PDCCH Search Space Group Switching for UE Monitoring Dormancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing power consumption by user equipment (UE) through optimal monitoring of search space sets, particularly in licensed and unlicensed bands, leading to suboptimal battery life and performance.
Innovation Solution
Implementing dynamic switching between groups of search space sets for monitoring dormancy, allowing UEs to switch to dormant groups when conditions are met, such as inactivity thresholds or timer expiration, to reduce unnecessary PDCCH monitoring and conserve power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UEs continuously monitor all search space sets for PDCCH, then communication reliability is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments search space sets into multiple groups (first search space set group and second search space set group) with different monitoring requirements. The UE monitors the first group continuously for reliable communication while monitoring the second group only at specific intervals, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining communication reliability through selective monitoring of critical control information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic switching between different search space set groups based on UE state and network conditions. The UE can transition from monitoring all groups to monitoring only the first group, or switch between groups based on activity thresholds and timer expiration, optimizing the balance between reliability and power consumption in real-time.
2Productivity
If UEs monitor all search space sets frequently, then communication performance is maintained, but battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides search space sets into groups with different monitoring frequencies. The first search space set group is monitored continuously to maintain communication performance for critical control signals, while the second search space set group is monitored less frequently, extending battery life by reducing overall monitoring activity while preserving essential communication functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic monitoring for the second search space set group based on timer expiration and inactivity thresholds. Instead of continuous monitoring, the UE monitors the second group at scheduled intervals, which maintains communication performance for non-critical information while significantly reducing power consumption and extending battery life compared to continuous monitoring of all groups.
3Loss of energy
If UEs switch to dormant groups based on inactivity thresholds, then power savings increase, but response time to reactivation may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent configures the UE with predetermined inactivity thresholds and timer values before actual dormancy switching occurs. When activity patterns match the threshold conditions, the UE can quickly transition to the dormant group without requiring complex real-time decisions or lengthy evaluation processes, thereby achieving power savings while minimizing reactivation delay through pre-configured switching criteria.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic switching between search space set groups based on real-time assessment of activity thresholds and timer status. The UE can transition to the dormant group when inactivity conditions are met, and quickly reactivate by switching back to the first group when activity resumes, providing flexible adaptation to changing conditions that balances power savings with rapid response capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may switch from a first group of search space sets for monitoring a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) to an empty group of search space sets. The UE may refrain from monitoring the PDCCH based at least in part on switching to the empty group. In some aspects, the UE may switch from a first group of PDCCH search space sets to at least one dormant group of PDCCH search space sets identified in configuration information. The UE may also process one or more PDCCH search space sets of the at least one dormant group of PDCCH search space sets based at least in part on the received configuration information. Numerous other aspects are provided.