Paging Occasion Distribution Formula for LTE Resource Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current LTE systems face challenges in efficiently distributing discontinuous reception (DRX) periods for multiple user equipment (UEs) to optimize air interface resource usage and reduce standby power consumption, particularly in managing paging occasions and signaling overhead.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses a network-provided parameter to indicate the number of paging groups and allocates UEs using a common equation based on their IMSI, determining paging occasions and idle mode DRX periods to distribute paging instances across multiple frames, thereby simplifying the implementation and reducing signaling overhead.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If paging occasions are concentrated in fewer frames, then signaling overhead is reduced, but air interface resource allocation becomes less efficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignaling overheadVSAvoidair interface resource allocation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments paging occasions across multiple frames by introducing a frame number parameter in the paging occasion determination formula. This distributes paging transmissions over time, improving scheduler flexibility and air interface resource allocation while maintaining manageable signaling overhead through the structured segmentation approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Use of energy by moving object

If DRX periods are extended for power savings, then UE standby power consumption is reduced, but paging delay increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUE standby power consumptionVSAvoidpaging delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables dynamic adjustment of DRX parameters including drx-InactiveTimer, drx-OnDuration, and drx-Offset. This allows the system to adapt DRX period lengths based on network conditions and UE activity patterns, balancing power consumption savings with acceptable paging delay by making DRX configuration flexible rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces multiple configurable parameters (drx-InactiveTimer, drx-OnDuration, drx-Offset, nPagingFrames) that can be adjusted to optimize the balance between power consumption and paging delay. By changing these parameters, the system can extend DRX periods for power savings while ensuring paging occasions occur within acceptable time windows.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If multiple paging groups are used to distribute paging occasions, then air interface resource allocation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair interface resource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidpaging group management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a universal formula for determining paging occasions that works for all UEs: SFN mod T = (IPRNTI + floor(nPagingFrames/2) + floor(SFN/2)) mod nPagingFrames. This single formula handles paging group distribution without requiring separate management mechanisms for each group, reducing device complexity while maintaining improved air interface resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2156680B1Method and apparatuses for determining paging occasions
Publication Date: 2019.05.01 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP2156680B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2156680B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP2156680B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

A network sends an indication of discontinuous reception period (ldle_Mode_DRX_Period) and an indication of number of paging groups (Paging_Group_Count). Paging occasions for a user equipment are determined by a predetermined formula. One exemplary formula is SFN mod IDLE_Mode_DRX_Period = (IDLE_Mode_DRX_Period div Paging_Group__Count) * (ID) mod (Paging_Group_Count); where SFN is system frame number and ID is the identifier of the user equipment, which can be IMSI or some value derived from IMSI. The UE's temporary ID is sent during a determined paging occasion, which maps to a paging channel on which the page is sent. Options for restricting the paging occasion to less than a frame, and for offsetting the paging occasions from that of the above formula are detailed.