Radio Power Saving Mode Control via Application Traffic Patterns

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power-saving mechanisms in wireless devices, such as DRX and DTX, are too generic and do not account for specific network traffic activity, leading to inefficient power consumption and increased signalling overhead due to unnecessary radio mode changes.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where applications provide access information to the radio control logic to determine operational modes based on usage patterns, allowing for immediate power-saving modes and optimized data transmission intervals, thereby reducing power consumption and signalling overhead.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If generic inactivity timer values are used for DRX/DTX, then power saving mechanism is established, but power consumption cannot be optimized for specific traffic patterns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidadaptability to specific traffic patterns

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of DRX/DTX parameters based on real-time traffic activity detection. The system transitions from static generic timer values to dynamic parameter adjustment, where the radio control logic continuously monitors traffic patterns and adapts inactivity timer values accordingly, enabling both power saving and traffic-specific optimization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces feedback mechanisms where traffic activity information flows from the application layer back to the radio control logic. This feedback loop enables the system to detect actual traffic patterns and adjust DRX/DTX parameters in response, resolving the contradiction between generic power saving and traffic-adaptive optimization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of energy

If radio enters sleep state frequently based on generic timers, then power is saved, but signalling overhead increases due to unnecessary mode changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidsignalling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of traffic activity patterns before triggering radio mode changes. By detecting traffic patterns in advance and predicting upcoming activity, the system avoids unnecessary sleep state transitions and associated signalling overhead, enabling power saving only when truly appropriate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If inactivity timer values are negotiated with base station, then DRX/DTX mechanism is established, but specific application usage patterns are not considered

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDRX/DTX mechanism reliabilityVSAvoidapplication-specific usage adaptation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the power control function into multiple layers: the radio control logic handles generic DRX/DTX mechanisms while the application layer handles specific usage pattern detection. This segmentation allows both generic reliability and specific adaptability to coexist, with each layer operating independently but cooperatively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8886132B2Controlling power saving mode in radio

Publication Date: 2014.11.11 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

The disclosure relates to controlling the operational mode of a radio in a wireless device, with an aim to reducing power consumption. A method of controlling the operational mode of a radio in a wireless device, includes executing at least one application, that provides access information for use by radio control logic to determine an operational mode of a radio, where the said access information defines usage of the radio by that application.