Multicast Control Channel Power Saving via Time Offset
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G communication networks, user equipment (UE) experiences high power consumption when monitoring multicast control channels due to the lack of a time offset between notification and control information transmissions, leading to unnecessary energy usage when broadcast sessions have not started.
Innovation Solution
Introducing a time offset between the notification message and control information on the multicast control channel (MCCH), allowing the UE to enter a lower power state before receiving control information, and using sequence-based notifications to reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the UE monitors the MCCH notification channel immediately without a time offset, then the control information can be received without delay, but the UE power consumption increases due to unnecessary monitoring when broadcast sessions have not started
Solution Approach 1:
The notification message is sent in advance before the actual control information transmission. This preliminary action allows the UE to prepare for potential power state transitions and know in advance whether it needs to monitor the MCCH control channel, thereby avoiding unnecessary immediate monitoring and reducing power consumption while maintaining timely information reception
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the UE's power state based on the time offset value. When the time offset indicates a longer delay before control information transmission, the UE can transition to a lower power state. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize power consumption based on actual transmission timing requirements
2Use of energy by moving object
If the UE enters a lower power state based on a time offset, then power consumption is reduced, but the scheduling flexibility of the network node is constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a configurable time offset parameter that can be adjusted to balance power consumption and scheduling flexibility. By changing this parameter, the network can optimize the trade-off between allowing the UE to enter low power states and maintaining scheduling flexibility. The notification message includes this parameter, enabling dynamic adjustment without hardcoding constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The notification message is sent in advance with embedded scheduling information about when control information will be transmitted. This preliminary notification allows the network to maintain scheduling flexibility while giving the UE advance knowledge to make informed power state decisions, thus resolving the conflict between power saving and scheduling freedom
Data Source
AI summary
A communications network can include a communication device and a network node. The communication device can receive a notification message from the network node. The communication device can determine whether the network node will transmit control information that is associated with the communication device via a multicast control channel (“MCCH”) based on the notification message. Responsive to determining that the network node will transmit the control information, the communication device can determine a time offset indicating an amount of time that will be between the notification message and the control information. Responsive to determining the time offset, the communication device can determine whether to enter a lower power state based on the time offset.