NR-Light PDCCH Search Space Switching for Lower Monitoring Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for NR-Light UEs struggle to efficiently reduce the operations of monitoring physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), which is essential for power saving and battery lifetime enhancement.
Innovation Solution
The method involves receiving configuration information for search space sets and their activation/deactivation states, and using activation-deactivation indications in downlink control information (DCI) to dynamically switch search space sets between activation and deactivation states, thereby reducing unnecessary PDCCH monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If NR-Light UEs monitor all search space sets continuously, then communication reliability is maintained, but power consumption increases and battery lifetime decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the search space set activation state changeable. The UE can dynamically activate or deactivate specific search space sets based on current communication needs, rather than continuously monitoring all sets. This is achieved through activation/deactivation indications transmitted via DCI, allowing the monitoring configuration to adapt to varying reliability requirements and power constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of search space set activation state between active and inactive conditions. By modifying this binary parameter, the system can adjust the monitoring burden on the UE. When power saving is prioritized, more search space sets can be deactivated; when reliability is prioritized, more sets can be activated, thus resolving the contradiction between power consumption and communication reliability.
2Loss of energy
If NR-Light UEs deactivate search space sets to save power, then power consumption decreases, but the risk of missing important control information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through activation/deactivation indications that are transmitted via Downlink Control Information (DCI). The network provides feedback signals that inform the UE which search space sets should be activated or deactivated. This feedback mechanism ensures that power saving decisions are made with full awareness of current communication conditions, reducing the risk of missing critical control information while still achieving power conservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by configuring multiple search space sets with different activation states in advance, allowing the UE to prepare for potential future needs. The system can pre-activate certain search space sets that may be needed soon, or pre-deactivate those that are unlikely to be needed, optimizing the balance between power saving and information completeness before actual communication events occur.
3Adaptability or versatility
If NR-Light UEs monitor multiple search space sets, then communication flexibility is improved, but device complexity and processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the search space monitoring function into separate, independently controllable search space sets. Each search space set can be individually activated or deactivated based on specific communication needs. This segmentation allows the UE to monitor only the necessary subsets of search spaces at any given time, reducing overall monitoring complexity while maintaining the flexibility to activate additional sets when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present application relate to a method and an apparatus for reducing operations of monitoring PDCCH. According to an embodiment of the present application, a method can include: receiving configuration information indicating a plurality of search space sets and an activation or deactivation state for each search space set of the plurality of search space sets; and receiving an activation-deactivation indication in first downlink control information (DCI) in a first search space set in an activation state of the plurality of search space sets, wherein the activation-deactivation indication is configured to: trigger switching at least one second search space set of the plurality of search space sets from a deactivation state to an activation state; or trigger switching the at least one second search space set of the plurality of search space sets from an activation state to a deactivation state. Embodiments of the present application can save power and enhance the battery lifetime for the NR-Light UEs.