Multi-Cell PDCCH Monitoring for Power Saving Under Irregular Traffic

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing PDCCH monitoring mechanisms in wireless communication networks, particularly in NR Rel-17, are insufficiently flexible for handling irregular packet arrival times and jitter effects, leading to suboptimal power conservation in terminal devices.

Innovation Solution

Implementing non-scheduling DCI formats, such as DCI format 1-1, to indicate multi-cell PDCCH monitoring behaviors, allowing for per-cell adaptation and flexible PDCCH skipping and switching, including options for skipping without duration indication, and resuming monitoring based on DCI in another cell or higher layer indications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If PDCCH monitoring is continuously performed on all cells, then communication reliability is maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic PDCCH monitoring adaptation where the terminal device can switch between different monitoring behaviors (continuous monitoring, skipping, or reduced monitoring) based on real-time traffic conditions and network indications. This allows the system to adapt monitoring intensity dynamically, maintaining reliability when needed while reducing power consumption during low-activity periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the monitoring parameter state by introducing multiple PDCCH monitoring behavior modes that can be switched based on traffic patterns. The terminal device receives indications from the network to transition between different monitoring states, effectively changing the operational parameters of PDCCH monitoring to balance reliability and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If PDCCH monitoring is skipped to save power, then power consumption decreases, but adaptability to irregular packet arrival and jitter effects deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidadaptability to irregular packet arrival

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the network device monitors traffic patterns and packet arrival characteristics, then sends indications to the terminal device to adjust PDCCH monitoring behavior accordingly. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt to irregular packet arrival and jitter effects by dynamically adjusting monitoring intensity based on actual traffic conditions rather than using fixed monitoring patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses preliminary actions by having the network device predict traffic patterns and proactively send PDCCH monitoring adaptation indications before irregular packet arrivals occur. This allows the terminal device to prepare appropriate monitoring behaviors in advance, maintaining adaptability to jitter effects while optimizing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If per-cell PDCCH monitoring adaptation is implemented, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveper-cell monitoring adaptationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the PDCCH monitoring adaptation mechanism into per-cell independent control units. Each cell can have its own monitoring behavior independently adjusted based on local traffic conditions and network indications. This segmentation allows fine-grained adaptability at the cell level while maintaining manageable complexity through modular, independent control of each cell's monitoring behavior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If DCI format is extended to indicate multi-cell monitoring behaviors, then adaptability improves, but DCI size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-cell monitoring indicationVSAvoidDCI size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the DCI format universal and multi-functional by designing it to convey multiple types of PDCCH monitoring adaptation information using the same structure. The DCI can indicate different monitoring behaviors for multiple cells, switch between different monitoring modes, and adapt to various traffic patterns all through a unified DCI format, avoiding the need for multiple specialized DCI formats and keeping the overall size manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20260046891A1Methods of communication, terminal device, network device and computer storage medium

Publication Date: 2026.02.12 NEC CORP

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods of communication, terminal device, network device, and computer readable media. A terminal device receives downlink control information from the network device, with the downlink control information including a field used for indicating a set of PDCCH monitoring behaviors. The terminal device performs the set of PDCCH monitoring behaviors on at least one cells or at least one cell groups of plurality of cells based on the field. In this way, power saving effect can be enhanced.