PDCCH Monitoring Switching Timeline for UE Power Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication technologies face challenges in balancing power consumption and system performance, particularly in reducing PDCCH monitoring periods for user equipment (UE) without significant impact on network efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Implementing PDCCH skipping and search space set group (SSSG) switching, with synchronized monitoring behavior changes based on DCI indications, using reference points and processing times to manage PDCCH monitoring behaviors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If PDCCH monitoring periods are reduced for UE power saving, then UE power consumption decreases, but network efficiency and system performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUE power consumptionVSAvoidnetwork efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic PDCCH monitoring adaptation where the UE can switch between different monitoring behaviors (continuous monitoring, skipping, or reduced monitoring) based on real-time network conditions and DCI indications. This allows the system to optimize power consumption during periods of low activity while maintaining full monitoring capability when network efficiency is critical.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the monitoring parameter dynamically by introducing DCI-based indications that trigger different monitoring patterns. The network can signal the UE to adjust its PDCCH monitoring frequency or skip certain monitoring occasions, effectively changing the monitoring parameter from a fixed value to a variable that adapts to current system conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If PDCCH monitoring is skipped to save power, then UE power consumption decreases, but reliability of communication deteriorates

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the network monitors UE behavior and can send DCI indications to adjust monitoring patterns. This closed-loop feedback ensures that when skipping is activated, the network is aware and can intervene to restore full monitoring if reliability requirements increase, thus maintaining communication reliability while enabling power savings during stable conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses preliminary actions by configuring the UE with multiple search space set groups in advance, where each group corresponds to different monitoring behaviors. The network can pre-prepare these configurations and switch between them based on anticipated traffic patterns or system conditions, ensuring reliability is maintained before critical events occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple search space set groups are configured for monitoring adaptation, then power saving flexibility increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower saving flexibilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the PDCCH monitoring function into multiple search space set groups, where each group represents a distinct monitoring pattern. This segmentation allows the UE to switch between predefined patterns without having to implement complex real-time monitoring decisions, reducing the computational burden while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses copying by creating multiple copies of search space configurations with different parameters (periods, offsets, etc.). Instead of implementing a single complex adaptive algorithm, the system creates simplified copies of the basic monitoring structure that can be activated based on DCI indications, reducing device complexity while preserving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4080943B1Application timeline with unified design for active mode user equipment power saving for apparatuses, systems, and methods
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 APPLE INC
  • EP4080943B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4080943B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4080943B1 patent drawingFigure 2C

AI summary

A wireless communication system may adapt physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) monitoring behaviors using downlink control information (DCI). The change in monitoring behavior may be skipping or switching. The timeline for applying switching or skipping may be applied after a reference point and a processing time. In some embodiments, the processing time may be either based on UE processing, network processing, or a combination.