Radio Terminal Extended DRX Cycle Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication systems lack a mechanism for appropriate control of extended Discontinuous Reception (DRX) cycles, which are essential for reducing power consumption in machine-type communication (MTC) and other applications, leading to inefficiencies in monitoring and resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

A radio terminal and network apparatus that allow for the configuration of extended DRX cycles by exchanging parameters between the terminal and the base station, enabling the specification of timing for receiving paging messages and determining the feasibility of configuring longer DRX cycles, which can be notified through broadcast or unicast, and adjusted based on performance parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a conventional DRX cycle is used for monitoring downlink control channels, then the radio terminal can maintain reliable communication monitoring, but the power consumption of the radio terminal increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcommunication monitoring reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic DRX cycle adjustment by allowing the radio terminal to request extended DRX cycle configurations based on its current state and needs. The network can dynamically switch between conventional and extended DRX cycles, adjusting the monitoring frequency adaptively to balance power consumption and communication reliability in different scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the DRX cycle parameter from a fixed conventional value to an extended variable value. By introducing extended DRX cycle parameters and allowing negotiation between the radio terminal and network, the system can optimize the monitoring interval parameter to reduce power consumption while maintaining acceptable communication reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If an extended DRX cycle is configured to further reduce power consumption, then the power consumption decreases, but the timing for receiving paging messages becomes less precise and may miss communication opportunities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidpaging reception timing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the radio terminal monitors communication conditions and provides feedback to the network about its power needs and reception status. The network uses this feedback to adjust the extended DRX cycle configuration, ensuring that paging messages are transmitted at appropriate times even with longer intervals, thus maintaining timing accuracy while reducing power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent allows the radio terminal to preliminarily request extended DRX cycle configuration before actually needing it. The network can prepare and configure extended DRX parameters in advance, ensuring that when the terminal transitions to extended DRX mode, the timing for paging reception is already optimized and synchronized, preventing loss of paging opportunities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the network supports extended DRX configuration, then the adaptability to different communication scenarios improves, but the device complexity and control mechanism complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveDRX cycle adaptabilityVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal extended DRX control mechanism that can handle both conventional and extended DRX scenarios through a unified framework. The same control procedures and signaling mechanisms are used whether the network configures conventional or extended DRX cycles, reducing the need for separate complex control paths and simplifying the overall system architecture

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces standardized signaling procedures as intermediaries between the radio terminal and network for DRX configuration. These standardized messages and procedures act as mediators that simplify the interaction, allowing the network to configure extended DRX cycles through well-defined signaling without requiring complex direct control logic, thus reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4187985A1Radio terminal, processor and method
Publication Date: 2023.05.31 KYOCERA CORP
  • EP4187985A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4187985A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4187985A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A communication method according to the present embodiment comprises: a step of establishing, by a radio terminal (100), a Radio Resource Control, RRC, connection with a base station (200) and enter an RRC connected mode; a step of receiving, by the radio terminal (100), a connected mode discontinuous reception, DRX, parameter configured by the base station (200); and a step of transmitting, by the radio terminal (100), a message including information indicating a connected mode DRX cycle length preferred by the radio terminal (100), to the base station (200).