PDCCH Monitoring State Switching for Lower 5G Terminal Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods fail to specify when a user terminal should initiate changes in physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) monitoring behavior after receiving downlink control information (DCI) indicating a change, leading to inefficient power consumption in 5G user terminals.

Innovation Solution

A method where the user equipment monitors the PDCCH from a (n+X)-th time slot based on switched PDCCH monitoring state, with X determined by the minimum available scheduling delay and subcarrier spacing, ensuring the PDCCH is monitored in the same bandwidth part scheduling process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the user terminal continuously monitors PDCCH to ensure timely reception of downlink control information, then the reliability of communication is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePDCCH monitoring reliabilityVSAvoidterminal power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic PDCCH monitoring with configurable monitoring windows and periodicity. The terminal monitors PDCCH only during designated time windows rather than continuously, reducing power consumption while maintaining reliable communication through scheduled monitoring intervals that ensure timely reception of downlink control information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by configuring the terminal with advance knowledge of PDCCH monitoring requirements through higher layer signaling. The terminal receives configuration information about monitoring windows and periodicity before actual monitoring occurs, allowing it to prepare and execute monitoring only when necessary, thus reducing unnecessary power consumption while ensuring reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Use of energy by moving object

If the user terminal reduces PDCCH monitoring frequency to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but the response time for scheduling changes increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal power consumptionVSAvoidscheduling response time
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic PDCCH monitoring adjustment where the monitoring frequency and timing are adaptively configured based on current communication conditions. The terminal can dynamically adjust monitoring windows and periodicity according to scheduling needs, allowing flexible balancing between power saving and fast response to scheduling changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes monitoring parameters such as window size, periodicity, and timing offsets based on configuration information received from the network. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system optimizes the balance between reducing monitoring frequency for power saving and maintaining adequate response time for scheduling changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If the user terminal implements complex power saving modes with multiple configuration changes, then power consumption is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal power consumptionVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal PDCCH monitoring framework that handles multiple power saving scenarios through a single unified mechanism. The same monitoring window and periodicity configuration can accommodate various power saving modes and scheduling scenarios, reducing the need for multiple separate complex configurations and simplifying the overall device implementation.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary configuration mechanism where higher layer signaling acts as a mediator between the network and terminal power saving implementations. This intermediary layer simplifies the complexity by providing standardized configuration information that translates complex power saving requirements into manageable terminal actions, reducing implementation complexity while maintaining power saving effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4132117B1Physical downlink control channel monitoring method, user terminal and readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 SPREADTRUM COMMUNICATION (SHANGHAI) CO LTD
  • EP4132117B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4132117B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4132117B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A physical downlink control channel monitoring method, a user terminal and a readable storage medium. The method comprises: receiving downlink control information in an nth slot; and when the downlink control information comprises switching indication information of a physical downlink control channel monitoring state, starting from an (n+X)th slot, executing a physical downlink control channel monitoring behavior according to a switched physical downlink control channel monitoring state, wherein n and X are both integers and X ≥ 1. By using the solution, the switching of a monitoring behavior of a physical downlink control channel during scheduling of the same bandwidth part can be realized.