Dynamic PDCCH Skipping Indication for UE Power Savings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in implementing dynamic physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) skipping efficiently, especially in the presence of aperiodic or irregular traffic, as existing methods either require significant signaling overhead or are not well-suited for such scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A method for dynamic PDCCH skipping is introduced, where a user equipment (UE) receives a PDCCH indication to skip monitoring during specific periods, using a minimal signaling overhead of 1 bit or 2 bits, allowing for UE power savings even in irregular traffic conditions by determining the skipping periods based on scheduling delays and parameters like k0, k1, and k2.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If traditional PDCCH monitoring is continuously performed, then communication reliability is maintained, but UE power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUE power consumptionVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic PDCCH monitoring with configurable skipping patterns. The UE monitors PDCCH in specified slots and skips monitoring in other slots based on configuration parameters (monitoringSlotOffset, monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot, etc.), transforming continuous monitoring into periodic action to reduce power consumption while maintaining communication reliability through selective monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic PDCCH skipping where the monitoring pattern can be adjusted based on traffic conditions and UE state. The configuration allows flexible adjustment of monitoring parameters (periodicity, offset, symbols) to adapt between active and sleeping states, enabling the system to dynamically balance power savings and reliability based on actual communication needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If PDCCH skipping is implemented to save power, then UE power consumption decreases, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUE power consumptionVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential monitoring configuration parameters needed for PDCCH skipping from the full PDCCH configuration. By specifying only the critical parameters (monitoringSlotOffset, monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot, duration) in the skipping configuration, the patent reduces signaling overhead compared to providing complete PDCCH monitoring configurations for all scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The PDCCH skipping configuration structure is designed to be universal, supporting both continuous monitoring (when skipping is not needed) and periodic skipping (when power savings are required). The same configuration framework handles different monitoring patterns, offsets, and durations, eliminating the need for separate dedicated signaling for each monitoring scenario.

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

3Device complexity

If static PDCCH skipping configuration is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to irregular traffic decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration complexityVSAvoidadaptability to traffic patterns
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic PDCCH skipping configuration where monitoring parameters can be adjusted based on traffic conditions and UE state. The configuration supports different monitoring patterns, offsets, and durations that can be activated based on actual communication needs, enabling the system to adapt to irregular traffic patterns while maintaining manageable complexity through a structured configuration framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables adaptability to irregular traffic by allowing changes in key monitoring parameters (monitoringSlotOffset, monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot, duration) based on traffic conditions. These parameter changes allow the UE to adjust its monitoring behavior dynamically - using more frequent monitoring during active traffic and skipping during idle periods - without requiring complete reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4018757B1Dynamic physical downlink control channel skipping indication
Publication Date: 2024.12.11 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4018757B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4018757B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4018757B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a UE may receive a PDCCH including an indication to skip PDCCH monitoring during at least one of: a period of time between the PDCCH and a first physical channel scheduled by the PDCCH, a period of time between the first physical channel scheduled by the PDCCH and a second physical channel scheduled by the PDCCH, or a period of time between the PDCCH and a third physical channel scheduled by the PDCCH. The UE may skip PDCCH monitoring based at least in part on the indication. Numerous other aspects are provided.