Paging DRX Cycle Selection for Terminal Power Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Terminal devices frequently wake up to monitor PDCCH scrambled by P-RNTI, leading to inefficient power consumption due to always selecting the shortest paging discontinuous reception cycle.

Innovation Solution

A method for terminal devices to determine a more appropriate paging discontinuous reception cycle based on first information received from a core network device, allowing for power-saving cycles to be selectively used.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the terminal device always selects the shortest paging discontinuous reception cycle, then the paging response speed is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaging response speedVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the paging DRX cycle configurable and adaptable rather than fixed. The terminal device can dynamically select between a first paging DRX cycle (shorter, faster response) and a second paging DRX cycle (longer, lower power consumption) based on service requirements, device type, and network conditions. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between response speed and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of paging DRX cycle length based on different conditions. The network can configure multiple paging DRX cycle values, and the terminal device selects appropriate values based on service type (e.g., emergency alerts vs. regular messaging), device capabilities, and power saving requirements. This parameter variation allows optimization of both response speed and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the terminal device frequently wakes up to monitor PDCCH, then the paging message detection capability is improved, but the power saving performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaging message detection capabilityVSAvoidpower saving performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the paging monitoring behavior dynamic by allowing the terminal device to adjust its wake-up frequency based on configured paging DRX cycles. For power-saving scenarios, the device uses longer cycles to reduce wake-ups while maintaining adequate detection capability. For critical services, shorter cycles ensure reliable detection. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between detection reliability and power saving.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the paging DRX cycle parameter to balance detection capability and power consumption. Multiple cycle values are configured, and the selection depends on service requirements, device type, and network indications. This parameter adjustment allows the system to optimize both paging message detection and power saving performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If the terminal device uses a longer paging discontinuous reception cycle, then the power consumption is reduced, but the paging response delay increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidpaging response delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by allowing flexible selection of paging DRX cycle lengths based on real-time requirements. The terminal device can switch between shorter cycles (faster response) and longer cycles (lower power consumption) depending on service type, device state, and network conditions. This dynamic adaptation resolves the time-energy trade-off.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the paging DRX cycle parameter value based on different operational scenarios. For power-saving mode, longer cycles are used; for urgent services or when connectivity is needed, shorter cycles are selected. This parameter variation allows optimization of both power consumption and response delay according to specific requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3952480B1Communication method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3952480B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3952480B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3952480B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide a communication method, apparatus, and system. The method includes: A terminal device receives first information from a core network device, where the first information is used to indicate whether the terminal device is to use a power-saving paging discontinuous reception cycle. The terminal device determines a paging discontinuous reception cycle of the terminal device based on the first information. Therefore, the terminal device avoids always selecting a shortest cycle as the paging discontinuous reception cycle, so that the paging discontinuous reception cycle determined by the terminal device is more appropriate, and power saving of the terminal device is facilitated.