MAC Control Element Offset Adjustment for Wireless Latency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in aligning periodic patterns, such as discontinuous reception (DRX) cycles, with data arrival times, leading to misalignment and increased latency, especially in low-latency scenarios like extended reality (XR) applications, where power savings are crucial but difficult to achieve due to inefficient wake-up times and resource allocation.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a Medium Access Control (MAC)-control element (CE) that allows for dynamic adjustment of offsets and radio resources within periodic patterns, enabling the base station to send a MAC-CE with an offset change command to synchronize the start of ON duration periods with data arrival times, and allowing the UE to request changes in offsets or configurations to better match current traffic conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a fixed periodic pattern (e.g., DRX cycle) is used for power savings, then energy consumption is reduced, but latency increases due to misalignment with data arrival times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed periodic pattern to a dynamic adjustment mechanism. The base station can send MAC-CE messages to dynamically adjust the offset of the periodic pattern (e.g., DRX cycle) so that it adapts to changing data arrival times. This allows the system to maintain power savings while reducing latency through flexible, real-time offset modifications rather than being locked into a rigid schedule.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of the periodic pattern by introducing offset adjustment capability. Instead of using a fixed period and offset, the system can modify the offset parameter through MAC-CE signaling. This parameter change allows the periodic pattern to realign with data arrival times, resolving the contradiction between power savings (fixed pattern) and latency (flexible alignment).
2Loss of time
If the periodic pattern offset is adjusted frequently to match traffic conditions, then latency is reduced, but signaling overhead and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the offset adjustment function from the main periodic pattern mechanism. By separating the offset parameter as an independently adjustable element through MAC-CE signaling, the system can modify timing without redesigning the entire periodic pattern framework. This extraction reduces complexity by allowing targeted adjustments rather than complete pattern reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through the MAC-CE mechanism, where the base station monitors data arrival times and sends offset adjustment commands to the UE. This closed-loop feedback system automatically adapts the periodic pattern to traffic conditions, reducing latency while keeping the control mechanism simple and standardized within the existing MAC layer framework.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of wireless communication, by a user equipment (UE), includes receiving, from a base station, a medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) including an offset change command. The method also includes adjusting an offset within a periodic pattern based on the offset change command. A method of wireless communication, by a base station, includes detecting a misalignment between an arrival time of data relative to a periodic pattern. The method also includes transmitting, to a user equipment (UE), a medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) including an offset change command to adjust an offset within the periodic pattern.