determine that the first LP-WUS indicates powering on the main radio. The processor is further configured to turn on the main radio and receive a paging message from the base station.