Power Preference Indicator Timer for LTE Signaling Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current LTE systems face challenges in optimizing power savings and reducing signaling load for user equipment (UE) with diverse data applications, particularly in scenarios with sparse or intermittent data transmissions, as they often rely on default power configurations that do not prioritize power consumption for background applications.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a power preference indication (PPI) mechanism with a new timer (T3xx) that starts during RRC connection setup or reconfiguration, allowing the UE to delay PPI signaling until necessary, thereby reducing unnecessary signaling and optimizing power consumption for background data traffic.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the UE sends power preference indication messages frequently to maintain optimal power configuration, then power consumption optimization is improved, but signaling load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidsignaling load
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a timer-based mechanism (T3xx) that periodically controls when power preference indication messages can be sent. The timer prevents continuous or frequent signaling by imposing a time interval between successive PPI messages, thereby reducing signaling load while still allowing periodic power optimization updates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The timer T3xx is started in advance during RRC connection setup or reconfiguration before any power preference indication is needed. This preliminary action pre-establishes the signaling restriction period, ensuring that unnecessary PPI messages are prevented from being sent during the timer duration, thus reducing overall signaling load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the UE maintains continuous network connection for background applications, then application functionality is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication functionalityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts the UE's power preference indication based on timer status and network conditions. The system transitions between different power states (connected with optimization, idle, or disconnected) depending on whether the timer is running and whether data transmission is active, allowing background applications to function while optimizing power consumption through state transitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Quantity of substance

If the UE delays power preference indication signaling until necessary, then signaling load is reduced, but power optimization responsiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignaling loadVSAvoidoptimization responsiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The network side monitors the timer status and UE power preference indications, providing feedback to determine when to restart the timer or adjust power configurations. This feedback mechanism ensures that power optimization is triggered promptly when actually needed (e.g., upon data transmission), balancing signaling reduction with optimization responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2901803B1Power preference indicator timer
Publication Date: 2018.02.21 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP2901803B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2901803B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2901803B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

In accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the invention there is at least a method and an apparatus to perform operations including starting, by a device of a communications network, a timer in response to a radio resource control message, where a power preference indication message is not sent by the device for at least a duration of the timer.