Macro and Micro DRX for Lower-Power Wireless Reception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face significant power consumption issues when user equipment (UE) periodically powers up to monitor for data reception, even when no data is available, reducing battery life.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dynamic DRX configuration that includes both macro DRX (M-DRX) and micro DRX (MI-DRX) to manage power consumption, where M-DRX sets the initial wake-up intervals and MI-DRX dynamically adjusts wake-up times based on network traffic and UE activity, allowing for partial or full radio power reduction during inactive periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE periodically powers up the radio to monitor for data reception in DRX mode, then the UE can receive data transmissions, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the traditional single DRX cycle into two hierarchical levels: macro DRX (M-DRX) for long-period monitoring and micro DRX (MI-DRX) for short-period adjustments within the M-DRX cycle. This segmentation allows the UE to power down more frequently while maintaining data reception capability through the coordinated operation of both DRX mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustment mechanisms where the network can send wake-up indications to modify the UE's DRX behavior in real-time. The UE dynamically switches between M-DRX and MI-DRX modes based on traffic conditions, allowing adaptive power consumption management while maintaining reliable data reception when needed.
2Speed
If the UE stays awake to monitor for data continuously, then data can be received immediately, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The network sends wake-up indications in advance before actual data transmission. The UE uses these preliminary signals to power up the radio just in time for data reception, avoiding continuous monitoring while ensuring immediate data reception capability when data is actually available.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic DRX cycles at both M-DRX and MI-DRX levels, creating a hierarchical periodic monitoring structure. This allows the UE to remain in low-power state most of the time while periodically waking up to check for data, balancing battery life with data reception speed.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the UE uses traditional DRX with fixed wake-up intervals, then power consumption is reduced, but responsiveness to data arrivals deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The network provides feedback through wake-up indications that inform the UE about upcoming data transmissions. This feedback mechanism allows the UE to adjust its wake-up timing dynamically, reducing power consumption by avoiding unnecessary wake-ups while minimizing data reception delays when data is actually available.
Solution Approach 2:
The wake-up indication acts as an intermediary signal between the network and UE. It carries information about upcoming data transmissions, allowing the UE to coordinate its power-up timing with actual data arrival, thus reducing both power consumption and reception delay.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. A wireless device may receive a downlink (DL) reception indication during an active duration of a discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration. The DL reception indication may indicate the presence of a reception opportunity following an inactivity interval, as well as the length of the inactivity interval. The wireless device may refrain from DL monitoring during the inactivity interval. In some cases, the wireless device may enter a sleep mode during the inactivity interval and wake up to receive a subsequent transmission during the reception opportunity. In some examples, the wireless device may use the inactivity interval to communicate using a different radio access technology (RAT).