Multi-State DRX State Transitions for 5G NR Power and Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, particularly 5G NR, face challenges in achieving higher data rates, lower latency, and improved energy efficiency due to limited granularity in discontinuous reception (DRX) states, leading to suboptimal power saving and increased latency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a multi-state DRX scheme with finer granularity, including states like PDCCH monitoring, WUS monitoring, and data ready states, allowing dynamic transitions and adaptive bandwidth usage to optimize power consumption and latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional two-state DRX is used, then device complexity is reduced, but power saving performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the conventional two-state DRX into multiple intermediate states (RRC_INACTIVE, RRC_IDLE, and connected mode DRX states), creating a hierarchical state structure. This segmentation allows the UE to transition through different power consumption levels based on traffic patterns, achieving better power saving while managing complexity through standardized state transition rules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic state transitions where the UE can move between different DRX states based on real-time conditions such as traffic activity, timer expirations, and network signaling. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt power consumption levels continuously rather than being stuck in fixed states, improving power saving performance.
2Productivity
If DRX on duration is extended, then data transmission opportunities increase, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic DRX cycles with configurable on-duration and off-duration parameters. By optimizing the periodicity and duration of active monitoring periods, the system increases data transmission opportunities during on-duration while keeping off-duration sufficiently short to maintain low latency. The periodic structure allows predictable scheduling and reduced waiting times.
3Loss of time
If DRX inactivity timer is shortened, then latency is reduced, but power saving performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces multiple timer parameters (drx-InactivityTimer, drx-RetransmissionTimer, drx-HARQ-RTT-Timer) with different functions and durations. By adjusting these parameters independently based on traffic patterns and QoS requirements, the system can reduce latency for time-sensitive applications while maintaining power saving for background traffic, resolving the contradiction between latency and power consumption.
4Reliability
If UE monitors PDCCH continuously, then data reception reliability improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary actions before full PDCCH monitoring by first checking for wake-up signals or pre-emption indicators during brief active periods. This preliminary check allows the UE to determine whether full monitoring is necessary, maintaining data reception reliability for important transmissions while reducing power consumption by avoiding continuous full-scale monitoring during periods when no data is expected.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure describes various examples of a method, an apparatus, and a computer readable medium for multi-state discontinuous reception (DRX) in wireless communications. For example, one of the methods described may include identifying, by a user equipment (UE), at least two states in connected mode, determining, by the UE, one or more triggers for transitioning between the at least two states, and transitioning, by the UE, from a first state of the at least two states to a second state of the at least two states in response to a determination of the one or more triggers. In an aspect, the transitioning comprises transitioning between cross-slot scheduling and same-slot scheduling, or between a narrow bandwidth and a wide bandwidth, or between a larger periodicity and a smaller periodicity for monitoring.