LP-WUS Frequency Indication for Energy-Saving Cell Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, terminal devices fail to utilize low power wake up signals (LP-WUS) effectively to save energy when they are not deployed in certain cells.

Innovation Solution

Terminal devices determine LP-WUS configuration in neighboring cells by analyzing downlink signals, allowing them to camp on and access cells with LP-WUS, thereby reducing energy consumption and congestion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If LP-WUS is deployed in only part of cells, then network complexity is reduced, but terminal devices fail to use LP-WUS to save energy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork complexityVSAvoidterminal device energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a new dimension of frequency domain information by indicating frequency positions of cells with LP-WUS configuration. Instead of only spatial cell selection, the terminal device can now identify and access cells with LP-WUS by monitoring indicated frequency positions, thereby finding energy-saving opportunities across the network without increasing overall network complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The network device performs preliminary action by indicating the frequency positions of cells where LP-WUS is configured before the terminal device attempts to access them. This advance information allows terminal devices to proactively select cells with LP-WUS support, ensuring energy savings are achieved without requiring complex real-time detection mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If terminal devices camp on cells without LP-WUS, then cell selection is simplified, but energy saving opportunities are lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell selection simplicityVSAvoidterminal device energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The network device provides advance indication of frequency positions where LP-WUS is configured before terminal devices perform cell selection. This preliminary information allows terminals to simplify their selection process by directly targeting indicated frequency positions known to have LP-WUS support, maintaining operational simplicity while ensuring energy savings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The frequency position indication acts as an intermediary between the network's LP-WUS deployment and terminal device cell selection. Instead of terminals directly detecting LP-WUS availability or the network directly controlling cell selection, the frequency position indication mediates this interaction, enabling simple terminal selection behavior to achieve energy-saving goals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If multiple terminal devices access the same cell, then access procedure is simplified, but congestion increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess procedure simplicityVSAvoidnetwork access efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cell access process by introducing frequency position-based cell identification. Instead of all terminal devices attempting to access a single cell simultaneously, the network can indicate multiple frequency positions corresponding to different cells with LP-WUS support, naturally segmenting the access load across multiple cells while maintaining simple access procedures for each individual terminal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces dynamic cell selection based on frequency position indications. Terminal devices can dynamically choose among multiple indicated frequency positions, and the network can dynamically adjust which frequency positions are indicated based on current network conditions, thereby adapting to varying congestion levels while keeping access procedures simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4694378A1Communication method, terminal device, and network device
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4694378A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4694378A1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4694378A1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

This application provides a communication method, a terminal device, and a network device, and relates to the field of wireless communication technologies. In this application, when a low power wake up signal LP-WUS is deployed in a part of cells, the terminal device can use the LP-WUS to save energy. The method is applied to a first terminal device, and the first terminal device is in a radio resource control non-connected state. The method includes: The first terminal device receives, in a first cell, a first downlink signal from a first network device, where the first cell corresponds to a first frequency position; and then the first terminal device determines first indication information based on the first downlink signal, where the first indication information indicates a second frequency position, an LP-WUS is configured in a cell corresponding to the second frequency position, and the second frequency position is different from the first frequency position.