PDCCH Monitoring Mode Switching for Power and Throughput Balance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power-saving techniques in wireless communication networks, such as PDCCH-only monitoring, can impact data transfer rates and scheduler realizations, particularly in devices with specified data transfer requirements, limiting their effectiveness in maintaining performance.

Innovation Solution

The system allows dynamic switching between PDCCH-only and PDCCH+PDSCH monitoring modes by using triggers like DCI, MAC CE, SDAP headers, or IP headers, along with BWP switching, to optimize power consumption and performance, ensuring efficient data transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If PDCCH-only monitoring mode is used to save power, then energy consumption is reduced, but data transfer rate deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoiddata transfer rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between PDCCH-only monitoring mode and PDCCH+PDSCH monitoring mode based on traffic conditions. When traffic is active, the UE transitions to PDCCH+PDSCH mode to maintain data transfer performance. When traffic is inactive, the UE remains in PDCCH-only mode to save energy. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between power saving and data transfer rate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the monitoring mode parameter (PDCCH-only vs. PDCCH+PDSCH) based on traffic conditions. The network configures different monitoring modes and the UE switches between them, effectively changing the operational parameters to balance power consumption and data transfer performance according to actual traffic needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of moving object

If PDCCH-only monitoring mode is used to save power, then battery life is extended, but scheduler realization quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidscheduler realization quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the monitoring mode based on scheduler requirements and traffic conditions. When scheduling activity is detected or expected, the UE switches to PDCCH+PDSCH mode to ensure proper scheduler realization. During periods without scheduling activity, the UE remains in PDCCH-only mode to extend battery life, thus dynamically balancing power savings with scheduler quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The network provides feedback through DCI formats and MAC CE commands to indicate when the UE should switch monitoring modes. The network monitors scheduler activity and sends control signals to the UE to transition between PDCCH-only and PDCCH+PDSCH modes, ensuring that scheduler realization quality is maintained when needed while allowing power savings when appropriate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20260075526A1Pdcch only monitoring mode

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 APPLE INC

AI summary

Disclosed are methods, systems, and computer-readable medium to perform operations including: receiving, from a network, a trigger activating a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) and Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) monitoring mode; and responsively monitoring a PDSCH for traffic from the network.