PDCCH Skipping and Wake-Up Signaling Coordination for UE Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies do not effectively handle the simultaneous configuration of PDCCH skipping and wake up signaling, leading to inefficiencies in power consumption reduction during discontinuous reception in communication devices.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for determining whether to skip monitoring the PDCCH and WUS based on the type of PDCCH, allowing simultaneous configuration of PDCCH skipping and WUS, thereby optimizing power savings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If PDCCH skipping is configured to reduce power consumption, then power saving is improved, but handling simultaneous WUS occasions becomes complex and inefficient

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of PDCCH monitoring behavior based on WUS detection outcomes. The UE adapts its monitoring strategy in real-time: when WUS indicates no transmission, the UE skips PDCCH monitoring; when WUS indicates transmission, the UE monitors PDCCH. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by making the system flexible rather than statically complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different monitoring strategies to different time periods and conditions. During WUS-indicated idle periods, the UE skips PDCCH monitoring to save power. During WUS-indicated active periods, the UE monitors PDCCH normally. This localized application of different qualities (monitoring vs. skipping) resolves the contradiction between power saving and configuration complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Use of energy by moving object

If WUS is used to wake up UE for transmissions, then power consumption is reduced, but coordination with PDCCH skipping occasions creates inefficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidsignal handling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses WUS as a preliminary signal before PDCCH monitoring. The network sends WUS in advance to indicate whether the UE should wake up for PDCCH monitoring. This preliminary action allows the UE to make informed decisions about subsequent PDCCH monitoring, improving both power efficiency and signal handling by avoiding unnecessary wake-ups.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback through WUS that informs the UE about upcoming transmission status. The network provides feedback via WUS whether the UE needs to monitor PDCCH in the upcoming DRX on-duration. This feedback mechanism coordinates WUS and PDCCH skipping efficiently, resolving the contradiction between power saving and signal handling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Use of energy by moving object

If PDCCH monitoring is skipped continuously, then power consumption decreases, but transmission opportunities may be missed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidtransmission detection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The network performs preliminary action by sending WUS before the DRX on-duration to indicate whether transmission is scheduled. This allows the UE to reliably determine whether to skip or monitor PDCCH without missing transmission opportunities, as the network has already prepared the wake-up indication in advance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The WUS mechanism provides feedback from the network to the UE about transmission scheduling status. This feedback ensures that when the UE skips PDCCH monitoring based on WUS indication, it does not miss actual transmissions, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3984289B1Mechanism for handling pdcch skipping and wake up signaling
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP3984289B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3984289B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3984289B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to handling physical downlink control channel skipping and wake up signaling. According to example embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a solution for handling WUS occasions and the PDCCH skipping. In this solution, the device may determine whether to skip monitoring the PDCCH and determine whether to skip monitoring the WUS based on the type of PDCCH. The device may also determine when to transmit the WUS based on the type of the PDCCH. In this way, the WUS and the PDCCH skipping can be configured simultaneously and the power can be further saved.